History VideoGame / SuperRobotWarsZ

* JAMProject: Like usual, they sing the opening and ending themes to each installment
** "Crest of Z's" and "Cosmic Dance" for ''Z''
** "Noah" and "Negai" for ''Hakai-hen''
** "Hagane no Resistance" and "The Advent of Genesis" for ''Saisei-hen''

* LoopholeAbuse: Unusually, ''Jigoku-hen'' puts Heero and Chirico in Bonta-kun, despite [=SRW=] disallowing cross-series piloting. Since Bonta-kun's operator is ShapedLikeItself, complete with its own stats and Spirit Commands distinct from Sousuke, both characters appear in the same scenario using it. When Sousuke asks who its operator is, Heero or Chirico answers "I am".

* GenreSavvy: ''Anime/{{Xabungle}}'' characters, of course, along with the Siberian Railroad soldiers. Gainer, being the gamer he is, also throws in a few LampshadeHanging. For the originals, Rand shows impressive levels of this by deciding to not bother with a RunningGag, among others (despite having one major GenreBlind moment when he trusts [[ObviouslyEvil Asakim]], though he ''is'' his partner's savior at the time, thus it's a bit justified). The all-time champion, however, is The Edel Bernal, whose first action in the final battle is calling another two versions of himself, averting MookChivalry ''[[ThatOneBoss by a mile]]''.
** Before the start of scenario 59 in ''Jigoku-hen'', Alto states that if he [[LoveConfession confesses his feelings to Sheryl or Ranka]], it would be like a death sentence.

* LaughablyEvil: Jason Beck, of course. The Edel Bernal is one for the OriginalGeneration, whose GenreSavvy nature and [[AscendedFanboy eerily accurate comments to ZEUTH]] make him a rather amusing villain, leading to him being considered one of the "best" [=SRW=] villains simply due to an unabashed, unapologetic nature.

* RunningGag: Rand being called "[[RedBaron The Crusher]]" by others. Lampshaded by him repeatedly and eventually, [[GenreSavvy he gets tired of trying to object]]. Early on in ''Z'', he points out that someone was doing it just to piss him off.

[[caption-width-right:250:Old robots meet new robots in a [[MemeticMutation Storm]] of Awesome]]

[[caption-width-right:329: [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion The]] [[Anime/{{Gunbuster}} Big]] [[Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann Three]] of Creator/StudioGainax, together at last]]

[[caption-width-right:301: Make that [[{{Anime/Diebuster}} Four]] ]]

* ActionGirl: The series showcases a fair number of female ace pilots, with ladies like [[Anime/{{Gunbuster}} Noriko]], [[Anime/DancougarNova Aoi]], and [[CodeGeass Kallen]] kicking copious amounts of ass alongside the boys.

*** In the same game, Zero accidentally places a Geass on [[spoiler:Esther, after she turns into a Dimensional Beast, commanding her to stop when she attacks the [[CodeGeass Shinkirou]]]]. A few scenarios later, Crowe believes [[spoiler:Esther cannot be turned back into a human]]; when he is attacked, Zero reissues the same command he placed, [[spoiler:proving to Crowe that Esther isn't completely a Dimensional Beast, and still retains her humanity]].

** [[CodeGeass The Knights of the Round and Jeremiah Gottwald]] do appear in ''Jigoku-hen'', but are not playable. Instead, they are tasked with rescuing [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamWing Relena Peacecraft]] and other important figureheads during Scenario 49. Likewise, Athrun and Lunamaria, but are instead a ChekhovMIA. They rejoin Z-BLUE in ''Tengoku-hen'', but rendered as TheCameo for Shinn and Kira's "Destiny Combination" and "Strike Freedom Combination Assault" attacks, respectively.

* EmpoweredBadassNormal: Setsuna with the "Innovator" and [[CodeGeass Suzaku Kururugi]] with the "Curse of Geass" pilot skills, respectively. The "[[Anime/MobileSuitGundamWing Zero System]]" unit ability, however, functions more as an AmplifierArtifact.

* EpicFail: Played with - poor Lelouch is the only protagonist of a series in [=SRW=] history to miss his target and get shot down in the AttractMode of ''Hakai-hen''. In his own series, his piloting skills are mediocre, relying on ambushes, misdirection and squad tactics. In the demo roll, however, he's using a customized, obsolete [[CodeGeass Knightmare Frame]] against one of the two best pilots from ''Code Geass'' in an advanced Knightmare Frame.

* FallingIntoTheCockpit: [[AvertedTrope Averted]] with the originals; NewMeat Setsuko has military training and Rand was using the Gunleon for years prior to ''Z''. Crowe takes it further by being a [[RetiredBadass former member]] of the [[CodeGeass Britannian]] [[AcePilot Firebug Squad]]. Hibiki, however, plays this straight, as his first experience with a HumongousMecha is with the Genion.

