Square Enix announces Chousoku Henkei Gyrozetter

The last card game Square Enix published for arcades was the 2008 fantasy-based Lord of Vermillion series. Now, the Final Fantasy-publisher plans to take the card concept toward a new futuristic IP. The new title, called Chousoku Henkei Gyrozetter, will be released in arcades and on the 3DS in Japan in 2012.

In the game, players control vehicles that can transform into robots. Users will have to use cards to initiate attacks and special moves against enemy robots, while alternating between vehicle and robot mode.

In the arcade version, the arcade cabinet will transform according to the mode the player is in. For instance, if players are in a driving segment, they will have to use the steering wheel on the cabinet. If in robot mode, gamers will have access to special levers that appear from the machine.

In addition, the publisher is teaming up with Japanese car makers Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Mazda to bring licensed cars to the game. The game will be developed by Rocket Studio, renowned for the Dragon Quest: Monsters Battle Road arcade series. At this point, there aren't any concrete details on the 3DS version of the game.

Furthermore, Square Enix has plans to launch a manga and TV anime series for the franchise. The former will be out in Japan's Sueisha's Saikyou Jump magazine starting December 3, while the latter is currently in production by A-1 Pictures studio.

Gyrozetter will be out in arcades in 2012 in Japan.