Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Shooting Game Historica Vol. 3 - Import Preorder

«©NCSX» Over the past year, the Shooting Game Historica series of toys has been some of NCS' most popular products. We get to sell the gashapon sets which are packaged in plastic capsules and then we also peddle the "SP" re-renditions which are boxed in fancy cardboard containers. It's sort of like selling the same toys twice. Yujin has started preorders for the third set of Shooting Game Historica toys which feature ships from another six games as follows:

» Wolf Fang - Blue armored mech which carries a blaster rifle
» Soukyugurentai - S.O.Q-004 Toryu with multiple movable parts
» Raiden - Raiden mk-II (red) or Raiden mk-IIb (blue)
»
Kaitei Daisensou: In the Hunt - Squat submarine designed by Irem
» Maneuver Cepter Granada - A blue tank with moxie
» Secret ship - To be unveiled later

Please note that Yujin will produce two Raiden ships in red or blue and NCS will fill preorders with either a red or blue Raiden ship.

NCS received the ship prototype sales sheet which shows the ships in their unpainted form but we'll throw up the production photos once Yujin releases them to toy distributors in Japan. As usual, we'll post a photo gallery of all the ships once we receive the toys from overseas. The silhouette of the sixth ship shown at the bottom of the second page sort of looks like the ship from PC-Engine Override... except the guns in front are too pointy.

Per normal SGH sales convention, NCS will gather together all six ships and supply them in complete sets at US$26.90. As mentioned earlier, we will fill preorders with either a red or blue Raiden mk-II. Reservations are welcome to ship in mid-late March 2009.

NCS expects Yujin to announce the S.P. edition of Shooting Game Historica Vol. 3 next month for delivery sometime in May 2009.

SR Senjou no Valkyria Figure Collection 2 - Import Preorder

«©NCSX» NCS sold out of the first Senjou no Valkyria Figure Collection yesterday so Yujin's announcement of the second figure collection was very timely. The upcoming set features the female soldiers of Senjou no Valkyria (aka Valkyria Chronicles in the USA) but instead of wearing combat fatigues, the girls are decked out in skimpy swimsuits. Five characters are featured in the set as follows:

»
Alicia Melchiott - wears a white 2-piece bikini and appears joyful
» Selvaria Bles - in black bikini with a knife strapped to her right thigh
»
Brigitte "Rosie" Stark - orange one-piece with removable shades
»
Asara Gunther - dressed in a purple smock with bikini bottom and hat
» Edie Nelson - Wears a removable t-shirt with aqua bikini underneath

The figures measure 10cm or 3.93" tall and NCS will supply them in complete sets of five at US$28.90. Preorders ship in March 2009.

Animal Crossing Wii Remote Projector - Import Preorder

«©NCSX» The rascally animals and default human characters of Animal Crossing are loved the world over. To capitalize on the fan fervor, toy manufacturers have released Animal Crossing plushes, beverage holders, and countless trinkets. There's never been an Animal Crossing Wii Remote Projector Light product however. That is, until now.

The Axing Projector is basically a thumb-sized keychain that shoots out a battery-powered image of a recognizable Axing character such as Totakeke (aka K.K. Slider), a mole named Mr. Resetti, and a pairing of Tanukichi (Tom Nook) and Crazy Redd. Six types of projectors are included in the set and preorders are welcome to ship in February 2009 at US$26.90.

Tatsunoko vs Capcom Little Heroes Keychains - Preorder

«©NCSX» NCS started preorders for the Wii version of Tatsunoko vs Capcom a couple of weeks ago and interest has been strong. Since Yujin is a prolific and timely producer of Japanese pop culture, the company has started preorders for a nifty keychain set which features the heroes of the game. On the Capcom camp, we spy Ryu, Chun-Li, Batsu Ichimonji from Rival Schools, and Morrigan of Vampire fame. We were hoping for a Viewtiful Joe keychain but maybe next time.

