To commemorate the release of Armored Core V today and courtesy of our good friends at HobbyLink Japan, we’ve been sent the Nineball (Armored Core Ver.) kit from the original Armored Core. Our review is also of the kit in its unpainted form. In addition, to help give the kit some context, we’ve also included some video footage of it from the original PSone and PS2 games at the end of the review.

The original Nineball was a very interesting antagonist in the original Armored Core. You spent some of the game hearing about his exploits and that he was the highest ranked Raven around. It wasn’t until you faced him in the heart of the Raven’s Nest that you found out the truth. Nineball was merely a shell AC for a vast AI that controlled the world. So when you faced off against two of them, the AC itself became something of a terror symbol.

Nineball wasn’t just left there though, as it was the primary enemy in Armored Core Master of Arena and in similar fashion was revealed to be yet another shell for the same AI that had survived the first game. You also faced Nineball three times in the final mission and then its ultimate incarnation, that of Nineball Seraph (which is also available in kit form).

In one manner or other, Nineball pervades almost every Armored Core game there is. Whilst he was absent in Armored Core 2, the term “Ninebreaker” was coined as a nickname for top-ranking Ravens. It even appeared in Armored Core 2 Another Age too, as a rather tricky and nimble opponent. The Ninebreaker term would also spawn another Armored Core game that also had a new and updated Nineball (again also available in kit form with an action figure on the way too).

In some ways Nineball defines much of Armored Core’s inherent identity, both functionally and narratively. So this kit is a bit of a big deal and doubly so as this is the first traditional PSone era AC to grace Kotobukiya’s Variable Infinity model kit line (Seraph doesn’t count as that’s a custom built unit).

Kit: Nineball (Armored Core Ver.)
Price: 4,320 yen
Size/Weight: 31.2 x 19.2 x 10.9 cm / 580g

Like with all other Kotobukiya AC kits, the emphasis is still on the quality of the sculpt. In this case, that’s a little odd as the original PSone games barely had enough polygons to render Kawamori’s designs properly. As such, this kit is more in line with Kawamori’s line-art for Nineball than what you see in game (though it also bears a great resemblance to the Nineball model seen in Master of Arena’s opening FMV). As this is also a traditional AC, left arm weapons are pretty much housed laser blades only. This is pretty much the kit’s only gimmick; the laser blade pops out nicely and you attach the beam part accordingly. The grenade launcher also folds out too, athough we didn’t have the kit kneel in the photos it can perform this action just fine. Kotobukiya haven’t cut corners at all though and have included a wonderful pre-painted Nineball emblem on the left shoulder, just like in the games. The articulation isn’t bad either, with poly capped joints throughout.

If you love the original Armored Core games as much as we do, then this is a must have kit. It’s such an iconic design and one that represents one of the finest mecha gaming villains ever.

Following on from our Revoltech Jehuty (Anubis Version) review, our good friends at HobbyLink Japan have sent us the Revoltech Anubis (from the game of the same name). Now, whilst we aren’t huge fans of the Zone of the Enders series, we’ve always loved the designs that Yoji Shinkawa penned for the games. We’ve also included some game footage at the end of the review.

Unlike the previous two Jehuty figures in the Revoltech line, this is an all new toy. Considering that this is the first ever toy of Anubis, as prior to this point we’ve only had garage kits, this is a bit of a big deal.

Being the primary antagonist of the PS2 Zone of the Enders games, Anubis is first introduced in a terrifying encounter at the end of the first game. Invulnerable to Jehuty’s attacks, all you can do is run away as best you can. If you were to think this terrifying orbital frame was any easier in the sequel, you’d be mistaken. What makes Anubis such an unsettling foe is its ability to teleport anywhere during combat. Admittedly Jehuty receives a similar ability later in the second game, by the name of “Zero Shift”, it still doesn’t assuage the fear this mecha evokes.

