Chou Super Robot Wars Æ

Chou Super Robot Wars Æ (超ちょう スーパーロボット 大たい 戦せん Æアッシュ) is a crossover mecha tactical role-playing/fighting game developed by B.B. Studio and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment for the Nintendo Switch. It was released alongside Project X Zone III: War of Infinite Worlds – Ultimate Edition in Japan on June 1, 2020 and in Asian territories on December 15, 2020 as part of 65th anniversary of Bandai Namco. A side-story of Project X Zone 3: War of Infinite Worlds, developed by the same crew a year after the release of its Ultimate Version, the game marks the first time the series crosses over to various video games franchises such as Capcom's Tech Romancer, Nintendo's Xenoblade Chronicles, Namco's Xenosaga, Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog and many more.

The game was a commercial and critical success, having shipped 300,000 units in the first month of Japanese release and sold 3 million by the end of the year, being one of the highest-selling games in the Super Robot Wars franchise.

The Æ in the title stands for Æon/Aeon/Eon and the game's catchphrase is “The great war of giants of metal, transcending through eons” (時代Æon に超越する、金属の巨人達の戦).

A sequel and updated version on the PlayStation 4 would be released a year later under the name Chou Super Robot Wars M.

Production
On June 13, 2019, Sam Imbecile, one of the head writers and developers of Project X Zone 3, stated in E3 2019 that his next game project was a midquel to Project X Zone III where its story takes place during the events of the game. He also stated that it would be as large as the massive crossover game.

On September 6, Sam posted in Twitter: "My next game project? Think of it as Super Robot Wars on steroids, ecstasy, meth, acid, viagra and cocaine." and it became most liked and re-tweeted post of the year. As such, fans of Super Robot Wars and mecha anime in general were excited to see a new game in the series where it coincides with the events of Project X Zone 3.

Two weeks later, Sam announced the release of the new SRW game which was originally the same date of release as Project X Zone III: Ultimate Edition. However, just like the case of Project X Zone 3, he had to research and marathon every anime in the mecha genre so that he could write the story of the next game, as well as play every single important Super Robot Wars game from the first to the latest. Therefore, the game became two separate ports: one to be released for the Nintendo Switch alongside the PXZ3 Ultimate Edition and a PlayStation 4 port for the Super Robot Wars' 30th anniversary.

Gameplay
Like the previous titles of the series, Chou Super Robot Wars Æ is a tactical RPG game with story elements and utilizes the same graphics engine seen in 3rd Super Robot Wars Z, Super Robot Wars V & Super Robot Wars X, but with an inclusion of a 3D isometric map unlike its predecessor.

Plot
Taking place during the events of Project X Zone 3, various worlds across the Multiverse are slowly being destroyed one by one and countless millions of lives lost in the crossfire with the suspicion that a great evil is responsible for this.

Ten years after Unicron's empire of Decepticons laid waste upon Cybertron and forced the Autobots to flee their destroyed homeworld, Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots, along with his comrades who were scattered across the galaxy seeking for a new planet, visit Earth… along with a wandering seemingly-almighty source of power called the AllSpark.

Meanwhile, in the Land of Light, the Father of Ultra observes the situation of what's happening with the Multiverse and understands that the problem is probably the gravest and most dangerous anyone will ever face, so he sends his sons Taro and Leo, as well Seven, Astra and 80, to summon a grand alliance of heroes from any world they could find that had not been ravaged by the Genocide of Heroes.

After some time, a grand alliance of good is formed from the heroes of ten Earths: Time begins to run out for the Earths in both the past and the future while in the present, the Father of Ultra tells the heroes of his plan to halt the approaching antimatter waves by transporting them to various times in various Earths where they help the Ultras build Time-Space Towers by harnessing the power and technology of the AllSpark that are to be activated to save reality.
 * Earth-35 (Universal Century Earth);
 * Earth-6C7G (Cosmic Era Earth);
 * Earth-A509 (Anno Domini Earth);
 * Earth-9909 (After Colony Earth);
 * Earth-8334209 (Post Disaster Earth);
 * Earth-123P (Build Fighters Earth);
 * Earth-007F (After War Earth);
 * Earth-10O8 (Regild Century Earth);
 * Earth-233 (Advanced Generation Earth); and
 * Earth-ZY48 (Future Century Earth).

