Girls und Panzer Games in Release Order: How to Play

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

This guide walks you through every Girls und Panzer video game in the order they were released, so you can experience the series as it unfolded. You’ll learn what each game offers, what platforms it’s on, and how to actually get it running today—whether you’re on a modern PC, a modded console, or an emulator. No prior knowledge of the anime is required, but having seen the show will make the fan service and story references more enjoyable.

What You’ll Need

A device that can run the game – most are on PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, or PC.
For Japanese-only titles: a Japanese PSN/Switch account or a physical import copy.
For PC games: a Steam account and a system that meets the game’s specs.
Optional but helpful: an emulator (e.g., Vita3K for PS Vita) if you don’t have the original hardware.
Patience for fan translations – some games have unofficial English patches.

Step-by-Step

Start with the original – Girls und Panzer: Senshado no Kiseki (2012, PSP). This is the first game, released only in Japan for the PSP. It’s a visual novel with turn-based tank battles that retell the anime’s first season. To play it today, you’ll need a PSP, a PS Vita (with a PSP emulator), or the PPSSPP emulator on PC. The game is in Japanese, but a fan translation patch exists. Download the patch from a trusted fan site, apply it to a ROM of the game (which you must own a copy of), and run it in PPSSPP.
Move to Girls und Panzer: Senshado no Kiseki – the “Best” edition (2013, PSP). This is a re-release with minor bug fixes and added content. It’s the same game, so you can skip it if you already played the original. If you’re a completionist, it’s worth grabbing because it includes extra scenes. Play it the same way as step 1.
Play Girls und Panzer: Senshado, Kiwameru! (2013, PS Vita). This is the first PS Vita game, a more action-oriented tank shooter with visual novel segments. It covers the anime’s first season and adds new story branches. It’s Japan-only. You can play it on a PS Vita (Japanese account required for digital) or on the Vita3K emulator on PC. The game has a partial fan translation, but it’s not complete.
Experience Girls und Panzer: Senshado, Kokoromade! (2014, PS Vita). This sequel to the Vita game continues the story after the anime’s first season, including the OVA and movie arcs. It improves on the previous game’s mechanics. Again, Japan-only. Use the same methods as step 3. A fan translation is in progress, but you can play the story with a guide if you don’t mind Japanese.
Try Girls und Panzer: Senshado, Ketteiban! (2015, PS Vita). This is an updated re-release of the previous two Vita games, combining them with enhanced graphics and all DLC. If you played steps 3 and 4, you can skip this. If not, this is the definitive way to play those stories on Vita. Same platform and emulation options.
Jump to PC with Girls und Panzer: Dream Tank Match (2018, PS4; 2019, PC via Steam). This is the first game to get an official Western release on PC. It’s a tank battle arena game with both single-player and online multiplayer. You can buy it on Steam and play it on any modern PC. No translation needed – it has full English support. The PS4 version is also in English, but the PC version is more accessible.
Play Girls und Panzer: Dream Tank Match DX (2018, PS4; 2019, PC). This is an expanded version of Dream Tank Match with more tanks, characters, and modes. It’s the definitive version. If you already own the base game, you can upgrade via DLC. On PC, it’s a separate purchase on Steam. The DX version is the one to get if you want the full experience.
Finish with Girls und Panzer: Saishuu Shou – Arisu War! (2020, Nintendo Switch). This is the latest game, a Switch exclusive that adapts the “Final” anime films. It’s Japan-only, but the Switch is region-free, so you can import a physical copy or buy it from the Japanese eShop (requires a Japanese Nintendo account). The game is in Japanese, but there’s a fan translation patch for the Switch emulator (Yuzu or Ryujinx).

Common Mistakes

Skipping the PSP game because it’s old. The PSP title sets up the characters and basic mechanics. If you skip it, you might miss story context for later games.
Buying the wrong region version. For PS4 and Switch, Japanese games may not have English text. Always check the region and language support before buying.
Using an emulator without a BIOS. For PSP and Vita emulation, you need the console’s BIOS files, which are copyrighted. You must dump them from your own console, not download them.
Applying a fan translation patch to the wrong game version. Patches are often version-specific. Make sure your ROM or game update matches the patch’s requirements.
Expecting all games to be in English. Only Dream Tank Match and DX have official English. The others are Japanese-only, so plan accordingly.

Tips

If you’re new to the series, start with Dream Tank Match DX on PC – it’s the easiest to get and fully in English.
For the Japanese games, keep a translation guide open on your phone or second screen. Many fan wikis have full story translations.
Use a controller for the tank battles – keyboard controls are clunky in the PC ports.
Join the Girls und Panzer fan community online. You’ll find up-to-date links to fan patches and translation guides.
If you’re emulating, save often and use save states – especially before long dialogue scenes.

Troubleshooting

Game won’t start on emulator. Make sure you have the correct BIOS and that your ROM is not corrupted. Update the emulator to the latest version.
Fan patch not working. Double-check that you applied the patch to the correct game version. Some patches require a specific update or DLC. Re-read the patch instructions.
Japanese eShop purchase issues. You need a Japanese Nintendo account and a payment method that works in Japan (like a Japanese eShop card). If you can’t buy, import a physical cartridge – the Switch is region-free.
Steam version crashes. Verify the game files through Steam, update your graphics drivers, and run the game in compatibility mode for Windows 8 if needed.
Can’t find a fan translation for a specific game. Some translations are incomplete or abandoned. Check the latest forum posts – sometimes a new patch is released after years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to watch the anime before playing the games?
A: No, but it helps. The games follow the anime’s story, so you’ll understand the characters better if you’ve seen it. However, each game has its own standalone story mode.

Q: Are any of the games available on modern consoles like PS5 or Xbox?
A: No. The latest game is on Switch, and the PC games are on Steam. None are on Xbox or PS5 natively, but you can play PS4 versions on PS5 via backward compatibility.

Q: Is Dream Tank Match DX worth buying over the base game?
A: Yes, if you want the full content. DX adds more tanks, characters, and online modes. It’s the definitive version.

Q: Can I play the Japanese games on a non-Japanese console?
A: For PS Vita, no – the Vita is region-locked for digital content, but physical cartridges work on any Vita. For Switch, the console is region-free, so physical and digital (with a Japanese account) both work.

Q: Are there any mobile games in the series?
A: Yes, there was a mobile game called Girls und Panzer: Atsui Sensha! but it was discontinued in 2017. It’s not playable anymore.

Q: Do the fan translations cover everything?
A: Not always. Some patches only translate menus and dialogue, not the in-battle text. Check the patch notes to see what’s covered.

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