🐳 New! Moby v2023.06.02 update

TransFormers

aka: Transformers Armada: Prelude to Energon

Description official descriptions

On the planet of Cybertron, the Transformer war between the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons rages on. But the losses are mounting up, and the war's front has been pushed into the heart of Autobot territory. The Autobots’ last stand takes a turn for the worse when the Decepticons introduce their secret weapon: the new Decepticlone army.

As if by fate, a distress signal from the Mini-Cons, the long-lost third Transformer race, blasts onto the battlefield. Knowing that the Mini-Cons will tip the balance of power, the Autobots and the Decepticons race to Earth. On Earth, the Decepticons and their army invade the planet with extreme prejudice. It is then up to the Autobots to save Earth and prevent the Decepticons from controlling the universe.

The player takes control of one of 3 featured Autobots and can switch between them for any mission. These are: Optimus Prime, Hot Shot and Red Alert. All have the ability to transform into their vehicle modes, with classic '80s transforming sound effects.

Players have to find and retrieve Mini-Con robots (of which there are over 40), which then function as weapons or equip the Autobot with new abilities. These add-ons include offensive weapons such as Missile Launchers, Limpet Mines, a Tractor Beam, Electric Arc Guns, Ribbon Beams, etc.; defensive abilitles such as Shields, Armours and Recharges; and Abilities such as Glide Wings, Boost Jumps, and Dashes.

The player must battle the Decepticons and their Decepticlone army through a range of environments including the Amazon jungle, desolate Antarctica and a rugged Pacific island.

Level enemies take the form of uniquely-designed Decepticlones - champions from an army of robots created to serve the Decepticons.

All of the famous Decepticons are featured as game Bosses - including Starscream, Cyclonus, Tidal Wave (as a full-scale Aircraft Carrier/robot) and of course... the Decepticon leader, Megatron.

A classic battle of good versus evil...

Groups +

Screenshots

Promos

Credits (PlayStation 2 version)

202 People (175 developers, 27 thanks) · View all

Director & Executive Producer
Producer
Technical Producer
Technical Director
Programming Director
Lead Programmer (A.I. Group)
A.I Programmers
Lead Programmer (Player Group)
Game Systems Programmer
Weapons Programmer
Lead Programmer (Physics & Simulation Group)
Physics & Simulation Programmer
Lead Programmers (Visual Effects)
Visual Effects Programmers
Lead Programmer (UI Group)
UI Programmer
Senior Programmer (General Arts)
[ full credits ]

Reviews

Trivia

1001 Video Games

Transformers appears in the book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die by General Editor Tony Mott.

Cancelled sequel

There was sequel planned based on the Cybertron series, but Atari moved Melbourne House onto another project, effectively canceling it.

Cut content

Some characters were dropped from the game. Demolishor, one of the Decepticons, was to be a boss, and Ramjet, Tidal Wave's Minicon partner, was meant to be an enemy harassing the player prior to entering one of the stages.

Inspiration

This game is based on the series Transformers: Armada, the first series of the Unicron Trilogy. The name comes from the fact that the planet destroying Transformer of the same name has an important role in the series. In fact, the minicons are supposed to be its creations. The other two series are Energon and Cybertron.

Launch party

At the game's launch party, Atari's venue served several signature drinks named for the game-exclusive Mini-cons.

Related Games

Transformers: The Game
Released 2007 on Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360...
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Released 2009 on Wii, PlayStation 2
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Released 2009 on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows
Transformers: Fall of Cybertron
Released 2012 on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows
Transformers: Battlegrounds
Released 2020 on PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One
Transformers: War for Cybertron
Released 2010 on Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Transformers: Battlegrounds - Shattered Spacebridge
Released 2021 on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows

Related Sites +

Identifiers +

  • MobyGames ID: 12916

Contribute

Know about this game? Add your expertise to help preserve this entry in video game history!

Contributors to this Entry

Game added by //dbz:.

Additional contributors: Mark Ennis, FatherJack.

Game added May 4th, 2004. Last modified February 22nd, 2023.