Super Robot Wars (series)
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Super Robot Wars (スーパーロボット大戦 Sūpā Robotto Taisen?, or Super Robot Taisen, abbreviated as SRW) is a series of turn-based tactics video games produced by the Japanese gaming company Banpresto, a division of Bandai, for various video game consoles.
The game's main feature is the use of mecha units from multiple anime and manga titles, mixing them together in a battle simulation and adding a complex plot involving some of their respective storylines, characters, and backgrounds. Another feature is a simple menu interface that can be understood by the gamer, even if he or she does not know how to read Japanese.
The very first SRW game was released for the Game Boy in 1991. The first anime mecha series featured on the game (and the ones usually present in all the series' games) are Mazinger Z, Getter Robo, and the earliest incarnations of the Gundam series. The first two, both creations of famous Japanese manga artist Go Nagai and his production company Dynamic Productions, are representatives of the "Super Robot" type of units, while Gundam represents the "Real Robot" type of units.
As more games were released, more characters, units and storylines were added to these games, both from existing mecha series and/or original units designed by Banpresto exclusively for the games. As the number of series involved in the games increased, the stories have become increasingly complex.
Some series that have been featured, including Neon Genesis Evangelion and Gundam are well-known in the U.S. market, whereas others, including Heavy Metal L-Gaim and Raideen, are virtually unknown.
Because much of the appeal of any SRW game resides in the player's knowledge of and familiarity with the various series involved, the games are most successful and have their biggest fanbase in Japan. There is, however, a small but loyal fanbase for the games in other countries, including the USA. It was widely believed that the series would never see release outside of Japan, largely due to potentially complicated rights and licensing issues (a problem that also affects series such as Jump Superstars). Because of this, fan translations of some of the games have been made (see below).
On March 3, 2006, Atlus USA announced that they will be releasing the two Original Generation games in America, thus making them the first games in the series to see release outside of Asian markets.[1] Because Original Generation games use original robots and not robots from anime series, these games do not have the licensing problems that other games might have.
[edit] Basics
Most games in the Super Robot Wars series follow the same basic premise: the player begins by selecting a character and a machine (though in some games, the characters have default machines), and the game begins in proper. From there, the original character is drawn into the events of the constituent anime for the game, all while an overarching storyline and enemy force, always connected in some way to the original character, ties them all together. Typically, some of the anime featured also has its plot intertwined with others. For example, Super Robot Wars Alpha combines the White Fang plot of Gundam Wing with Scirocco's rebellion from Zeta Gundam, resulting in the two enemy forces working together. Notably, Banpresto tends to wait until three years after a series has finished airing to include it in the game, so as to avoid spoilers, but there are exceptions.
All the games follow a basic structure: when a stage begins, the character gets some introductory dialogue between the characters. After this finishes, the battle begins. To complete the battle, the player orders his units to attack the enemy, taking careful considerations into what weapons and spirit commands to use. Many games also feature skill points, optional goals that are more challenging to achieve that affect the game's difficulty. After the player accomplishes the stage's goal, he receives more dialogue to close out the stage before being taken to the intermission menu. From there, he can upgrade units, install optional parts, change or upgrade pilots, save, and perform other maintenance actions before continuing on with the game.
During battle, the player chooses a unit and takes an action by the commands available (move, attack an enemy unit, use a unit's ability or power, etc.). Some units have unique characteristics. For example, units such as the MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam have the ability to transform from a humanoid mode to a vehicular mode, thus making them unique among other units that cannot transform or fly; or in the case of units such as Getter Robo, they can transform into different robotic forms with new weapons and different defensive attributes.
Battles are carried out in different kinds of terrain scenarios (land, sea, space, etc.) which affect the development of the battles, since some units can move or fight better in one type of terrain, while having a lot of difficulty in others. The effect of terrain is also affected by the statistics of the pilots (for example, most Gundam characters are excellent in space combat, but suffer major handicaps underwater). In addition, terrain also affects certain attacks (for example, like in their series, the Gundams and mobile suits' beam weapons are weakened or unusable underwater. Another example is how attacks that need atmosphere, such as Mazinger Z's Rust Hurricane, are unusable in space).
