Custom Robo GX

Gameplay

Unlike every other Custom Robo title, battles in Custom Robo GX are in 2D rather than 3D, because the Game Boy Advance could not fully emulate other titles in the series. The storyline also differs: players cannot move the protagonist as in other entries. Instead, the main character's name serves as the cursor on the map screen for selecting locations. Inside a place, a pop-up window presents choices for what to do there. The overall goal is to complete the plot by collecting every Custom Robo, battle part, and other desired items while winning battles that advance the storyline. In combat, the objective is to reduce the opponent's hit points from 1000 to 0 using Custom Robos, guns, bombs, pods, and Action-Chips. An exclusive Action-Chip in this version lets players create an additional shield or expand their maneuvers. Many weapon combinations exist, and the new Action-Chip ability strengthens this combinational process. Battles start with the player's robo launched from a Robocannon controlled with the D-pad. Unlike other titles, after launch the robo has a random amount of time before being ready, rather than depending on which cube face it lands on. Custom Robos are grouped by similar abilities. The game has only one camera view, which zooms out when the two robos are far apart and zooms in when they are close. An endurance bar sits above the hit points; when it depletes, the robo becomes downed and stays fallen for a few seconds. Upon rising, it enters a rebirth state with about three seconds of invincibility. If the player repeatedly loses the same battle, the game offers to reduce the opponent's initial health. Continued losses increase the handicap up to 75%, giving the opponent a starting 250 HP.