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As usual, Famitsu scans have beaten official sources to the punch, with scans of the magazine's reveal of Armored Core 5 now online. The article reveals that AC5 is a PS3/360 game, built, according to Siliconera, on the concept of "mayhem-like mecha action."

The "mayhem" is the result of the new "more complicated" three-dimensional stages, featuring many different heights from which to attack. These stages will be populated by smaller mechs -- the robots will come in at around five meters tall, instead of ten as in previous Cores. The smaller mechs will be more maneuverable, according to Andriasang's summary of the article, and able to traverse smaller areas of the environments, and even hide in some corners.

From Software has been on a roll lately, with the hit Demon's Souls and the well-received 3D Dot Game Heroes. But what of the franchise that people most closely associate with From Software (among people who associate From Software with things) -- Armored Core?

At an Armored Core Silent Line Portable tournament in Tokyo, From Software dated the PSP version of Armored Core: Last Raven for March 4, and (more excitingly) announced a brand-new entry in the mech series, Armored Core 5. No details of the sequel were revealed beyond a release date, though the new AC5 site suggests that more information will be forthcoming January 14 (or when the Famitsu leaks hit). Mysteriously, clicking the big "5" on the site links to a Google search for the word "senjou," which means "battlefield." You mean there's going to be fighting in this mech combat game?

Update: Reader Kenoji has pointed us to some off-screen footage of the teaser trailer shown after the event. It's posted after the break.

Giant robots on a tiny screen? How unthinkably farcical!

From Software managed to see beyond this astute observation earlier this year when it ported Armored Core 3, a six-year-old PS2 title, to the PSP in Japan. It looks like America will also be exposed to this amusing juxtaposition, as the ESRB recently rated a U.S. version of Armored Core 3 Portable. From Software has yet to officially reveal a stateside version of the mega-mech sim, but we predict we'll be hearing just such an announcement soon. Hopefully, it'll be accompanied by a English-language version of the above trailer. (Such drama! It's like a robot-centric soap opera!)

Remember the PS2 ports that From Software has brewing for the PSP? According to Siliconera, the games will be more than simple ports and will include some new features. First, the Armored Core ports will receive 16:9 widescreen support, improved menus, ad-hoc wireless play and the ability to transfer save data from one game to another.

Additionally, Tenchu 3 Portable will be widescreen enhanced and will also include story missions taken from the Xbox version. Tenchu Korenai Portable will get a "renewal," whatever that means. Meanwhile Fu-un Shinsengumi: Bakumatsu-den Portable will receive new, unspecified elements.

Frankly, it's nice to see From putting some extra effort into these ports, especially the transferable saves in Armored Core.

According to the latest issue of Famitsu (via PSPHyper), From Software plans to follow up its port of Tenchu: Shadow Assassins with some more PS2-to-PSP ports, so we hope you like games about silent, deadly ninjas, and gigantic, destructive mechs.

First, From Software plans to port Tenchu 3 (also known as Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven) to Sony's handheld as Tenchu 3 Portable in August in Japan. Following up that title will be Armored Core Silent Line Portable, destined for a November release, and Tenchu Korenai Portable, which is scheduled for a January 2010 release. Finally, From Software plans to finish off its porting spree with, yep, you guessed it, some more Armored Core, with Armored Core Last Raven Portable set to release in March 2010.

Oh, and one last game that is surprisingly neither Tenchu nor Armored Core -- Fu-un Shinsengumi: Bakumatsu-den Portable, which is planned for a December release. There's no word if any of these titles will be available outside of Japan, but we'll be sure to keep you posted.

We're not sure why PSP is getting a port of a six year old PS2 game, but it is. Although the Armored Core series has already progressed on to its fourth iteration on current home consoles, PSP will be getting an enhanced version of Armored Core 3, with added bonuses like Ad-Hoc multiplayer.

The debut Japanese trailer for the PSP version of Armored Core 3 is quite dramatic, although it's hard to discern the quality of the gameplay from it. We can confirm that there will be robots and explosions -- and those two things usually go hand-in-hand.

[Via PSPHyper]

Fans of bulky mechs and slim handhelds will likely find this bit of news to be the highlight of their day: From Software is porting Armored Core 3 onto the PSP, according to Famitsu. A scan (via PSPHyper) shows the 2002 PS2 title is slated for a July 30 release on PSP and will include some extra goodies, including Ad Hoc multiplayer (and even Ad Hoc Party support).

But, dare we ask what the point is? There have been countless Armored Core games that have released since then, so why not just port one of those? Or, here's a novel idea: what about a new game? We hear PSP owners love those things.

Looks like Armored Core: for Answer will be arriving on our shores fairly soon; Ubisoft has announced that the game will be released on September 16th. GameSpot scored an interview with associate producer Kenan Alpay, who tells us a couple of facts about the game. Here are some highlights:

• Online co-op mode: "30 missions and eight-player online melees in 80 different arenas."
• Story mode: You play as a mercenary who can eventually choose which missions to take from different factions within the game. There are over 40 missions and the decisions you make can lead to multiple endings.
  
• Arms Forts, which are giant battle stations much larger than yourself, will be the featured enemies of the game.
• Control scheme: new control scheme for beginners, as well as an option for other players to join in via co-op mode to assist them with difficult missions.
• New customization options: 130 new mech parts, including "interesting" parts such as an "auxiliary boost jets that increase your mobility and are ideal for hit-and-run attacks."
• Voice chat will be supported, as well as cross-regional (North America, Japan, Europe) play.
  
• No trophy support for "the Western version."