Mecha Expansion Pack: Difference between revisions

* ''[[Digimon Xros Wars]]'', being a [[Combining Mecha]] themed Digimon, has this. Generally the base form is Shoutmon X3, he gains a sword Shoutmon X4 by combining with Starmon + Pickmons, adds speed due to centaur feet plus cannons in Shoutmon X4B by combining with Belzeebumon, adds a shield with a huge cape for Shoutmon X4K by combining with Knightmon and PawnChessmons, adds a spear for Shoutmon X4S by combining with Spadamon, and finally gains jet packs, a blaster, a shield, and a power increase for Shoutmon X5 by combining with Sparrowmon. Let's not even go to the combination beyond X5...

* One variant on the G-Armor in ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam]]'' basically allowed the Gundam to ride ''in'' it, converting it into an impromptu fighter jet. Axed in the movie versions, like the infamous Gundam Hammer.

** The GP03 ''Dendrobium'' from ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory]]'' is somewhere in-between this and [[Mid-Season Upgrade]], with a generous helping of [[Cool Ship]]. The GP01Fb plays it straight, though.

** The ReGZ from ''[[Chars Counterattack]]'' combines this with [[Transforming Mecha]] - literally. Its flight form is achieved by docking it with the Back Weapons System, which is basically a nosecone, wings, and beam cannons that dock with the backpack. The Scorpio from ''[[Gundam Wing]]'' uses the same concept.

** ''Rebuild'' also gave us the G-type equipment used by Unit-01 during the sniper battle against Ramiel, which consists of an advanced fold-down targeting scope that covers the eva's eyes and a radar antenna array, all mounted on the right [[Eva Fins|shoulder fin]].

** Somewhat naturally, the fanfic gets into this as well: ''[[Shinji and Warhammer40K|Shinji and Warhammer 40 K]]'' has Titan modules, while ''[[Thousand Shinji]]'' has L-Type Equipment.

** [[Hilarious in Hindsight]] but the former is actually ''[[Truth in Television]]'': the real life F-15C was designed to be compatible with the optional "[[Fun with Acronyms|Fuel And Sensor Tactical]]" equipment which is actually a fancy name for auxiliary fuel tanks designed to reduce air drag and radar signature when compared to regular external fuel tanks at the expense of being non-removable without a ground crew. They originally wanted to pack navigational and infrared targeting systems into it as well but that was scrapped. What makes it count is that when Macross came out, the F-15 was still brand new so [[Shoji Kawamori]] might have used it for inspiration.

** The VF-25 Messiah fixed that problem with Armor Pack in [[Macross Frontier]], allowing it to transform into fighter and GERWALK modes while still using it. The VF-171's also wind up picking up special anti-Vajra modules late in the series run.

** In ''[[Macross 7]]'' Fire Bomber eventually picked up booster units for the their custom fighters, enhancing their effect against the Protodeviln.

** Gurren Lagann picks up the ability to fly in episode 13, although this is a unique case in that rather than having a flight unit designed for it, Gurren Lagann ''commandeers'' a flying enemy Gunmen and assimilates it (which is really how Lagann combines with everything).

** The Lagann is the mecha, EVERYTHING ELSE is its expansion pack. Seriously, that's the whole point.

* ''[[Fafner in the Azure|Fafner in the Azure: Dead Aggressor]]'' has an unusual case: the eponymous mecha has its air upgrade not so much attached to it as ''vice versa''.

* ''Zentrix'' Zeus and quantum both get flight gear to go into space.

* ''[[Stellvia of the Universe]]'' - the Infinity has a whole kit of optional parts including boosters and laser cannons.

 

== [[Live Action TV]] ==

** The [[Mighty Morphin Power Rangers|first season]], the Dragonzord could either be combined with the Mammoth, Saber-Toothed Tiger and Triceratops Zords to make a new humanoid machine, or truer to the trope, combine with the completed Megazord as an extra weapons pack. The Falconzord from the later seasons could also combine with the Ninja Megazord as a jetpack, or the Shogun Megazord as a set of chest-mounted guns.

** Some seasons go a bit crazier with it, and ''numerous'' new Zords are introduced, each attaching to the standard formation in a way that adds one or two new capabilities. Eventually enough show up for the new ones to make their own formation, but that usually waits until near-midseason. ''[[Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue]]'' and ''[[Power Rangers Operation Overdrive]]'' didn't stop bringing out new formations until near the ''end'' of the series, and the greatest criticism about Wild Force is that it was more about its Mecha Expansion Packs than its story or characters.

** The VOB's average speed is around 2500 kph. It's possible to build a mech that has a normal OB ''faster'' than that, and actually get slowed down by missions that require the VOB. Many optimized OB Lancer and Twin Blade builds can accomplish this with ease, especially when you turn on the [[Game Breaker|Unlimited Energy Regulation]].

* ''[[Assault Suits Valken]]'' had three [[Unexpected Gameplay Change|shooter levels]] where the player's mecha is outfitted with a rocket pack.

* [[Demonbane]]: The titular Demonbane later gain ''Shantak'' flight system.

* In ''[[Thunder Force]] V'', while not a mecha, the 5th mission start with your fighter RVR-01 Gauntlet docked with Brigandine module. It's [[Mighty Glacier|huge and slow, but can take lot of hits]] as well as unlimited [[Secondary Fire]] (one being [[Wave Motion Gun]]). Too bad that [[Too Cool to Live|Brigandine only lasts for one stage]], but the Gauntlet will keep some upgraded from it and become RVR-02 Vambrace afterward.

 

== [[Western Animation]] ==

** Once Dreamwave used this idea, Hasbro jumped onto it as well, with a number of white Optimus repaints named Ultra Magnus. The demand for a "real" Ultra Magnus brought about the creation of City Commander: a 3rd party add-on that serves as both trailer and armor for Classics Magnus. And later, matching repaints for Nemesis and Optimus Prime too.

** The company that made the City Commander also made [http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/attach/4/0/5/9/7/T2EKpaXk8aXXXXXXXX_12770321_1265409055.jpg two kits] for the Energon/RoTF Bruticus mold that together provide two figures based on G1 Swindle and Blastoff that replace two of the existing limbs, and come with enough extra parts to make a modern take on the [http://www.seibertron.com/images/toys/uploads/1273597175_ca2_t1_20100417_38.jpg G1 Bruticus.]

** And believe it or not, Ultra Magnus himself became a Mecha Expansion Pack for Optimus in Car Robots/Robots in Disguise.

** The next movie, ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]'', has Optimus combine with Jetfire again, with Jetfire turning into, basically, a jetpack.

** Dark of the Moon has Optimus finally get a trailer. It's both a mobile armory and a flight pack. And it's awesome.

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Mecha Tropes]]