One of Gamecubes latest developers, Tomy, is bringing a mech game based on their popular toy series Zoids to Nintendos console. Recently Dengeki to them on Zoids, Gamecube and their future.

Dengeki: What are your thoughts of the GameCube thus far?

Morioka-san: So far the console is geared towards younger players. We believe that's partially due to Nintendo's image and the timing of the release of the console last year.

Dengeki: Is your first GameCube project 'Zoids Versus' still on schedule for release this summer in Japan?

Morioka-san: Yes, we thought a summer release would be a safe bet. We’re primarily a toy maker so we cater mostly to children. However, on the GameCube we hope to broaden the audience for Zoids to all gamers.

Dengeki: What's your target audience then?

Morioka-san: The Zoids series began over 20 years ago, so our audience falls into three distinct categories; adults who grew up with the original toys, children who enjoy the new animated series, and general hobbyists. We believe Zoids Versus for the GameCube can reach all those groups.

Dengeki: Zoids Versus will be an action title?

Morioka-san: Yes, it's an action game. That's what most players seem to want. The real fun will be watching your mech characters come to life under your control. In previous games we've been unable to achieve that 'control' aspect, so we've been limited to developing strategy and RPGs based on Zoids. On the GameCube however, players can pilot their own mechanized creations. Thanks to the capabilities of Nintendo's console we're finally able to make the type of game we've always envisioned.

Dengeki: So the hardware held you back?

Morioka-san: Yes. The previous chapters in the series were fine, of course, but there's no comparison to the anime or toy series. We wanted a game that truly embodied the feeling of Zoids. If the graphics were blocky or the animation jerky, players would have immediately rejected it.

Dengeki: What's your impression of development for the GameCube?

Morioka-san: The development team is very pleased with how easy it is. They're working extremely hard to make Zoids Versus a game that will stand out from all others. We're not doing motion capturing, so they're using all their animation skills to make the Zoids’ movement look real.

Dengeki: What types of stages can we expect in the game?

Morioka-san: So far we've only shown the plateau stage publicly, but there will be water and flying areas. We're also trying to stay within the original themes of the series. It’s been problematic, especially for huge characters like the Ultrasaurus.

Dengeki: What are your future plans for the GameCube?

Morioka-san: We're working on some other GameCube titles now. We're also interested in the GameBoy Advance / GameCube connectivity. But our real goal is to develop a toy that will replace the GameCube controller for a future game.

Dengeki: Like a Zoids-style peripheral?

Morioka-san: That's one idea, yes. I can't go into specifics yet, but it's something we're working on and hopefully plan to release this year.

Source: XenGamers