More to be added…

Series Included

 * Banpresto Originals
 * Super Robot Wars OG Original Generation
 * 2nd Super Robot Wars OG
 * Super Robot Wars OG Saga: Endless Frontier
 * Super Robot Wars F
 * Super Robot Wars F Final
 * Super Robot Wars MX
 * Super Robot Wars A
 * 3rd Super Robot Wars Alpha: To the End of the Galaxy
 * Super Robot Wars X-Ω
 * Super Robot Wars Impact
 * Project X Zone 2: Brave New World
 * Project X Zone 3: War of Infinite Worlds
 * Xenosaga
 * Idolmaster: Xenoglossia
 * Super Machine Zambot 3
 * The Unchallengeable Daitarn 3
 * Invincible Robo Trider G7
 * Invincible King Tri-Zenon
 * Combat Mecha Xabungle
 * Gad Guard
 * Brave Raideen
 * Aura Battler Dunbine
 * Chōdenji Robo Combattler V
 * Chōdenji Machine Voltes V
 * Tōshō Daimos
 * Heavy Metal L-Gaim
 * Chikyū Bōei Kigyou Dai-Guard
 * Mobile Suit Gundam
 * Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory
 * Mobile Suit Gundam F91
 * Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
 * Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ
 * Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack
 * Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway's Flash
 * Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam
 * Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam: Skull Heart
 * Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam: The Steel 7
 * Mobile Fighter G Gundam
 * New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz
 * After War Gundam X
 * Turn A Gundam
 * Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny
 * Mobile Suit Gundam 00 the Movie: A Wakening of the Trailblazer
 * Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn
 * Gundam Build Fighters
 * Gundam Build Fighters Try
 * Gundam Reconguista in G
 * Mobile Suit Gundam AGE (Third Generation~Forth Generation)
 * Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt
 * Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin
 * Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans
 * Brave Exkaiser
 * The Brave Fighter of Sun Fighbird
 * The Brave Fighter of Legend Da-Garn
 * The Brave Express Might Gaine
 * The King of Braves Gaogaigar
 * The King of Braves Gaogaigar FINAL
 * Mashin Hero Wataru
 * Six God Combination Godmars
 * Space Runaway Ideon
 * New Tetsujin-28
 * Dancouga - Super Beast Machine God
 * Jūsō Kikō Dancouga Nova
 * Armored Fleet Dairugger XV
 * Metal Armor Dragonar
 * GEAR Fighter Dendoh
 * Super Heavy God Gravion
 * Super Heavy God Gravion Zwei
 * Gamera: Guardian of the Universe
 * Gamera 2: Attack of Legion
 * Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris
 * Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse
 * My-HiME
 * Martian Successor Nadesico: The Motion Picture – Prince of Darkness
 * Martian Successor Nadesico: The Blank of 3 Years
 * Gekiganger III
 * Panzer World Galient
 * E.X. Troopers
 * Mega Man Legends
 * Cyberbots: Fullmetal Madness
 * Tech Romancer
 * Getter Robo Armageddon
 * Koutetsushin Jeeg
 * True Mazinger Edition Z: The Impact!
 * True Mazinger ZERO
 * True Mazinger ZERO vs. Great General of Darkness
 * God Mazinger
 * Mazinkaiser
 * Mazinkaiser SKL
 * UFO Robot Grendizer
 * Gaiking: Legend of Daiku-Maryu
 * Kishin Houkō Demonbane
 * Guilty Crown
 * Hades Project Zeorymer
 * The King of Monsters
 * The King of Monsters 2: The Next Thing
 * Godzilla
 * Godzilla vs. Megalon
 * Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla (1974)
 * Godzilla 1985
 * Godzilla vs. Biollante
 * Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla (1993)
 * Super Godzilla
 * Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla
 * Godzilla vs. Destoroyah
 * Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla
 * Godzilla: Final Wars
 * Godzilla (2014)
 * Shin Godzilla
 * Kong: Skull Island
 * Godzilla: Monster Planet
 * Godzilla: Battle Mobile Breeding City
 * Godzilla: King of the Monsters
 * Godzilla vs. Kong
 * Heroman
 * Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion
 * Shishunki Bishōjo Gattai Robo Z-MIND
 * Psycho Armor Govarian
 * Giant Gorg
 * Zoids: Chaotic Century
 * Zoids: New Century
 * Strain: Strategic Armored Infantry
 * IS: Infinite Stratos
