“Custom Robo” works on a premise that is hard to beat: giant, infinitely customizable robots beating each other to pieces. Pandering to humans’ desires to (a) build things and (b) blow things up, it simply cannot miss. With literally tens of thousands of possible robot combinations, it may very well be your excuse for failing out of school this semester.

There are three different game modes: Arcade, Scenario, and Battle. Scenario mode starts out with a “traveling” scene, which acts as a tutorial to the game, and from there the actual fighting begins. As you win battles, you accumulate points which allow you to buy new parts for your robot.

A Custom Robo consists of five different parts: Body, Gun, Legs, Bomb, and Pod. In these categories, you’re presented with a vast array of choices, each with a different impact on defense, speed, weight, reaction time… and of course, coolness. After all, what’s the point of having the strongest robot if it doesn’t look cool? (Each part is available in 5 different colors.) And if you’re overwhelmed with choices, just ask your in-game helper “Harry.”

Of course, we can’t forget Battle Mode, where you finally get to show your friends what’s what. In this installation of the Custom Robo series, the Battle Mode has been expanded to include a 2-on-2 team mode and a Battle Royale free-for-all mode. This is really the “point” of Custom Robo: the infinite possibilities of customizing your robot, and to have the best ‘bot on the block, as it were. Custom Robo is due to hit American shores on May 10, 2004. We’ll keep you posted, as the day draws near.

Last updated: 05/13/2003

Custom Robo is one of those Nintendo franchises that US gamers have looked on with curiosity and interest, but have never completely understood. It seems that the new GameCube version is coming to the US, and looks absolutely phenomenal.

The whole premise behind the Custom Robo series is the ability to build your own machines and fight with them in frenzied firefights. There is a full sci-fi RPG storyline to play through in single-player, and several multi-player modes.

The game features 30 arenas and over 200 parts to make completely customized robots. We're excited by how slick the screens look, and will bring further impressions if we spot the game on the show floor.