top of page

Real-Life Giant Robot Battle


"Suidobashi, we have a giant robot, you have a giant robot. You know what needs to happen. We challenge you to a duel."

Actually, what needs to happen is that MegaBots​' MkII and Suidobashi heavy industry​'s Kuratas need to have a baby. And here's why:

TL;DR version: VERDICT

So, if Suidobashi Heavy Industries' Kuratas and MegaBots' MkII had a baby, it would combine the technological advantages, mobility, and innovation of the Japanese Kuratas with the brute force power, tonnage, and two-pilot system of the American MkII. So in conclusion, I don't wanna see a fight between these two as much as I want to see them do it.

-Armament-

According to the video, one of MegaBots' American-flag-draped spokesmen claims that "...because we're American, we added REALLY BIG GUNS." And well, that is a home team advantage that Suidobashi actually can't compete with legally. MegaBots' MkII fires 3-pound paint cannon balls at a velocity of 100+ mph (160kph). I'm not sure what the muzzle velocity of Kuratas' twin gatling guns are, but if Kuratas is compliant with Japanese national laws regulating the muzzle velocity of airsoft, I highly doubt that Kuratas can deal as much raw damage as the MkII.

-Tech-

While the MkII appears to be a total bully brawler, Kuratas is by design much more advanced, incorporating a full pilot HUD and a very interesting and unique arm control system, not to mention the infamous "Smile Trigger."

-Mobility-

Per the promotional videos of the Kuratas, it appears to be (at least in concept and design) to be more mobile than the MkII. The higher mobility of the Kuratas vs the damage output of the MkII might be an interesting balancing factor in any fight between the two.

-Pilot capacity-

The Kuratas is a single-pilot vehicle, whereas the MkII is a two-pilot system. In the Kuratas, I surmise that one person piloting both the movement and fire control can be a huge multitasking load for a single person. I don't know about the piloting roles of the two-seater MkII, but if movement and firing duties are split between both pilots, the outcome could be potentially more combat-effective. This Pilot-capacity issue actually reminds me a lot of the SNES Superscope game "Battleclash" wherein the pilot and gunner were separate:

VERDICT

So, if Suidobashi Heavy Industries' Kuratas and MegaBots' MkII had a baby, it would combine the technological advantages, mobility, and innovation of the Japanese Kuratas with the brute force power, tonnage, and two-pilot system of the American MkII. So in conclusion, I don't wanna see a fight between these two as much as I want to see them do it.

http://geekologie.com/2015/07/us-company-challenges-japan-to-giant-mec.php

About the Author

PhD Candidate in Japan, researching Narrative in Games. Responds favorably to Thrash Metal, Karaoke, and Dungeons & Dragons.

Reading List
Connect
  • Wix Facebook page
  • LinkedIn App Icon
  • 64-academia.png
  • Wix Twitter page
  • apps_slideshare.png
  • YouTube Classic
bottom of page