X360 DeathSmiles IIX - New Import, Restock Tomorrow

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» In the original DeathSmiles, the heroines Windia, Caspar, Rosa, and Follet were teenagers who were accompanied by invincible familiars. In the sequel, the girls have devolved and they're no longer teens. They're now "tweens" which accentuates the lolita-gothic theme of the game with a younger-looking cast of immaculately garbed and coiffed junior maidens.

Similar to the first DeathSmiles, the sequel is a horizontal shooter where players fire shots to the right, fire shots to the left, and drop the occasional bomb blast. A lock-shot is also available by pressing the "A" and "B" shot buttons together to lock onto enemies. In the coin-op version, DeathSmiles II featured a cast of four characters with Windia and Caspar returning to reprise their roles. They're joined by a lad named Lei with an identity crisis. Although Lei's a male, he nevertheless dresses up like a maid and appears to be wearing eyeliner. The fourth character is a youngling named Supe (Soupy) who looks like a baby munchkin just emerging from her swaddling clothes. The Xbox 360 conversion improves on the coin-op original by adding Rosa and Follet as playable characters. The 360 game also includes two new stages for a total of 7 to plow through and attendant bosses who guard the new stages. DeathSmiles 2 is designed with 3D in mind so the stages, enemies, and bosses are rendered 3D models which may be off-putting to some 2D shmup purists. We like the game just fine however.

X360 DeathSmiles IIX LE - New Import, Restock Tomorrow

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» In the original DeathSmiles, the heroines Windia, Caspar, Rosa, and Follet were teenagers who were accompanied by invincible familiars. In the sequel, the girls have devolved and they're no longer teens. They're now "tweens" which accentuates the lolita-gothic theme of the game with a younger-looking cast of immaculately garbed and coiffed junior maidens.

Similar to the first DeathSmiles, the sequel is a horizontal shooter where players fire shots to the right, fire shots to the left, and drop the occasional bomb blast. A lock-shot is also available by pressing the "A" and "B" shot buttons together to lock onto enemies. In the coin-op version, DeathSmiles II featured a cast of four characters with Windia and Caspar returning to reprise their roles. They're joined by a lad named Lei with an identity crisis. Although Lei's a male, he nevertheless dresses up like a maid and appears to be wearing eyeliner. The fourth character is a youngling named Supe (Soupy) who looks like a baby munchkin just emerging from her swaddling clothes. The Xbox 360 conversion improves on the coin-op original by adding Rosa and Follet as playable characters. The 360 game also includes two new stages for a total of 7 to plow through and attendant bosses who guard the new stages. DeathSmiles 2 is designed with 3D in mind so the stages, enemies, and bosses are rendered 3D models. The Limited Edition includes a bonus soundtrack and slipcase

ETC e-Capcom Okami Teacup Set - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» Okami was a beautiful game. Pretty graphics, vibrant sound, and a hard charging wolf-heroine-goddess all conspired to create an engaging Wii experience. There hasn't been an outrageous amount of Okami merchandise released in the market but NCS imported some Amaterasu plushes from e-Capcom a few years back (which we couldn't resist) and we'll be getting some Okami-themed tea cups next month.

The e-Capcom exclusive Okami Teacup Set ships in a wooden box and two heat-sensitive cups are included. The first cup features a flaming image of Amaterasu whilst the second cup is imprinted with an illustration of Amaterasu and a little girl astride her back. To reveal these images, a liquid that's warmer than 40˚C or 104˚F must be poured into the cup to trigger the heat-sensitive paint on the cup. Preorders are welcome to ship in late June 2010 at US$65.90 per set. Please note pricing reflects special arrangements to import the Teacup Sets from e-Capcom.

TOYS Michael Jackson Impressive Pose Statue - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» In a 1983 performance of "Billie Jean" at the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever television program, Michael Jackson performed a repertoire of dance moves that captivated the crowd. Michael did his interpretation of the Moonwalk, renditions of the Stanky Legg, and a spin attack where he rotated about five times. At the end of the spin, Michael did a tiptoe move where he balanced himself on the tips of his shoes for roughly a second before continuing the performance. Since the Moonwalk and the spin moves would be too difficult to interpret in a static statue, Japanese manufacturer Dive had a choice between the Stanky Leg and the Tiptoe. They chose to immortalize the latter in a Michael Jackson Impressive Pose Statue which features Michael's disembodied legs which are sculpted at the optimum tiptoe hold position. Compelling stuff. Preorders for the 22cm statue are welcome to ship in July 2010 at JPY12800 or US$149.90 each.

BOOK One Voice: Shunya Yamashita Anthology 3 - Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» Artist Shunya Yamashita specializes in illustrations of the fantasy female form in all of its dimensions and scantily clad proportions. Shunya doesn't draw office ladies or schoolmarms with their Cateye glasses since they wouldn't be found in a fantasy environment. Shunya focuses on girls like Yoko Ritona of Gurren Lagann fame, Asuka Langley from Evangelion, and Aya of Oneechan Bara.

The upcoming One Voice: Shunya Yamashita Anthology 3 book from publisher Kotobukiya collects recent works from Shunya Yamashita's portfolio in a 120 page volume (A4 size which measures 8.27 X 11.69 in area). Illustrations of well known characters as well as some obscure original characters are coupled with commercial work that Shunya was commissioned to do. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late July 2010 at JPY2800 or US$36.90 from NCS. Japanese: OneVoice 山下しゅんや作品集III

NDS Katekyoo Hitman Reborn! DS Flame Rumble XX - Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» The cast of Katekyoo Hitman Reborn! is inducted once again in a fighting game where up to four combatants battle simultaneously in a 2D free-for-all. The previous volume of Flame Rumble featured a cast of 50 characters but Flame Rumble XX bumps the roster up to 100 characters so there's someone for every type of player. Vongola Boxes are usable in the game which kicks up the weapon repertoire that's available to the fighters. Thanks to Wi-Fi connectivity, gamers across Japan can join in on four-player tournaments to determine top dog status.

All preorders will ship with a bonus Hitman Reborn! Special CCGX Trading Card that's being given away inside every copy of the game.

NDS Quiz! Hexagon II - Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» Fuji Television televises Quiz! Hexagon II every Wednesday and the show has built up a loyal viewership thanks to its cast of amicable characters, engaging hosts, and celebrity guests. The Nintendo DS adaptation of the television show features host Shinsuke Shimada reprising his role along with members of the regular cast. The game's contestants are high school students who have been invited to the show in order to compete against each other in 50-question written tests and quiz battles. Bandai touts over 4500 questions in the game which are given in 15 types of quizzes.

Preorders are welcome to ship on July 22, 2010 at JPY4800 or US$53.90 from NCS. Early preorders will ship with a bonus Nintendo DS pouch which is being given away in 30% ratio.

TOYS Rockman 1/10 Scale Model Kit - Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» Rockman celebrated his 20th anniversary in 2007 and the blue armored hero is recognized by fans in countries where gaming handhelds and consoles are available. That makes Rockman merchandise easier to sell to a global audience than Crayon-Shinchan products since Shin-chan is primarily known only in Japan. That's also why Kotobukiya is releasing a Rockman 1/10 Scale Model Kit (13cm or 5.12" tall) instead of a Shin-chan Mode Kit later this summer.

The Rockman Kit is requires assembly and paint to prep it for display but once completed, Rockman is articulated so that his limbs may be postured and positioned into various action poses. Three removable faces are included to change Rock's expression along with a container of E-Tank and a Blaster which is part of his right arm. Preorders are welcome to ship in September 2010 at JPY3150 or US$36.90 from NCS.