History Main / MechaExpansionPack

* Numerous PowerRangers and SuperSentai series use this mechanic when a SixthRanger joins up. The Dragonzord can 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 can also combine with the Ninja Megazord as a jetpack, or the Shogun Megazord as a set of chest-mounted guns.

* ''SuperRobotWars'' is fond of busting this out whenever possible (includeing the ''Gundam and ''Evangelion'' examples above as well as many more from the mecha animes that take part). Examples in OriginalGeneration mechs include the Huckebein Boxer frame from ''Alpha'', the various Excellence frames from ''R'', and the G-Thundergate in ''Original Generation Gaiden''.

* Every BraveSeries have a expansion for their mechs. Mostly, the 3-member squad (not the main hero mech) gets one every time. Examples include {{The Brave Express Might Gaine}}'s Horn Bomber]] for Tri Bomber, {{Brave Police J-Decker}}'s Drillboy for Build Tiger/Tiger Gimlet, {{The Brave Of Gold Goldran}}'s Fire Silver for Silverion, {{Brave Command Dagwon}}'s Dag Drill for Liner Dagwon, and so on.

* Every BraveSeries have a expansion for their mechs. Mostly, the 3-member squad (not the main hero mech) gets one every time. Examples include [[TheBraveExpressMightGaine Horn Bomber]] for Tri Bomber, [[BravePoliceJDecker Drillboy]] for Build Tiger/Tiger Gimlet [[TheBraveOfGoldGoldran Fire Silver]] for Silverion [[BraveCommandDagwon Dag Drill]] for Liner Dagwon, and so on.

** The MidSeasonUpgrade (as it were) was pretty much sticking giant rockets onto [=StealthGao=], adding some extras to the RocketPunch and Protect Shade and changing their names. A new mecha (and toy) would have to wait for ''FINAL'''s [=GaoFighGar=]. Genesic GaoGaiGar is also effectively this, as it primarily adds the [[SuperPrototype original]] Gao Machines to [=GaiGar=].

* The F-Type Equipment from the ''NeonGenesisEvangelion'' ExpandedUniverse and SuperRobotWarsAlpha 3 is a set of armor and weapons for the EVA-01(!) that also [[spoiler: actually prevents it from going berserk no matter what]]. The weapons also include a new rifle with a huge bayonet, N2 rocket launcher AND an AT field lightning weapon called the "Impact Bolt" mounted in the unit's head, the strongest weapon in the entire franchise. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-v-ezBGvyo To say those last two create very large explosions when used is a complete understatement]]

* Though used on [[PoweredArmor battlesuits]] and not HumongousMecha, the Tau Commander and Crisis suits can be further upgraded once built with different weapons (the jetpack needs to be researched elsewhere). In the campaign, the Commander gets a lot more upgrades, such as stealth and drones.

* The F-Type Equipment from the ''NeonGenesisEvangelion'' ExpandedUniverse and SuperRobotWarsAlpha 3 is a set of armor and weapons for the EVA-01(!) that also [[spoiler: actually prevents it from going berserk no matter what]]. The weapons also include a new rifle with an N2 rocket launcher and AT field lightning weapon called the "Impact Bolt" mounted in the unit's head, the strongest weapon in the entire franchise. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-v-ezBGvyo To say those last two create very large explosions when used is a complete understatement]]

* ''SuperRobotWars'' is fond of busting this out whenever possible (especially the ''Evangelion'' example above, since it involves an [[{{BFG}} Eva-sized]] ''[[KatanasAreJustBetter katana]]''). Examples in OriginalGeneration mechs include the Huckebein Boxer frame from ''Alpha'', the various Excellence frames from ''R'', and the G-Thundergate in ''Original Generation Gaiden''.

* The F-Type Equipment from the ''NeonGenesisEvangelion'' ExpandedUniverse and SuperRobotWarsAlpha 3 is a set of armor and weapons for the EVA-01(!) that also [[spoiler actually prevents it from going berserk no matter what]]. The weapons also include a new rifle with an N2 rocket launcher and AT field lightning weapon called the "Impact Bolt" mounted in the unit's head, the strongest weapon in the entire franchise. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-v-ezBGvyo To say those last two create very large explosions when used is a complete understatement]]

* The F-Type Equipment from the ''NeonGenesisEvangelion'' ExpandedUniverse and SuperRobotWarsAlpha 3 is a set of armor and weapons for the EVA-01(!) that also [[spoiler actually prevents it from going berserk no matter what]]. The weapons also include a new rifle with an N2 rocket launcher and AT field lightning weapon called the "Impact Bolt" mounted in the unit's head, the strongest weapon in the entire franchise. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-v-ezBGvyo To say those last two create very large explosions when used is a complete {{Understatement}}]]

* The F-Type Equipment from the ''NeonGenesisEvangelion'' ExpandedUniverse is a set of armor and weapons for the EVA-01(!).

