Super Robot Wars 64
Japan-exclusive tactical RPG with Game Boy connectivity.
Super Robot Wars 64 is a tactical role-playing game for the Nintendo 64, released exclusively in Japan in 1999. It belongs to the Super Robot Wars series and has deep connectivity with the Game Boy Color title Super Robot Wars: Link Battler.
The gameplay follows the series' standard tactical formula, where players position mecha units on a map to fight enemy forces. It features team attacks, letting two units strike an enemy together for extra damage—though this mechanic actually debuted earlier in Super Robot Wars 4 (1995). Using the Transfer Pak, players can share experience points between 64 and Link Battler, and unlock units that are normally exclusive to one system.
The story blends characters and plots from multiple mecha anime, set on Earth in the Super Robot Wars original calendar. It depicts a war between the human OZ faction and the human-led Muge Zorbados Empire from Dancouga, alongside alien threats like the Zonderians from GaoGaiGar. Players choose from four original protagonists, split into two story routes: Arklight Blue and Selene Meneth follow the "Real Robot" path, while Brad Skywind and Manami Hamill take the "Super Robot" path. Each protagonist has a unique rival who appears as a recurring opponent, and player choices in certain missions lead to branching narrative paths.
Development began shortly before the completion of Super Robot Spirits (1997). The Game Boy connectivity was added to attract younger players, allowing them to train robots in Link Battler and make them stronger for tough encounters in 64. Writer Toshiya Kagami requested a darker story than other series entries. The developers used pseudo-3D backgrounds but found the presentation limiting, which inspired more ambitious camera movements in later games like Super Robot Wars OG 2. The game was shown at the 1999 Tokyo Game Show and released on October 29, 1999, often advertised alongside Link Battler, which came out earlier that month.
Upon release, Famitsu gave it a score of 30 out of 40. Lionel Coen of French publication X64 praised the gameplay but criticized the 2D artstyle, comparing it to NES and SNES games. As of May 2004, it had sold 200,000 copies.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Super Robot Wars 64
- Developer
- AI
- Publisher
- Banpresto
- Producer
- Takanobu Terada
- Director
- Jin Akabane
- Writer
- Toshiya Kagami
- Composer
- Michihiro Nomura
- Series
- Super Robot Wars
- Released
- JP · October 29, 1999
- Genre
- Tactical role-playing
- Modes
- Single-player
- Platforms
- Nintendo 64
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Super Robot Wars 64 blends characters and story elements from multiple mecha anime. It takes place on Earth in the Super Robot Wars original calendar, and depicts a war between the human OZ faction and the human-led Muge Zorbados Empire from Dancouga, alongside alien antagonists such as the Zonderians from GaoGaiGar. The game features four original protagonists split between two story routes: Arklight Blue and Selene Meneth follow the 'Real Robot' route, while Brad Skywind and Manami Hamill follow the 'Super Robot' route. Each protagonist has a unique rival character that appears as a recurring opponent, and player choices in certain missions trigger branching narrative paths.
Reader's Guide
Super Robot Wars 64 is significant as the first entry in the Super Robot Wars series to introduce team attacks, allowing two units to attack an enemy simultaneously for greater damage. Its connectivity with Super Robot Wars: Link Battler via the Nintendo 64's Transfer Pak was a notable feature, enabling data exchange such as sharing experience points and unlocking exclusive units. The game's development began shortly before the completion of Super Robot Spirits (1997), and the decision to include Game Boy connectivity was made to appeal to younger players. The developers implemented pseudo-3D backgrounds but were limited in presentation, which inspired more ambitious camera movements in later games like Super Robot Wars OG 2. The game was publicly demonstrated at the 1999 Tokyo Game Show and was frequently advertised alongside Link Battler. Despite mixed reception—Famitsu scoring it 30 out of 40 and X64's Lionel Coen criticizing the 2D artstyle—the game sold 200,000 copies as of May 2004.
Did You Know?
- Team attacks were introduced earlier in Super Robot Wars 4 (1995), not in Super Robot Wars 64.
- The game's story was made darker at the request of writer Toshiya Kagami.
- Players can use the Transfer Pak to exchange data with Super Robot Wars: Link Battler for Game Boy Color.
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