data/claims/gyromite-history.yamlGyromite (history and reception)
Game: Gyromite.
A retrospective catalog of Famicom software lists a Nintendo title, Gyro Set (ジャイロセット), released on 13 August 1985. gyromite-history/release-japan
PDF p. 123, ファミコンソフト完全目録, 1985 column, no. 060 — the text layer's reading of the row; the lead read it on the page image (the PDF's 600 dpi text mask) as "060 1985/08/13 『ジャイロセット』 任天堂". The catalog lists ROM cartridges in order of release0601985/08/13 rジャイロセット_|任天堂Our translation060. 13 August 1985. Gyro Set. Nintendo.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: States the catalog's listing of Gyro Set (row 060, read by the lead on the page image) without tying it to Gyromite, which no source read does.The catalog is an unattributed retrospective mook with no publisher or year in the scan, and it names no source for its dates. It doesn't say that Gyro Set is the Japanese Gyromite, and no source read here does.
Cited by: Gyromite
Gyromite came out for the NES in North America in October 1985. gyromite-history/release-na
PDF p. 6 — one row of the list's Title, Licensee, and Released columns; it gives a month, not a dayGyromite Nintendo October 1985Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Disputed: Joe Blenkle's review of the console in Computer Entertainer's February 1986 issue says Nintendo of America introduced the NES, which came with Gyromite, to the New York City area "a little before Christmas, 1985" (computer-entertainer-1986-02, The Nintendo Entertainment System). No period document found gives the North American day.
Cited by: Gyromite
Computer Entertainer's C.E.S. wrap-up of July 1985 describes Nintendo's game-playing robot shown with two games: one has the robot re-order stacks of colored discs, the other has it keep a gyro spinning so that an on-screen mad scientist can defuse bombs. The magazine noted that the player must watch both the screen and the robot. gyromite-history/ces-1985
p. 10, C.E.S. wrap-up, Game-Playing RobotNintendo's interactive, game-playing Video Robot (sneakComputer Entertainer, Vol. 4, No. 4 (July 1985) · p. 10, C.E.S. wrap-up, Game-Playing Robot — the OCR reads "livas" for "It was" before it and "Scks" for "stacks" on the next lineshown with two games, one involving a re-ordering ofComputer Entertainer, Vol. 4, No. 4 (July 1985) · p. 10, C.E.S. wrap-up, Game-Playing Robot — the OCR reads "ti" for "the" before it and "S:ntist" for "scientist" on the next linerobot to keep a gyro spinning so that the on-screen madComputer Entertainer, Vol. 4, No. 4 (July 1985) · p. 10, C.E.S. wrap-up, Game-Playing Robot — the OCR runs the line into the neighbouring column's heading; the sentence begins "The robot games demand a high level of concentration" and ends "the screen and the robot!"level of concentration, since the player must watch bothComputer Entertainer, Vol. 4, No. 4 (July 1985) · p. 1, C.E.S. Wrap-Up — the report's heading; its robot item is on p. 10C.E.S. Wrap-UpRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Computer Entertainer's July 1985 C.E.S. wrap-up, its heading quoted; no longer called the earliest description or dated to June.The issue is dated July 1985. The item says the robot was "sneak previewed in last month's issue" (June 1985), which has not been read. The report names neither game.
