Metal Hero Video Games

Pocket Club P-1 Mini mobilization Winspector! Warrior 3 (1990)


Pocket Club P-1 Mini Exceedraft (1992)
Pocket Club P-1 Mini Jansperson (1993)
Pocket Club P-1 Mini Blue Swat (1994)

SD Defeat the Evil forces! Total Hero Battle
Shaider, Metalder, and Jiban made appearances in this game from Banpresto, that was headlined by Gundam, also featured Kamen RIder 1.

Tokkyū Shirei Solbrain (1991)
A video game version of Tokkyū Shirei Solbrain was released in 1991 for the Japanese Family Computer, published by Angel and developed by Natsume.

A localized version titled Shatterhand was published by Jaleco for the Nintendo Entertainment System in North America and Europe shortly after the Japanese release. The differences are mainly cosmetic (changing graphics and the plot) but one change to an boss area. Funny, this reminds me what they did with the Super Mario Bros. 2 game.



Azito2 for PlayStation (1998)
Featured Gavan, Sharivan and Shaider.

Operation Superhero (1999)
CD-Rom featured Gavan, Sharivan and Shaider and Metalder. Also had Kamen Riders and Ultramen.


Don Oke Character Quiz! Tokusatsu Hero (1999)
Produced by Toei Tokusatsu Hero, a quiz game that included many Tokusatsu heroes except for the Super Sentai series. Part 1 featured Metalder and Jiraiya. Part 1 featured Robotak, Jiban, Gavin, Speilban and B-Fighter. For Playstation.


Operation Super Hero Diedal Ambition (2000)
For Playstation.


Super Tokusatsu Taisen (2001)
Came out for Playstation, featured Goranger, Kamen Rider V3, Kamen Rider Black, Kamen Rider Black RX, Ultraman, Ultra Seen, Goranger, Gavan, Sharivan, Shaider, and others.

The Space Sheriff Spirits
The Space Sheriff Spirits came out for the PlayStation 2 in 2006. The game was simultaneously released in May 25, 2006 in Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan. This was the last work involving the late Machiko Soga.


I had previously this VR Troopers video game in my post about Power Ranger Video Games, because I didn't think I had a place for it but of course this had a place here.

VR Troopers
VR Troopers is a 1995 fighting game was developed by Syrox Developments and published by Sega for the Sega Mega Drive and the Sega Game Gear. If one were to play as a Trooper against the Clone-Bot in the form of that trooper, the Clone-Bot's Trooper form will appear in a different color. The video game contains a creature named Kamelion, as the final boss of the game who can shapeshift into any other playable character in the game and utilize their abilities. This creature does not appear in the series, yet is somewhat similar to the Season 1 robot general, Zelton. Tankatron, Decimator, Dark Heart, Kongbot, Magicianm abd Kamelion were the opponents.

Zaido: Filipino Spin-Off to Shaider

UPDATED 9/7/10 7 PM EST
Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan (09/24/07 – 02/08/08)
Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan (Zaido: The Space Sheriffs) is a Philippine series by GMA Network. It was meant to be a remake of the Metal Hero Series Uchuu Keiji Shaider. The production for the series began October 2006. Originally conceived to be a Filipino remake of the original Shaider that the Toei Company rejected the original script. Toei did give its blessing to a spin-off series set twenty years after the original Shaider series. The series' original working title was Shaido.

Twenty years have passed since Alexis del Mundo, also known as the second Shaider, destroyed the clan of Fuuma Le-ar. The descendants of the clan, now known as the Kuuma, have emerged to wreak havoc on an unsuspecting universe. Gallian, a descendant of del Mundo, has a mission and forms an elite group of space police known as the Zaido.

Alexis Lorenzo/Zaido Green/Sigma
Marky Cielo played Alexis, who witness his father death from a sniper's bullet. He then vowed to help destroy evil. When Gallian finds him he joins the Galactic Force and eventually becomes the Green Zaido. He has feelings for Amy but has not yet realized this. His name, Alexis, is the same as the main character in the Philippine dubbed version of Shaider. Alexis turns out to be Drigo's son, which Helen had said to him, and half-human half-Kuuma. When he transforms he utters the words: Codename: Zaido Green: Disciple of Goodness.

