X360 Bayonetta (+Bonus Soundtrack) - Import Preorder

From the Publisher
Bayonetta is a stylish and cinematic action game, directed by creator Hideki Kamiya and set for release on the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. A member of an ancient witch clan and possessing powers beyond the comprehension of mere mortals, Bayonetta faces off against countless etereal enemies, many reaching epic proportions, in a game of 100% pure, unadulterated all-out action. Outlandish finishing moves are performed with balletic grace as Bayonetta flows from one fight to another. With magnificent over-the-top action action place in stages that are a veritable theme park of exciting attractions, Bayonetta pushes the limits of the action genre, bringing to life its face-pace, dynamic climax combat.

Preorders for the X360 version of Bayonetta are welcome to ship on October 29, 2009. The first production of the game will include a bonus soundtrack titled "Rodin's Selection" that's being given away in 50% ratio.

PSP R-Type Tactics II: Operation Bitter Chocolate - JPN Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» Shooters such as R-Type aren't normally genre-twisted into real-time strategy games but that's exactly what Irem did with their classic shmup. In the original R-Type Tactics (R-Type Command for us Yanks), players marshaled a contingent of fighters into the heart of the Bydo Empire to do some damage. The game was played on tactical grids with turn-based battle sequences. In the sequel to R-Type Tactics which is subtitled "Operation Bitter Chocolate," humanity has amassed an impressive arsenal of weapons after their war with the Bydo.

With all those weapons at their disposal and no one to use them against, man starts bickering against his fellow man. The bickering leads to battles which leads to further full-on military engagements where armadas are arrayed against opposing armadas. The Bydo were threatening the extinction of the human race and they were alien empire that could be eradicated without remorse. When man battles against man, the agenda isn't extinction but domination. Or maybe some people are just mean.

Players marshal R-Type ships once again on tactical grids where weapons are blasted, ships are deployed, and the units are used in an intelligent manner so as to guarantee success against the enemy. In addition to attack ships, repair vehicles and refueling vessels are available for well-rounded tactical strategizing. Preorders are welcome to ship on October 29, 2009 at JPY4800 or US$53.90 from NCS.

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» Travel back in time to the ancient Roman Empire and step into the shoes of a sword swinging gladiator. At the outset of the game, players are tasked with creating a customized slave who has to fight for his survival. Choose the facial structure, hair color, hair style, skin color, body type, and a number of other attributes to build a unique warrior. If the slave succeeds in defeating the opposition, he'll gain renown, fame, and eventually adoration from the crowds in the Colosseum. Between slavery and the top of the Colosseum food chain, the player's protagonist faces training stints, death, and hundreds of other slaves all vying for survival. Kentoushi: Gladiator Begins supports ad hoc communication which allows players to trade gladiator data with other gamers. The Playstation Store will feature downloadable content including special items and unique characters.
Preorders are welcome to ship on October 29, 2009 at JPY4800 or US$53.90 from NCS.

TOYS KoroKoro Hakusei Mini Cube Keychain - New, In Stock

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» Back in 1974, Erno Rubik made a contribution to the world in the form of a little toy called the Rubik's Cube. It looked simple enough - a structure that was made of twenty-seven cubes which were aligned in a basic 3 x 3 x 3 array. Each of the six sides were painted a distinct color and the goal was to mash up all the colors and then match them all up again. Although few players would ever solve the puzzle with its 43,252,003,274,489,856,000 possible combinations, the Rubik's Cube went on to sell a hundred million units to a worldwide audience in the 80's.

System Service pays homage to the Rubik's Cube this summer with a collection of five puzzle constructs which are based on Erno's original design. Three of the toys are standard 3x3x3 cubes which differ in the color of the sides but there's also a 2x2 cube and a cylindrical variation. All of the little toys are fully functional and may be twisted, turned, and shuffled around like the original Rubik's Cube. A keychain is also attached to each toy for convenient tethering to your collection of keys. «Photo Gallery»

TOYS Cheburashka Okashi Mascot Strap - New, In Stock

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» No, it's not Dumbo nor is it your old chum Timmy - the fourth grader who's ears seemed larger than dinner plates. The brown, big-eared creature is named Cheburashka and the little guy was conceived by Eduard Uspensky in the 1960s. At first glance, Cheburashka shares similarities with popular Japanese icons such as Hello Kitty or Tarepanda as follows:

