Ah – The Mech. Mecha. Giant Robot. Android. Many names, one genre. There is something about Mecha games that draws anime fans, teens and the general action gamer. Is it the guaranteed over sized guns, huge explosions, awesome battles or a combination of the above?

Being a gamer since the days of the Atari 2600(and yes, I still have it) I’ve seen MANY different types of games come and go. Some successful, some not so successful. Some games just blew me away, some left me crying for more. Not all mecha games featured giant robots, huge explosions or oversized guns – but they got the job done regardless. This list is my top 10 picks in the Mecha genre of gaming, dating from the 1980’s to present.

#10: RoboCop Versus The Terminator (SNES/Genesis)

First on the list is one of the greatest cyber-matchups of all time: Robocop vs The Terminator. Several versions of this title were released, but the best two were the SNES and Genesis versions. The SNES version had a harder difficulty, better graphics and better sounds. The Genesis version, however, had numerous codes to unlock various things, among them an “uncensoring code”, allowing blood and women to be featured in the game, something the SNES version did not require as it was completely uncensored.

Frank Miller did the original 4 issue comic book which is where the games spawned from. There were SNES, Genesis, Game Boy, Game Gear & Master System releases, with a NES version that was cancelled. The best version overall was the SNES, as it had comic book-like panels explaining the story as you cleared the stages – something the other versions lacked. If you like Robocop OR Terminator, check this one out. Shame the movie crossover they had planned never went into production. Maybe now with all of these crossover movies….

#9: Crystal Mines (NES)

An unknown, unlicensed game released by Color Dreams in 1989, Crystal Mines was a puzzle game. You controlled the CM-205 Mining Robot and directed it thru massive cavrens under the surface of an unnamed planet that you have been given the right to mine from.

The story is extremely simplistic, but the game features 100 levels of hectic puzzle solving. In short, you had to go thru each level, collect all of the crystals then find the exit, WHILE avoiding creatures, natural hazards(like lava, falling boulders and so on) and finding some secret stuffs along the way. The game was incredibly hard yet I found myself playing it for hours, just to see how far I could get. Crystal Mines is now a sort of collector’s item, if you have a copy in the original factory wrap – again being an unlicensed game, it’s a rare find, and one that is still in the factory wrap even rarer.

#8: BattleTech: The Crescent Hawk’s Inception (PC)

Battletech: The Crescent Hawks Inception is an early Action/RPG set in the Mechwarrior/Battletech universe and takes place roughly 30 – 40 years prior to the events of MW3 and later titles. The game starts you off as a Mech pilot in training, and after a few training missions, you get some not-so-friendly visitors while you’re in the training yard. 9 times out of 10 you get your Mech shot out from under you, and you have to make your way, on foot, to the nearest city to plan your next moves.

The game was incredibly complex for it’s time, yet simple by today’s standards. The controls are also extremely simple – the arrow keys and spacebar do all the work for you. This was also the game that spawned the homebrew Mechwar, a computerized version of the original miniatures game, due to Battletech’s popularity. The second game released under the Battletech name, The Crescent Hawk’s revenge, was a top-down strategy game, but also worth checking out. Graphics and sound effects are subpar, but the story will keep you in your computer chair for hours as you try to figure out your next move.

#7: Cybernator (SNES)

One of the few non-Contra Konami titles that I enjoy to this day, Cybernator put you in charge of the Mobile Assault Suit – a towering robot, armed to the teeth with machine guns, a missile launcher, a laser, a secret “napalm gun”, a shield and also the ability to throw a massive metal sucker punch when in close combat. Like Metal Storm, the bosses are usually at least 4 times the size of the character, making for some exciting battles.

The story is somewhat subpar though – a civil war over resources between the Axis and Federation.They never really touch on the background, just a brief explaniation of “the story so far”. The game DOES feature two different endings – one bad and one good, depending on how you finish a mission(there are two missions that you could “fail” yet still move onto the next stage). The game is actually the second one in the “Assault Suits” series in Japan, Leynos being first(Target Earth in the US-Sega Genesis) and Valken(Cybernator-SNES) taking place 10 years later. Overall the game is well worth a try – it’s avaliable on the Wii Virtual Console as of this past December. Sadly, Cybernator is the second and final game in the Assault Suits series to make it to the US – the other three titles in the series are Japan-only releases.

#6: MechWarrior (SNES)

The second of three Mechwarrior/Battletech games on this list, this is the one that introduced me to the world of Battletech. This is also one of the earliest “mech simulators” that was available for consoles, as the game takes place entirely from a first person perspective. When a mission starts, you are dropped from the dropship, you land, and your first sight is of the battlefield from your Mech’s “windshield”. Although I have never seen the Mech designs in this game listed in any of the RPG books or other Mechwarrior/Battletech games, they do the job nicely.

For it’s time, the graphics and sound effects were excellent, and it had a battery backup feature to save your progress. The story was one of revenge – your family was killed, a valuable heirloom stolen, and a single clue to send you on your journey of vengence. The game’s difficulty is well adjusted, so you are not in over your head too soon. You DO have a few chances to continue even if you fail your mission, although it seems to be somewhat random. Despitew this, Mechwarrior is an excellent title, and one I suggest Mecha fans try at least once…provided you can forgive the dated graphics and sound effects.

