Updated with Gundam Breaker 4. Enjoy!
What's the ultimate power fantasy for you? If it's getting inside a robot and delivering a metallic, explosive world of pain to your enemies, then you're probably a mecha fan.
From Gundam to Evangelion, mecha have been hugely popular in culture — particularly in anime — for years. And mech video games have followed suit, capturing every kid's desire of climbing inside a robot and piloting it to your heart's content.
With Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon launching on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, we Switch owners have been feeling a bit left out — so we've rummaged through our digital libraries, eShop wishlists, and shelves to make sure you're not missing out on the best mech games the genre has to offer on the little hybrid.
As for what a "mech" game is, we're considering anything where you either command or pilot a mech — a humanoid-type robot — as a mech game. And in a few instances, riding inside that mech isn't the only thing you do.
With that out of the way — "get in the list, readers!"
Daemon X Machina (Switch)
At its core Daemon X Machina is a solid mech action game that controls well and gives the player a generous helping of customisation options. Its mission structure can get repetitive, and its plot is so difficult to grasp it may as well be soaked in grease, but as long as you’re willing to put up with these and get through its initially bewildering array of gauges and icons you should have a good time with it.
Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.
Megaton Musashi (Switch)
Megaton Musashi has a lot going for it, but there’s certainly a lot of room for improvement. The relatively disposable narrative is merely a lightweight obstacle in the way of the real fun found here: battling enemies and then tinkering with your rogue, the latter of which is the game’s primary attraction. It is a disproportionately excellent attraction, which makes the rest of the game’s issues secondary. This is definitely a worthwhile, if flawed, import with style to spare. We'd welcome an official, localised release in the West despite the game's issues; after all, Switch needs all the ammo it can get as it moves into its fifth year.
War Tech Fighters (Switch eShop)
War Tech Fighters does exhibit a few rough spots here and there, but it is undeniable that it ticks all the right boxes for any self-respecting mecha fan. If you're after a fast and exciting robot-based space shooter and don't mind long loading times and the odd awkward menu system, then this is worth a look.
SD Gundam G Generation Cross Rays (Switch)
SD Gundam G Generation Cross Rays offers months of content in an accessible, user-friendly package that will reward players who like to tinker with squad micro-management but will also let newcomers to the series enjoy the pyrotechnics display from each engagement. The amount of fanservice (we're talking the good, wholesome variety here) is staggering and more than worth the admission price. To those who love strategy RPGs and have already exhausted all the usual suspects, we offer this advice: Cross Rays might just be the best game of this type on Switch that you've never heard of. It's a fitting 40th-anniversary celebration of the entire saga.
Override: Mech City Brawl - Super Charged Mega Edition (Switch eShop)
Ported to the Switch in 2019, Override: Mech City Brawl is a solid experience. Any graphical downgrade isn’t noticeable in handheld mode, and the action of the game distracts from anything that would stand out. Single-player and local multiplayer can provide hours of fun, but online multiplayer lets the game down massively. Even without cross-play, this is still a neat little title — and the Switch version comes with additional content such as new maps and mechs.
Panzer Paladin (Switch eShop)
Panzer Paladin is a retro throwback game that has heart, and even when there are a few minor niggles, that heart goes a long, long way. If you're into classic pixel art games and 2D mech titles, you should really give this a try; Panzer Paladin is an unpretentious, exuberant action game from start to finish, and a must for genre fans.
Gundam Breaker 4 (Switch)
Gundam Breaker 4 offers a return to form for the series and demonstrates time and again that it knows the importance of focusing on its strengths. Though its middling graphics and somewhat repetitive gameplay can hold it back a bit, the incredibly deep customisation options, snappy combat, and near-endless replayability make this the kind of game that’ll get its hooks in you deep once it clicks. If you're into Gundam, we’d suggest you pick this one up when you get the chance, especially if you’re looking for a content-rich and relatively low-investment action game to add to your Switch library.
Comments 49
the genre really that barren on switch? i atleast had liberation maiden and iron combat war in the air(which i enjoyed more) on 3ds. do those count? there's a roguelite on my backlog that might fit since it doesn't look like we're going with customization or 3rd person shooters with lock on mechanics, metal unit?
