At the recent AOU 2012 show, more Gundam Extreme Versus Full Boost content has surfaced. Notable of which is the addition of the Extreme Gundam “Leos” type (pictured above). The Extreme Gundam being the boss mecha you face at the end of each of the arcade paths in the current game, as well as in the Trial Missions on the PS3 port. It also sounds like this will be playable unit. Admittedly, we won’t be getting the gattai-tastic variants seen in the original Extreme Versus but instead something a bit more streamlined. The official site has also been updated a fair bit too as of late, with a current roster of all the playable mobile suits. Much of the PS3’s DLC will be making it into Full Boost, especially that of the wondrous RX-79BD-1 GM Blue Destiny Unit 1. Full Boost is expected to hit Japanese arcades this spring.

Whilst most people would celebrate Valentine’s Day by giving their loved one chocolates or flowers, Bandai Namco thought that a few more mobile suits in Senjou no Kizuna would do the trick. The two new units are the FA-78-1B Full Armor Gundam Type B, as seen in the serialised novel MSV-R: The Return of Johnny Ridden, and the MS-11 Act Zaku. The new Gundam also apparently has similar ranged potency to that of the YMS-16M Xamel, which sounds pretty brutal. The Act Zaku though is more of a superfly Zaku II, basically like a Gouf or a Kampfer but without the predilection towards sucking a big fat one. If anything, the Act Zaku supersedes units like the Gelgoog (well, at least it did in the awesome Gundam One Year War). Game Watch has some nice new screenshots of the units in action too.

4Gamer has a really nice report on the Premium Dogfight event that happened for Gundam Extreme Versus last year. Not only did players duke it out in a tournament on the current game, the development team were also present to talk about Full Boost. The latter sounds even more intense now, as the gameplay mechanics appear to be even more immediate and visceral. Considering how fast paced the current game is, it will be interesting to see how far the team at Byking will push it further. On top of that Full Boost will receive a new opening song called Fight It Out Feat.K (Pay Money To My Pain) by Akihiro Namba and Takeshi Ueda (audio clip below). If we’re honest, we’re a bit disappointed that Linkin Park didn’t do it especially as they’re such big Gundam fans (especially of the UC timeline). Finally, the Extreme Gundam (aka: that annoying boss in the current game) has received its own serialised manga in Gundam ACE called Gundam EXA. If you’re still on the fence about getting the PS3 port of the current game, then have a read of our review and remember you can still buy the game here.

What with the current game already on PS3, Bandai Namco are keen to keep the momentum going and have unleashed a new update over at 4Gamer for Gundam Extreme Versus Full Boost. Covering a new “Boost Attack” that can be activated during Burst Mode (something that most units already do, which is a little odd) the other big addition is that the PS3’s DLC will basically be added to Full Boost’s roster as a matter of course. With the current exception to this being the MSN-02 Zeong and the GAT-X105E+AQM/E-X09S Strike Noir (the latter pictured above), which are currently an exclusive units to Full Boost (though this will likely change no doubt). Talking of DLC, our favourite Hi-Nu Gundam that was given away as a pre-order code for the PS3 game is now in the arcade version too. So if you practiced at home to beef up your skillz on the unit you can use it in the arcades too.

Game Watch has a piece on a recent version update to our favourite Gundam arcade game; Senjou no Kizuna. This particular revision (3.06) features quite an extensive array of changes as well as a few additions. From finally including Johnny Ridden’s proper Zaku, that of the MS-06R-2 Zaku II High Mobility Type, to the slightly crazy addition of the RB-79K Ball Type K as piloted by Shiro Amada at the beginning of 08th MS Team. The other changes are mostly that of balancing, with the Blue Destiny units getting a substantial performance boost as well as the White Dingo coloured gaming classic RGM-79SP GM Sniper II getting a nice hyper bazooka. Finally, there is now a new “Nosedive” manoeuvre available, this is pretty much self explanatory and can only be used on maps set in space. This also fits into a small change to the A Baoa Qu map, as it gets a new corridor to help alleviate some bottle-necking.

The suitably bonkers Chousoku Henkei Gyrozetter, with its actual transforming cabinet, has finally received its first trailer for the arcade version of the game (a 3DS game is also planned). The footage shows what effectively is turn based combat utilising a now pretty ubiquitous (in Japan at least) card system. The game looks pretty decent and leagues ahead of anything in the SRW camp, especially when it comes to 3D graphics (as XO and Neo were a bit lacklustre in comparison). Not sure what arcade hardware this is running on though but it obviously looks pretty current. In any case the full trailer is below.

Square Enix have announced an interesting new arcade game, entitled Chousoku Henkei Gyrozetter it features transforming cars with a pretty tricked out cabinet to boot. In the case of the latter, the actually controls transform from a steering wheel to a series of control sticks between the modes. The game will feature effectively a racing mode (for the cars) and combat (for the mecha). The cars used are all licensed too, as there are toys planned for release as well a 3DS port next year. 4Gamer has some nice shots of the game and its mad cabinet in case you’re at all curious.

What with the release of Steel Chronicle around the corner, 4Gamer have covered the latest 10 minute plus promo of the game in action. Apart from the annoying voice over it’s interesting to finally see how the game works. It’s pretty clear that Konami’s primary influence here is that of Border Break but with other elements from Monster Hunter and even Phantasy Star Online. Though all these elements do come across as pretty cynical, as SEGA took a big risk with Border Break (which thankfully paid off) but Steel Chronicle really comes across as a pretty shallow hack job. It doesn’t even look that great either, oh well.

In the latest issue of Famitsu it’s been revealed that the next Gundam Versus arcade iteration set for release will be called Gundam Extreme Versus Full Boost. Interestingly the new “full boost” name also refers to what sounds like a new boost cancelling mechanic, somewhat similar to the next dash but instead with the ability to counter an enemy’s attack. The timing and the requirements to successfully pull this off sound as though they are suitably tricky, so it shouldn’t be a game breaking mechanic at least. It’s also worth doubly clarifying that this is another arcade iteration, not a console game (as yet at least). Still no word on what sort of architecture the game will run on but we’re guessing it will stick to Namco’s System 357 board, as that’s basically a PS3 in a box (hence ease of porting) and what the last game used.

What with the home port of Gundam Extreme Versus literally around the corner, it should come as no surprise then that Bandai Namco are already thinking about the next arcade iteration. Specifically at this year’s Winter New Product Sales Meeting in December the next title in the Gundam Versus may be revealed. Whether this stays as the full fat “every Gundam ever” mobile suit roster or go back to being series specific again remains to be seen. In any case, it gives us an excuse to show the Hi-Nu Gundam again. So at least we’re thankful for that. Seriously, if anyone wants to get us a Christmas present then this would be obviously welcomed.