It's been somewhat under the radar, but Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash is only a couple weeks away from launching in North America. The fairly niche action platformer starring that adorable miniature robot will represent a new direction for the franchise by being a 2D platformer, evidently in an effort to appeal to a wider audience. Hopefully this gamble will pay off, as it seems that the franchise's future is riding on Chibi-Robo's latest outing.
Kensuke Tanabe – the series' current producer – recently spoke with the Verge about the upcoming release and while his attitude was positive, he was also upfront about the difficulties associated with this series. Here's what he had to say,
To be honest, this might be the last chance for us… I've continually thought about new ways to build this into a mainstream success. We've challenged ourselves in assorted ways along those lines, but I can't say we've found the answer yet.
While it may be true that this series has never been a huge commercial success, Tanabe remains hopeful that the series can still be a hit,
If the character can gain more recognition, I believe that we'll have a chance to produce another adventure-style game for a large number of people.
Only time will tell, but hopefully Chibi-Robo! will finally be given the recognition that its creators have worked so hard to achieve. Perhaps Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash will pull a Fire Emblem: Awakening and be the breakout hit the series needs.
What do you think? Will you be picking up Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash when it releases? What do you think this series needs to be successful? Drop us a comment in the section below.
Thanks to Ryan Millar for the tip
[source theverge.com]
Comments 79
Having never played a game in the series before, and the last time before now I gave it thought being the StreetPass puzzle of the previous game, I'mma hold onto my pre-order. May not have the budget for yarn Yoshi, but this little tyke is stayin' on the roster.
Never played a Chibi-Robo game before, and to be honest, I'm not sure if Zip Lash appeals to me...
Sigh. That amiibo's freaking gorgeous though.
Well I'm not particularly excited. For the most part it's because I don't really care for yet another action platformer and while the visuals are pleasant enough I can't see it catching many people's attention. I do like chibi-robo as an adventure game and would definitely be keen on a proper entry similar to the original.
Already pre-purchased on the eShop and ordered a Japanese Amiibo for quite cheap from my dudes in Japan. Stoked, I am.
I'm going to get it and love it every bit as much as the first one, I'm sure... But I'm also pretty sure it's not going to be a hit >: It sucks if this is the last we see of the character. In a similar vein, whatever happened to Elebits?
If they're relying on Zip Lash, I think they're doomed. Not even the fans like it from what I see. It MIGHT sell really well solely for the amiibo
Why not do another game similar to the first two? The GC title was a great surprise that came out of nowhere and the DS game was really enjoyable. Why did they stop? What went wrong? Such a shame.
Though I absolutely loved Photo Finder I just don't think this series will ever find commercial success due to its very japanese nature (at least in Photo Finder). The games just don't appeal to everyone despite them all being really good fun and I think because of that this may very well be the last we see of Chibi-Robo, which makes me a little sad since he is such a cool character. It is unfortunate that not very many people seem to feel the same way.
Put him in Smash and the character's exposure skyrockets.
I've never played any of these, but I think I'll pick up Zip Lash. My 3DS has been collecting dust lately...
Admittedly I've never played a Chibi-Robo game before, though I do want to play the Gamecube game. For those who are fans of the series, I hope this game is successful.
I want this game but the one thing that irks me is it is only gonna have one save slot. That's very cheap to me. 2 maybe 3 slots but just 1? that won't win you any friends.
@PokeMarioR Bingo on the amiibo. $40 for a cute amiibo could be considered a bargain by some. I wonder if the similarity of this game to last year's Sonic Boom could cost it some sales though? Looks a lot like Sayonara Kumihara Kawasae, which I've heard was difficult, and very Japanese.
I've bought just about every chibi robo game they have put out state side minus the game cube one (which one day I'd love to own.). I even preordered the bundle of ziplash. I hope chibi does well in sales...would be a major bummer to see him go!
Praying that this helps Chibi Robo. Played the gamecube title and ds and photo finder. Which Imo was awful. Hopefully Chibi Robo gets his spotlight he deserves!
Could've released the GameCube remake as a last gasp guys. I don't really feel this is how he should go out in my opinion.
@Pac-loon seriously why do companies do that especially Nintendo. I would like to purchase a game once and allow all 4 of my 3ds system to be able to play it. With only one save file we all have to wait till someone beats the game then pass it along. It makes sense for a digital copy but not retail.
@Spoony_Tech In Persona Q, you have save slots on the cart, but you can also save to the system's SD card. Given that tech exists, it's kind of stupid that any game would limit you to saving on their cartridge, or limit you to one file.
