R.O.B.

* NES
* Famicon

**Robotic Operating Buddy** (ロボット, *Robot*), best shortened to **R.O.B.** and first titled as **Family Computer Robot** during his public debut in 1985 of Japan, is the titular mascot of the Nintendo Entertainment System and the titular main protagonist of the television show of the same name.

R.O.B. is a robotic, expressionless and ageless artificial intelligence, who makes his first appearance in *Stack-Up* and *Gyromite* in 1985, serving as the titular main protagonist of the game. He also makes various appearance in the commercials for the Nintendo Entertainment System as the corporate mascot. The short-lived accessory prove to have low popularity, leading Nintendo to put it into cancellation. In the following years, R.O.B. would remain alive in Nintendo's video games, however, making a generic appearance as an unlockable playable character in *Mario Kart DS* and *Super Smash Bros.* and making several cameos in titles, such as *StarTropics*, the *WarioWare* franchise, *Pikmin 2* and more. R.O.B's unit-sales ceased by 1990.

As Ancient Minister in *Subspace Emissary*, R.O.B. is the field commander of the Subspace Army and brings the World of Trophies into Subspace under the orders of Tabuu. He is the leader of the R.O.B. Squad. Thus, he is able to control the the R.O.B. Squad and their deployments of Subspace Bombs. He is the secondary antagonist of *Super Smash Bros. Brawl'*s Subspace Emissary, but is considered to be a tragic villain (an antagonist who does not truly intend to be a villain), as he truthfully regretted his actions of bringing the World of Trophies into Subspace under the orders of Tabuu and he was coerced into doing so.

## Description

### History

In his early lifetime, R.O.B. originated from the Isle of the Ancients, a floating island of advanced technology. The isle is inhabited by a society of peaceful R.O.B.s led by R.O.B. himself, the single Master Robot, that have never before interacted with other races. Prior to the events of Subspace Emissary, Tabuu requires the island's technology to produce weapons capable of cutting the world apart, so he possesses his new army to seal the entire island hostage, and force research on such weapons. The Master Robot reluctantly surrenders and allows this to occur, in order to avoid the presumably threatened genocide should they refuse, though he disguises himself as the Ancient Minister out of shame for allowing it to happen.

Following this, Tabuu enslaves the R.O.B.s, then uses this island to manufacture Subspace Bombs. For these bombs to function, at least a pair of R.O.B.s must activate the bomb, are stuck there, and die. R.O.B. takes the guise of the Ancient Minister.

In the end of the Subspace Emissary (after defeating Tabuu and the Subspace itself), R.O.B. himself is the final remainder of his kind when the rest are forced to eliminate the Island of Ancients.

### Physical appearance

As his full name implies, R.O.B. is a generic, silver-monochromatic and metailic robot, being a hybrid of artificial intelligence and an accessory for NES (Nintendo Entertainment System), containing most of the features from a quintessential robot, such as a mechanism-like model, robotic arms and eyes, and a red indicator at the top of his forehead. However, R.O.B. has major differences compared to a normal kind of robot: in particular, he has a more rectangular-like headshape; his arms are long and less cartesian-like; he has a rather short and bulkier frame; a pair of large black eyes with a blueish/violet hue, which are so shimmering to the point of having the reflection of a mirror; a curled cord connecting to his system; as well as a bodyshape of a trachea holding his rectangular torso; and is legless, instead having thrusters and a base underneath his body, which allows him to fly and levitate (though this limits his fuel), have great jumping prowess or perform fiery blasts out of it when activated. Alternatively, his thrusters afford him above-average mobility and movement (as well as rolling a distance), using wheels to move him forward when activated.

R.O.B.'s appearance differed in Japan and North America, especially in terms of coloration. In each region, Nintendo designed R.O.B. to match the Nintendo Entertainment System or Famicom's coloration scheme. In Japan (famicon), R.O.B.'s monochromatic coloration is replaced with dark red and light beige. In all other regions (including NES), his coloration is monochromatic, ranging from light gray to white. No cords are required for the operation of R.O.B. (excluding the one connecting it to the system); instead, the accessory runs on four AA batteries.

As a video-game peripheralized and anthropomorphic robot, R.O.B. is capable of traversing or spinning his limbs (such as his head, arms and torso) in different positions and directions, as regarded in his taunts and victories in the *Super Smash Bros.* series.

In addition, R.O.B.'s eyes are typically black with a blueish hue; however, they are notable for switching colors upon R.O.B.'s expressions and actions. In certain events, the color of R.O.B.'s eyes can turn into the following:

* When attacking or hostile, R.O.B.'s eyes will glow a bright red.
* If using his laser vision (Super Robo Beam/Robo Beam), R.O.B.'s eyes will be a hybrid of red-and-purple.
* When dodging or defensive, R.O.B.'s eyes will flash white/light gray.
* When damaged/broken or KO'd, R.O.B.'s eyes will become a green-to-limeish hybrid.
* When sad/melancholic or put into "sleep" mode, R.O.B.'s eyes will become pure blue.
* When performing his final smash (Diffusion Beam/Super Diffusion Beam/Guided Robo Beam), R.O.B.'s eyes become golden/yellow.
	+ This also applies for when R.O.B. is under the effect of dominating powers (such as the Smash Ball).

