History Main / CombiningMecha

* As an April Fool's Day joke, Creator/{{Blizzard|Entertainment}} showcased a new unit for the [[VideoGame/StarcraftII Terrans]]: The [[http://us.starcraft2.com/features/terran/terratron.xml Terra-tron]], which is formed by combining ALL OF THE BUILDINGS IN THE AREA into a [[BiggerIsBetter huge]] [[ImmuneToBullets mecha]]. It is loaded with shout-outs to other famous uses of this trope, just listen to [[StopPokingMe its dialogue]].

*** Puzzler is a group of 6 cars that can both transform on their own and combine into a giant robot.

* ''WesternAnimation/LegionOfSuperheroes'' has possibly the ultimate example: after his FaceHeelTurn, Brainiac 5 takes control of his entire species -- composed of metamorphing robots linked in a HiveMind -- and when challenged by the Legion, turns ''all of them'' into a single gigantic battlebot.

* In ''Videogame/WorldOfWarcraft'', the fight against the boss Mimiron in the Ulduar dungeon goes through four distinct phases: the first against the Leviathan Mk. II (a miniature version of the tank fought as the first boss in the instance), second against the VX-001 Anti-Personnel Cannon (a turret with two guns on the side), and the third against the Aerial Command Unit (a helicopter). The * fourth* phase consists of fighting [[ShoutOut V0-L7R-0N]], a combination of the three which looks like a giant [[MechanicalLifeforms mechagnome]].

-->'''Commander Keith:''' We just got ''served'', team!
-->'''All:''' ''VOLTRON REPRESENT!''

** Of particular note is that the three [[AMechByAnyOtherName Real Personal Troopers]] that make up the SRX are all {{Real Robot}}s, each specializing in different combat roles when separated from each other like almost any other team of real robots. The R-1 is a [[JackOfAllStats general-purpose]] [[TransformingMecha transforming]] [[CloseRangeCombatant melee]] unit, while the R-2 Powered is a [[MightyGlacier heavily armored]] [[MoreDakka artillery]] unit, and the R-3 Powered is a [[FragileSpeedster high-speed]] [[PsychicPowers psychic]] [[LongRangeFighter sniper]] unit. So in a way, if the SuperRobot Grungust and the RealRobot Huckebein represent their respective mecha genres solo, then the Real Personal Trooper mecha and their combined SRX form are said genres when based on the group.

* The non-canon [[http://tfwiki.net/w2/images2/2/2e/THE_BEAST.jpg Beast]] of the Transformers comic ''ComicBook/TheBeastWithin'', formed by the Dinobots. [=TFwiki=] put it best when they said "This is a monument to all your sins."

* Arguably, some incarnations of the ''Comicbook/FantasticFour'''s Fantasti-Car, which could separate into sub-vehicles for each of the Four.

* In ''Videogame/WingCommander: Prophecy'' one common enemy fighter is the skate. They are able to form a "cluster", capable of laying mines, launching torpedos, and carrying out bombing runs with a cannon that can damage capital ship components. Needless to say, it's safest to knock apart any clusters and destroy the individual ships before they can combine.
* ''Videogame/StarConquest'' has modular ships where the base block ship, usually a gunship or destroyer, has smaller craft like shuttles or fighters attached to it to make a more capable specialized ship.

* The T-Sub (later T-Ship) from the ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'' cartoon, similar to the Fantasti-Car above.

* The Anime/BraveSeries (which ''Anime/GaoGaiGar'' hails from) does this with incredible frequency. Every single series has the main hero mecha combine with at least one larger support vehicle to form his main "super" robot mode. This form then almost always mid series gets a second robot who combines with it as well to form a "Great" form. Additionally, one of the secondary mecha teams usually gets an extra member (who becomes additional armor and weapons). From Brave Express Might Gaine onwards, there is also typically one mecha in the series who forms a weapon for the main robot. Usually this is a gigantic cannon, but on some occasions, it takes the form of a huge sword or the legendary Goldion Hammer in ''Gao Gai Gar''.

** It's strong armor does make up for the traditional NOD weakness where their tools can [[{{GlassCannon}} dish out the pain but can't take it.]] Of course multiplayer is too fast paced to ever get the upgrades done but in the campaigns you can just turtle up untill you are ready to unleash the unstoppable mecha goodness.

* The 1989 [[{{NoExportForYou}} Japan-only]] line of Zoids had Shoteagle, Gorgolauncher, and Thundercannon which plugged into larger "grade up" types after transforming into a BFG.

* ''Anime/MiraiRoboDaltanious'', which was originally intended to ''Voltron'', involves a combination of a humanoid robot, a lion, and a vehicle -- the same types of mecha used by Albegas, Golion, and Dairugger, the shows that '''did''' become ''Voltron''.

* A mildly weird case in Anime/BubukiBuranki, in that the components are [[EmpathicWeapon weapons]] rather than smaller mecha. The result is still a HumongousMecha, though.

