A gameplay walkthrough was uploaded for Lost Planet 3 pretty recently and we’ve linked it below. If we’re honest, it really doesn’t fill us with hope for this narrative prequel. It looks functionally very awkward and the QTE’s (or re-branded “struggle” moments) appear to be pretty damn tedious. Even the rig setup seems just a bit crap. Admittedly the final controls could assuage our worries but it doesn’t look like a fluid game. Comparing this to the bloody wonderful E.X. Troopers, where all the game videos looked super tight and that then being proved true with the recent demos, makes this new Lost Planet 3 footage come across as though the final game could very well be a bit pants. Anyway, we’ll know for sure once the game gets released.

As part of a SEGA Model 2 Collection, the original Virtual On will be released on both XBLA and PSN. Whilst the release date and price are unknown as yet, the port will feature online versus functionality. In addition, for the PS3 version, HORI are releasing a new pair of TwinSticks (costing 30,000 yen a piece). What’s especially interesting about this news is that both the PS3 and 360 will be getting the game, whereas in the past the HD ports of Oratan and Force were 360 exclusives. The release of these new PS3 sticks could also indicate a further release of the other games that also graced the 360 (fingers crossed). Anyway, this is good news and despite once owning an arcade cabinet of the game and all manner of other home ports, it’s always nice to see the original Virtual On getting some continued love.

There have been some interesting reveals at this year’s All-Japan Model Hobby Show as well as via Kotobuikya. In regards to the latter, Kotobukiya’s output has birthed the rather incredible kit above from Armored Core V (as was mentioned a while back). The sculpt being something of truly amazing finesse and it seems that there will be all manner of other kits available for it too (including tanks and helicopters from the game), so you can build your very own diorama.

Moving on from that, Wave have shown a variety of new garage kits. From Galient to Vifam, though what has really peaked our interest is this lovely Layzner Mk. II kit. Hasegawa even previewed a new Kagekiyo kit from Virtual On Force. If you want to see more of the hobby show, then AmiAmi has lots of lovely photos here, here and here.

Now that the Robot Damashii Dunbine is in the wild, Bandai have created a rather wonderful page for their new Aura Battler toys. Showing the previously released Billbine as well as the forthcoming camo-coloured Billbine too. Not to mention the wing calibur attachment has been revealed in detail finally. What’s especially lovely about this toy though, despite the fact we love Aura Battler Dunbine, is that people like Hidetaka Tenjin have been posting pictures of the toy squaring off against cats. In any case, the toy does look lovely and we can’t wait to get ours in the post.

The shop page for the forthcoming Hanged Man Super Robot Chogokin from Armored Core V has been updated. Featuring what looks like an improved hangar articulation setup (shown above), Bandai clearly haven’t been idle in terms of the toy’s engineering. In addition, there’s a brief interview with Keiji Fujiwara; the seiyuu who voiced Chief in the Japanese version of the game. Still no word on the Western release of this toy as yet but once we know more we’ll be sure to let you know

It’s been announced that we’ll be getting some demos for E.X. Troopers for both the 3DS and PS3 versions of the game next week. The demos will feature an introductory mission as well as two co-op specific levels. Like other 3DS demos, this will also have a 30 play limit. The demos will feature new co-op based attacks, called EX-T Blast Resonance, not to mention all manner of familiar Akrid from previous Lost Planet games. In addition to the demo announcement, Capcom also published a video of Monster Staff playing the game (linked below). The demos will be released on October 17th (3DS) and October 18th (PS3).

The upcoming Damascus Gear received its first promo not too long ago. Whilst it clearly has a very Armored Core-esque customisation setup, the gameplay looks to be entirely turn-based. This does make sense from a controls standpoint but we had hoped for something a bit more involved. That aside, the game does look lovely and the designs are pretty awesome. The full promo is shown below.

Bandai have finally shown the fruits of their recent alliance with Gainax in the form of two new Super Robot Chogokin toys; that of the mighty Gurren Lagann and the majestic Gunbuster. Both figures will be released next year, with the former in January and the latter in February. In addition, their pricing at around 6,000 yen a piece is also pretty reasonable. What we’re most confused about though is why these designs in particular. There are already a lot of Gurren Lagann figures on the market and Bandai already did an amazing Soul of Chogokin Gunbuster, not to mention the Composite Ver Ka release too. Anyway, there will be a separate option parts set and both figures will have interchangeable parts.

As was partially previewed in a few trailers a while ago, we now know for sure that the upcoming Halo 4 will feature a pilotable mecha. Called the Mantis it bears a strong similarity to the Gekko seen in the Metal Gear Solid games. That aside it looks like it might be good fun to use and the design itself is actually pretty boss too. It seems that all modern shooters now have token mecha in them, which is a bit odd really.

Following on from the announcement of Macross 30, we now have the teaser trailer that was shown at this year’s Tokyo Game Show (linked below). It’s mostly a collection of still shots but it indicates what series will be featured in the game. We’re still guessing that this is an Artdink developed game and that it will be on the PS3 but once we know for sure we’ll let you know. In any case, it was nice to hear Isamu’s voice at the end of the trailer and we’re definitely looking forward to this when it’s released sometime next year.