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(Ditto this edit. That should be the last fighter universe. Onto the non-playable ones.) |
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|title = R.O.B. (universe) | |title = R.O.B. (universe) | ||
|image = [[File:ROB series logo.png|200px]] | |image = [[File:ROB series logo.png|200px]] | ||
|caption = [[File:ROBSymbol.svg|50px|class=invert]] | |caption = [[File:ROBSymbol.svg|50px|class=invert-dark]] | ||
|developer = [[Nintendo]] | |developer = [[Nintendo]] | ||
|publisher = Nintendo | |publisher = Nintendo | ||
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==Franchise description== | ==Franchise description== | ||
[[File:ROB series logo JPN.png|thumb|left|The logo for the Family Computer Robot]] | |||
The Family Computer Robot was created in July of 1985 as an experiment into the possibility of an external apparatus separate from the player controlling a video game. Two games were made for this peripheral; ''{{iw|wikipedia|Gyromite}}'' and ''{{iw|wikipedia|Stack-Up}}''. When necessary, the games will flash in a specific way that the robot will detect, triggering it to perform a desired action. The peripheral itself was a niche release in the Famicom aftermarket and, while selling decently well, did not initially have much of a cultural impact. However, its presence outside of Japan is its true claim to fame. | |||
Roughly around the same time as Nintendo's domestic launch of its new video game console, the Famicom, in July 1983, one of the most infamous and historically significant time periods in the video game industry's early timeline was at its height: the two year-long North American video game recession that began in 1983 and heralded the catastrophic end of the second generation of video gaming. The main causes of this crash are an oversaturation of competition spreading customers thin and a general lack of quality control standards leading to a flood of low quality software meant as quick cash grabs. Burned by these events, consumers simply stopped buying video games and the industry as a whole was collapsing. | |||
Around this time, Nintendo created a North American branch dubbed Nintendo of America to study the market and find a way to sell their product in such a turbulent era. The first order of business was to distance Nintendo from the stigma of video games, changing the luxurious Famicom into a toy-like aesthetic, selling it in the toy aisle of stores as the Nintendo Entertainment System. To further sell the idea that the system was a toy, some units of the console were bundled with the Zapper and the robot, now renamed to Robotic Operating Buddy ([[R.O.B.]] for short). The two games would also be released for the NES, though not in any console bundles. | |||
[[File:ROBFace.PNG|thumb|The logo for the Robot series of video games.]] | |||
''Gyromite'' was effectively a side-scrolling game where the controls were split between player-character movement on player 1's Control Pad and environmental effects on player 2's A and B buttons, making it a cooperative game, and R.O.B.'s contribution to ''Gyromite'' was effectively as an optional substitute for a second player, where pressing Start on player 1's controller would compel R.O.B. to press an appropriate button on the player 2 controller after going through roughly half a minute's worth of pre-programmed motions. ''Stack-Up'', on the other hand, fared better as software that used the R.O.B. unit itself as a physical game device, where electronically inputting commands with the NES controller would compel R.O.B. to move and drop colored blocks onto stands surrounding its base, though the pre-programmed motions of the R.O.B. unit often knocked blocks off their stands unintentionally. | |||
Analysts and historians argue that R.O.B. had a uniquely profound and important effect in the North American history of video games as a market, allowing Nintendo to turn an accessory that would otherwise be considered a commercial failure that was quickly abandoned into a type of Trojan horse product that put themselves in the good graces of the public and revived the North American video game market and helped it blossom into the multi-billion dollar industry it is today. How much of the early success of the NES is owed to R.O.B, however, is up for debate. | |||