Later games included more complex combat -- for example, allowing ranged weapons to be used after moving -- and longer, multi-part missions; and adding tactical features in combat, like support attacks and defense, and simultaneous attack by two or more units. Also, as games were developed for more advanced consoles such as the Nintendo 64, PlayStation, and Sega Dreamcast, the games included fully-animated battle sequences, complete with detailed graphics, whether larger 2-D sprites or, in the case of games such as the Dreamcast port of Super Robot Wars Alpha and Super Robot Wars GC for the Nintendo GameCube, 3-D graphics; and voice acting provided by the seiyuu from each anime series. Some have CG mini-movies depicting a certain mecha's dramatic appearance and/or transformation during the battle.
In most of the entries in the series, most missions involve a storyline directly taken from a specific mecha series. This ensures that some of the gamer's actions must follow some steps according to the events of the specific mecha series to accomplish the mission or acquire a new unit. In some cases those events are predetermined and will occur no matter the player's course of action, sometimes one action taken by the gamer will lead to or skip an event. Most games feature at least one path split, in which the team is split roughly in half and each goes to deal with different problems and the player chooses which series of events he wishes to follow.
One noteworthy and popular aspect of the Super Robot Wars games is the fact that character death happens only rarely; players will often have the chance to prevent the death of a "good guy" character as depicted in his or her anime series, while some games take this a step further and prevent heroic deaths freely, without any extra effort on the part of the player. Additionally, the player can often convince certain enemies (usually those who are not completely villainous, or who have good hearts) to abandon their evil allies and join the heroic side, whether they do so in their respective series or not. When these two concepts are combined, the player can create a team that would have no chance of existing within the original series.
Many games also feature hidden units and characters that can only be gained through a special sequence of events. These include following one specific series' plot, convincing a certain enemy multiple times, defeating certain enemies with certain characters, and others. Sometimes the bonuses are simply enemy machines captured and handed over to the heroes, while other times they are special units, such as the IWSP Pack for the GAT-X105 Strike Gundam.
Since Super Robot Wars 4, many games also feature a database of every character and unit that appears in the game. The database entries are written in the context of the character/unit's original story, regardless of how it was altered in the game. The player usually only has access to the profiles of units and characters already encountered during gameplay and must play through the game several times in order to complete the database.
[edit] Units, Weapons and tactics
Like other strategy games, SRW boasts a variety of units which excel at various roles. The units in-game are generally separated into two categories: "Super Robot" and "Real Robot." Mazinger Z, for example, being an archetypical "Super Robot", has exceptionally high hit points and armor, which enable it to sustain heavy attacks; and powerful, close-range weapons such as the Rocket Punch and Breast Fire. On the other hand, the RX-78 Gundam, a "Real Robot", is faster and more agile than Mazinger, but has less armor and hit points, relying instead on dodging the opponent's attacks rather than absorbing damage. As a whole, its weapons have longer range and better accuracy towards opponents than that of Mazinger Z; however, the increased accuracy comes at the cost of doing less damage per hit, requiring it to attack a single enemy more than once in most cases. Furthermore, it requires less energy for its weapons, whereas a unit such as Mazinger Z would lose its energy faster when using its most powerful attacks. There are exceptions to these rules -- for example, despite being classified as a Super Robot, Reideen is a long-range attacker, with most of its best weapons requiring it to attack from afar; and despite having stats equivalent to that of other Real Robots, Dunbine is primarily a close range fighter.
In addition, some units make use of Map Weapons, attacks which target several enemies in a selected area, such as ZZ Gundam's High Mega Cannon. While not as strong as other, single-target weapons, they are capable of eliminating several weakened enemies, or softening up a group of enemies for other pilots to take out. Later games also feature weapons that inflict status effects on the enemy machine, from draining their energy to weakening their armor; some weapons, such as those used by Macross 7's enemies, also damage the stats of a pilot.
Some units are treated as "support units", which give health and/or energy to other units. While most of these units are weaker in attack and defense, they tend to be valuable in a lot of battle situations. These resupply units are usually the sidekicks of the title character units. Examples are Aphrodite A and Boss Borot (from Mazinger Z), the Methuss (from Z Gundam), and Ginrei Robo (from the Giant Robo Ginrei specials OVAs). Another type of support unit, seen only in Super Robot Wars D and Alpha 3 thus far, is from Macross 7; Using music, the main protagonists' machines can bolster the stats and morale of their allies as well as deal with the enemies they face in Macross 7.
