"Robots" are one of the classic genres in anime and video games. Robots in these works come in a wide variety of forms—from giant piloted models to autonomous ones that seem to possess a will of their own, to cute, mascot-like types—and each has its own unique appeal.
The [Gemspa Robo Game Catalog] is a series designed to introduce gamers to wonderful robot games from all eras and regions. For this special edition, we’ll be highlighting some intriguing robot games that were on display at the “Tokyo Game Show 2026,” held at Makuhari Messe starting September 17.
『GUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT』: The Exhilarating Action Is a Blast!
First up is the action game 『GUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT』, scheduled for release on March 5, 2027, which received its world-first playable demo at the Bandai Namco Entertainment booth.
Set in a scenario where players take on the role of a Gundam pilot to confront threats from beyond the solar system, this title generated a lot of buzz when it was first announced.
During this hands-on session, we were able to choose from three different equipment sets for the protagonist’s mobile suit, the “Gundam Helix,” to tackle a mission.
For this playtest, I deployed with the top option, the “Assault Sword Assembly.” The mission begins with a scene where the protagonist, “Rex,” and his partner, “Haro V,” board the mobile suit and take off.
The game uses a third-person shooter (TPS) perspective, and players defeat enemies within the stage by using light and heavy attacks, shooting, dodging, and jumping.There are also mechanics like “Tactical Skills” and “Tactical Moves,” which can be activated with button combinations, as well as “Apocalypse Units” that deploy unique equipment, allowing you to easily pull off flashy attacks and combos with simple controls.
As you explore the map alongside your wingman, defeating minor enemies and progressing through the stage, the boss, Giganto, awaits you deep within. In boss battles, you can destroy the enemy’s body parts by concentrating your attacks on them, and by attacking the parts while they’re regenerating, you can deal massive damage.
Additionally, once the gauge fills up, the protagonist’s mobile suit can activate “OVER-RISE” to temporarily enhance its capabilities. With its mobility—leveraging jumps and boosts—and controls that let you unleash powerful attacks with ease, the game is easy to play as an action title and offers a truly thrilling experience.
*GUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT* is scheduled for release on March 5, 2027, for PC (Steam), PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
“Omega Pheonix”: A Highly Anticipated High-Speed Shoot ’em Up
Next up is the high-speed mecha shooter “OMEGA PHENEX COMMENCED PROJECT SIX” (hereinafter “Omega Pheenix”), developed by the independent studio Surume Kobo.
We’ve covered this title in this series before and even conducted a development interview; it was also showcased at “SELECTED INDIE 80,” an event featuring noteworthy indie games.
Influenced by titles such as *Armored Core: For Answer* and the *Ace Combat* series, this game has players taking on a variety of missions in the “Icarus,” a mech boasting incredible mobility. During the hands-on demo, players engage in combat against waves of enemy units in a specially prepared mission.
In addition to being able to use four types of weapons—two on each hand and two on each shoulder—this mission reportedly features new weapons that weren’t available in previous playtests. Combat while moving at high speed is exhilarating, and firing a barrage of missiles after locking onto targets is truly fun!
By racking up kills, you can activate “Overdrive” to temporarily power up your mech.As someone who had previously played the beta version, I gave it my all, but I couldn’t quite handle the onslaught of enemy attacks and was unfortunately eliminated…! The booth also featured combat missions against powerful enemies, and the atmosphere was always buzzing with excitement from players both in Japan and abroad.
“Omega Fenix” has garnered significant attention, raising over three times its crowdfunding goal. Developer Surume Manju has resigned from his previous job to devote himself fully to game development starting in August 2026. He conveyed a passionate determination regarding the game’s future direction!
Scheduled for release on PC (Steam) in 2027, the game is also planned for console release. This is definitely one to keep an eye on.
Huge! High-Speed! Racing & Battle: “Project Gears”
Last but not least is the action game “Project Gears” from publisher Swaps4 Productions and developer Three Gears. Panels featuring the main characters were also on display at the booth. Yeah, they’re huge!
The game is a “belt-driving” action title that combines side-scrolling with racing elements. Driven by a desire for revenge, the protagonist powers up the engine and motors mounted on their chest to battle through streets filled with violence and chaos.
By managing your speed gauge and attacking enemies while accelerating or drifting, you can deal massive damage. Also, shifting into a higher gear while accelerating lets you move faster, but it reduces the power of your attacks. Since each area of the stages is timed by “lap time,” clearing them as quickly as possible is crucial.
During the demo, I played as “Engine Heart,” one of the protagonists. The graphics have a slightly retro style, and the animations for acceleration, drifting, and attacks have a nostalgic feel to them! While it was a bit tricky to get the timing right for attacks coming out of a drift at first, once I got the hang of it, I could blow enemies away in one go—it was incredibly satisfying.
In the final boss battle, I had to watch out for the opponent’s counters while landing powerful, high-speed strikes.
I managed to defeat the boss despite taking a few hits in return, and my final rating was “C.” I want to get better at this… (I’m generally not very good at racing games)! There were also pit stops along the way, where I could change equipment and refuel.
It features unique action mechanics and charming characters. While a release date hasn’t been set yet, I’m looking forward to seeing how this develops!
From the highly anticipated new “Gundam” game to the buzzworthy indie mecha title and the must-watch high-speed action game, I’ve introduced three robot games, each with its own unique charm.
I was particularly impressed by how well they all handled, and I’m thrilled to have felt the developers’ passion for robotics so strongly!
![From the latest “Gundam” game to the buzzworthy shoot ’em up and mecha-girl action titles—they’re all here! 3 Must-See Robot Game Titles at “TGS 2026” [Gemspa Super Robot Game Catalog Special Edition]](/imgs/p/_zOaUlRqojxBw0ee6C2849PQ-N8W3dzb2tnY/22256.jpg)
