Transformers: Mystery of Convoy

Transformers: Mystery of Convoy
Developer	ISCO
Publisher	Takara
Programmer	Hiroshi Okamoto
Series	Transformers
Platform	Family Computer
Release	JP: December 5, 1986 (1986-12-05)
Genre	Run and gun
Modes	Single-player, multiplayer

Transformers: Mystery of Convoy ^[a] 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 (known as "Convoy" in Japan) killer; the 1986 film did not see a Japanese theatrical release until 1989, ^[3] and Mystery of Convoy was created to provide an explanation for Prime's death for the Japanese audience.

Upon release, Mystery of Convoy received negative reviews from critics for its level design and difficulty. Retrospective reviews have been similarly negative, and the game has garned a reputation among retro gaming enthusiasts as a kusoge.

Gameplay

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 Menasor, Bruticus, Megatron (who for unexplained reasons is the penultimate boss), and Trypticon (known in Japan as Dinosaurer), the final boss. ^[4]

Another playable character in the game is Rodimus Prime, who can be unlocked by collecting the letters that spell 'RODIMUS'. One letter is hidden in each level except 3, 6, and 10. However, though his vehicle mode has its own graphics, his robot-mode sprite is Ultra Magnus in Rodimus's palette.

Other media

1. Japanese: 戦え! 超ロボット生命体トランスフォーマー コンボイの謎(ナゾ), Hepburn: Tatakae! Chō Robotto Seimeitai Toransufōmā: Konboi no Nazo; lit. "Fight! Super Robot Life-Form Transformers: Mystery of Convoy"

References

1. 『トランスフォーマー・コンボイの謎』でレッツトラウマ [Let's trauma in Transformers: Mystery of Convoy] (in Japanese). Takara Tomy. June 6, 2008. Archived from the original on February 17, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2009.
2. "VC トランスフォーマー コンボイの謎" [Virtual Console - Transformers: Mystery of Convoy] (in Japanese). Nintendo. Retrieved February 27, 2009.
3. "「トランスフォーマー ザ・ムービー」チャリティー上映会 – ["Transformers the Movie'" Charity Screening (August 9, 1989)] – pastport" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2026.
4. Oxford, Nadia (March 7, 2007). "Robots in Disgust". 1UP.com . IGN Entertainment. p. 2. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
5. "1986 Game Transformers: Mystery of Convoy Gets TV Anime". June 5, 2023.
6. "Q Transformers TV Anime's Opening Sequence Streamed with OLDCODEX". June 5, 2023.
7. "Animate.tv - animate Resources and Information".
8. "Transformers NES game returns as Q Transformers: Mystery of the Returned Convoy on iOS and Android".
9. 5月10日号特別付録 ファミコンロムカセット オールカタログ. Family Computer Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 7, no. 9. Tokuma Shoten. May 10, 1991. p. 82.
10. Lambie, Ryan (February 13, 2018). "Transformers: Mystery of Convoy Might be the Most Cynical Licensed Video Game Ever Made". Den of Geek . Den of Geek World. Archived from the original on June 7, 2020.
11. Retro Gamer Staff (February 11, 2010). "Transformers: Convoy no Nazo (Transformers: Mystery of Convoy)". Retro Gamer . Imagine Publishing. Archived from the original on September 13, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2020.

External links

• Official anime website Archived January 11, 2015, at the Wayback Machine (in Japanese)

• Japan portal
• Video games portal
• 1980s portal

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