Gyrozetter Is Like Transformers Made By Square Enix

Cars that change into robots… is this a Transformers arcade game? No, Super Speed Transforming Gyrozetter is a new franchise from Square Enix developed by the Dragon Quest Monsters Battle Road team. Instead of licensing characters, Square Enix partnered with Toyota, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Mitsuoka, Mazda, and Nissan to add their cars to Gyrozetter.

A neat touch is Gyrozetter’s arcade cabinet transforms too. In driving mode (left) the game puts a steering wheel right in front of you. Players lift the wheel up in robot battle mode (right) to reveal levers. Each play costs 100 yen and the price includes a card Gyrozetter gives you for use with the arcade game.

Gyrozetter launches in arcades this summer, but Square Enix has big plans for this new franchise. A manga series will kick on on December 3 in Saikyo Jump. Next year, A-1 Pictures, the animation studio behind Persona: Trinity Soul and Blue Exorcist, will create a Gyrozetter anime series. Square Enix also plans to sell toys and make a Nintendo 3DS Gyrozetter game in 2012 too.