Friday, February 27, 2009

Weekly Famitsu Vol. 1055 - New Import, Subscriptions

«©NCSX» The latest issue of Weekly Famitsu features coverage on the following games and/or events:

» Coverage on PS3 Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 which features tidbits on the fighting system, the hostesses at Club Ageha, and info on convenience stores.
» Famitsu's Reviewers rank NDS Pipopa (4/4/4/6), NDS Game Center CX2 (9/8/8/8), NDS Dragon Dance (5/7/6/6), PSP Shin Sangoku Musou Multi Raid (8/8/8/8), and PS3 Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 (9/10/9/10).
» Game guide for X360 Star Ocean The Last Hope which includes maps, stats, and character profiles for the main cast members.
» Preview for a new Wii RPG titled Arc Rise Fantasia which ships in 2009.
» Profile for Yu Nakamura who clowns around with a guitar.
» The Pick Up Food section for this week checks out "Rare Cheese Cake," "Strawberry Pudding," and a treat called, "Gelee Koku."
» Every issue of the magazine includes a bonus 83-page booklet which checks out every game released for the Wii, PS3, PS2, and X360 in 2008.

Kamen no Maid Guy: Boyoyon Battle Royale - New, In Stk

«©NCSX» An heiress named Naeka Fujihara who's being courted by suitors of dubious intent gets a protector in the form of a maid. Not just any maid - a man-maid named Kogarashi who dresses up in a regulation-issue outfit and possesses great enthusiasm for his job. Kogarashi's partner is a maid named Fubuki who provides comedic foil in the animated series. Gadget Soft brings the zany world of Kamen no Maid Guy to the PSP with a collection of mini-games, a fighting game, and all around wackiness which are contained within the context of the Story Mode.

The cast of characters include
Fubuki The Maid Guy Tamer, Elizabeth K. Strawberryfield, Tsurara, Shizuku, and a brand new maid character named Arashi who's 16 years old and skilled with the knife. The fighting game takes place in a 2D battlefield with two planes - the foreground and the background which allows combatants to jump to and fro for evasive maneuvering. Objects may be used to wallop opponents and cause the shattering of brassieres. When a particularly well placed blow hits a fighter in the chest, her blouse is shown splintering and her bosom is visibly shaken by the attack. The bouncing motion is made possible by a system called the "Super Tayunizm Engine" which the developer has visibly used in other parts of the game. Players may adjust the sensitivity of the "boob engine" so that the amount of bounce is either muted or intensified per one's preference. To recreate the atmosphere of the animated series, Gadgetsoft hired the voice actors to provide the speech, intonations, and other utterances in the game.

Kamen no Maid Guy: Boyoyon Battle Royale LE - In Stock

«©NCSX» An heiress named Naeka Fumiwara who's being courted by suitors of dubious intent gets a protector in the form of a maid. Not just any maid - a man-maid who dresses up in a regulation-issue outfit and possesses great enthusiasm for his job. Gadget Soft brings the zany world of Kamen no Maid Guy to the PSP with a collection of mini-games, fighting games, and all around wackiness.

The limited edition includes
three items as follows:

1) A gold "sun" badge which may be affixed to a cap or other accessory.
2) Black t-shirt that plastered with white-line-artwork of Maid Guy and the words, "Masquerade Maid Guy" emblazoned across the bottom.
3) Puffy sticker strap which features Fubuki in the background and Shizuku in the foreground. Both are apparently nude but only the top of their bosoms may be viewed since the puffy sticker terminates mid-breast.

The game and the bonus items are packaged in a fairly flimsy cardboard box which we'll package securely since we don't want it to be absolutely crushed while in transit.