 * High School DxD
 * High School DxD New
 * High School DxD BorN
 * High School DxD Hero
 * Tekkaman Blade
 * Tekkaman Blade II
 * Golden Warrior Gold Lightan
 * Matchless Raijin-Oh
 * Full Metal Panic!
 * Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu
 * Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid
 * Full Metal Panic! (Light Novels)
 * Doraemon: Nobita and the New Steel Troops: ~Winged Angels~
 * Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love?
 * Macross 7
 * Macross Dynamite 7
 * Macross Frontier
 * The False Songstress
 * Wings of Goodbye
 * Macross Delta
 * Super Dimensional Century Orguss
 * Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross
 * Ambassador Magma
 * Dinosaur War Izenborg
 * Spectreman
 * Ultraman
 * Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy Legend The Movie
 * Ultraman Zero: Revenge of Belial
 * Ultraman Saga
 * Ultraman Ginga
 * Ultra Fight Victory
 * Ultraman X
 * Ultraman Orb
 * Ultraman Geed
 * Jumborg Ace
 * Kamen Rider
 * Kamen Rider J
 * Kamen Rider Den-O
 * Super Sentai
 * Battle Fever J
 * Chōdenshi Bioman
 * Chōjū Sentai Liveman
 * Kyoryū Sentai Zyuranger
 * Bakuryū Sentai Abaranger
 * Tokusō Sentai Dekaranger
 * Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger
 * Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger
 * Uchū Sentai Kyuranger
 * Metal Hero
 * Space Sheriff Gavan
 * Space Sheriff Sharivan
 * Space Sheriff Shaider
 * B-Fighter Kabuto
 * Genesis of Aquarion
 * Aquarion EVOL
 * Aquarion Logos
 * Expelled from Paradise
 * Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
 * Attack on Titan
 * Keroro Gunsou
 * Haja-Taisei Dangaioh
 * Front Mission 2089
 * Chōsoku Henkei Gyrozetter
 * Xenogears
 * Xenoblade Chronicles
 * Xenoblade Chronicles X
 * Pokémon
 * Pokémon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum
 * Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver
 * Pokémon Black/White
 * Pokémon Black 2/White 2
 * Pokémon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire
 * Pokémon Sun/Moon
 * Pokémon Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon
 * Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram
 * Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Marz
 * Sonic X
 * Sakura Wars
 * Sakura Wars 3: Is Paris Burning?
 * Sakura Wars 4: Fall in Love, Maidens
 * Sakura Wars V: So Long, My Love
 * Phantasy Star Online
 * Magic Knight Rayearth
 * Sei Jūshi Bismark
 * Overman King Gainer
 * Captain Earth
 * Appleseed
 * The Big O
 * Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2
 * Code Geass R3: Lelouch of the Resurrection
 * Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
 * Gurren Lagann The Movie: The Lights in the Sky are Stars
 * Aim for the Top! Gunbuster
 * Aim for the Top! 2: Diebuster
 * Rebuild of Evangelion
 * Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone
 * Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance
 * Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo
 * Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 You Can (Not) Reverse
 * Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water
 * Darling in the FranXX
 * Giant Robo: The Day the Earth Stood Still
 * Transformers
 * Transformers: Super-God Masterforce
 * Transformers: Victory
 * Chō Robot Seimeitai Transformers: Micron Densetsu
 * Transformers: Superlink
 * Knights of Sidonia
 * Aldnoah.Zero
 * Valvrave the Liberator
 * Starship Troopers (OVA)
 * Star Blazers: Space Battleship Yamato 2199
 * Space Battleship Yamato 2202: Warriors of Love
 * Cross Ange: Rondo of Angel and Dragon
 * Chō Kōsoku Galvion
 * The Wings of Rean
 * Infinite Ryvius
 * Tekkōki Mikazuki
 * Tenchi Muyo! War on Geminar
 * The Vision of Escaflowne
 * Brigadoon: Marin & Melan
 * RahXephon
 * Platinumhugen Ordian
 * Armored Trooper VOTOMS
 * Armored Trooper VOTOMS: The Red Shoulder
 * Armored Trooper VOTOMS: Pailsen Files
 * Armored Trooper VOTOMS: Big Battle
 * Armored Trooper VOTOMS: Alone Again
 * Buddy Complex
 * Buddy Complex Final Act -Into the Skies of Tomorrow-
 * Zone of the Enders: Dolores,i
 * Ring of Red
 * Assault Suits Valken (Cybernator)
 * S.L.A.I.: Steel Lancer Arena International

