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'{{Infobox video game | image = [[File:Robotrekboxart.jpg|frameless|Robotrek]] | caption = North American box art | developer = [[Quintet (company)|Quintet]]{{efn|Sound by [[Ancient (company)|Ancient]].}} | publisher = [[Enix]] | director = Masaya Hashimoto | producer = Shinji Futami | writer = Reiko Takemoto | designer= Reiko Takemoto | programmer = Shigemi Kita | composer = Ayako Yoda | released = {{vgrelease|JP|July 8, 1994|NA|October 1994}} | genre = [[Role-playing video game|Role-playing]] | modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]] | platforms = [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]] }} '''''Robotrek''''', known in Japan as {{nihongo|'''''Slapstick'''''|スラップスティック|Surappusutikku|lead=yes}}, is a [[role-playing video game]] (RPG) for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] (SNES). It was developed by [[Quintet (company)|Quintet]] and published by [[Enix]] in both Japan and North America in 1994. Set on the fictional planet Quintenix, the game puts the player in control of a budding robotics expert who is the son of a famous inventor. As its Japanese name implies, ''Robotrek'' was intended as a humorous game. Designed to appeal to a younger audience, ''Robotrek'''s main focus is on allowing the player to raise up to three [[robot]]s which are built from spare parts that may be found, gained through battles, or generated by the player by means of the game's item combination system. ''Robotrek'' sold poorly and was given mostly average reviews upon its release. The game's combination of traditional RPG mechanics with the ability to build customizable robots and invent items was positively received. Mixed criticism was directly at its graphics, music, and overall presentation. Some sources have noted gameplay similarities between ''Robotrek'' and the later released ''[[Pokémon]]'' and ''[[Robopon Sun, Star, and Moon Versions|Robopon]]'' RPG franchises. ==Gameplay== ''Robotrek'' has similar gameplay to that of most RPG video games, with the notable exception that the main character is not the combatant; rather, the robots he invents are, making it more similar to ''[[Pokémon]]'' and ''[[Dragon Quest Monsters]]''. The robots are highly customizable, in aspects such as equipment, special attacks, body color and name. The player is allowed to build a maximum of three robots. Unlike many RPGs, the player must invent or create the robots' equipment, use "Program Points" to set the robot's attributes (as opposed to these attributes being set by the game), and program special attacks in a [[Macro (computer science)|macro]]-like fashion, although certain commands do special effects instead. ===Battles=== [[File:Robotrek battle gameplay.png|thumb|A battle encounter]] Battles are engaged by contact with the enemy on a map. The player usually attacks first, unless the enemy has caught the player's side or from behind. Battling in the game takes place on a battlefield under a variation of the [[Active Time Battle|ATB system]], in which the player must wait for a gauge to fill up before acting. Only one robot may fight at any time up against at most three enemies; the player can switch between robots at the cost of a turn (like in ''[[Pokémon]]''). During the player's turn, none of the enemies will act, and the robot is free to move around the battlefield and attack with one of its weapons. After the robot acts, a gauge appears with the letters E (empty) and F (full) at either end. The gauge's depletion will depend on what action the player used. Until the gauge reaches F, all enemies take turns attacking. Like most RPG video games, the character gains experience points, called here "Megs of Data". Once enough Megs are obtained, the player gains a level. Also all enemies do not give money by default, but certain enemies do drop it on the map after being defeated. Most enemies will drop some item or low-level equipment, but these can be "Recycled" to make money. This battling system also uses bonuses. The player can earn extra Megs of Data by defeating enemies within a time limit and using melee attacks. Bonus capsules are also scattered around for the duration of the time limit that can contain items or traps. ===Inventing=== Much of the game revolves around creating and combining items for the robots' benefit, and is essential to make higher-level equipment. The player creates and combines items using an invention machine. More items can be created by finding the "Inventor's Friends" series which can only be accessed depending on the character's level. Aiding the combination process are items called Scrap, these allow the player to create basic equipment or make more powerful ones. Weapons can also be strengthened by combining one weapon with the same type (swords for a Sword). A weapon can increase strength by nine times (called levels). The different Scraps that the protagonist can find, are: Scrap 1, Scrap 2, Scrap 3, Scrap 4, Scrap 5, Scrap 6, Scrap 7, Scrap 8, Scrap 