I've got a copy of Zip Lash pre ordered because I think it looks fun, but I'm getting so much platforming in Mario Maker already. This is one of several upcoming 3DS games that I'm actually eager to try out, but after reading the preview of Tri Force Heroes, I'm bracing for a little disappointment. That's okay though.
Also no offense but it looks more like a 10 to 15$ eshop game to me. It seems Nintendo as of late is milking as much money as they can out of everything. Couldn't believe they charged full price for the new AC game when NL wasn't even full price. Not to mention Splatoon going full price in NA but not EU. Shoot, most people were complaining that Star Fox was going full retail as well.
I want the Amiibo more then the game but no way I'm paying 40$ for that!
@3DSWiiUFanatic You know what's funny about that is I'm currently playing Persona Q but the digital version. I thought it was weird when it asked me or said to save to the memory card when my game was already on the memory card.
@IceClimbers Last-minute Smash Ballet* entry! Imagine if Chibi was displayed with a magnifying glass cast over him, and a Final Smash which instead miniaturized everyone!
*edit: "Ballot", but this is better.
The Amiibo will help a LOT. I am buying my first Chibi-Robo game with this bundle. I love the idea of the platformer action using the cord mechanic.
Chibi Amiibo - is adorable and will sell.
Amiibo will hopefully help and potentially a Smash reveal Just a stage might do
Gotta say, being a platformer is what turns me off of it
the DS Chibi Robo game never got translated. How can they hope the series to become a hit if they don't even let us play some of its games?
I'm a bit Chibi-Robo fan. I'd love for an English NA release sequel in the style of the first game. That was pure magic.
This brakes my heart...
This is too bad, because I'd be extremely interested in an expansive 3D adventure for the Wii U in the franchise. This 2D 3DS game, conversely, has looked a bit ho-hum to me from the start. It's gonna be hard to justify getting it at launch with the amount of backlong I have.
I really wish they would make a game that was kind of like the original gamecube version. The other games have been fun, but not as fun as the original.
Well this is kind of ironic! I'm only buying zip lash to help support chibi I'm desperate for another game like his first but I guess that will never happen 😔 I think zip lash looks really poor and don't have high hopes for it selling too well.
This is a weird one for me. I loved the original Chibi Robo on Gamecube, but the several sequels all feel very different as Nintendo tried to chase higher sales, and in my opinion, nowhere near as fun. It would be a shame to see the franchise killed off, but I think for me, it's already gone. If this one succeeds, we're going to get more 2D side scrolling Chibi Robo, but that's not the Chibi Robo I fell in love with.
@EarthboundBenjy The DS game came out in the States, and as the DS is region free, you can play it on your UK machine. It's not too expensive either. Should be able to get it for £15-20.
I never really played any Chibi-Robo game, as it never really appealed to be.
I remember back in the day, that i didnt even know what kind of game thats supposed to be. And with a limited budget, thats a no-buy.
But if they want to establish Chibi Robo as a character and franchise, Smash Bros is right there.
It helped to kickstart Fire Emblem in the west, a (free) entrance as a Smash 4 character to promote its newest game will make quite a lot of people curious about the franchise that otherwise never really got any attention.
The interesting thing is, that they actually kept going with it, although it never really was a successfull IP.
Well two ways to increase the popularity would be to get him in Smash as a fighter (Remember folks, Olimar is even smaller so scale doesn't matter and other characters were equally passive in their own games) and rerelease the old games on VC.
Hopefully the amiibo will help shift extra units. I don't think 2D platformer is the way to save it though, not when there's so many options in that genre already - from Nintendo and assorted indies. I hope I'm wrong I don't want to see Chibi disappear like so many other Nintendo franchises. But right now everyone is craving a 3D platformer, that would have made it stand out.
A new art style wouldn't go amiss either. Chibi himself is charming as ever but the rest of it... well I hope it looks better in 3D.
I've preordered it anyway
@Ogbert that's actually a good idea I didn't think about that I think he would make an interesting fighter
While hope Chibi-kun doesn't stay in platform land i do really really hope this sales well. Just to keep the IP alive.
Don't launch a character when the System is already dead (the Gamecube), don't leave the sequel in Japan if the System has sold over 100 millions units (the DS), don't put him in a crappy broken eShop game, give it a bit more exposure by not announcing the next game a couple of months prior to its release. It's so easy Nintendo, but you'll never understand, will you?
