Gundam Battle Operation 3 Is Free-to-Play on PS5 and PC

Bandai Namco Entertainment has announced Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation 3, a free-to-play team battle game for PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam. It was revealed during the Gundam Games 40th anniversary livestream on 28 October and supports cross-play, with both versions running together.

The official site lists 1 to 18 players, a price of free-to-play with some paid content, and a release date of TBD. A PlayStation Network or Steam account and an internet connection are required. Bandai Namco Forge Digitals is the developer, according to the Steam listing.

What's new

• Mobile suits and infantry: players fight as mercenaries and can leave the cockpit to plant base bombs, call in support fire and take objectives on foot.

• More series: Universal Century units fight alongside Alternative Universe series, starting with Mobile Suit Gundam SEED at launch. Bandai Namco says more series are planned in updates.

• SP Skills on every unit: each Mobile Suit has a special ability tied to its role. In Battle Operation 2, only certain suits had special abilities, Famitsu notes.

• Battle Assist: a new assist feature and a reworked interface meant to make combos easier.

What happens to Battle Operation 2

According to Famitsu's report on the livestream, Battle Operation 2 will not run alongside Battle Operation 3. Units and in-game assets earned in Battle Operation 2 will not carry over, but Bandai Namco is planning bonuses linked to how much players have played the older game. Battle Operation 2 launched on PS4 in 2018 and later came to PS5 and Steam.

Network test and release date

Bandai Namco's Japanese site is promoting a closed network test, which Famitsu reports runs on 20 and 22 November 2026. The English press release and site do not mention a test, so entry outside Japan is not confirmed. No launch date or window has been given.

What is not confirmed

Bandai Namco has not said what is sold in the game (battle passes, gacha-style unit draws or direct purchases), how big the launch roster is, or whether an Xbox or Switch 2 version is planned.