* ''Videogame/NoMoreHeroes'': Travis Touchdown's [[SoapWithinAShow favorite show]] [[WordSaladTitle Pure White Lover Bizarre Jelly]] is about [[PowerTrio three]] [[MagicalGirl magical girls]] with mecha that combine to form Pure White Giant Glastonberry.
* ''Videogame/NoMoreHeroes2DesperateStruggle'' has a version of the Glastonberry built for himself in the event that he's ever staring down a giant robot.

* As an April Fool's Day joke, [[Creator/BlizzardEntertainment Blizzard]] showcased a new unit for the [[VideoGame/{{Starcraft II}} Terrans]]: The [[http://us.starcraft2.com/features/terran/terratron.xml Terra-tron]], which is formed by combining ALL OF THE BUILDINGS IN THE AREA into a [[BiggerIsBetter huge]] [[ImmuneToBullets mecha]]. It is loaded with shout-outs to other famous uses of this trope, just listen to [[StopPokingMe its dialogue]].
* The [[http://accelagirl.deviantart.com/art/ZOMBITRON-109055272 special infected in this]] VideoGame/Left4Dead FanArt.
* In ''Film/TheMatrix: Path of Neo'', the final boss is [[spoiler:a giant Agent Smith constructed by all the Smiths from various debris, topped with giant sunglasses ripped from a billboard]].
* It's not necessarily mecha (But embodies the trope well enough), but in ''Videogame/GensouShoujoTaisen You'' (a ''Touhou'' fangame based on ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars''), The Fairies of Light (Sunny Milk, Luna Child and Star Sapphire) and the Prismriver Sisters parody this trope by combining into a singular unit by grouping up. In the case of the Fairies of Light, it is done in a scene that parodies ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann''.

* Anubian in ''WesternAnimation/{{Huntik}}'' is a [[{{mons}} monster]] that acts like a Combining Mecha. Five flying bug-eyeball-things combine with a torso to create the creature.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Regular Show}}'' has a quartet of ducklings that when Mordecai and Rigby are helpless, they fuse to become a giant anthropomorphic eagle that can upgrade.

* The MOGUERA unit in ''Film/GodzillaVsSpaceGodzilla''.

* The Heisei era [[Franchise/{{Godzilla}} Mechagodzilla]] could dock with a futuristic aircraft called the Garuda for extra firepower and flying capability.

* In the ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog'' series, Eggman's Egg Mobile is his most versatile creation, able to be fitted with any number of armor, weapons and tools, as well as slot into various giant machines Eggman creates to use as a control device.

** Gets a bit silly in ''Series/ShurikenSentaiNinninger'' / ''Series/PowerRangersNinjaSteel''. The initial Megazord configuration is unusually mismatched, where the individual mecha components have ''no'' apparent overarching motif (a humanoid karate robot, a dump truck, a dragon, a train, and a dog). For ''Ninninger'', it was said to represent the "Cool Japan" movement (even though it used a ''European'' dragon), while ''Ninja Steel'' justified it by having each Zord based on something from each Ranger's civilian life.

** In the episode ''Bad Guy'', Megas (a humanoid mecha) combines with the S-Force's five animal-themed mecha. Note that none of the robots involved are designed for this, meaning Coop just shoved Megas' limbs into the the asses of the other robots, then slammed the hawk-mecha onto its back. Ironically enough, this does actually give Megas access to all the S-Force's abilities and powers it up enough to defeat the bad guy.

[[AC:LightNovels]]
* ''LightNovel/UndefeatedBahamutChronicle'' has an unusual example. Rosa's Drag-Ride Gorynych can combine with the wreckage of destroyed Drag-Rides, temporarily reaching HumongousMecha proportions. In this state, known as Devil Machia Mode, she can go toe to toe with a [[{{Kaiju}} Ragnarok]] and win.

.

* ''WesternAnimation/DextersLaboratory'': Dexter and his family used a robot like this to finally defeat [[Kaiju Badaxtra]] in the season 2 finale.

* Hilariously parodied in ''Anime/TheBigO'' episode 18 "The Greatest Villain", when Simon Beck uses a megadeus that combines from three smaller vehicles. Roger straightens his bow-tie while he waits for them to finish gattai-ing, and then the action turns into a beautiful homage to ''Film/RaidersOfTheLostArk''... [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIbYfPbGc0Y See the whole thing here.]]

* ''Manga/OnePiece'': after parodying the idea of combining mecha, Franky would play it straight after the TimeSkip. The newly-constructed
Black Rhino FR-U 4 motorcycle and Brachio Tank V can be combined into a giant robot shaped like Franky. It pretty much does nothing in its initial appearance, being mostly used for gags, but the Punk Hazard arc shows it really is a force to be reckoned with.

* Arguably, some incarnations of the ''Comicbook/FantasticFour'''s Fantasti-car, which could separate into sub-vehicles for each of the Four.
** Similarly, the T-sub from the ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'' cartoon.

*** And Overlord himself is a one-mech combiner, with his top half forming a jet and his bottom a tank.

*** And then there's Chapter 636, where they play the trope completely straight, with the [[RhinoRampage Black Rhino]] [[CoolBike FR-U #4]] combining with [[StockDinosaurs Brachio]][[TankGoodness Tank #5]] to form the humanoid "Iron Pirate Franky Shogun".