Kira Kira Rock 'n Roll Show - New Import, In Stock

«©NCSX» Rockers are generally grungy, smug, and occasionally wear shiny leather vests. The girls in Kira*Kira: Rock 'n Roll Show are rockers but they're not grungy. They're clean-cut, chipper, and wear bright prints which exude soft colors. Originally released on the Japanese PC in 2007 and targeted at a mostly male audience, Kira*Kira is an interactive adventure which features static images, lots of dialogue to read, and a relatively attractive group of high school heroines such as Kirari Shiino. She's on vocals and guitar while Sarina Kashiwara plays guitar, Chie Isurugi's on drums, and Shikako Maejima plays bass guitar. There's something about Shikako though. Although she looks like a girl, she's really a he - a boy named Shikanosuke who impersonates a female so their band Dai 2 Bungeibu can be considered an all girl's group.

As the story goes, the band performed at the school festival to much adoration and their show was aired on the internet. It caught the attention of talent agents who signed them up for a tour. The band mates get their show on the road and travel to gigs in a ramshackle white van.


All orders will ship with a bonus "Dai 2 Bungeibu Band Overdrive Night Tour 2008-2009 "Rock 'n Roll Never Die" Live Video DVD" (d2b Live at 1226) which is being given away by the publisher in 1:1 ratio.

Kira Kira Rock 'n Roll Show LE - New Import, In Stock

«©NCSX» Rockers are generally grungy, smug, and occasionally wear shiny leather vests. The girls in Kira*Kira: Rock 'n Roll Show are rockers but they're not grungy. They're clean-cut, chipper, and wear bright prints which exude soft colors. Originally released on the Japanese PC in 2007 and targeted at a mostly male audience, Kira*Kira is an interactive adventure which features static images, lots of dialogue to read, and a relatively attractive group of high school heroines such as Kirari Shiino. She's on vocals and guitar while Sarina Kashiwara plays guitar, Chie Isurugi's on drums, and Shikako Maejima plays bass guitar. There's something about Shikako though. Although she looks like a girl, she's really a he - a boy named Shikanosuke who impersonates a female so their band Dai 2 Bungeibu can be considered an all girl's group.

The limited edition of the Kira Kira game includes a bonus Audio CD titled "6th Single / Own Colors" which contains four tracks.
All orders for the limited edition will also ship with a bonus "Dai 2 Bungeibu Band Overdrive Night Tour 2008-2009 Live Video DVD" (d2b Live at 1226) which was given away by the publisher in 1:1 ratio. The DVD contains a live performance that's somewhat surreal and mildly entertaining.

Destiny Links - Recent Import, In Stock

«©NCSX» Eight character archetypes are selectable at the outset of Destiny Links including a gnarly pirate armed with a pistol that can fire a tri-shot and a bard who attacks with his musical instrument. After choosing and naming your protagonist, he/she takes a boat ride to the island of Ameisia where quests and missions are aplenty. Upon disembarking from the ship, the hero is shuttled immediately into a building where introductions are made and assignments are gathered.

Destiny Links is playable solo but up to four gamers may link up wirelessly to participate in a cooperative quest. Movement is handled through the D-Pad and attacks are triggered by pressing the A" and "B" buttons. Early in the game, the enemies include winged insects, rabid rabbits, and fire-breathing boars which roam the countryside.

General Updates

Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 Rise Dragon Bundle
The release of the special Yakuza 3 bundle was delayed by a day to our distributors in Japan but the bundles have shipped as of last night and NCS expects delivery on Monday of next week. We don't have any surplus sets at this time and aftermarket vendors have raised the price by about JPY12,000 so we're holding off on ordering any more until we see a return to sanity. The Rise Dragon Bundle is limited to 10,000 units and based on what we see in our vendor database, there's at least 5 suppliers in Tokyo who are hoarding 20+ bundles at higher than normal prices.
King of Fighters XII Cabinet Kit
We're tempted to reserve the KOFXII full cab kit that vendors started preorders for earlier this week. The kit includes two Viewlix-L (Blue) cabs, a VS communication kit, and two chairs. The price is JPY1,020,000 or roughly US$10,500 and the crating and freight cost would probably run another $1500. If we decide to bring one in, we'll take photos of the set-up.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Game Center CX: Arino no Chousenjou 2 - New, In Stock

«©NCSX» Japanese comedian/game player Shinya Arino is back with another collection of pseudo retro games that hearken back to the 80s when consoles were 8-bit and an RF modulator was the video connection of choice. NCS had limited time this morning to check the game out but we were able to play the first retro title Wiz-Man which is reminiscent of Pac-Man and maybe a bit of Tower of Druaga. In the game, players control a munchkin-like character which roams around a maze and chomps up red and blue colored dots. However, before those dots can be chomped, a color-matching key must be picked up. For example, to eat blue dots, the munchkin has to pick up a blue key first. While the hero is chomping, ghost-like creatures wander around the maze in a mindless manner. Their touch is lethal so it would be wise to ramble astray of the creatures.

