The upcoming Nintendo 3DS exclusive and Artdink developed Gundam The 3D Battle received a slew of more screenshots today over at 4Gamer. In addition, the game will also sport a WiFi data exchange setup where you can exchange your pilot and mobile suit data with other 3DS users whilst on the move. Whilst these shots aren’t exactly stellar on their own and of a lower resolution compared to their PSP Gundam Battle counterparts, we’re still holding out that the unique 3D setup of the handheld will sell the game better.

After all the hubbub of last week over the re-announced Armored Core V, the official site has been suitably renovated. Whilst the site shows the same trailer and set of screenshots revealed last week, it does cast some interesting light on a few other things. For one, on load the site offers an English language option; something that never happened with any of the previous games. This is a massive shift for the series, as it shows that right up front that both From Software and Bandai Namco are pitching this worldwide from the off. The other elements that are worth noting, bar the blog and Twitter feed, is that the coupon campaign (via the rather dire Armored Core Last Raven Portable) is still valid. So for those that bought the Japanese version of the game, the coupon still applies. This means that a week prior to the game’s release you will start receiving DLC codes for exclusive parts.

Still no word on a concrete release date but both GameWatch and 4Gamer have joined the PR fray this week, so now that the cat is out of the bag expect more regular updates.

Update: In line with the obvious global focus for ACV’s PR, there’s now an official Facebook page for the game. Apart from the screenshots, there are some lovely scans of the new AC designs too.

What with Wonder Festival 2011 Winter going on, a bunch of places online have been reporting the event. Whilst the unnerving majority of the figures being shown are of scantily clad ladies, there are also still a fair few mecha on display. Specifically the announcement of a RIOBOT figure of Detonator Orgun, that was featured in Super Robot Wars W, to the somewhat more niche Cloud Breaker 01 kit from Murakumo.

Whilst this is yet another cool looking kit from PLUM, of prior Leynos fame, the Murakumo mecha are curious due to the man who penned them. Specifically, that of Takayuki Yanase who’s had a rather gilded career as a mecha designer in his own right since he left From Software. Something that From Software have been keen to capitalise on, as this design was featured (albeit modified) in the first Another Century’s Episode, not to mention the Ixbrau units Yanese exclusively designed for Another Century’s Episode 3. He even worked on the OG mecha for Super Robot Wars W too. In any case, whilst Murakumo was a pretty wonky game the designwork was lovely. So this is yet another kit that’s been added to our wish list.

If you want to have a gander at the remaining reportage for the current Wonder Festival, then GA Graphic and AkibaHobby (pages here and here) should satiate your needs. A mild warning though, as some of those links aren’t exactly work safe. We’ve also included some videos of the Cloud Breaker 01 in action below.

On the 9th February, another mobile suit will be added to the ranks of Gundam Musou 3. Specifically that of the GN-006 Cherudim Gundam from the second season of Gundam 00. The Cherdudim was also the upgraded version of the GN-002 Gundam Dynames, though with a new pilot that happened to share the same name (long story). 4Gamer has some nice shots of the new playable mecha too. In terms of pricing the DLC will cost 600 yen (PS3) and 480 MSP (360).

A selection of well-known mecha designers have added their creative worth to the upcoming Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity. Specifically, these designers have crafted suits of armour that either gender can wear in the game. 4Gamer has the shots of their work in question and the five designers are: Kunio Okawara (with his design pictured above), Kanetake Ebikawa, Junya Ishigaki, Suzuhito Yasuda and huke. The first three are generally regarded as “classic” mecha designers, with Okawara being pretty much held responsible for the birth of real robot design (as he penned the mecha in Mobile Suit Gundam). Interestingly, Ebikawa has been a fan of the series since he played Phantasy Star Online on the Dreamcast. The new armour will be available as DLC from the Japanese PSN store at the end of February, when the full game is released. You can also pre-order the game here.

Over at Famitsu’s site, they’ve uploaded a bunch of new screenshots for Super Robot Wars Z 2. Again, everything is looking shiny we’re happy to see Getter 2 literally tearing an enemy a new one (shown above). It also seems that the previous game on the PS2 will be receiving a re-release under the “Best” label, with a suitably reduced price. In any case, the new PSP game looks to make its April 14th release and you can pre-order it here (or here if you’re in Europe).

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.

In the latest issue of Famitsu more details about Armored Core 5 have surfaced. From the news that Bandai Namco will be publishing this worldwide to the increased focus on online multiplayer, it seems that From Software have been quite busy. Regarding online play, the game will be based around players forming teams and undertaking a form of territorial conquest, with whoever taking the most territory winning. Teams are of 5 players a piece, with 4 in traditional Armored Cores and the fifth in a new command unit. If all this sounds familiar, then you’re not alone. This setup was used very successfully in From Software’s other mecha game Chrome Hounds. With the reduced size of the mecha the levels consequently require more strategy too, which is where the whole commander setup comes in. For those concerned about the absence of a singleplayer segment, there will be an option for this but the main online campaign is intended to be an almost meta-campaign. Again, this is a follow on from the Neroimus War concept seen in Chrome Hounds. What with this new information regarding the online setup, as well as the previous nods by From Software to games like Metal Wolf Chaos, it really seems as though they are cherry picking design elements from their previous games and merging them with how Armored Core used to traditionally work. All of this is clearly brilliant and Armored Core 5 could turn out to be something genuinely special. The game is set for a 2011 release in Japan but no actual dates as yet.

Update: Famitsu now has some screenshots on their site. These show the commander view as well a front end war menu, so it is indeed very Chrome Hounds (as we suspected). Bandai Namco have also mentioned the fact that Armored Core 5 will be released in 2012 for Europe and America (rather than this year as was previously stated).

What with Macross Triangle Frontier released tomorrow, 4Gamer have calmly reminded us on the sheer level of moe that we shall be doused with. Thankfully, they managed to include some actual gameplay screenshots of the beefy (and playable) Macross Quarter from Frontier. Whilst the Academy mode does worry us a bit, we’re still pretty excited to play this once it’s finally out. Naturally, our review will be forthcoming. For those that haven’t pre-ordered this already you can do so here (or here if you’re in Europe).

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.