** In ''Jigoku-hen'', a concentrated volley by [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamWingEndlessWaltz Serpents]] wipe out an entire team, save Heero and [[CodeGeass Kallen Kozuki]]. Some might wonder why [[Anime/RebuildOfEvangelion Shinji]], Rei Ayanami and Hibiki don't use their respective machines' barriers to block the attack at all.

* GuestStarPartyMember: A few in ''Hakai-hen'', such as Suzaku (who joins ZEXIS for a few scenarios at Euphemia's request, only to leave once the [[CodeGeass Special Administrative Zone incident]] occurs); [[Anime/MacrossFrontier Brera Stern]], [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamWing Zechs Marquise]], Timp, Beck, Fyana, the [[Anime/ArmoredTrooperVOTOMS Barcoff Squad]] in a flashback scenario, and [[Anime/ArmoredTrooperVOTOMS Gregor Galosh]]. Suzaku, Brera, Fyana and Gregor join ZEXIS officially in ''Saisei-hen'', while Zechs continues to be a guest. Similarly, [[Anime/DaiGuard Kokubogar]] in both games, but he never joins permanently.

*** Happens again at the end of ''Hakai-hen'': Zero orders ZEXIS to disperse and go their separate ways, as their mission to destroy Gaiou is complete. However, Lelouch is doing this because his crusade against Britannia isn't over. Again, this becomes another bad idea because the "[[CodeGeass Black Rebellion]]" fails without ZEXIS's support; the Black Knights are captured (aside from Kallen and [[CodeGeass C.C.]]), while Zero is apprehended and {{Brainwashed}}. Celestial Being and [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamWing the colony Gundams]] are promptly targeted with their protection from the United Nations revoked, rendering the former nearly wiped out, with the ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundam00 Ptolemaios]]'' battleship and most of its Gundams destroyed, and scattering the colony Gundams. The ZEXIS forces on the Dark Continent are understaffed and unable to stop [[Manga/GetterRobo Professor Saotome]]. ZEUTH Gundam pilots are forced to turn to the Organization of Zodiac for protection and shelter, and the rest of the ADW is helpless to stop the rise of the A-LAWS and the hegemony by [[Anime/MobileSuitGundam00 Ribbons Almark]].

The first ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars'' title to be created under Creator/NamcoBandai, ''Super Robot Wars Z'' broke certain precedents and traditions: for example, the number of new series is more than any previous [=SRW=]. Released in 2008, you play as either Rand Travis, a wandering repairman/mechanic, who's partnered with the young Mel Beater, or Setsuko Ohara, a member of "Glory Star", a small military squadron in the [[Anime/MobileSuitGundam Earth Federation]], alongside teammates Denzel Hammer and Toby Watson, as they are pulled through many conflicts.

** During the first battle with [[Anime/GetterRobo Shin Dragon]] in ''Hakai-Hen'', the Getter Team split into their respective Getter Machines, then combine with spare Getter Machines to form Getter-1, 2, and 3 respectively. They then link the three Getter Reactors together to fire a supercharged Getter Beam. This exact move was used during ''Crater Battle'', a prequel manga to ''Getter Robo Armageddon''.

** The "Double Shine Spark" performed by the [[Anime/GetterRobo Shin Dragon]] in ''Tengoku-hen'' looks like the same gesture the [[Anime/GetterRobo Getter Dragon]] in the first game when the latter uses the "Shine Spark" attack.

* When [[Anime/RebuildOfEvangelion Kaworu]] hears [[Anime/{{Macross 7}} Basara]]'s song, he comments "as always, a good song", implying that he's the same Kaworu as the one in ''[[VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsAlpha Alpha 3]]'', who's the same as the one in ''[[VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsMX MX]]'', continuing the tradition of implying that every Kaworu in every SRW game is the same person.

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: If the player chooses the ZAFT Route at around Scenario 45 of ''Z'', Haman simply [[LostForever vanishes from the plot after a certain point]]. [[spoiler:Fortunately, this doesn't happen if the player manages to take the ZEUTH Route, where she's playable]]. However, [[TheBusCameBack she's back]] for ''Jigoku-hen''.

[[caption-width-right:250:Old robots meet new robots in a [[MemeticMutation Storm]] of [[SoCoolItsAwesome Awesome]]]]

* XMeetsY: Due to the nature of multiple universes, different incarnations of the same person and the merging of dimensions into one, the ''Z'' series is effectively ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars'' meets ''ComicBook/CrisisOnInfiniteEarths''.

