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Nintendo WarioWare Mario Kart


This article covers something that is not from the Mario franchise.
Mario Sonic Rio 2016 artwork Make sure to only provide information (including a profile) relevant to the Mario franchise and related media.

R.O.B. (short for Robotic Operating Buddy) is an accessory designed for use with Stack-Up and Gyromite, both released for the Family Computer and its overseas equivalent, the Nintendo Entertainment System. In Japan, it is named Famicom Robot, short for Family Computer Robot.

Though not a Mario character, R.O.B. has appeared in several Mario-related games, in the form of cameos and playable appearances alike. The first Mario-related game that R.O.B. appears in is WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!. In most of his Mario appearances, the color of R.O.B. varies between the Japanese and international versions to correspond to the Family Computer and Nintendo Entertainment accessory of him, respectively.

Description[]

As a peripheral, R.O.B. functions by translating flashes of information on the television screen into physical actions (using technology similar to the Zapper Gun). He could be controlled by the player using the control pad to make him raise and lower gyroscopes. To make the gyroscope spin, the player must set the object in the gyroscope spinner and then balance it on one of the two round trays that are connected to controller two. Placing a gyro on the red tray lowers the red GATES; placing a gyro on the blue tray lowers the blue GATES.

In WarioWare series[]

WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$![]

Stack-Up microgame

R.O.B.'s appearance in the Stack-Up microgame in WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!

R.O.B. is featured in the Stack-Up microgame, in which the goal is for the R.O.B. to put its hands on the blocks, upon which an "OK" message is displayed on the television screen. While international versions depict R.O.B. after the Nintendo Entertainment System accessory of him, the Japanese version depicts R.O.B. with his Family Computer colors.

WarioWare: Twisted![]

R.O.B. makes a cameo appearance in 9-Volt's game room.

WarioWare: Touched![]

R.O.B. makes a cameo in the boss microgame Gunslinger, in which a graphic of it can be released from a blue barrel drum upon breaking it open. Both the Japanese and international versions depict the Family Computer accessory of R.O.B..

WarioWare: Smooth Moves[]

ROB WWSM screenshot

R.O.B.'s appearance in the WarioWare: Smooth Moves microgame Star Fox

R.O.B. appears in 9-Volt's boss microgame, Star Fox. This is one of the appearances in which R.O.B.'s design differs between the Japanese and international versions, being colored after the Family Computer and the Nintendo Entertainment System accessory of him, respectively. R.O.B. tries to shoot at the player's Arwing using a light gun, specifically a Famicom Beam Gun in the Japanese version and a second-model NES Zapper in the international version. R.O.B.'s weak spot is the flashing blocks that surround him.

WarioWare Gold[]

R.O.B. is playable in the microgame R.O.B. Block Set. Similar to the WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! microgame Stack-Up, the Level 1 difficulty only requires R.O.B. to touch a block, whereas Levels 2 and 3 involve R.O.B. having to move a block to a designated location.

In Mario franchise[]

Mario Kart DS[]

R.O

R.O.B.'s artwork for Mario Kart DS

R.O.B. is the last of four characters to be unlocked, following after Princess Daisy, Dry Bones, and Waluigi. He can be unlocked by getting all gold trophies in either Nitro or Retro Grand Prix in Mirror Mode. R.O.B. is tied with Bowser for being the heaviest and fastest racer. R.O.B's default emblem is the NES D-Pad, the only one to not have a circular shape. R.O.B. has two original karts: the ROB-BLS, based on the stand used in Stack-Up, and the ROB-LGS, intended to look as if R.O.B. was given an extension of legs. His karts are fast, heavy, and have stronger handling, but they have weaker drifting than the other karts. R.O.B. is the only driver who does not use the steering wheel on his kart to move, but rather his arms.

In the Japanese version, R.O.B. is named HVC-012, the model number of the R.O.B. accessory for the Family Computer. HVC-012 and his karts are colored white and dark red to match the Family Computer and its R.O.B. accessory. The Staff Ghost data for R.O.B. in Desert Hills and Rainbow Road uses the design for him and his vehicles from the Japanese versions.

Super Mario Maker[]

ROB SMM sprite

R.O.B. is featured as a Mystery Mushroom costume. It can be unlocked by either completing the 100 Mario Challenge on Normal difficulty or higher or from scanning a R.O.B. amiibo.

Like some of his other appearances, R.O.B.'s colors differ between versions; in the Japanese version, R.O.B. uses his Family Computer colors, while international versions, he uses his Nintendo Entertainment System colors. Regardless, if Mario transforms into R.O.B., the "level start" tune from Gyromite plays. Pressing Up on the D-Pad causes R.O.B. to emit beams of light from his eyes, similar to his Robo Beam move from the Super Smash Bros. series.

Crossover appearances[]

Super Smash Bros. series[]

Super Smash Bros. Brawl[]

BrawlROB

R.O.B. as he appears in Super Smash Bros. Brawl

R.O.B. makes his first appearance as playable character in the Super Smash Bros. series, let alone the series in general. R.O.B. can be unlocked by either playing 160 Brawl matches, collecting 250 trophies, or automatically from joining the party in Adventure Mode: The Subspace Emissary. If fulfilling either of the two former methods, a Challenger Approaching screen of R.O.B. is shown at first, followed by an unlock match on the Mario Bros. stage, where R.O.B. has to be defeated to unlock him proper. By default, each version of the game depicts R.O.B. with his Family Computer colors, although one of R.O.B.'s alternate costumes depicts him with his Nintendo Entertainment System colors.

