Robopon: Sun Version (1998). Play online

Summary

I dive into ROBOPON: Sun Version on my Game Boy Color, inheriting a faltering Robopon Dispatching Company and learning fast that catching and training those quirky robotic critters is the only way to revive it. The game pushes me to travel the globe, battling rivals and collecting over 150 different Robopon that evolve as they gain experience. Each creature’s capabilities are shaped by interchangeable parts and stackable software—hook a "Punch" part with "Thunder" software and you’re throwing Thunderpunches, while mixing elements spawns quirky combos like "Zapp!!".

What sets Sun apart is the infrared "GB Kiss" panel on the cartridge’s top: point any TV‑remote at the screen, press a button, and hidden stat boosts or chests appear. An internal clock also triggers time‑sensitive events, keeping the experience feeling alive. The roster is split into Arm (offensive), Move (speedy) and Boot (overall powerhouse) categories, though the Boot type can’t be customized. Since only Sun reached North America, the Star‑exclusive Robopon never made it into my collection, adding a little mystery to the hunt.

Storyline

In Robopon Sun (often just called Robopon Sun), you play as a kid named Cody who inherits his grandfather’s Robopon Dispatching Company. The retirement of his grandpa sends Cody on a tour of Porombo Island, where he must capture and train Robopon. His main challenge is the "Legend 7," the island’s elite Robopon collectors who dominate the ranking board. Each time Cody defeats a member of the Legend 7, he claims their spot in the hierarchy, climbing higher with every victory. The game’s core loop revolves around exploring the island, gathering new Robopon, and battling the top trainers to become the new legend.