For our readers that are now finally playing Armored Core V, we’ve set up some Mecha Damashii teams for you. Due to the server split, we’ve created a team pretty much in each region. However, the US and European teams are only on the 360 version (Tollmaster runs the US team and I run the European one in case you’re wondering). So, come on and join up to have some fun with us. If that wasn’t enough, our own Tollmaster is also in the game’s credits. Requiring a truly gilded brofist to celebrate the occasion.

Moving on from that, there has been a lot of (Japanese fan) speculation about an official Armored Core series timeline since Armored Core V was released in late January. Whilst there is a timeline in Armored Core Mechanical Guidance and Armored Core 10 Works Complete File that covers the PSone and PS2 games, the newer games (even including Chrome Hounds) haven’t really been officially explained as yet. We’ll be collating this over the next few days and doing a post on it most likely but in the meantime join in the fun on Armored Core V.

It’s been reported that veteran anime director Noboru Ishiguro passed away recently at the age of 73. A monolithic figure in anime, he helmed all manner of classic mecha anime from Macross to Orguss as well as Megazone 23. Not to mention his amazing work on the original Yamato and the utterly epic Legend of Galactic Heroes. Considering that Hiroshi Kakoi only died last year (though under very different circumstances obviously), to have yet another Macross alumni pass away is so very sad. As always, our thoughts are with his friends and family during this difficult time.

It’s been announced that the long awaited Blu-Ray release for Macross Do You Remember Love? will also in fact be a hybrid game disc like the last two Macross Frontier movies. The game, very likely developed by Artdink, will be called “My Boyfriend is a Pilot 2012″. Not only is 2012 an important year for the saga, as it marks its 30th Anniversary, but it also is the date in which Macross Flashback 2012 is set (this will also be included in the Blu-Ray box set apparently). This isn’t the first time the classic movie has been rendered in game form either, as there was an excellent 2.5D shooter on the PSone and Saturn as well as the rather wonderful PS2 game (not to mention all the PSP games too). The disc will be released on the 26th July this year and come in two versions; standard and a boxset. The standard disc will cost 7,140 yen and the box set at 13,800 yen.

Following on from the recent promo, Gundam Battle Operation has received a nice new update article over at 4Gamer. The piece has all manner of new screenshots and goes into some detail about the game’s system. Notable are the mentions regarding the grappling setup, which seems to be a context sensitive menu (ugh) and the fact that mobile suits will be customisable. You’ll also be able to colour your character too. The article also confirms that infantry will be able to repair mobile suits in the field as well as hitch a ride. Once the beta for this is out we’ll be posting our impressions.

As of yesterday, a second batch of DLC was released for the new Gundam Unicorn game. Featuring all manner of characters, missions and mobile suits (some free and others paid), we’re most happy to see the MSN-001X Gundam Delta Kai present and correct. Having downloaded and played with the mobile suit, it really is quite beastly. Featuring a very powerful and accurate long range beam rifle, it also packs prototype funnels that fire beam shotgun (!) projectiles. It can also transform and pack a variety of other weapon load-outs too. We’ve included a nice little video of it in action below. As for our review, that’s still forthcoming but we can say that we’re impressed with the game thus far and that it’s very reminiscent of the earlier Another Century’s Episode games.

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The original Steel Battalion had a pretty epic price tag, but that was because you were getting a huge custom built controller to go with the game. In a recent move by Capcom though, they’ve seemed to rather missed the main point of pricing the forthcoming Steel Battalion Heavy Armor. Whilst this is not the standard price for the game, as that’s roughly what you’d expect it to be, the Limited Edition will come in at 35,000 yen. For that you get a jacket, helmet (?!?), soundtrack, book on the game and the game itself. This is nearly double what the original game cost and this pack doesn’t even come with a Kinect peripheral. We’re really beginning to doubt that the guys at Capcom know what they’re doing.

Famitsu has a nice new update showing some more units in the forthcoming Super Robot Wars Z 2 Saisei-hen. From the majestic Shin Getter (pictured above) to the rather lovely GNR-101A GN Archer from Gundam 00. Even the re-done animations for Overman King Gainer, a favourite series of ours too, look really great. It’s also intimated elsewhere that another longer promo will be forthcoming showing off a lot more of the game. Considering that the game’s release is a few weeks away, the timing is suitably apt. Don’t forget you can also preorder the game here.

In the latest issue of Famitsu, Bandai Namco have announced Gundam Battle Operation (pictured above). A free to download online multiplayer PSN title that will very likely offer further paid content (freemium basically). It’s being developed by B.B. Studio, though they’re citing the upcoming Super Robot Wars Z 2 Saisei-hen as a reference. That’s a little odd as it’s far more likely being developed by the team who made Gundam Senki 0081, who are also part of B.B. Studio (plus the early screenshots look like it’s similar tech anyway). Apart from the freemium thing, which inherently concerns us (as many titles that adopt this model are often pretty crappy to play, though Hawken may likely change all that to be fair), we are more worried if Terada gets involved in this. As whenever he ventures outside of SRW he tends to ruin everything, especially when it comes to action games. That aside, the game seems to be set in early Universal Century, judging from the mobile suits on display, and will feature 12 player online matches (6 per side). Apparently, you’ll also be able to exit your mobile suit and walk around on foot too. There will also be a closed beta at the end of March for 10,000 players and the final game is expected in June.

In a rather cool move to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Macross this year, Bandai Namco will be releasing some new DLC for Ace Combat Assault Horizon with some F-14D’s made up with the livery from Hikaru Ichijoe’s VF-1J and Roy Focker’s VF-1S. What’s especially lovely about this is that the F-14 was in fact the base by which Shoji Kawamori penned the original VF-1 series of variable fighters in the first Macross. So to have F-14D’s made up like this brings a nerdy tear to our eye. Naturally, these jets don’t transform but both will be available (as a set) on March 21st for either 600 yen (PS3) or 400 MSP (360).

Despite a few announcement hiccups, it seems that Gundam Seed Battle Destiny will finally be released on June 7th. Sony have subsequently been doing a slew of videos to assure new PS Vita customers that games are indeed on the way, with Battle Destiny being notable (shown below). Even Terada has been summoned to talk about the forthcoming PSP game Super Robot Wars Z 2 Saisei-hen, which whilst technically not a PS Vita game per se it can be run on the system (just like Hakai-hen already is). That aside, the game footage of Battle Destiny looks good and seems very much in line with the prior PSP games in the series. If you haven’t done so already, you can also pre-order the game here.

Updated: Despite elsewhere stating that an SRW is being made for the Vita, the video with Terada that we linked doesn’t actually state this. He merely says that they’re investigating how the system works at present. Whilst it’s likely an SRW game will come to the Vita, it’s a bit early to make any such assertions. Saisei-hen will definitely work on the Vita though.

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