Twenty Years of Giant Insects
The EDF franchise spans seven mainline entries and a handful of spin-offs, running from the original Simple Series budget title in December 2003 to Earth Defense Force 6 in Japan in 2022 and the West in July 2024. Three games define the series for most Western players: EDF 2017, which broke the franchise out of Japan; EDF 4.1, the most-recommended entry point; and EDF 5, which brought the series to its commercial and critical peak.
Each mainline entry shares the same foundational premise: giant alien insects and extraterrestrial invaders are attacking Earth, and the Earth Defense Force is outnumbered by an order of magnitude. The games vary in class systems, enemy rosters, and platform targets, but the design philosophy is constant - overwhelming numbers, co-op at the centre, and cathartic destruction as the primary loop.
For box art, platform data, release dates, and mission counts across the full catalogue from 2003 to 2024, see the games catalogue. Editorial deep dives into the three flagship titles are on the flagship page.
What is EDF?
Earth Defense Force is a third-person shooter series developed by Sandlot and published by D3 Publisher. The series began in 2003 as part of D3's budget-priced Simple Series in Japan, and has since grown into one of gaming's most beloved cult franchises, spanning PlayStation 2 through PlayStation 5 and PC.
Each entry casts the player as a soldier of the titular Earth Defense Force, tasked with repelling increasingly absurd alien invasions. Giant insects, UFOs, colossal mechs - EDF throws everything at you, and the game's gleeful disregard for polish is a core part of its charm.
The series is designed by Shirō Kuroda, who has directed every mainline Sandlot EDF entry since 2003. Its approachable, cathartic gameplay and enthusiastic co-op make it a perennial favourite among players who value fun over spectacle.