Game Center CX: Arino no Chousenjou 2 + DVD - In Stock

«©NCSX» Japanese comedian/game player Shinya Arino is back with another collection of pseudo retro games that hearken back to the 80s when consoles were 8-bit and an RF modulator was the video connection of choice. NCS had limited time this morning to check the game out but we were able to play the first retro title Wiz-Man which is reminiscent of Pac-Man and maybe a bit of Tower of Druaga. In the game, players control a munchkin-like character which roams around a maze and chomps up red and blue colored dots. However, before those dots can be chomped, a color-matching key must be picked up. For example, to eat blue dots, the munchkin has to pick up a blue key first. While the hero is chomping, ghost-like creatures wander around the maze in a mindless manner. Their touch is lethal so it would be wise to ramble astray of the creatures. Just like Pac-Man, escape tunnels are situated on the sides of the maze for quick getaways when spooks draw near.

The limited edition of Game Center CX2 is bundled with a bonus DVD which contains some of Shinya Arino's previous televised challenges and game play for the Super Famicom versions of Ultraman and Ultra Seven which were originally released in 1991 and 1993 respectively.

King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match - New, In Stock

«©NCSX» SNK Playmore has already given the remake treatment to other KOF games such as King of Fighters 98 with Ultimate Match so it's only natural that King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match also make its way to the Playstation 2.

The new KOF remix features a cast of 66 fighters which are split up into teams such as the Fatal Fury Team (Andy, Joe, and Terry), the NESTS Team (Angela, Foxy, and Kula), and the Orochi Team (Chris, Shermie, and Yashiro). KOF stalwarts such as Kyo Kusanagi (and his clones), Iori, and Heridern also appear in their own teams. A new fighter named "Nameless" also joins the cast. The upgrade of KOF 2002 features new graphics, updated BGM, and a complete revamp of the game's presentation from the title screen to the interface to the character selection screen. There's also a nifty new cinematic introduction to check out once the game boots up. Along with the visual gloss, SNK also adjusts the balance of the characters so that they rumble on a more even keel. After playing a few rounds of the new KOF 2002, you might want to check out the original KOF 2002 to get a feel for how it played. To help in that regard, SNK includes the original Neo Geo version of the game on the DVD under the "Neo Geo Mode" option.

Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 - New Import, In Stock

«©NCSX» The Japanese version of Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 is in stock and preorders are shipping today. New orders are welcome.

In Ryu Ga Gotoku Kenzan! which was released last year, Sega sent gamers back to feudal times in Japan. An incarnation of the series' hero Kiryuu Kazuma worked as a hired gun who took assignments from any client willing to pay.

The adventures of the hard charging
Kiryu Kazuma resume once again in modern times in Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 for the PS3. Kiryu is once again steeped in the life of a Yakuza who operates in the seedy district of Kamurocho. Kiryu has certain goals and objectives to accomplish over the course of the adventure but between the beginning and the conclusion, there's a lot of distractions in the game... just like real life. Kiryu can engage in karaoke sessions, play golf, go fishing, play pool, and even enjoy some quality time with a companion at a Love Hotel.

