Games
Most are standalone games, whose background stories may involve the plots of the included series, but no other ''Super Robot Wars'' titles. However, there are at least five main continuities with a single overall storyline encompassing all of them: ;Classic :Consists of the ''2nd'', the ''3rd'', ''EX'', ''F'' and ''F Final'' games (in that order). ''F'' and ''F Final'' replaced the ''4th'', while ''2G'' is not considered canon, due to its non-inclusion in the ''Complete Box'' set. The side-story ''Masō Kishin - The Lord Of Elemental'' is divided into two parts: "Part One" occurs before the 2nd and "Part Two" after the ''4th'' (''4th'' was released before ''F'' and ''F Final''). The primary antagonist organization of this series is known as DC (Divine Crusaders). ;Masou Kishin :Consists of ''Gaiden: Masou Kishin - The Lord of Elemental'', ''OG Saga: Masou Kishin 2 - Revelation of Evil God'', ''OG Saga: Masou Kishin 3 - Pride of Justice'' and ''OG Saga: Masou Kishin F – Coffin of the End'' (in that order). ''Gaiden: Masou Kishin - The Lord of Elemental'' for the SFC was ported as a remake for the NDS (with a series first use of the ''OG Saga'' prefix replacing ''Gaiden''.) and later as a remake of that DS version in a limited edition bundle with part 2 of this series, named ''OG Saga: Masou Kishin I & II'', for the PSP. The last two titles in this series were released for the PS3 (the former also was ported to the PS Vita). ;Alpha :Consists of ''Alpha'', ''Alpha Gaiden'', ''Alpha 2'' and ''Alpha 3'' games (in that order). "Part One" of ''Masō Kishin - The Lord Of Elemental'' also provides relevant information, taking place before Alpha. ;Compact :Consists of ''Compact'', ''Compact 2'' and ''Compact 3'' games for the Wonderswan (in that order). The first series game on WS ''Compact'' was remade as ''Compact for WonderSwan Color'' for the Wonderswan Color. ''Compact 2'' was released as three chapters for the '' WonderSwan''; the trilogy was later compiled with updated visuals, sound and new content as ''Impact'' for the PS2. ;Impact :Consists of ''Impact'' and ''MX'' games for the PS2. Previously, ''Compact 2'' was released as three chapters for the '' WonderSwan''; the trilogy was later compiled with updated visuals, sound and new content as ''Impact'' for the PS2. Despite the sharing of gameplay mechanics between all of the Wonderswan games, and the similarities between ''Impact'' and ''MX'', ''Compact 2'' and ''Impact'' are not tied to any other games in the series. ''MX'' for the PS2 is seen as a direct sequel to ''Impact'' as it reuses several of the same series of the latter and has similar gameplay elements and much of its soundtrack remixed from the one in ''Impact''. ''MX'' was ported to the PSP with minor adjustments and additions. ;Original Generation :This series does not feature any manga or anime characters at all, instead starring the "Banpresto Originals", original characters made specifically for previous games in the series. This timeline draws upon from all previous continuities. Both Original Generation games for the GBA which were released in the US were compiled with updated visuals and sound as ''Super Robot Wars Original Generations'', followed by the sequel ''Super Robot Wars Original Generation Gaiden'', the remake version of ''Masō Kishin - The Lord Of Elemental'', ''Masō Kishin 2: Revelation of Evil God'', ''2nd Super Robot Wars Original Generation'', ''Masō Kishin 3: Pride of Justice'', ''Masō Kishin F: Coffin of The End'' and ''Super Robot Wars Original Generation: The Moon Dwellers''. Also part of the Original Generation series is the ''Endless Frontier series'', composing of ''Endless Frontier'' and ''Endless Frontier Exceed'', which is set after ''Original Generation Gaiden''. This continuity was the only one to have had titles officially released in the West. ''The Moon Dwellers'' is one of the first in the series that has an English translation for the Japanese market. ;Z :This continuity consists of ''Z'', ''Z Special Disk'', ''Z2'', and ''Z3'' in that order. The story focuses on the Twelve Spheres, which play an important part in the game's story line. This timeline is well-known for introducing an extremely large amount of debuting series, on a scale that previous ''SRW'' titles have never reached. In addition, ''Z3'' was the first ''SRW'' game to have HD sprites. ;International Era :Consists of ''V, X, T'' and ''30''. This continuity is commonly named this due to ''SRW V'' being the first mainline game to receive official translation and release outside of Japan. Using the engine utilized in ''Z3'', these games are independent of each other plot-wise. ;Mobile games :Consists of ''X-Omega'' and ''DD''.'' X-Omega'' is a departure from ''SRWs usual turn-based strategy formula, and is more similar to a defense-type game, where units are placed and commanded to defend against invading enemies. It is known to have an extremely large number of debuting series, and also have non-mecha anime crossovers. :''DD'' returns to the usual ''SRW'' turn-based strategy formula, and battles are much more reminiscent of normal ''SRW'' games. However, players are only allowed to deploy 4 of their own units at a time, and instead of mechs being pulled from the gacha, attacks are instead.Recurring elements
Story
In most games, the player selects or is given a Banpresto original character and machine, who is connected to the overarching storyline which ties together the events of the constituent anime for the game. Some featured anime also has their plots intertwined: in ''Gameplay
