We mentioned a while back about Lost Planet 2 model kits being scheduled for release along with the game, it turns out that these have become action figures instead. Now, it’s worth clarifying that Kotobukiya are excellent model kit makers but when it comes to toys they’re not overly brilliant. This is because toy development and manufacture is a lot more expensive than kits. So when you look at the pictures of the new PTX-140R Hardballer you can see that its feet don’t sit flat to the ground, this is down to reduced articulation as joints are expensive to engineer for bigger toys (especially at the collector end of the spectrum). Thankfully the GTF-11 Drio won’t suffer from this issue so much as the design is more straightforward. These new toys will be available in May for 4,200 yen each and are apparently set at 1/35 scale.

There will also be limited edition colour variants of these two toys at release in Japan, though whether these will also be available abroad remains to be seen. You can pre-order both toys here and here (at a reduced price of 3,800 yen no less).

Over at GA Graphic they’ve previewed the upcoming Shrike kit from Border Break. Like the other kits from the game, this is also being handled by Kotobukiya so expect good things for the final product. The Shrike is one of the Support class frames but like everything in the game, the mecha can be re-purposed across each class. The kit will be available in May for 3,675 yen and you can pre-order it here.

The upcoming Activision published High Moon developed Transformers: War for Cybetron will be receiving its own line of toys made by Hasbro. Above is the unfinished prototype of the new Optimus Prime and it will be part of the “Deluxe” range apparently (which will also include Bumblebee, Drift, Megatron and the Soundwave toys from the game). Considering the Japanese origins of the series, it’s sad that more experienced toy manufacturers (such as Takara) are no longer able to really get involved in the franchise (though the Binaltech and Masterpiece lines are obvious and truly wondrous exceptions to this rule). Admittedly these new “Deluxe” toys are only going to cost around $10-20 each but considering the fans they’re targeting the game at are now in their thirties, it seems that Hasbro are aiming the quality bar a bit low. These toys will be released sometime this year, to obviously tie in with the game’s release no doubt. In any case, it’s nice that Western developed mecha games are getting their own toys again finally.

A few of you may remember that we reviewed the 1/72 scale Kotobukiya White Glint kit from Armored Core For Answer a while back. Well, that kit is now discontinued but fret not as Kotobukiya are releasing an updated version as per the colouring in the opening movie along with its Vanguard Overboost pack. Naturally, this pushes the price up a bit; to 9,800 yen to be precise. The updated kit will be available in May and you can pre-order it here.

The above is the Volks toy of the SRX-00 from the Super Robot Wars series. It’s from the collection of a compatriot over at the wondrous Zinc Panic by the name of Edward Armstrong. It’s worth explaining why this toy is quite a big deal on a few levels. The SRX-00 originally appeared on the PlayStation game Shin Super Robot Wars in 1996. It was part of bigger project within the narrative that finally equipped the SRX team, who piloted real robots, to combine to form a very beefy super robot. It was also part of the Banpresto original designs too, in this case penned by the almost omnipotent Hajime Katoki. This toy is probably the only material representation that covers the gattai of the various units (though with an understandable amount of parts swapping). It’s also quite large, coming in at 32cm but the scary aspect is its price tag; 58,000 yen. Well, at the original retail price anyway as you’ll be lucky to even find one these days and when you do they normally go for 80,000 yen plus. In any case, mecha gaming designs don’t normally get this kind of epic treatment the SRX-00 has and for that alone this toy of it is truly quite special.

The wondrous Max Factory have added to their prestigious line of diecast “MAX Gohkin” toys with the Dragonar 1 from Kiko Senki Dragonar. The mecha were designed by veteran Kunio Okawara, however this toy is using the design interpretation by Masami Obari (who also worked on the series and directed the two opening animations). The Dragonar units were used in a fair few Super Robot Wars games but the series’ real resurgence came when they were featured in all three Another Century’s Episode games. In any case, this toy looks epically good and despite the massive price tag (22,000 yen) it does somewhat eclipse the prior Soul of Chogokin Spec toys by Bandai. If you have a deep wallet, you can buy it here.

Considering the moderately recent release of Macross Ultimate Frontier (which we’ve reviewed), it seems only fitting to review the signature variable fighter from Macross Frontier in its fully armored regalia; the VF-25F Messiah. This toy is part of the 1/60 DX Chogokin range associated with the series but the armor parts are a limited edition purchase from Bandai’s online collector shop (though the base toy has to be bought separately). What follows is a photo review of the toy in its fighter, GERWALK and battroid modes.

We’ve already talked about the Robot Damashii Turn A Gundam before but Bandai have recently released a special edition version via their collector focused online shop. This is of the Turn A emitting its Moonlight Butterfly, which in the anime is made up of a vast number of nanomachines. In addition, the base toy itself is available with translucent plastic. However, that’s not all as you can also buy a pack including the Turn X or even just the Moonlight Butterfly “wings” on their own (if you already have the older toys). Due to the nature of Bandai’s approach to shipping abroad, you may need to go via places like Tokyo Hunter though. Both the Turn A and Turn X were recently featured in Gundam vs Gundam Next Plus, along with their respective Moonlight Butterfly attacks in case you’re wondering.

Similar to Bandai’s previous Tamashii Nation events, they are now hosting a Tamashii Features event in both Tokyo and Osaka at the beginning of February. This will showcase their more affordable line of Robot Damashii and S.H.Figurarts toys. Naturally, at these events you often get limited edition toys only available for those that attend. The above Gundam Exia figure is a unqiue Trans-Am variant using translucent plastic for the outer armor. The Trans Am system effectively makes the Exia travel at three times its normal speed, a minor in-joke to Char’s customised Zaku II in the original Gundam (as that too was red and travelled suitably quick). However, the Trans Am functionality is more akin to the V-MAX system seen in Layzner as it’s time specific and relies on a finite amount of fuel. The Exia, and its Trans Am system, was recently featured in Gundam vs Gundam Next Plus. We’ve also included a video of the first time the Trans Am system kicks off for the Exia. Enjoy!

Much like the other Valken figure we recently mentioned, this one features the same booster pack but in the traditional green colours (instead of desert camouflage). This was released at last year’s Winter Comiket as a special figure. Thankfully, Tokyo Hunter is taking orders and at 1000 yen it’s a very nice bargain to boot.