Nintendo has shown itself to hold the R.O.B. unit in high regard, as evident by having it make a number of cameos and even a few playable appearances in a rather large number of its modern-day franchises. Its cameos consist of [[Kirby]] being able to collect its parts and reassemble them in a puzzle in ''{{iw|wikirby|Kirby's Dream Land 3}}'', several R.O.B.-centered microgames appearing throughout the ''{{iw|mariowiki|WarioWare}}'' series, a model of R.O.B. decorating a portion of [[Port Town Aero Dive]] in ''{{iw|fzerowiki|F-Zero GX}}'' (which also occurs in the stage of the same name in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''), R.O.B. appearing in the {{s|zeldawiki|Curiosity Shop}} in ''{{s|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D}}'', R.O.B.'s head being [[pikipedia:Remembered Old Buddy|a collectable treasure]] in ''{{iw|pikipedia|Pikmin 2}}'', and R.O.B. appearing as on the back portion of the box art of [[Capcom]]'s ''Viewtiful Joe''. Its playable appearances consist of ''{{s|mariowiki|Mario Kart DS}}'', which marked its debut as a full-fledged video game character and even features a kart that resembles its ''Stack-Up'' accessories, and lastly and most notably, the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series as of ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''. The recurring character in ''Gyromite'' and ''Stack-Up'' named Professor Hector has also made a few cameos like in ''Kirby's Dreamland 3'' and ''{{iw|harddropwiki|Tetris DS}}'', though he has not seen nearly as much representation as R.O.B. | |||
In addition to cameos and playable appearances, R.O.B. has been referenced in some instances, with the most notable of these occurring within the [[Star Fox (universe)|''Star Fox'' series]]. {{iw|lylatwiki|ROB 64}} references R.O.B. both in name and in function as a robotic assistant, due to his status as the pilot of the {{iw|lylatwiki|Great Fox}}. However, ''Star Fox Zero'' and ''Star Fox Guard'' both feature robots that are almost identical to R.O.B. ''Zero'' features Direct-i, who is tethered to the Gyrowing and functions similarly to ROB 64 and R.O.B. by being an assistant to the player. ''Guard'' features the A.T.K. Unit, which is one of the "combat class" robots in the game that threaten the player's mining facilities. Outside of these instances, ''StarTropics'' features a robot resembling R.O.B. named "NAV-COM", who is an important side character. | In addition to cameos and playable appearances, R.O.B. has been referenced in some instances, with the most notable of these occurring within the [[Star Fox (universe)|''Star Fox'' series]]. {{iw|lylatwiki|ROB 64}} references R.O.B. both in name and in function as a robotic assistant, due to his status as the pilot of the {{iw|lylatwiki|Great Fox}}. However, ''Star Fox Zero'' and ''Star Fox Guard'' both feature robots that are almost identical to R.O.B. ''Zero'' features Direct-i, who is tethered to the Gyrowing and functions similarly to ROB 64 and R.O.B. by being an assistant to the player. ''Guard'' features the A.T.K. Unit, which is one of the "combat class" robots in the game that threaten the player's mining facilities. Outside of these instances, ''StarTropics'' features a robot resembling R.O.B. named "NAV-COM", who is an important side character. | ||
==In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''== | ==In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''== | ||
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{{Trophy games|console1=Wii|game1=Super Smash Bros. Brawl}}{{clr}} | {{Trophy games|console1=Wii|game1=Super Smash Bros. Brawl}}{{clr}} | ||
[[File:R.O.B. Sentry - Brawl Trophy.png|left|100px]] | [[File:R.O.B. Sentry - Brawl Trophy.png|left|100px]] | ||
'''[[R.O.B. Sentry]]''' (Use Trophy Stand)<br> | '''[[R.O.B. Sentry]]''' (Series: The Subspace Emissary. Unlock: Use [[Trophy Stand]])<br> | ||
