History Main / TankTreadMecha

** In the Universal Century timeline we have the RX-75-4 Guntank from ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam'', one of the earliest examples within the franchise. It proved to be an effective artillery platform that subsequent successor models and variants were developed ever since. Most notably the [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamMSIGLOO RTX-440 Ground Assault Type Guntank]], the [[Anime/MobileSuitZetaGundam RMV-1 Guntank II]], the [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamF91 F-50D Guntank R-44]] (a humanoid with tank treads on its backpack and legs, which [[TransformingMecha can assume this configuration by sitting down]]) and the [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamUnicorn D-50C Loto]] (a predecessor to the R-44). Due to their efficiency they're used as troop transports as much as, if not more than, weapon platforms.

If they are {{Transforming Mecha}}s, then one of their configurations or {{Partial Transformation}}s should invoke this trope. This is often depicted with their legs folding aside to make way for the tank threads that will replace it. Sometimes the legs themselves transform into the tank platform with each leg opening up and deploying the tank treads. Other more elaborate and creative transformations exists besides these. When used on {{Combining Mecha}}s the legged mecha usually merges with an accompanying support vehicle or other mecha(s) to turn into a giant mobile fortress.

Tank tread mechas are most prevalent in [[RealRobotGenre Real Robot]] stories due to their practicality in design, though tank tread mechs on [[SuperRobotGenre Super Robot]] stories are not unheard of, especially so on older shows. Sometimes it's one of the mecha's transformation modes which exchanges its legged form's agility, dexterity and maneuverability for speed, stability, and lower profile. In real life it would be problematic to stick a humanoid upper body onto a tracked fighting vehicle, since that would add a lot of weight compared to a normal tank turret, and also be a bigger, higher target requiring more frontal armor. Crew survivability could be improved by having the cockpit down inside the tracked hull instead of the robotic upper part. As with {{Walking Tank}}s, these mechas would probably serve better as workhorses than as fighters.

* The ''VideoGame/FrontMission'' series have quite a few examples. Many wanzers (Front Mission's term for their mecha) have normal arms and upper body, but tank-tread style legs. Notable ones include some variants of the Wildgoat wanzer and the Igel Zwei wanzer.

* The ''VideoGame/FrontMission'' series have quite a few examples. Many wanzers (Front Mission's term for their mecha) have normal arms and upper body, but tank-tread style legs. Notable ones include some variants of the Wild Goat wanzer and the Igel Zwei wanzer.

* The wanzers (Front Mission's term for their mecha) in ''VideoGame/FrontMission'' have quite a few examples of this. Notable ones include some variants of the Wild Goat wanzer and the Igel Zwei.

* Revell's ''Power Lords'' toy line designed by Creator/WayneBarlowe, had Beast Machine Warbot. This thing had a giant robot for its top half, while the bottom was a tank with a pair of missile launchers. Warbot was the only one that could truly fit this trope, the other Beast Machines were actually cyborgs with the top half being giant pro-wrestlers or He-Man knockoffs.

* The children's book-and-tape set based on the above-mentioned ''Comicbook/MarvelStarWars'' story "Droid World" again features the tank-like Warbot, this time in nicely painted illustrations rather than just comic book panels.

* The ''Comicbook/MarvelStarWars'' story "Droid World" involves a damaged Imperial "warbot" that the Rebels need to retrieve some data from. It's a big cylindrical thing with a tank turret for a head, a pair of enormous clawed arms, and tank treads instead of legs.

** In [[AlternateUniverse alternate timelines]] we have the [[Anime/AfterWarGundamX DT-6800 Daughtress Tank]], [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED ZuOOT and GaZuOOT]].

* The fifth ''VideoGame/MetalSlug'' game introduces the [[http://metalslug.wikia.com/wiki/Slug_Gunner Slug Gunner]]; a new variant of the titular Metal Slugs that is a MiniMecha instead of a normal tank, complete with arms (one with GatlingGood and another with PileBunker). It can retract its legs in order to deploy the treads, making it faster, but limiting its shots' direction (only forward).

* In ''VideoGame/{{Chromehounds}}'', treads were one of the six available movement types - the others being bipedal (manwalker or ChickenWalker), wheeled, hover skirts, and quadrupedal. Treads offered the second highest max weight (below quads), along with good stability, though they are agonizingly slow - only quads were slower.
* The third boss Gustav from ''VideoGame/{{Einhander}}'' has triangular tank treads in place of legs. It can also fold itself into said treads and roll around the area.

