Game Watch has a piece on a forthcoming update to Senjou no Kizuna, featuring two more units from the classic Blue Destiny games on the Sega Saturn. Whilst the RX-79BD-1 GM Blue Destiny Unit 1 and MS-08TX Efreet Custom are already available in the game, this new update (Rev 2.52) will also add two Gundam units to the already large mobile suit roster; specifically that of the RX-79BD-2 Blue Destiny Unit 2 and RX-79BD-3 Blue Destiny Unit 3 respectively. These were present in the final instalment of the trilogy and like the prototype units before it they used the ethically questionable EXAM System. The latter will also functionally inferred when players take too damage, as the EXAM System will give Unit 2 a performance boost and increase the range of its weapon locks, whereas Unit 3 will have a melee damage boost. As with all the Blue Destiny units, since their creation they’ve been featured in numerous games over the years and have become something of a fan favourite. One day we’ll get around to reviewing the original Sega Saturn games, but in the meantime this is a pretty awesome little toy of the Blue Destiny GM and Unit 2.

In October of last year Konami trademarked Steel Chronicle and we now know what that was for. In short, it appears to be a multiplayer focused mecha arcade game that cashes in on the recent runaway success of Border Break (right down to the character customisation). Except the primary antagonists are giant bugs rather than mecha (basically a bit like the Akrid in the Lost Planet series of games). The game recently underwent a location test at two arcades, one in Akihabara and another in Ikebukuro. No word on whether it’s any good but the general vibe from Japanese gamers is that the blatant Border Break “homage” is a bit lazy.

G.rev’s next shooter is now finally upon us. The almost prog-rock-tastic Seisou Kouki Strania will be released globally tomorrow on XBLA for the very reasonable sum of 800 MSP. To commemorate this happy event, we’ve linked the US trailer and two other gameplay videos below. The last one is especially nerdy/wonderful, as it breaks down each of the weapons quite magnificently. Here’s hoping the game sells well for G.rev (and that they release a soundtrack!)

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To promote the upcoming pachinko cabinet Fever Macross Frontier, Sankyo have released two adverts showing both CG versions of Ranka Lee and Sheryl Nome performing to real world crowds. To those that remembered the prior Fever Macross adverts and the in-game animation, then these are similarly cool. This pachinko cabinet also foreshadows the upcoming DVD / Blu-Ray release of the second Macross Frontier film, the Wings of Farewell, released later this year. Here’s hoping this cabinet gets the same re-animated treatment for the in-game footage as per the previous Fever Macross.

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What with the release of Gundam Unicorn’s third episode, the Ghost of Laplace, being palpably imminent we’ve been graced with another video. This one, unlike the previous trailer, is actually of the first eight minutes. Despite some nice shots of the MSN-001A1 Delta Plus, most of the action is in the latter half. Unlike previous space battles in and around asteroids in Gundam, this battle has far more weight to it. As the previous episode already set up the fact that the asteroid has a substantial civilian populace, so this battle feels awfully tragic as a consequence. How it will be handled and the effect it will have on the characters, especially Banagher, will be very interesting. The third episode will be released at the beginning of March.

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Over at 4Gamer there’s some nice new shots of G.rev’s forthcoming shooter Seisou Kouki Strania. In addition, G.rev have released a brand new HD promo video (shown below) which apart from its awesome soundtrack does show the fact that the player will be able to choose the enemy “Vower” campaign too. Still no word on an exact release date, bar sometime this year, but it will be a global launch via XBLA so that’s something at least.

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The ever popular Gundam arcade game with a panoramic cockpit, Senjou no Kizuna, will be receiving yet another update soon (Rev 2.51 to be exact). Over at GameWatch they show some interesting shots of the game, especially as mecha from Gundam 0083 are making much more of a prominent appearance now. From the beefy YMS-16M Xamel to the sprightly RGM-79C Powered GM. Though the more curious additions, as shown on the official site, are that of the RGM-79FC Striker Custom (which despite appearances is actually a GM) and the MS-08TX/N Efreet Nacht from Gundam Senki 0081. Both these units seem to have a very clear melee focus too, so that should help mix things up with the addition of something like artillery focused Xamel for instance. In any case, it’s nice to see that the game is still being supported considering it is now five years old.

The upcoming G.Rev shooter Seisou Kouki Strania will be present at this year’s AOU show, which to the more astute of you will raise an eyebrow hopefully (in our case, this has the unfortunate result of losing our monocle to boot). The reason this is interesting is that Strania was announced originally as an XBLA only title, however according to this post at 4Gamer it will now also be released via the NESICAxLive system (basically a digital download setup for arcades). This is a fascinating development as it means a new XBLA game will also be available alongside its arcade variant at the same time of its release. Historically ports of arcade games occur after the arcade version, whereas this is a curiously simultaneous release. As for the XBLA version, well that’s still on track for a spring release for the princely sum of 800 MSP.

In an update scheduled for the 27th January, the shiny gold MRC-F20 SUMO will be added to Gundam Extreme Versus. The Sumo, like with many of the Turn A Gundam designs, was penned by renowned futurist Syd Mead. The Sumo is normally of a silver colouring though but the gold variant was exclusively reserved for the somewhat awesome Harry Ord. Both the gold colouring and Ord’s awesome shades were a partial nod to Char’s appearance in Zeta Gundam and his piloting of the MSN-00100 Hyaku Shiki. There’s been no word on a console release for the game as yet but it’s still looking oh so shiny.

It goes without saying that pachinko machines in Japan are quite the curiosity. Never-mind the bizarre legal waters that they tread; it’s how hard they try to dazzle one’s senses that’s most amusing. It’s not easy, asking someone to waste away his or her hard earned cash, not on some kick-ass fighter or shooter, but on a game of chance that involves watching little silver balls that rain down. With the goal being to earn even more little silver balls, to then be cashed out for silly prizes that can be exchanged for money by some shifty Yakuza around the corner from the pachinko parlor. One proven tactic has been to tap into popular film, television programs, and anime (naturally); many machines are undeniably amusing, but hardly anything to write home about. Except for Fever Macross…