There’s a lot of connective tissue between video games and anime so it’s fascinating to see how some of the sensibilities bleed together. One major area that both of these forms of entertainment like to indulge in is giant robots and fantastical mechs. Robots aren’t exclusive to these mediums, but a lot of the best mech content comes from video games and anime.
There are several giant robot anime that have been running for decades, but video games have gotten creative with the genre, whether it’s through original content or adapting popular series. Accordingly, here are the 10 best video games for fans of mechs and giant robots.
10 Legend Of The Mystical Ninja 64
The Ganbare Goemon series has been popular since the Super Nintendo days over in Japan, but it hasn’t had the same appeal in North America. The titles are full of personality and are some of the more unique action-adventures games out there.
This may make the Nintendo 64 entry, Legend of the Mystical Ninja 64, seem like an unusual pick, but a staple of the series is the giant robot Impact boss battles. These fights lampoon things like Power Rangers to great effect and they’re a serious highlight in the games.
9 Virtual On: Cyber Troopers
Sega’sVirtual On franchise was a pivotal mech-fighting franchise that made a big impression in both arcades and at home. The setup within arcades makes the experience even more immersive, but there are twin dual joysticks released to truly take advantage of the feeling of piloting a giant mech.
All of the titles in the series feature an eclectic group of robots, but Virtual On: Cyber Troopers is the stand out entry. Its initial console release was on the Sega Saturn, but has been ported to the PlayStation 2 and 4 to keep the magic alive.
8 Chibi-Robo!
Chibi-Robo! is a plucky Nintendo franchise that's lived in the shadows of similar titles, like Pikmin, but there's an undeniable charm with these games that's slowly kept the series alive, albeit in a limited capacity. The original Chibi-Robo! game is for the GameCube and while it may be the opposite of giant robot game, it's a very entertaining twist on the formula. It takes something as advanced as a robot and relegates them to menial household tasks, yet finds a way to make them come across as amazing.
7 Steel Battalion
Steel Battalion is a series of games whose reputation precedes them, largely because of the ridiculous and over the top nature of the game’s specialty controller. To many people, Steel Battalion is a weird novelty, but those that check it out are treated to an incredibly detailed experience. It’s an expensive investment, but it’s far cheaper than what an actual mech would cost and it really works hard to effectively simulate the experience. Steel Battalion is not for casual gamers, but it’s a title that prides itself in that.
6 Xenosaga
The JRPG genre is usually the best to find extreme ambition running wild. The Xenosaga series tells a very ornate story over the course of several titles, all of which started back on Xenogears for the PlayStation. Xenosaga is a story that's actually worth the journey, but it also showcases tons of fun and chaotic battle gameplay with KOS-MOS, an advanced battle android. These games are far more than destructive robot action, and it’s amazing how it can balance this level of spectacle with an intelligent narrative.
5 Zone Of The Enders: The 2nd Runner
The first Zone of the Enders is definitely a mixed bag and while a lot of it is fun, there are plenty of awkward sequences throughout. The sequel, Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner, is improved in every way and better prioritizes the mech-slicing action. Jehuty, the Orbital Frame, operates so smoothly and with Hideo Kojima on board as a producer, it also has its share of more bonkers elements. Recent re-masters have been able to improve on the title and keep it relevant.
4 Tech Romancer
Tech Romancer is Capcom's effort at a mech-fighting franchise and while it had a healthy life in arcades, it was more notably on the Dreamcast. The Dreamcast actually had a lot of mech-based games, but Tech Romancer is one of the most enjoyable. It's a one-on-one fighter and while the robots are all heavily inspired by famous anime series, they're original creations in the game. Tech Romancer used this to its advantage and features some really exciting robot designs in a title that doesn’t get enough exposure.
3 Super Robot Taisen: Original Generation
The Super Robot Wars franchise has dozens of entries and is huge in Japan, which makes sense because they’re a massive crossover featuring robots & mechs from tons of different anime series. Whether players are aware of the dozens of franchise that are pulled from, these games are still great TRPGs. Super Robot Taisen: Original Generation for the GameBoy Advance is a particular standout as it’s the first entry to get a North American release while putting together a roster of original robots.
2 Transformers: Devastation
PlatinumGames hasn’t been in the development game for that long, but they’ve become a major player in the industry thanks to hit games like Bayonetta, MadWorld, and Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. Giving Platinum the keys to the Transformers kingdom seems like a no-brainer and while Transformers: Devastation isn’t their best work, it’s still a very satisfying example of giant robot destruction. The game throws constant action at the player and leaves the city in ruins in a way that few other titles take into consideration.
1 Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3
The Dynasty Warriors “musou” franchise was always popular due to how it features hordes of fighters and overwhelming combat. However, the series really found acclaim when it applied its formula to other franchises like The Legend of Zelda and the expansive Gundam series. It’s amazing how Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3 features 70 different mobile suits from the various Gundam series as it lovingly explores the franchise’s lore. Dynasty Warriors Gundam Reborn is technically the most recent entry, but it’s a digital-only release with no English audio track, so Gundam 3 is the better pick, but none are disappointments.