| Transformers: Mystery of Convoy | |
| Developer: | ISCO |
| Publisher: | Takara |
| Programmer: | Hiroshi Okamoto |
| Genre: | Run and gun |
| Series: | Transformers |
| Modes: | Single-player, multiplayer |
| Platforms: | Family Computer |
is a 1986 video game developed by ISCO and published by Takara in Japan for the Famicom. It is based on the Transformers toyline.[1] The game was made available on the Wii's Virtual Console service on June 10, 2008.[2]
The game stars Autobot protagonist Ultra Magnus. The titular Mystery is the identity of Optimus Prime's (referred to in the title as "Convoy") killer, as the 1986 film did not see a Japanese release for another four years. Thus, Optimus Prime's death was not adequately explained to the Japanese audience; this game was intended to capitalize on that gap.
The player controls Ultra Magnus, who must shoot his way through 10 horizontally and vertically scrolling levels consisting of various Decepticon enemies, with a boss fight at the end of each level. He can transform into a car carrier, which makes it easier for him to avoid enemy attacks, drive through narrow entrances and shoot enemies that are flying above him. Along the way, he can also pick up various power-ups which can give him wider ranging firepower or even the ability to fly. There are two Warp Zones within the game; they can be found by rescuing Bumblebee from the Decepticons.
The bosses for each level consist of mostly large Decepticon symbols in different color palettes. The only Deceptions Ultra Magnus actually fights are Megatron, who for unexplained reasons is the penultimate boss, and Trypticon (known in Japan as Dinosaurer), the final boss.[3]
Another playable character in the game is Rodimus Prime, who can be unlocked by collecting the letters that spell Rodimus. One is hidden, sequentially, in levels 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. However, though his vehicle mode has its own graphics, his robot-mode sprite is Ultra Magnus in Rodimus's palette.
| Other The Transformers: Mystery of Convoy media |
| Type: | tv series |
| Q Transformers: Return of the Mystery of Convoy | |
| Director: | Kōtarō Ishidate |
| Music: | Hajime (from LiLi) Jiro (from LiLi) |
| Studio: | DLE |
| Network: | Tokyo MX, Niconico, YouTube |
| First: | January 6, 2015 |
| Last: | March 31, 2015 |
| Episodes: | 13 |
| Type: | tv series |
| Q Transformers: Saranaru Ninkimono e no Michi | |
| Director: | Kōtarō Ishidate |
| Music: | Hajime (from LiLi) Jiro (from LiLi) |
| Studio: | DLE |
| Network: | Tokyo MX, Niconico, YouTube |
| First: | July 6, 2015 |
| Last: | October 1, 2015 |
| Episodes: | 13 |
In collaboration with the 30th anniversary of Transfomers - as well as the 35th anniversary of Choro-Q - a flash anime adaptation of the game, produced by DLE, titled, began airing in Japan on January 6, 2015.[4] The opening theme is "physical" by Oldcodex.[5] A second season titled premiered in Japan on July 6, 2015. The ending themes of the second season are by Yoshimasa Hosoya and by Kaito Ishikawa.[6]
The studio DLE also produced a smartphone app, titled, which was released for iOS and Android devices in August 2014.[4] This was a remake of the original game using Q Transformers Optimus Prime and Bumblebee as playable characters instead of Ultra Magnus and Rodimus Prime. Like the original, it is quite difficult but serves as an endless runner game instead of the platformer style of the original. This was a Japanese app store exclusive, but the servers have been shut down since its release.[7]
Transformers: Mystery of Convoy is known for its high difficulty level and poor stage design, resulting in a largely negative reception both at release and retrospectively.[8] [9] [10] 1UP.com called it the "perfect example of a shameless tie-in." They criticized the game for its high level of difficulty, the game's implementation of the transforming ability and how the ninth stage loops infinitely unless a specific pattern is followed.[3]