Guardian (video game)

Guardian is a video game title that can refer to several different games across various platforms and genres. Due to the ambiguity of the title, it is important to specify which Guardian is being referenced. Below are common uses of the title:

• Guardian as a Generic Title: The word "Guardian" is often used as a thematic element in game titles, particularly within fantasy or science fiction settings, to denote a character or entity whose primary function is protection or defense. This can be a single-player role in a game or part of the overall lore. These games may not always be explicitly titled simply "Guardian," but feature the word prominently within their names (e.g., The Last Guardian).

• Specific Game Titles: Several games exist with the exact or near-exact title "Guardian". Due to the prevalence of digital distribution and varying regional releases, these may overlap or have been subsequently renamed. Common examples include:

  • Guardian: Revenge of the Mutants: A side-scrolling beat 'em up arcade game released in the early 1990s.
  • Guardian Heroes: A Sega Saturn beat 'em up released in 1996, known for its unique fighting mechanics and branching storylines. This game was later re-released on Xbox Live Arcade.
  • Guardian Cross: A mobile collectible card battle game developed and published by Square Enix.
  • Guardian Saga: An action RPG developed by Nexon.

• Guardian as a Class/Role: In massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) and other role-playing games, "Guardian" often represents a character class or role focused on tanking, defense, or protecting other players. While not a game title in itself, the term is a common archetype.

Because "Guardian" is a common term and game titles often overlap, further context (developer, platform, release year, specific gameplay features) is usually necessary to identify the particular "Guardian" game in question.