One of the booming video game franchises going on in Japan right now is that of Custom Robo. In Japan, three Custom Robo games have already been released to much praise and good sales. In the United States, we are only just now getting to see Custom Robo in action, and if Custom Robo does nothing else for United States players, it’ll make them look out for the sequel. Custom Robo is a unique experience for the Gamecube that brings quirky graphics, fun gameplay, and lots of customization to the floor. While far from perfect, Custom Robo is a title that every GC owner should give a test run.

Features:
- Progressive Scan Compatible
- Over 200 collectable parts for your Robos
- Over 15 playable battle levels
- Many modes of play including Free for All, Team Battles, Handicap Matches, and Tag Matches
- Over 15 hours of gameplay if collecting everything
- 1-4 Players

Gameplay:
The whole idea of Custom Robo is customization. It almost seems that the story and the battles themselves take a backseat to finding the coolest, most brutal weapon combinations in the game. Through playing the two story modes, you will collect 8 unique types of robos. Each of these types has unique sets of abilities, aerial capabilities, speed, etc. In each of these 8 types, you’ll collect three variations of the robo type that has different styles of ramming, as well as varying speed, defense, and attack ratings. Also, you will collect a few “illegal” type robos that are overpowered. Putting it all together, we’re looking at 24 legal robos and a few illegal ones for you to test out and play with. Already, the amount of variety is huge, but guns, bombs, pods, and legs have yet to be mentioned.

One of the greatest things about Custom Robo is that it’s essential for you to actually use each and every one of the Robo types and robo parts in order to be successful. In this game, it’s very unlikely that you can find a combination that works every single time you get into battle. Sure, some combinations will work most of the time, but then you’ll encounter a foe that can counter each and every one of your attacks with their own attacks. You’re then forced to change you customization in order to exploit your foes weaknesses. It’s important to get to know each and every part in your inventory and while you’ll use some more than others, it’s good to know you have a part when you need it.

The battles themselves all take place in large holosseums, each of them vibrant in color and variety. Some are large, some are very small, some have moving parts, and some have pits of what appears to be lava. As if customizing your robo to match your opponent wasn’t enough, you’ll also need to keep in mind the holosseum you’ll be battling in. As clever as some of the holosseums are, however, often their scenic beauty is lost in the chaos that ensues as soon as the battle begins. Once the battle begins, the screen becomes a playground of explosions and bullets.


In a typical one on one match, which is the most common in story mode, the robos are ejected in cube form, and the player must mash buttons in order to release it before the opposing player. The first robo to be released has the major advantage of a preemptive strike. Once you are out of cube form, you must shoot, bomb, dash attack, and launch pods at your foes until they fall. As chaotic and frantic as the battles are, typically button mashing is not the best course of action. There are so many things going on at once, and your goal is to keep track of all of them. The first thing you need to know is how your opponent is playing. The two basic battle styles are ground and air. If your opponent is playing in the air, using air dashes or special parts to allow floating, your strategy becomes firing weapons that focus on the air. While trying to catch your opponent in the air, you also have to pay attention to your robo, because you may have some explosive pods homing in on you. It all makes for chaotic gameplay that is both fun and bittersweet.