Madden NFL 07 [USA] on Japanese PS3

«©NCSX» NCS confirms that Electronic Arts' Madden 07 [USA] works on the Japanese PS3. Many customers wrote in over the past few days asking about this particular game since EA's Xbox 360 games are invariably region-protected. We received Madden NFL 07 a little while ago and the game boots and plays perfectly on a Japanese PS3 console.

If you're loading Madden 07 on a fresh Japanese PS3 console, you'll be prompted to update the firmware to v1.02 from the USA disc. This appears to show that USA and Japanese consoles are identical in terms of usability and compatibility and that firmware updates are interchangeable.

Hopefully this puts to rest any concerns about PS3 game compatibility and all future USA/JPN games should be compatible with USA/JPN consoles.

PS3: Fever Pitch Part II

«©NCSX» Another batch of Japanese PS3 consoles arrived today and we're shipping them out this afternoon. Please be advised that if you placed an order after 12:02PM on November 16, your order will ship on Monday or Tuesday of next week when the next batch arrives.

Please also note that next Thursday is Thanksgiving in the States. UPS will not be delivering on that day. If we're shipping the next batch on Tuesday and you wish to receive your order before the weekend, please select at least UPS 2nd Day Air to receive your order on Friday. Please note that UPS Ground packages will not be delivered on Friday. Based on past experience, we don't recommend shipping with USPS Express Mail during holiday weeks. They tend to botch things up and are unapologetic about it.

Last weekend, the Japanese waited...and waited on line for their PS3 consoles and the routine was replayed stateside. Europeans will get their chance to wait on line in March 2007. NCS didn't get any units from the U.S. launch but we'll update our customers if supplies are made available later.

USA Links of interest
Report from Sony Plaza in New York City
http://news.com.com/PS3+gets...2100-1043_3-6136436.html
Report from Sony Metreon in San Francisco
http://news.com.com/PlayStation+3...043_3-6136445.html?tag=st_lh
Long lines all around
http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2006.../ap3184343.html
Man gets shot waiting on line
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/061117/playstation_shooting.html?.v=3
Senator John Edwards turns to Walmart for PS3
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news.../16031156.htm
Bloomberg writer aggregates news and quotes
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601101...bPLo&refer=japan
The Australian perspective
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20775045-36375,00.html

Xenosaga Legend

«©NCSX» Bandai's Xenosaga Legend toy set features the many faces and forms of KOS-MOS of Xenosaga fame. Her name stands for KOSMOS OBEY STRATEGICAL MULTIPLE OPERATION SYSTEMS. Five standard figures are featured in the set as follows:

» KOS-MOS ver. 1
» KOS-MOS ver. 3
» KOS-MOS ver. 4
» KOS-MOS swimsuit
» Telos
» Two secret figures are randomly packaged

From the packaging
KOS-MOS is a fictional character from the Xenosaga Series. She is an armored android developed by the interstellar conglomerate Vector Industries. She is comprised of entirely mechanical parts, a rarity in the age of advanced Realian technology. The basic tenet to which she adheres is based on logic, probability, and completion of her mission above all else. She also unconditionally protects Shion Uzuki, her co-creator.

Tachikoma Trading Figure

«©NCSX» Despite being high-tech machinery with lethal onboard armaments, the spidery Tachikoma of Ghost in the Shell fame are child-like mecha with curious munchkin voices. On the outside, the Tachikoma are hardened steel weapons but inside, they're merely children. Therein lies the duality of the machines and the contrast of character.

Japanese manufacturer Movic skews towards the munchkin factor with a collection of squat Tachikomas colored in six standard colors and two secret colors that are randomly packaged in blind boxes. Movic's versions of the Tachikoma sport stubby legs and rounded corners with nary a sharp edge in side. Please note that each factory case of 12 toys includes the full color set and four duplicates. The standard colors are: aqua blue, red, orange, green, yellow, and purple. The two secret colors are silver and gold. Each Tachikoma measures 7cm tall and roughly 6cm in diameter.

Pricing is set at US$50 for a complete factory sealed case of 12 toys. All preorders will ship today and new orders are welcome.

Rubik's Cushion

«©NCSX» In 1974, Erno Rubik invented the contraption that would eventually become known as the Rubik's Cube. The toy consisted of twenty-seven miniature cubes which made up the Cube in a 3x3x3 array. 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 early 80's.

In the ensuing decades, the Rubik's Cube craze has faded although it still sells roughly half a million units per annum. To recapture some of that old time magic, Banpresto releases a Rubik's cushion which measures 30cm square. Purchase three cushions and create a Cube worthy of any Rubik fanatic's living room.

Ichigo Mashimaro: Miu Matsuoka

«©NCSX» Konami releases a limited edition Miu Matsuoka figure where the little rascal dons a stewardess uniform and relaxes on an airliner seat. Her prim uniform makes Miu appear very professional (although we know she's not) and her hair is tucked underneath a tasteful cap. Blue braids keep the rest of hair carefully tied together.

Normally very excitable, Miu steps down the adrenaline and chills out while enjoying a beverage. She appears to be on her break and a serving tray sits alongside her on the seat. Miu's knees knock together and she grips a mug with both hands. We're guessing cocoa with a splash of vodka swishes around inside.

The figure is being released under the Konami Figure Collection label and measures 15cm tall. The figure and the airline seat are both constructed of PVC and ABS plastic. All preorders are shipping today and new orders are welcome at US$49.

Super Mario Bros 3 Catch the Dots

«©NCSX» Tomy releases another four (count 'em) miniature Dots toy sets which feature Mario and Luigi and a few friends. Catch the Dots is a miniature version of the Dot-Pin toys with a single pegboard used for the main image and roughly 100 pegs. Pricing per set is US$9.00 and preorders will ship today. The four Super Mario Bros 3 dots toys are as follows:

Mario v3.0 Set #1 / Includes colorful pegs to recreate a few forms of the relentless mustachioed plumber in pixel perfect renditions.

Mario v3.0 Set #2 / Use pegs to etch out various beasts such as Goomba, Blooper, and the indomitable Cheep-Cheep.

Luigi v3.0 Set #1 / Green, flesh, and black colored pegs are all one needs to push together the familiar brother of Mario.

Luigi v3.0 Set #2 / Push in pegs to draw out the likenesses of a mushroom, a koopa shell, a flower, or a Hammer Brother.

Wii: USA Launch on Sunday

«©NCSX» The supply situation for the USA version of the Nintendo Wii appears to be slightly better than the PS3 and we'll update our customers on Monday. Many of our customers have already purchased Wii software in anticipation of the launch but please allow us a couple of days to make sure that the hardware will be available to us this weekend. Thanks.

USA Links of interest
Wii's got game
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/living/16027982.htm
Wii packs a wallop
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/4341217.html
Wii woos casual gamers
http://www.boston.com/business/...nintendo_woos_casual_gamers
PS3 vs Wii
http://yahoo.businessweek.com/technology/co.../tc20061116_527586.htm