» Simplistic facial structure with requisite blank stare
» Diminutive stature and short limbs
» Somewhat androgynous and non-threatening
» Simple color scheme

The Japanese rediscovered Cherburashka a few of years ago and the Omron toy company has released a series of plushes and toys based on the diminutive creature. This summer, Omron releases a new set of Cheburashka plushes which are tethered to straps. Each plush measures approximately 3" tall and a little over 3" wide from ear to ear and is accompanied by a replica pastry or candy. The "fur" that covers Cheburashka is remarkably soft and luxurious to the touch. It's almost like touching a big-eared ermine.

NCS' Cheburashka product offer is for the complete set of four Cheburashka Okashi straps as shown in the top photo at US$25.90 and all preorders have shipped as of yesterday. «Photo Gallery»

PSP Undead Knights - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» A single zombie isn't much of a threat. Bash its head in with a Dualit toaster and the beast is down for the count. A gang of five zombies is more formidable. You might be able to knock off two of them before the other three are gnawing at your liver and getting acquainted with your spleen. Things get downright dangerous when a group of 20 slavering zombies are on the attack and mowing down the opposition. In pop culture instances where zombies are a factor, they're generally the fearsome and unstoppable enemy of god fearing folk. Zombies are bad and to be avoided whenever possible.

In Tecmo's Undead Knights, the tables are turned somewhat askew. The zombies are now your soldiers and work together as a fighting force that battles on your behalf. Command them into theaters of conflict where they'll use zombie creativity and fighting chops to overcome obstacles, eviscerate the opposition, and terrorize villagers. Of course, the protagonist in charge of the undead will be in the thick of battle also, chopping and slicing enemies with sword strokes and spinning motion that's evocative of Shin Sangoku Musou. Lovely. Preorders are welcome to ship on October 15, 2009 at JPY4800 or US$53.90 from NCS.

PSP Kenka Banchou Portable - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» The summer of 2005 was a solid one in terms of sales. Capcom Fighting Jam for the Xbox sold like gangbusters when it was discovered that the game was region-free and Osu Tatakae Ouendan on the NDS started slow but eventually became a long distance runner that sold and sold well for over 2 years. Then there was Jump Superstars (we call it the king) which remains NCS' top selling NDS game. Nothing has come close and Jump is probably untouchable from now to the end of the NDS' lifeline. Amidst the rush of import software, a little game called Kenka Banchou made it onto the PS2 with little fanfare.

Despite the lack of hype, Kenka Banchou eventually became something of a sleeper in Japan. The game follows the misadventures of a high school delinquent named Yasuo who battles other high school delinquents with punches, kicks, and a legendary power known as the Menchi Beam. Most members of the general population have no idea what the Menchi Beam is. That's because it's a skill mastered only by the street elite. If you hang out on the sidewalk and play dice for years on end, you might eventually become a member of this select group of society. When two constituents of the hoodlum echelon meet, a Menchi Beam battle inevitably starts where lasers stream from their eyes and start an unspoken clash of wills and honor. When October 29, 2009 rolls around, we'll get to relive the adventures of Yasuo on the PSP which will feature upgraded battle scenes and the same scenarios and tasks found in the original PS2 release.

PS3 Musou Orochi Z (Chinese Subtitles) - New Import, In Stock

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» In the two Musou Orochi games from Koei, warriors from Sangoku Musou and Sengoku Musou joined together to battle a scaly lizard lord named Orochi. In the game, players took control of a team of warriors and their minions who then battled entire legions of enemy soldiers. Sales were pretty good and Koei had another franchise on their hands. A franchise that's going to be exploited and extended and wrought onto various platforms.

Musou Orochi Z for the Playstation 3 gathers together all of the stages from the earlier Musou Orochi games and throws in 12 new stages that were designed exclusively for the PS3 update for a total of 140 stages in all. Two new characters bolster the roster to 96 champions and a comprehensive Dramatic Mode that's playable by every character is also featured in the game. One of the new characters is a bruiser named Benkei who we'd liken to a human tank complete with forward thrusting motion. Benkei uses a versatile gauntlet as his weapon against the hordes.