Best Japanese Military Games – Investment Policy

Summary

Ball Bullet Gun offers a cute, non-violent strategy game experience on the SNES.
Earth Defense Force 6 provides intense third-person shooter action against alien invaders.
Metal Slug Tactics adds a tactical twist to the comical run-and-gun action of the series.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve dabbled in both Battlefield and Call of Duty on my console and PC, and I must admit, the variety of military games in the Western world is impressive. However, after a while, the different settings like Vietnam, World War II, or even futuristic battles can start to blur together. Even though they don’t quite match the popularity of Call of Duty, there’s a wealth of intensely military-focused games hailing from Japan that are worth exploring. These games might not be as mainstream, but they certainly offer a unique twist on the genre.

If you’re fond of controlling tanks, joining forces with armed troops, or deploying air strikes, you might want to explore these games. Their rankings will be determined by their quality and the level of military concentration. It’s not a requirement that they focus on the Japanese military; as long as they are Japanese productions featuring some type of military entity, they are worth investigating.

Ball Bullet Gun

An Unknown Entry From Japan

Developer: I’MAX
Publisher: I’MAX
Released: December 1, 1995
Platform: SNES

Ball Bullet Gun”, although unofficially distributed beyond Japan, has remained a hidden gem among strategy enthusiasts. This game bears similarities to the culture of role-playing mock battles with airsoft replicas, a scene perhaps familiar to anime fans from series like FLCL.

The essence of Ball Bullet Gun lies in its unique approach – all characters are adorably designed without excessive violence. It’s not a game that delves into the grim realities of war, but rather offers engaging bite-sized missions, making it an enjoyable strategic game on the SNES. Additionally, with a portable version available, the fun factor increases significantly. Plus, you can find an English fan translation of this game online if you’re not fluent in Japanese.

Earth Defense Force 6

EDF! EDF! EDF!

The Earth Defense Force series originated as cost-effective titles in Japan, distributed under the Simple label during the early 2000s. Due to its widespread appeal, Earth Defense Force eventually branched off into its own franchise, inspiring fans to enthusiastically shout “EDF!” for years on end. The concept is straightforward and reminiscent of a 1950s B-movie, featuring colossal alien insects and space-invading robots.

In response to the despicable alien invaders, a unified Earth Defence was established, known as the Earth Defense Force. The latest installment in the series, Earth Defense Force 6, offers gamers the opportunity to select their role prior to each mission, such as the Wing Diver, who can soar through the skies and attack enemies from above. With a valiant military ethos and an abundance of weapons to amass for the classes in Earth Defense Force 6, this is an exhilarating game that every player should try at least once.

Metal Slug Tactics

Trouble In The Desert

Almost every title in the Metal Slug series is worth giving a try. The main games involve a team of agents battling an ambiguous conflict in a Middle Eastern backdrop, with frantic run-and-gun action presented in a humorous and exaggerated style. A 3D version on the PS2 exists, but it’s less popular; it offers a more intense war game experience for those who prefer that style of play.

In the latest development, SNK has granted DotEmu its license to produce a strategic roguelike spinoff titled “Metal Slug Tactics“. The game features characters both old and new, allowing players to pick their squad and navigate through randomly generated terrains. The action is tactical, with the characters moving and functioning on a grid system, and temporary upgrades being offered during gameplay. Some enhancements are unlocked at base, while others can be earned over multiple runs. If you’re into military strategy, this could be your ideal starting point; if not, give “Metal Slug 3” a try as it enjoys wide popularity among fans.

Iron Storm

A Hidden Strategy Series

Developer: Sega
Publisher: Working Designs (NA Version)
Released: May 8, 1996 (NA Version)
Platform: Sega Saturn

The Daisenryaku series is a popular collection of strategy games in Japan, known for their more authentic representations of historical locations and characters. Few of these games have been released in the West, but one significant title, named Iron Storm, was launched on the Sega Saturn in 1996.

Contenders might join forces with the U.S., German, or Japanese militaries in an attempt to seize as much territory as they can. This strategy series has just as much renown in Japan as ‘Command & Conquer’ does in the Western world. For those looking for a historical lesson, but with a unique spin, ‘Iron Storm’ is a fantastic military game worth exploring – locating and playing it, however, can prove challenging.

Binary Domain

Robot Rebels

The narrative unfolds in a not-too-distant future where robots have become prevalent. However, when they start causing unrest in Japan, an international organization called the International Robotics Technology Association (IRTA) sends a special team known as Rust Crew to quell the uprising. This crew includes Dan, a leader hailing from America, supported by an international group of soldiers. The Rust Crew’s primary mission is to neutralize rebellious robots. Players will predominantly control Dan in third-person shooting sequences, employing squad-based strategies and utilizing cover during gameplay.

Improving the quality of the orders will make Dan’s team admire him even more, deepening their bond. Although it isn’t a game pitting military against military, its squad-based gameplay is reminiscent of popular Western series like Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon. Fans of this franchise might find this game intriguing, as well as fans of The Terminator series.

Valkyria Chronicles

Liberate Europa!

In an alternate setting, Valkyria Chronicles unfolds, bearing resemblances to World War II’s German-European conflict. One ambitious empire seeks dominance over the entire continent, unwittingly dragging a peaceful nation into war. As the game evolves, players form new alliances with individuals filling roles such as sharpshooters or medics.

In this tactical RPG from the PS3 era, the main team members play a crucial role in the narrative, but even ordinary soldiers exhibit unique personalities during battle, sometimes earning them additional benefits. Additionally, players were given a tank to utilize in combat, which functioned exceptionally well as a protective barrier while units advanced.

Advance Wars

Let The Console Wars Begin

The “Wars” series stands as the epitome of military games developed by a Japanese company such as Nintendo. Among these, “Advance Wars” was the pioneer introduced to Western audiences on the Game Boy Advance. Although it’s primarily considered an RTS (Real-Time Strategy), units move within grid-based maps. The players have hero generals leading their troops, yet these characters don’t engage directly in combat. Instead, players can construct specific squads or vehicles to be deployed for the purpose of annihilating enemy units or bases.

Among Nintendo’s strategy game collection, “Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp” stands out as one of the most complex series. If you’re a fan intrigued to explore this, you can find it on the Switch. This compilation combines and refreshes the two Game Boy Advance games originally created by Intelligent Systems, with the remakes being handled by WayForward Technologies, a studio based in the West.

2025-09-04 09:36