As will all Revoltechs, this figure is very poseable and multi-jointed. Whilst it lacks the ability to stand on its own, like the Jehuty figure, as well as lack any other real gimmicks, the sheer imposing nature of the design is still very striking. In the game the structures around the rear of Anubis hover in mid-air, naturally this has been recreated through use of clear plastic to link up the main figure to these “wings”. Subsequently, this affords the opportunity to wrap them around the main figure, almost cocooning it away. As with the Jehuty figure, Anubis also comes with a very serviceable stand.

Toy: Revoltech Anubis
Price: 2,651 yen
Size/Weight: 21.8 x 21.6 x 9.9 cm / 380g

As figures go then, this is not very technically interesting but it is visually very impressive. If you are a fan of the games and appreciate Shinkawa’s designs then you’d be crazy not to pick this up. If only for the fact that all the Zone of the Enders Revoltechs are wonderfully affordable and still very faithful in terms of their sculpt and pose-ability. Having both Jehuty and Anubis on a shelf somewhere also just feels right from a gaming standpoint. Even if you dislike the games, the designwork is still laudable. For that alone, this figure of Anubis comes highly recommended to all.

Those who follows the creator of Metal Gear’s Twitter feed (his main Japanese one, not the English language version) is well aware of his affinity for taking and sharing iPhone pics. And earlier morning, instead of his latest meal like usual, Hideo Kojima chose to highlight what appears to be a completed (or nearly so) version of threeA’s mammoth rendition of Rex.

In addition to being able to admire the product’s finish, one can fully comprehend its ginormous size, mostly via the pictures featuring Yoji Shinkawa, like a proud father holding up his newborn child. But the most noteworthy image is the close up of its left leg.

As Kojima notes in the accompanying tweet, it (along with the detachable rail gun) is designed to give Rex the same beat-up appearance he sports in Metal Gear Solid 4. I almost fainted when I saw the image, no joke. As for when it’ll be available, later this month is apparently the answer. But no word yet on the final price.

One of the classic Yutaka Izubuchi Gundam designs is finally getting the Robot Damashii treatment. That of the suitably majestic RX-93 Nu Gundam from Char’s Counterattack. To list the number of games and systems this mecha has appeared in would be a bit silly, as it’s basically been in pretty much everything. Like the RX-78-2 before it, the Nu Gundam is as iconic as it marks the closing chapter of Amuro and Char’s conflict and it is one of the few Federation mobile suits to employ Newtype controlled funnels. Anyway, we’re big fans of the design and normally, when it comes to Bandai’s business, the Hi-Nu Gundam normally follows suit (as the two designs share a similar base, of sorts). We’re putting money that the eventual Hi-Nu Gundam toy will be an online only purchase though, through Bandai’s premium online store. Anyway, the toy is out in April and you can pre-order it here.

Following on from our previous Revoltech Jehuty review, our good friends at HobbyLink Japan have sent us the latest version of Jehuty (specifically that of the version shown in Anubis). Now, whilst we aren’t huge fans of the Zone of the Enders series, we’ve always admired the designs that Yoji Shinkawa penned for the games. We’ve also included some game footage at the end of the review.

Like the first game, Anubis didn’t produce any toy merchandise at its release. Despite the large increase in production value for the game, as well as the slew of other functional improvements, Konami didn’t see it fit to release any toys of Shinkawa’s head turning designs. So all this renewed interest in the series from a toy standpoint is very much welcomed.

For all intents and purposes this is probably more of a companion review to the first Revoltech Jehuty, simply because this figure is nigh on identical in all aspects (bar its colouring). The only other element that’s new is the inclusion of four Homing Missiles that can attach to the display ring.

Bar that, this is the same nicely sculpted and articulated figure and so the same praise we heaped on the first figure is equally applicable here. In addition, it’s also a little bit cheaper too so you’re also getting little bit more for slightly less.

Toy: Revoltech Jehuty (Anubis Version)
Price: 2,270 yen
Size/Weight: 21.7 x 21.7 x 6.7 cm / 260g

Like the first figure, it’s very much a labour of love on the part of Kaiyodo. Unlike most Robot Damashii figures, the stand is still a welcome inclusion and affords some truly fantastic poses. Considering that the first figure is now no longer available and that most people prefer Anubis over the first game anyway, then this is a must buy. Even if you don’t particularly enjoy the games, like us, the design of Jehuty is so striking that it’s more than earned its place in the mecha design halls of excellence.

