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SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online adds new missions, units
Ready for new SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online content? We hope so, because there's a lot of it on the way. The third-person shooter boasts two new scenario missions as well as new Gundam Age, Windam, Destiny, and F91 Gundams. OGPlanet says this is merely the latest salvo in a barrage of content released since the game's launch. Updates have included new arenas, Gundam units, items, and extensive changes to the title's website. If any of that piques your interest, you can head over to the site to learn more about the game and sign up for a free OGPlanet account. [Source: OG Planet press release]
Gundam Statue rebuilt to guard eponymous museum
Let's be honest, the saga of the giant RX-78-2 couldn't have ended with the 59-foot replica mecha lying scattered in pieces. On April 19th, Bandai's opening a theme park dedicated to the world's greatest giant-robot cartoon, Neon Genesis Evangelion Mobile Suit Gundam. Adults will pay 1,000 yen ($13), Kids 800 yen ($10) to visit the 2,050 square-meter "Gundam Front," park, in a shopping mall in Tokyo's Odaiba district. There's even a themed café and store, to buy all of your giant-robots and giant-robot-based accessories -- but no word yet if we'll be able to build our own version of the giant Gundam that'll guard the entrance. In other news, we've still not heard anything about that Space Battleship Yamato-themed cruise liner that was in the offing a few years ago.
New SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online trailer shows off gameplay
If you're a fan of the Gundam franchise, you can definitely argue that the heart of the franchise has nothing to do with giant robots blowing one another up -- it focuses instead on the human impact of large-scale war. But if you're playing SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online, then yeah, it's all about giant robots blowing one another up. And the new gameplay trailer embedded just past the break is meant to show off that focus to full effect. The game is quite fittingly action-based, and the trailer shows off several of the franchise's more iconic mecha in their SD form. Also shown off in full detail are the many, many ways for players to unleash rocket-powered death upon the poor cannon fodder Zakus wandering through the map, which is somewhere between endearing and almost mean. If you're looking forward to the game when it fully launches later this month, click on past the break to check out the trailer. [Source: OGPlanet press release]
Visual Spicer creates a 7-foot tall papercraft Gundam, films the entire process as a timelapse (video)
Believe it or not, the massive seven-foot Gundam you're looking at was mostly constructed out of paper -- 720 sheets, to be exact. The papercraft artist behind the model, Taras Lesko (aka Visual Spicer), began creating it nearly a year ago, and estimates that it took him about 350 hours and four to five months to complete. As explained on his video commentary, the process started with building a store-bought model for photographs, using the shots to render it in 3D on his computer. After that, he created various templates using a variety of programs, which were then printed, cut and assembled into place. Notably, the final product has 1,250 total parts, weighs in at about 10 pounds and packs an internal 12-piece foamboard skeleton to stand. All of that is only the part of the final product, though. Taking it a few steps further, he created a bevy of "fantasy shots" (like the one above) with his brother, Ivan -- and of course, Photoshop -- and even filmed both endeavors as timelapse videos. According to Taras, the aim was to make something "bigger and better" than the four-foot papercraft Gundam, which he made nearly three years ago and burned to ashes on video prior to this project -- we'd say mission accomplished. You'll find the construction timelapse video after the break, along with more related vids and photos at the source link below. [Thanks, Christos]
Gundam robot statue returns to Japan, looking worse for wear
After a brief hiatus, that giant Gundam statue we spotted a couple years ago has once again returned home to Tokyo -- though he clearly didn't make the voyage in one piece. Rather than reconstruct the 60-foot robot in its entirety, Bandai, the company behind the Gundam franchise, has decided to scatter its limbs, weapons and machinery all over an artificial island. For about $6.50, anime fans and Derrida enthusiasts can view the deconstructed mecha in all its glory, sit in the palm of his hand, or even use a fixed bicycle to make his head glow. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Storm past the break for an extra pic of the exhibit.