Cited by: Gyromite
In North America Gyromite was one of the two games that came with the NES, with Duck Hunt, in the set that also held the Zapper and R.O.B. gyromite-history/pack-in
p. 12, The Nintendo Entertainment System, Superb Graphics and SoundThese include the two that come with the system: DUCK HUNT (an old pizza parlor favorite) and GYROMITE.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 4, No. 11 (February 1986) · p. 12, The Nintendo Entertainment System — the review's list of what the U.S. system includesa light gun, R.O.B. (Robotic Operating Buddy), and two cartridge gamesThe NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · Gyromite — the OCR runs the quote over three linesThis was the game that came bundled with R.O.B., the Robotic Operating BuddyComputer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 3 (June 1986) · p. 13, New Way to Buy Nintendo System — the June 1986 item's list of the set's contents, which runs on to the robot and the two Game Pakscontrollers, Zapper light-sensing gun, R.O.B. videoRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted CE June 1986's "Zapper light-sensing gun" line for the Zapper.Cited by: Gyromite
From June 1986 the NES set with the Zapper, R.O.B., Duck Hunt, and Gyromite stayed on sale as the Deluxe Set, and R.O.B. and the Gyromite Game Pak were sold separately for the first time, at suggested prices of $49.95 and $39.95. gyromite-history/sold-separately
p. 13, New Way to Buy Nintendo System — the OCR reads "rot" for "robot" and, on the next line, "cOinue" for "continue to be sold as the Nintendo Entertainment System Deluxe Set"rot and "Duck Hunt" and "Gyromite" Game Paks willComputer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 3 (June 1986) · p. 13, New Way to Buy Nintendo SystemR.O.B. (MSR $49.95),Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 3 (June 1986) · p. 13, New Way to Buy Nintendo System"Gyromite" (MSR $39.95)Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 3 (June 1986) · p. 13, New Way to Buy Nintendo System — the OCR reads "Gie Paks" for "Game Paks"Paks will be available separately for the first time.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 3 (June 1986) · p. 13, New Way to Buy Nintendo System — the OCR reads "frting" for "Starting"; the issue is dated June 1986frting this month, Nintendo will offer its system in a newRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted "this month" (the OCR's "frting") for June 1986.Cited by: Gyromite
The NES Encyclopedia credits Gyromite's development to Nintendo R&D1. gyromite-history/developer
Gyromite — the entry's header block, with "Year 1985" and "Publisher Nintendo"Developer Nintendo R&D1Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The manual names no staff, and no Nintendo source naming the developers has been read.
Cited by: Gyromite
Gyromite needs R.O.B., the Robotic Operating Buddy. The player helps Professor Hector, a mad scientist, defuse all the bombs in his laboratory, using R.O.B. to move the columns that block his way to the dynamite; R.O.B. works them with two gyros, which a spinner keeps spinning. gyromite-history/premise
p. 2 (PDF p. 3), Introduction — the text layer reads "R.0.B~" for "R.O.B.,"This game requires R.0.B~ your Robotic Operating Buddy.Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 2 (PDF p. 3), Object of the Game/Game Descriptionyou've got to keep R.O.B.'s gyroscope spinning in order to assist Professor Hector, the mad scientist, in defusing all the bombs in his laboratory. R.O.B. will help move the columns blocking the scientist's way so he can get to the dynamite before it explodes.Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 2 (PDF p. 3), Object of the Game/Game DescriptionMaster the technique and you can get R.O.B. spinning two gyros at the same time.The Official Nintendo Player's Guide (1987) · p. 157, GyromiteKeep his gyros spinning to clear the professor's path.Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 7 (PDF p. 8), Set Up of R.O.B.'s Accessories for GyromiteWhen a gyro is placed in the spinner, the spinner automatically turns on and spins the gyro.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the spinner line for the gyros kept spinning.Cited by: Gyromite
The game comes with accessories for R.O.B.: two hands, a gyro spinner that runs on a D battery sold separately, two gyros, and a holder for them. The spinner, a tray holding the second controller, and the gyro holder fit numbered positions around R.O.B., and the tray sets the controller's A and B buttons in front of R.O.B.'s actuators. gyromite-history/accessories
p. 4 (PDF p. 5), Setting Up for Gyromite Game Play — the page pictures the parts with their counts; the text layer gives "Spinner (1) (Uses a D size battery sold separately)", "Gyros (2)", "Game Pak", and "Holder (1)"Hands (2)Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 4 (PDF p. 5), Setting Up for Gyromite Game Playbattery soldGyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 5 (PDF p. 6), Set Up of R.O.B.'s Accessories for GyromiteInsert one D size battery into the spinner and place the spinner into position No.1 on R.0.B.Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 6 (PDF p. 7), Set Up of R.O.B.'s Accessories for GyromiteSet Controller 2 in the tray with the A and B Buttons in front of the actuators (not upside down!). Place the tray into positions 2 and 3 on R.O.B.Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 7 (PDF p. 8), Set Up of R.O.B.'s Accessories for GyromiteSet the gyros (2) in the holder. Place the holder into positions 4 and 5 on R.O.B.Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 7 (PDF p. 8), Set Up of R.O.B.'s Accessories for GyromiteWhen a gyro is placed in the spinner, the spinner automatically turns on and spins the gyro.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The manual's safety page warns that a spinning gyro or the spinner can cause injury, says a spinning gyro should be handled only by R.O.B., and recommends the game for ages 8 to adult.