R.O.B. has the following special moves:

  • Robo Beam (standard special): R.O.B. fires a pink laser beam between his eyes.
  • Arm Rotor (side special): R.O.B. spins his arms around rapidly for about two seconds to attack an opponent.
  • Gyro (down special): Based on Gyromite, R.O.B. charges a gyro before launching it at an opponent.
  • Robo Burner (up special): R.O.B. uses the jets in his base to fly or hover, which he can do for a short period of time.
  • Diffusion Beam (Final Smash): For a short while, R.O.B. fires a short-range blast of energy capable of repeatedly damaging an enemy.
Adventure Mode: The Subspace Emissary[]
ROB Subspace intro SSBB

R.O.B.'s introduction snapshot in Adventure Mode: The Subspace Emissary

During Adventure Mode: The Subspace Emissary, they are part of the Subspace Army, and are used to activate the Subspace Bombs, as well as guard the Ancient Minister and come in different variations; R.O.B. Sentry, R.O.B. Launcher, and the R.O.B. Blaster. The bodyguards for the Ancient Minister are called the R.O.B. Squad. When a pair of R.O.B.s are used to activate a Subspace Bomb, they are destroyed in the explosions.

Late into the mode, it is revealed that the Ancient Minister is actually R.O.B. and his reason for destroying the World of Trophies was because Tabuu had killed a lot of R.O.B.s and he had become very depressed. It is also revealed that R.O.B., the Ancient Minister, was once the ruler of the world and he lives on a floating island along with the other ministers. Samus, Pikachu, Captain Olimar, Captain Falcon, Donkey Kong, and Diddy Kong were able to get in this same island. However, when they arrived, the Ancient Minister refused to battle with them.

A hologram of Ganondorf suddenly appeared and started commanding all the R.O.B.s except for the Ancient Minister. All the R.O.B.s attacked the Minister until his clothes were burned off and the gang discovered he was R.O.B. After that, R.O.B. decided to stop destroying the world and teamed up with the gang to stop Ganondorf and Tabuu from destroying the Super Smash Bros. World.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U[]

ROB SSB4 artwork

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U artwork

R.O.B. returns as an unlockable fighter in both games, although the methods for unlocking him differ between both games. To unlock R.O.B. in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, the player has to either do at least 70 VS. matches or collect at least 200 trophies, then defeat R.O.B. in his unlock match at PictoChat 2. To unlock R.O.B. in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, the player first has to either have played 60 VS. matches or through ten rounds of Crazy Orders before fighting Crazy Hand. Following this, they then have to defeat R.O.B. in his unlock match at the Wrecking Crew stage.

ROB Gyro SSB4 Wii U

R.O.B. using his down special, Gyro, in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

Compared to Super Smash Bros. Brawl, R.O.B.'s design is more in line with the R.O.B. accessory: the sheen of R.O.B.'s body is now a satin finish instead of a glossy finish, his gray-colored components are darker, his head is now slightly smaller, and his eyes are now slightly larger and have more defined lenses. R.O.B. also received a new Final Smash called Super Diffusion Beam, which turns him into a cannon that fires a single beam, dealing continuous damage until the end of the attack.

Prior to the game's release, its website officially announced on October 9, 2014 that R.O.B. would return as a playable character. Prior to this, R.O.B. was one of several characters who was initially leaked on August 19, 2014 as part of the ESRB leak.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[]

R.O.B. makes a return in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, once again as an unlockable character. His Final Smash was changed yet again, this time to Guided Robo Beam.

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Timeline[]

This concerns R.O.B.'s appearances in Mario-related media and external references to his appearances in said media.


Game Role Year Console Notes
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! Brief role 2003 Game Boy Advance Playable in the microgame Stack-Up
WarioWare: Twisted! Cameo 2004 Game Boy Advance Appears in the background of 9-Volt's bedroom.
WarioWare: Touched! Cameo 2004 Nintendo DS Briefly shown in Gunslinger when the player breaks open a blue barrel drum
Mario Kart DS Unlockable playable character 2005 Nintendo DS Unlocked by completing either every Nitro Cup or Retro Cup in Mirror Mode
WarioWare: Smooth Moves Brief role 2006 Wii Fought as a boss within the microgame Star Fox
Super Smash Bros. Brawl Unlockable playable character 2008 Wii
Tomodachi Life Item 2013 Nintendo 3DS Though not a Mario appearance, R.O.B.'s is referenced as being an "official Smash brawler" within his description.
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS Unlockable playable character 2014 Nintendo 3DS
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Unlockable playable character 2014 Wii U
Super Mario Maker Playable character 2015 Wii U Featured as a Mystery Mushroom costume
WarioWare Gold Brief role 2018 Nintendo 3DS Featured as playable in the microgame R.O.B.'s Block Set
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Unlockable playable character 2018 Nintendo Switch

Trivia[]

ROB Tomodachi Life reference

R.O.B. as a treasure item in Tomodachi Life

  • R.O.B. is one of the two fighters to not have a home stage from his own universe, the other being Dr. Mario.
  • R.O.B.'s Boxing Ring English title in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and the American version of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U is "The Last of His Kind," which references how he was the only surviving R.O.B. following the conclusion of Adventure Mode: The Subspace Emissary in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
  • R.O.B. is one of the treasures that appears in Tomodachi Life. While this is not explicitly a Mario-related appearance of R.O.B., his status as a Super Smash Bros. series fighter is referenced in the description, noting that he from the Nintendo Entertainment System era as well as an "official Smash brawler."

Navigation[]

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