Super Robot Wars may have just had its first global release with Super Robot Wars 30, but the former Asia-exclusive series spans over 30 years, with over 40 games and counting in the main series alone across a number of different platforms, as well as a variety of spin-off titles.
In addition to plenty of original characters, most of the games in the Super Robot Wars series also feature cameo appearances from mecha and characters from a variety of different media. These cameos aren't only exclusive to mecha anime either, as there are appearances from characters and vehicles from sci-fi anime, superhero anime, other video games, and even live-action tokusatsu shows and movies. Here are the best, ranked.
10 Swordfish II (Cowboy Bebop)
Why is Spike Spiegel's ship at this point on the list? Simple, it's not a robot. It's still a memorable unit because it's from one of the most well-known anime series of all time.
Making its first appearance in Super Robot Wars T, this remodeled racing ship can easily outspeed most other ships and its weapons include one missile launcher on each wing, four internally-sealed machine guns, and a plasma cannon. The Swordfish II may be small, but its speed and power can outmatch plenty of larger enemies.
9 Arcadia (Arcadia of My Youth - Endless Orbit SSX)
While its CG appearance in the 2013 Space Pirate Captain Harlock movie may be more recognizable to international fans, this galleon-inspired ship and symbol of freedom which made its first appearance in Super Robot Wars T, has become well-known for its size as well as the skull and crossbones displayed across its bow.
The Arcadia's weapon arsenal includes twin pulsar cannons, a rapid-fire gun, missile launchers, anti-aircraft beam turrets, and a large knife weapon for ramming other ships. It may not be a mecha, but its role as the main ship in one of the most influential science fiction anime series should not be downplayed.
8 Gridman (SSSS.Gridman)
Despite being heavily inspired by Transformers, with an Autobot-like appearance after combining with all four of his assist weapons, Gridman is not a robot but a hyper agent - a type of digital being, who protects the digital space from the evil technology-wrecking monsters created by Khan Digifer.
Gridman's weapons include a variety of energy beams and swords, cannons, gatling guns, missiles, and drills depending on which assist weapons he is equipped with. Gridman also happens to be the first but not only Ultra-series related unit to come to Super Robot Wars in Super Robot Wars 30.
7 Tetsujin-28 (New Tetsujin 28/ The New Adventures of Gigantor)
The successor to the original 1963 Tetsujin-28 (who has not yet appeared in Super Robot Wars), this bigger and faster model from the 1980 series is limited to more basic abilities like extreme durability and strength and relies on punches and kicks that can be enhanced when activating the rockets on its back.
New Tetsujin 28 isn't as advanced as many of the other mecha introduced both during and after its time, but its role as the successor to the forefather of the mecha anime genre makes it just as important.
6 Murasame Liger (Zoids: Genesis)
While international fans of the Zoids may be more familiar with Liger Zero from Zoids: New Century, it has not yet appeared as a unit, despite having its series represented in Super Robot Wars Operation Extend. The Murasame Liger from the Japan-only anime series Zoids: Genesis has been compared in power to the Liger Zero, however, and first appeared in Super Robot Wars K.
This Liger has a blade known as the Murasame Sword connected to a rotating arm, allowing it to attack enemies on either side of it. It also has two alternate forms, the Hayate Liger, with increased speed and a split Murasame sword on its legs, and the Mugen Liger, its most powerful form which has the murasame and mugen blades as well as a gravity cannon.
5 EVA-01 (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
First appearing in Super Robot Wars F, this monstrous mecha has become internationally recognizable due to the immense popularity of the Neon Genesis Evangelion anime and movie series.
Its abilities include impressive strength, durability, speed, forcefield generation, and a dangerous berserk mode that enhances its strength and abilities further at the cost of being able to control it. It can also wield an array of weapons including the high-frequency progressive knife and several different types of guns. It may seem less threatening than its contemporaries at first glance, but its variety of abilities help make it a terrifying force.
4 Tengen Toppa Gurren Laggan (Gurren Laggan)
Coming from one of the most popular mecha series of all time, this upgraded version of Gurren Laggan that first appeared in the second Super Robot Wars Z, is one of the largest mecha in all of anime history, and has a limitless amount of power.
The abilities of this super robot include being able to use the weapons of all connected pilots and all other Gurren Laggan forms, dimension tearing, and space-time and probability manipulation. Even if it isn't the most powerful unit in Super Robot Wars, it is still one of the most powerful mecha of all time.
3 Burning Gundam/God Gundam (Mobile Fighter G Gundam)
More of a super robot than other Gundam representatives in the series and not quite as popular as its Mobile Suit Gundam Wing counterpart, main character Domon Kasshu's upgraded mobile suit Burning Gundam made its debut in Second Super Robot Wars.
The Burning Gundam has an assortment of useful weapons equipped to it including four mounted vulcan guns, two tri-barreled machine cannons, and two beam swords. Additionally, it has a variety of energy-based attacks including the Bakunetsu God Finger and the Sekiha Tenkyouken, possibly making it one of the most powerful Gundams to appear in the series.
2 Godzilla
Although not a mech or spaceship and possibly a better fit for something like Monster Hunter, the king of the monsters made an appearance as a playable unit from a limited-time event in Super Robot Wars X-Ω. With his sharp teeth and claws, long tail, strength, and atomic breath at his disposal, he is a calamitous force to be reckoned with.
He may not be mechanical, but this kaiju's iconic status is what helps put him a cut above the rest. Godzilla isn't even the only character from his series to appear in Super Robot Wars either, bringing MechaGodzilla with him in his debut.
1 Shinka Gattai Daizyujin/Dino Megazord (Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger/Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers)
Not even the only mech from Super Sentai to be in the Super Robot Wars series, this classic combining robot featured in Super Robot Wars X-Ω has become one of the most familiar in the international pop culture lexicon thanks to the massive popularity of Power Rangers in the '90s.
The creation and appearance of Voltron (Beast King Golion in Japan) in Super Robot Wars may predate Daizyujin, but a combination of five different colored lions is pretty lame when compared to a combination of five mechs that are all different colors AND are all based on different prehistoric animals.