(Update) Super Robot Wars T launches March 20 for Japan, pre-order bonuses detailed

With a dash of disappointment for Switch owners

[Update: Since the article has gone up, Bandai Namco has confirmed that the release date for Asia, which includes the version with English subtitles, will also be on March 20 for both systems. The pre-order bonuses are the same as Japan’s, with the Song & Sound version nowhere to be seen. Hooray for simultaneous release dates!]

Despite the initial announcement occurring less than a month ago, Bandai Namco has announced the release date for Super Robot Wars T in Japan. The PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch versions will both be releasing on March 20 in 2019, with no word on how close the English release in Asia will follow.

However, they did reveal the pre-order bonuses for the game along with a special edition.

Let’s start off with the pre-order bonuses. Based on the releases of V and X, the Asia release will also have these. The bonuses will be tied to a download code and are as follows:

• Special Scenario Chapter 0: “Approval Number T1023” – This chapter is set before the Chapter 1 of Super Robot Wars T, allowing you to further delve into the game’s world. By clearing the chapter, you will receive 50,000 in funds, 500 Tac Points, and the “VTX Employee Handbook” upgrade parts (maximum SP +20, main pilot recovers 10 SP each turn).
• Present Scenario: “Special Starter Pack” – A present scenario in which you can receive useful upgrade parts and funds from the start of the game, including 100,000 in funds, 1,000 Tac Points, along with the “Quark Boost” (movement +1, weapon damage +200, and range +1 for all non-MAP, non-range 1 weapons) and “Force Reactor” (morale +10 when sortiedt) upgrade parts.
• Special Original Robot “Gespenst” Playable from the Start of the Game – By downloading the bonus before starting Chapter 2 of the main story, you can use the original robot “Gespenst” from the start of the game with the following upgrade parts: “Striker-T” (weapon damage +100, HIT +20, and Critical +20) and “Defender-T” (max HP +500, max EN +50, armor +100, and mobility +15).

For those wondering what the Gespenst looks like, here’s the photo provided of the one appearing in this game.

If you’re already feeling nervous about this, it isn’t that bad. Based on my own experience with the previous game, Super Robot Wars X, scenario 0 isn’t that integral to the plot as a whole. You aren’t missing out on much by not playing it, don’t worry. As for the Gespenst, it will be available in a later mission, just like the cameo characters for the previous games. If anything, not having it early helps the game balance as a whole.

Speaking of the Gespenst, some of you may recognize it. Long story short, it’s a fairly common mech with numerous variations throughout the franchise. You may have seen it in the two Original Generation games that released internationally on the Game Boy Advance. If you didn’t see it there, then you encountered a variation of it as a boss in Project X Zone on the 3DS.

Alongside the pre-order bonuses was confirmation of a “Premium Anime Song & Sound Edition.” While it will be more expensive — and release only in Japan if past games are an indication — it will contain 35 additional songs in-game. They are as follows:

• “Tryder G7’s Theme” by Isao Taira (from Invincible Robo Tryder G7)
• “Dunbine Tobu” by MIO (from Aura Battler Dunbine)
• “Monologue wo Somete” by Midori Karashima (from New Story of Aura Battler Dunbine)
• “Uchuu wo Kakeru ~Z no Hatsudou” (from Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam)
• “Silent Voice” by Jun Hiroe (from Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ)
• “Beyond the Time (Mobius no Uchuu wo Koete)” by TM Network (from Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack)
• “Flying in the Sky” by Yoshifumi Ushima (from Mobile Fighter G Gundam)
• “Shourisha-tachi no Banka” by Shuji Ooyama (from Mobile Fighter G Gundam)
• “Trust You Forever” by Yoshifumi Ushima (from Mobile Fighter G Gundam)
• “Homura no Sadame” by Tetsu (from Armored Trooper VOTOMS)
• “Itsumo Anata Ga” by Tetsu (from Armored Trooper VOTOMS)
• “Arashi no Yuusha (Hero)” by Nobuhiko Kashiwara (from The Brave Express Mightgaine)
• “Great Dash!” by Locomoraizer and Kaizer (from The Brave Express Mightgaine)
• “Yuusha-Ou Tanjou!” by Masaaki Endou (from The King of Braves GaoGaiGar)
• “Saigo Yuusha Robo Gundan” by Takayuki Miyauchi (from The King of Braves GaoGaiGar)
• “Utsukushi Hikari no Tsubasa” by Osamu Takai (from The King of Braves GaoGaiGar)
• “Tank!” (from Cowboy Bepop)
• “Sasurai no Cowboy” by Tada “Ed” Aoi (from Cowboy Bebop)
• “The Real Folk Blues” by Mai Yamane (from Cowboy Bebop)
• “Top wo Nerae! ~Fly High~” by Noriko Hidaka / Rei Sakuma (from Gunbuster)
• “You Get to Burning” by Yumi Matsuzawa (from Martian Successor Nadesico)
• “Rose Bud” by Yumi Matsuzawa (from Martian Successor Nadesico: The Motion Picture – Prince of Darkness)
• “Heats” by Hironobu Kageyama (from Getter Robo Armageddon)
• “Can’t Stop” by Masaaki Endoh (from Getter Robo Daikessen!)
• “Maziner Z / Infinity Version” by Ichirou Mizuki (from Mazinger Z: Infinity)
• “Ore ha Great Mazinger” by Ichirou Mizuki and Otowa Yurikago Kai (from Great Mazinger)
• “Ore-tachi no Funade” by Ichirou Mizuki and Koorogi ’73 (from Arcadia of My Youth: Endless Orbit SSX)
• “Harlock’s Ballad” by Ichirou Mizuki (from Arcadia of My Youth: Endless Orbit SSX)
• “Yuzurenai Negai” by Naomi Tamura (from Magic Knight Rayearth)
• “Hikaro to Kage wo Dakishimeta Mama” by Naomi Tamura (from Magic Knight Rayearth)
• “Gun x Sword” by Koutarou Nakagawa feat. Ondekoza (from Gun x Sword)
• “Nich ni Achi” by Yukiko (Satsuki Yukino) (from Gun x Sword)
• “A Rising Tide” by Okino and Shuntaro (from Gun x Sword)
• “Eionian” by Elisa Connect EFP (from Expelled from Paradise)
• “Time to Come” (from 4th Super Robot Wars)

Now it should be mentioned that these are the original versions of the songs, and that some of them may still be in the game with covers. For instance, based on the recent habit of reusing songs, this version of “Silent Voice” will still be in, and this version of “Fly High” will be used again.

That being said, Bandai Namco did confirm that the ability to use custom music tracks is still available, so if you own those songs in some form then you’re good to go. However, it will only be available on the PlayStation 4 version. It was likely omitted from the Switch version as the feature involves using an external USB device, and the act of removing the console from the dock would be a problem. It is the only version that is portable though, so I’d say the trade-off is worth it.

Super Robot Wars T launches March 20, 2019 in Japan [Gematsu]