The games also feature battleships, whose main purpose is to transport units and resupply them. Ships like the White Base from Mobile Suit Gundam and the Ra Cailum from Char's Counterattack, to the SDF-1 from Macross and the Exelion from Gunbuster are some of the battleships used in some of the games.
The pilots in the game play a role in determining the usefulness of a machine. Each pilot has abilities in ranged and melee combat, accuracy, critical hit skill, dodging, and defense that increase the effectiveness of a machine offensively and defensively. In addition, the pilots may carry special abilities that allow them to use their machine's sword to intercept missiles and other sword attacks, or use a shield to defend themeselves; as well as abilities that increase their strength when their machine is low on hit points. All pilots carry a set of six Spirit Commands, similar to magic in traditional RPG's, which give them the ability to deal double damage, ensure a hit or dodge, drastically lower the amount of damage taken for their next hit, and other beneficial effects. Furthermore, some characters from series such as Gundam and Dunbine have special stats that affect their aim, dodging, and even allow them to use specialized weapons, such as the Funnels on Sazabi or nu Gundam. One may switch pilots into other machines from their same series, such as placing Z Gundam pilot Kamille Bidan into Judau Ashta's ZZ Gundam, or if you so desire, you may place Nu Gundam pilot Amuro Ray back into the original Gundam. The same applies for pilots from the Mazinger series, and in later games, one may place the Getter Robo team into an older Getter Robo even after obtaining an upgrade machine.
The enemies featured in the games range from simple A.I.-controlled mechanical minions and units with common pilots to giant beasts and powerful arch-enemies in mobile suits. Classic anime villains, from Char Aznable, The 17 Angels of Neon Genesis Evangelion and Master Asia to Dr. Hell and the Great General of Darkness are a few of the foes encountered throughout the series.
[edit] Influence
The Super Robot Wars games eventually would have an influence on the anime industry itself. They sparked a fan interest in old anime mecha shows, some of which were first heard of or seen by anime fans playing the SRW games.
Banpresto also has released a Game Boy Advance version called Super Robot Taisen: Original Generation, that reunites the original Banpresto characters and units that had appeared through the series. This version of the game has become very popular, creating a fanbase around the storylines and plots involving the original Banpresto characters and mechas.
The JAM (Japan Animationsong Makers) Project, consisting of veteran anime theme musicians like Ichiro Mizuki, Hironobu Kageyama, Rica Matsumoto, Eizo Sakamoto, Masaaki Endo, Hiroshi Kitadani, Masami Okui & Yoshiki Fukuyama, has also contributed to many of the SRW games soundtracks, usually providing the opening theme song and the song played over the closing credits. The Super Robot Wars series also spawned a series of concerts and albums called Super Robot Spirits, in which veteran vocalists -- some of whom would go on to form the JAM Project -- sing covers of popular mecha anime openings, and in some cases, live versions of songs they themselves originally sang.
But the games' main influence has been in the creation of anime shows influenced by original units and characters that were created for the games. The best examples of this is are Getter Robo Armageddon, Shin Getter Robo vs. Neo Getter Robo, and the Mazinkaiser OVA released in the US in 2002. The main robots in both anime originally appeared in Super Robot Wars games. Shin Getter Robo first appeared in the Super Famicom game 4th Super Robot Wars and was later made canon both by Ken Ishikawa in the manga for Getter Robo Go, and the aforementioned Getter Robo OVA's. Mazinkaiser appeared for the first time in the game Super Robot Wars F, released for the Sega Saturn and the PlayStation in 1997, as an upgrade to Kouji Kabuto's Mazinger Z; Mazinger Z writer and illustrator Go Nagai implemented it into his manga as the prototype of the other Mazinger machines. A 1999 anime called Cybuster loosely adapted the story of the first original design in Super Robot Wars (the anime's titular machine) into a 26 episode series featuring both characters inspired by the allies of Cybuster's pilot Masaki Andoh and original characters created for the anime. There is also a manga series, Chokijin RyuKoOhDenki (超機人 龍虎王伝奇), which provided the background story for RyuKoOh.