Demon's Souls - New Import, Partial Shipment

«©NCSX» Man was given a soul on the first day. On the second day however, a "soul devouring demon" was also saddled on the Earth. For a long time, the demon lay dormant but when the King of Voletaria meddles with arcane arts, he wakes the big galoot known as "The Old One" up. A demonic devourer of souls now walks the land of Voletaria and its minions have overrun the kingdom. Many heroes have tried to stem the tide to no avail but your day has come. Fasten the shiny armor, take up the sword, and trudge forward into an unfriendly land where demons, animated skeletons, and soulless villagers attack. The hero of Demon's Souls is also equipped with a shield which blunts oncoming blows and glances away projectiles such as whizzing arrows from demon archers. Crowds of demons occasionally beset the protagonist like a gang which should ignite the button-mashing instinct in all gamers.

Per the news earlier this week, please note that only a partial supply of Demon's Souls was shipped from Sony this week but the remainder should arrive soon. We'll update our customers once we receive an update.

Shin Sangoku Musou: Multi Raid - New Import, In Stock

«©NCSX» Heroes from the SSM games are generally bound by gravity to the ground and can't gain much air when jumping. This dynamic changes in the upcoming Shin Sangoku Musou: Multi Raid where warriors gain the ability to go aerial and perform outlandish attacks while aloft. Weapons may be upgraded with elemental-power through the use of gems to bolster a hero's attack.

The standard game starts inside a town where the stalls of merchants and peddlers ring the area's perimeter. To get started in the hacking and slashing action, guide your character towards the "job post" to the north where available missions are listed along with the value of each task. Upon entering the battlefield, enemy troops filter in and begin attacking. The enemy AI is fairly aggressive and troops will attack in concert for a somewhat challenging game. Despite the improved AI however, the enemy grunts are cannon fodder and legions of them will fall by the wayside on the hero's path to the mid-level and end-level bosses. The first level boss is a mace-wielding maniac who has the advantage of a lengthy weapon. We found it amusing that the boss can be smacked unconscious on the ground but your hero can continue beating on his helpless corpse-like form. Some enemies can orbit around your hero is a smooth attack move.

The second mission is more of the same but early in the stage, you'll notice that magicians in the enemy garrison are shooting white fireballs as a defensive measure. In one area of the second stage, your hero can leap onto the rooftops to avoid the onslaught of rabid enemy soldiers.

Shin Sangoku Musou: Multi Raid Bundle - New, In Stock

«©NCSX» In the introductory sequence for the Shin Sangoku Musou: Multi Raid game, a lord and his retainers walk beneath a grove of trees that are overflowing with cherry blossoms. In one sequence, the lord stops beneath a particularly opulent cluster of blossoms and admires their beauty.

For their SSM: MR bundle, Koei picks a color (Radiant Red) that's sort of like cherry blossoms for the limited edition PSP-3000 included inside. Koei also includes a silver PSP carrying case which features the original Sony case design that has been used by other manufacturers for their own promotional or limited edition cases. All preorders for the bundle are shipping today and new orders are welcome at US$298.90.

One Piece Unlimited Cruise Episode 2 - New, In Stock

«©NCSX» In the first episode of One Piece Unlimited Cruise, Luffy and the crew of the Jolly Roger found themselves in an adventure which spanned a series of islands. Players started the game off with Luffy but eventually got to control all of the members of the Straw Hats Pirates crew in sequential bite-sized episodes.

The sequel to the first Unlimited Cruise game features more of the same but new islands such as Desert Island and Marsh Island may be visited and conquered. New characters and adversaries also join the cast to provide drama and adversity such as
Eustace "Captain" Kidd who leads the Kidd Pirates on the high seas. The sequel also allows players to choose any character at any time - if you're initially traipsing around Desert Island as Namie, you can simply press the "-" button and select another Straw Hats Pirates from the roster of nine.


When NCS opened preorders for the game a few months ago, Bandai touted an improved battle system but after playing the game for about an hour this morning, it feels the same as before. For example, Luffy's spin-kick attack and punches haven't changed. Tools such as the pickaxe, the fishing pole, or the net are still handled the same way as before by wagging the Wii Remote in side-to-side motion.