** There is a chance Sandman in ''Z'' when using the [[Anime/{{Gravion}} God Sigma Gravion]] will say "I have no name to give to the likes of you!", just like a certain character from ''MachineRobo''. This is repeated in ''Hakai-hen'' when he squares off against PMC soldiers who attempt to take Eida and her manager in.

** In a quit game skit, Koji tells Shinji how he's looking forward to [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion becoming a pilot]] and fighting along side him, Shinji tells him that he doesn't get to pilot [[Anime/RebuildOfEvangelion this time]], much to his shock. This may also be a reference to how he survived his encounter with Bardiel intact in VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsAlpha and VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsMX and became a playable character.

** [[spoiler:The contents of the [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamUnicorn Laplace's Box]] is not ''just'' the original charter of the Universal Century. It also contains a video recording by Elgan that reveals Chronos and Sidereal's manipulation of humanity.]]

** [[spoiler:Whatever the contents of the [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamUnicorn Laplace's Box]] are, it isn't the original charter to the Earth Federation regarding autonomy of the space colonies, since it's useless in the combined world of ''Jigoku-hen''. In ''Tengoku-hen'', Elgan's video is part of the contents of the Box itself, set up whenever it's opened to start broadcasting to the world with the help of [[Anime/MobileSuitGundam00 VEDA]]]].

* GambitPileup: The plot of ''Z'' can be summarized as the separate and intricate machinations of the Chimera, [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEEDDestiny Durandal]], Lord Djibril, [[Anime/MobileSuitZetaGundam Scirocco]], Haman, [[Anime/AfterWarGundamX the Frost Brothers]], [[[[Anime/TurnAGundam Gym]], [[Anime/EurekaSeven Dewey Novak]], [[Anime/TheBigO Alex Rosewater]], [[Anime/OvermanKingGainer the Siberian Railroad Company]], [[Anime/GenesisOfAquarion the Shadow Angels]], [[Manga/GetterRobo the Hundred Demon Empire]], the [[Anime/SuperDimensionCenturyOrguss Chirams]] and the alien alliance of the [[Anime/UFORoboGrendizer Vegan Empire]], Gaizok, Zeravire, [[Anime/GodSigma Elda]] and the [[Anime/SpaceWarriorBaldios Aldebaron Army]] all barreling towards each other at breakneck speeds, [[spoiler:which is exactly what The Edel Bernal wants]].

** The subtitles for these games use common Japanese words, but with one kanji altered to change the meaning: ''Hakai'' goes from "destruction" (破壊) to "break world" (破界), ''Saisei'' from "rebirth" (再生) to "regen world" (再世), and ''Jigoku'' goes from "Hell" (地獄) to "time prison" (時獄), ''Tengoku'' goes from "Heaven" (天国) to "celetial prison" (天獄). Crosses with BilingualBonus for non-Japanese fans.

* ThePsychoRangers: ''Z: Special Disk'' gives us "Death Squad 13", Edel Bernal's attempt at forming a ZEUTH-style RagtagBunchOfMisfits. It begins as a unit composed of [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED Phantom Pain]] and Titans members under the orders of Neo Roanoke, then gains more members from mercenaries like Timp or Jason Beck, and others like the Frost Brothers and Gym tagging along for fun. It doesn't work nearly as well (most members are nuts, after all) and the squad ends up disbanded without ever meeting ZEUTH in combat once.

* RecurringBoss: Jason Beck appears in all ''Z'' installments, essentially the ''Alpha'' equivalent of [[Anime/MobileSuitZetaGundam Yazan Gable]]. CastingGag ensues as both characters are [[Creator/HochuOtsuka voiced by the same person]]. Note, however, that you don't fight him in Hakai-hen; he's actually a one-time ally there.

** The subtitles for these games use common Japanese words, but with one kanji altered to change the meaning: ''Hakai'' goes from "destruction" (破壊) to "break world" (破界), ''Saisei'' from "rebirth" (再生) to "regen world" (再世), and ''Jigoku'' goes from "Hell" (地獄) to "time prison" (時獄). Crosses with BilingualBonus for non-Japanese fans.

** In the case of ''Grendizer'', some fans believe it's not in ''Hakai-hen'' due to ''Battle of the Flying Saucers'' potentially being part of the line-up ''Saisei-hen'' (both shows are created by GoNagai, with the latter considered a prototype for the former). Once ''Saisei-hen'' was revealed, Banpresto stated they apparently forgot about ''Grendizer''.