I'm just glad all mechs don't require you to get nekkid first.
-stares at 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim-
I would love more traditional Super Robot Wars to be launched in the West, but is a licensing hell, so it only makes sense that they stay Japan only. :/
@ancientlii I'm sure there are plenty more, though some just happen to feature pilotable mechs and may not revolve the whole game around them.
Red Faction: Guerrilla Re-Marstered allows the player to pilot 3 different types of mechs in the late game, and since the game features completely destructible environments, it's one of my favorite mech experiences on Switch. You can use the mounted weapons if you want, but you can also just walk through buildings like they're made of tissue paper.
Saints Row IV also has a late game Mech Suit, but since you accumulate god-like powers and since the mech suit is only available for a a few minutes at a time, it's nothing special, but still technically a mech suit experience I guess.
Fingers crossed Xenoblade Chronicles: X will one day grace us with its delightful presence on Switch.
astebreed is a really flashy and cool shmup
SD Gundam is maybe the best Gundam game of all time and is in the top 5 SRPGs on Switch. For Gundam fans, it’s 100% essential. Panzer Paladin is also totally essential. A wonderful Megaman meets Blaster Master mashup.
This short list does not mech me happy
Xenoblade Chronicles X would be the best one if it were on Switch
There's one you may have missed or just ignored: Damascus Gear: Operation Osaka. I think it was a Vita port, but it's still a mech game and it's on Switch. Not great, but not terrible either. It was never reviewed here, but there are worse mech games, and it hits all the notes. Customizable mech with various weapons and all...
I wish Sega and FromSoft would remaster / remake Chromehounds, even just port it, or make a sequel! God that was such a fun game!
Anyone play Hardcore Mecha? That looks right up my alley. Wondering what the rpg elements are in it…..
@Astral-Grain 😂 I completely forgot about that part. The story handles it so casually too...
@AlanaHagues No love for Wolfstride?
@Magician We usually go with games we've reviewed to start off with, but it's definitely one for us to consider
I'll always remember my friends brother getting the Steel Battalion game for Xbox. That controller was insane to use.
Not sure why this article though? It's like rubbing it in the faces of Switch owners what they don't get.
"With Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon launching on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, us Switch owners have been feeling a bit left out... "
Pet peeve: this should be "we Switch users..."
After all, you wouldn't say "us have been feeling left out," you'd say "we have been feeling left out".
No love for, "Heed my call, Valimar!" or were those games not included because the inclusion of mechs could be considered a spoiler?
Volta-X was my fav.
Also, never could finish Hardcore Mecha. Game would crash after beating the last boss but before I could escape.
For those who think this list is a little light, you can view a list of almost all mech suit games here: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MechaGame
Unfortunately, the list includes games for all consoles, but many games listed are on Switch.
Here's another list if you still crave the mech suit goodness: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/HumongousMecha/VideoGames
Only one of these I've played is Demon X Machina, but I also have Assault Gunners HD, which isn't listed.
Plan on getting AC6 on PS5 as soon as I'm finished with FFXVI.
Into the breach is absolutely brilliant once it gets its hooks in. Only roguelike I ever completed, I literally jumped up and started dancing when I finished it was such a great gaming moment.
I would love Brigador or Cryptark on Switch. They seemed like shoe-ins but never happened.
@theModestMouse only for really pathetic people, maybe.
@mauhlin12 I would imagine the Trails of Cold Steel series isn't mentioned because the mech fighting isn't all that involved. It's just a different version of the game's regular fights with some slightly simpler mechanics. (Speaking as someone who loved the series.)
@Dualmask Well played with "mechanics." Yeah, the mech fights are pretty simple, I'd compare them to the 1v1 duals in Suikoden.
Would love to see a Gundam Wing game some day, that follows the complete story of that series. Been rewatching it again, really bringing me in the mood to play a mech game.
I have played none of these and I didn't even realize there were enough mech games to make a best of list. 😆
I do have 13 sentinels and chained echoes on my wishlist though.
