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.

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.

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.

One of the next Super Robot Chogokin from Bandai is one of our favourite super robots. That of the mighty Zeorymer. One of Yasuhiro Moriki’s most iconic designs, the mecha actually originated in a pretty pervy hentai manga by none other than Yoshiki Takaya (of Guyver fame). Though Moriki’s anime version has quite a different aesthetic, something that would go on to be used on the rather awesome looking RX-105 Xi Gundam. In gaming terms, Zeorymer is possibly one of the most poweful units ever to grace Super Robot Wars. Appearing in both J and MX it basically pwned pretty damn hard (and let’s not even talk about Great Zeorymer). Whilst there have been a few Zeorymer toys over the years, from Gigabrain and Yamato, they’ve all been pretty disappointing. This, on the over hand, will be properly good. For those that want this, it’s set for a February release next year.

At the 51st All Japan Model & Hobby Show it seems that Kotobukiya have finally shown their kit for the Vic Viper LEV from Anubis. No word on price as yet but it’s supposedly meant for release in Spring of 2012. Whether the kit will feature the transformation, as seen in the game, remains to be seen though but it looks possible from the pictures of the above prototype. Whilst this is not the first kit of the design, as Authorize already did a garage kit, this will be the first injection plastic kit ever made for Vic Viper. Admittedly there’s a toy on the way as well but this will be a fiercely sculpted kit, as per all of Kotobukiya’s output, so we’re pretty happy to see this.

As we’ve mentioned a few times already, the lovely Cloud Breaker 01 from the Xbox game Murakumo is now set for release in January of next year. Whilst the game was a bit bobbins, the mecha designed by Takayuki Yanase were beautiful to behold. It seems that PLUM have done an exemplary job too. You can also pre-order the kit here.

Update: GA Graphic has a nice update about the kit as well.

What with this year’s Tokyo Game Show in full swing, Konami aren’t missing a trick and have surreptitiously displayed some new Revoltech figures from Anubis (as captured over at Gigazine). Namely an updated Jehuty, with a new colour scheme and additional parts, but also of the game’s namesake; the beastly Anubis itself (shown above). As we often say, we’re not fond of the games but we adore the design-work. The new Jehuty will be released this November for 2,980 yen and Anubis will be out in December for 3,480 yen. You can buy both toys here and here.

Over at the Kotobukiya site, the next Armored Core kit on the way finally got a listing. The kit being that of the first Nineball, not to be confused with the version from Ninebreaker or even the epic Nineball Seraph (the latter you can still nab here). We still have fond memories of taking on Nineball in the first Armored Core game, and this kit looks amazing. It will be released in December this year for 5,670 yen, you can pre-order it here.