Bandai Namco recently revealed a brand new Gundam game called SD Gundam Battle Alliance. More Gundam games is a good thing, but SD Gundam?
At first, my reaction to the announcement was a sigh of disappointment. Not because it was a Gundam game, because I love me some Gundam. However, when it comes to SD (Super Deformed) Gundam, I just haven’t been a fan of that. Every time I see them, I think of cutesy little mecha, and Gundam isn’t supposed to be cutesy.
It’s all about battles, loss, war, and everything that goes with that. Sorry folks, I just can get onboard with Chilbi Gundam. I mean, have you not seen Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans, Mobile Suit Gundam: Thunderbolt, or Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (Double Zeta)? But if that’s your thing, there’s nothing wrong with that.
Still, after my frustrations wore off, I started looking more into the game. Gundam games have been hit or miss for the past few years, and I started growing curious about what SD Gundam Battle Alliance was going to offer.
Being the Gundam buff that I am, I’ve watched this trailer more than a few times. If you haven’t seen it, you can check it out below.
While watching the trailer, I did spy a number of familiar Gundam mobile suits. Including original RX-78-2, Unicorn Gundam, Wing Gundam, Destroy Gundam, Freedom Gundam, Shamblo (Mobile Armor, OZ-12SMS Taurus, a bunch of Zaku’s, and more. I could go on, but we’d be here for a while. Let’s just say that there’s a large number of mecha from the Mobile Suit Gundam animes that make an appearance, and I’m happy to see that.
As for what the game is all about, we know there’s both a story mode (action RPG) and a multiplayer component. The co-op gameplay will involve three units, and I’d imagine this will be online. Here’s what Bandai Namco had to say about the upcoming title:
This action RPG brings players to another world through the strange phenomenon known as “Breaks,” experiencing original works from an array of Gundam stories while striving to restore the world to normal.
From “Mobile Suit Gundam” to “Mobile Suit Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans,” SD GUNDAM BATTLE ALLIANCE encourages players to lead a 3-unit squadron to experience exciting cooperative battles with a multitude of characters and extensive mechanics. Players can experience the solo story or take advantage of each Mobile Suits’ unique strength to win the day by joining with friends. SD GUNDAM BATTLE ALLIANCE will have players battling Super Deformed (SD) versions of Mobile Suits from the Gundam series with thrilling animations in this all new epic RPG.
These “Breaks” are causing the canon of the Mobile Suit Gundam series to be changed. Legendary moments throughout Gundam history are in danger, and it will be up to the players to either prevent this from happening or reversing it. Just imagine if someone was able to change those iconic moments, such as the RX-78-2 getting off its final shot before it gets rendered useless. Or when Wing Zero delivers its final, yet massive attack against the bunker in Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz.
It’s quite a relief to know that the story looks to be on the serious side of things. A reversal of what we saw in Gundam Breakers, which focused on Gundam models or more affectionately known as Gunpla. Not taking anything away from Gunpla stories, as I adore Model Suit Gunpla Builders Beginning G, Gundam Build Fighters, and Gundam Build Fighters Try. You can keep that crap that was Gundam Build Fighters Divers, though — I wasn’t a fan of that.
I wish there was more information on the game, but I suppose we’ll see more from Bandai Namco during the upcoming Spring and Summer gaming events. I’m looking forward to checking out the game, even if it does involve Super Deformed Gundams and mobile suits.
SD Gundam Battle Alliance is currently in development for PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC and is slated for a 2022 release.
