As part of the build up for the release of Macross 30 at the end of February, Bandai Namco are running a series of videos narrated by Sheryl Nome. These are sort of a continuation of her Macross Seminar series that was used on Macross Frontier to help newer viewers understand the background of the Macross saga. Considering the game actively tries to cover multiple eras within the franchise, it makes decent sense that they’re trying to help explain more of the backstory to people. Both of the current videos are linked below and you can pre-order the game here.

There’s a rather amazing YouTube channel by the name of Studio Me-Gaane that features Famicom-esque 8-bit chiptune renditions of classic mecha anime theme tunes. Despite being obviously a brilliant thing to do, they are also executed pretty damn impressively too. In addition to the YouTube channel, there’s also an iTunes page if you want to offer remuneration to the studious chap. You can also keep up with his work on Twitter too. Anyway, we’ve included some of our favourite tracks below if you’re at all curious.

Following on from our previous Revoltech Jehuty, Revoltech Jehuty (Anubis Version) and Revoltech Jehuty with Vector Cannon reviews, our good friends at HobbyLink Japan have sent us the Revoltech Naked Jehuty. This being the final and most powerful incarnation of Jehuty from the end of Anubis. In addition, we’ve also included some game footage of the mecha in action at the end of the review.

A few days ago, SEGA did an online video broadcast talking about the remaining games in their Model 2 Collection (of which the classic Virtual On is one). The important information is that the remaining games will be released on February 13th for 800 yen or 800 MSP a piece. The slightly odd and saddening aspect to this is that, unlike the other games in the collection, these last two games will be released in Japan only. Now it’s not clear whether this just means limited release or that the games will be regioned too. Naturally we’ll know for sure when they’re eventually out in the wild.

Normally we don’t post tech related trailers but this is actually pretty cool. The very accomplished (and fun!) Hawken will support all manner of new PhysX particles if you have an nVidia card. The video shows all manner of nice looking debris as well as quite complex cyclone based particles. The effects are also quite striking when present, to the point that they actually improve the game’s visual messaging quite a bit (the shield and repair effects are notable in this regard, with the shield changes shown above). If you’re not already playing Hawken then you’re really missing out, it’s one of the best mecha games we’ve played in years.

Whilst we weren’t very happy with the Zone of the Enders HD Collection, one of the main reasons for this was done to the appalling framerate that crippled the games (especially the second). However, Konami have made the collection available for download via Xbox Live and PSN. At a pretty reasonable 3,600 yen it’s not badly priced but more importantly the fact that you’re installing it to your HDD may alleviate some of the framerate/loading issues. Currently this is Japan only but what with the dire American voice acting in the Western release, that’s the only version you should be buying anyway.

On January 29th, Archer Arios and Gundam GP-03 will be added to the Gundam Extreme Versus Full Boost roster. As you may know, these two units were previously released as DLC for the PS3 version of Gundam Extreme Versus. The units themselves felt very much like they were made specifically for the sequel, so it will be interesting to see how well they both perform with their intended gameplay mechanics.

In addition, Bandai will be releasing a Robot Damashii version of the Extreme Gundam (Type Leos) Xenon Phase unit found in Full Boost on April 13th. Obviously taking cues from G Gundam units, the Extreme Gundam Xenon Phase is aesthetically similar to the GF13-017NJII God Gundam in this particular evolved form. I’m sure we’ll see the rest of the Extreme Gundam forms as the year continues.

As was hinted at a while back, the mighty RX-105 Xi Gundam will indeed be getting the Robot Damashii treatment. Pre-orders start today and it is also a Bandai premium online shop purchase. Coming in at 10,500 yen it’s probably one of the most expensive Robot Damashii toys yet made. There is good reason for this though, the toy is utterly huge. It’s being done to scale with the other Gundam mobile suits and at 26m in the original novels, that practically dwarfs the original RX-78-2 Gundam (that’s just a meagre 18m). To put this into perspective, the mobile armor PMX-000 Messala from Zeta Gundam has a lower head height (23m) than the Xi Gundam. There are some nice comparison shots of the new toy too and it shows the scale difference off very nicely. Apart from the height, this will also be part of the Ka Signature splinter brand. So it’s going to have Hajime Katoki handle the the modelling and finish. The Xi Gundam was also recently added to Gundam Extreme Versus Full Boost as well as a DLC pack for the current Gundam Extreme Versus. In any case, it’s one of our favourite Moriki Yasuhiro designs so we’ll be getting this for sure.

We now finally have details on Kotobukiya’s much awaited first Armored Core V kit, dubbed the AGNI it uses a different config to the Super Robot Chogokin toy (despite looking somewhat similar). It will be released in may this year for 6,090 yen. As Kotobukiya have a record for making thoroughly excellent Armored Core kits, we’re looking forward to this one.

In a slightly weird move, Bandai will be releasing a toy of a mecha called GunGreat Nations which in turn may apparently be a boss in the upcoming Battle Robot Damashii. Utilising parts of Bandai’s Tamashii logo, it also seems to be a design intended to be emblematic of Bandai’s toy mecha dominion. If we’re honest we think it looks bloody ugly but it is at least a lot better than this Disney monstrosity Bandai have concocted. Oh to have that as a boss in the game, then at least we could cleave its disgusting figure in twain with a well placed aura sword strike. No word on a price or release date for the above GunGreat Nations toy, nor which toyline it will be part of.