Very few games satiate my desire to play while suffering through any mood. On that shortlist, square at the top, are mostly Gundam titles, including Dynasty Warriors Gundam Reborn and Gundam Breaker 3. So when Bandai Namco announced the new Gundam Versus game exclusively for the PS4, I was giddy like my Friday mornings enjoying an apple fritter and some coffee. April 4th, Bandai Namco announced the game will release in Japan July 6th, just in time to cast wind into your summer doldrums. Now most likely, just as it was the case for Gundam Breaker 3, this title will only carry an Asia version with English subtitles that you’ll be able to purchase from Amazon and Play-Asia.com. That’s the beauty of PS4 titles; no region locking.
The game will come in two versions; a standard release and a Premium G Sound Edition for an estimated $100. That’s definitely an “I’m a diehard Gundam fan” price tag. This version comes with early access to DLC mobile suits as well as a choice selection of popular Gundam songs and background tracks, about 35 in total. While my favorite one listed has to be Gundam Wing’s Just Communication, currently I’m particular to The Dreaming Girl in Me from the superb Gundam Thunderbolt miniseries, and I’m hoping that it makes the cut. Regardless of which release you choose, pre-ordering gives you early access to the Hot Scramble Gundam from Gundam Build Fighters Try. Frankly, it sounds like a delicious brunch at Denny’s. I enjoy its design because it’s a nice kit-bash of both the Zeta Gundam and the Nu Gundam, while giving it unique characteristics to make it stand out.
No other DLC suits have been announced, but the core roster is already shaping up with a well-rounded cast. The list so far:
from Mobile Suit Gundam
- RX-78-2; the original Gundam
- Char’s Zaku II
- Guncannon
- Ramba Ral’s Gouf
- Gyan
from Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
- Zeta Gundam
- Hyaku Shiki
- The O
- Gundam Mk-II; and judging by the pilot it will likely be white Gundam
- Marasai
- Nemo
from Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ
- ZZ Gundam
- Qubeley
from Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack
- Nu Gundam
- Sazabi
- Jagd Doga
from Victory Gundam
- V2 Gundam
- Gottrlatan
Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory
- Gundam Physalis
Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt
- Full Armor Gundam
- Zaku II high Mobility Type
Mobile Suit Gundam F91
- Gundam F91
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team
- Gundam Ez8
- Gouf Custom
Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn
- Unicorn Gundam
- Banshee Gundam
- Sinanju
- Delta Plus
- Kshatriya
- Jesta
Mobile Suit Gundam Wing
- Wing Gundam Zero
- Deathscythe Hell
- Heavyarms Kai
- Sandrock
- Tallgeese
- Tallgeese II
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED
- Freedom Gundam
- Blitz Gundam
Turn A Gundam
- ∀ Gundam
- Turn X Concept
- Sumo Gold Type
Mobile Suit Gundam 00
- Gundam Exia
- Gundam Dynames
- Gundam Kyrios
- Gundam Throne Eins
- Gundam Throne Zwei
- GN-X
- Union Flag Graham Aker Custom
Gundam Reconguista in G
- Gundam G-Self
Mobile Suit Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans
- Gundam Barbatos (the popular 4th form)
- Gundam Kimaris Trooper
Like I said, it’s a well-rounded list. It’s kind of odd that the Physalis made the cut, but wasn’t accompanied by the Zephyranthes Gundam. What also puzzles me is the use of older mobile suits from the Gundam 00 franchise. The use of Exia over the 00 Raiser? That’s an interesting choice. The choice of going with Gundam Dynames over the superior Cherudium is also a curious decision. For a game based around 2v2 fighting, the lack of inclusion of any suits from Mobile Fighter G Gundam has me stumped, even more so when you factor in the absence of a healthy amount of Gundam Build Fighter suits. Two franchises that have “fighter” in the name are not included in a fighting game? But hopefully we haven’t seen the end of this list grow, and maybe we’ll see some advanced renditions in DLC. Maybe I’ll finally get to play as my favorite mobile suit; Gundam Altron; it’s in the intro, it just hasn’t been announced yet. A fanboy can dream.