In May 2005, Banpresto released an animated OVA series called Super Robot Wars Original Generation: The Animation, a 3-part non-canonical sequel to the second Super Robot Taisen: Original Generation game. The OVA was followed up by a TV series, titled Super Robot Wars Original Generation: Divine Wars, which retells the plot of the first Original Generation game.
[edit] Super Robot Wars titles
The Super Robot Wars series spans a variety of consoles, with only a few major consoles never seeing an installment of the series.
Below is a list of some of the Super Robot Wars games available for each platform (some with a short description):
(Note: this is a list of the games' first availability for a certain console. Some titles have been re-released for other consoles).
[edit] Game Boy/Game Boy Color
- Super Robot Wars (GB) (April 20, 1991): Series premiered: Getter Robo, Getter Robo G, Mobile Suit Gundam, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ, Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack, Mobile Suit Gundam F91, Mazinger Z, Great Mazinger
- 2nd Super Robot Wars G (GB) (June 30, 1995): (Remake of 2nd Super Robot Wars, featuring an updated interface, similar to Super Robot Wars 4. Series premiered: Mobile Suit Victory Gundam, Mobile Fighter G Gundam
- Super Robot Wars Link Battler (GBC) (October 1, 1999): Totally different from other games in the franchise, it is closer to a monster trainer than a strategy game. Linking a completed game to Super Robot Wars 64 with the Transfer Pak unlocks several exclusive units and characters in the latter.
[edit] Nintendo Famicom
- 2nd Super Robot Wars (December 19, 1991): The first title to feature recruitable characters, and first to feature a Banpresto Original character and mech, the Cybuster piloted by Masaki Andoh. Ported to the Playstation as part of the Super Robot Wars Complete Box, and to the Gameboy Advance as an exclusive "Famicom Mini" game, available only as a bonus with the purchase of Super Robot Wars GC. Series premiered: UFO Robo Grendizer
[edit] Nintendo Super Famicom
- 3rd Super Robot Wars (July 23, 1993): The first title to receive a full fan translation and the first Super Robot Wars to include backgrounds during battles, discrete stats for pilots and units, and upgrades for units. In addition, this was the first Super Robot Wars to feature non-Gundam and non-Dynamic Productions animated titles. Series premiered: Brave Raideen, Super Electromagnetic Robot Combattler V, Invincible Steel Man Daitarn 3, Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket, Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory. Ported to the PlayStation as part of the Super Robot Wars Complete Box.
- Super Robot Wars EX (March 25, 1994): The first title to focus on the Masou Kishin plot, and unique for having a multiple scenario system, wherein the order in which you play the storylines affects the plot. It is the first Super Robot Wars to allow players to upgrade weapons. Series premiered: Aura Battler Dunbine, Demon God of War Goshogun. Ported to the PlayStation as part of Super Robot Wars Complete Box. (Currently being translated by AGTP)
- 4th Super Robot Wars (March 17, 1995): The first title to feature a Banpresto Original protagonist, along with separate real robot and super robot paths. It is the first Super Robot Wars to feature items that can be equipped to a unit to improve its performance or restore its HP or EN. Additionally, most stages contain hidden items or money on the map, which can be collected by moving a unit onto the items' locations. Also, the first to allow players to manually decide whether to counterattack during enemy turns. The first appearance of Shin Getter Robo in any medium. Series premiered: Brave Leader Daimos, Super Beast Machine God Dancougar, Aura Battler Dunbine: The Tale of Neo Byston Well, Gundam Sentinel, Heavy Metal L-Gaim, Invincible Super Man Zambot 3. Ported to the Playstation as 4th Super Robot Wars Scramble.
- Super Robot Wars Gaiden: Masou Kishin - The Lord Of Elemental (March 22, 1996): The first Super Robot Wars title to give original characters the spotlight exclusively. This particular title follows the storyline of Masou Kishin and its cast. It was the first to feature non-superdeformed graphics, unlike most Super Robot Wars titles. It is also the only regular game where a unit's elevation and the direction it is facing at the end of its turn are important. Doesn't include other real robot or super robot series. (Currently being translated by AGTP)
[edit] Nintendo 64
- Super Robot Spirits (July 17, 1997): Not a strategy game, but a fully 3D fighting game, featuring non-super deformed robots. The first appearance of SRX character Levi Tolar and her machine, the Judecca.