Dissidia Final Fantasy Poster - New Import, Sold Out

«©NCSX» Square's Dissidia game was a sales success in Japan but NCS expected a lot more tie-in merchandising. The potions were released last month and a strap has been announced along with a set of Trading Arts figures. The fourth Dissidia tie-in product on the way is a poster which depicts the soldiers of Good and Evil arrayed against each other. Note how the warriors in the foreground are sedate but the fighters in the background are getting ready to slash. A cloudy ochre color wafts behind the cast of characters and serves as the backdrop for war.
The poster measures 84.1 x 50.20cm (33.11 x 19.76") in area and is rolled inside a tube from the manufacturer. Preorders are shipping today at US$16.90 from NCS but please note we are sold out currently.

Transformers Disney Label Mickey Mouse - New, In Stock

«©NCSX» When one conjures up images of Transformers from the depths of one's memory, visions of Megatron or Bumblebee might waver in the mind's eye. No one really expects Mickey Mouse to appear but yet there he is. A jovial rodent in the cab of Convoy as if he belonged there. To add insult to injury, the Cybertron logo on the trailer has been replaced by a Mickey Mecha logo with saucer-like ears.
The Transformers Mickey figure measures 4" tall and roughly 3" in width. By tucking, shifting, and swiveling parts, the robot may be transformed into a truck with trailer. All preorders received yesterday will ship this afternoon and new orders are welcome.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Nintendo DSi Color Variants - Preorder

«©NCSX» Three new flavors of the Nintendo DSi are winging their way to market to join the black and white versions which are already available in Japan. The Nintendo DSi will soon be available in Pink, Lime Green, and Metallic Blue. Pricing is set at JPY18,900 or US$219.90 from NCS and preorders are welcome to ship on March 20, 2009.

In other news, the USA version of the Nintendo DSi will be released on April 5 in black and blue color variants to kick things off stateside. The blue for the US market isn't a conventional blue but more of an aqua blue. Since shortages will likely accompany the USA NDSi launch, we'll refrain from accepting preorders until the week of release.

Playstation Portable Carnival Colors - Preorder

«©NCSX» How does a company sell more of a product without radically changing it or investing in more R&D? They colorize it. Paint it in new hues that are sure to capture the attention of consumers who eschew vanilla and chocolate. Sony attempts to sell some more PSP-3000s with four new "Carnival Color" variants which ship during the month of March as follows:

Vibrant Blue | Bright Yellow | Spirited Green | Radiant Red

We think the green color is a keeper but we might keep a blue as well in our PSP hardware collection. Preorders are welcome to ship on March 5 (Blue and Red) and March 19 (Green and Yellow). Pricing is set at JPY19,800 each or US$239 from NCS.

Aliens vs Predator 2: Chestbuster Real Sofubi - Preorder

«©NCSX» In the American vernacular, the term "chest buster" may hold a number of different meanings or connotations. Using the term in an office setting may potentially get you reported to human resources. For NCS' purposes however, "Chest Buster" refers to an alien creature which gestates inside a human host before eventually eviscerating said host at the moment of birth. It's a wicked awakening which made for a cinematic fireworks exactly three decades ago when the Alien movie bowed.

Japanese manufacturer Omron hopes to recreate the terror of Alien this summer when they release the Chest Buster Sofubi toy which measures 70cm or 27.55" in length. Preorders are welcome to ship in June 2009.

Cheburashka Okashi Mascot Strap - Import Preorder

«©NCSX» Never underestimate the power of a plush. Never. NCS has watched sales for certain plushes beat the sales volume for our top selling games over the years. It was a revelation as to the potential audience for certain products. One such sales winner was the Cheburashka plush from a few years back. We even sold them to customers in Mother Russia. When the summer rolls around, Omron will release a new set of Cheburashka plushes which are tethered to straps. Each plush is accompanied by a replica pastry or candy. NCS' preorder offer is for the complete set of four Cheburashka Okashi straps at US$25.90 to ship in late June 2009.