''A robot with a two-armed shot. This R.O.B. uses the booster on its base to propel its jumps. Often used in the Subspace Army bomb factory in defense or labor roles, the R.O.B. Sentry also works as a detonator. Its emotional capacity is unknown, but it has utter trust in the Ancient Minister and obeys him unwaveringly. This production model has been made in great numbers.'' | ''A robot with a two-armed shot. This R.O.B. uses the booster on its base to propel its jumps. Often used in the Subspace Army bomb factory in defense or labor roles, the R.O.B. Sentry also works as a detonator. Its emotional capacity is unknown, but it has utter trust in the Ancient Minister and obeys him unwaveringly. This production model has been made in great numbers.'' | ||
{{Trophy games|console1=Wii|game1=Super Smash Bros. Brawl}}{{clr}} | {{Trophy games|console1=Wii|game1=Super Smash Bros. Brawl}}{{clr}} | ||
[[File:R.O.B. Launcher - Brawl Trophy.png|left|100px]] | [[File:R.O.B. Launcher - Brawl Trophy.png|left|100px]] | ||
'''[[R.O.B. Launcher]]''' (Series: The Subspace Emissary. Unlock: Use | '''[[R.O.B. Launcher]]''' (Series: The Subspace Emissary. Unlock: Use Trophy Stand)<br> | ||
''An upgraded R.O.B. model with a missile-launcher head that bolsters firepower. The standard coloring has also been refinished with a green and brown military motif, stylishly accented with a blue cord connecting the arm sections and base. This R.O.B. does not use its arms—attacks are limited to the missiles fired from its head.'' | ''An upgraded R.O.B. model with a missile-launcher head that bolsters firepower. The standard coloring has also been refinished with a green and brown military motif, stylishly accented with a blue cord connecting the arm sections and base. This R.O.B. does not use its arms—attacks are limited to the missiles fired from its head.'' | ||
{{Trophy games|console1=Wii|game1=Super Smash Bros. Brawl}}{{clr}} | {{Trophy games|console1=Wii|game1=Super Smash Bros. Brawl}}{{clr}} | ||
[[File:R.O.B. Blaster - Brawl Trophy.png|left|100px]] | [[File:R.O.B. Blaster - Brawl Trophy.png|left|100px]] | ||
'''[[R.O.B. Blaster]]''' (Series: The Subspace Emissary. Unlock:Use Trophy Stand)<br> | '''[[R.O.B. Blaster]]''' (Series: The Subspace Emissary. Unlock: Use Trophy Stand)<br> | ||
''A R.O.B. model boasting robo-beam- blasting eye lenses suited for long-range combat. There are two types—one acts like a stationary gun, sitting in place and lining up targets, and the other is mobile. Actually, the R.O.B. Sentry also features beam-firing capabilities, but because the roles of the R.O.B. Squad are so well defined, there's no conflict between the ranks.'' | ''A R.O.B. model boasting robo-beam-blasting eye lenses suited for long-range combat. There are two types—one acts like a stationary gun, sitting in place and lining up targets, and the other is mobile. Actually, the R.O.B. Sentry also features beam-firing capabilities, but because the roles of the R.O.B. Squad are so well defined, there's no conflict between the ranks.'' | ||
{{Trophy games|console1=Wii|game1=Super Smash Bros. Brawl}}{{clr}} | {{Trophy games|console1=Wii|game1=Super Smash Bros. Brawl}}{{clr}} | ||
[[File:Ancient Minister - Brawl Trophy.png|left|100px]] | [[File:Ancient Minister - Brawl Trophy.png|left|100px]] | ||
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==In ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''== | ==In ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''== | ||
The ''R.O.B.'' universe returns in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'', though unlike in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'', its representation is very minimal: while R.O.B. retains his status as the universe's sole fighter, its one song from ''Brawl'' is exclusive to {{forwiiu}}. As a result, the ''R.O.B.'' universe is effectively akin to a "bonus" universe in ''SSB4'', much like how the | The ''R.O.B.'' universe returns in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'', though unlike in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'', its representation is very minimal: while R.O.B. retains his status as the universe's sole fighter, its one song from ''Brawl'' is exclusive to {{forwiiu}}. As a result, the ''R.O.B.'' universe is effectively akin to a "bonus" universe in ''SSB4'', much like how the {{uv|EarthBound}} and {{uv|F-Zero}} universes were in ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'', and how the {{uv|Fire Emblem}} universe was in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''. | ||
===Fighter=== | ===Fighter=== |
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