From Software is releasing a slew of PSP ports of PlayStation 2 game, and they are largely, you'll never guess, giant mecha Armored Core and stealth Tenchu games. SHOCKING!

The games are Armored Core 3 Portable (out July 30), Armored Core: Last Raven (out March 2010), Armored Core: Silent Line Portable (out November), Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven (out August) and Tenchu: Fatal Shadows (out January 2010).

There is one one curve ball — a genuine surprise, even. From Software is porting PS2 game Fu-un Shinsengumi to the PSP. Originally published by Konami, the game was developed by Genki and features artwork by Metal Gear Solid artist Yoji Shinkawa. Not sure how From Software came into possession of this title, though. From Software should have a countdown clock to that.

The site features two doors blocked by a velvet rope. There's a placard that reads "2009.5.22 OPEN". With the number of Armored Core and Tenchu games From Software churns out, there's a good possibility that the company is announcing, that's right, an Armored Core or a Tenchu game. Those guys might as well have a giant mecha dressed as a ninja holding that velvet rope.

So the site goes live next Friday — never mind that Famitsu scans leak days before that. But we'll play along and pretend to be surprised. At least From Software isn't spamming our Twitter feed with announcements of announcements.

Some Teaser Site [From Software]

As with most PSP ports, it will feature ad-hoc wireless play as well as customization options. Paint your mecha pink! You know you want to.

Thanks cacophanus for the tip!

Xbox 360 プラチナコレクションに『アーマード・コア　フォーアンサー』など3タイトルが追加 [Famitsu]

Armored Core: for Answer has been available to Japanese gamers since March, but we've heard little about its chances domestically since then. We've also heard little in the way of rabid interest.

Don't worry, Ubi fans. They'll still be releasing six titles under the Imagine brand and two under the Petz brand during the same time frame. This giant robot sim won't upset the balance of its line up by a noticeable degree.

Armored Core: For Answer Nabbed By Ubisoft, Ships This Fall [GameCyte via SiliconEra]

Tenchu 4 For Wii [2chan]

HALO
Alongside the two already-announced Kotobukiya statues was a mockup of the third, Cortana, due later this year. She'll feature a light-up base, making her the perfect night light for the insomniac, living-with-parents thirty-something. Also announced was a fourth Kotobukiya figure, due much later, that will depict two Spartans on a Mongoose. Presumably in a manly, combative pose, and is not just the one riding hanging on lovingly to the one driving.

GEARS OF WAR
Having already unveiled four Gears of Wars figures, NECA have promised to show off further variants and exclusive new figures at the show. They've teased one of those exclusives on their own web site, which you can see above. If that's not the splatter from a chainsawing diorama, then I'm a hat-eating monkey's uncle.

STREET FIGHTER
SOTA aren't actually attending the Fair, but have timed some announcements for it anyways. They are releasing three 1/6 scale resin statues based on Street Fighter characters, each going for USD$100. You'll be able to get Ibuki, Sagat and Blanka.

BLUE DRAGON
No pics yet, but Bandai announced they'll be releasing two action figure lines, one 4", one 7", with each line featuring the "stars of the show". No prizes for guessing, then, that these ones are aimed at kids, with the 7" figures coming with a free episode of the cartoon series.

ARMORED CORE
Kotobukiya aren't just showing off their bigger, Halo-related stuff. They're also displaying some of their Armore Core line, which let you swap and mix body parts so that you can customise your own mech, just like the game.

FINAL FANTASY XII
And finally, where would we be without ludicrously overpriced Squeenix merch? Not at a damned Toy Fair, that's for sure. This is a 1:1 replica of Judge Master Gabranth's helmet from the game. 1:1 as in, yes, you can take it off the base and wear it. That fashionable headgear comes at a price, however: $1300. Yes. $1300.

USTF Coverage [Action-Figure]

Think Second Life meets PlayStation Home set in modern day Tokyo. Dubbed "meet-me," it's a MMO from Sankei newspaper, digital marketer Trans-Cosmos and From Software, the folks behind Armored Core. The PC title shows all 23 Tokyo wards in 3D and runs on Windows Vista and be out at the end of the year in Japan. The early meet-me screens show famous Tokyo landmarks like Shibuya 109 and lots and lots of Armored Core 4 adverts. Can't help but feeling that unless mechas are worked into this MMO, From Software's talents are being somewhat wasted. Brian Ashcraft

meet-me [Famitsu Thanks, Riyu!]

Blogger Danny Choo is on the ground taking pics at the Shizuoka Hobby Show. There are the usual suspects like Gundam and Evangelion. These Armored Core models are fabulous, though! Do check the rest of his coverage of nerd stuff to clutter up your bookshelves and desks. Brian Ashcraft

Armored Core [Danny Choo]

This is an excellent opportunity for those of you who have held off on buying the game to realize what a good idea that was. I've had the game since it came out, forcing myself to play a little each day to try and squeeze out some sort of enjoyment. The best thing I can say about it is painting your mech is an great way to avoid actually playing.

Today it gets traded in towards Guitar Hero II.

Note that the demo is only available in the North American market. Wouldn't want to spoil the surprise for the Europeans. Michael Fahey

It's a tradition. A new Armored Core game brings a new Armored Core tournament. AC4 is no exception, and it is. This go-round will be online via the PS3. The top thirty ranked players will face off in a Tokyo, and the winner will get ¥200,000 (US $1,665) in prize money. Tourney starts March 1st and last 21 days. Entry is free.

Know: This comes from a good source. Ollie over at Insert Credit wrote the IC post we're sourcing for this article. Dude adores AC and even won an Armored Core tournament. In Japan, no less! Brian Ashcraft

Armored Core Tournament [Insert Credit]

Ollie at Insert Credit sends word that mecha title Armored Core 4 will get its Xbox 360 outing on March 22nd next year. The game is currently out on the PS3, and the 360 version should help boast the console's library (and street cred) among Japanese gamers.

No word how different the 360 version will be (save for the rumble controller and Xbox Live). But Japanese gamers will get extras like an artbook, a DVD and stickers. Stickers? I love stickers! Brian Ashcraft

AC4 Dated [Insert Credit]