The Transformer Games Part 2
Transformers: Mystery of Convoy
Publisher: Famicom (The Nintendo of Japan)
Year: 1986
Machine: Nintendo
Story: It is not all that clear but you, as Ultra Magnus must fight off the Decepticons (mainly generic ones eg. planes, tanks).
Notes: In this game as with all the other games you can transform from robot to vehicle modes. I don't really know much of this games background but try the following sites for more info.
Super Duper Toy Archive Toy - Go here for a scan of the box cover and cartridge.
JTF - Go here for a scans of the inlays and artwork.
Onyx Primal's TF Game page - Go here for general information and tips.
The game has many levels but I (and many others) can only get to the nineth level. Once you get to the end of the level it just takes you back to the beginning. The game features end of level guardians. Some of these are recognisable as Bruticus, Menasor, the Decepticon spaceship, the Decepticon symbol (in various colours), Megatron, and Trypticon. (these last two are on the front cover of the box)
| Beast wars
|
Story: Various plots for either the Predacons or Maximals to engage in. Each level ends with a fight of a major enemy. The Maximals are Optimus Primal, Rhinox, Cheetor, Dinobot and Airazor. The Predacons are Megatron, Inferno, Tarantulas, Scorponok and Terrorsaur. There are 12 major missions for each area: Urban, Desert, Polluted and Volcanic. There are also rescue missions, which are bonus missions if you pick up a certain item during the game.
Notes: The PC version (36 levels) features more levels then the Playstation version (24 levels) according to the back of the packaging. The Playstation version also features 26 techno tracks from the game to listen to. The music from the PC game can also be listened to, the first track is the game information but the other 11 tracks are music tracks. Terrorsaur and Airazor are only available in the bonus flying missions (Optimus and Inferno can also be selected). Tigertron and Waspinator are absent from the game. There are two Secret characters, Rattrap and Blackarachnia, who are located in the polluted zone. To reach them you must wander round until you find a stasis pod.
The game has an offical site at www.beastwars.com.
The game recently featured in Hasbro's other transforming show Animorphs, which bear the Transformers logo. It was being played by the main characters in the first episode, but Beast Wars wasn't mentioned by title.
Unlike Doctor Who and the Mines of terror, Beast Wars is a better game for Beast Wars fans then ordinary gamers. The game play is simple and basic compared to other releases of the time, BUT the definition of the characters is superb, the only bad point is that they don't use the voices from the TV show.
End of level guardians (Maximal / Predacon)
Desert levels - Cheetor, Scorponok
Urban levels - Rhinox, Tarantulas
Publicity: There was an offer of a free beast wars figure (£4.99 versions) in some computer game shops with a choice of Rattrap, Razorbeast, Armordillo, Insecticon and Snapper. An advert for the game was a one off specially drawn to publicize the game release and featured in numerous Computer magazines.
Hints and tips
These are general hints and tips for both versions.
Infinite Points
Go to a desert level with a rock wall. Now Maximize or Terrorize and
shoot the rocks. This only works if you didnt pick up any red chips. If
shooting in one area doesnt work, shoot an edge. Your points will grow
with every shot.
Missile Lock
To use the Missile Lock, hold the FIRE button after shooting to lock
the missile on an enemy.
Playing Tip
If you're playing as the Maximals, use Cheetor in Polluted levels and
Optimus in other levels. If you're using the Predacons, use Megatron in
Polluted levels and Inferno in other levels.
Beast Wars Trainer
This is a program which can be run while the game is playing which gives you Infintive energy and life.
But if you fall down a hole or pit you won't die! you'll just be stuck there so be careful.
Play station codes:
Super Weapons
While playing quickly press Up, Down, Left, Right, Triangle, X, Square.
Weapon Power-Up
To max out your weapon energy, pause the game then hold L2 and press
Up, Down,Left, Right, Triangle, X, Square. Unpause the game while continuing
to hold L2. Your Weapons should be at the maximum level.
