Friday, September 26, 2008

Simple DS Vol. 44: The Gal Majong - New Import, In Stock

Take a trip to a seaside resort and enjoy the sun, the surf, and the mahjong. Not just any mahjong however...

Gal Mahjong

That's where you play MJ against attractive maidens instead of sweaty salarymen. One of the gals is named Reiko Saki and she's a high school math teacher. Four other gals are featured in the game to play against. By winning against the girls, players score swimsuits and outfits that the Reiko and friends can wear and revel in. Seven mini-games are also featured in the game including boating, mosquito bite healing, and others.

Bomberman - New Import, In Stock

Every year or thereabouts, Hudson can be relied upon to wheel Bomberman out for another bombing foray. This year's model ships on September 25 and it's a Wii exclusive. The two game modes are:

» Story Mode - Bomberman finds himself in an interplanetary drama where his help is needed to restore peace to the galaxy. Just before he receives the SOS message, he's dozing inside the cockpit of his spacecraft. Bomberman traipses around lush isometric mazes and bombs enemies to pieces. All in the name of peace.

» Battle Mode - Up to 8 participants may engage in classic Bomberman action where an expansive maze provides the backdrop for the bombing tactics. Players may choose a Bomberman as their onscreen action hero or select a Mii to do their dirty work. Each maze measures 17 x 11 and different themes such as the Bowling Stage and the Pitstop Stage make for interesting sights to see.

For players who are a little rusty after years of Bomberman inaction, a Tutorial Mode teaches the basics of bombing. The Wii Remote is used to control Bomberman and is held horizontally. No Nunchuk is needed.

Mana Khemia Portable - New Import, In Stock

Vain Aureolus is a student at a school of alchemy where younglings learn the ways and means of mixing reagents with over 400 assorted bits to craft new and wonderful creations. Together with his fellow students Philomel Hartung, Gunnar Damm, and Titil Mimi Nike Mele, Vain goes to class in weekly increments and then stalks out into the wilds to gather ingredients and battle monsters. Vain's interaction with party members serves to strengthen the bond between them which leads to a cohesive battle unit. Quests serve as homework in the world of Mana-Khemia and a passing grade is granted upon each quest's successful completion.

In addition to Vain's core group of friends, a cast of characters provide conflict as well as support during the school semester. Pamela Ibis, a ghost who first appeared in the Atelier games also makes appearances on the grounds of the school. Party members can be swapped out as Vain makes his way through the adventure. The battle system features the use of conventional attacks as well as special abilities and skills to defeat enemies. An updated version of the Burst Mode originally used in Atelier Iris 3: Grand Phantasm is used in the game sans the spam. When exploring dungeons, the appearance of the underground areas change depending on whether it's daytime or night.

Either the d-pad or analog controller may be used to control Vain.

Princess Maker 5 - New Import, In Stock

A newly orphaned young girl has been rescued by the Man-Animal known as Cube but he's not very good with children. Instead of looking after the tyke himself, Cube requests your help to raise the girl from lil' orphan to a strapping young woman who's ready to conquer the world...

Princess Maker 5 was originally released on the Japanese PC last year and for the PS2 earlier this year. Taking place in modern day Japan, the little girl has access to contrivances such as television, cell phones, and the internet which may affect her pathway to adulthood. Similar to previous PM games, players interact with their adopted daughter and give her guidance as well as instruction so she grows up a certain way. Outside influences include friends that she meets at school and the aforementioned internet. A total of 102 different characters that populate the game world will provide the little Princess with advice, encouragement, and other feedback which all contribute to her growth.

New to Princess Maker 5 is the ability to play as a matronly mother or a doting father. It's not all work however since leisure time comes in the form of vacations which include a scuba diving sojourn, a visit to hot springs, a ski trip, and even a safari adventure. Depending on the girl's upbringing, she can become a gravure idol, wrestler, a musician, model, soldier, nurse, fortune teller, blushing bride, Evangelion handler, and many others for a total of 50+ possible endings.

Xbox 360 Arcade Bundle - Japanese Import, In Stock

Microsoft recently lowered the price of the Japanese Xbox 360 Arcade Pack in Japan to JPY19800 and NCS checked with our usual suppliers for some inventory. We found their warehouses lacking.

None of our vendors currently stock Xbox 360 hardware and cite "risk aversion" as the reason for not keeping the slow-selling hardware in their inventory. We were able to find an alternate supplier who was willing to take a chance and ordered them for us on Wednesday. Thanks to quick express shipping, our shipment arrived today.

New orders for the Japanese Xbox 360 Arcade Bundle are welcome to ship this afternoon. You'll get the console, a controller, AV Cable, memory card, and the Xbox Live Arcade DVD. Pricing is set at US$289 per bundle which reflects the shipping costs to import heavy products from Japan with air service. Due to the weight and size of the bundle, NCS recommends only shipping by UPS Ground within the United States.

Spy Hunter for Xbox - Clearance $13.90 free shipping

From the Publisher - Original Update: May 10, 2002

The evil NOSTRA corporation prepares to unleash havoc on the world, and only the SpyHunter is equipped to stop them. Strapped behind the wheel of the powerful G-6155 Interceptor, you are the world's last chance! Utilizing an incredible arsenal of both offensive and defensive weapons, you must elude NOSTRA spies, henchmen and assassins at any cost if civilization is to be saved. Prepare to be hunted!

Game Features:
■ Get behind the wheel of the G-6155 Interceptor for high-speed, mission-based racing in exotic locales.
■ While operating your SpyHunter Interceptor, you are relentlessly pursued by hordes of air, ground and water enemies as you battle to accomplish your missions and save the world from the mind of a madman.
■ Ultra-realistic 3D graphics, real-world locales and the only vehicle capable of morphing into a boat, jet ski or motorcycle.
■ Explosive weaponry and impressive defensive mechanisms combine with intense speed and strategy to distinguish SpyHunter from routine combat racers and traditional action racing games.