#5: MechWarrior 3 (PC)

Mechwarrior 3 – The first “modern” MW game. Forget Mechassault – try piloting your Mech while hoards of enemies are firing at you constantly with a larger variety of weapons. Sadly this was the last MW game released for the PC that allowed complete customization, thus staying true to it’s pen and paper RPG roots. You could add literally ANY weapon you came acorss to your Mech or your lancemate’s Mechs…provided you do not make yourself overweight.

Like Mechassault, the Mechs come in four classes – Light, Medium, Heavy and Assault. However, you have to balance your weapons, ammo stores, heat and armor – no “infinite ammo” here. Mechwarrior 3 has a great story, excellent visuals and easy to learn controls and also features a multiplayer feature. Gamespy still has a decent number of people who log into their service to play this via multiplayer, proving that a great game can and will stand the test of time.

#4: Metal Storm (NES)

Metal Storm is a lesser known release, despite being on the cover of the March 1991 Issue of Nintendo Power. This game featured an ability that was unheard of at that time – the ability to alter gravity. As I soon learned, it was a necessary feature to master, as the game levels required you, at times, to “jump” onto the ceiling to bypass a nasty hazard.

The artwork in the game itself STILL amazes me – the backgrounds and foregrounds are drawn at different speeds, for lack of a better term, to give an illusion of depth. The character design is also amazing for it’s time although the sound effects could have been a bit better. The bosses, however, remind me of Contra – small character, HUGE BOSS. The game is really challenging, and a tad fustrating at times, but it is definetly one of the best lesser known games in the NES library. Irem did an amazing job with this game, and I for one an extremely glad that they had it ported to the US.

#3: Mega Man X Collection (PS2)

Everyone remembers the Blue bomber, Megaman(or Rockman, if you’re in Japan). While the original series had a cutesy feeling to it, that feeling was completely destroyed upon the release of the original Megaman X. I mean, what Megaman game prior to the release of MMX had the opening stage as a battleground, while people are fleeing past you in cars? Capcom took the greatness of the MM series, set it about 100 years into the future and turned the story from a kiddy-cutesy story to one of complete seriousness.

They also have maintained the link between MM and MMX – Dr. Light, as we learned in MMX1, created X. In MMX4, we are given a STRONG hint that Zero is the creation of Dr. Wily. And like Wily, Sigma seems to keep returning from robot hell – although being a robot, it’s easier to understand than how Wily survived all of those giant blocks falling on him at the end of most of the MM games. Great story, great plot and character development through the series…AND great graphics for it’s time – all the things that make a great game AND a great series.

#2: Armored Core (PS)

Armored Core – the very name runs shivers down the spines of most action gamers these games. ‘From Software’ did an incredible job when they first made this game – complete customization, hidden parts, a compelling story(which slightly altered, depending on which corporation you worked for, although the ending was the same).

Armored Core gave us Mecha fans what we’ve ALWAYS wanted in a console Mech game – customizable robots, huge weapons and one heck of a challenge. While I have to admit that the later games(with the exception of AC4, IMO) are better at graphics, sound and so on, the original is the one that started it and started the “AC Fever”. An under-the-radar title that had a 2 level demo on a demo disc that came with the now defunct Official US Playstation Magazine, Armored Core was the preverbal random bullet that struck home. Although the series is up to AC4, there have been a total of 12 AC titles released for consoles to date, sort of stand alone expansions to the previous titles that allowed you to carry over your AC creation to the next title. Although this was impossible with some of the titles, due to graphical improvements and software design, it ensured that for the most part you wouldn’t be starting from scratch with the next AC title. Although a good number of people feel that the From Software/Sega teamup messed up AC4, the series is still awesome, delivering great battles, great graphics and a whole lotta bang for your buck.

#1: Steel Battalion (XBOX)

The grandmaster of all Mecha games – packaged with a massive controller that includes foot pedals, this is the closest any of us will ever get to piloting an actual war robot. Steel Battalion is well known but not as well owned – the limited production and $300 price tag did not allow everyone to purchase one. The game features awesome customization and requires a bit of strategy – certain weapons can only be mounted on certain VTs, forcing the player to decide what to equip as well as what type of VT to take.

The game itself is amazing – you can hear the leg joints straining as you try to run uphill, the sounds of small caliber bullets bouncing off of the armor, the rush of flame from the power plant if you get your VT shot out from under you, causing your fingers to fumble flipping off the cover for the Eject Button. Add in incredible difficulty, and the fact that if you run out of supply points, or are killed while on a mission, you have to restart the game from the beginning(yes, your save file is erased at the beginning of each mission) you have one heck of a great game on your hands. If you can master Steel Battalion, then you are, quite simply, a gaming god.

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A few notable mentiones include Mechassault, Metal Warriors, Terminator 3: The Redemption, Crazy Ivan and Metal Marines. Although these titles did not make the list, they are also excellent games and are worth trying at least once. I know some of you won’t agree with me on this list in part OR in full, but everyone has their own opinion – this is merely mine.