- Super Robot Wars 64 (October 29, 1999): Uses non-animated 2D sprites over rendered 3D backgrounds during battle animations. Secret units can be acquired by linking with the Super Robot Wars Link Battler, and the first to feature multiple-unit combination attacks. Series premiered: Giant Robo, Six God Combination Godmars
[edit] Game Boy Advance
- Super Robot Wars Advance (September 21, 2001): The second Super Robot Wars to allow players to choose the original character's machine independent of the pilot. Series premiered: Metal Armor Dragonar, Martian Successor Nadesico
- Super Robot Wars Reversal (August 2, 2002): Series premiered: GEAR Fighter Dendoh, Shin Getter Robo vs Neo Getter Robo, Martian Successor Nadesico: The Prince of Darkness
- Super Robot Taisen: Original Generation (November 22, 2002): The first Super Robot Wars devoted entirely to the original characters and mechs created by Banpresto for the series, featuring no licensed characters or robots. The plot follows the original elements (i.e. those not derived from anime series) of Super Robot Wars 3 and Alpha, and features characters from Super Robot Wars 3, Alpha, Alpha Gaiden and Impact. Original Generation was the first handheld Super Robot Wars to feature animated attacks and the equipment system, which allowed players to change weapons between units. It was released in North America on August 8, 2006 (as Super Robot Taisen: Original Generation).
- Super Robot Wars Destiny (August 8, 2003): Series premiered: The Big O, Future Robo Daltanius, Getter Robo Armageddon, Macross 7, Megazone 23
- Super Robot Taisen: Original Generation 2 (February 3, 2005): A direct sequel to the first Original Generation game. Incorporates elements from Super Robot Wars 3, 4, Impact, Advance, Alpha Gaiden and Alpha 2. Released in North America by Atlus on November, 14, 2006.
- Super Robot Wars Judgement (September 15, 2005): The first handheld Super Robot Wars to incorporate the "favorite series" system, introduced in Super Robot Wars MX. Series premiered: Full Metal Panic!, Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu, Death Match! Mazinkaiser vs. The Great General of Darkness, Space Knight Tekkaman Blade.
[edit] Bandai WonderSwan/WonderSwan Color
- Super Robot Wars Compact (April 28, 1999) (WS): The first Super Robot Wars to feature the Select Scenario System, which allows the player to decide the order in which stages are played.
- Super Robot Wars Compact 2 (Part 1) Chijou Gekidouhen (March 30, 2000) (WS): Series premiered: Dangaioh, Ninja Senshi Tobikage, Dancougar: Requiem for Victims
- Super Robot Wars Compact 2 (Part 2) Uchuu Gekishinhen (September 14, 2000) (WS): Series premiered: Machine Robo: Revenge of Cronos
- Super Robot Wars Compact 2 (Part 3) Ginga Kessenhen (January 18, 2001) (WS)
- Super Robot Wars Compact For WonderSwan Color (December 13, 2001(WSC): A remake of Super Robot Wars Compact, including color graphics.
- Super Robot Wars Compact 3 (July 13, 2003) (WSC): Series premiered: Acrobunch, Betterman, The Vision of Escaflowne, Mechander Robo
[edit] Sega Saturn
- Super Robot Wars F (December 25, 1997): A partial remake of Super Robot Wars 4, rewritten to reflect both the change of series included and the increased storage capacity of CDs vs. ROM cartridges. Series premiered: Neon Genesis Evangelion
- Super Robot Wars F Final (April 13, 1998): The continuation of Super Robot Wars F. This game marks the end of the classic storyline of Super Robot Wars. Debut of Mazinkaiser. Series premiered: Aim for the Top! Gunbuster, New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz, Space Runaway Ideon
[edit] Sega Dreamcast
- Super Robot Wars Alpha For Dreamcast (August 30, 2001): A remake of Super Robot Wars Alpha, with 3D battle graphics and increased difficulty in many stages. Features G-Breaker, the robot from Bandai's Sunrise Eiyuutan, which was not included in the Playstation version.
[edit] PlayStation
- 4th Super Robot Wars Scramble (January 26, 1996): A remake of Super Robot Wars 4, featuring voice acting and CG movies for the first time.