### Personality

During his short-lived status as a peripheral, R.O.B. was initially emotionless due to being published as a imitated accessory in NES. Prior to the events of Subspace Emissary, R.O.B.'s personality was a mixed atmosphere of relaxation and peace. Living in the Isle of the Ancients, a floating island of advanced technology, an isle is inhabited by a society of peaceful R.O.B.s led by R.O.B. himself, the single Master Robot, that have never before interacted with other races, that is until Tabuu requires the island's technology to produce weapons capable of cutting the world apart, using his new army to seal the entire island hostage, and force research on such weapons. Fretting the presumably threatened genocide should the squad refuse, R.O.B. reluctantly surrenders and allows this to occur, though he disguises himself as the Ancient Minister out of shame for allowing it to happen.

As the Ancient Minister, R.O.B. is a villainous benchmark. He is considered to be a tragic villain (an antagonist who does not truly intend to be a villain), performing tragic and threatening actions throughout the events of Subspace Emissary, which are done so to prevent himself to suffer Tabuu's wrath and imminent genocide to him and the R.O.B. squad, as he truthfully regretted his actions of bringing the World of Trophies into Subspace under the orders of Tabuu and he was coerced into doing so. In the Subspace Emissary, it is revealed that the Ancient Minister is actually R.O.B. and the whole reason he was terminating the world in *Super Smash Bros. Brawl* due to Tabuu's destruction to lot of R.O.B.s, which upset the Ancient Minister. Tabuu then threatened to extinguish the rest of the R.O.B. race if the Ancient Minister would not assist him in his plans.

After the ultimate betrayal from Master Hand's henchman and the main antagonist of *the Legend of Zelda* franchise, Ganondorf, R.O.B.'s demeanor has dramatically changed, to being a heroic, sympathetic, pure and kindhearted robot. His happiness was only temporary, however, as after the R.O.B. squad has been permanently wiped out from existence after the events of Subspace Emissary, R.O.B. suffers from deep depression and melancholia (similar to Sayori), due to the loss of his "family" and him being the remaining R.O.B. of his kind in the world, similar to Lucas' loss of his mother, Hinawa. After R.O.B.'s interference with Mr. Game & Watch, however, R.O.B.'s melancholia has immediately been shrugged off; nowadays, he lives an entertaining and easygoing life.

## Powers and abilities

* **Laser Vision** (**Robo Beam**): An optical laser with 3 different levels - **Uncharged Robo Beam**, **Robo Beam**, and **Super Robo Beam**. Uncharged Robo Beam is a minimal energy blast instead of a laser, and can only damage opponents at point-blank range. However, it can be fired consecutively and deals extreme knockback, which allows it to ward off nearby opponents. Conversely, both Robo Beam and Super Robo Beam can damage opponents from afar and ricochet, but cannot be fired consecutively. Robo Beam and Super Robo Beam also deal drastically better damage when fired at point-blank range. It is one of R.O.B.'s options for zoning alongside Gyro, with Robo Beam being better for his neutral game, while Super Robo Beam is better for surprising opponents.
	+ The light on R.O.B.'s head indicates the level: a dim, slow-paced pulsating glow indicates an Uncharged Robo Beam; a brighter, moderate-paced pulsating glow indicates Robo Beam; and a bright, rapid-paced pulsating glow indicates Super Robo Beam.
* **Gyro**: R.O.B.'s other zoning option alongside Robo Beam, it can be picked up and thrown as an item after making contact with either the opponent or the stage.
* **Arm Rotor**: An infamous combo finisher that deals multiple hits, possessing extreme knockback at the finishing hit. It can reflect projectiles and move R.O.B. forward or backward, as well as granting him a bit of horizontal glide.
* **Levitation** (**Robo Burner**): It grants impressive vertical and horizontal distance, allowing R.O.B. to easily recover and escape disadvantage, although R.O.B. has a set amount of fuel, indicated by the gauge in his chassis, for usage in order to perform this move. Fuel is recovered over time as long as R.O.B. is grounded. This doesn't cause helplessness, allowing R.O.B. to fast-fall, dodge in the air, or attack with an aerial attack or one of his other special moves either through its duration or after its conclusion. R.O.B. is also immune to footstool jumps while using this move.
* **Zoning**: Using both Gyro and Robo Beam, R.O.B. is capable of inflicting damage and tacking pressure against his opponents at long-ranged quarters.
* **Supernatural mechanical powers**: As an anthropomorphic robot, R.O.B. possesses thrusters and a base underneath his body, which allows him to fly and levitate (though this limits his fuel), have great jumping prowess or perform fiery blasts out of it when activated.
* **Agility**: His thrusters afford him above-average mobility and movement (as well as rolling a distance), using wheels to move him forward when activated at impressive speeds. In combination of his quick aerial mobility, this collectively allows him to traverse through locations at relatively quick speeds.
* **Limb rotation**: R.O.B. is capable of rotating his head/arms in impossible angles and directions, which humanistic species are incapable of.
* **Durability**: R.O.B.'s considerable size grants him high weight. This offers R.O.B. great durability, thus allowing him to survive for considerable periods and prevents him from succumbing to strong hits at much higher precents.