What with the current Tamashii Nation show in full swing, a slew of new toys have been displayed by Bandai. The Robot Damashii line has really entered my personal good books, from a rather lovely RX-93 Nu Gundam from Char’s Counterattack to a simply exquisite Billbine from Aura Battler Dunbine. Both are seminal Yutaka Izubuchi designs, but the mecha in Dunbine are probably some of our favourite designs ever. Thoroughly revolutionary, they kicked conventional wisdom on mecha aesthetic sharply in the head. There have been a number of Billbine toys over the years but the sculpt on this Robot Damashii iteration is really quite bloody amazing. Gaming wise the Billbine has been in all manner of Super Robot Wars entries and all the (good) Another Century’s Episode games. There’s no word whether this new figure will transform though, as it does in the series, and the release date and price are still unknown too.

Following on from our preview a while back, Griffon have finally displayed their upcoming Nineball figure from Armored Core Ninebreaker. This is not to be confused with the already released Kotobukiya kit nor the upcoming kit of the original Nineball from the PSone games. We’re not sure how good this figure will be, as there’s no mention of diecast and Griffon aren’t exactly renowned for their quality either. The use of the stand in some shots is also pretty worrying too, as it shows a potentially weak form of articulation. In any case, this new figure will retail at 7,800 yen in April of next year. You can pre-order the figure here.

Following from its suitably kickass introduction in the latest episode of Gundam Unicorn, the souped up RX-160S Byarlant Custom will be getting a limited edition Robot Damashii figure. Priced at 6,090 yen, the toy is at the higher end of the toyline’s price range but it’s a pretty tricky design. The original RX-160 Byarlant from Zeta Gundam, as piloted by the decidedly bouffant Jerid Messa, was definitely one of the more “out there” Kazumi Fujita designs in the series (here’s a nice little video of the classic design). It’s been featured in numerous games over the years too, with the recent Gundam Musou games being notable. Either way we’re happy that a non-standard mobile suit design will be given a modern day toy. It will be released in April of next year.

[[Visit blog to check out this spoiler]]

We first saw threeA‘s gorgeous looking Metal Gear Rex exactly two years ago today. But virtually nothing been said or seen ever since. To the point that those who still remember it have naturally assumed that the statue was quietly cancelled. Then earlier this year, threeA passed along a blog post of what looked to be a rail gun, one similar to what Rex was sporting, but which also lights up. A feature that no one knew about, at least based upon the prototype pics.

No further information was given, but at least it was evidence that Rex was still alive. And just a few days ago, another update was provided, with concrete info at long last. Aside from looking better than ever, we can also see that the cockpit and its “eyes” also lights up. A timeframe in which all interested parties was also given: this upcoming January. No word how much it will weigh, but it sure looks heavy, especially since we do know its height: 42 cm, or 16.5 inches.

And according to Ashley Wood, who is not only Hideo Kokjima’s go to illustrator for all things Metal Gear these days (aside from Yoji Shinkawa, of course), but is one of folks who runs the threeA empire: because every part is ABS and requires injection molds, the price tag will be steep. It’s also worth noting that he still considers Rex a toy and simply a statue, which given its size and cost is what most of us were viewing it as. The rumoured price is somewhere between $400-500.

The official Riobot blog has a new entry on the upcoming Gurren Lagann toy they’ve made. Set for an April release next year, they’ve started the PR early on this one. However, it seems warranted as the toy is very impressive in terms of its articulation and is also suitably gimmick ridden (for instance the eyes in the chest follow the head movements). Whilst the retail price of 9,500 yen seems a bit steep for only a figure that’s barely 14.5 cm tall, the guys at Sentinel really do excellent work. Plus the figure comes with the great wing accessory as standard. In any case, we’ll be picking this beauty up on its release next year and you can pre-order yours here.