Back in the mid-80’s Hibiki Godai helmed a new type of game for the NEC PC-8801, it featured a transforming robot that could fire lasers. The game was called Thexder. Considering the technical limitations of the hardware compared to today’s gaming devices, games like Thexder espouse the benefits of focused simplicity when it comes to crafting games. The whole point of the game was to get Thexder from one side of the level to the other, whilst navigating tricky maze-like corridors as well as preserving its energy in order for the player to proceed. Very simple but deeply compelling.

Thexder received numerous ports over the years, released in all manner of countries and a few sequels to boot as well. Yet, despite its global success, not many seem to remember the game even existed at all. To correct such an injustice, Square Enix recently funded the publishing of a Thexder update called Thexder Neo to be released on the PSP. This was done via Game Arts, the original developer of the first game, and Zereo. The game is fundamentally a very well wrought remake though and is for the money is an incredible bargain for any gamer.

The newly released arcade mecha game, Border Break seems to be on the right track. The same Mecha Damashii reader that gave us a lowdown on the upcoming Front Mission Evolved also ventured down to the arcades to check out SEGA’s new mecha gaming effort for himself. From the extensive amount of videos that have been posted online, via SEGA no less, Border Break looks to be superb in almost every way. Thankfully, the following impressions back that up and then some.

An expansion for the RTS/RPG hybrid game Dawn of War II, titled Chaos Rising, has been announced. The official site, with a few more pretty pictures and such, can be found here.

What we know so far seems to imply the single player campaign is again Space Marine centered, so those hoping for a Dark Crusade style campaign, where every race was playable in single player, might again be out of luck. The only new faction announced (so far) has been Chaos, and I’m sure I’m not the only mecha fan who had their hopes on a Tau or Necron appearance, or at least a playable Ork campaign.

Still, it looks like Relic Entertainment might finally start answering some questions about the Blood Ravens’ hidden origins and the consequences of the events in the first Dawn of War. The last Dawn of War I expansion, Soulstorm, had a total of nine playable factions, so it’s somewhat understandable that they’ve been short on narrative time, but after five installments I feel we’re due some background characterization on everyone’s favourite generic Space Marines.

Whilst we already posted a piece on someone else’s hands on impressions, a Mecha Damashii reader felt compelled to send us theirs from the Tokyo Game Show floor regarding the PlayStation 3 version. From the gameplay videos that have been going the rounds, the following report sounds pretty consistent. Considering the submission deadlines with console releases such as these, it’s doubtful that we’ll see many changes between now and the projected release date. So read on to hear the damage first hand (staunch Front Mission fans may need a stiff drink ready).

The remake to the classic Thexder, in the form of the PSP update Thexder Neo, has been finally released on the US PSN store for $9.99. We will be posting a review of this in the very near future but in the meantime feel free to watch the trailer that Square Enix were nice enough to upload to their YouTube channel.

There’s a nice photo report over at Akiba Hobby about the current Tamashii Nation show. These are mini-toy shows exclusively for Bandai products. The “tamashii” element stems from one of their flagship collectors toylines, the Soul of Chogokin range. Despite a lot of these being anime specific, many have made their way into games with the upcoming Armor Plus version of Tekkaman Blade being a good example as the character will be playable in the new Tatstunoko vs Capcom update (though there was already a Tamashii Spec set that also included Pegas). Separately, the Spearhead from Eureka Seven was last seen in both Super Robot Wars Z (which we reviewed) and Another Century’s Episode 3. Personally, I’m most excited about the above design; the V2 Assault Buster Gundam from V Gundam, as it’s one of my favourite Hajime Katoki designs and it’s featured heavily in Gundam vs Gundam to boot. There are lots of other mecha toys on display too, so the report is worth a look anyway.

There’s a nice preview of the upcoming RVR-14 Fei-Yen The Knight kit over at GA Graphic. Much like Kotobukiya’s other Virtual On releases, the detailing is suitably superb. The release date is still sometime in December and the kit will cost around 4,000 yen, which is pretty cheap considering the sculpt. Separately, on the Virtual On kit blog there are hints that the next design to get the kit treatment could be the mass produced Temjin, MBV-04-10 10/80SP.

Macross Ultimate Frontier for the PSP is released today in Japan (you can get it here). Naturally, we’ll be reviewing the game in the very near future but in the meantime feel free to read our feature on the more contemporary Macross games available.

The upcoming Gundam vs Gundam Next Plus for the PSP has had a new bunch of screenshots released, displaying the new mobile suits featured in this version. The screens also show some of the initial mission mode screens, which is being called the “Next Plus” mode within the game itself. The game is still scheduled for a 3rd December release in Japan for 6,279 yen.

The rumoured releases of the GP-01 and GP-02 from Gundam 0083 as DLC additions have come true, as Game Watch has a breakdown of the upcoming DLC for Gundam Senki 0081 (which we’ve reviewed in case you’re wondering). It’s interesting to see how these mecha from later in the UC timeline will integrate with units that pre-date them. That said, the inclusion of the RX-178 Gundam Mk. II and the RMS-099 Rick Dias from Zeta Gundam could be a mobile suit too far in terms of the balancing. Each unit will cost between 300 to 500 yen and can only be used in the Free Play mode. Releases are penned for October and November via the Japanese PSN store.