- Shin Super Robot Wars (December 27, 1996): Featured full-sized graphics (besides Super Robot Wars Gaiden, this is the only title to do so), as well as the debut of the Banpresto Originals SRX storyline. Series premiered: Blue Comet SPT Layzner, Super Electromagnetic Machine Voltes V, Demon Dragon of the Heavens Gaiking, Invincible Robo Trider G7, New Mobile Report Gundam Wing
- Super Robot Wars F (December 10, 1998): A port of Super Robot Wars F, featuring some improved music over the original Saturn game, as well as a variety of bug fixes.
- Super Robot Wars F Final (April 15, 1999): A port of Super Robot Wars F Final.
- Super Robot Wars Complete Box (June 10, 1999): A total remake of Super Robot Wars 2, 3 and EX, using a similar system to that of F and F Final. It included a bonus disc with voice data and cutscenes from the first disc, as well as a unique two-player versus mode.
- Super Robot Wars Alpha (May 25, 2000): The first Super Robot Wars to feature fully-animated attacks and a more complex plot. Also the first to include the skill point system, where decisions made in and out of battle can affect the game's difficulty later and one's chances of receiving more powerful units and items. Series premiered: The End of Evangelion, Mobile Suit Gundam F90, The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love?, Macross Plus (Currently being translated by AGTP)
- Super Robot Wars Alpha Gaiden (March 29, 2001): The first Super Robot Wars to feature the support attack/defense system on the Playstation (This system first appeared in Super Robot Wars Compact2 on the WonderSwan), and the first in which all of a unit's weapons are upgraded simultaneously. Series premiered: After War Gundam X, ∀ Gundam, Combat Mecha Xabungle, Galactic Whirlwind Braiger (Currently being translated by AGTP)
[edit] PlayStation 2
- Super Robot Wars Impact (March 28, 2002): A remake of all three chapters of Super Robot Wars Compact 2.
- 2nd Super Robot Wars Alpha March 27, 2003): The first Super Robot Wars that uses the Squad System, which allows the player to arrange squads (Up to 4 units) to participate in battles. Series premiered: Brain Powerd, Crossbone Gundam, The King of Braves GaoGaiGar, Steel Jeeg
- Super Robot Wars Scramble Commander (November 6, 2003): The first Super Robot Wars real-time strategy game. Features 3-D non-super deformed graphics.
- Super Robot Wars MX (May 27, 2004): The first Super Robot Wars to include the Favorite Series system, which increases the upgrade limit and experience gain for all robots and pilots from a selected series. Originally intended to be a direct sequel to Super Robot Wars Impact. Series premiered: Hades Project Zeorymer, RahXephon
- 3rd Super Robot Wars Alpha (August 28, 2005): The end of the Super Robot Wars Alpha series. Series premiered: Cyber Troopers Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram, Cyber Troopers Virtual On: Marz, The King of Braves GaoGaiGar FINAL, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED
- Super Robot Wars Original Generations (Anticipated June 28, 2007 release): An enhanced remake of the first two Super Robot Wars Original Generation titles. The remake will introduce the "Dual Battle" system, which allows for two battles to be conducted against the same enemy by two allies simultaneously. It is confirmed that Original Generations will feature original units from other Banpresto/Super Robot Wars games: Compatible Kaiser from the Great Battle series and the Excellence series from Super Robot Wars Reversal are the only confirmed new entries thus far.
[edit] Nintendo GameCube
- Super Robot Wars GC (December 16, 2004): Like the Dreamcast port of Alpha, this game boasted fully 3D battle scenes; in addition, it included a new battle system in which some pilots could target the head, arms, legs, or body of a machine specifically; as well as the ability to capture disabled enemy units for sale or for your own use. Series premiered: Galactic Gale Baxinger, Galactic Hurricane Sasuraiger, Saikyo Robo Daioja, Mazinkaiser (Anime OVA), Zettai Muteki Raijin-Oh
[edit] PlayStation Portable
- Super Robot Wars MX Portable (December 19, 2005): A port of Super Robot Wars MX.
[edit] Cellular phone (FOMA)
- Super Robot Wars i (still in development): A port of Super Robot Wars Advance.
