| Transformers: Convoy no Nazo | |
|---|---|
Japanese box art |
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| Developer(s) | ISCO |
| Publisher(s) | Takara |
| Designer(s) | Hiroshi Okamoto (programmer) |
| Platform(s) | Family Computer Virtual Console |
| Release date(s) |
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| Genre(s) | Run and gun |
| Mode(s) | Single player multiplayer |
| Rating(s) |
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| Media/distribution | Cartridge |
Fight! Super Robot Life Form Transformers: Mystery of Convoy (戦え! 超ロボット生命体トランスフォーマー コンボイの謎(ナゾ) Tatakae! Chō Robotto Seimeitai Toransufōmā: Konboi no Nazo) is a 1986 Family Computer video game developed by ISCO and published by Takara exclusively in Japan. It is based on the popular toyline Transformers.[1] The game was made available on the Virtual Console on June 10, 2008.[2]
The game stars Autobot protagonist Ultra Magnus. The box and cartridge label for the game reads Mystery of Comvoy. This would be a mis-romanization of Convoy, the Japanese name for Optimus Prime. The titular Mystery is the identity of Optimus Prime's killer, as the 1986 film did not see a Japanese release for another four years. Thus, Optimus Prime's death was not adequately explained to the Japanese audience; this game was intended to capitalize on that gap.
It was also highly requested by many people to be featured in a DVD Special episode of the hit Japanese television show GameCenter CX (known outside of Japan as Retro Game Master), which was seriously accepted by the show's staff. Tele Tele TV Magazine ran a contest in their December 1986 issue to win an exclusive limited edition silver plated cart of the game. Only 50 were made and given to the first of those 50 who sent in a postcard with their name, address and favorite Transformer. The only change to the game itself was an extra ® Registration to Takara 1987 over of the 1986 one.
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Ironically, The Transformers: The Movie was initially released only in the Western market. The movie details the final epic battle between Optimus Prime and Megatron, during which Optimus sustained fatal injuries. As a result, he passes the Autobot Matrix of Leadership on to Ultra Magnus before passing away. The third season of the animated series picked up where the movie left off, and was aired in both the United States and Japan (where it was retitled Transformers 2010). However, since the movie was not yet released in Japan, the Japanese audience was left to wonder about the fate of Optimus Prime. This is the premise of the game, in which Ultra Magnus goes on a solo mission through various Decepticon strongholds to find out exactly what happened to Optimus.
The player controls Ultra Magnus, who must shoot his way through 10 horizontally and vertically scrolling levels consisting of various Decepticon enemies, with a boss fight at the end of each level. He can transform into a car carrier, which makes it easier for him to avoid enemy attacks, drive through narrow entrances and shoot enemies that are flying above him. Along the way, he can also pick up various power-ups which can give him wider ranging firepower or even the ability to fly. There are two Warp Zones within the game; they can be found by rescuing Bumblebee from the Decepticons.
The bosses for each level consist of mostly large Decepticon symbols, along with Megatron and Trypticon (known in Japan as Dinosaurer).[3]
Another playable character in the game is Rodimus Prime, who can be unlocked by collecting the letters that spell Rodimus. One is hidden, sequentially, in levels 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. However, though his vehicle mode has its own graphics, his robot-mode sprite is Ultra Magnus in Rodimus's palette.
Players noted that enemy projectiles moved rather quickly and often blended in with the background due to their small size. This resulted in frequent deaths and game overs because the game did not feature a life bar, checkpoints, or continues of any kind, other than a hidden input command on the game over screen before it reverts back to the title screen. The primary character (Ultra Magnus) dies after only a single hit or touch from enemy characters. The earliest enemies in the game are transforming Decepticon planes whose sprites measure shorter than the sprite used for Ultra Magnus' robot mode.
Other criticisms addressed the primary character's shot pattern missing common enemies, not being able to crouch and shoot, and the time duration for transforming into Ultra Magnus's car carrier mode (many claiming that it left the player far too open to enemy fire). Because of these oversights, many gamers have trouble completing the first stage.
Along with poor graphics and level design, the game was poorly received and failed to see a Western release.
It is also notorious for being incredibly difficult to finish, as the 9th stage is a maze that must be completed in an unintuitive and specific pattern. If the player fails to follow the set pattern, the stage will loop infinitely. Because of this seemingly random element, many ROM sites erroneously state that their version of the ROM is corrupt.