GameTimeline

Release & story order

Custom Robo timeline

Custom Robo from the 2004 GameCube western debut through Arena on DS (2007)—US release dates, a two-game Holosseum saga, and FAQ for Japan-only N64 origins and Battle Revolution.

Updated July 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When Custom Robo reached western players—Custom Robo (2004 GameCube) and Custom Robo Arena (2007 DS). Japan-only N64 Custom Robo, V2, and Battle Revolution are FAQ-only—not extra Release rows.

  • Full western saga → both Release rows
  • GameCube first—Arena is DS sequel
  • Japan N64 duo never shipped in US—FAQ
  • No western third game as of June 2026—FAQ
Story order tips

Two-chapter Holosseum saga in release order: Custom Robo (GameCube) → Custom Robo Arena (DS). Linear continuity—Arena continues the tournament-crew arc.

  • Core order: Custom Robo → Arena
  • Arena assumes GameCube campaign context
  • Same universe—Holosseum robo battles throughout
  • On Story order, Arena may be hidden—reveal when ready

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Custom Robo

    Custom Robo

    GCActionMainline

    Western debut—build and battle toy robots.

    Overview
    Noise's GameCube arena battler—parts, guns, and Holosseum duels.
    In-game setting
    US localization of Japan's V2 lineage—Story row one.
    Should you play it?
    Essential start before Arena.
    Release date
    US launch May 10, 2004.
  2. Custom Robo Arena

    Custom Robo Arena

    DSActionMainline

    DS sequel—new Holosseum league.

    Overview
    DS follow-up—touch controls, Wi-Fi battles, expanded roster.
    In-game setting
    Latest western mainline as of June 2026.
    Should you play it?
    Story row two after GameCube.
    Release date
    US launch March 14, 2007.

FAQ

Release vs story order, Japan N64 history, and western availability.

Release order

Release order and Story order are the same two rows: Custom Robo (2004, GameCube) → Custom Robo Arena (2007, DS). The western series is a short linear saga—Japan-only N64 entries are FAQ-only, not separate Story chapters.

Play Custom Robo (GameCube) first, then Custom Robo Arena (DS) for the full Story order. Both need original hardware or emulation—no modern Switch re-release as of June 2026. Arena alone works mechanically but loses GameCube plot context.

Story & canon

Yes—Custom Robo Arena (2007, DS) is the Story row two sequel to the GameCube Custom Robo, continuing the Holosseum tournament fiction with a new league arc. It is not a reboot.

Ports & regions

Custom Robo (1999) and Custom Robo V2 (2000) on N64 were Japan only—never released in the US. They are FAQ-only on this timeline. The 2004 GameCube game western players got is rooted in the V2 lineage.

Custom Robo V2 (2000, N64, Japan) evolved into Custom Robo: Battle Revolution (2004, GameCube, Japan). The US GameCube Custom Robo (2004) is the western face of that V2/Battle Revolution line—one Release row, not three separate games on this US-focused timeline.

Optional & related

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.