Robopon 2: Cross Version / Ring Version

Robopon 2: Cross Version / Ring Version follows on from the first game, expanding its concept of collecting and training robotic creatures with a new story, additional locations, and improved game mechanics. The player once again heads into the world of robopons, where instead of classic monsters they catch and upgrade mechanical companions, build a battle team from them, and work through a network of fights, quests, and the unraveling of a larger conspiracy. As with the previous installment, two interconnected versions were released, between which exclusive robopons can be traded via a link cable, which encouraged trading and competitiveness among players trying to put together as varied a collection of mechanical companions as possible.

The second installment adds a deeper system of modifications and part combinations, so assembling the ideal robopon is somewhat more complex than in the first game, and it also offers more ways to tailor your playstyle – from aggressive attacking lineups to teams focused on defense and support. Visually, the game benefits from a later stage of the Game Boy Color's life cycle, the colors are vivid and the interface clearer, the music retains the light, sci-fi-tinged character of the whole series and accompanies the new locations the player gradually passes through. The pacing remains accessible even for younger players, while still offering plenty of room for those who want to dig deeper into collecting and upgrading robopons and get through the game's tougher late stages.

Robopon 2 released at a time when market attention was already shifting to the up-and-coming Game Boy Advance, so it received only limited attention from Western players, even though it offered a more mature continuation of the first game with a more interesting story and a more elaborate battle system. Today the Robopon series is remembered as one of the honest attempts to offer an alternative to Pokémon on the same platform, and the second installment is an interesting addition to the whole story for fans of the series and collectors alike, showing where the concept could have been taken further.