Weapon Power-Up
Pause the game, hold down L1, quickly press Left, Right Down, Up, Triangle,
X, Square while still holding L1, release L1 and unpause the game.
Level Skip
Pause the game, then hold L2 and press Up, Down, Left, Right, Triangle,
X, X, Triangle, Right, Left, Down, Up. Continue to hold L2 and unpause.
| Beast Wars 2
|
Story: You can choose from various BWII characters including Galvatron, Lio-Convoy, Megastorm and Scuba. Other Beast Wars series also feature with Megatron, Cheetas and Convoy from Beast Wars and Guiledart from Beast Wars Neo. Each has their own special fighting technique in robot or vehicle/beast mode.
Notes: Head on over to Rockman's webpage for the Faq on the game and scans of the inlay. The game also features various sub games as well as the main game. There are also hidden characters to be found !
Challenge of the Gobots
Publisher: Hanna Barbera Productions Inc (Ariolasoft)
Year: 1987, June 24th (Spectrum), May (other versions)
Price:
£8.99 (Spectrum)
£9.99(C64 Cassette)
£12.99 (C64 Disk)
£8.99 (Amstrad Cassette)
£14.99 (Amstrad Disk)
Machines: ZX Spectrum (128K), Commodore 64, Amstrad
Type: Arcade / Shoot-em-up
Authors: Tony Crowther, Ross Goodley, Tony Cooper
Music: Ben Daglish
Story: The evil Gog has taken over the planet Moebuis and is mining its ore, to use as fuel to conquer Earth. You as Leader-1 must collect rockets (Scooter) and destroy Gog's bases inside the planets two surfaces. His evil badbots, Turbo and Copter will try and steal the rockets. Copter can be stopped by shooting him. Turbo can be stopped by landing, mining ore from the planet to form a rock which you can throw at him.
The characters featured varied from game to game. All three games feature Leader-1, Scooter and Cy-kill. Turbo is present in the Amstrad and Commodore versions. Copter is in the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum versions but is replaced by Crusher in the Amstrad version.
References - ZX Spectrum magazines
| Magazine | Issue | Feature |
| Sinclair User | August 1987 | Preview |
| Your Sinclair | August 1987 | Preview |
| Crash | August 1987 | Review |
| Sinclair User | September 1987 | Review |
| Your Sinclair | September 1987 | Review |
| Sinclair User | September 1987 | Hack |
Note: This was the pretender to the throne back in the early eighties. I myself liked them both but Gobots didn't survive despite spawning a movie with Telly Savalas. The game came with two tapes, the game itself and a story tape which retells in music and robot voices the basic game plot. It also has a computerized comic book giving the background story to the game as well. It was even presented in three languages, English, French, and German.
The plot itself is nothing like the Tv series. The evil Gog controls his evil robots (badbots) which include Turbo. You must use clones of Scooter as rockets to blow up his bases.
The game was advertised in most Spectrum magazines with a full page advert of the games front art work. Your Sinclair devoted not only a front cover to it but also a two page spread.
Difficult as hell, the main problem being it plays to fast. Unusual for a game, it featured an option screen that allowed certain features to be changed such as your speed, turning gravity on or off and also if an object would harm you or not. This is featured on the Amstrad and Spectrum versions but not the Commodore version
Pokes:
| Feature | Address | Code |
| Infinitive lives | 51330 | 205 |
| 52515 | 205 |
The Spectrum magazine Crash ran a feature on TV tie-in games (issue 48) and had even less to say about the Gobots then the Transformers "And then there's Challenge Of The Gobots (37%, Issue 43) from Reaktor, yet another dreadful tie-in. Controlling Leader-1 you embark on a dangerous mission to rescue your friends. Whatever one might have imagined the game could look like, no one could have been prepared for something faintly reminiscent of the ancient Commodore 64 hit Sheep In Space. Poor content, poor programming and steep price resulted in an extremely disappointing product."
Now I'm not sure that I agree with all of that but they were right about the game being similar to Sheep In Space.
The Commodore 64 magazine zzap! 64 also gave the game a pretty bad score of 44% in issue 28