Car Battler Joe
Car Battler Joe | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | Ancient |
Publisher(s) |
‹See Tfd› |
Composer(s) |
Yuzo Koshiro Tomonori Hayashibe |
Platform(s) | Game Boy Advance |
Release date(s) |
‹See Tfd› Wii U Virtual Console
|
Genre(s) |
Action RPG Vehicular combat |
Mode(s) | Single-player and multiplayer |
Car Battler Joe (激闘!カーバトラーGO!! Gekitou! Car Battler Go!!) is a car battling video game for the Game Boy Advance, developed by Ancient and published by Natsume. The game involves using cars to fight opponents in action-styled battles, with role-playing video game game mechanics.[1] It combined vehicular combat with action RPG elements in a similar manner to the earlier 1985 game Autoduel based on Car Wars, and later 2006 MMO game Auto Assault.[2]
Gameplay
The player, taking the role of 16-year-old Joe, must earn money by battling to buy parts for his car to make it stronger. The battles are fought in 16-bit Mode 7-style.
Reception
Reception | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Car Battler Joe received "generally favorable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[3] It was well received by Nintendo Power, which called it a "one-of-a-kind adventure" due to its combination of driving challenges and "RPG depth".[10] Before it was playable, Marc Nix of IGN was excited about its premise, as well as the developer attached to it.[11] In his review, he called its gameplay "hectic" and its controls well-designed. He also enjoyed the Mode 7 graphics. However, he found the sound to be less desirable, calling it "busy" but also "lacking punch".[8] It was the 87th most anticipated game for IGN's readers as of January 3, 2003.[12]
Electronic Gaming Monthly praised the car customization, commenting that without it, it would both mediocre and not as deep.[4] GameSpot's Frank Provo called it "weird and unique", and may not suit some people's tastes. However, he found an abundance of variety and personality to it.[6] In his preview of the game, GamePro's Pong Sifu found the gameplay unique and the graphics "delightful".[13] In his review, he commented that while the story was weak and the concept unoriginal, it was "easily one of the most fun action RPGs on the portable system".[5] RPGFan's Neal Chandran found it fun and worth a shot, noting that even with its flaws, its "charm and heart" won him over.[14] GameSpy's Zach Meston called it "unexpectedly entertaining", praising its customization and music and sound effects. However, he criticized the aiming system and storyline, the latter described as "bare-minum".[7]
References
- ↑ Chi Kong Lui (February 15, 2003). "Car Battler Joe - Review". GameCritics. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
- ↑ Joe Kaiser (July 8, 2005). "Unsung Innovators". Next Generation. Archived from the original on October 28, 2005. Retrieved April 2, 2010.
- 1 2 "Car Battler Joe for Game Boy Advance Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
- 1 2 EGM staff (September 2002). "Car Battler Joe". Electronic Gaming Monthly (158): 162.
- 1 2 Pong Sifu (October 31, 2002). "Car Battler Joe Review for Game Boy Advance on GamePro.com". GamePro. Archived from the original on January 23, 2005. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
- 1 2 Frank Provo (February 10, 2003). "Car Battler Joe Review". GameSpot. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
- 1 2 Zach Meston (February 11, 2003). "GameSpy: Car Battler Joe". GameSpy. Archived from the original on November 20, 2005. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
- 1 2 Marc Nix (December 13, 2002). "Car Battler Joe". IGN. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
- ↑ Jose Acosta (October 1, 2015). "Review: Car Battler Joe (Wii U eShop / GBA)". Nintendo Life. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
- 1 2 "Car Battler Joe". Nintendo Power. 165: 158. February 2003.
- ↑ Marc Nix (August 8, 2001). "Car Battler GO!". IGN. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
- ↑ IGN staff (January 3, 2003). "The GBA Top 100". IGN. Archived from the original on February 23, 2004. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
- ↑ Pong Sifu (April 18, 2002). "Car Battler Joe Hands-On". GamePro. Archived from the original on January 23, 2005. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
- ↑ Neal Chandran (November 17, 2004). "Car Battler Joe". RPGFan.