### Weaknesses

* **Disadvantage**: R.O.B.'s considerable size and high durability/weight gives him a high vulnerability to combos and juggles, makes it easier for opponents to land hits on R.O.B.
* **Fuel**: Excessive usage of R.O.B.'s recovery (Robo Beam) expenses a limited set amount of fuel, indicated by the gauge in his chassis. If R.O.B.'s maximum amount of fuel derails, Robo Beam will deactivate and be rendered useless for recovering unless R.O.B. recovers fuel while remaining on the ground.
* **Melee-oriented range**: R.O.B.'s arms lack range in comparison to his size, which hinders his melee-oriented range and fighting prowess without the usage of his projectiles, laser vision, and activating his thrusters for fiery blows.

## Trivia

* Despite Rayman's tall height, Rayman being the tallest member of the Indie Cross, confirmed by **MickMick247**, has controversially brought a high topic of debate since **R.O.B.** is 10 centimeters taller than Rayman (ever surpassing Yuri's height by 5 centimeters), which makes him the tallest member of the Indie Cross. However, due to R.O.B.'s shorter and bulkier/thinner frame and size in comparison to most of the other members, R.O.B. seems to have a shorter height in comparison to his actual height.
* The R.O.B. peripheral has a product ID of HVC-012. This appears as R.O.B.'s name in the Japanese version of *Mario Kart DS*, in the filenames of stickers related to him, and is even referenced in Palutena's Guidance regarding him.
* R.O.B. is the only character in the *Super Smash Bros.* series that does not hail from a representative and playable video game. Instead, he is a video game peripheral for the NES. This gives him the distinction of being the only character in the series who originates from the real world.
	+ Along with Duck Hunt, R.O.B. is one of the only two characters that has a direct connection to the real world.
* R.O.B. is the only known character who is not coded to experience helplessness, as in *Brawl* the game freezes if he is put in a helpless state. As of *Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U*, however, he can be rendered helpless by touching PAC-MAN's red trampoline (Pac-Jump).
* As of *Super Smash Bros. 4*, R.O.B. is the only character whose default costume is different depending on the corresponding version of the game being played. He equips his NES color scheme in all regions outside of Japan, whereas his Famicom coloration scheme is equipped in the Japanese version.
	+ Despite this, his portrait in the Sound Test for *Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS* is that of his Famicom color scheme instead of his NES color scheme, regardless of the game's region.
* Although difficult to hear, R.O.B. actually has a "voice" of sorts, which consists of subdued mechanical beeps. It is easiest to hear him when he is stunned, asleep, or Star KO'd.
* R.O.B. is the only unlockable newcomer in *Brawl* to remain as an unlockable character in both versions of *SSB4*.
	+ Additionally, he and Wario are the only newcomers from *Brawl* to return for *SSB4* as unlockable characters, as Wario is a starter character in *Brawl*.
* R.O.B. is one of four characters to have a different Final Smash across all installments since Final Smashes debuted in the *Super Smash Bros.* series. The other three are considered Pit, Zero Suit Samus, and King Dedede.
	+ He is also the only sole fighter from a series to have this trait.
* R.O.B. is the only playable fighter without feet.
* Ike and R.O.B. are the only characters whose default costumes became alternate costumes in a later installment.
	+ However, his Famicom color scheme is still the default in Japanese versions of *SSB4* and *Ultimate*.
* With his debut occurring in July 1985, R.O.B. is the earliest fighter introduced in *Brawl*.
* R.O.B.'s up aerial drastically resembles an attack performed by Spyborg, a boss from *Star Fox 64*. Interestingly, Spyborg bears a vague resemblance to R.O.B., and its Japanese name is HVC-09, which is similar to R.O.B.'s serial code, HVC-12.
* R.O.B. is the only fighter to currently lack a home stage from their own universe.
	+ He is also the only fighter to represent a universe introduced in *Brawl* that lacks a single Assist Trophy.

* R.O.B. is the only character in the *Super Smash Bros.* series whose costumes are all based on *Transformers* characters.
* R.O.B. is one of the two characters to have alternate costumes based on non-gaming references, the other being Duck Hunt.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.ssbwiki.com/R.O.B.\_(SSBU)#taunts
2. ↑ https://www.ssbwiki.com/R.O.B.\_(SSBU)#victory+poses
3. ↑ During the events of the Subspace Emissary, it is revealed that the Ancient Minister is actually R.O.B. and the whole reason he was terminating the world in *Super Smash Bros. Brawl* due to Tabuu's destruction to lot of R.O.B.s, which upset the Ancient Minister. Tabuu then threatened to extinguish the rest of the R.O.B. race if the Ancient Minister would not assist him in his plans.
4. ↑ Star Fox 64.com - Sector X

Monika • Sayori • Natsuki • Yuri • MC