How to Play Retro Games Online like Armored Core? Retro Gaming Players Club is easy to relive games like Armored Core you own in different formats here for free. Released on the Sony PlayStation, this retro classic from its publisher is ready the second you press start — no downloads, no setup.
🎮 USB or Bluetooth controller? Plug it in, Once Detected Click Here to Open Your Controller Options
Download our Mini App on PC/Mac for advanced & more premium functions for your games.
No controller detected yet — plug one in and press any button.
Your controller lights up here as you press buttons. Premium members can remap every action to any pad button.
⭐ Premium members can click any key below to remap the controls. Go Premium
| Action | Keyboard | Controller |
|---|---|---|
| D-Pad Up | ↑ | D-Pad up |
| D-Pad Down | ↓ | D-Pad down |
| D-Pad Left | ← | D-Pad left |
| D-Pad Right | → | D-Pad right |
| ✕ Cross | X | Bottom face |
| ○ Circle | Z | Right face |
| □ Square | S | Left face |
| △ Triangle | A | Top face |
| L1 | Q | Left shoulder |
| R1 | E | Right shoulder |
| L2 | Tab | Left trigger |
| R2 | R | Right trigger |
| Start | Enter | Start |
| Select | V | Select |
| Left Stick Up | T | Analog up |
| Left Stick Down | G | Analog down |
| Left Stick Left | F | Analog left |
| Left Stick Right | H | Analog right |
| L3 (stick press) | — | Stick press |
| Right Stick Up | I | Right stick |
| Right Stick Down | K | Right stick |
| Right Stick Left | J | Right stick |
| Right Stick Right | L | Right stick |
| R3 (stick press) | — | Stick press |
First registered run claims the top spot. It won't stay easy for long.
Playing counts once you're signed in — register free in the player above.
We sent a reset link to your inbox. Tap it to choose a new password — you'll be signed straight back in.
Show the world what Retro is really about.
We use cookies to keep you signed in and remember your settings.
We don’t sell your data or use it for targeted advertising.
A digital port was released in 2007 in Japan and 2015 in North America on the PlayStation Network as a part of the PSone Classics line of games. The first installment in the Armored Core series, it was released outside Japan by Sony Computer Entertainment.
The Story Behind Armored Core
In North America, the game was re-released on March 24, 2015 for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, and PlayStation Vita. After every mission, the player can decide to customise their AC. The game takes place in a future Earth that has been wiped out by a cataclysm and forced humanity underground, a theme which would continue until Armored Core 4.
As the player progresses, the missions become increasingly difficult. The two largest corporations, Chrome and Murakumo Millennium, constantly battle each other for supremacy, causing significant strife among the populace. The first installment in the Armored Core series, it was released outside Japan by Sony Computer Entertainment.
How Armored Core Plays
Like many shooters, the primary weapon types available for use are guns, rocket launchers, lasers, missiles, and swords which can be customized at will based on player purchases. The vast majority of Earth's population is wiped out by a cataclysmic war known as the "Great Destruction". Ravens are provided by a neutral organization known as Ravens' Nest.
In single-player, players choose missions to engage enemies and earn credits. Cores are highly modular, allowing players a great deal of customization over them, such as swapping out different leg units to gain speed advantages. After every mission, the player can decide to customise their AC.
Why Players Still Load It Up
Armored Core is the first entry in a mecha game series of the same name, and spawned many sequels, including Armored Core: Project Phantasma and Armored Core: Master of Arena. Radakovic praised the graphics, writing they were "excellent with a high attention to detail." AllGames Shawn Sackenheim agreed with this, describing, "Crisp texture maps with little pixelation and distortion carry visuals to a new level." Next Generation had a different outlook, stating, "while crisp, [they] do lean a little to the bland side". Game Informer's Andy McNamara stated, "If you're looking for something with plot, you aren't going to find it here".
IGN, Next Generation, and GamePro all commented on this, with Douglas describing it as his "only complaint". In 2004, they released another Xbox title, Metal Wolf Chaos. Douglas felt that the missions were "pretty straightforward".
Armored Core — Frequently Asked Questions
Who developed Armored Core?
Armored Core was developed by its developer and published by its publisher.
Where can I buy the original Armored Core?
Scroll to "Other Places You Can Get This Game" beneath the write-up — it lists trusted stores selling official copies.
What console was Armored Core released on?
Armored Core was released for the Sony PlayStation in .
Can I save my progress in Armored Core?
It does — with a free account you can snapshot the game at any point using save states, then pick it up later from exactly that spot.
This Game is Also Known As: “armored core game”, “armored core online”, “armored core tournament”, “play armored core online”, “play armored core online free”