@SuperCharlie78
Spot on. "Oh no, this may be the last chance for this franchise! Let's hide the previous games and put out a generic platformer that shares no resemblance to the previous games (which established fans) and hope this fixes everything" Good old Nintendo logic at its best.
Chibi-Robo really should have been included in the Smash roster if Nintendo cared about making him a success. I had only learned about a year or two ago that Chibi-Robo was a Nintendo IP. If I had known that all those years ago, I would have given Park Patrol on DS a look.
I have never played a Chibi robo game. But I think I'll try the first one from the GameCube.
I totally preordered zip lash with the Amiibo ages ago though. So looking forward to that.
What's the 3ds game like that wasn't released in Europe? Worth a go?
This game looks fun, I do remember the earlier games but never played them
@sandman89 Me too. It looks like its a fun game to be honest.
Love chibi robo but this is understandable, bout as niche as it gets. I don't have many amiibo but I will certainly get this one. The music in chibi robo games is always fantastic and he is so cool. Chibi robo for smash!
Q) What do you think?
A) That's a rather broad question to ask first. I'll save my answer for it at the end of my comment.
Q) Will you be picking up Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash when it releases?
A) More than likely. With Star Fox Zero being delayed, I'll have a bit of spare money, and if I can get a few more days of work in before the holidays (on-and-off job, never know when you'll have work), I may have the money to spare on this game.
Q) What do you think this series needs to be successful?
A) I would say there are three things the Chibi-Robo series needs to be successful. First of all, keep the series more consistent. To my knowledge, out of the five Chibi-Robo games, only two of them play like the original game... including the original. I also believe that the original's proper sequel also only released in Japan. For a company who generally are more gameplay first rather than character orientated, Chibi-Robo has rarely stuck to a main style of gameplay.
Secondly, promote and release the games more often. I remember the original Chibi-Robo: Plug Into Adventure (I think it was called), only from Nintendo magazines. I think I may have once spotted it at a market sale. It was hard to find in stores, and I've never seen any of the Chibi-Robo games given much spotlight. I think the recent eShop title had the most attention given to it, and I'm not even sure that came out in the EU. As for the releasing part, making certain titles Japan only or arriving late/never in the EU doesn't help. A bit of promotion could be given to Chibi-Robo through the virtual console, perhaps release both the DS games on the Wii U, might help.
Third... put him in Smash Bros. I think a lot of people learn about the majority of Nintendo characters from Super Smash Bros, rather than the other way around.
Q) What do you think?
A) Well I think the inclusion of the Amiibo with certain copies of the game will help it most of all. In fact, it's kind of sad that such a thing is the best means of promoting this game. Otherwise, I do worry that it might not sell well enough.
Of course, I'm not even sure how well they need it to sell in order for it to be a success, so what might be little for other Nintendo series might be enough for Chibi-Robo.
As for the game itself, whilst I would have preferred to be able to try out the main series of Chibi Robo gameplay, I do think it looks appealing. I can understand the criticism's of it looking rather generic, but it's cutesy look and overall feel, kind of reminds me of a Kirby platformer. As a huge Kirby fan, this is a definite plus for me, and the recent trailers have made me more interested in the game each time. Here's wishing it the best of luck!
If it's good, I'll get it.
Well, I know I will be getting the game at some point. I might not be getting it at launch though. Chibi-Robo has suffered bad sales for its entire existence, which is a real shame since the games have so much charm in them. I really hope Zip Lash turns out to be a sales success, but the outcome is not looking good to me. It is just the type of series that can't seem to find its audience no matter how many times they create a new game. Still, the people that do play the new game will love it I'm sure. I have heard plenty of positive reception about it.
definitely getting this game at some point. i want the amiibo and love to try new games. i just might not get it until mid october because it is my birthday this month.
Needs a HD remake of the first one. It was released very late in the GameCubes life and never stood a chance of selling.
Chibi-Robo never was given much of a chance! The best one is the GCN one, and the good DS one never released outside of Japan. Park Patrol was alright, but nowhere as good as the GCN one. Photo Finder had the characters/charm, but taking photos were hit and miss, and the minigames got repetitive.
While Zip Lash is quite a change in the formula, I am still hyped for it. After Photo Finder, its nice to have something thats more of an actual game, even if it is just a 2d sidescroller.
Also check this commercial:
I'm a huge fan of the little guy, and I've bought every game that released in the US, I even gave him my vote in smash ballot. I was excited when zip lash was announced entirely because I thought it would boost his recodnition, but, I don't know about enough to become a big hit... Sure he has an amiibo, and I'm sure they'll sell out, but that's probably not enough sales with the tiny amount nintendo will produce. I'll just have to buy my copy, cross my fingers, and hope.