Milk Blu-Ray - Released Today, Ships in 24 Hours

From the Publisher
MILK is director Gus Van Sant's riveting biopic about slain gay rights activist and San Francisco city supervisor Harvey Milk. Based on the politically resonant and thoroughly timely screenplay of documentarian Dustin Lance Black, Van Sant follows the arc of Milk's political awakening, from closeted Brooklyn insurance executive to doyen of San Francisco's Castro district's burgeoning gay mecca in the 1970s.

Sean Penn portrays the film's hero, melting into the role with an affable flamboyance that is both spirited and eminently engaging. James Franco plays opposite Penn as Milk's supportive and easygoing boyfriend, Scott Smith. The couple's cheerful and loving rapport lends buoyancy to the film's overall message of hope as Milk ascends from grassroots community organizer to a galvanizing figurehead in the push for gay civil liberties. When Moral Majority crusader Anita Bryant forms an initiative to root out gay teachers and their supporters from public schools (Proposition 6), Milk is pitted in a bitter battle against fellow City Hall supervisor Dan White, played by Josh Brolin.

General Updates

Death Smiles Limited Edition Shortage?
One of our primary Japanese vendors in notified us last night that there may be a shortage of X360 Death Smiles LE. We're assuming they're getting the information from the publisher but preorders for the game just closed on Monday so it's confusing why they would notify everyone just two days after the closing of preorders. What's the point of accepting preorders if reservations aren't going to be honored? The whole gist of the preorder process is to gauge demand and produce quantities accordingly.
Until we receive corroboration from a second vendor, we'll keep preorders open but we'll update again if the shortage turns out to be true.
Transformers Disney Label Mickey Mouse
NCS didn't accept preorders for the Transformers Disney Label Mickey Mouse toy mainly because we thought it was corny. However, when a Japanese toy supplier told us that they had surplus stock last night, we ordered a few cases on a whim. Maybe we'll regret the purchase but they're on the way and should be delivered on Thursday. We'll post photos once they're in stock and ready to ship. NCS has an idea for a new business model: Selling stuff we think is corny. Orders are welcome.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

DJ Max Trilogy First Print Popular Edition - In Stock

«©NCSX» About 2 months ago, Pentavision pumped out DJ Max Trilogy for the PC which contains three games as follows:

» DJ Max Portable
» DJ Max Portable 2
» DJ Max Online

The first production of the game also includes a bonus soundtrack, a set of postcards, and a nifty gatefold binder that holds the CDs securely inside the DJ Max Trilogy slipcase. To distinguish genuine players from fake players, a USB Profile Key (Platinum Crew VIP Club) is also included in the package. Pricing is set at US$66.90 and new orders are welcome.

Utawareru Mono Portable - Import Preorder

«©NCSX» Originally released on the PC in 2002 by Leaf and on the PS2 in 2006, Utawareru Mono makes the jaunt to the PSP later this year. The PSP conversion is based on the PS2 game which features full voice acting, an updated battle system, a new character, and new visual events.

The storyline centers around a series of wars set in ancient times and the ascension of a hero named Hakuoro. As the story begins, two young sisters named Eruru and Aruru are foraging in the forest when they stumble across a wounded young man who is wearing a mask. The siblings decide to bring him back to their village. With the help of their grandmother Tusukuru, the family eventually nurses him back to health. From humble beginnings, Hakuoro eventually leads a rebellion against the oppressive emperor of the land and becomes the king of a new country that he names Tusukuru, after the grandma and village elder.

Early preorders will ship with a bonus card collection in 50% ratio and reservations will ship on April 29, 2009 at JPY4800 or US$53.90 from NCS.

Katekyoo Hitman Reborn! DS Fate of Heat II - Preorder

«©NCSX» Tsuna, Reborn, and the rest of the mafia gangsters from Hitman Reborn! gallop into an RPG which features 3D overhead roaming and team-combat that takes place on a battlefield where two sides are arrayed against each other. Combat is based on the use of cards that are thrown during encounters against enemy agents. Characters can also utilize their alter-egos when hit by the "Dying Will Bullet." The preorder solicitation from Takara mentions a new character designed by Akira Amano (Hitman Reborn creator) will make his/her debut in the game.