Cited by: Gyromite
The menu offers a test mode, which focuses R.O.B.'s eyes on the TV screen, a Direct mode for practice, Game A, and Game B. In Direct mode the controller's commands go straight to the screen, which signals R.O.B.: up and down raise and lower his arms, left and right turn them, and A and B open and close them. gyromite-history/modes
p. 10 (PDF p. 11), Game Menu and Game PlayTest mode - This is used to focus R.0.B.'s eyes onto the T.V. screen.Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 10 (PDF p. 11), Game Menu and Game Play — the text layer splits "Direct- Th is" before itThis game helps you get accustomed to moving gyros with R.O.B. Your commands go straight to the T.V. screen which sends signals to R.O.B.Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 10 (PDF p. 11), Game Menu and Game Play — the command list, laid out round a picture of the pad, reads "Up : Raises the arms", "Right : Turns the arms to the right", "Down: Lowers the arms", "Left : Turns the arms to the left", "A button : Opens the arms", and "B button : Closes the arms": Raises the arms.Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 11 (PDF p. 12), Direct — the text layer reads "R.0.8." for "R.O.B." before it; the list is "Grasps and releases objects", "Raises and lowers objects", and "Turns and carries objects to the left and right"makes three kinds of movement:Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 11 (PDF p. 12), DirectA gyro set in motion by the spinner will not fall as long as it is rotating - even after it is relocated to the tray.Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 12 (PDF p. 13), Game A - 1 Player — the menu's third entry; the fourth, "4. GAME A - 2 Player", is on p. 15 (PDF p. 16)3. GAME A - 1 PlayerGyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 16 (PDF p. 17), Game B5. GAME BRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the menu's Game A and Game B entries.Cited by: Gyromite
In Game A the Professor must walk past every bundle of dynamite in a phase to remove it, within a time limit, and the player opens the way with R.O.B., who raises and lowers the blue and red gates. While the screen is black, controller 1 moves the Professor; Start turns it blue, and the next command goes to R.O.B., after which the screen turns black again. A gyro on the blue tray lowers the blue gate and one on the red tray the red gate. Game A has 40 phases, chosen on the menu. gyromite-history/game-a
p. 14 (PDF p. 15), Game PlayThe Professor has to move past a spot where dynamite is laid in order to remove it .Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 14 (PDF p. 15), Game PlayHe must remove all dynamite in the time given .Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 14 (PDF p. 15), Game Playyou can help him by raising and lowering the blue and red gates that block the Professor's way .Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 14 (PDF p. 15), Game PlaySo long as the background of the screen is black, you operate the Professor with Controller 1.Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 14 (PDF p. 15), Game Playpress the start button and the background of the screen turns blue , meaning that Controller 1 sends commands to R.O .B. (Robot transmission mode) .Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 14 (PDF p. 15), Game PlayAfter transmitting, the background of the screen changes automatically from blue to black and control goes back to the Professor .Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 14 (PDF p. 15), Game Playplacing a gyro onto the blue tray lowers the blue gate ; placing a gyro onto the red tray lowers the red gate .Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 13 (PDF p. 14), Game A - 1 PlayerThere are 40 phases for this game mode .Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 13 (PDF p. 14), Game A - 1 PlayerThe screen scrolls sideways to expose more bombs.Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 13 (PDF p. 14), Game A - 1 PlayerUse the A and B buttons while the select mode menu is displayed to select the phase you want .Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the phase-select line for "chosen on the menu".The 1987 Player's Guide gives the time as five minutes ("You have just five minutes to help Professor Hector deactivate the dynamite"; p. 157); the manual gives no figure.