9, Scrap 10, Scrap A and Scrap B. Scrap 9 and Scrap 10 when combined with some equipment or other scrap result the most powerful weapons in the game. Some inventions, equipment and scraps are not compatible. ==Plot== On the planet of Quintenix (Paradise Star in Japanese), where the situation has long been peaceful, a group calling themselves "The Hackers", headed by Blackmore, suddenly starts an uprising against the population by disrupting the peace of the town of Rococo (and elsewhere). The main character (who appears to be nameless) is the son of a famous inventor, Dr. Akihabara, who decides to move to Rococo. The main character soon sets off to find out that The Hackers want Dr. Akihabara for a sinister purpose, as Akihabara refuses an offer to join them. The story unfolds to the point where The Hackers' ultimate goal is the Tetron, a mysterious stone that allows viewers to observe events past and future and travel through time. The Tetron is later found out to be an invention of the main character's ancestor Rask (Rusk) and one of his friends, Gateau, finds the Tetron's potential as the key to controlling the universe by controlling time. Rask disregards that potential and hides the Tetron in shards throughout Quintenix. Gateau, who — presumedly — formed The Hackers later on, obtains the Tetron and attempts to proceed with his plan for universal domination, starting with Rask's home planet of Choco (Chocolate Star in Japanese). It is up to the main character to stop Gateau in his space fortress. ==Development and release== ''Robotrek'' was developed by [[Quintet (company)|Quintet]] and published by [[Enix]]. [[Ancient (company)|Ancient]] handled the game's audio. Quintet had previously developed the ''[[ActRaiser]]'' series, ''[[Soul Blazer]]'', and ''[[Illusion of Gaia]]'', all released by Enix on the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]].<ref name="gamefan97">{{cite magazine |author=Kuboki, Kei and Loe, Casey|magazine=[[GameFan]] |volume=5 |issue=1 |date=January 1997 |title=Japan Now: Quintet|page=122|publisher=Metropolis Media | issn=1092-7212}}</ref> Quintet first collaborated with Ancient on ''[[ActRaiser 2]]''.<ref name="polygon">{{cite web | author=Parish, Jeremy | date=June 19, 2017 | title=Yuzo Koshiro: Legendary game composer, family business owner | url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2017/6/19/15819622/yuzo-koshiro-legendary-game-composer-family-business-owner | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608064107/https://www.polygon.com/features/2017/6/19/15819622/yuzo-koshiro-legendary-game-composer-family-business-owner | archivedate=June 8, 2019 | publisher=[[Vox Media]] | work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] | accessdate=February 16, 2020}}</ref> ''Robotrek'' was [[Video game producer|directed]] by Quintet president Masaya Hashimoto, who supervised the staff during the project.<ref name="challengebook">{{cite book | author=Enix staff | date=August 8, 1994 | url=https://archive.org/stream/slapstick-challenge-book-official-strategy-guide/Slapstick%20-%20Challenge%20Book%20-%20Official%20Strategy%20Guide%20%28Compressed%29#page/n113/mode/2up | title=スラップスティック公式チャレンジブック | trans-title=Slapstick Official Challenge Book | publisher=[[Enix]] | isbn=978-4-870-25755-9 | pages=110–1}}</ref> After assisting on the overseas marketing of ''ActRaiser'', Shinji Futami was promoted to [[video game producer|producer]] for several Quintet games including ''Robotrek''.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=''Game Informer'' staff | date=February 2009 | title=Classic ''GI'' | magazine=[[Game Informer]] | publisher=[[GameStop]] | issue=190 | page=92 | issn=1067-6392}}</ref> Reiko Takemoto served as both the chief [[video game design#game designer|designer]] and scenario writer for ''Robotrek'', while Shigemi Kita was its main programmer. The game's original concept was devised three years prior to its release and actual development took a year and a half.<ref name="challengebook"/> As the Japanese title ''Slapstick'' implies, the game intentionally features a lighthearted, humorous tone and is officially billed as a "comedy RPG."<ref name="polygon"/><ref name="gamelibrary">{{cite web | author=Quintet staff | date=1997 | title=Quintet Game Library | url=http://www.quintet.co.jp/sfc5.html | publisher=[[Quintet (company)|Quintet]] | accessdate=February 16, 2020 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928014243/http://www.quintet.co.jp/sfc5.html | archivedate=September 28, 2007 | language=Japanese}}</ref><ref name="snesclassic">{{cite web | author=Parish, Jeremy | date=April 19, 2017 | title=Two SNES Classic Edition Game Collections We Would Like to See | url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/beyond-the-nes-classic-edition-super-nes-genesis-and-more/page-3 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901223829/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/beyond-the-nes-classic-edition-super-nes-genesis-and-more/page-3 | archive-date=September 