One of Armored Core’s more obscure offshoots is making an unexpected return. G-MODE has announced G-MODE Archives+ Armored Core: Mobile 3, bringing the long-lost mobile entry in FromSoftware’s mech series to Nintendo Switch and PC.

Originally released in Japan for feature phones during the early 2000s, Armored Core: Mobile 3 has largely existed on the fringes of the franchise’s history. It was part of a short-lived effort to adapt the series’ signature mech combat to mobile hardware, long before smartphones became the standard. Outside of Japan, and even among long-time fans, it’s a game many have only heard about in passing.

The G-MODE Archives+ label has steadily been used to preserve and re-release classic Japanese mobile games that would otherwise be lost to time. This new release continues that mission, giving modern players a chance to experience a rarely discussed slice of Armored Core’s past without needing decades-old hardware.

While scaled back compared to its console counterparts, Armored Core: Mobile 3 still carries the DNA of the series. Players take on missions piloting customizable mechs, earning credits, upgrading parts, and navigating the familiar loop of risk and reward that defined early Armored Core titles. Its structure was designed around shorter play sessions, but the core ideas build experimentation, tactical combat, and incremental progression remain intact.

The timing of the announcement feels deliberate. Interest in the franchise has surged again following the success of Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon, and revisiting these older spin-offs offers a reminder of just how far the series has traveled. For newer fans, it’s a chance to see how Armored Core once adapted to strict technical limitations. For veterans, it’s a curiosity that’s finally accessible without emulation or archival digging.

No release date has been locked in yet, but G-MODE Archives+ Armored Core: Mobile 3 is confirmed for both Switch and PC, complete with modern platform support. It’s a small release in the grand scheme of things, but for preservation-minded players and Armored Core diehards, it’s a welcome one.