Cited by: Gyromite
One gate can be moved without spinning a gyro, but where both gates must open, the player spins one gyro and sets it on a tray, which leaves R.O.B.'s hands free to put the other gyro on the other tray. gyromite-history/two-gyros
p. 14 (PDF p. 15), Game Play — the text layer splits "spinning" and "this"You don't have to bother spinn ing a gyro to move only one gate up and down , but sometimes both gates have to be opened to let the Professor pass. In th is case, spin one gyro with the spinner and place it on either the blue or red tray, then R.O.B .'s hands will be free to put the other gyro on the other tray .The Official Nintendo Player's Guide (1987) · p. 157, GyromiteGo for the double spin, and make double time.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Gyromite
Smicks lie in wait on the screen, and the Professor is lost if one bites him. They like turnips even more than Professors: the Professor can pick up and put down a turnip with the A button, and a Smick given one won't attack him. A Smick crushed by a gate scores 500 points. gyromite-history/smicks
p. 14 (PDF p. 15), Game PlaySmicks, the killer bugs, are lying in wait somewhere on the screen and you will lose the Professor if he is bitten by a Smick .Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 14 (PDF p. 15), Game PlaySmicks like to bite Professors ; but even more than Professors, they like turnips .Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · pp. 14-15 (PDF pp. 15-16), Game Play — the sentence ends "Professor." on the next pageIf you offer a greedy Smick a turnip, his favorite food, he won't attack theGyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 15 (PDF p. 16), Game PlayUse the A button on Controller 1 to make the Professor pick up and put down the turnip.Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 15 (PDF p. 16), Game PlayMove the gate up and down to crush the Smicks and gain 500 points.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The controls page says either A or B picks up or puts down a turnip on the black screen of Game A (p. 9); the Game Play page names the A button. The Player's Guide adds that the Smicks are "not always hungry" (p. 157).
Cited by: Gyromite
Each Game A phase has six bundles of dynamite, some of them hidden, worth 100 points each, and the time left when the last is picked up is added to the score. The Professor is lost to a Smick's bite or when time runs out, and the game ends when all three Professors are gone. gyromite-history/scoring-a
p. 15 (PDF p. 16), Game PlayThere are 6 bundles of dynamite (some of which might be hidden and invisible) per phase. Every bundle of dynamite removed gives you 100 points.Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 15 (PDF p. 16), Game PlayThe time remaining after all the dynamite has been picked up will be added to your score as extra points.Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 15 (PDF p. 16), Game PlayThe Professor disappears if he is bitten by a Smick or if the time is used up. The game ends when all three Professors have disappeared .Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Gyromite
Game A for two players adds Professor Vector, and the players take turns with controller 1; otherwise it is the one-player game. gyromite-history/two-player
p. 15 (PDF p. 16), Game A - 2 PlayerIn Game A (for 2 players), Professor Vector also appears. Take turns using Controller 1. Otherwise, the game is the same as the 1 player game.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Gyromite
In Game B Professor Hector walks in his sleep, from the tunnel on the left toward the one on the far right, and the player steers R.O.B. directly with controller 1, moving the gates so that he passes safely. He climbs every rope he reaches and jumps down to the right, walks in place at a closed gate, and must go the way an arrow points or fall into a hole where a Smick waits. Game B has 25 phases; once all 25 are cleared he walks faster. gyromite-history/game-b
p. 16 (PDF p. 17), Game BHere Professor Hector is walking in his sleep.Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 16 (PDF p. 17), Game BThere are 25 phases, starting from R=01 (Phase 1).Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 17 (PDF p. 18), Game BThe Professor comes out of the tunnel on the left and walks determinedly to the right. When he passes a rope, he always climbs up to the top and jumps down to the right. If a gate is closed, he will just keep walking in place.Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 17 (PDF p. 18), Game BIn this game, R.O.B. is operated directly by Controller 1.Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 17 (PDF p. 18), Game B — the text layer splits "Smick"If an arrow appears on the way, the Professor has to go in that direction or he will fall into a hole and get bitten by Sm ick .Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 17 (PDF p. 18), Game B — the sentence begins "If al I 25 courses are completed successfully"; the text layer splits "all"the walking speed of the Professor increases and the game gets more difficult.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 4, No. 11 (February 1986) · p. 12, The Nintendo Entertainment System, Playing With the RobotHector is sleep-walking through his lab.Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 17 (PDF p. 18), Game BLead the Professor safely to the tunnel on the far right.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted "the tunnel on the far right".Cited by: Gyromite