1, 2019 | accessdate=February 17, 2020 | publisher=[[Gamer Network]] | work=[[Gamer Network|USgamer]]}}</ref><ref name="squareenix">{{cite web | author=Square Enix staff | title=スラップスティック | trans-title=''Slapstick'' | publisher=[[Square Enix]] | language=Japanese | url=https://www.jp.square-enix.com/game/detail/slapstick/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218180429/https://www.jp.square-enix.com/game/detail/slapstick/ | archive-date=February 18, 2020 | accessdate=February 18, 2020}}</ref> Takemoto stated that the central theme of robots and their inventor stemmed from the desire to make a game where the player nurtured their own creation. The original gameplay model consisted of the player inventing robots with different abilities that would aid the citizens of a town in their daily lives. The townspeople would then rate how well they were helped, earning the player [[Experience point|experience]]. An army of villains was added, expanded, and worked into the finalized storyline.<ref name="challengebook"/> Difficulties during development included Takemoto having to come up with compelling ideas for the game's plot and Kita having to rethink and recode the battle system several times.<ref name="challengebook"/> The characters, backgrounds, and enemies in ''Robotrek'' were designed by a team of Quintet artists. One artist of note is Kōji Yokota, who was responsible for designing the game's robots and claimed he was tasked with making them appear "[[Retro style|retro]]" or "old fashioned."<ref>{{cite book | author=Szczepaniak, John | date=August 4, 2014 | title=The Untold History of Japanese Game Developers | publisher=S.M.G Szczepaniak | page=300 | isbn=978-0-992-92602-1}}</ref> The soundtrack for ''Robotrek'' was composed by Ayako Yoda. Ancient president and lead composer [[Yuzo Koshiro]] is credited as a sound producer on the game. ''Robotrek'' was released in Japan on July 8, 1994.<ref name="gamelibrary"/><ref name="squareenix"/> According to ''[[Famitsu]]'' sales data, it was the 11th-best selling game among Japanese retailers during the week of its release and the 21st-best selling game the following week.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=''Famitsu'' staff | date=August 5, 1994 | title=Weekly Top 30 | magazine=[[Famitsu|Weekly Famitsu]] | publisher=[[ASCII Corporation]] | number=294 | page=15 | language=Japanese}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | author=''Famitsu'' staff | date=August 12, 1994 | title=Weekly Top 30 | magazine=[[Famitsu|Weekly Famitsu]] | publisher=[[ASCII Corporation]] | number=295 | page=15 | language=Japanese}}</ref> Enix published a strategy guide as part of its "Challenge Book" series in Japan on August 8, 1994.<ref>{{cite web | author=Quintet staff | date=1997 | title=Quintet Goods | url=http://www.quintet.co.jp/sfc5.html | publisher=[[Quintet (company)|Quintet]] | accessdate=February 16, 2020 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19990225112545fw_/http://www.quintet.co.jp/q_goods.html | archivedate=February 27, 1999 | language=Japanese}}</ref> ''Robotrek'' was released in North America in October of the same year.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=''Nintendo Power'' staff | date=May 1995 | title=Power Charts | magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] | publisher=[[Nintendo of America]] | volume=72 | page=9 | issn=1041-9551}}</ref> Quintet reported that ''Robotrek'' ultimately sold only 45,000 copies in Japan and 20,000 copies in North America.<ref name="hcg101">{{cite web | author=admin | date=July 12, 2017 | title=''Robotrek'' | url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/robotrek/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806024426/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/robotrek/ | archive-date=August 6, 2019 | publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101 | accessdate=February 22, 2020}}</ref><ref name="gamelibrary"/> Former [[Enix#North America|Enix America]] producer Robert Jerauld speculated that the game suffered poor sales due to lack of advertising and an oversaturation of games on the console at the time.<ref>{{cite web | author=Kemps, Heidi | date=November 15, 2014 | title=Interview: Robert Jerauld, former producer at Enix USA | url=http://www.gaming.moe/?p=331 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519064419/http://www.gaming.moe/?p=331 | archive-date=May 19, 2019 | accessdate=February 20, 2020 | publisher=Gaming.moe}}</ref> ''Robotrek'' would be one of the final games released by Enix in the region before taking a hiatus from publishing outside of Japan in late 1995.