Bio-bytes (Game)

## System requirements

Bio-bytes controller, creature tank

***Bio-bytes*** is a 2000's LCD handheld video game created by now defunct toy and game industry Jakks pacific.

The game was likely made to cash in on 2000's LCD pocket games and animal battle games such as the famous Pokémon series and even some games such as Tamagotchi and Digimon.

The toy came in usually two components that usually were separated, the Creature Tank, and the Controller. There were two kinds of controllers dedicated to the land type animals, and the marine type. The tanks were also unique to land and marine creatures. the controller was a somewhat large handheld with a joystick and a A/B button, akin to the Gameboy. The controller required only about 4 AA-batteries, allowing for a possible month-ish of play time. in order to play, a tank of the animal inside was required to be inserted on the top, which would allow the special movement functions.

Upon inserting the tank into the controller, the player had a few options to work with.

*Direct control mode**-*** this mode is a interactive mode that allows the user to use the joystick to make their creature move. the user can even make their pet roar.

*Quick battle-* this mode lets the user battle any creature they have encountered in the other modes, as much as they want.

*Tournament-* This mode has the player go against a squad of different animals. if the player is successful, they might just meet a special creature.

*Head to head-* this mode allows two fellow bio-bytes players to go head to head. the connection is made through two bio-byte systems. you can host a game or join one.

*Options-* edit the game settings to your liking. you can change brightness, sound, and memory. each tank and controller is chipped with memory.

*Credits-* see the list of fellow developers and the game crediting.

### Battle system

The way the battles work is that each creature gets a turn. the way it handles out is kind of like a interactive movie. each creature preforms a intro animation and the silhouettes will determine how much health a creature has. the player can select what to attack with, and as the player uses the creature, it grows and levels up, gaining new attacks and becoming stronger.

The creatures can also prepare defensives against attacks. once the creature HP reaches 0, the opposing creature wins.

## List of creatures

Series 1- land creatures

* T-rex: a prehistoric extinct dinosaur from millions of years ago. this ferocious carnivore comes from the cretaceous period, and is a member of the tyrannosaurs, vicious herbivore-hunting killing beasts.
* Tiger: a tough, large and sneaky species of big wild cat from the deep jungles and rainforests. This beast uses it's striped pattern to hide in plain sight, and then ambushes its prey.
* Velociraptor: a small, ravenous species of prehistoric hunting dinosaur from the cretaceous period. This carnivorous creature would hunt its prey under wild circumstances, getting every chance to strike and bite.

Series 1- marine creatures

* Crocodile: A species of terrifying reptilian beasts that dwelled near swamps and lakes, able to walk on both land and swim in the water. This scaly beast also possessed a horribly strong bite, making it one of the highest bite-force monsters of the present day.
* Killer whale: This false-whale marine creature is a type of large porpoise-relative that swam about, feasting on anything that happened to dwell in the sea or flew in the air. These creatures were also strangely intelligent to a degree.
* Great white shark: A man-eating nightmare of the sea, the Shark is a most well known species of the ocean, a wide variety of this blood-thirsty monster exist in the world, with the Great white being one of the largest. The Great white possesses a large quantity of unique abilities.

Series 2- land creatures (CANCELLED)

* Grizzly bear: a guardian of the forests, the grizzly bear was a force of nature who ate and attacked anything dumb enough to provoke it. This mammalian monster would sleep for a long period of time during the winter, stocking its share of food.
* Gorilla: As a missing link between man and ape, the gorilla is a force to be reckoned with. Living in the same clique of ancient primordial families as monkeys, apes, and humans, the gorilla strived to serve on learning its surroundings. even as a herbivore, the gorilla is still a powerhouse.
* Triceratops: A prehistoric horned predecessor to the rhino, the triceratops was a cretaceous dinosaur who used its three horns to defend itself against the monsters of its timeline. Feasting on ancient plants, the triceratops lead a herd of their kind, much like many other animals today.

Series 2- marine creatures (CANCELLED)

* Octopus: A intelligent, skeleton-less curiosity of the sea, the octopus came from a family of soft, tentacled creatures who could squeeze and move in rather unusual and impossible ways. The octopus possessed a strangely sufficient intelligence, and is regarded as the Houdini of the animals, able to escape jars and squeeze through tiny spaces.
* Hammerhead shark: This species of shark has one of the most bizarre head shapes. its name comes from its own head figure, which resembles a sort of hammer. Even with the strange head feature, the hammerhead does not mess around.
* Tiger shark: A species of shark with a unique set of features that differentiate it from other sharks. this species has a unique pattern on its body, and also possesses some details such as serrated, curved teeth. the tiger shark has ancient origins as being portrayed as a sea god with eye powers.

BONUS

* Bernazoid: A abominable disaster of a creature experiment, it's true purpose is unknown. it serves as the Boss of the tornament mode, and is the most difficult creature to fight. its detailed as being a mix of all the creatures of bio bytes, including the terrible land beasts, and the vicious marine creatures, with a addition of added mechanical parts. The bernazoid seems to be only intended as a npc enemy, and isn't playable.

### Trivia

* Though revealed laterally at the time with the purpose of being released, the second series/wave of creatures for bio bytes never actually made it to store shelves, making series 1 only usable in existence. the likely reason for season 2 never coming into fruition was probably because of low sales, poor reception, or jakks pacific becoming defunct.
* There seems to exist multiple different versions of the controller in colors, as shown when looking up the game online. these either are regionally re-releases, or custom made.
* Counting both series 1 and 2 (and the boss), there is a total of 13 creatures in the bio-bytes series.
* Bio-bytes having dinosaurs is likely part in due with many sources of animal entertainment occasionally featuring dinosaurs such as the book series "Who would win?" and the tycoon game series Zoo tycoon.
* a strange defect with the tank liquid occurs when leaving it out in sunlight for a long time. the liquid will "decompose" and turn a murky yellow/brown color.