Super Robot Wars Compact is the first game of the Super Robot Wars franchise on the Wonder Swan. Just like the original Super Robot Wars on the Game Boy, Compact features no Original Generation; in fact, Compact doesn't even have any new series, at all. However, it's the first game to use the "Free Route System": instead of following a completely linear progression, the player's able to choose what order to play certain scenarios in, potentially affecting the storyline or giving the opportunity to receive hidden units or characters. The same system would be used again in Super Robot Wars Compact 2, its Video Game Remake Impact and Super Robot Wars MX.