Front Mission (Japanese: フロントミッション) is a series of turn-based tactical strategy video games produced by Squaresoft, now Square Enix. The series was created by Toshiro Tsuchida. It began in 1995 with the release of the first game.

Front Mission's main draw is the use of giant mecha called "wanzers" (from the German "wanderung panzers", or walking tank) in battle. The storyline in the series revolves around military conflicts between powerful consolidated nations that form during the 21st and 22nd centuries.

Four main games in the series have been produced:

• Front Mission (SNES, 1995)
• Front Mission 2 (PlayStation, 1997)
• Front Mission 3 (PlayStation, 1999)
• Front Mission 4 (PlayStation 2, 2003)

In addition, there are two "side-story" games in the series. They depart from the turn-based tactical strategy gameplay of the rest of the series:

• Front Mission: Gun Hazard (SNES, 1996) - a side-scrolling action shooter
• Front Mission: Alternative (PlayStation, 1997) - a real-time action/strategy game.

Regional Record

Of the entire series, only Front Mission 3 and 4 have been published in the U.S. Front Mission 1 and 2 would be ported to Sony Playstation and get a chance to be published in the U.S. Front Mission 1 has been enhanced-remade for the soundtrack on the Playstation. The Super Famicom version of Front Mission 1 has been unofficially translated into English through emulation. Front Mission 3 was published in the U.S. in 1999. Front Mission 4 was published in the U.S. in June 2004. In Europe only Front Mission 3 has been generally released though in France the original Front Mission was released and possibly also Front Mission 2. Also, Front Mission: Gun Hazard(SNES) has been unoffically translated, but not by the same person who headed the translation of Front Mission I. Front Mission 5 and Front Mission Online are both currently in development for Sony PlayStation 2.

Front Mission Major Political Powers

Oceania Community Union (OCU)

Consists of the modern day nations of Japan and Australia and encompasses Southeast Asia and a number of Pacific islands. One of the ongoing conflicts centers on the extent of their Pacific island holdings, which are continually contested by the USN.

Bangladesh (after a name change to the People's Republic of Alordesh) was a member, but broke away in the events leading up to Front Mission 2.

United States of the New Continent (USN)

North America and South America consolidated into a single nation. Often at an uneasy standstill against the OCU, with regards to the Pacific Island region. There is a large disparity in quality of life throughout the USN, which has lead to disaffectation and open rebellion in several member states.

The USN got a name change in the English version of Front Mission 4 to the UCS(United Confederate States).

European Commonwealth (EC)

The modern day European Community, with more central control. Member states still maintain their own military forces, however, extra-EC foreign policy is set by the EC Assembly in Paris, France. The EC also funds several research groups. One of these - the UK-based EC Armor Tactics Research Corps, Durandal - is one of the foci of Front Mission 4.

Republic of Zaftra

Comprised of western Russia, Zaftra is a power in decline, especially with the EC becoming self-sufficient thanks to the discovery of resources in Poland.

In Front Mission, The Republic of Zaftra founded the PMO (Peace Meditation Organization) as a Front to Establish and Maintain control over Huffman Island with the heartless intent of exploiting it's people and it's resources.

Later, Zaftra serves as the antagonist in Front Mission 4.

People's Republic of Da Han Zhong

The People's Republic of China after a cosmetic name change in 2111. Some of the story arc of Front Mission 3 took place here.

Other Information

MULS-P (Multi Unit Link System-Panzer)

Huffman Island

Nirvana Engine Project

The Larcus Incident

The Alordesh Coup

USN Project M.I.D.A.S.

Imaginary Number Project