Early preorders will ship on April 16, 2009 and some reservations will include a bonus Vongola Family touch pen that's being given away in 50% ratio by Takara Tomy.

Relakkuma Onsen Solar Mascot - Import Preorder

«©NCSX» Toys that run on solar power have a special place in our hearts at NCS. They're eco-friendly since batteries aren't required and the loving light of the sun is all that's necessary to make them move. Solar toys are simple, run clean, and won't pollute our waterways. Please kindly ignore the few ounces of PVC that were used to create the toy.

In the case of the Relakkuma Onsen Solar Mascot, the brown bear known as Relakkuma and his honey-colored friend Korilakkuma are enjoying the soothing effects of a faux hot tub. While they're relaxing and soaking in the faux water, their heads will wobble whenever sunlight glances at the solar panels located at the front of each toy. It's almost like poetry in motion. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late June 2009 (when the sun is absolutely blazing) at US$16.90 per toy.

Demon's Souls - Asian Version Shortage Update

«©NCSX» Our shipments of PS3 Demon's Souls [Asian] were dispatched last night but our allocation was cut by 55% which isn't as wretched as the 80% we expected yesterday but it's still pretty bad. Based on information from distributors last night, another batch of the game is due to ship within the next 1-2 weeks. Unfortunately we can't get more precise than that but we'll update accordingly as information is made available.

NCS expects to receive the Asian version of Demon's Souls on Thursday of this week and we'll process and ship the first 45% of our preorders upon delivery. If your order is shipping this week, you'll receive a shipment notification before 7PM EST on Thursday. We'll send an update to everyone else in an effort to reassure and provide confidence that the remainder of our preorder quantities will eventually be on the way. Please note that new orders placed now will be added to our processing queue in the order that we receive them. Thanks for reading.

GPS Receiver - Special Offer

«©NCSX» In the 1980s, the U.S. Department of Defense opened the Global Positioning System up for civilian use. Before that auspicious occasion, the system was limited to military applications where a network of satellites in orbit provided information on a user's location on the planet. In essence then, an individual outfitted with a GPS receiver can triangulate his whereabouts anywhere on Earth.

Ever since the PSP GPS Receiver was released in 2006, there's been a handful of software that supports the device such as the Minna no Golf games but it's the homebrew wares such as Map This! that provide the most value. NCS is offering the Japanese PSP GPS Receiver at the price of US$50.90 and new orders will begin shipping on Thursday of this week. If you reside in the United States, you can select USPS Priority Mail which is about US$5 and international players can choose First Class Mail at US$10.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 - New Import, In Stock

«©NCSX» The Asian version of Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 is in stock and re-confirmed preorders are shipping today. New orders are welcome.

In Ryu Ga Gotoku Kenzan! which was released last year, Sega sent gamers back to feudal times in Japan. An incarnation of the series' hero Kiryuu Kazuma worked as a hired gun who took assignments from any client willing to pay.

The adventures of the hard charging
Kiryu Kazuma resume once again in modern times in Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 for the PS3. Kiryu is once again steeped in the life of a Yakuza who operates in the seedy district of Kamurocho. Kiryu has certain goals and objectives to accomplish over the course of the adventure but between the beginning and the conclusion, there's a lot of distractions in the game... just like real life. Kiryu can engage in karaoke sessions, play golf, go fishing, play pool, and even enjoy some quality time with a companion at a Love Hotel.

Ninja Blade (Asian-English) - New Import, In Stock

The Asian version of Ninja Blade is playable in English or Chinese. The game is also region-free and playable on USA Xbox 360 consoles.

From the Publisher
Ninja Blade™ is an action adventure game set within modern day Tokyo. Parasites known as alpha-worms have mysteriously appeared, unleashing a wave of human destruction as they rapidly spread east, reaching the shores of Tokyo. With the future of humankind hanging in the balance, an exclusive and elite team possessing highly specialized skills is formed to eliminate the enemy onslaught, and ultimately save mankind from complete obliteration.