In Game B the player scores as the Professor advances: 100 points for each arrow he passes and 500 for a Smick crushed by a gate. A Professor bitten in a hole is lost, and the game ends when all three are lost. gyromite-history/scoring-b
p. 17 (PDF p. 18), Game BAs the Professor advances, you gain points. Every time you overtake an arrow, you get 100 points. If Smick is crushed by a gate you get 500 points.Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 17 (PDF p. 18), Game BThe game ends after all three Professors are lost.Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 17 (PDF p. 18), Game BIf this happens, and Smick bites him, the Professor is lost.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted "Smick bites him, the Professor is lost."Cited by: Gyromite
The manual's parts order form lists replacement parts for both of R.O.B.'s games: Gyromite's gyros, gyro holder, gyro tray, spinner, and gyro hands, and Stack-Up's five colored blocks, five block trays, block hands, and accessories tray. gyromite-history/robot-parts
p. 20 (PDF p. 21), Consumer Parts List & Order Form*Colored Blocks (5 , sold as set)Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 20 (PDF p. 21), Consumer Parts List & Order Form*Block Trays (5, sold as set)Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 20 (PDF p. 21), Consumer Parts List & Order Form*Stack-Up Accessories TrayGyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 20 (PDF p. 21), Consumer Parts List & Order Form*Gyro SpinnerGyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 20 (PDF p. 21), Consumer Parts List & Order FormGyros (2, sold as set)Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 20 (PDF p. 21), Consumer Parts List & Order FormGyro HolderGyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 20 (PDF p. 21), Consumer Parts List & Order FormGyro TrayGyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 20 (PDF p. 21), Consumer Parts List & Order Form — the text layer splits "Hands"; a footnote marks the starred rows "Robot Game Pak Replacement Part"Gyro Hand s (2 , sold as set)Gyromite NES instruction booklet (North America) · p. 20 (PDF p. 21), Consumer Parts List & Order FormBlock Hands (2, sold as set)Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted each gyro row and Stack-Up's block hands from the parts form.Nintendo's 1987 Player's Guide puts Gyromite in its Robot Series with Stack-Up, the two on one page. gyromite-history/robot-series
contents — the contents line runs on to "DONKEY KONG JR. MATH 157"GYROMITE-STACK-UP-The Official Nintendo Player's Guide (1987) · index — the index's Robot Series heading lists "Gyromite 157" and "Stack-up 157"Gyromite 157The Official Nintendo Player's Guide (1987) · p. 157, Gyromite — the page's heading for Gyromite; the text layer reads "UTrobot series" for the series banner above itGYROPOWERChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Gyromite
Joe Blenkle's review of the NES in Computer Entertainer, February 1986, described Gyromite's two games and said both games that came with the system have superb graphics and sound. The review rated the system, not the game. gyromite-history/review-computer-entertainer
p. 12, The Nintendo Entertainment System, Playing With the RobotIn GYROMITE, you must use R.O.B. to help Professor HectorComputer Entertainer, Vol. 4, No. 11 (February 1986) · p. 12, The Nintendo Entertainment System, Playing With the Robotcreatures called Smicks complicate mattersComputer Entertainer, Vol. 4, No. 11 (February 1986) · p. 12, The Nintendo Entertainment SystemBoth games that come with the system feature superb graphics and sound.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 4, No. 11 (February 1986) · p. 12, end of The Nintendo Entertainment System — the rating and price are the system's; the review is signed "Joe Blenkle"Recommended. (MSR $159.95)Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Gyromite
Chris Scullion's NES Encyclopedia (2019) says Gyromite is best known for the robot that came with it, and calls it a fun idea let down by R.O.B.'s limits and painfully slow movement. gyromite-history/retrospective-scullion
GyromiteGYROMITE IS BEST known not for the game itself but the lovable, terrible robot that came with it.The NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · GyromiteGyromite was actually a fun idea, it was just let down by the limitations of R.O.B. and his painfully slow movement.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Gyromite