Mad modelers make 10-foot-tall 'Recycle Grade' Gundam model from disused parts trees
For model makers, parts trees are a necessary evil. They keep individual components from sliding around in the box and damaging each other, but often contain more plastic than the model itself. Plus, they offer plenty of sharp points just perfect for piercing blanched, sun-deprived skin. Those deadly and usually discarded bits were all that a team at Production Gandamuato needed to create this RC RX-78-2 Gundam, where the RC means "Recycle Grade." It stands three meters tall and took just over three months to complete, a process detailed in its entirety at the source link below. No, it isn't quite as ominous as the 1:1 scale statues threatening various bits of Japan, but it is rather more environmentally friendly. %Gallery-100767%
ANA's Gundam Jet embarks on maiden voyage (video)
In case you weren't already aware, the island nation of Japan regards the thirtieth anniversary of their imaginary anime robot warriors as kind of a big deal, and so it seems fitting that they'd deck out a similarly gigantic flying object to match: the Boeing 777. All Nippon Airways (ANA) decked out the plus-size 777-300 model with full-size Gundam decals on either side, and the jumbojet made its first Tokyo-Osaka trip this weekend after a thorough photo shoot by reporters. We'd advise you to watch the skilled pilots take off and land after the break, but we'll warn you that you're in for mild disappointment -- at no point does a giant beam-saber-wielding robot burst out of the aluminum alloy frame.
Giant Gundam statue returns with beam saber to threaten Mt. Fuji
Want to make a giant Gundam monument more better? Give it a beam saber and erect it just 45 minutes outside of Tokyo by bullet train. The resurrected 18-meter (59-foot) tall RX-78-2 mech will replace the dismantled 30th anniversary statue built at Shiokaze Park, complete with smoke, dramatic lighting effects, and animatronic head. Look for it outside of the Shizuoka station in July assuming the latest LHC collisions don't delay things by inadvertently destroying the mecha in a cloud of Minovsky particles. One more mock-up after the break.
TGS 2009: The Recap Post
Last week, the Tokyo Game Show brought in over 100 posts worth of news, previews, interviews, galleries, and videos. Clearly, a lot happened. If you're looking for a comprehensive list of all the goings-on during TGS 2009, Joystiq has you covered -- and organized! Click on a platform below to scan the highlights: (On the far right: that's "News" and "Culture" on the top and bottom, respectively)
TGS 2009: It's a Gundam! ... stylus!
Situated right by the entrance to the TGS expo floor, Mori Games drew attention to its selection of DS accessories with Gundam models. Since everyone in Japan loves Gundam, and everyone writing this post (that's me!) loves DS accessories, it was an effective tactic.The stars of this, uh, booth ... were definitely the DS styli. As Gundam weapons, they're crafted to the scale of popular Gundam models and terminate in a point suitable for use on a DS. We don't want to think that's pure awesome, but here we are posting it, so you can guess how we really feel ...
Gundam duds bring mech merch to Japan's Home servers
If you're into Mobile Suit Gundam, it's time to call in a favor and get yourself invited onto Japan's Home servers. Adriasang reports that, as a promotion for Namco-Bandai's Kidou Senshi Gundam Senki (which is also being bundled with some PS3 Slim units there), visitors to the virtual community will be able to score a free classic Federation outfit. The only catch: You'll need to pop into the Home Theater and watch a trailer for the game, which is only running between August 21 and 23. That's this weekend, FYI.
PS3 Slim getting a giant mech suit bundle
Weighing in at just over 3.5 kilograms, the PS3 Slim is a sleek, streamlined piece of gaming hardware. How appropriate is it, then, that the first bundle for this new technology features gigantic robot suits, whose pointy appendages and general largeness serve as a thought-provoking foil to Sony's new console design? Not very appropriate, you say? Hmph. What do you know?Japanese games blog AndriaSang recently uncovered the "Kidou Senshi Gundam Senki Gundam 30th Anniversary Box," a PS3 Slim bundle which contains Namco's upcoming mech-fest, Kidou Senshi Gundam Senki, as well as a few download codes for some additional in-game content, and an HD animated Gundam film. Seems odd the first bundle wouldn't include a AAA first-party title -- but hey, it's Japan. They love Gundam more than we love anything or anyone on this planet over there.Another point of interest: the Slim's new branding is also carrying over to PS3 game box art.
Video: Life-sized Gundam's back, looking deadlier than ever
Man, remember that wicked awesome 59 foot tall Gundam they erected in Tokyo? Well, those pictures we saw a month ago were cool, but they're nothing compared to the splendor of the thing lit-up like a futuristic, killer Christmas tree. So hit the read link for some more kick-ass pics of the thing, but not before you peep the video after the break.
