Hit the links with Sony's Minna no Golf Ba which plays a satisfying game of golf and serves double duty as a digital caddy if you're actually at a golf course in Japan. PSP owners living in Japan armed with the GPS Receiver and a copy of the game can visit one of 31 golf courses in Chiba Prefecture and play real golf with a virtual caddy. Chiba Prefecture was once called "the Golfers' Ginza" because of the surfeit of courses dotting the landscape. The game package includes two UMDs - the first UMD contains recreations of golf courses that are located in southern Chiba while the second UMD hosts courses from northern Chiba. When choosing which course to play on either UMD, a map of Chiba is shown and the location of the golf course is highlighted when you scroll through the different venues to play on.
Old hands to the Minna no Golf franchise will find a friendly game interface manned by affable characters as well as a challenging golf simulation. Select one of four possible virtual golfers (2 guys and 2 girls) to use as your onscreen agent and modify their appearance with different hairstyles, clothing, and accessories such as glasses or bows. Players may also decide to play on a sunny course or a rainy one to mix up the atmospherics. Once the golfer has been created, mosey onto the golf course and swing your way to eagle or maybe just bogey. For players who utilize the virtual caddy GPS function of the software, the distance to a hole may be calculated in real time to determine which club to use. «more»
Leon Kennedy sits in the back seat of a vehicle as it speeds through a forlorn looking road somewhere in Europe. In the front seat, two local policemen banter a bit as they motor towards their destination. Leon has been given an assignment to locate the President's daughter who has been kidnapped. Unsure of what awaits him, Leon carries a gun as well as a communication device to receive intel from a fellow agent named Ingrid Hunnigan. Once Leon reaches the target village, gamers will notice that the police aren't too anxious to investigate with him. That should be the first clue that something is amiss...
The Wii version of Biohazard 4 features nunchuk + Wii remote control which makes for a new interactive experience. Early in the game, Ingrid sends Leon a communiqué which contains a few pages of Wiimote controller functionality to shoot, kick, and otherwise beat back enemies in expeditious fashion. The first house that Leon visits where the guy tending the fire suddenly plays the role of maniacal killer will have you aiming the Wiimote feverishly to blast him away. Occasional Wiimote wagging is also required of the player where the remote must be shaken from side to side to break free of the grip of an enemy or to run from a large boulder ala Indiana Jones in the Raiders of the Lost Ark movie. «more»
Remember when Ripley went back to get Newt in the Aliens movie? That supercharged sequence showed Ripley's mothering instinct - sort of like when a mama bear does whatever it takes to protect her cub. Ripley also showed off her honed warrior skills where she destroyed bunch of slavering Warrior Aliens as well as hordes of Alien Queen eggs.
In the climactic final battle, Ripley suited up in a Power Loader and faced off against the Queen herself. With deft skill and the power of mechanical arms, Ripley defeated the Queen and the movie ended with a happily ever after conclusion.
Medicom celebrates the Aliens movie with a set of figures which may allow fans to recreate the final scene of the movie. There's Ripley in the Power Loader, then there's four Alien Eggs, three Warrior Aliens, and the Queen Bee. According to the preorder solicitation, the figures measure between 6-10cm each and will all be packaged in a window box. Preorders ship in Sept 2007 at US$95 per set.
Link has been a hero since 1986 when he starred in The Hyrule Fantasy. In his debut, Link battled the forces of Ganon and rescued Princess Zelda from Ganon's clutches. Since the early years of the franchise, Link has gone on to feature in over 20 sequels, adjuncts, and related games. Link's up there with the likes of Sonic and Mario for the most recognizable characters in gaming.
Japanese manufacturer Sanei has started preorders for two Link plushes which are scheduled to ship in September 2007. The "Large" Link plush measures 32cm or 12.59" tall while the "Small" plush measures 18cm or 7.08" in height. Both plushes feature the same design however where Link seemingly looks to the heavens and his arms are lifted to the side. Sort of like a bird about to take flight. Preorders are welcome today.
When it's dinnertime and krabby patties are sitting on the grill, forget the fine china and bring out the Spongebob plates. Shaped like sponges and imbued with the spirit of the maniacal undersea miscreant, each plate features a unique Spongebob expression. There's one where pearly whites are gleaming but we like the dish on the lower-left where Sponge has his tongue flapping. Each plate is colored a bright yellow hue and measures 12cm square or 4.72" on each side.
Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late September 2007 at US$7.50 per Spongebob plate.
Beaches are made of sand. On that sand, people play and sit. When people sit and play beneath a blazing sun, sweat and dead skin cells tend to drip and drop onto the sand. Multiply that by a million people and by a few years and that's a lot of sweat and dead skin mixed into that sand. That's one scenario where a big towel proves invaluable and handy. NCS recommends a big Sasara Kusugawa Towel where the blonde maiden dresses up in a maid's outfit or maybe the Shakugan no Shana Towel where lead heroine Shana poses in a frilly two piece bikini. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late July 2007 at US$49 per towel.
The sprightly Nakoruru originally captured the hearts of fighting fans in 1993 where she slashed and stepped her way to the top of the Samurai Spirits hierarchy. Over the years, NCS has peddled assorted Nakoruru figures including one with shabby hair and a wooden plank posture. Some were good... and others like the aforementioned doll were lacking.
Come September, Lilics unleashes a dynamic Nakoruru figure which depicts the warrior woman in mid-slash whilst stepping lively in mid-air. Her red and white ensemble catches the eye and the roiling robes beneath her body evoke visions of crashing waves. Or something like that.
The Lilics Art Storm Nakoruru sculpt is made of PVC and is a 1/6 scale figure which measures 20cm or 7.87" tall. The figure is pre-painted and fully assembled for immediate display. Preorders ship in mid-late September 07.
In the To Heart 2 game and subsequent OVA series, Tamaki Kousaka was an interesting character with depth and complexity. She had poise, she played the piano, had female admirers, and could cook up a storm. Normally garbed in a school uniform or casual wear, Wave's upcoming Tamaki figure does away with outerwear and features the redhead in a black two-piece bikini. She's also positioned in a compromising and vulnerable pose instead of a de rigeur stance. Two words might explain Tamaki's awkward aspect: Fan Service.
The DreamTech Tamaki Kousaka 1/6 scale PVC figure is sculpted by Tomoki Maeda and measures 255mm in length which is approximately 10" from top to toe. Pricing is set at JPY5800 or US$60 from NCS. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late September 2007.
