Looks like Kotobukiya will be making model kits of the Skells from Xenoblade Chronicle X, according to the official Xenoblade Chronicles X website update. It is unknown they will be able to transform into their vehicle modes with ease like their in-game counterparts, but at least we know these lovely kits will be coming in the near future.

In a rather bizarre way, Bandai Namco have announced Gundam Battle Operation Next for PS4 and PS3. This is indeed the follow up sequel to the previous Gundam Battle Operation game on PS3, that was the first foray into freemium for the series. This is also the much touted PS4 Gundam game that was previewed a good while back, so the fact it turned out to be this is a tad…disappointing. The good news is that this new game seems to follow the Gundam Breaker and Gundam Extreme Versus approach in terms of the high-speed team based action. The game has currently started its beta on the Japanese PSN as of today and will continue running until this Sunday. So jump in while you can and check it out, hopefully it won’t be utterly terrible!

Nintendo has provided a huge update to their Xenoblade Chronicles X website with a plethora of information about Dolls. From videos showing how the dolls can traverse the huge open world, how they can battle the dangerous beasts found on the planet and what looks to be an Armored Core-esque level of mecha customization, we get to see even more depth regarding the awesome mechs of this game. Of course, the music you hear is composed by none other than Hiroyuki Sawano, the man behind the soundtrack of Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn. Visit the website here for more information regarding the different types of Dolls you can use and customize and check out the videos below to see them in action!

Kotobukiya have announced an all new kit from their Armored Core Verdict Day range, that of the massive tank AC the Matsukaze mdl.2. Released in August it will cost around 18,8000 yen. That’s a lot for a kit but it’s really bloody massive. The only catch is that this appears to be an online shop only purchase, which is a shame. The other slightly odd thing is that this actually looks a lot like the tank AC seen in the original intro for Armored Core V, so we’re a bit stumped as to why it is included in the Verdict Day range. In any case it’s nice to see Kotobukiya supporting the Armored Core series with more kits, they always do a fine job.

Update: It looks like the kit won’t be a webshop exclusive after all, you can pre-order it here.

Now this is a toy that’s been a long time in coming. Previewed way back in 2011, it now looks like we’ll be finally getting a Riobot Anubis. Following on from Sentinel’s thoroughly excellent Riobot Jehuty it does however cost a bit more. Quite a lot more actually. Clocking in at around 22,000 yen, it will cost nearly double that of Jehuty. There is a good reason for this price hike though, compared to Jehuty this figure is clearly massive and a lot more complex. Still, that’s a lot of money for a range of toys that doesn’t tend to have much in the way of diecast (bar the lovely Blodia) but the spec of this toy does sound like it might be more diecast heavy. So that too might help in the way of explaining the increased price. In any case, this lovely looking Riobot Anubis will be released in October of this year. Prepare your wallets!

The Nintendo Direct video we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived! Monolith Soft recently released a comprehensive video detailing Doll mechanics for the upcoming 2015 WiiU game, Xenoblade Chronicles X. If you don’t already know, Dolls are the titular mecha used in this particular version of the Xeno-based games, like Gears and A.G.W.S. were to Xenogears and Xenosaga respectively. Dolls are used in both combat and exploration in Xenoblade Chronicles X and it looks like there is loads of customization and gameplay to really get the most out of your own mech. Aside from the multitude of weapon loadouts and color schemes you can individually edit, you can even purchase insurance for your mecha parts if they happen to get damaged or destroyed in battle. The video also goes into detail regarding the fuel system and loads of other gameplay bulletpoints that show you Monolith Soft is going all in with the mecha aspect of this game. The video also shows player character interplay with Dolls when you’re not piloting your own and how some of the online interaction with other players will work, to include squad based challenges and quests that end in battling huge monsters called “World Enemies.” This game looking better and better every time they release new info and the western release date in 2015 is becoming more unbearable! Definitely check out the video below that has been translated by Gamechap and explains way more than I can ever write down in this post.

In a wonderful case of Steel Battalion infused nerdiness, David Shuff has made a real life cockpit for the game. It has all manner of cockpit type features from flashing lights to that nice claustrophobic feel. We have yet to review this classic game for the site but we included it in our top ten mecha games of all time list recently in case you’re curious. Naturally we have also played the game to completion too. That aside, there are some wonderful videos of the cockpit in action below.

In the latest Japanese chart results Super Robot Wars Z 3 Tengoku-hen has come out top. Clocking in around 230,000 sales between the PS3 and Vita versions it has even outsold games like Bloodborne, which was released a few weeks ago. Considering that these only represent a few days sales for Tengok-hen, that’s pretty good going already. We also picked up both versions of the game ourselves and a review will be forthcoming once we’re done with it. Thus far it’s a lot like Jigoku-hen and we’re liking it a lot. If you haven’t picked your copy up already then you totally should.

After nearly a year and a half since its release on the PS3, Gundam Extreme Versus Full Boost will be getting a Best re-release on May 28th. If you were waiting on a cheaper price point, the game will now sell for 3,800 yen excluding tax. It will also come with the Ex-S Gundam downloadable code which was initially a first print exclusive to the original release of the game. No other DLC will be packaged with it at the moment, so you will have to get those separately. Of course, the online pass will probably be included as well. And if you’re one of the lucky ones to be playing Maxi Boost in Japan, there is also a limited edition Haro HUD, emblem, title, and 100,000 GP points for your Maxi Boost profile. Hopefully we’ll hear of a Maxi Boost port to either the PS3 or possibly PS4 sometime soon.

The upcoming port of the classic MegaDrive shoot-em-up Assault Suit Leynos has had its release delayed until December this year, with a demo apparently available sometime in June. We’ve also been given some new game footage and this time in HD. To be honest, the game doesn’t look all that great but this is Dracue and they did the decent Gunhound games. We’re cautiously hopeful that this game will be good and hopefully the extended development time will help facilitate that.