Introduction
Released by Capcom in 1994, Armored Warriors is a side-scrolling beat-’em-up that swaps fists for mech suits and metal-crushing firepower. Known in Japan as Powered Gear: Strategic Variant Armor Equipment, the game features highly customizable mechs, intense co-op action, and destructible sci-fi environments. Combining fast-paced combat with an innovative part-swapping system, Armored Warriors became one of Capcom’s most ambitious arcade brawlers.
Development and History
- Developer: Capcom
- Publisher: Capcom
- Release Date: 1994 (Japan and North America)
Developed for Capcom’s CPS-2 hardware, Armored Warriors stood out in a crowded beat-’em-up landscape by leaning into mecha anime aesthetics and mechanical customization. It featured detailed sprite work, explosions galore, and gritty futuristic environments. The game was also notable for setting the foundation for Cyberbots: Fullmetal Madness, a competitive fighter released the following year using many of the same characters and assets.
Gameplay Video
Gameplay and Mechanics
Core Gameplay
Players take control of one of four elite mech pilots sent to liberate the war-torn planet Raia. Each pilot controls a unique Variant Armor (VA) suit.
- Playable Characters: 1st Lt. Jeff Perkins (Bloodia), 2nd Lt. Sarah White (Reptos), Major Glenn Reed (Guldin), Captain Ray Turner (Fordy).
- Stages: 7 intense missions featuring enemy mechs, tanks, and giant bosses.
Customization and Combat Features:
- Arm/Leg/Weapon Swaps: Enemies drop parts you can attach mid-battle to alter your attacks.
- Team Attacks: Players can perform devastating combos together.
- Mounted Weapons: Temporary use of enemy turrets and tanks adds variety.
- Destructible Environments: Backgrounds react to combat, adding immersion.
Challenges
- Heavy Enemy Density: Swarms of enemy units require both offense and evasion.
- Boss Variety: Huge screen-filling machines with pattern-based attacks.
- Resource Management: Limited parts and health pickups encourage strategic use of new equipment.
- Multiplayer Chaos: With up to three players, managing screen space is key.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
- Tech-Heavy Innovation: One of the few beat-’em-ups with modular combat mechanics.
- Mech Lore Expansion: Introduced characters and suits later seen in Cyberbots.
- Underrated Classic: Gained cult status through re-releases and CPS-2 emulation.
- Modern Re-Releases: Included in Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle for modern consoles.
Fun Facts
- Name Change: The original Japanese title, Powered Gear, focused on military realism.
- Pilot Dialogue: Each character has unique intercom messages and in-mission banter.
- Multiple Endings: Final scene changes slightly depending on performance.
- Link to Cyberbots: Cyberbots reused art assets, mech names, and lore directly from Armored Warriors.
Conclusion
Armored Warriors pushed the beat-’em-up genre forward with mechanical innovation, crisp CPS-2 visuals, and explosive action. Its mech-swapping combat system and high replayability gave it a distinct identity among Capcom’s arcade library. Whether played solo or in three-player mayhem, it remains one of the most dynamic and underrated arcade brawlers of the 1990s.