Zoids VS is a series of Gamecube games based on the Zoids franchise, primarily released in Japan. The series encompasses three games and one international adaptation: Zoids VS, Zoids VS II (Released as Zoids Battle Legends in several english-speaking countries), and Zoids VS III.
Gameplay
This game lets players customize their own personal Zoids, then jump into battle against the computer AI or an opposing player. The game features characters taken from the series as well as introduces a few new ones. Additionally, every Zoid features a special attack, called an EX Attack, that can be used once the Zoid's hit points drop below 1/3. Many of the EX attacks are special attacks featured in the anime, such as the Blade Liger's Hi-Blade attack, the Geno Saurer's Charged Particle Cannon, or the Liger Zero's Strike Laser Claw.
Mission Mode
The story line of the series can be found in Mission Mode. In VS 2 players can pick their sides (Empire or Republic) from the start, then take on the enemy in battles on the battlefield. Each side follows a different viewpoint (Blue Unicorn for the Republic or Rottiger for the Empire) of the same general story line. In VS the player is automatically under the Rebublic, as indicated by the Rebublic insignia in the hangar but can choose whether to work with the Empire or not. By the third game, the Mission Mode story line follows the group ZOITEC and is tied more closely to the Three Tigers and Fuzors than factions. That said, ZOITEC has a clear bias to use Republican Zoids and Zi-Arms uses more Imperial Zoids with prevailing Neo-Zenabas colors.
Battle Mode
There is also a Zoid Battle Mode, where the player can face off against enemies in 2-on-2 or 1-on-2 tournament style battles. This mode also features a shop, where players can buy new Zoids or parts to customize their Zoids. There are actually 3 separate versions of the battle mode, depending on what characters the player chooses. If the player chooses someone from New Century Zero, then they will go through the NCZ battle mode, featuring Zoids and characters from that series. The same applies for a Chaotic Century / Guardian Force tournament, and there is tournament with the characters from mission mode and Zoids Saga. Zoids VS III also features a tournament from Zoids: Fuzors.
VS Mode
Up to two players can go head-to-head in versus mode, or one player can battle a computer. Players have the option of choosing from a list of basic Zoids, including extra-large Zoids, or they can load their personal list of Zoids from the Battle Mode data. Players then have the option of choosing a character and one of several battlefields to play on. Zoids VS III introduces 4-player combat, with players able to fight with any combination of computers and human players. Read the Zoids VS III section for more information.
Fist Mode
First offered in Zoids VS II and onward, Fist Mode offers the same character / Zoid selection as VS Mode, but starts players at close-quarters in one of several ring-like stages. If the player walks outside of the ring, they fall and die.
Zoids VS
The first incarnation of the series, released in Japan in 2002. The game was noted for its ragdoll-like movement when Zoids were hit back or killed. In this game, the Battle Mode is limited to only one set, meaning that no matter what character the player chooses, the battles are all the same. That said, the Battle Mode features characters and Zoids from Chaotic Century, New Century Zero, and the Zoids VS story lines.
Zoids VS II
The release of Zoids VS II brought about several improvements to the game, including better landscape graphics, more Zoids, and a new user-interface. It also featured the new fist mode, engaging players at close-quarters combat. Released in Japan on september 5, 2003. The game included a variety of pilots, Zoids, weapons, and parts. Over 50 pilots were available to play as, including characters from Zoids: New Century Zero and Chaotic Century. A large number of Zoids were included in the game including more than 60 Zoids and secret unlockable Zoids. Zoids Vs. II was published in America the following year on September 4, 2004.
Zoids Battle Legends
The English dub of Zoids VS II, it featured a complete translation of the other game, albeit with a few errors. Brad is named "Ballad," Thomas is called "Thoma", Blood is named "Brad", etc.
Zoids VS III
Zoids Vs. III looks and plays similarly to its predecessors, offering fast-paced robot action in wide-open battlefields. New to the series is the ability to perform sliding turns in battle and take to the sky outright and battle opponents in the air. Another upgrade is the ability to engage in four-player split-screen battles (as opposed to the predecessors' two-player versus modes), in configurations from 1 vs 3, 2 on 2 matches, and battle royale free-for-alls, with human players or CPU bots. Modes include Story Mode, Battle Mode, VS Mode, Zoids Fist Mode, and a Zoids Museum Mode. Futhermore, even more Zoids and pilots (including many from Fuzors, and Saga) were added, many of which must be unlocked.
Characters
Several characters were invented exclusively for the Zoids VS and Zoids Saga series'. In Mission Mode, the player meets characters from two special operations units, called Blue Unicorn (Republic) and Rottiger (Guylos). In mission mode the player must defeat members of the Terra Geist organization (Neo-Zenebas).
Blue Unicorn
Rottiger
Terra Geist
- Reika Hexe
- Lezard Char
- Viper
Originally Appearing in Zoids Saga
These characters were featured in the Zoids VS series, but originally appeared in the Zoids Saga series.
Protagonists
Antagonists
- Blood Keel
- Flam Vogel
- Gard Krueger
- Leviathe Kanon