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=''Nintendo Power'' staff | date=January 1996 | title=Epic Center: Enix on a Quest | magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] | publisher=[[Nintendo of America]] | volume=80 | page=58 | issn=1041-9551}}</ref><ref name="fallfromgrace">{{cite web | author=Ciolek, Todd | date=August 6, 2012 | title=Falls from Grace: How Four Creative Game Companies Went Astray | url=http://www.1up.com/features/falls-grace-creative-game-companies | publisher=[[IGN]] | work=[[1Up.com]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117215822/http://www.1up.com/features/falls-grace-creative-game-companies |archive-date=January 17, 2013 | accessdate=February 18, 2020}}</ref> ==Reception and legacy== {{Video game reviews | GR = 67%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588622-robotrek/index.html |title=Robotrek for Super Nintendo |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=June 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209011911/https://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588622-robotrek/index.html |archive-date=December 9, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | EGM = 7.4 out of 10<ref name="egmreview">{{cite magazine | author=Weigand, Mike|title=Review Crew: ''Robotrek''|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=65|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=December 1994|page=38|issn=1058-918X}}</ref> | Fam = 30 out of 40<ref>{{cite magazine | author=''Famitsu'' staff | date=July 8, 1994 | title=クロスレビュー | trans-title=Cross Review | magazine=[[Famitsu|Weekly Famitsu]] | publisher=[[ASCII Corporation]] | number=290 | page=46 | language=Japanese}}</ref> | GP = 83%<ref name="gameplayers">{{cite magazine | author=Brumley, Doug | date=December 1994| title=SNES Review: ''Robo Trek'' | magazine=[[Game Players]] | publisher=Signal Research, Inc. | issue=66 | page=120 | issn=1059-2172}}</ref> | GamePro = 13 out of 20<ref name="gpreview">{{cite magazine|author=Drumhead |title=Robotrek|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=65|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=December 1994|pages=200–2}}</ref> | NP = 3.5 out of 5<ref name="npreview">{{cite magazine | author=''Nintendo Power'' staff | date=January 1995 | title=Now Playing | magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] | publisher=[[Nintendo of America]] | volume=68 | page=105, 107 | issn=1041-9551}}</ref> | SP = 72%<ref name="superplay">{{cite magazine|author=Mortlock, Dean|date=May 1995|title=Import Review: ''Robotrek''|magazine=[[Super Play]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|page=55|issue=31|issn=0966-6192}}</ref> }} ''Robotrek'' received mostly average review scores from printed media at the time of its release. Reactions to its gameplay were mostly positive. Nick Rox of ''[[GameFan]]'', Dean Mortlock of ''[[Super Play]]'', and Doug Brumley of ''[[Game Players]]'' all viewed the ability to invent items and build customizable robots that fight in the protagonist's place as innovative or original. Rox recommended the game as "a totally different and refreshing RPG experience."<ref name="gamefan95">{{cite magazine | author=Rox, Nick | date=January 1995 |title=''Robotrek'' | magazine=[[GameFan]] | publisher=DieHard Gamers Club | volume=3 | issue=1 | page=57 | issn=1092-7212}}</ref> Mortlock appreciated the ability to invent objects and add new robots as the game's one saving grace. He compared this latter feature to recruiting and maintaining a traditional RPG party, but admitted "at least they're trying to be different."<ref name="superplay"/> These gameplay attributes, coupled with [[Nonlinear gameplay|linear]] storyline progression, led Brumley to conclude that ''Robotrek'' was "a fun choice for players without much RPG experience."<ref name="gameplayers"/> However, ''[[GamePro]]'' negatively assessed that ''Robotrek'' "unsuccessfully attempts to push the envelope of its genre," criticizing the inability to send more than one robot into battle at a time and the [[trial and error]] involved in creating hybrid weapons and items. The magazine did praise the robots' special attacks and the option to avoid enemy encounters.<ref name="gpreview"/> Critical reception for the game's visuals, sound, and overall light, humorous presentation have been mixed. ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]''{{'}}s Mike Weigand offered a very brief, positive review of the game but desired "a little harsher tone to the whole thing."<ref name="egmreview"/> Although Rox found the "hyper-cute" music passable, he stated that the "extremely bland graphics" nearly ruined the game.<ref name="gamefan95"/> ''GamePro'' described the graphics and audio as especially generic for RPGs.<ref name="gpreview"/> Mortlock echoed this sentiment, stating that its "cartoony graphics give the impression of simplicity" and that "the sound's the usual sort of thing."<ref name="superplay"/> ''[[Nintendo Power]]'' approved of the [[Sprite (computer graphics)|spritework]] but likewise discounted the overworld graphics as "simple" and criticized the English text as roughly translated and nonsensical at times.