I like that the bottom of the article links to the 'best of' lists for Metroidvania and Management games; now I'm trying to think of all game genres which start with M. 🤔 MMOs, normal Multiplayer, Music... um... Mobile ports? (button) Mashing games? 😝
Into the breach is fantastic and panzer paladin I thought was decent. I haven’t checked in awhile but I thought we had cybernator in the snes catalogue online, that’s one of my favorite all time mech games, metal warriors snes to.
I've heard good things about Pizza Titan Ultra
Every Super Robot Wars game is the prime of mecha genre. It respects the stories of the animes that they included, while fixing their events and character deaths in an excellent ways.
Also, it gives you a good reason to watch the mecha animes featured in those games.
No sd Gundam battle alliance? Seriously?
Why haven’t we had this list till now?! I’m glad to see it’s off to a good start, though! I own and enjoy many of these.
There were so many more mecha games in the past, but we still have access to a decent selection on our Switches.
I think the following are eminently worthy additions to the list here:
Arcade Archives Mazinger Z
SD Gundam Battle Alliance
(best/only Gundam action game on Switch)
SD Gundam G Genesis
(this features the mainline “Universal Century” Gundam stories, while Cross Rays has the spin-off series.)
Super Robot Wars V
Super Robot Wars X
Super Robot Wars 30
Each SRW game features different mecha and heroes from different actual TV series/OVA’s/movies. The ultimate love letters to the genre - they all belong on this list.
And Grendizer is coming this fall, I think.
Excuse me now, I have to go hum some classic robot anime songs. 😁
@TYRANACLES
Cybernator isn’t on NSO, sadly, but Assault Suits Leynos is one of NSO’s Genesis/Mega Drive games, and it absolutely belongs on this list.
Thanks for reminding me!
Xenoblade Chronicles X!.... oh wait
@TheJGG One day X fans will be remembered by Monolith… (asides from various references)
Been playing Alice Gear Aegis CS lately and been really liking it. Gameplay reminds me of Custom Robo but in the skies. Dunno if you'd call it a best mecha game since it's pretty barren in game modes and online (which is a death sentence for a bullet fighter) but I am having such a soft spot for it that I wanna buy and build a model kit of Sitara Kaneshiya and the other girls.
(I know this is technically Mecha Musume but who cares, it's close enough genre wise!)
@Rettam_itnA If Muv-Luv Alternative it gets released Uncensored, I'd jump for it
@Rettam_itnA but then that would make it less complete!
(Also, i don't recall Muv-Luv having alien rape scenes. I thought the ero scenes were more lovey dovey or dramatic... or am I mistaken?)
@FenIsMightier That is some truly awful taste you have there. Even the worst AC game puts Daemon X Machina to shame.
Everyone is going to be saying it but...
https://imgflip.com/i/7x1ykc
I really enjoyed Daemon X Machina. It was overhyped but I had a lot of fun with it.
Interesting article.
Aegis Rim and into the Breach are superb.
The Gundam game is pretty good as well.
My kids and I enjoyed that one.
I was put off by the demo of Daemon X Machina and also had the dreaded joycon driftcon drift at the time. I never went down the route of downloading but may reconsider one day.
Xenoblade X Chronicles port or remake needed.
WarTech is okay but rough around the edges as you have already described.
I know of a great mech game, it's not for the Switch though:
"Kirby: Planet Robobot" from 2016 for the 3DS.
Maybe there will be an HD version for Switch or Switch 2.
I had fun cleaning out the co-op missions in DXM, but the story was dreadfully boring with stilted delivery.
13 Sentinels was revelatory by comparison, with what I still believe is one of the best game stories I've experienced.
Chained Echoes is a grade-A RPG.
Man, I can’t believe Panzer Paladin is sitting at a community 7/10. Insane. That’s one of the best retro style titles on the Switch.
Still need to get into Chained Echoes and 13 Sentinels. I know they're both fantastic!
I wonder if also Megaton Mushashi would be a fun experience for me...
@WheresWaveRace i see what you did there, smooth as silk 🤌🏻👌🏻
Nintendo Labo Robot Kit: "Am I a joke to you?"
Mecha games are always welcome on Switch, feels like the Snes era all over again, so cool!
Is there a particular reason this list lists only one of four Super Robot Wars games on the Switch and completely omits the two Front Mission games?
Strike Suit Zero? Robotics:Notes? Warborn?
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...