Gallian Magdalion/Zaido Blue
Gallian was the Crown Prince of the Planet Nalax prior to the Kuuma-supported coup by his uncle Izcaruz which resulted in the death of his parents. His training for the Kingship of Nalax, coupled with his heritage, makes him a talented and dedicated leader. Based on his rank, his name, having the commander's daughter as his love and his alien origins he represents Uchuu Keiji Gavan. When he transforms he says the words: Codename: Zaido Blue: Sentinel of Peace.

Cervano Torres/Zaido Red
Cervano is Alexis' cousin who was wealthy but later leaves after finding out he was an adopted child. He is kidnapped by the Kuuma but is saved by Gallian and Alexis. But even with his less than pleasing personality he manages to attract the girls. He is also the biological son of Sharina one of Shaider's children (she is named after Sharivan the space sheriff). When he transforms he says: Codename: Zaido Red: Guardian of Freedom.

Toby Mendoza/Zaido Gold/Shadow
Toby Mendoza is Cervano's fan in college who was being bullied by friends who become traitors to Cervano. Toby is ill and to survive he needs B- blood which Cervano donates since he also had B- blood. After his recovery he becomes best friends with Cervano. Seeing Cervano being beaten up by his former friends he saves him with the help of his newly acquired powers which came from Cervano's blood. He styles himself "Zaido Gold" and fashions a costume out of painted motocross riding gear. He has participated in several battles with, and in some cases in place of, the Zaido and asks Cervano if he can be part of the team. When he is refused we next see him as Shadow a Zaido-like enemy who fights against the Zaido.

Kuuma Le-ar
The evil leader of the Kuuma Empire bent on annihilating all beings in the galaxy. Le-ar is a giant head with a third eye on his forehead and is permanently situated on the center Kuuma Palace wall. He spews the monsters out a cocoon from his mouth. He seeks to retrieve his body which was found on Earth before the Zaido Squad does. He is beheaded by Zaido Blue.

Ida II
Ida is the grandson and advisor of Le-ar. He is also the high priest of the Kuuma and like his ancestor God Officer Poe, Babaylan Ida in the Philippine dubbed version, Ida maintains his flawless androgynous appearance by imbibing a concoction made from the blood of 13 young women.

Drigo II
As Le-ar's field commander Drigo leads the Kuuma in their campaign against Earth. He is rather incompetent and is often the subject of derogatory comments. Flashbacks reveals that he had a relationship with Sharina Cervano's real mother but unbeknownst to him. Drigo turns out to be the father of Alexis, not Cervano, and points out that his son is half-human and half-Kuuma. He dies after he saves his son Alexis.

Amasonang Itim, leader of the amasonas and an expert in blades. Amasonang Lila, the fastest among the group and whose weapon is kali. After Gallian saves Itim (Black Amazon) from a hostage-taker she readily falls for him but she is rejected and told off by Carmela. Adding to the fact that she was cheated on by her former boyfriend she is pushed to breaking and joins Kuuma.
Amasonang Lila's (Purple Amazon) is Ramiro's daughter and a colleague of Mona's at the newspaper. Debbie has recently discovered that it was her father who ordered the execution of Alvaro Alexis' older brother.

Amasonang Puti/Stacy (White Amazon) was one of Cervano's former girlfriends. From her group she alone is cursed with a conscience and must struggle every time to choose between doing good or evil. Amasonang Rosas/Marla (Pink Amazon) is a martial arts expert who used to be one of Doctor Eng's boarders. Before she became an Amasona she was harassed by her training officer at a fast food chain. Of all the Amasonas she is the strongest. Amasonang Kahel/Rhea (Orange Amazon) is another girlfriend that Cervano has scorned and she becomes more aggressive after becoming part of the Kuuma Empire.

Heronies in Metal Heroes

UPDATED 9/7/10 8:30 PM EST
Diane Lady and Helen Lady
As I mention before, Diane Lady was Speilban's sidekick, she was also his romantic interest. Footage of him and her became J.B. and Kaitlin in Saban's VR Troopers. Helen was Spielban's sister but was hypnotized to be Hellvira (whose footage was used for Red Python in VR Troopers) and was reformed and became Helen Lady, who became Kaitlin's twin mode in VR Troopers and was not a seperate entity. They wore red/white/silver armor.

