• Publisher: Capcom
  • Release Date: Dec 3, 2003
Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 24
  2. Negative: 7 out of 24
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  1. Has to be the most underrated, overlooked game of the year. Ever since Power Stone died with the Dreamcast, there hasn't really been an entertaining 3D four-person melee fighting game. Gotcha Force takes the Power Stone-type genre to the next level.
  2. Fans of "Power Stone" or "Smash Brothers" should especially be interested in the frantic battle action Gotcha Force has to offer.
  3. This is a big, deep game that does justice to the glory days of playing with Go-Bots and Transformers, while incorporating all the collecting madness of Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh.
  4. netjak
    78
    But the fact is, I've never seen the concept handled so well. Despite the fact that you can't tune an individual Borg (like you could do in Custom Robo), you can build such a dizzying array of different lineups that this game has so much more playability than almost any other Gamecube action game.
  5. The combat is both intuitive and fast enough that you can easily sit down and play a quick game any time.
  6. The battles are frantic and over quick enough to make it perfect to dip in and out of, and the multiplayer battling is wicked fun with mates.
  7. While Gotca Force offers several play modes, including Story and Versus, the basic gameplay never changes. [Jan 2004, p.138]
  8. 70
    As a single-player quest to gather robots and unlock secrets, Gotcha Force can get a little tedious. As a game to make you scream at your friends, however, it's perfect.
  9. It's cute, it's exhilarating, and it's an extremely good alternative to the failed Pokemon Channel. Is it worth the casual gamer's dollar? Probably not.
  10. Nintendo Power
    68
    Fun, but repetitive. [Feb 2004, p.68]
  11. 65
    What really hurts it is that the game never progresses beyond the simple battles. I never felt challenged -- and after playing through the story mode for an hour, I felt like I had seen all there was to see.
  12. It's really a shame they couldn't think of a way to keep the battles interesting for a longer time, the lack of variation really kills the game.
  13. 60
    Too linear to be challenging for expert gamers, and with a learning curve that dips into boredom exponentially the longer you play it, this is a perfect rental for your ADD-riddled nephew -- and him only.
  14. Play Magazine
    58
    Gotcha Force's neat concept didn't follow through in its execution. [Feb 2004, p.46]
  15. The arena-based combat is banal, combos are almost accidental, the dialogue consists of goo goos and gah gahs, and the difficulty curve seems designed to boost a baby's confidence. Overall, it's an all right little game, provided you're still in Pampers.
  16. A pale, perfunctory imitation of both that crutches itself far too heavily on brainless, clunky, spastic action that doesn't so much entertain as it bewilders.
  17. 50
    While Gotcha Force definitely has visual punch and lets you lay the smack down on foes with your customized robot attack squad, it's a little on the bland side.
  18. Distractingly strange, with clunky controls, mixed up graphics and a story line that is just plain out confusing.
  19. Cheat Code Central
    40
    Few kids possess the capacity required to make sense of this scrambled, onscreen action in real time. It will just frustrate all those that play it except the odd MENSA member.
  20. It's very rare when a title comes along that needs a STAY AWAY warning. Gotcha Force is that title.
  21. The story mode is so razor thin and pointless I didn't know who the enemy was, and after breezing through most of the game, to have the last decisive battle be beyond difficult (because of the controls) made the game very unbalanced.
  22. Edge Magazine
    30
    Gotcha Force has all the requisite cute and vibrant stylings of another Japanese phenomenon, but it's let down by a pallid game dynamic. [Jan 2004, p.99]
  23. The robot design and collection aspects are pretty good, but it isn't worth much when you're just pounding buttons like an idiot. Mindless gameplay coupled with camera problems and not much else leads to a game you definitely don't need to get.
  24. The main problem with Gotcha Force is that the game is tailored to children. The controls are simple, the battles are extremely easy, and the customization elements only extend to putting different groups of Borgs together. There's not enough depth to interest adults or perhaps even teens.

Awards & Rankings

98
36
#36 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2003
35
#35 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2003
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 27 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 27
  2. Negative: 2 out of 27
  1. Aug 24, 2013
    10
    One of the best games in existence with a large variety of playable robots with each type offering a different way to play makes this gameOne of the best games in existence with a large variety of playable robots with each type offering a different way to play makes this game create a standard no other game has reached since.

    Simply put the "professional" reviewers who gave this game a low score should be ashamed of themselves.
    Full Review »
  2. Mar 2, 2011
    10
    Great combat, millions of combination for your teams and some real variety in gameplay this game pretty much consumed my gamecube. Sure thereGreat combat, millions of combination for your teams and some real variety in gameplay this game pretty much consumed my gamecube. Sure there were other games such as zelda and such but I beat this game 10 times to unlock the hidden characters. The storyline was garbage but the gameplay made up for it so well that it really didn't matter. Not only did it have some fun co-op but it have 4 player split screen versus which amused my friends and I for hours on end. If you ever find this in the used bin, pick it up, you won't regret it. Full Review »
  3. May 12, 2022
    10
    The critics back then didnt know what they were talking about smh. This game was so innovative it was and is a much needed breath of freshThe critics back then didnt know what they were talking about smh. This game was so innovative it was and is a much needed breath of fresh air. Its so many characters that you fight and unlock each feeling very unique. You can tell a lot if love went into this game and it will always be one of my favorites. Full Review »