** Though R2 also shows how you can make adding such an expansion as awesome as possible: The Guren gets its float unit and a new radiation wave arm delivered and attached ''by rockets'' while ''falling from the sky down to the sea''.
*** Using ''missiles'' to carry the parts.

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

*** And the Arc-Gurren Lagann, which is like a space gunmen for Gurren Lagann itself, except its slightly bigger and looks different. And the there's the Chou Ginga Gurren Lagann... [[MetaMecha which is piloted by the Arc Gurren Lagann, which is piloted by Gurren Lagann. Many, many expansion packs.]] It goes all the way up to "SUPER TENGEN TOPPA GURREN LAGANN" that's pretty much, made of win and running on awesome.[[hottip:* :For elaboration, the Super Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is a hundred times the size of the regular Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, which is ''as big as a galaxy'', is made out of blue fire, and looks like [[MemeticBadass Kamina]]. [[CrazyAwesome Yes.]]]

*** And the Arc-Gurren Lagann, which is like a space gunmen for Gurren Lagann itself, except its slightly bigger and looks different. And the there's the Chou Ginga Gurren Lagann... [[MetaMecha which is piloted by the Arc Gurren Lagann, which is piloted by Gurren Lagann. Many, many expansion packs.]] It goes all the way up to "SUPER TENGEN TOPPA GURREN LAGANN" that's pretty much, made of win and running on awesome.[[hottip:* :For elaboration, the Super Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is a hundred times the size of the regular Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, which is ''as big as a galaxy'', is made out of blue fire, and looks like [[MemeticBadass Kamina]]. [[CrazyAwesome Yes.]]]]

Adding a flight mode to a previously land-bound machine is a favorite. Sometimes this add-on will be a separate vehicle that is piloted by another character, combining (pun originally accidental but we're keeping it) this with CombiningMecha. Since most Real Robots are modular and reconfigurable to begin with (just like the expensive model kits they're hawking,) this is pretty much standard operating procedure for them.

*** And the Arc-Gurren Lagann, which is like a space gunmen for Gurren Lagann itself, except its slightly bigger and looks different. And the there's the Chou Ginga Gurren Lagann... [[MetaMecha which is piloted by the Arc Gurren Lagann, which is piloted by Gurren Lagann. Many, many expansion packs.]] It goes all the way up to "SUPER TENGEN TOPPAN GURREN LAGANN" that's pretty much, made of win and running on awesome.

*** And the Arc-Gurren Lagann, which is like a space gunmen for Gurren Lagann itself, except its slightly bigger and looks different. And the there's the chouginga Gurren Lagann... [[MetaMecha which is piloted by the Arc Gurren Lagann, which is piloted by Gurren Lagann. Many, many expansion packs.]]It goes all the way up to "SUPER TENGEN TOPPAN GURREN LAGANN" that's pretty much, made of win and running on awesome.

** Though R2 also shows how you can make adding such an expansion as awesome as possilbe: The Guren gets its float unit and a new radiation wave arm delivered and attached ''by rockets'' while ''falling from the sky down to the sea''.
*** Using ''missles'' to carry the parts.

** The Strike Gundam from ''GundamSeed'' also has three expansion packs, converting it into Aile ("wing"), [[{{BFS}} Sword]] or [[{{BFG}} Launcher]] Strike Gundam (Five if you count the IWSP and Lighting Striker packs). The Impulse Gundam from ''GundamSeedDestiny'' used a similar mechanic.

** The trend continued in ''{{Gundam 00}}'' with G.N. Arms and 0-Raiser for Exia and 00 Gundam, respectively.
*** Don't forget Arios' GN Archer, which is both a MechaExpansionPack & a TransformingMecha. Also strange in that they only combine in jet mode. Think Dreadwing from ''{{Transformers}}''.
*** Played straight one more time towards the end of the series, long ''after'' the MidSeasonUpgrade. Most of the Gundams received addon weapon and equipment packs (the 00 just got a new sword and the 0 got a new battery pack) in time for their swansong.

** ''[[OddlyNamedSequel Code Geass R2]]'' eventually stops doing this though - the Lancelot is replaced by the Lancelot Albion, which uses a lightweight "Energy Wing System". The Guren is completely rebuilt (as the Guren SEITEN) with the same system a few episodes before this.