SD Gundam 2

"SD Gundam mixed with R-Type: Is it possible?"

The SD Gundam series of parodies about the various Gundam universes have existed for a long time now. Newer viewers may mistake SD Gundam Force as being the only SD Gundam, but the series reaches back many many years. It has spawned a huge number of different games, and the game we're talking about now is SD Gundam 2. Think of it as SD Gundam meets R-Type: Is it possible? Does it work?

Graphics
The graphics look good. Everything looks just like its animated counterpart. All the mobile suits look true to the ones seen in the SD series, where there are super deformed (SD) versions of various mechs. Everything looks as it should, no complaints here.

Story
The premise between SD Gundam 2 is that it's a parody of 1985's Zeta Gundam. In the game you control one of three mobile suits: The light and transformable Zeta Gundam, the prototype Gundam MkII, and the testbed for the Zeta Gundam, the Hyaku-Shiki(Translated to Type-100 in English). After the events of the original Mobile Suit Gundam, the Earth and its colonies were finally at peace after the One Year War. However, a fascist divison of the Earth Federation, the Titans, were founded in order to track down former Zeon remnants. The AEUG (Anti-Earth Union Group), founded by, ironically, former Zeon remnants, attempts to stop the oppression the Titans shows to the citizens of space. I have seen the series myself, and somehow they transformed the dark and bloody storyline into a somewhat funny rendition in SD Gundam 2. Well done.

Controls
The controls are easy to follow. The control pad controls where you go, the "y" button shoots you main vulcan cannons, your B button shoots your special weapon, your A button changes the direction you're facing, your X button selects a special weapon, and the shoulder buttons control which special weapon you have selected. Easy to figure out.

Fun Factor
Overall it was a great game to play. It doesn't take long to finish seeing as games like this were meant for single play times and going for the highest score. The three mobile suits should increase the replay valur slightly, but you'll tire of the game pretty quickly. All in all it was a lot of fun.

In the end, SD Gundam is a great game that suffers from poor replay value. You might get a few playthroughs with this title but nothing really long. I'd say give this a rent, and only buy if you're serious about it. By the way, it's going to have to be an import.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 07/05/04