Biomotor Unitron[a] is a role-playing video game (RPG) developed by Yumekobo for the Neo Geo Pocket Color. Released in Japan and North America in 1999 by publisher SNK, Biomotor Unitron was the first RPG for the SNK handheld console.[2] A Nintendo Switch version was released on May 26, 2022.[3] The game was later re-released as part of Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection Vol. 2 in 2022.
| Biomotor Unitron | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Yumekobo |
| Publisher(s) | SNK |
| Director(s) | Masaaki Umekawa |
| Producer(s) | Hajime H. |
| Designer(s) | Takahiro Oku |
| Programmer(s) | Masaru Miyashita |
| Artist(s) | Mayumi Takeuchi |
| Writer(s) | Kouya Sakugami |
| Composer(s) | Takuya Hanaoka |
| Series | Unitron |
| Platform(s) | Neo Geo Pocket Color Nintendo Switch |
| Release | Neo Geo Pocket ColorNintendo Switch
|
| Genre(s) | Role-playing game |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
A sequel, Kikou Seiki Unitron, was released in Japan in 2000, but because of SNK's bankruptcy the title never saw a release in the United States.
Gameplay
editBiomotor Unitron is a "dungeon crawler" RPG with pseudorandom dungeons. The player controls a robot called a Unitron, and walks through the dungeons fighting battles to earn money and experience. The experience boosts stats for the player character, and their "control" of the Unitron, but not the Unitron itself. There is rather a system of parts upgrades. The upgraded parts can be purchased, or "developed" using existing items, "tools", and "materials". The game has a fairly standard HP system. Instead of MP, there is EP, and EP is consumed with every action in battle. EP regenerates with every battle. In the game, there are initially four dungeons and a town. Each of the four dungeons that are initially available, has elemental affinity, and seven floors. Each dungeon's layout, rather than being truly random, is selected from multiple preprogrammed layouts. The town is menu-driven, with access to "Works", where you equip parts, develop parts, and save data. There is also a shop, and there are multiple areas you can visit to talk to the townspeople. Some of the townspeople provide stat boosts, or will sell items to you. Finally, there is an arena in town, where you can fight other Unitrons for money, prizes, and many levels of advancing rank. The game has two main goals. The first goal is to build your Unitron up as much as possible. The second, is to clear the first four elemental affinity dungeons, and then clear the final dungeon, finishing the game.
Reception
edit| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| AllGame |    [4] |
| GameSpot | 8.5/10[5] |
| IGN | 7.0/10[2] |
| RPGamer | 7.0/10[6] |
| Pocket Gamer | C+[7] |
| Pocket Videogames | 4/5[8] |
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (July 2021) |
Biomotor Unitron received positive reception from critics since its release.
In 2014, HobbyConsolas's Álvaro Alonso identified Biomotor Unitron as one of the twenty best games for the Neo Geo Pocket Color.[9] Likewise, Time Extension listed it as one of the best games for the NGPC.[10]
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ "Biomotor Unitron". IGN. Archived from the original on March 5, 2000. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ a b Cleveland, Adam (September 17, 1999). "Biomotor Unitron - Find out what we thought on the NeoGeo Pocket Color's first role-playing game". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 2016-03-12. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
- ^ "Biomotor Unitron is the Next Switch Neo Geo Pocket Color Game". 25 May 2022.
- ^ Ottoson, Joe (1999). "BioMotor Unitron - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on 2014-11-15. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
- ^ Gertsmann, Jeff (April 28, 2000). "Bio Motor Unitron Review - Bio Motor Unitron serves as the Neo Geo Pocket's answer to games like Pokémon and Monster Rancher". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 2021-07-03. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
- ^ Drury, Martin (2002). "Bio-Motor Unitron - Review". RPGamer. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on 2015-09-19. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
- ^ "Hand-To-Hand Combat - The Match of the Millennium?: NeoGeo Reviews & Previews - Biomotor Unitron". Pocket Gamer. No. 1. Imagine Media. 2000. p. 63.
- ^ Blaszczyk, Olivier (February 2000). "Biomotor Unitron (US)". Pocket Videogames (Hors-Serie) (in French). No. 1. ACBM. (Transcription by PVG24. Archived 2021-07-03 at the Wayback Machine).
- ^ Alonso, Álvaro (February 2, 2014). "Reportaje: Los 20 mejores juegos de Neo Geo Pocket/NGP Color". HobbyConsolas (in Spanish). Axel Springer SE. Archived from the original on 2021-09-02. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
- ^ McFerran, Damien (February 3, 2023). "Best Neo Geo Pocket Color Games". Time Extension. Hookshot Media. Archived from the original on 2023-02-03. Retrieved 2023-02-05.
