Friday, November 30, 2007

Yes! Precure 5 - New Import, In Stock

Nozomi Yumehara leads the Pretty Cure 5 team against an evil cabal known as Nightmare Company. Imbued with the power of "Pretty Cure," the five girls use exotic attacks to subdue their enemies and dispatch opposing overlords. The NDS game is based on the recent televised animation of the same name (Debuted in Japan on February 4, 2007) and features strategy-rpg action where the team members move on isometric battlefields and use their powers against the forces of evil. Rounding out the cast are Coco, Nuts, and Milk which are rascal-like rodents who hail from the Palmier Kingdom. The game uses a scribbling system to transform a girl from average teenager to Pretty Cure heroine where the outline of letters are doodled on the touch screen.

Datui Yakyuken Janken - Recent Import, In Stock

Play rock-scissors-paper against three Japanese gravure idols and strip them of their garments like a rollicking bandit. The three models featured in the UMD-Video game are:

Aki Hoshino - The princess wearing the tiara on the game cover
Rina Dison - A Leah Dizon sorta-look-alike capitalizing on the Nevada expat
Yume - Her name means dream or perhaps a reverie of some sort

Similar to other Yakyuken games that NCS has stocked in the recent past, the girls perform a spirited twirl before throwing out their concealed hands. At that point, you'll choose rock, scissors, or paper to counter the idol's action. For example, if you select rock and Aki woefully shoots scissors, she'll be forced to remove a piece of clothing. The goal is to eventually strip Aki and watch her cavort in a short video sequence.

After careful review of the game this morning, the producers apparently thought that cosplay would mesh well with the Yakyuken trade. The girls are decked out in assorted costumes and/or clothing themes. For example, Aki Hoshino dresses like a fairy princess of some sort while Yume looks like the prim office manager down the hall. Rina Dison has one getup where she bears a passing resemblance to Aya of Oneechan Bara fame and another where she plays the part of a schoolgirl.
Jan Code: 4571284390010

USB Illumination Stand - New Import, In Stock

Mount your Nintendo Wii on a sturdy vertical stand which patches through one of the USB ports on the back of the console to a USB port located on the front of the stand. Once mounted and properly set up, simply plug a USB device such as a keyboard or an external drive right in the front without any muss nor fuss. In addition to the convenience of a forward facing USB port, the Illumination Stand glows with blue light which shines from the inner sides of the stand. Note however that the illumination function requires that one of the USB ports on the back of the console be used for the cabling to provide power for the LEDs. Two color variants are in stock today: White and Black. Jan Code: 4961818007963

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Gouma Reifu Den Izuna Ni - New Import, In Stock

Izuna is a pink-haired ninja who's role has been reduced in the brave new world of Japan where demons and gods have become less relevant. In the first Gouma Reifu Den Izuna game released last year, Izuna offended the gods and both ninjas and deities quickly became relevant once again.

The sequel features the same dungeon action-adventure of yesteryear but everything's bigger from the assortment of over 180 monsters to the myriad items that may be found when exploring the world. New villages may also be visited as Izuna fulfills her appointed missions and tackles quests. Izuna can also learn new ninja techniques by meeting conditions.

Kabushiki Baibai Trainer Next! - New Import, In Stock

The stock market is a minefield. Even though there are only two directions for every trade, countless accounts blow up every year because of bets gone bad. To help traders learn a little about trading trends and interpreting patterns, Konami releases a candlestick charting software program which teaches the basics of reading a stock chart. Maybe it'll help some traders avoid blowing their accounts into bits with reckless wagers such as shorting FXI at the lows in February 2007.

The software includes 5 years of price data on TSE issues along with economic news from back in the day so that trends may be spotted and compared against a bevy of financial news stories.

Layton Kyouju to Akuma no Hako - New Import, In Stock

Professor Layton and his assistant Luke return in a new puzzle-solving game where the two explorers take the luxury Molentary Railway Express Train to a new and engrossing adventure. The two travelers eventually arrive at a burg to find out more about a mysterious "Pandora's Box" which serves as the centerpiece of the adventure. Similar to the first adventure, a series of over 100 well-designed puzzles from Akira Tago must be solved to proceed further in the game. New characters, locales, and animated sights await fans of the original game. Based on our play test this morning, the writing recognition engine isn't much improved over the original game but we'll test it further this afternoon.

Tank Beat 2 - New Import, In Stock

The tanks of World War II roll once again in Milestone's sequel to Tank Beat where Panzers, King Tanks, M4 Shermans, and T34s rumble and clash. Over 60 authentic tanks from the historical record as well as custom-crafted tanks are featured in the game for a wide variety of vehicles to use. Control is handled through the stylus where a tank is commandeered to move and attack when faced with an enemy battalion. The top NDS screen shows the action while the touch screen serves as the control base for moving and firing on foes.

Tank Beat 2 features single-player action as well as wireless multi-player games where up to four participants engage all at once.

Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2008 - New, In Stock

From the Publisher
Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2008 brings the action and strategy of the Yu-Gi-Oh! games to Nintendo DS. It also makes worldwide wireless dueling possible, through the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection. The game will include 1,600 of the latest cards and more cards will be available for download. Create your best deck and prepare for the World Tournament!


