TransBot

From Sega Retro

For the Sega System E arcade game, see Transformer.

n/a

  • NTSC-U/PAL
  • NTSC-J

Transbot Title.png

AstroFlash SMS Title.png

TransBot
System(s): Sega Master System
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Distributor: Ariolasoft (DE), Zegetron (GR), Tec Toy (BR)
Genre: Shooting[1]

















Number of players: 1-2 (alternating)
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Master System
JP
(Card)
¥4,3004,300 C-503
Sega Master System
US
(Card)
$34.9534.95[3] 4004
Sega Master System
EU
MK-4504-50
Sega Master System
EU
(Card)
4004
Sega Master System
DE
(Card)
DM 6969 41003
Sega Master System
PT
Sega Master System
UK
(Card)
£14.9514.95[6][5][7]
Sega Master System
GR
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Master System
MX
Sega Master System
BR
021050
Sega Master System
TW
K-305

TransBot, known as Astro Flash (アストロフラッシュ) in Japan and Nuclear Creature in Brazil, is a commonly found Sega Master System game first released in 1985. It was one of the first titles to be released on Sega Card, though was later re-released on cartridge. It is a spiritual sequel to the SG-1000 game Orguss.

Story

The planet is devastated by a nuclear war in the year 2000. People are finally beginning to emerge from underground to rebuild society. However, an artificial intelligence named DALAUS, a leftover computer from the defunct regime, is creating its own empire. Only the CA-214, a transforming aircraft, can stop it.

Gameplay

The game is a side-scrolling shoot-'em-up in which the player pilots the CA-214 starfighter, which has the ability to transform into a robot. There are only two levels, with a boss at the end of the second level. Beating the boss loops the game back to the beginning with increased difficulty, which continues until the player loses or decides to stop playing. There is a two-player mode where players take turns playing.

The CA-214 moves in any direction using the D-Pad. It shoots by pressing 2. The game features a selection of weapons that the ship can equip, which are changed by collecting a "?" power-up. There are six choices that are cycled through on the top of the screen, which the player can stop by pressing 1, equipping whichever weapon is selected at that time. This means the player has limited control over the equipped weapon. Powered-up weapons only last until their energy is exhausted, in which case the ship reverts to its base weapon. The "Arm" meter in the top-right corner of the screen indicates how much energy is remaining.

The CA-214 transforms between its spaceship and robot forms depending on which weapon is equipped. The robot form is larger and thus a bigger target for enemy fire, but its weapons all do area damage to compensate.

The "Power" meter indicates how much shielding the CA-214 has left. It decreases as the ship takes damage from enemies. If it is emptied, the ship is destroyed, but it respawns in place with the default weapon equipped if the player has extra lives remaining. An extra life is awarded at 40,000 points, then every 80,000 points after that. The game ends if the player runs out of lives.

Weapons

Weapons A, B, and D are fired in spaceship mode.

Weapons C, E, and F are fired in robot mode.

TransBot SMS, Weapons, A.png

Normal Fire (A)
The starting weapon. Shoots small, V-shaped projectiles that explode on impact. This is the only weapon that does not cost "Arm" energy, and it is re-equipped whenever the CA-214 runs out of energy with any of the other weapons.

TransBot SMS, Weapons, B.png

Beam (B)
Shoots larger, ring-shaped projectiles rapidly.

TransBot SMS, Weapons, C.png

Sword Fire (C)
Shoots a tall, unstoppable beam that encompasses a large vertical area.

TransBot SMS, Weapons, D.png

Cannon (D)
Shoots small, pill-shaped projectiles that can penetrate through multiple targets. This is the only weapon that can destroy the Hiluns, which is necessary to enter the second level.

TransBot SMS, Weapons, E.png

Diffusion Beam (E)
Shoots small, wave-like projectiles in a three-way spreadshot.

TransBot SMS, Weapons, F.png

Two Direction Fire (F)
Shoots small, shuriken-shaped projectiles both forwards and backwards.

Items

TransBot SMS, Items.png
Arm Capsule
When collected, a row of letters in the top of the screen cycles through seven modes (labeled A to G) until the player stops it by pressing 1. If it stops on a letter between A and F, the weapon corresponding to that letter is equipped. If it stops on G, the "Power" and "Arm" meters are refilled, restoring the CA-214's shielding and the energy for the currently equipped weapon.

Enemies

TransBot SMS, Items.png
Arm Carrier
Points:
1,000
These trucks periodically move across the ground and can be destroyed to release an Arm Capsule.
TransBot SMS, Enemies.png
Alapot
Points:
120
TransBot SMS, Enemies.png
Ascule
Points:
120
TransBot SMS, Enemies.png
Bifler
Points:
80 (slow) or 100 (quick)
TransBot SMS, Enemies.png
Boasite
Points:
240
TransBot SMS, Enemies.png
Elblink
Points:
120
TransBot SMS, Enemies.png
Gealmea
Points:
240
TransBot SMS, Enemies.png
Gelpaar
Points:
180
TransBot SMS, Enemies.png
Hilun
Points:
500
Cross-shaped enemies that can only be destroyed by the Cannon (D) weapon. They are indestructible and respond by firing a spray of bullets when hit by any other weapon.
TransBot SMS, Enemies.png
Luvogue
Points:
120
TransBot SMS, Enemies.png
Psyball
Points:
100
TransBot SMS, Enemies.png
Zelnuc
Points:
200
TransBot SMS, Enemies.png
Elgramzon
Points:
20,000
The "robot embodiment" of DELAUS and the only boss in the game. It is likely based on the AT-ST units from the Star Wars franchise. It is destroyed by shooting the red part of its head ten times.

