Good news for giant robot fans! The PlayStation Vita game Gundam Seed Battle Destiny from 2012 just got a fresh coat of paint and is now available as Gundam Seed Battle Destiny Remastered on Nintendo Switch and PC. This isn’t just a simple port; the remaster brings some welcome improvements to a solid mecha action title. Let’s break down what’s new and whether it’s the right game for you, especially if you’re a fan of the Gundam Seed universe.
Back in the day, the Gundam Battle series by developer Artdink was a staple on the PlayStation Portable (PSP). These games were known for their fast-paced mecha combat, where you’d target enemies with a lock-on system and unleash various weapon attacks. When the series moved to the PlayStation Vita, the developers had to rebuild everything visually and took advantage of the Vita’s dual analog sticks, which was a big step up for control. Gundam Seed Battle Destiny was the result – a decent entry that captured the spirit of the PSP games while adapting to new hardware.
Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Battle Destiny Remastered game key art showing mobile suits
So, what makes this Remastered version stand out? For starters, it addresses some of the original’s control limitations. A common frustration in the Vita version was the lack of options for things like inverted vertical camera control. The remaster thankfully adds these more comprehensive controller settings, letting you customize your experience for better comfort.
Another big plus, particularly on the Nintendo Switch, is improved performance. The game runs more smoothly and maintains a stable frame rate, which is crucial for a fast-action game like this. Playing on a proper controller instead of the Vita’s smaller form factor also makes a significant difference for longer gaming sessions, avoiding hand cramps and making the gameplay feel more natural.
Gundam Seed Battle Destiny Remastered gameplay screenshot featuring mobile suits fighting
Gameplay and Progression: Starting Small, Getting Powerful
Like most games in the Gundam Battle series, you begin your journey controlling weaker, basic mobile suits. As you complete missions, you earn points to upgrade your chosen unit, making it faster, stronger, and more capable. This progression is a core part of the experience – you feel the difference as your grunt suit evolves into a formidable machine.
The Gundam Battle series has refined its upgrade system over the years. Earlier games often tied upgrade points directly to specific mobile suits, making it a grind to power up new units you acquired later. Gundam Seed Battle Destiny, and this remaster, improved this by introducing GP points. These points are earned separately from individual suit upgrades and can be spent on any mobile suit you own.
Mobile Suit Gundam in hangar bay, showcasing customization options
This GP system is a game-changer. It means that when you finally unlock that powerful, iconic mobile suit you’ve been waiting for, you can immediately spend your accumulated GP to give it a significant boost right away, rather than having to grind through early missions just to make it usable. The game also features EX Missions – tougher versions of story missions – that reward you with large amounts of GP, providing a good way to earn currency for upgrades.
How Does it Compare?
While the Gundam Battle series has evolved into different forms like the Gundam Breaker games (which focus more on customization and less on raw action), Gundam Seed Battle Destiny Remastered stays true to the classic action formula. It’s arguably one of the better examples of that specific style.
However, it’s worth noting that the game heavily features the Gundam Seed universe. If you’re not a fan or familiar with Gundam Seed, the experience might not resonate as strongly. Games like SD Gundam Battle Alliance, while having a different, cuter art style, cover a much wider range of Gundam series, potentially making them more appealing to a broader audience of Gundam fans.
Overall, Gundam Seed Battle Destiny Remastered is a well-executed update. It takes a solid PS Vita game and makes it better with crucial functional improvements like controller options and a more comfortable progression flow. The visual upgrade is noticeable, and the stable performance makes the action feel great.
If you’re a fan of Gundam Seed or looking for a classic-style mecha action game with a satisfying upgrade loop, this remaster is definitely worth checking out. It’s a marked improvement over the original Vita version and delivers on providing a fun, focused experience within the Gundam Seed universe.
For more on Gundam games and other mecha action titles, explore our related articles.