Features
Head to head worldwide dueling via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
Voice chat available before you start dueling
Create and edit the look of your character
Each game includes three exclusive trading cards

A.C.E. 2 Special Vocal Version - New Import, In Stock

ACE 2 thrilled mech-handlers last year (March 30, 06) with fast-paced action featuring 180 robots from 15 popular animation series including Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz, Martian Successor Nadesico, SDF Macross, and more. Sales were brisk and the sell-out was unavoidable.

Since Banpresto never released a "The Best" version of A.C.E.2, they make up for the transgression by revamping the original game with 10 vocals-infused animation theme songs. The battles are fast paced where a mech speeds on battlefields and targets enemy ranks for destruction. An auto-targeting feature (press TRIANGLE) may be used to lock onto an enemy unit and if you're close enough, a melee attack may be performed to smash it. However, if it's a formidable mech and not a peon, it will parry your blow and the two swords will sizzle in a close-up struggle for supremacy. Far away foes may be locked on and then fired upon with an arsenal of projectile weapons. There was one point during this morning's trial where our play tester sped towards a group of enemies and as they appeared in the horizon, he selected the missiles and launched two of them at the crowd. The projectiles weaved towards the targets with vapor trails streaming as the player's mech continued roaring towards the foes.

SD Gundam G Generation Spirits - New Import, In Stock

Gundam mechs from the Universal Century timeline gather together in Bandai's latest tactical strategy game. After starting a NEW GAME, players are prompted to select a set of missions from seven series including Gundam MSIGLOO Apocalypse 0079, Gundam Side Story: The Blue Destiny, Gundam Lost War Chronicles, and Gundam 0080. Each series features a number of stages where scenarios are presented and battles are fought against enemy forces for a total of 25 stages in all. Over 600 characters from 36 series of the Gundam UC universe appear in the game for a well rounded assortment of personalities.

Although the game is in Japanese, the controls are simple. Click on a mech and press the "O" button. Three options will pop up: The first one is "Move," the second one is "Attack," and the third one is "End Turn." Once the movement is selected, a grid pops up which shows the range of movement available. To end the turn of your side, move the cursor onto a blank space on the map and press the "O" button. When attacking, you can choose to view the battle animation or not. Each attack is shown in fluid 3D and includes voice acting for highly dynamic theatrics. Early preorders will ship with a bonus Tamashii disc.

Sengoku Basara 2 Heroes - New Import, In Stock

The Warring States are never ending in the minds of men and game publishers who base their action-packed games on that fractious period of Japanese history. Capcom's Sengoku Basara 2 Heroes takes players back into a time when warlords ruled the land and sought to topple each other by way of force and the drumbeat of war. A total of 30 warlords are featured in the game along with 64 stages of blistering action split into six game modes as follows:

» Heroes Story / Three characters and their war stories
» Gaiden Story / Side stories of the Warring States
» Heroes Conquest / Choose from 30 warlords and work to rule the land
» Free Battle / Select a hero and battle an opposing warlord
» Heroes Versus / Compete in 6 mini-games of fighting action
» Basara Tournament / Fight enemy soldiers in an arena setting
» Gallery / View hero profiles, watch cinemas, listen to music, etc

The Gallery also features a warlord background section with biography data and another section containing locale information.

Simple 2000 #121 The Matching Maker 2 - New, In Stock

Urban development is hard work. The construction of an entire city requires forethought, careful consideration of the layout, and perseverance. Once a city is humming, it's even harder to keep the citizenry happy and content with their surroundings and municipal amenities. To give gamers a taste of what it takes to build a city, D3 Publisher releases Matching Maker 2.1 which is nearly identical to the first game. The action starts in a grassy expanse where the first task is to lay down the pavement and watch as street lights are automatically built and light up by themselves. Once completed, it's time to to drop buildings which are constructed right before your eyes by invisible workmen.

The game follows the natural progression of time where day turns into night and dusk eventually gives way to dawn. As the town grows up, the population slowly rises and buildings and businesses such as book stores, restaurants, fish mongers, vegetable stands, and other shops may be raised to keep the populace in good standing. New buildings that may be built in Matching Maker 2.1 include a multi-story pagoda, religious shrines, animal stables, an actual castle, and even old school residences for samurai. Beaches and special cafes round out the lay of the land.

Makai Senki Disgaea Portable + Bonus - New, In Stock

Borne from the fiery loins of the devil, the main character of Makai Senki Disgaea is literally a lil' devil. When old Beezlebub croaks, the path of ascension to the throne is unclear and Satan's spawn Laharl must prove himself by taking on all ambitious rivals and pretenders to the throne.

Similar in design to games such as Final Fantasy Tactics, Ogre Battle and Hoshigami, characters battle enemies in 3-D isometric tactical theaters. Battles are turn-based where movement and attacks are selected from a menu. Conventional weaponry as well as magical spells may be used in the course of war and two comrades watch your back - a wispy devil girl named Etna (complete with forked tail) and a team of demon penguins known as Prinny join your party at the outset of the game. Additional soldiers and fighters may be created with Nippon Ichi's Free Character Creation System.

