Spelunker: Dangerous Hero Sofubi Toy - Preorder

Our first encounter with the game "Spelunker" was on the Atari 8-bit computers from way back when. In 1985, Spelunker was ported over to the Famicom and that single moment was enough to green-light a toy figure based on the hero of the game... over two decades later.

Japanese manufacturer Pleasant Angel has started a toy series dubbed Old Game Heroes and the debut figure is the miner/adventurer from Spelunker. The soft vinyl figure measures 16cm or 6.29" tall and is armed with a Phantom Blaster which is used to vaporize discarnates that lurk in the caverns below. Spelunker also used a bomb to blow up rocks but we don't see the figure equipped with any explosives. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late April 2008 at JPY3500 or US$38.90 from NCS. Our nomination for the next figure in the series: Bagman.

Space Invaders 30th Anniversary Bath Towel - Preorder

When shopping for towels, there's a myriad of choices in department stores across the land. You can have your taupe-colored 100% Egyptian cotton towels but we want our (cue the trumpets) 30th Anniversary Space Invaders Towels.

Measuring 120cm (47.24") in length and thirsty, the cotton towels come in three varieties but we're partial to the white one decorated with menacing red invaders. If we were goaded into choosing a second one, we'd probably nab the one on the right of the product photo. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late June 2008 at US$19.90 per towel.

General Updates

President's Holiday Today's a postal and bank holiday in the United States. As such, orders that are shipping by USPS Priority Mail or Express Mail will not be dispatched until tomorrow.

Lunar New Year Prognostication Based on readings from soothsayers, 2008 is going to be a good year for the economy. Their pronouncements fly in the face of possible recession, flagging corporate earnings reports, the credit crisis, etc. The oracles are generally on the mark year after year but maybe they've read the entrails wrong for 2008. Interestingly, they've pegged 2009 as when things start to really go to pot. We'll see how things pan out but maybe the bulls have a fighting chance against the bears this year.

DC Border Down Reproduction We received a shipment of Border Down from the Messe Sanoh special reproduction released on January 16. We'll contact customers who inquired about the game today but the price is dear.

Love Tester - Preorder

Determining compatibility and the potential for love between two people is an inexact art. Hookups by way of matchmakers fail and dating services are basically meat (meet?) markets but Taito has figured it all out.

By using a simple device fitted with an LCD screen and two touch pads, a couple can determine if they're in love. Yes, it really is that simple. Based on Taito's photographic schematic, the couple joins hands and then places a finger from their other hand on one of the touch pads. This creates a circuit which is then measured by the machine to determine your love.

Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late June 2008 at US$22.90 each.

Digimon Powertime Watch - Clearance

Strictly geared towards the pre-teen set, Bandai's Digimon watch features mighty monster mugs on the faceplate. Flip it up to reveal the digital LCD which tells time and keeps track of the date. Rotate the outer rim of the watch so that "30" hits the "secret no." mark and the entire watch flips up to reveal a secret compartment to store your candy, secret notes, or other small sized miscellany. Also included as a bonus is a small bag of sweet/sour candy. The velcro wrist strap that is included will only fit young children since adult wrists are too beastly to slide in...

NCS Sale Offering
Pricing per Digimon Watch is set at US$6.90 which includes free shipping by Media Mail within the USA. [View larger photos]