Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals

"A highly underrated little N64 gem that is a vast improvement over the disappointing PC version."

Beast Wars for the N64, its a highly underrated little 3-D fighter based on a well-praised TV series (and rightly so). It is a very good use of the ''Beast Wars'' license as it is but a simple yet solid 3-D fighter that has a good variety of characters from the series. (Though a few certain great characters like Dinobot are completely absent which is HIGHLY unfortunate. I mean I can understand on why some characters were left out, but why Dinobot?) And its quite surprisingly one of the few fighting games that have rather well-made ''palette-swap'' characters. (Namely those such as Starscream and Ravage.) For N64 standards the graphics are actually pretty good, the Voice acting is quite fine. (Especially from the likes of those such as Scott ''Rattrap/Waspinator'' McNeil.) The voice acting here mainly consists of win-quotes and lose-quotes from the characters during the matches. (But they are often well-written which fits the characters well. Especially on those that are just plain hilarious like this Waspinator win-quote ''Waspinator tear loser-bot a new waste disposal unit!''.)

Like just about any TV-show based fighting game out there, the gameplay is rather simple. (Such as Ranma 1/2 and Inu-Yasha.) However fortunately alike a very good amount of them the simplicity works very well. But then again the attacks in Beast Wars for the most part are generally not incredibly complex in the first place themselves. Though sadly it had a pretty lukewarm reception upon most BW fans. (Though I think its probably because of the absence of certain characters such as Dinobot.) This is more for fans of the TV series, casual gamers MIGHT enjoy this but its just simply more for fans of the fan-favorite Transformers TV series.

Unfortunately its a awfully hard to find game (and its not totally cheap either). But one of THE best things about this game is on how it pays tribute to Transformers past. However most of the time its on the endings, but they are exceptionally well-written stories that fans of those such as the original Transformers series and the 1986 animated cult classic ''Transformers the Movie'' would be familiar with. (And if you've never seen the movie and any episode of the original series. Its still very well-written which might interest you in seeking them out to watch.) And THAT is why I quite enjoyed this game on how it alike the TV series does a very good respect towards its past storylines.

So it is a very VERY underrated and exceptionally solid title. And while it does have some flaws in it, this quality 3-D fighter still is a genuinely good buy for the still many Beast Wars fans out there.

+ A very good usage of the Beast Wars license with a great cast of characters (which surprisingly good ''palette swap'' characters.)
+ The gameplay is simple, but it works very well
+ Fine voice-acting from the Beast Wars VA cast (with well written win/lose quotes)
+ For N64 standards, the graphics are actually pretty good.
+ Like its TV show counterpart it pays its tribute to Transformers past quite well
- Its certainly not a bad game but its much more for fans of the show then anyone else
- Its awfully hard to find alike the other BW games (and its kinda costly as well)
- Some known and enjoyed Beast Wars characters are not in this game.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 01/07/04, Updated 02/16/04