On April 26th the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam “Banshee” will be added to the playable roster of mobile suits in Gundam Extreme Versus Full Boost. The version in the game is also that of the OVA rendition that was teased at the end of the last episode, rather than the one from the novel. The screenshots do show similar (green) psycho-frame resonance as per the Unicorn too, which is a nice touch. This version will also be piloted by Marida Cruz, who initially pilots the Banshee before Riddhe Marcenas gets his hands on it. Whilst the design does look boss, black Gundams generally do to be fair, we had hoped to see more of the Blue Destiny units teased in the new intro.

Gundam Extreme Versus Full Boost, the much anticipated follow on to Gundam Extreme Versus, will be released tomorrow in arcades across Japan. Whilst details as to whether Byking are still helming the game are unknown, it remains likely (even with Gunslinger Stratos in development already). Again, the hardware is also touted to be System 357 and that means a another PS3 port is likely down the road. Either way, we’re happy to see another entry into this excellent versus series finally at large.

To help promote the release of the new Fight It Out song for Gundam Extreme Versus Full Boost, Bandai Namco have released the arcade game’s new opening movie. Whilst this is, admittedly a very shiny, CG movie it does bely some interesting tidbits on potential future mobile suit unit additions to the game. From the obvious CB-0000G/C Reborns Gundam and RX-0 Unicorn Gundam “Banshee”, what we’re most excited about is the fact that the MS-08TX (EXAM) Efreet Custom (pictured above) could be on the cards too. Considering that we’re massive fans of the original Saturn Blue Destiny games, the fact we may have another mobile suit to play with from it makes us so very happy. If that wasn’t enough, Bandai will also be doing a limited edition HG kit of the new Extreme Gundam Leos type, which is basically a re-coloured version of the previous HG kit. Anyway, we’re not sure at all about this new song for Full Boost, but we’re still pretty pumped for the game nonetheless, especially if we get some more Blue Destiny mobile suits.

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Whilst the current roster of mobile suits in the forthcoming Gundam Extreme Versus Full Boost is basically a combination of the current game’s lineup plus the PS3 version’s DLC, there aren’t that many new units for the game. Well, that’s changing already as apart from the scant few new additions we’ll also have the LM312V04 Victory Gundam, ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam and the GSX-401FW Stargazer Gundam added to the game’s playable selection on release. We always quite enjoyed using the standard Victory Gundam on the older Gundam Versus games as it was quite a resourceful, yet cheap, unit. Hopefully that same economical ass-kickery will be present in its re-introduction.

At the recent AOU 2012 show, more Gundam Extreme Versus Full Boost content has surfaced. Notable of which is the addition of the Extreme Gundam “Leos” type (pictured above). The Extreme Gundam being the boss mecha you face at the end of each of the arcade paths in the current game, as well as in the Trial Missions on the PS3 port. It also sounds like this will be playable unit. Admittedly, we won’t be getting the gattai-tastic variants seen in the original Extreme Versus but instead something a bit more streamlined. The official site has also been updated a fair bit too as of late, with a current roster of all the playable mobile suits. Much of the PS3’s DLC will be making it into Full Boost, especially that of the wondrous RX-79BD-1 GM Blue Destiny Unit 1. Full Boost is expected to hit Japanese arcades this spring.

Whilst most people would celebrate Valentine’s Day by giving their loved one chocolates or flowers, Bandai Namco thought that a few more mobile suits in Senjou no Kizuna would do the trick. The two new units are the FA-78-1B Full Armor Gundam Type B, as seen in the serialised novel MSV-R: The Return of Johnny Ridden, and the MS-11 Act Zaku. The new Gundam also apparently has similar ranged potency to that of the YMS-16M Xamel, which sounds pretty brutal. The Act Zaku though is more of a superfly Zaku II, basically like a Gouf or a Kampfer but without the predilection towards sucking a big fat one. If anything, the Act Zaku supersedes units like the Gelgoog (well, at least it did in the awesome Gundam One Year War). Game Watch has some nice new screenshots of the units in action too.

4Gamer has a really nice report on the Premium Dogfight event that happened for Gundam Extreme Versus last year. Not only did players duke it out in a tournament on the current game, the development team were also present to talk about Full Boost. The latter sounds even more intense now, as the gameplay mechanics appear to be even more immediate and visceral. Considering how fast paced the current game is, it will be interesting to see how far the team at Byking will push it further. On top of that Full Boost will receive a new opening song called Fight It Out Feat.K (Pay Money To My Pain) by Akihiro Namba and Takeshi Ueda (audio clip below). If we’re honest, we’re a bit disappointed that Linkin Park didn’t do it especially as they’re such big Gundam fans (especially of the UC timeline). Finally, the Extreme Gundam (aka: that annoying boss in the current game) has received its own serialised manga in Gundam ACE called Gundam EXA. If you’re still on the fence about getting the PS3 port of the current game, then have a read of our review and remember you can still buy the game here.

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What with the current game already on PS3, Bandai Namco are keen to keep the momentum going and have unleashed a new update over at 4Gamer for Gundam Extreme Versus Full Boost. Covering a new “Boost Attack” that can be activated during Burst Mode (something that most units already do, which is a little odd) the other big addition is that the PS3’s DLC will basically be added to Full Boost’s roster as a matter of course. With the current exception to this being the MSN-02 Zeong and the GAT-X105E+AQM/E-X09S Strike Noir (the latter pictured above), which are currently an exclusive units to Full Boost (though this will likely change no doubt). Talking of DLC, our favourite Hi-Nu Gundam that was given away as a pre-order code for the PS3 game is now in the arcade version too. So if you practiced at home to beef up your skillz on the unit you can use it in the arcades too.

Game Watch has a piece on a recent version update to our favourite Gundam arcade game; Senjou no Kizuna. This particular revision (3.06) features quite an extensive array of changes as well as a few additions. From finally including Johnny Ridden’s proper Zaku, that of the MS-06R-2 Zaku II High Mobility Type, to the slightly crazy addition of the RB-79K Ball Type K as piloted by Shiro Amada at the beginning of 08th MS Team. The other changes are mostly that of balancing, with the Blue Destiny units getting a substantial performance boost as well as the White Dingo coloured gaming classic RGM-79SP GM Sniper II getting a nice hyper bazooka. Finally, there is now a new “Nosedive” manoeuvre available, this is pretty much self explanatory and can only be used on maps set in space. This also fits into a small change to the A Baoa Qu map, as it gets a new corridor to help alleviate some bottle-necking.

The suitably bonkers Chousoku Henkei Gyrozetter, with its actual transforming cabinet, has finally received its first trailer for the arcade version of the game (a 3DS game is also planned). The footage shows what effectively is turn based combat utilising a now pretty ubiquitous (in Japan at least) card system. The game looks pretty decent and leagues ahead of anything in the SRW camp, especially when it comes to 3D graphics (as XO and Neo were a bit lacklustre in comparison). Not sure what arcade hardware this is running on though but it obviously looks pretty current. In any case the full trailer is below.

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