Life-sized Gundam complete and no, you can't borrow it
In the Universal Century, we suppose this sort of thing will be rather blasé. But until then, there's really no better way to get our geek hearts a-flutter than some up close and personal pics of this 1:1 scale model of the classic RX-78-2 Gundam mecha, built to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the franchise. We've been watching the construction of this thing rather closely and we're proud to announce that the finished product is every bit as badass as we'd hoped. If you're not planning on making the trip to Tokyo any time soon, feel free to take a gander at the thing in the gallery below. And our thanks to blogger Punynari for the awesome pics![Via Examiner]
Gundam turns 30, celebrates with the most awesome statue ever
Statue of Liberty? Striking, but a bit demure. Trenchcoat-clad Stalin statue in Gori, Georgia? Iconic, but disheartening. Giant RX-78-2 Gundam statue at Shiokaze Park in Tokyo, Japan? Unquestionably badass. The massive biped is currently under construction, part of a celebration for the 30 year anniversary of the original Mobile Suit Gundam series. When completed it will be full-scale, standing 59-feet tall, weighing 35 tons, and even shooting "light or mist" from 50 different points along its structure. All systems should be fully operational by July 11 -- hopefully soon enough to stop the forthcoming Zeon armada. [Via technabob]
Namco Bandai working on Gundam VOD service for PS3
Gundam fans just might have a new way of rewatching the original series. According to Andriasang, Namco Bandai was showing off a prototype Gundam video-on-demand service for PS3 at the Tokyo International Anime Fair. It's called Gundam Viewchives and apparently won't be like any old VOD service, since it will allow users to view specific scenes and "keywords" in addition to whole episodes. The idea behind this is to create some sort of hybrid VOD/encyclopedia where Gundam fans can experience the series in a new way.Users of the service can search through 400 keywords and look up detailed information, which will include a list of individual scenes relating to that keyword. There will be over 800 individual scenes taken from the original 43 episodes. Namco Bandai also plans to make the service a social experience featuring chat options with other fans. Gundam Viewchives is currently still in the "research" stage. If something like this actually gets out the door and becomes a hit, imagine what other anime series could follow next. Perhaps it could spawn a grander initiative for other television series and ilk. We'll keep an eye on this one.
Trophies: Dynasty Warriors Gundam 2
1 Platinum6 Gold10 Silver24 Bronze Difficulty: Difficult Online Trophies? No Time to Completion: 100 hoursDLC Trophies? No View Trophy List Read More About the Game %Gallery-31037%
Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2 in Europe by March 27
If you had asked us in 2007 if we thought Dynasty Warriors meets Gundam was a good idea, we probably would've just laughed. It seemed like such a silly concept, perhaps because of the connotations associated with both titles; however, in actuality, it's pretty much what every Gundam fan really wants. It's then not folly to think that Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2 is the natural next step. With its release in Japan last month, DW:G2 is set to spread out into Europe on March 27. A North American date has yet to be announced, though we don't suppose that it would trail far behind. Gallery: Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2
Gundam vs. Gundam gets first customized PSP-3000
We knew that several new games were going to be bundled with a PSP-3000 pack in Japan, and Gundam vs. Gundam just so happens to be one of them. The interesting thing about this bundle is that the PSP-3000 has a special Gundam-themed embossing on its backside; this will be the first PSP-3000 model -- which we know of at the moment -- to feature such extra fan service. We wonder if the other Japanese bundles (Dissidia: Final Fantasy and Patapon 2 Donchaka) will also receive this boutique-style enhancement. We'll just have to wait and see.The Gundam vs. Gundam bundle will launch alongside the standalone game on November 20 in Japan. It will retail for ¥24,840 ($236.23).
Gundam vs Gundam shows robots behaving badly
Why can't robots get along? The various pilots of the dozens of Gundam series seem to be enraged -- they're all fighting each other! We have to join together and tell Namco Bandai that we won't stand up for this. This robot-on-robot bloodshed needs to stop! Wait, Gundam 00 is also in this collection? Where do we sign up? [Via PSPHyper]