On the Tatsunoko front, we have Yattaman, Doronjo, Ken the Eagle from Gatchaman, and Casshern. Each keychain figure measures 3.5cm or 1.37" tall and is made of laminated PVC. Preorders for the complete set of eight keychains are welcome to ship in mid-late February 2009.

BLU Hancock Blu-Ray Disc - Released, Ships on Thursday

From the Publisher: Peter Berg (THE KINGDOM, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS) directs this story of a reluctant superhero, John Hancock (Will Smith). Like the best superheroes, Hancock can fly, is bulletproof, and has insurmountable strength. He uses these gifts to fight crime in Los Angeles and save people in distress, Unfortunately, he also is a drunk who leaves a trail of costly destruction behind during his lifesaving pursuits, and his constant sarcasm fails to win him friends. But after Hancock randomly saves his life, public relations executive Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman) decides to give him a makeover and help the superhero change his image so that the police and citizens of Los Angeles will realize how much they need their seemingly inappropriate hero. All the while, Ray's wife, Mary (Charlize Theron)--who seems to simultaneously have a strange connection and aversion to Hancock--worries that her do-gooder husband will end up disappointed by Hancock's antics. The special effects are quite impressive, as Hancock flies through Los Angeles crashing into buildings, bursting through freeway signs, and flipping automobiles around as if they were wet noodles. Smith evokes a depth and warmth in Hancock; even when he's unpleasant and anti-social, it's clear that there is more to him.

BLU Revolver - Release Soon, Ships within 2-3 Days

From the Publisher
Director Guy Ritchie`s (LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS) fourth feature film is about a hard-bitten gambler named Jake Green (played by Ritchie favorite Jason Statham). Green has just spent a lengthy stretch in jail and is seeking revenge on the man who put him behind bars--crime overlord Dorothy Macha (Ray Liotta). Macha`s thirst for gambling is his weak spot, and Green exploits it by soundly beating him on a visit to the crime boss`s own casino. A hit is subsequently ordered on Green, and he teams up with two tough guys. Avi (Andre Benjamin aka Andre 3000 from Atlanta-based hip-hop outfit Outkast) and Zack (Vincent Pastore) who offer to protect him. Green must give all his money to Avi and Zack, and work for them, if he values his life, so he agrees to the deal despite simultaneously discovering that he suffers from a rare blood disease that will kill him within three days.
At this point in the movie Ritchie and writer Luc Besson (who adapted the screenplay from Ritchie`s original script) loosen the narrative structure of REVOLVER, deliberately confounding their audience as the film takes a number of oddball twists and turns.

General Updates

Pikmin Plushes
Preorders for the reproduction of the Pikmin plushes from Sanei are expected to ship on Thursday or Friday of this week. New orders are welcome. We'll literally have a ton of surplus plushes available for the coming holiday season.
Star Wars USB Hub
The popular Darth Vader and R2-D2 USB Hubs from Japanese manufacturer Cube will be restocked in a few days. All backorders will ship once they're in stock and new orders are welcome. Pricing remains at US$73.90 per hub.
Wii Suzumiya Delayed
Suzumiya Haruhi no Gekidou for the Japanese Wii has been delayed from November 28 to January 22, 2009. The deluxe limited edition of the game which ships with a bonus Haruhi figure has also been pushed to January 22.

SS Joypad DX for Sega Saturn - Clearance

«©NCSX» Vic Tokai released the SS Joypad DX way back in 1995 when the Saturn was still in contention. Notable features on the pad include rapid-fire, one touch auto mode, and a one-handed jogging mode (for RPGs).

Sale Offering - NCS' remaining inventory of the SS Joypad DX for the Sega Saturn is new, factory boxed, and the packaging is in okay condition. Although the joypads are in excellent condition, the cardboard packaging has slight dents due to years of storage and transportation between warehouses. Pricing is set at US$18.90 each which includes "free" shipping by USPS Media Mail within the U.S.