To be honest, I am actually much more disappointed by the look of this new upcoming game. Having played other games in the series including "Park Patrol" on the 3DS (and loving them), I was excited when I heard that a new Chibi Robo game was in the works. When I saw the trailer, my disappointment began to set in. This was not the kind of game that I had been hoping for. This was nothing like the other games in the series. I don't know if I will even bother to pick this up. All I want is the Chibi Robo series that I know and love to come back.
Platformer and an amiibo... SOLD!!! This will actually be my first chibi robo game. I've always wanted to play the gcn version but it goes for a pretty penny on eBay these days. Just curious what do you all think about the snoopy platformer coming out?
I don't mind platformers , I actually like them a lot. However, N has too many of them right now. This game looks very one dimensional. It looks as if your always on floating blocks that don't connect to the background or foreground something akin to cheap phone games. If they wanted this to succeed they would have put more effort into it and how it looks. I'm sure the game will be fun but this game shows how atmosphere is an importance component to games and I will not be buying
I will probably pick this up. I love the character and I love side scrolling platform games. However, I was also disappointed that it was not a 3D adventure game. I played and loved the GameCube original back in the day.
i want it but may simply not be abile to afford it..
They should release a launch title for the NX that goes back to chibirobos roots. An HD chibirobo like the gc version is what the real fans want. I'll still probably get it for the amiibo though which I think is it's only selling point.
@redivgamer90 WHATS WRONG WITH SONIC? comparing him to Chibi robot its insulting..
@MrGuinea
Yeah they should have done a few more GC HD remasters on Wii U to give some of the games a second chance. Chibi-Robo Plug Into Adventure could look awesome in HD and given it a second chance to take off. I loved it!
I have the original on the GameCube. It's one of those unique titles you wouldn't expect to find anywhere else. By making it into a mainstreamed product, with more 2D platforming, they do either one of two things: make the game into a classic 2D exploration and platformer game (think Kirby's Adventure), or make it just like any other bland 2D platformer with a hint of individual personality trying to appeal to people who like cute robots. I don't know which it is here, but we'll see soon enough. If it's the latter, then yeah, Chibi Robo is likely going to have the plug pulled on it.
I only played Photo Finder and wasn't impressed. However. By the sounds of it all, I think the true answer is to make an HD update of the original. I want to try it first.
they're already begging? too bad they didn't go for a 3D exploration game; this kind os plataform game have so many $7~15 high quality options already
Just going to put this out there. I've only seen two 'proper' Chibi Robo games, the GC one and This game. I have to say what I have seen has actually got my interest (unlike the other vague Chibi Games), because theres a gaping hole for castlevania esque exploration (I found both Shovel Knight and Gaucamelee extremely over rated in that regard, they were 'ok' at best) and environmental puzzle solving (which has taken a dumb it down approach far too often, because let's face it, people are getting thicker).
I never paid attention to chibi on GC because the machine already had dozens of cutesy child friendly games (I went for most of the mature games on the platform), so it had stiff competition. It just so happens the 3DS doesn't have all that much at all that is getting my interest lately (MH4, Sega classics the only thing keeps me playing it), but if Zip Lash is about the same quality or above than Mirror of Fate, it'll be worth a play through.
I'll get it for the amiibo
Never bought a Chibi-game before - haven't seen one yet that I've liked. This one will be a day 1 buy though (pre-ordered it)!
Why does Nintendo always give a game series its last chance by making a game that has nothing to do with why the series is good? It's like they WANT the series to die so they say "this is your last chance" and force them to make a generic platformer instead of an actual Chibi-Robo game. Same thing with Other M; it had nothing to do with exploration, and it "suprisingly" didn't do well critically (possibly commercially too, idk) so they just stop making Metroid games for 6 years... At least when they gave Fire Emblem its last chance with Awakening, they let Intelligent Systems do everything they could to do it right, and it turned out successful.
When Nintendo lost Rare, THIS is the series that should have continued the Banjo Kazooir style 3D puzzle platforner "collectathon". It's a waste they didn't do more with it.
I played the game at Gamescom and it's a supermediocre platformer. I don't understand this "last chances" crap Nintendo does all the time. Chibi-Robo is a great character that people like, but this game still won't sell because there is hardly reason to buy it. When I saw the announcement of a new Chibi-Robo game as a headline I though: Wow, this is brilliant. They had practice doing all this stuff on the WiiU with Pikmin and now will have a whole game in this Microworld and we might use the gamepad for a point-of-view thing in some situations....great move Nintendo...