** Any originals and series not returning in the ''Second Z'' are directly referenced, although the only series that don't come back are ''Mazinger Z'', ''Grendizer'', ''Getter Robo G'' and ''Eureka Seven'' TV series. One example includes Kamille asking the current Kouji how [[Anime/UFORoboGrendizer Duke Fleed]] and [[Anime/GreatMazinger Tetsuya Tsurugi]] are doing, before realizing this Kouji has never met them. [[spoiler:In regards to ''Eureka Seven'', its ADW-counterpart being different becomes a PlotPoint]]. Still, it helps prevent the problem that was present in the ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsAlpha'' games, where a series appearing in one game and didn't appear in subsequent ones (''GiantRobo'' and ''Anime/BrainPowerd'') aren't mentioned at all, as if they were ExiledFromContinuity.

* FlameWar: Have an urgent need for supernova-grade heat? Go on a forum (preferably GameFAQs) and ask the dreaded question "Who's better: Rand or Setsuko?" or just mention them both in the same sentence and hide in a nuclear shelter.

*** In the same game, Zero accidentally places a Geass on [[spoiler:Esther, after she turns into a Dimensional Beast, commanding her to stop when she attacks the [[CodeGeass Shinkirou]]]]. A few scenarios later, Crowe believes [[spoiler:Esther cannot be turned back into a human]]; when he is attacked, Zero reissues the same command he placed, [[spoiler:proving to Crowe Esther isn't completely a Dimensional Beast, and still retains her humanity]].

** In ''Saisei-hen'', the Nu Gundam gets a new attack that involves GoodOldFisticuffs, with its "[[ThereIsNoKillLIkeOverkill Dynamic Kill]]" closing with a barrage of vulcan firepower[[note]]Traditionally, vulcans on a Franchise/{{Gundam}} in [=SRW=] are its weakest weapons[[/note]].

** Suberted with Orion in ''Rengoku-hen'' who has impressive stats, the "Genius" pilot skill[[note]]Increase accuracy, critical hit and evasion rates by 20%[[/note]] and gains the "Soul" Spirit Command at level 30. [[spoiler:While Orion turns out to be [[Characters/SuperRobotWarsZ Barbiel the Needle]] in disguise, he only does his FaceHeelTurn at the end of ''Rengoku-hen'']].

** Dai-Guard in ''Hakai-hen'' due to Shunsuke's "Salaryman" pilot skill[[note]]Upon level up, for every 10 enemy units destroyed or completing the map, pilot earns +3 Pilot Points[[/note]].

** Though they survived the events of the ''Second Z'', [[spoiler:[[Anime/ArmoredTrooperVOTOMS Fyana]] and [[Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann Kittan]]]] in ''Jigoku-hen''. The former is DemotedToExtra for the game and dies on cue for ''Shining Heresey'', while the latter dies before the final scenario. Ultimatly averted with the former in ''Tengoku-Hen''.

** In an interesting nod, during the "[[Anime/MacrossFrontier Seikan Hikou]]" event, [[Anime/GenesisOfAquarion Apollo]] gets into the song so much he almost wants to do the memetic "KIRA ☆!" bit from it. In ''[[VideoGame/AnotherCenturysEpisode Another Century's Episode: R'', where ''Genesis of Aquarion'' and ''Macross Frontier'' are in the game, Apollo repeats this line near-verbatim during the same event.

* GambitPileup: The plot of ''Z'' can be summarized as the separate and intricate machinations of the Chimera, Durandal, [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEEDDestiny Lord Djibril]], Scirocco, Haman, [[Anime/AfterWarGundamX the Frost Brothers]], Gym, [[Anime/EurekaSeven Dewey Novak]], [[Anime/TheBigO Alex Rosewater]], [[Anime/OvermanKingGainer the Siberian Railroad Company]], [[Anime/GenesisOfAquarion the Shadow Angels]], [[Manga/GetterRobo the Hundred Demon Empire]], the [[Anime/SuperDimensionCenturyOrguss Chirams]] and the alien alliance of the [[Anime/UFORoboGrendizer Vegan Empire]], Gaizok, Zeravire, [[Anime/GodSigma Elda]] and the [[Anime/SpaceWarriorBaldios Aldebaron Army]] all barreling towards each other at breakneck speeds, [[spoiler:which is exactly what The Edel Bernal wants]].
** Goes UpToEleven in ''Hakai-hen'' by adding in Lelouch, [[Anime/MobileSuitGundam00 Ribbons Almark]], Treize, and [[Anime/MacrossFrontier Grace O'Connor]], not to mention the team of [[SpannerInTheWorks spanners]] that comprise the entirety of Team Dai-Gurren. Then ''Saisei-hen'' introduces the [[KnightTemplar Anti]]-[[EldritchAbomination Spirals]]...

** In ''Jigoku-hen'', a concentrated volley by [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamWingEndlessWaltz Serpents]] wipe out an entire team, save Heero and [[CodeGeass Kallen Kozuki]]. Some might wonder why Shinji, [[Anime/RebuildOfEvangelion Rei Ayanami]] and Hibiki don't use their respective machines' barriers to block the attack at all.