Mobile Suit Gundam has been one of the most influential media franchises ever since the release of the 1979 animated series.
It redefined what it meant to make anime with giant robots, and revolutionized the Japanese plastic industry forever.
It may not be in everyone’s mouths anymore, but considering Gundams make up 90% of all Japanese figurine sales every year – the passion is still alive, and it may be reaching further into the mainstream.
Nowadays you can even watch PewDiePie building a Gunpla model kit on his YouTube channel!
But Gundam isn’t exclusive to anime. Gundam video games show one of the most exciting angles of these bipedal mechs – and there are some you should absolutely check out.
12. MS Gundam: Zeonic Front (2002)
Available on PS2
It’s hard to judge a Gundam game without taking into account when they were released.
MS Gundam: Zeonic Front may not be the most sophisticated game in the franchise, but back in 2002, I’d have taken anything to get more Gundam in my life.
This game follows Zeon Special Commando unit Midnight Fenrir Corp. during the One Year War as they lay waste to Federation territory in North America and eventually participate in both the Battle of Seattle and the Invasion of Jaburo.
It’s a relatively slow squad-based TPS that’ll keep you entertained if you’re a fan of the series.
Fun fact: This is the only Gundam game that focuses entirely on a perspective from within the Principality of Zeon.
11. Gundam Side Story 0079: Rise from the Ashes (2000)
Available on Dreamcast
Despite being released a couple of years before Zeonic Front, Gundam Side Story 0079 offers much more interesting gameplay. Closer to a simulation than a regular action game.
That’s because you control your RGM-79 GM from within the cockpit. It makes moving your mobile suit much more like piloting a tank than controlling a humanoid character.
Watching an enemy mobile suit slowly approaching from afar becomes a tense situation when you can’t just dash out of the way.
It’s one of the older entries in our list, but it’s one you shouldn’t skip if you love Mobile Suit Gundam and old-school shooters.
Fun Fact: This game was the first in a planned series, but it had to be canceled after the Dreamcast was discontinued and SEGA retired from the console market.
10. Gundam Battle Assault 2 (2002)
Available on PlayStation
The original Battle Assault was a fantastic 2D fighter in its own right, and the sequel only expands on its basic formula.
The game’s Street Mode takes you through the events of the One Year War, the 13th Gundam Fight, and the MS Gundam Wing Endless Waltz OVA.
Characters include the Deathscythe H Gundam and the Psycho Gundam MK-III from the previous game.
Regrettably, all Z Gundam units were cut from GBA2 – but they were replaced in the fighter roster by 14 new playable characters, which more than makes up for it.
The basic RX-78-2 Gundam also received a significant buff after being one of the original GBA’s weakest characters.
It’s the main Gundam! How did they overlook this?
9. MS Gundam: Encounters in Space (2003)
Available on PS2
The Gundam series took a step in the right direction with MS Gundam: Encounters in Space, a third-person shooter with exciting 360-degree combat.
It captures the essence of mobile suit combat as seen in the anime.
It’s fast-paced, action-packed, and it looks terrific.
The game is split up into several story modes focusing on different characters and settings from the Universal Century, specifically the One Year War.
There’s also Mission Mode, which lets you create a Zeon or Federation pilot and climb up the ranks, and Versus Mode – a split-screen multiplayer option.
Fun fact: Gundam Battle Assault 2 was the first game in the Gundam series to get an international release before it got a Japanese one.
8. MS Gundam vs Zeta Gundam (2005)
Available on PS2
MS Gundam vs Zeta Gundam is the quintessential MS Gundam game from back in the day.
This action-packed third-person shooter improves on the 360-degree combat seen in MS Gundam: Encounters in Space, making it feel fluid and dynamic – at least on screen.
The game’s major drawbacks were poor controls and terrible camera angles that could really mess up your flow.
Still, it’s easy to overlook these blunders when considering its enormous gameplay variety and its large roster of 31 mobile suits – including some iconic ones like the Qubeley and The O.
The game’s Universal Century Mode was also fantastic, and the soundtrack sounds like it came straight out of the Zeta Gundam anime.
7. NEW Gundam Breaker (2018) (JP)
Available on PS4 / MS Windows
One of the most recent entries in our ranking is NEW Gundam Breaker, the latest installment in the Japanese exclusive Gundam Breaker series.