Tank tread mechas are most prevalent in [[RealRobotGenre Real Robot]] stories due to their practicality in design, though tank tread mechs on [[SuperRobotGenre Super Robot]] stories are not unheard of, especially so on older shows. Sometimes it's one of the mecha's transformation modes which exchanges its legged form's agility, dexterity and maneuverability for speed, stability, and lower profile. In real life it would be problematic to stick a humanoid upper body onto a tracked fighting vehicle, since that would add a lot of weight compared to a normal tank turret, and also be a bigger, higher target requiring more frontal armor. Crew survivability could be improved by having the cockpit down inside the tracked hull instead of the robotic upper part. As with WalkingTanks, these mechas would probably serve better as workhorses than as fighters.

Tank tread mechas are most prevalent in [[RealRobotGenre Real Robot]] stories due to their practicality in design, though tank tread mechs on [[SuperRobotGenre Super Robot]] stories are not unheard of, especially so on older shows. Sometimes it's one of the mecha's transformation modes which exchanges its legged form's agility, dexterity and maneuverability for speed, stability, and lower profile. In real life it would be problematic to stick a humanoid upper body onto a tracked fighting vehicle, since that would add a lot of weight compared to a normal tank turret, and also be a bigger, higher target requiring more frontal armor. Crew survivability could be improved by having the cockpit down inside the tracked hull instead of the robotic upper part.

Mechas of this category are usually depicted as being able to carry heavier loads (thus enabling them to equip bigger armaments or several standard sized ones) and run a bit faster than legged mechas but perform poorly on rough, uneven terrains (such as hills and forests) and are less agile at close quarters combat. Due to this, tank tread mechas are usually assigned to support and artillery roles, providing indirect and long range fire support for the more agile legged mechas at the front. Outside of military usage, tank tread mechas are often found at construction sites, warehouses, and mines, acting as multipurpose work vehicles. Complete with modular arm attachments. Bonus points if it has more than two arms for maximum multitasking.

Tank tread mechas are most prevalent in [[RealRobotGenre Real Robot]] stories due to their practicality in design, though tank tread mechs on [[SuperRobotGenre Super Robot]] stories are not unheard of, especially so on older shows. Sometimes it's one of the mecha's transformation modes which exchanges its legged form's agility, dexterity and maneuverability for speed, stability, and lower profile. In real life it would be problematic to stick a humanoid upper body onto a tracked fighting vehicle, since that would add a lot of weight, and also be a bigger, higher target requiring more frontal armor. Crew survivability could be improved by having the cockpit down inside the tracked hull instead of the robotic upper part.

Tank tread mechas are most prevalent in [[RealRobotGenre Real Robot]] stories due to their practicality in design, though tank tread mechs on [[SuperRobotGenre Super Robot]] stories are not unheard of, especially so on older shows. Sometimes it's one of the mecha's transformation modes which exchanges its legged form's agility, dexterity and maneuverability for speed, stability, and lower profile. Realistically it would be problematic for a tracked fighting vehicle to have an upright human-like torso and head, since that part would still have a higher profile than a tank turret and require a greater surface area to be covered by the frontal armor. Crew survivability could be improved by having the cockpit down inside the tracked hull instead of the robotic upper part.

Tank tread mechas are most prevalent in [[RealRobotGenre Real Robot]] stories due to their practicality in design, though tank tread mechs on [[SuperRobotGenre Super Robot]] stories are not unheard of, especially so on older shows. Sometimes it's one of the mecha's transformation modes which exchanges its legged form's agility, dexterity and maneuverability for speed, low profile and stability.

Not to be confused with a legged mecha with tank treads on their feet and use them like motorized [[RollerbladeGood rollerblades]] on a human or one riding a tank like a mount or vehicle. The key idea here is mechas that propel themselves on tank treads due to the lack of legs. It also doesn't have to be exclusively tank treads; It can also be half-tracks, wheels or even train wheels on railroad tracks. Regular tanks with at least two prominent arm attachments mounted on their swivelling turrets are also considered. The trope is not exclusive to mechas either; some robots and even cyborgs have invoked this trope before as well.

* It's a slight stretch as the top half is a nearly full-body cyborg rather than a robot, but Mandroid from the '80s movie ''Film/{{Eliminators}}. Mandroid is a laser-toting war robot mounted on tank treads, [[DoAnythingRobot who has a gadget for all occasions]].

* Revell's Wayne Barlowe-designed ''Power Lords'' toy line, had Beast Machine Warbot. This thing had a giant robot for its top half, while the bottom was a tank with a pair of missile launchers. Warbot was the only one that could truly fit this trope, the other Beast Machines were actually cyborgs with the top half being giant pro-wrestlers or He-Man knockoffs.