Soundtrack
Opening Theme: Ending Theme:
 * TRANSFORMERS EVO.
 * Performed by: JAM Project
 * Composed by: Hironobu Kageyama
 * Lyrics by: Hironobu Kageyama
 * Arranged by: Daisuke Kikuta
 * Chōdenji ~We are Brothers 2021~
 * Performed by: Super Robot Music All Stars
 * Composed by: AYANO (of FULL AHEAD)
 * Lyrics by: Shoko Fujibayashi
 * Arranged by: Daisuke Kikuta

Trivia

 * Not counting the mobile game Super Robot Wars X-Ω, Chou Super Robot Wars Æ surpasses 3rd Super Robot Wars Z as the game with the largest playable cast in the series before the sequel Chou Super Robot Wars M takes the spot.
 * As a side-story to Project X Zone 3, characters, villains and plot elements from the game are also present here. Many other characters only appear in cameos in cutscenes.
 * References from Project X Zone III are also made in various points of the game.
 * The follow-up Chou Super Robot Wars M will correspond directly with the events of Project X Zone 3 's endgame arc.
 * In the same vein that Project X Zone 3 's story is the darkest in the Namco Cross series, the Chou Super Robot Wars storyline is also considered to be darkest, most surreal and mature in the entire Super Robot Wars franchise, due to presence of disturbing themes such as rape, slavery, genocide and child abuse, sexual content, nudity, excess blood and gore, extreme graphic violence, profanity, religious implications, character deaths, surreal realism, drug materialism and moments of depression throughout the game.
 * Additionally, the game was originally going to add eroge elements similar to Project X Zone 3, but the idea was dropped because the creators thought it would be "too much and go for copying Project X Zone 3".
 * Because of such, it is the first SRW game to receive a D rating by CERO.
 * This is the first game in the Super Robot Wars series to feature characters from the Transformers franchise.
 * The designs of the Transformers characters in the game are combinations of their appearances in the Generation 1 toyline and in Michael Bay's Transformers cinematic series.
 * In addition, the final boss of Chou Super Robot Wars Æ is Unicron.
 * It is the first non-Original Generation SRW game to feature multiple Banpresto Original characters from the Original Generation cast.
 * It is also the first Super Robot Wars game to feature Capcom, Square Enix, Konami and Nintendo game franchises.
 * As well, it is the first game in the franchise to feature characters and stories exclusive to a different console port of the game, in this case, Nintendo's Pokémon and Xenoblade Chronicles.