Monday, December 03, 2007

Ys and Ys II for Nintendo DS - Japanese Preorder

Interchannel has started preorders for remakes of the original Ys and Ys II for the Nintendo DS. The new games feature stylus-based control, chain combo attacks, new maps, and new enemy characters. A 4-player wireless battle mode is also available for multiplayer warfare.

» Preorder Ys [Ships on Feb 28, 2008]
» Preorder Ys II [Ships on Feb 28, 2008]

Time Crisis 4 + Guncon 3 - Japanese Preorder

The US and Asian territory versions of Time Crisis 4 were released a couple of weeks ago with bright orange Guncon 3 controllers (look to the right). When the Japanese version of the game ships on December 20, it'll include a black Guncon (photo on the left), similar to previous Guncons in the series. Preorders are welcome at US$129 for the Japanese bundle.

Aqua Beedz Art Series 3 - Preorder

Spin Master's Aqua Dots toys have been recalled in the USA and Canada due to potential toxicity in young children when ingested. The colorful beads that make up the Aqua Dots toys were coated with 1,4-butanediol which metabolizes into Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB). Although GHB is a naturally occurring substance in the human body, high doses can cause deleterious effects including vomiting and convulsions.

Aqua Dots is no longer available but Japanese manufacturer Epoch is forging ahead with their safe Aqua Beedz toys which plays similarly to the Aqua Dots. Instead of using a air-powered machine to blow beads onto a placeholder, the beads are inserted onto a platter by hand into patterns and designs. Once complete, spray water onto the beads and the glue on each bead's surface will bond to adjacent beads. Wait a few minutes and the artwork can then be removed and displayed. Preorders ship Mar 08.

Hello Kitty Wedding Orugoru Nuigurumi - Preorder

Back in 2003, Hello Kitty and Dear Daniel had a Hawaiian wedding where the unrelenting sun on the Big Island tanned the newlyweds to a burnished bronze hue. Fast forward a few years later and the bronzing has faded to give way to the lily white patina of the Kitties. They're apparently renewing their vows in 2008 and Sanrio celebrates the occasion with a new pair of wedding plushes which feature wind-up music and measure 18cm or 7.08" in height. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late March 2008 at US$39 for the pair.

NaizĂ´ (Internal Organs) Gashapon - Preorder

Yujin and its competitors have created a number of miniature toys based on kitchenware, donuts, shop displays, and other everyday objects over the years. The latest victim of Yujin's creative team are the human internal organs. We have a good number of doctors in our customer base who might appreciate the NaizĂ´ Gashapon but it's unlikely that anyone else will show the toys any love. The internal organs featured in the set include a heart, a bladder, a liver, and even the long intestines. We wanted a toy kidney but alas, that didn't make it into the set. Maybe they'll be crafted for the Naizo sequel that's probably inevitable. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late March 2008 at US$20 for the complete set.

Miniature Art Collection: Van Gogh Museum - Preorder

Toys don't just have to be about cartoon characters with squeaky voices or superheroes in skintight skivvies. Toys can be about the works of influential artists who weren't successful during their lifetimes. In the case of Van Gogh, he only sold one painting before he died and his work was recognized as masterpieces post-mortem.
Japanese manufacturer System Service pays homage to Van Gogh with a collection of toys which collect 10 of his works in miniature recreations. There's three self portraits including "Self Portrait with Straw Hat" and the famous "Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers" which sold at auction for nearly $40 million US dollars back in 1987. Other works featured include "The Yellow House" and "The Potato Eaters." The preorder info mentions a secret painting which is probably, "The Starry Night." Preorders ship in March 08.

Propeller Gun 2 - Preorder

A wave of nostalgia may wash across the over-30 crowd when the words, "propeller gun" are uttered. Popular amongst children in the 1950s through the 1970s, propeller guns are made of plastic and use a wind-up mechanism to launch lightweight plastic propellers which fly 10-30 feet in distance. Yujin's product flyer threatens a range of 10m or nearly 11 yards.

Six toy guns are included in the Propeller Gun 2 product which all sport a bright red tip to distinguish them from real guns. The miniature size is another giveaway that these firearms aren't real. NCS will supply the propeller guns in complete sets of six (as shown) at US$20. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late March 2008.

Seikatsu Oshiri Strap - Preorder

The Japanese word "Seikatsu" translates to "life" or "living" and the word "Oshiri" refers to "butt" or "posterior." Put those two words together and you have "Living Butt Strap," the latest masterwork from the Epoch crew. Six toys are featured in the set which consist of sports balls such as a basketball or a soccer ball with human appendages sprouting from it. In addition to the arms and legs, there's also a pair of butt cheeks squeezing out of the rear of each sphere.
Each strap is meant to be tethered to a cellphone and we're guessing that there's nothing else like this... in the universe. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late March 2008 at US$20 for the complete set of six.