[edit] Nintendo DS
- Super Robot Wars W (March 1st, 2007) Series Premiered: Space Knight Tekkaman Blade II, Hundred Beasts King Golion, Detonator Orgun, Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Astray, Mobile Suit Gundam Seed X Astray, Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid
[edit] Xbox 360
- Super Robot Wars XO (November 30, 2006): Enhanced port of SRW GC. It is the first (and thus far only) SRW game to feature an online multiplayer mode.
[edit] Trading Card Game
- Super Robot Wars Scramble Gather (1996-2001): Card game featuring robots and characters from series represented in games from Super Robot Wars 4 through Compact 2 and Alpha Gaiden. Notable for containing the first appearance of Katina Tarask, who would later appear in Super Robot Taisen: Original Generation.
[edit] Continuities
Most of the preceding titles are standalone games, whose background stories may involve the plots of the series but no other SRW titles. However, there are two main continuities with an overall storyline.
The first series, known as the Classic timeline, is Super Robot Wars 2, 3, EX, F, and F Final (in that order). F and F Final replaced 4 in the continuity, and 2G is not considered to be canonical, because of its non-inclusion in the Complete Box set. The side-story, Masou Kishin, is divided into two parts; part one takes place before Super Robot Wars 2 and part two takes place after Super Robot Wars 4 (it was released before F and F Final).
The second series is the Alpha series, which consists of Alpha 1, Gaiden, 2, and 3 (in that order). Part 1 of the Masou Kishin side-story also provides relevant information, taking place before Alpha 1.
Original Generation is also a series, with only two entries at the present time. It also spawned 2 animated titles, Super Robot Wars Original Generation: The Animation and Super Robot Wars Original Generation: Divine Wars. Both Original Generation games will be compiled, with updated visuals and sound, as Super Robot Wars: Original Generations.
The Compact 2 trilogy for the Wonderswan Color had its own continuity; the three games were compiled, with updated visuals and sound, as Super Robot Wars Impact. It is theorized that Super Robot Wars MX was originally meant as a sequel to Impact.
[edit] Anime series included in SRW games
[edit] Games in English
As of now, there is currently one Super Robot Wars game in English unofficially, and two Original Generation titles officially released by Atlus USA. Below, the translated games are listed by name and translator. Atlus released Original Generation on August 8, 2006, while Original Generation 2's release date was November 14, 2006. It should be noted that the Original Generation series of Super Robot Wars games are easier to release outside of Japan due to a lack of licensing issues.
- Super Robot Wars 3 (SNES, translated by Aeon Genesis Translation Proclamation)
- Super Robot Taisen: Original Generation (GBA, translated by Atlus USA)
- Super Robot Taisen: Original Generation 2 (GBA, translated by Atlus USA)
[edit] Trivia
- As many of the seiyuu who feature in the Super Robot Wars have worked in various anime over the course of their careers, many of the games include injokes concerning their other roles. For example, Amuro Ray from Gundam and Misato Katsuragi from Evangelion flirt often, referring to their seiyuus' roles as Tuxedo Mask and Sailormoon respectively. In another example, Hojo Shingo (the pilot of Goshogun) once did impersonations of Haran Banjo (pilot of Daitarn 3) and Bright Noa (the joke being that all three were voiced by the late Hirotaka Suzuoki).
- A number of the theme songs to the Super Robot Wars games have been performed by JAM Project, some of whose members have also performed theme songs for the various robot animes represented in the games.
- Hikaru Midorikawa, the seiyuu of characters like Heero Yuy and Masaki Andoh, is a huge fan of the Super Robot Wars. In fact, he even volunteers to do extra lines for no charge, and has done beta testing for Banpresto's games. He also has a blog on Banpresto's website. [2]
- It is tradition for a Super Robot Wars game to include a Mazinger series, a Getter series (from Getter Robo) and a Gundam series. Originally, this so-called "Holy Trinity" was made up of Kouji Kabuto from Mazinger Z, Ryouma Nagare from Getter Robo and Amuro Ray from Gundam, but as of 2006, Kouji is one of the two human characters (the other being his girlfriend Sayaka) who has appeared in every non-original incarnation of the Super Robot Wars.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Banpresto's official SRW site
- Atlus' announcement of SRW OG in America
- Super Robot Taisen: Original Generation from Nintendo.com
- Super Robot Wars Original Generations official webpage
- The Gate of Magus : A fansite dedicated to the original mecha of Banpresto
