Top 10 Best Mech Games of All Time

Robots have always been a staple of a good gaming diet. But few of them are as exciting to fight and pilot as mechs. They come in all sizes, shapes and flavors. Two legged, four legged, many legged, transforming, towering, gargantuan, planet sized or just a bit taller than you and me. 

Some of them fly. Some even fly in space, where they see most of the action. Some walk on the ground. Some even operate under water. No matter what they do, piloting one of those lumbering war machines is usually quite the thing. 

The first big mech simulations came up in the mid 90s with the Earthsiege and Mechwarrior games, that took hints from the popular space fighter simulations that combined the earnest, sober, mechanical approach of a flight simulation to an entirely fictional topic, machine and universe. When the space fighter game fell out of favor with the gaming public, the mech sim too all but disappeared. But recently they’ve proven to be not so easy to fell, and have started a big comeback. So here we go with the best mech games you can find out there. 

Header image credit: KeepWalking07

 

10: Front Mission: Evolved

The latest entry to the long running series of the Front Mission franchise, Evolved is special, due to it being an action game with simulation elements, taking place in the same universe as the Front Mission Roleplaying Games. While the simulation aspect is on the back burner in this one, it’s still a very good mecha action game with an interesting, intricate story based in a long running, well developed universe.

 

9: Steel Battalion

This is an odd one. The game is mostly remembered for the additional gadget that came with it, a fully fledged mecha cockpit control unit. Also, while being a game for the original XBox, it is also one of the few Japanese games on the platform. And one of the very few really hardcore simulations available on any console. The game simulates being inside a mech’s cockpit to a tee. Almost surprisingly, the emergency eject button does NOT kick you off your couch. 

 

8: Hawken

Another indie game, and another game that isn’t out yet, and another game that is inspired by Japanese aesthetics, Hawken is a multiplayer game that pits player as mech pilots against one another. The combat is surprisingly fast paced for a game revolving around lumbering hulks of metal, and it also features jump jets. Never ever underestimate the tantalizing power of jetpacks on a mech. It’s another one to watch, especially if the combat and MMO like qualities of MechWarrior Online are too much for you. 

 

7: Mech Warrior Online

With the license back in the hands of former FASA mastermind Jordan Wiseman, Mech Warrior Online was put into development in the late 2000s. A massive project, the game is still in public beta at this point, free to play so far and well worth the time. The game will probably be released later this year. Players can seek allegiance with any of the MechWarrior universe’s big, warring houses controlling known space, and slowly build up their mech and reputation, or alternatively join (or form) a mercenary group. Or fight all alone. It’s a very exciting project, especially for fans of the venerated Battletech/MechWarrior universe.

 

6: Strike Suit Zero

Another western game heavily influenced by Japanese aesthetics, the recently successfully crowdfunded Strike Suit Zero is an independent game which is an entry on this list that represents the oft forgotten space mecha. In Strike Suit Zero, the player takes to space, also in a transforming mech, that can either be a giant, death dealing robot, or a space fighter, equally capable of death dealing. While the game is a bit lighter on the simulation aspect, it does feature a lot of deep, hardcore space action against a plethora of enemies of all sizes on the screen.

 

5: SHOGO: Mobile Armor Division

Made as an homage to Japanese mecha anime, SHOGO: Mobile Armor Division was the third game of Monolith Productions, of FEAR and Gotham Impostors fame. While SHOGO is not really a simulation, the game is such an enthralling love letter to all things giant robots that it has to be featured here. The player will be tasked with missions both on foot and in a giant, transformable robot. Everything from the sound effects to the character tropes is heavily inspired by giant mecha anime, and a sheer joy to behold.

 

4: Earthsiege 2

Before there was Tribes, before there was Starsiege, there was Earthsiege, Sierra’s hardcore mech simulation game that was heavily inspired by the Battletech board game and connected Mechwarrior universe, but didn’t have any official license. The not-so-cheap-but-also-not-official knock off proved to be quite the success in the long run. Earthsiege 2 featured customizable mechs, soft fail states for missions, salvagable enemy mechs and a for the time highly detailed terrain. 

 

3: Zone of the Enders 2 - The Second Runner

Here’s one that is long overdue for getting a sequel. Technically not a simulation, this game represents the pinnacle of over the top Japanese mecha action. A top notch production through and through, Zone of the Enders 2 gives the player a tremendously powerful mech, Jehuty, to shoot, crush and rip apart other, lesser mechs and vehicles and have a ton of fun doing so. A challenging game, but one that delivers all the goods, if Japanese stuff does it for you. 

 

2: Terra Nova: Strike Force Centauri

Looking Glass was a studio capable of many things. They created System Shock. And then they created Flight Unlimited. And Terra Nova. The latter was like a bastard between the two formers. Part science fiction saga, part hardcore simulation. The player took the part of a young power armor pilot defending his home planet against an evil, totalitarian Terran government invasion. Besides some pretty great writing, the game also delivered a fun, deep and versatile simulation of mech vs. mech (and vehicular) combat. Also there were jetpacks. Never forget the jetpacks.

 

1: Mechwarrior 2 - Mercenaries

One of the earlier instances of a sequel to a sequel. Mechwarrior 2 - Mercenaries was a full new game, based on the very successful mech simulator Mechwarrior 2, adding a ton of things to an already pretty good virtual world based on the Battletech franchise. More and different ‘Mechs, much improved graphics, a campaign mode alongside an instant action mode that let the player create little missions on the fly, as well as native internet capabilities for PVP multiplayer.