Golden Sun (universe)

Golden Sun (universe)
Developer(s)	Camelot Software Planning
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Genre(s)	Role-playing
Console/platform of origin	Game Boy Advance
First installment	Golden Sun (2001)
Latest installment	Golden Sun: Dark Dawn (2010)
Article on Golden Sun Universe	Golden Sun (universe)

The Golden Sun universe (黄金の太陽, Golden Sun) is a series of fantasy RPGs developed by Camelot Software Planning and thematically based on the four classical elements. While it does not have any playable characters, it is represented in the Super Smash Bros. series by an Assist Trophy, a trophy, multiple spirits, and two music tracks.

Franchise Description

The series was co-created by Hiroyuki and Shugo Takahashi, two brothers that worked for Camelot Software Planning. They were previously best known for designing Shining Force III. Nintendo approved their pitch because they wanted to bolster their first RPG roster, a genre that was dominated by Sony for the entire previous console generation with their PlayStation. The initial pitch consisted of an RPG for the Nintendo 64 simply titled Golden Sun, but this version was scrapped due to the N64 being in its twilight years and development shifted to the newer Game Boy Advance. It became apparent that the GBA was not capable of fitting all the ideas the team had into a single cartridge, so the game was split in half. The first game kept the name Golden Sun, while the second game released a few months later titled Golden Sun: The Lost Age. Connecting the two games would unlock exclusive content in both. These games stood out for being very deep and mechanical games with rich gameplay and storylines, especially in the handheld market. The games also used a pseudo 3D graphics engine similar to work done in Donkey Kong Country, which helped it stand out even more. The game sold very well for a new IP and received universal praise upon release.

After being dormant for several years, the series suddenly reappeared at E3 2009 as Golden Sun DS for the Nintendo DS. The game later received its final title Golden Sun: Dark Dawn and released in 2010. While still receiving good reviews, the game was not seen as on par with previous installments. The main complaints at the time were its general lack of difficulty and going overboard on cutscenes and dialogue. While the game was not a financial failure, it did not sell nearly as much as the first two entries.

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Assist Trophy

• Isaac, the protagonist of Golden Sun appears as an Assist Trophy in Brawl. When summoned, he uses the Psynergy aid "Move", which will push opponents away powerfully without inflicting damage to them. This is reminiscent of how Isaac, Garet or Felix would use the Utility Psynergy "Move" in their games' respective overworld to shift objects telekinetically.

Music

• "Battle Scene / Final Boss (Golden Sun)": A progressive rock remix of Felix and the Doom Dragon's battle themes respectively from the second game in the series, Golden Sun: The Lost Age. This can be unlocked for the My Music selection for Norfair.

Trophy

Isaac A strong-willed Psynergy adept of the bloodline of an ancient race thought to have been lost with the downfall of civilization. He can manipulate earth-based forces and is also a highly skilled swordsman. He sets out to protect a lighthouse that can release the sealed powers of alchemy. In Smash Bros., he uses "Move" energy, which creates an energy field that pushes foes away.

: Golden Sun

: Golden Sun: The Lost Age

In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, Isaac does not make a return as an Assist Trophy; nevertheless, Golden Sun is still given a presence in the game in the form of two music tracks.

Music

Returning Tracks

• "Battle Scene/Final Boss (Golden Sun)": returns to the Norfair stage. Unlike in Brawl, this track is unlocked right from the beginning.

Source Tracks

• "Weyard": The theme for the overworld map in Golden Sun: Dark Dawn. This track is an unlockable track in Palutena's Temple.

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Golden Sun saw a minor increase in representation during the transition, with the return of Isaac as an Assist Trophy as well as a few spirits.

Assist Trophy

• Isaac: After being absent from Smash 4, Isaac returns and uses "Move" as he did in Brawl, but also has the new abilities "Pound", "Lift", and "Teleport".

Mii Costume

Outfit

• Isaac's Outfit

Headgear

• Isaac Wig

Music

Golden Sun received no new music tracks.

Returning Tracks

• "Battle Scene/Final Boss - Golden Sun"

Source Tracks

• "Weyard": The theme that plays when Golden Sun: Dark Dawn protagonist Matthew is on the overworld.

Spirits

The following characters from the series are spirits.

Primary spirits

No.	Image	Name	Type	Class	Slots	Base	Max	Base	Max	Base	Max	Ability
1,168		Isaac		★★★	3	2534	7622	1495	4497	1039	3125	Can Be Enhanced at Lv. 99
1,169		Isaac (Dark Dawn)		★★★★	3	4667	11672	2544	6362	1661	4154	Energy Shot Attack/Resistance ↑
1,170		Garet		★	1	1096	5486	593	2968	404	2020	Fire Attack ↑
1,172		Mia		★	2	869	4353	326	1632	479	2399	Water Attack ↑
1,173		Felix		★★	2	1464	5878	747	2998	717	2880	No Effect
1,175		Matthew		★★	2	1544	6198	903	3626	641	2572	No Effect

Support spirits

No.	Image	Name	Class	Cost	Ability
1,171		Ivan	★	1	Magic Attack ↑
1,174		Jenna	★★	1	Shooting Items ↑

Games with elements appearing in the Super Smash Bros. series

Golden Sun

• Playable Characters:
  • Isaac appears as a costume for the Mii Swordfighter.
• Assist Trophy:
  • Isaac appears as an assist trophy.
• Trophies:
  • Isaac appears as a trophy.
• Spirits:
  • Isaac, Garet, Mia, Felix, Ivan and Jenna appear as spirits.

Golden Sun: The Lost Age

• Music:
  • "Battle Scene / Final Boss (Golden Sun)": A progressive rock remix of Felix and the Doom Dragon's battle themes respectively from this game.

Golden Sun: Dark Dawn

• Spirits:
  • Isaac (Dark Dawn) and Matthew appear as spirits.
• Music:
  • "Weyard": The theme for the overworld map, sourced from this game.

Gallery

• 

  Official artwork of Isaac in Brawl.

• 

  Isaac trophy in Brawl.

• 

  Official artwork of Isaac in Ultimate.

Trivia

• Golden Sun is the only universe without a playable character to have at least one Spirit of every class.

External links

• Golden Sun Universe, the Golden Sun encyclopedia