<ref name="npcoverage">{{cite magazine | author=''Nintendo Power'' staff | date=January 1995 | title=Full Coverage: ''Robotrek'' | magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] | publisher=[[Nintendo of America]] | volume=68 | pages=18–25 | issn=1041-9551}}</ref><ref name="npreview"/> Brumley alternatively praised ''Robotrek'' as having "colorful landscapes and cartoon-style characters," a "wonderful soundtrack," and some "realistic" sound effects.<ref name="gameplayers"/> Online commentary regarding ''Robotrek'' has varied. In a Quintet retrospective, [[1Up.com]] editor Todd Ciolek considered ''Robotrek'' as one of the developer's few missteps during the SNES era, describing it as an "odd robot-raising RPG" that "few warmed up to."<ref name="fallfromgrace"/> [[Gamer Network|USgamer]] journalist Jeremy Parish similarly described it as "weird" yet "pretty solid" simply due to Quintet's pedigree up to that point.<ref name="snesclassic"/> When writing about the genre's prominence on the SNES, Brett Elston from ''[[GamesRadar+]]'' counted ''Robotrek'' among a set of strong "second stringers" like ''[[The 7th Saga]]'', ''[[Paladin's Quest]]'', and ''[[Uncharted Waters]]''.<ref>{{cite web | author=Elston, Brett | date=August 23, 2011 | title=The Top 7 Reasons the Super NES is Nintendos best console | url=https://www.gamesradar.com/top-7-reasons-super-nes-nintendos-best-console/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216072934/https://www.gamesradar.com/top-7-reasons-super-nes-nintendos-best-console/ | archive-date=February 16, 2019 | publisher=[[Future US]] | work=[[GamesRadar+]] | accessdate=February 17, 2020}}</ref> A few sources have noted similarities between ''Robotrek'' and ''[[Pokémon]]'', an RPG franchise launched two years later in 1996. Joe Keiser of ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' credited ''Robotrek'' as a predecessor to the core gameplay of ''Pokémon'' in that the protagonist does not himself fight, but instead sends out robots, which are kept in capsules outside of battle.<ref name="Keiser">{{cite web | author=Keiser, Joe | date=July 8, 2005 | title=Unsung Innovators | url=http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=336&Itemid=2|publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|work=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] | accessdate=April 2, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051028224610/http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=336&Itemid=2 |archivedate=October 28, 2005}}</ref> Staff for both ''[[Hardcore Gaming 101]]'' and ''RPGamer'' also observed a resemblance in functionality between these capsules and the [[Gameplay of Pokémon|Poké Balls]] used in ''Pokémon''.<ref name="hcg101"/><ref>{{cite web | author=Scribner, Matthew | title=''Robotrek'' - Review | url=https://archive.rpgamer.com/games/other/snes/rtrek/reviews/rtrekstrev1.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222162833/https://archive.rpgamer.com/games/other/snes/rtrek/reviews/rtrekstrev1.html | archive-date=February 22, 2020 | publisher=RPGamer | accessdate=February 22, 2020}}</ref> ''[[The Verge]]'' contributor Nick Statt and ''Hardcore Gaming 101''{{'}}s Joshua Jankiewicz further suggested that ''Robotrek'' may have been the partial inspiration for ''[[Robopon Sun, Star, and Moon Versions|Robopon]]'', a ''Pokémon'' "[[Video game clone|clone]]" RPG series originating in 1998 that features customizable robots.<ref>{{cite web | author=Statt, Nick | date=April 18, 2019 | title=One of the Game Boy's weirdest games was a ''Pokémon'' clone with built-in infrared | url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/18/18412495/nintendo-game-boy-anniversary-robopon-gb-kiss-hudson-software-pokemon |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418145857/https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/18/18412495/nintendo-game-boy-anniversary-robopon-gb-kiss-hudson-software-pokemon | archive-date=April 18, 2019 | accessdate=February 17, 2020| publisher=[[Vox Media]] | work=[[The Verge]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=Jankiewicz, Joshua | date=June 2, 2018 | title=''Robopon'' | url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/robopon/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109034949/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/robopon/ | archive-date=November 9, 2019 | publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101 | accessdate=February 22, 2020}}</ref> ==Notes== {{Notelist}} ==References== {{Portal|Japan|Video games|1990s}} {{reflist}} ==External links== *{{moby game|id=/robotrek}} {{Quintet games}} [[Category:1994 video games]] [[Category:Enix games]] [[Category:Quintet (company) games]] [[Category:Role-playing video games]] [[Category:Science fiction video games]] [[Category:Single-player video games]] [[Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System games]] [[Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System-only games]] [[Category:Top-down video games]] [[Category:Video games about robots]] [[Category:Video games about time travel]] [[Category:Video games developed in Japan]] [[Category:Video games set on fictional planets]] [[Category:Ancient (company) games]]'