Battles in ''Super Robot Wars'' are turn-based. The player usually gets to move their forces first, one at a time, then control switches to the game's AI. When a unit attacks, the target reacts by blocking (increasing defense against the attack), evading (reducing the attack's chance to hit), or countering (striking back with their own attack). Once chosen, the battle animation is played out. If the player unit is not destroyed and successfully damaged the enemy, then the unit gains experience points. All battles are carried out either the terrain of land, air, sea or space, which affects the performance of machines, pilots and weapons in various ways. The battlefield also contains objects which grant various effects. For example, besides providing repair and energy refill, a military base also provides land units with defense bonus but will hinder them from moving freely. In addition to standard mecha and vehicle units, the player often has one or more "Battleships", air- or spacecraft units that in addition to powerful long-ranged attacks, can also dock other units to refill energy, repair damage. Units in-game are generally separated into two categories: " super-type" and " real-type". Super robots are heavy units with exceptionally high hit points and armor, and powerful, close-range weapons with high energy cost. On the other hand, real robots are light units which are faster and more agile, but have less armor and hit points, relying instead on dodging attacks. Their weapons have longer range and better accuracy at the cost of doing less damage per hit. Some units are treated as "support units", regenerating hit points and/or energy to allies, while battleships and carriers serve as transports or to resupply all units, while also providing powerful fire support. Though every unit takes a single grid on the tactical map and has little visual difference in battle animations, a larger unit gains defensive and offensive bonus against smaller units, but carry a disadvantage to evasion and accuracy. In later titles, certain attacks can bypass the size attribute, nullifying the effect of size in combat. Some units have other unique characteristics: for example, Getter Robo can transform into different forms with new weapons and different attributes. Weapons carry various attributes other than range, accuracy modifier and attack power. All weapons can be divided into melee and shooting categories that determine its effectiveness by pilots' status. Other attributes can be affected by terrain or a target's defensive ability. In addition, some units make use of "MAP Weapons" which affect multiple squares at once, with some damaging everything in the area and others, such as Cybuster's Cyflash, ignoring allies. Some games feature weapons which inflict status effects on enemies that drain their energy, weaken their armor or damage the pilot's stats.History
Origins and development
In 1990, Japanese video game developer Banpresto released ''SD Battle Ōzumō: Heisei Hero Basho'', the debut entry in its ''Localization
Many mecha titles included are released only in Japan and the number of titles involved within a single game make for complicated rights and licensing issues releasing it elsewhere. Before ''Reception and sales
As of April 2014, the ''Super Robot Wars'' series has exceeded 16 million copies across all platforms. The debut entry sold a combined 190,000 units and became a best-seller for the Game Boy during its first few weeks on the market. The best-selling entry is ''Super Robot Wars α'' on the PlayStation, having sold over 715,000 copies. ''Super Robot Wars'' games have become consistent best-sellers for both Banpresto and Bandai Namco, having regularly appeared on top sales charts in Japan as late as 2019. As of 2022, the series has shipped over 20 million copies worldwide. Ollie Bardner, a writer for '' Eurogamer'', described ''Super Robot Wars'' as "one of Japan's most enduring mecha series", showing appreciation towards its turn-based gameplay and large roster of mecha series and characters. Bardner believes part of the franchise's success is introducing its players to older mecha anime series: "Originally intended as a mere mecha anime crossover vehicle,'' Super Robot Wars'' has become something else. Not only has it facilitated new generations of gamers to discover brilliant anime from times long past, but also birthed unique games and anime in their own right." '' USgamer''s Kat Bailey stated that the series serves as an "extremely faithful tribute" to the mecha genre and its history, writing that it "beautifully emixeseverything from ''Mobile Suit Gundam'' to ''Voltron''." The games' main influence is the creation of animated shows influenced by original units and characters created for the games. The best examples are '' Getter Robo Armageddon'', '' Shin Getter Robo vs Neo Getter Robo'' and the '' Mazinkaiser'' OVA, released in the United States in 2002. Shin Getter Robo first appeared in '' Ken Ishikawa's'' manga for ''Getter Robo Go'', then became by its apparition in various Super Robot Wars games until receiving its aforementioned OVAs. Mazinkaiser appeared for the first time in ''Super Robot Wars F Final'', released for the ''Related media
Music
JAM Project, consisting of veteran anime theme musicians, likeAnime
'' Masō Kishin Cybuster'' is a loose adaptation on the story of the first original Banpresto mecha in Super Robot Wars into a 26-episode series, featuring characters inspired by the allies of the ''Cybuster's'' pilot ''Masaki Andoh'' and original characters created for the anime. In May 2005, Banpresto released the animated OVA '' Super Robot Wars Original Generation: The Animation'', a 3-part non-canonical sequel to the second Original Generation game. In 2006, the OVA was followed up by '' Super Robot Wars Original Generation: Divine Wars'', a retelling of the plot in the first Original Generation game. A variety of drama CDs, manga and model kits accompany the Original Generation lineup. In Fall 2010, Banpresto followed up with '' Super Robot Wars Original Generation: The Inspector'', which is a retelling of the plot of Original Generation 2.Manga
There have been several Manga adaptations that retell the stories of the Super Robot Wars series. by Akihiro Kimura tells the story of the '' Divine Wars'' anime over 6 volumes published from 2006 to 2009. Meanwhile, is manga series by Tatsunosuke Yatsufusa that tells a similar story but from the ATX Team's perspective. is a series of short stories that take place across the Original Generation timeline, written and drawn by various authors, some of the stories from OG Chronicle were incorporated into the video gameNet radio
began to air to go along with the release of the '' Divine Wars'' anime. The show has been airing since January 2007 with four regular hosts, Tomokazu Sugita, Masaaki Endoh,See also
* List of Japanese role-playing game franchisesNotes
References
External links