Graham

Definitely need to do some serious magazine picture studying when I get home tonight, as some of the pics posted in the various YF-29 threads are too small for serious examination. So far it seems like we have 4 different versions of the YF-29, each telling us something slightly different: The DX CAD pics (in multiple angles). The early unpainted model kit scuplt (in multiple angles). The more recent painted model sculpt (in multiple angles). Kawamori's line-art (in one angle only). Each set of pics seems to be telling us something slightly different regarding the legs. The early unpainted kit sculpt for example had the ventral leg fins, but seemed to lack the micro-missile packs. I'm especially interesting to see if any pics besides the DX CAD pics show the VF-25 type ankle collars. Graham

Still no domestic release of the DVD here. We didn't get a theatrical release either. Will have to order from Amazon. Graham

Last time I played a SRW game was years ago back on the PS1. Probably more than a decade ago. Whether I pick this up, depends on how difficult it is to play for a non-Japanese reader like myself. Graham

Has anybody else suffered any yellowing of their DX VF-25F Alto? Just noticed the other day, that my first-edition VF-25F Alto, which has been sitting in my display cabinet in fighter mode with Super Packs fitted, has started to yellow in certain areas. The white plastic of the lower legs and also the plane's belly area (part with the crotch lock) and some of the screw-hole covers are now a significantly different (yellower) shade of white. I bought this VF-25F when it was first released and it has pretty much been sitting in my display cabinet the whole time. My display cabinet is in my study (computer room), although the room has a window, it's located on a side of the house that doesn't get the sun. Also, my display cabinet sides are wood and the cabinet is at 90 degrees to the window, so even if direct sunlight enterd the window, it won't shine direcctly on the cabinet. So far my much newer DX VF-25F Tornado in the same cabinet doesn't seem to have yellowed. Graham

That looks great. I'd buy a toy of that in a heartbeat. You should post the pic or, or do you mind if I post it, as I have no pic posting limits? Graham

Hmmm........very interesting observations Reïvaj. I really hope Bandai is not simply going to reuse the legs from the V.1 VF-25 on the YF-29 toy. Need to go back and study all the available YF-29 model kit pics, to see if the kit has the same ankle collars as the VF-25 or not. Graham

I saw this game is now out here in Hong Kong, so I presume it's been released in Japan as well. Saw it in the Oriental 188 center in Wanchai for HK$458. Anybody bought and played it yet? I want to hear some reviews before deciding if I should buy. I'm specifically interested in how easy or hard it is to play for someone who can't read Japanese? If there are too many long and complicated menus in Japanese then I'm not interested. Something like MUF I can handle, but any more complicated, forget it. I hate having to always refer to FAQs just to play a game. Also, I'm very interested in how well (or not) the VFs handle in all three modes? If the fighter mode is crappy, flys/turns like a brick, then forget it. Graham

The VF-25F Alto Tornado did have tighter joints and a tighter crotch lock, a darker gunpod and a coloured SMS stand, so yes, it was a small improvement on the original Alto VF-25F. IIRC, some of the grey parts (hands& lasers(?)) were a bit darker as well. I expect the VF-25G Michael Tornado to have the same changes. Graham

Apart from the engine nozzles, I think the J-20 looks much nicer than the F-22. Graham

It all depends on how popular Macross The Ride turns out to be. I'd also love to see Yamato do the VF-19EF caliburn. Graham

Read a post somewhere about the head lasers handling differently to in MUF (although I can't find the post now). Is there a difference with the handling/performance/usage of the head lasers in Trial Frontier? Graham

Again, as stated earlier those magazine pics are just of the painted or photoshopped resin prototype, they are not representative of the final product. Graham

Yes, the VF-9 was already featured as a playable mecha in the second game of the series, Macross Ultimate Frontier or MUF. You could play in Max or Milia colors scheme, as originally featured in the Dreamcast Macross M3 game. Graham

Yes, so do I. Although for its special attack the VF-17D/S should you a large beam attack, to simulate the single shot beam-adaptor. Graham

Its from one of the OVA Encore episodes, I forget which one. Graham

(Also posted in the YF-29 model kit thread) I just noticed that early pics of the unpainted model sculpt show the YF-29 with outward-canted ventral leg fins (see attached pic). However the newer CAD pics of the DX toy (and also the recent painted model kit pics), do not show these ventral leg fins. So I wonder if these leg fins were a mistake by the kit sculptors and were later removed? Or perhaps the YF-29 only uses them in an atmosphere and during space combat they are kept retracted into the leg? Another thing just occured to me. Perhaps the micro-missile launchers on the lower-leg are removeable FAST Packs and the leg fins only extend out when the packs are not fitted. Graham

I just noticed that early pics of the unpainted model sculpt show the YF-29 with outward-canted ventral leg fins (see attached pic). However the newer pics of the painted kit (and also the DX toy CAD pics), do not show these ventral leg fins. So I wonder if these leg fins were a mistake by the sculptors and were later removed? Or perhaps the YF-29 only uses them in an atmosphere and during space combat they are kept retracted into the leg? Graham

The new information and pics that Renato refers to are also up on the Famitsu Website. This pic warms my heart. I just hope the VF-19S/F with Super Packs can fly in an atmosphere in fighter mode, like in the anime (Macross 7, episode 44). And of course I really hope that the VF-17D/S finally gets it's FAST packs this game as well. Some of the other relevant pics. Graham

Ok, I'm now officially excited again. Graham

Finally got around to watching the subbed Blu-ray rip on my PC all the way through. Previously I had only watched bits and pices of my R2 DVD. Actually enjoyed it much more thean I expected. The final battle scene was graphically pretty awesome in hi-def, with some great fight-scene choreography as well. Loads of mecha eye-candy. Actually quite psyched for the 2nd movie now. Graham

Notice on the CAD drawings that it looks like the tip of the underside of the shield has a hinged hatch (shown in blue). I wonder could we finally be getting internal knife storage in the shield? Graham

I'm a little worried about those large gaps around the knees in the CAD fighter mode side view. Graham

Yeah, I'm also surprised that Ozma didn't get any votes yet. After Gamlin, he's my second favorite pilot. Graham

I think you are right about that. I didn't notice that bar before. Graham

Larger scan of the 3D CAD art of the YF-29 DX from this month's Dengeki Hobby. Graham