Gameboy Advance - Super Robot Taisen D

Format
Gameboy Advance
Publisher
Banpresto
Country of origin
Japan
Release date
08/08/03
Genre
Turn-based strategy

Super Robot Taisen D

By Random Mecha Guy
8th Jul 04

Game:Super Robot Taisen D
System:Gameboy Advance
Release Date:08/08/03
Publisher:Banpresto
International Releases:None

You know that TV show called Robot Wars? The one with the little cars "robots" that destroy each other with chainsaws and flippy things? Well, the differences between this game and that show are more then the "Super" and "D" in this title.

In case you didn't know, the Super Robot Wars (or Super Robot Taisen) series dates back to the 1991. It was a crossover game that featured robots from various Anime such as Mobile Suit Gundam. Back then, the cast wasn't very big, and consisted only of Gundam, Getter Robo and Mazinger. And now, 10 years later, we have this game.

Gameplay:
The backbone of a game, and after playing this game for so long, I can safely say that the gameplay for this game is very good. It's a strategic turn-based game where you move your units around the map, while fighting (and blowing up) other robots. As with most strategic games for the GBA, there is an experience system. Each robot has a list of attacks (for example, Shin Getter Robo has it's Tomahawk, Getter Beam, Stoner Sunshine and a unique attack called Open Get where it attacks the enemy using each of it's forms). There are also alot of secrets, although they will not be obvious to anyone who hasn't seen any of the series in this. There is also a new feature where you do side missions which are little puzzles which you gain money and items for completing.

Cast:
This game features alot of different robot anime, such as the staples of this series, Gundam, Getter and Mazinger. Although the cast isn't as big as some of the other SRW games, it's still good enough for mecha fans. The complete list I believe is:
Zeta Gundam
Double Zeta Gundam
Gundam:Char's Counterattack
V Gundam
Gundam Wing (TV series only)
Mazinger Z
Great Mazinger
Grendizer
Shin Getter Robo OAV (Getter Robo:Armageddon)
Macross 7
Megazone 23
Godmars
Daltanious
Original Characters

Storyline:
Now, with that big list of robot anime series, you might be wondering what the storyline's about. Well, basicly, Banpresto mixed the series' individual storyline's a bit to make a brand new storyline. Although I can't read most of it, I can tell you that it looks very deep.

Graphics:
The first thing you'll notice when playing the actual game is the robots are all drawn completely in SD, although there are still some close ups for some of the Super Robots (basicly the robots that defy and written down logic, tend to draw weapons such as swords from odd places (such as nowhere) and have their pilots shout out all their attacks) and cut-ins for some of the pilots of the robots when they're using some of their attacks. The robots themselves are drawn nicely, and the attack animations are better then the other GBA SRW games, since alot of the time, the robots actually MOVE, instead of just having the robots simply slide across to the enemies. Of course, if you ever get sick of the animation, you have the choice in the menu of turning it off.

Sound:
This was also done very nicely. Each robot has it's respective series' OP playing in the background when it's attacking (such as when Wing Gundam Zero attacks, Rhythm Emotion plays in the background). The noises of the attacks are generally the same, but the music is still very good.

Life and Replayability:
Well, at the start of the game you already have 8 different ways to start, then after a scenario or two you are asked to choose a path at a split. And with 39 Stages in total (not counting side missions and 2 part missions) and more then 20 different possible routes, you'll have to play many times before you can unlock all of the secrets.

Overall, I would have to say that this game is very worthwhile, although getting it may be a bit hard, since it's only available in Japan.
Ebay is a decent way, or you could search online for a ROM, although that's against the law. Anyway, my final score is:

Gameplay:9
Storyline:8
Graphics:9
Sound:9
Replayability:10
Overall:9

-- Random Mecha Guy 8th Jul 04

Gameboy Advance Super Robot Taisen D Images