Gundam Battle Chronicle Best

Update: October 23, 2008
«©NCSX»Slide into the frame of a Gundam mech once more and thrust into battlefields where enemy Zaku units are dismantled with beam weapons and buckshot. The latest and greatest 3D Gundam action game on the PSP features superb control. Repeat: superb control where the d-pad is used to jet a mech in all four cardinal directions with pinpoint accuracy. Attacks are also be triggered quickly once a corresponding face button is pushed for lightning fast sword slashes and follow-up gunfire if so desired. To test the fluidity of the game engine, we had our Gundam jetting, firing all three types of artillery, and orbiting a target without a single hiccup or slowdown from the game. It's all very impressive and demonstrative of how far Bandai has come along with the Gundam games since the original gray Playstation days when Gundam v1.0 was a humbling lesson in futility.

NCS Game Notes
» Press START on the title screen and the following options appear:

STORY MODE / The main game mode which chronicles the events of the war
VS OPERATION / Face off against three opponents
GALLERY / MS Viewer, Pilot Viewer, Load Picture, War Record, Museum
PASSWORD / Enter a password in Hiragana, Katakana, English, or symbols
OPTION / Set sound volumes and configure control types

» As mentioned twice earlier, the controls in GBC are superb. Only the d-pad is used for movement but this is preferred because of the precision it conveys. The Gundam mechs have a snappy responsiveness and pinpoint movement as you jump-jet through the battlefield, dash around, and swing an energy blade against enemy mechs.

» The STORY MODE allows players to choose to fight on the side of the Earth Federation or the Principality of Zeon. Next, select "NEW TYPE" or "NORMAL" and then choose a pilot from six choices. You'll then be able to enter your name in Hiragana, Katakana, English, or symbols and then choose an Operator from three gals. Repeat the process for your wingman and you're ready to roll. At the outset of the game, you'll be able to choose from five training missions and two 0079 missions. We'd recommend checking out the training missions to get yourself up to speed since it's been a while since the last Gundam PSP game. Be advised however that you'll spend over an hour and perhaps two hours to go through all of the training missions.

» The controls are as follows:

CROSS / Jump Jet Upwards
CIRCLE / Fire Laser Rifle
SQUARE / Secondary Weapon
TRIANGLE / Melee Attack
L-TRIGGER / Raise Shield
R-TRIGGER / Lock Onto Enemy

» To dash in any direction, push the d-pad twice in the desired point of movement. Couple the dash move with the jump-jet thrusters for aerial dashes and your Gundam is as peppy as a jackrabbit. There's a move called the "RISING STEP" where you push down on the L-TRIGGER and then push up on the D-pad twice or thrice to rise upwards in stutter step fashion. To change the main weapon, hold the L-TRIGGER and press the SQUARE button to cycle between your arms. To throw out sub-weapon (grenade), hold the R-TRIGGER and press the SQUARE button.

» The first battle in Versus Operation mode takes place in a rainy arena where dark skies overshadow the entire expanse of the level. The second battle is situated in an icy plateau area with multiple tiers.

» Santa Claus makes an appearance in a few of the training missions.

This document is ©NCSX 2007. All rights reserved. No reproduction in whole or in part of this document may be made without express written consent of National Console Support, Inc.