Nintendo Chibi-Robo for Gamecube

A legion of diminutive Nintendo robots are now invading American homes. Chibi-Robo, a video game made exclusively for Nintendo GameCube, puts you in control of a 4-inch-tall robot who travels back in time, meets aliens and blasts robotic spiders. The cute anime cartoon style of Chibi-Robo belies a bizarre, creative storyline that revolves around little Chibi-Robo, who only wants to bring happiness to his human family.

With the help of his lounge-singer-wannabe sidekick Telly, Chibi meets and communicates with a host of wacky toys that come to life at night. These include a pirate, a mummy, Space Hunter Drake Redcrest (a legendary action hero) and the Free Rangers, a battalion of egg-shaped soldiers. Each character has a distinct personality that shines through as Chibi works to help his family achieve happiness. That's not always easy to do in a home where the parents are having marital troubles, their daughter thinks she's a frog and the teddy bear has an unhealthy addiction to honey.

While playing, you are able to focus solely on your main goals or wander off to do side tasks that help increase the happiness of the household. Whether you fly through the air on their Chibi-Copter or target small obstacles with your Chibi-Blaster, the only restriction you have is a limited power supply. If it runs low, just plug yourself into the nearest outlet. Chibi-Robo offers the kind of nonlinear approach that Nintendo has pioneered with other games, such as the puppy-training Nintendogs or the music-making Electroplankton. You can proceed at your own pace and decide how much you want to accomplish at a given time.

For more information about the game, visit www.chibi-robo.com.