Princess Ninja Emiha, Reiha and Hananin Yumeha
Oops! I forgot about Jiraiya! That happens a lot. Kei Yamaji dresses as Emiha to assist Jiraiya, she wears a white ninja armor similar to her adoptive brother's. There was also the pair of the International Secret Police. Rei Yagyu became Valorous Ninja Reiha, she was a mysterious kunoichi entrusted to protect Toha. She holds a secret power which she releases when her pupils glow green. Like Toha, she is descended from the alien that brought Pako to Earth, thus she is the only person whose blood type is compatible with Toha's. Hananin Yumeha is A female ninja apprentice from the Flower Ninja Clan, a clan from Lake Hamana which branched off from the Togakure school.

SolJeanne

Three years later from 1988 to 1991, there was no female warrior in Metal Hero until SolJeanne in Tokkyuu Shirei Solbrain. Reiko wore red armor, black/white flamebable suit and helmet without mouthplate (she can wear also the oxygen mask). Her primary vehicle is SolDrecker, which also carries Dozer. She and Daiki are only humans on the team. Using her SolDrecker, her transformation call is "Plus Up". She falls in love with Daiki, the protagnist.







Purple Swat
Two years later into Blue SWAT, Sara Misugi had purple armor.


















Reddle
Rei Hayama was the first Reddle in Juukou B-Fighter. Her armor was modeled after a Japanese rhinoceros beetle in red. She eventually left for the South American branch of Earth Academia to do research and help with protecting the wildlife there after 22 episodes. Rei's successor Mai, a young and cheerful 19-year old student who was "chosen" by Rei's B-Commander as the next Reddle. Actress Reina Hazuki had to leave the show due to a neck injury. A similar change in actresses happened in Big Bad Beetleborgs as Jo was played by two different girls, it was explained with magic that her appearance changed but magic also made it so everyone except the Beetleborgs would see her old face.


B-Fighter Tentou
Ran Ayukawa is an 18 year-old computer expert who had feelings for Julio and her purple armor is modeled after a ladybug. She thought more on the technical side. Jo gained the purple armor in Beetleborg Metallix. Since they were separate characters in Japan, the six B-Fighters met together at different times.

B-Fighter Ageha
Sophie Villeneuve is a French seventeen-year old genius violinist who is in love with Kouhei,. As B-Fighter Ageha of the B-Fighter Kabuto series, the Warrior of Flowers, has white and black armor modeled after a butterfly. She became Ladyborg, one of the four Astral Borgs in Beetleborgs Metalix. Her suit was reused for Tezzla in "Forever Red" episode of Power Rangers Wild Force voiced by Catherine Sutherland, who portrayed Kat the Pink Ranger.


Tentorina
In B-Robo Kautack (which is part of the Metal hero legacy but not considered by fans as part of it since it is directed towards smaller children), a ladybug-type robot with a ladybug-type biochip. She consumes energy highly and does not have combat ability. Tent means ladybug in Japanese.











Related: http://henshingrid.blogspot.com/2008/07/hero-profile-helen-lady-spielban.html

Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills

I have mentioned this show before, for those who are not familiar, this show came out in 1994 on the USA Network by DiC, it was all American footage on a tight budget. I personally liked it, even though it was a bit crude, both in quality and humor. At first, toku fans took it as a joke and badly made, but now it can be seen as a satire or spoof as the writers Jim Fisher and Jim Staahl were best known for comedy. Anyway, even though I said I wouldn't mention Power Rangers, this show sure had its similarities. Unique things about the show was that the group was not friends and had issues getting along, also the factor that they couldn't trust their mentor was brought up. There were 40 episodes.

The basic plot was that Emperor Gorganus is intent on conquering Earth because it is the focal point for a network of "Power Portals" that would facilitate conquest of the galaxy. Four teens are selected by Nimbar to fight off the monsters sent by Gorganus. Nimbar gives them a tattoo by his "finger", based on a constellation and when their tattoos flash, this means Nimbar needs them and a power portal appears that they can pass through to enter his chamber. They transform (via standing on Transo Discs) and become muscle-bound versions of themselves with tight suits called Galactic Sentinels and can combine to become Nitron.

Laurie Foster/Scorpio
Laurie Foster played by Leslie Danon with the power of Scorpio. It is said she was the leader but I do not recall her being called as such nor that she even really 'lead' the team. She did suggest plans and thought rationally after getting a grip on what was happening. She started out as a typical pretty girl, too caught up in her own priorities. She was smart and a high qualified student but like the others, she didn't want anything to do with them. She had light green suit.