Nope...just a mediocre platformer....I just don't get it.
Always loved the concept and the character. Never played a single game in the franchise. Just never hit at the right time for me or something.
I was never a fan of Chibi's past games, but I will be grabbing this one when I find a used copy at GameStop.
As I don't have a new 3DS, I'm not sure if I want the bundled Amiibo or not...
This is the kind of game that you get when you have nothing else you want. Fortunately though, there's a severe lack of must have games on the horizon, so possibly.
@MrGuinea That's the thing though GC era fans aren't enough for a HD 3D platformer. Take Fire Emblem for example Intelligent Systems(or actually I think it might have been Eguchi who is now going to be head of Nintendo EPD and already was making calls on whenever games would be greenlighted including Fire Emblem's 250,000 minimum for Awakening) estimated it would take 700,000 sales to justify a WiiU HD Fire Emblem game and that's a turn based Strategy game with fixed animations and menu based control.
The first Chibi-Robo did poorly so it'd be difficult for them to push out a HD 3D Chibi-Robo on a console more powerful than the WiiU when the character may be even less popular now than he was on the GC. So Photo-Finder, Zip-Lash and the Amiibo would give him more exposure before they consider actually releasing an expensive game starring the character. Can anyone really say there's definitely enough people already intrested in the series for them to release would undoubtedly be the most expensive entry in the series on WiiU or NX?
Always heard of this series, at least around the time I came to know about Custom Robo. There's nothing that really sets this series apart in the western world that garners it much attention. I have nothing against the character or series, but all I can muster is a "oh okay" whenever I see it. Poor marketing? Like someone said, put his character into SSB? I dunno what it will take, but the last thing you want to do is keep beating a dead horse. If it's not cut out for western markets, leave it be in the homeland, or move on from the franchise. Ever game can't be a winner...
I'm getting it to support Chibi-Robo and for the awesome Amiibo. With it and Olimar I've got both of the ones I really wanted. On the other hand I'm disappointed that this is a platformer. The original NGC one is one of my favorite games for the system and Park Patrol was just an ok follow up. Don't get me started on Photo Finder, abysmal gaming at best and horribly broken at worst. As stated earlier the true DS sequel never left Japan and the Wii New Play Control remake never left Japan either. If they had this series may be held in higher regard than it is now.
@rdrunner1178 Finding the gc version is rare now unless you want to spend $60 online for it, so an HD remaster would be awesome. I haven't played the first one, but I played the PP one and that was fun, just giving me a small taste of what the first one was like.
@jmbarnes101 I agree. They should have stuck with what ChibiRobo is good at, and not turn it into platforming. It would be like making Pikmin into a platforming game. It's just not right. And we already have tons of Mario platforming so there's no need to try to turn another loved IP into platfoming just because it works for Mario. Chibi had his thing and he was good at it.
It's looked like a pretty simple platformer to me. And that's Kirby's niche, so IDK how Chibi Robo is going to do a better job than a Kirby game...
So, they'll release a chibi-robo game that's nothing like the previous , and tell us "well, you better buy this if you ever wanna see another chibi-robo!"
I just don't get the need to go mainstream.Just keep making the game that your niche audience likes, and keep your budget lower to account for that.
This is the same complaint I have for the Pikmin series, in a way. Nintendo has a whole friggin internal team, just making pikmin games, pumping so much money into every game in the series, so much production value that you'd see in a Mario or Zelda main series game, constantly changing stuff to try to make it for a 'wider audience", and it only sells 1 million or so copies. Why can't they just realize "Well, this is a quirky rts game that won't appeal to everyone, let's just cut our budget back, and develop a game that the niche audience that bought the past games would like."
Sorry, just me rambling on about AAA development BS.
Well unlike "Fire Emblem Awakening", this game presents a completely different genre than what the past games in the series have. None of the past games have even come close to being 2D platformers.
Never even heard of Chibi Robo before they made announcement.
Many said it seems too ordinary for a $30 game. Well, this game has filled the slot for the missing Might no.9 game this year for me. Physical release too so I will buy it.
@redivgamer90 Jajaja you have been told I guess?... cause Sonic Boom its pretty awesome if you ask as well as Lost World, Sonic Generations, Sonic Colors, Sonic Adventure 2 AND SONIC 2,3 & knuckles vs what? chibo robot phot finder Jajaja
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