Game Features
* Unique ninja abilities: Use your Ninja Vision to detect and analyze potential enemy weak points, secret paths, and hidden information within the environment, but be careful, as you are susceptible to extra damage while using your vision. And perform the todomé attack to destroy an enemy's core (heart), by dealing a fatal wound. Balanced and calculated use of both these abilities will be critical to progressing through the game.
* Variety of weapons, tools, and Ninjutsu.

Star Ocean The Last Hope (ASN) - New Import, In Stock

From the Publisher
A.D. 2064
... Planet Earth was on the brink of destruction as clashes between the World Republic Federation and the various nations that opposed it sparked the outbreak of World War III. Weapons of mass destruction, deployed with complete impunity razed the land in the blink of an eye. The dire situation forced the two opposing factions to negotiate a cease-fire and an agreement was quickly reached, but although the war may have ended, its effects remained. With the deteriorating environment, Earth's population was drastically reduced and those who survived lived a confined existence trapped in underground cities. Eventually countries joined together to form the Greater United Nations and turned their eyes skyward, to space. With the establishment of the USTA, the Universal Science and Technology Administration, man began to seek new worlds beyond the stars.

A.D. 2087
... The first year of the space date (SD) calendar. Thanks to the success of Professor Trillas Bachstein's warp drive experiments, mankind's dream of a spacebourne existence has inched closer to reality and the USTA secretly began to implement its SRF project, the Space Reconnaissance Force. Now it is SD 0010, and the first official SRF mission and your adventure has begun.

Persona - Import Preorder

«©NCSX» When Atlus released the original Persona in 1996, the portable handheld of choice was the Gameboy. The very first Gameboy. It didn't have color nor a backlight but that didn't stop Nintendo's wunderkind from dominating the portable gaming landscape. It wasn't until 1998 that the Gameboy Color arrived on the scene.

Fast forward 13 years and technology has gotten to the point where games like Persona can now be played on portables such as the Playstation Portable. In living color and backlit. Atlus upgrades the game with new cinemas, visual updates, brand new dungeon levels, and user- friendly options such as a quick save feature.

Preorders are welcome to ship on April 29, 2009 at JPY4800 or US$53.90. The first production of the game will ship with a bonus Persona Soundtrack CD in 30% ratio from the publisher.

Demon's Souls - Asian Version Shortage

«©NCSX» A game we didn't expect to arrive early (Ryu Ga Gotoku 3) did and a game we did expect to arrive early (Demon's Souls) didn't. The Asian version of Demon's Souls was held back for release until Tuesday but please note that vendors in Hong Kong warned us earlier this morning that the game will be very limited and there will be a major shortage this week.

It appears that Sony cut shipments to vendors in Hong Kong by as much as 80%. The Japanese version which was released a couple of weeks ago was also very limited. This seems to indicate a lack of confidence on the potential sales of the game in the Pacific region. In other news, there's a bountiful supply of Hakuna Matata (Asian version of Afrika) across Hong Kong.

We'll post another update tomorrow once we verify what's been shipped to us. Furthermore, the shortage situation should be temporary.

Japanese Import Outlook - Arrivals on Thursday-Friday

NDS

Dragon Dance

Success


Game Center CX: Arino no Chousenjou - Best

Namco

Game Center CX: Arino no Chousenjou 2

Namco

Game Center CX: Arino no Chousenjou 2 w/ DVD

Namco

PS2

The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match SNK

Kira * Kira: Rock 'n' Roll Show Princess

Kira * Kira: Rock 'n' Roll Show First Print LE Princess
PS3 Ryu ga Gotoku 3 [Japan Version on Thursday] Sega

Ryu ga Gotoku 3 - Rise Dragon Pack Sega X

Shin Sangoku Musou: Multi Raid Koei

Shin Sangoku Musou: Multi Raid PSP-3000 Bundle Koei

Wii

One Piece Unlimited Cruise Episode 2

Bandai

360

Chaos Head Noah 5pb

Chaos Head Noah Limited Edition 5pb

Halo Wars

Microsoft


Halo Wars First Print Limited Edition

Microsoft


Samurai Dou 3

Spike