Gordon Henley (Taurus)
Gordon Henley played by Richard Nason, he was the preppy guy and the jokester of the group. I don't quite remember if he was lucky with women but I do know the others didn't think highly of him and often groaned at his point of view. He was a bit like Chandler from Friends. He became Taurus, donning a black outfit. I remember having a crush on his Sentinel form.


Swinton Swayer/Apollo
Swinton Sawyer played by Rugg Williams was the smart one, he wore glasses and was African-American. He wore a yellow suit and held the power of Apollo. He was a bit like Carlton Banks from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but not as whiny or pompous. He often had issues with his father and his future. Swinton's symbol is not for Apollo, but Aquarius. Swinton sure is a strange name.


Drew Vincent/Centaur
K. Jill Sorgen played Drew, the tough chick with a chip on her shoulder. She worked at the coffee shop the team regularly hung out in because of her aunt I believe. She becomes Centaur, wearing the purple outfit. She used a battle axe as her weapon. Drew's tattoo is not the symbol for Centaur, but Sagittarius. When Drew's aunt confronted her about constantly missing and Drew revealed her secret, she brought her to a psychiatrist to help with her "delusions."


Nitron
When they put their hands together in an interlocking square they form the ultimate sentinel called Nitron. However Nitron's power is "finite," and they are only to form him as a last resort. They once formed Nitron along with Orion, without Laurie. This didn't happen often in Japanese Tokusatsu that heroes combing into one, only in some of the Ultra series.


Emperor Gorganus
He needed the Power Portals to conquer the universe. His set was quite impressive for the budget they had. He was a bit similar to Lord Zedd as he sat in a chair (even though the chair didn't look quite futuristic as the rest of the set) but it could just be a coincidence as Lord Zedd appeared in Season 2 and this show aired at the same time as Season 2, unless the creators knew before hand of Zedd. Gorganus would call toy statue forms of his warriors and send them to fight big, they always came out giant. There were only a few monsters, some of them were Ninjabot, Slaygar the Toxic Waste Monster, Neuragul, Voldac, and The Sorcerer.


Gorganus had this pet bird, that looked a lot like the Dictabird from Flintstones movie but dyed another color and with teeth. Probably because the USA Network is owned by Universal and that movie was made by Universal, they had easy access to the prop. When Gorganus went on vacation, his sidekick tried to conquer earth. When a monster was about to be destroyed, he recalled it and sent another. The heroes were nearly defeated until the Gorganus returned and re-implemented the "monster of the day" formula.


Nimbar
Ah, Nimbar, he lived in a cave like place and was the protector of the portals. He was a giant blob of goo on a plate and sat next to a big screen and four discs. That was all to his set. He was jsut like Zordon as he was immobile alien that gathered teens together. In the first episode, he took out one 'finger' to give the teens tattoos. In one episode, Orion brought up that he couldn't be trusted. He failed in the past to protect a world from Gorganus and supposedly would stop at nothing to insure Earth does not meet the same fate.


They just stood on the Transo Discs, yelled their names (Scorpio, etc.) and transformed and teleported to the spot to fight. Similarties to Power Rangers include the 'command enter,' the immobile mentor, the teleporting, the giant monsters and hangout involved with drinks--as MMPR had the juice bar, they had a coffee shop. Also to mention, they only had one hallway to their school.

Rick/Orion
Kevin Castro/Tanker on Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad appeared in only one episode, he was a human alien and former warrior for Nimbar. He was cold, distant and after being the sole survivor of his destroyed planet, full of anger toward Nimbar. He held the power of Orion, which he used on the fourth transo disc when Laurie was unable to fight. His name was too complicated for humans to speak (utteration of slurs and gurgles) so he insisted that Nimbar call him 'Rick.' I remember a flashback of Orion calling out for his other teammates, one being Leo (lion), the others being Ursa and Draco (dragon). His suit was dark grey. He had a thing for Drew.

I remember some of the episodes were unique to the usual Toku staples. From what I can remember, time kept repeating for one sentinel, Gordon became a lab mouse due to a malfunction of the portals, the sentinels kept going to other dimension versions of their world---one ended with Zsa Zsa Gabor and that Swinton and Drew switched bodies, but it was funnier than Kimberly and Billy switching bodies.