Instead of the traditional MS Gundam Universal Century, this game occurs in the “real world” where Gundam are figures sold as model kits for consumers to build.
Of course, these models actually fly around and have fast-paced 3v3 battles with lasers and all that jazz, so maybe it isn’t so similar to the real world.
The game is about making your dream Gundam with almost limitless customization options, and having mindless fun as you mow down hordes of lesser pilots.
6. MS Saga: A New Dawn (2006)
Available on PS2
Easily the most unique game in the Gundam franchise ever released in English is MS Saga: A New Dawn.
This unusual title takes the form of a traditional turn-based JRPG where two tragic heroes – Tristan and Fritz – take up arms (read: Gundams) against the Dark Alliance as revenge for the murder of their families.
You can customize your Gundam fairly deeply, with access to parts from early Universal Century anime series like Mobile Fighter G Gundam and MS Gundam Wing.
Fun fact: The game was designed to appeal to new players, to the point where it feels more like a random fantasy JRPG than a Gundam game at times.
5. MS Gundam: Gundam vs. Gundam Next PLUS (2009) (JP)
Available on Arcades / PSP
Is there a limit to how many times you can write Gundam in the same title?
Gundam vs Gundam Next is a fantastic third-person shooter/fighter hybrid with amazing visuals and engaging, flashy combat.
It was created as part of the franchise’s 30th Anniversary project, so it features MS models from all over the animated series, movies, and OVAs.
They’re all depicted in incredible detail thanks to the PSP’s potent hardware, and they look fantastic out in the field.
4. SD Gundam G Generation Cross Rays (2019)
Available on PS4 / Nintendo Switch / MS Windows
Tactical RPGs are the stuff dreams are made of.
Especially when your units are super-deformed chibi versions of your favorite mobile suits.
The most recent entry in our ranking is also one of the best-looking thanks to its charming cartoonish art style.
Watching these chibi mechs duking it out in Full HD is a bit ridiculous, and I love it. It’s the perfect way to refresh my mind after working hard to plan my next move.
Get this if you like Fire Emblem.
3. Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3 (2011)
Available on PS3 / Xbox 360
Let’s face it:
There’s nothing quite as satisfying as watching your favorite mobile suit mowing down whole armies singlehandedly – and Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3 does it best.
Still, it sets itself apart with incredibly mobile characters that can dash and fly around the battlefield swiftly.
This third entry in this joint series implemented a cell-shading graphic style that gives the game a unique personality. It also lets the developers cram even more characters on screen at once – which is key in creating a good Musou title.
With over 50 playable mechs to choose from, this should keep you busy for a long time.
2. MS Gundam: Extreme VS Force (2016)
Available on PS Vita
This fantastic mobile suit fighting title is the portable spin-off of the Extreme Vs. series, which had been exclusive to Japan until this PS Vita release.
It features fast-paced combat between mobile suit squads. While the classic 2v2 format is still available, options go up to crazy 6v6 battles.
The Extreme Force mode recounts events from the Universal Century from the perspective of two AI being trained in a combat simulation. Its relatively short missions make it ideal for on-the-go play.
Fun fact: At the time of release, this was the latest Gundam game released to the West in almost a decade. What gives?
1. Gundam Versus (2017)
Available on PS4
If someone walked up to me and asked what Gundam game they should play right now, I wouldn’t hesitate in answering:
Gundam Versus.
The game is fun and engaging by yourself, or online with friends. It supports up to six players online for 3v3 battles or Boss Hunter mode, but 2v2 combat is still considered the standard.
It features over 90 mobile suits from all over the MS Gundam universe – so nobody’s favorite mech is getting left out. There are also 180 unlockable assist units to discover.
Sure, it’s not the newest. But it’s in English, and its action-packed 360-degree combat should be easy to pick up by anyone.
Fights look and feel incredible, too.
They’re intense and fast-paced, with lots of flashy visual effects and well-timed animations. Absolutely check this one out.
Nelson Chitty is a Venezuelan expat living in Argentina. He’s a writer and translator passionate about history and foreign cultures. His ideal weekend is spent between leisurely playing games of Civilization VI and looking for the next seinen anime to marathon.