Levels

TransBot SMS, Stage 1-1.png

TransBot SMS, Stage 1-2.png

TransBot SMS, Stage 1-3.png

  • TransBot SMS, Stage 1-1.png

  • TransBot SMS, Stage 1-2.png

  • TransBot SMS, Stage 1-3.png

Level 1
This stage loops indefinitely, gradually increasing in difficulty (including introducing new enemies), until the player finds the underground entrance. To do this, the player must equip the CA-214 with the Cannon (D) weapon, then use it destroy the four Hilun enemies that subsequently appear.

TransBot SMS, Stage 2.png

TransBot SMS, Stage 2 Boss.png

  • TransBot SMS, Stage 2.png

  • TransBot SMS, Stage 2 Boss.png

Level 2

History

Legacy

Arrow Flash may be a sequel to this game due to the similar theme of gameplay and name.

Versions

Localised names

Also known as
Language Localised Name English Translation
English TransBot TransBot
English (US) TransBot TransBot
Japanese アストロフラッシュ Astro Flash
Portuguese (Brazil) Nuclear Creature

Production credits

Source:
Uncredited


Hints

Magazine articles

Main article: TransBot/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Notavailable.svg
Print advert in Atuagagdliutit (GL) #1991-05-22 (1991-05-22)
Notavailable.svg

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
75
[9]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK) PAL
75
[10]
Computer Action (DK)
50
[11]
Console XS (UK) PAL
26
[12]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
70
[13]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
75
[14]
S: The Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
17
[15]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
0
[16]
Sega Pro (UK)
23
[17]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
26
[18]
Soft (DK)
40
[19]
Tilt (FR)
55
[20]
Sega Master System
44
Based on
12 reviews

TransBot

Master System, JP
TransBot SMS JP back.jpgNospine.pngTransBot JP cover.jpg
Cover
AstroFlash SMS JP Cardback.jpgAstroFlash SMS JP Card.jpg
Card
Master System, US (℠ variant)
TransBot US cover.jpg
Cover
Transbot sms us segacard2-back.jpgTransbot sms us segacard1-front.jpg
Card
Transbot sms us manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, US (® variant)
TransBot SMS US R cover.jpg
Cover
Transbot sms us manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, EU
TransBot EU cover.jpg
Cover
TransBot SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
TransBotSMSEUManual2L.pdf
Manual
Master System, EU (Sega®)
TransBot SMS EU R cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, EU (card)
TransBot EU cardcover.jpg
Cover
Transbot Master System EU Card Back.jpgTransbot Master System EU Card Front.jpg
Card
Master System, UK
TransBot EU Eng cardcover.jpg
Cover
Master System, DE
TransBot DE cardcover.jpg
Cover
TransBot DE cardback.jpgTransBot DE card.jpg
Card
Master System, PT
TransBot PT cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, GR (Zegetron newer)
TransBot SMS GR Box.jpg
Cover
Master System, BX
TransBot SMS BX Box Cartridge.jpg
Cover
Master System, AU (Hotline sticker)
Transbot SMS AU Cover.jpg
Cover
TransBot SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Transbot Master System AU Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, AU (NIAL sticker)
Transbot SMS AU nial cover.jpg
Cover
TransBot SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, MX

TransBot MX box back.jpg

Master System, BR
TransBot SMS BR Box Back older.jpgNospine.pngTransBot SMS BR Box Front older.jpg
Cover
NuclearCreature SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart
TransBot SMS BR Manual older.pdf
Manual
Master System, BR (newer)
TransBot BR cover.jpg
Cover
NuclearCreature SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart
TransBot SMS BR Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, BR
(Sega Special)
TransBot SMS BR3 Box.jpg
Cover
NuclearCreature SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart
TransBot SMS BR Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, BR (INMETRO sticker)
TransBot SMS BR2 Box.jpg
Cover
NuclearCreature SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart
TransBot SMS BR Manual.pdf
Manual

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 4bc42857
MD5 93bb1e1ee14ac53adb9e6b9e0c135043
SHA-1 73273e6d44ad7aea828b642d22f6f1c138be9d2b
32kB Cartridge (EU/US)
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 c795182d
MD5 a7462d79844a12a92941174252c9ca6e
SHA-1 8370957b1192349d0a610437cd5d91ea4e3892c4
32kB Cartridge (JP)

References


TransBot

Transbot Title.png

Main page | Comparisons | Hidden content | Bugs | Magazine articles | Reception


No results