The game was released on Nintendo 64 and PlayStation, both versions involving the Maximals and the Predacons engaging in battle and having slight differences in regards to playable characters and number of endings.
The PlayStation version made it possible to change player characters between fights (but only if they were affiliated with the same faction of the already selected character) and only had two endings, one for the Maximals campaign and one for the Predacons campaign.
The Nintendo 64 version featured more playable characters, stuck to one character per playthrough and gave each character their own ending.
The Japanese version of the N64 version is compatible with a GBC Beast Wars Fighting Game which allows you to have the benefits Megatron X enjoys during his battle and also allows Megatron X to be unlocked as a Secret Character.
Tropes:
- All There in the Manual: The English version of the manuals of both versions explain that the games are a result of Megatron sending a message to his past self after getting strapped to the shuttle at the end of the finale warning him of his defeat and creating an alternate timeline.
- Alternate Timeline: The English manuals say that the game is this to the cartoon.
- Big Damn Heroes: The Predacons' ending in the Playstation version has Rhinox activating Sentinel's autoguns, overwhelming the Predacons and forcing them to retreat before they can kill Optimus Primal.
- Damn You, Muscle Memory!: Notably, in the Nintendo 64 version, the C-Buttons are used to attack and the Z-Button makes your character jump. The A and B buttons are used strictly for Transforming.
- Downer Ending: Megatron's ending in the Nintendo 64 version has him destroy all the Maximals and then erase them from history by killing Optimus Prime when he was still aboard the Ark, resulting in no way of stopping Unicron from obliterating Cybertron during the Chaos Bringer's inevitable arrival.
- Early-Bird Cameo: This is what the game is in Japan, as it allows Japanese players to see the Transmetal designs before the second season of the cartoon premiered. The English version had to invent a time travel plot as the cartoon had already wrapped up by this point.
- Excuse Plot: The plot was made up for the English version of the N64 version and the Japanese version has no plot whatsoever aside from saying it takes place shortly after the season 2 premiere. The Playstation version has the Maximals being lured out of their ship by the Predacons and the side you pick fights the other across the map until reaching the Darksyde or Axalon.
- Final Boss:
- In the PlayStation version, Optimus Primal and Megatron are the respective final opponents for the Predacon and Maximal campaigns.
- In the Nintendo 64 version, the last character fought regardless of who the player has selected to play as will always be Megatron X.
- The Ghost: Silverbolt in the N64 game warrants little more than a mention in Blackarachnia’s ending.
- Heel–Face Revolving Door: Blackarachnia’ ending has her become a Maximal, but decides that she’s a bad girl at spark and become a spy for both factions.
- He's Back!: Ravage’s ending has him reviving the Decepticons (as in, he creates clones of the 1984 assortment, not actually reviving the movement) to conquer modern day Cybertron.
- Similarly, Starscream’s ending has him restoring his own body and then returning to contemporary Cybertron to conquer it.
- I Choose to Stay: Tigatron and Airrazor's N64 endings involve the two staying on Earth while the other two factions leave.
- Mythology Gag: Cheetor's ending in the Nintendo 64 version has Optimus Primal suggest that Cheetor is leadership material. Cheetor declines the offer of becoming leader, but muses that he may take the chance in another universe, alluding to how he became Optimus' successor in Beast Machines.
- Near-Villain Victory: The Predacons campaign in the PlayStation version has Megatron and his cronies successfully beat Optimus Primal, only to be forced to retreat when the Maximal base's security system is engaged by Rhinox.
- Secret Character: Both versions have Tigatron, Blackarachnia and Ravage included as unlockable characters in the English version, with Windrazor exclusive to the PlayStation version and Starscream exclusive to the Nintendo 64 version. It is also possible to play as Megatron X in the Japanese release of the Nintendo 64 version.
- Stable Time Loop: Optimus Primal's N64 ending sees the captive Megatron sending a message to his past self like he did in the opening to the game.
- The Starscream: Terrorsaur's ending in the Nintendo 64 version has him successfully overthrow Megatron. Only to spend so much time dictating that he ends up freezing everyone during the Ice Age.
- The Trope Namer appears as well, backstabbing whoever he needs to to get his body back.
- Subverted Catchphrase: Rattrap's ending in the Nintendo 64 version has him say "We're all gonna di-dine!"
- Superboss: Megatron X in the N64 version who is fought if you complete the previous battles without losing once. He has doubled stamina and a doubled Energon Resistance Gauge which drains and recharges more slowly. Luckily, even if you lose, you still get your character's ending and the Japanese N64 version allows you to use the GBC Beast Wars fighting game to enjoy Megatron X's benefits as well!
- Villain: Exit, Stage Left: Both campaigns in the PlayStation version end with the Predacons escaping from the Maximals.