At the outset of the game, Etna bellows out in a loud voice to rouse Laharl who's sleeping soundly. After a short conversation, Laharl is free to explore Satan's lair which is populated with handlers of the demonic kind. Afterwards, Laharl ventures out into the world where the first encounter pits Laharl's party against cloaked enemies. Etna's Prinnies are in force even though she has to slap and even shoot one of them to make them behave. The PSP conversion of Disgaea includes a secret scenario and a multiplayer (ad hoc) mini-games such as Capture the Flag.

Guilty Gear 2 Overture - New Import, In Stock

Microsoft sells about 3,000 Xbox 360 consoles every week in Japan. The installed base currently sits at about half a million units. Those numbers don't inspire many publishers to produce games exclusively for the console but Blue Dragon (naturally), Trusty Bell, and Ace Combat 6 were exclusives which helped sell consoles. Guilty Gear 2 Overture is another one that should help move a decent amount of hardware.

Overture decouples from Arc System's 2D fighting game model and fits into the 3D action-adventure genre... with a real time tactical-strategy element. Players take control of Sol Badguy, Valentine, Izuna, or another character and use a full arsenal of Guilty Gear moves such as the Aerial Dash, Blast Drive, Gatling Combination, Roman Cancel, Psych Burst, and Dust Attack. When fighting against a crowd of enemies, the action is somewhat reminiscent of the Sangoku Musou series but with a lot of blood which splashes out with every slash. The enemy grunts don't offer much resistance however and generally stand around waiting for death. The strategy segment of the game gives the hero control over troops which are marshaled into war against opposing forces.

Naruto Gekitou Ninja Taisen EX2 - New Import

Eighting developed the latest Naruto fighting game for Takara Tomy and their high level of craftsmanship continues to distinguish the company from the rabble. For our play test this morning, NCS started with the Story Mode which begins with Gaara looking up into the night sky while the prologue scrolls. A member of the Akatsuki named Deidara is flying in on a white bird for the first match.

Naruto GNT EX2 is a 2D fighting game with sidestepping moves. It looks 3D but it's pseudo-3D since there is no lateral movement. You can only move left and right with the nunchuk's analog pad. Gaara's moves include a sand projectile and a sand explosion which erupts around himself to knock opponents nearby off their feet. His other move is an impressive sand wave which washes across the stage and wallops an enemy with tidal force. To jump, push up on the analog stick. Double jumps are possible by pushing up again while in mid-air.

Primary attacks are thrown out by swinging the Wiimote while secondary attacks are activated by the "A" button. To use Naruto's Sharingan, the Wiimote and Nunchuk are rotated in a circular motion towards each other and then shaken to make the game's controls an energetic affair.

Sengoku Basara 2 Heroes - New Import, In Stock

The Warring States are never ending in the minds of men and game publishers who base their action-packed games on that fractious period of Japanese history. Capcom's Sengoku Basara 2 Heroes takes players back into a time when warlords ruled the land and sought to topple each other by way of force and the drumbeat of war. A total of 30 warlords are featured in the game along with 64 stages of blistering action split into six game modes as follows:

» Heroes Story / Three characters and their war stories
» Gaiden Story / Side stories of the Warring States
» Heroes Conquest / Choose from 30 warlords and work to rule the land
» Free Battle / Select a hero and battle an opposing warlord
» Heroes Versus / Compete in 6 mini-games of fighting action
» Basara Tournament / Fight enemy soldiers in an arena setting
» Gallery / View hero profiles, watch cinemas, listen to music, etc

The Gallery also features a warlord background section with biography data and another section containing locale information.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Last Hope - New Import, In Stock

NCS sells about eight (count 'em) Neo-CD games per annum from our standing inventory. To say demand isn't what it used to be is putting it kindly. However, the developers of Last Hope believe in the viability of the Neo-CD and the game is in stock today. The packaging includes a Tactical SuperPlay DVD which shows a master raging through the game like a Master of the Universe. Or something like that.
Each game will be serially numbered with a print run of 500 copies. Even though that may seem like a small number, it might be 400 more than today's market can support. In any case, preorders are welcome at 50 Euros per copy or US$79 from NCS. Preorders and new orders ship today.

The Misshitsukara no Dasshutsu - New Import, In Stock

Play the part of a "detective" who tackles eight escape scenarios which require sleuthing skills and touch screen tapping. The hero dresses like a salaryman and smokes cigarettes while doing his thing. Movement is handled by tapping on arrows that appear on the touch screen in order to to pan around and inspect areas and objects of interest. For example, if you spy a desk, tap on it to move closer and then tap the drawer below the desk to open it up and view the contents. Anything that you find inside may be picked up and inspected to search for clues and useful information that'll help you escape. The animation of the game moves fluidly and the sound effects are faithful renditions of real life rustles, bumps, and thumps.

TFC Shooting Game Historika SP - Preorder

NCS started preorders for Yujin's SR Shooting Game History gashapon on August 6, 2007 but another offer for the same exact toys has popped up on distributor's release schedules. The toys from the original gashapon offer are still scheduled to ship next month but the new TFC Shooting Game Historika SP collection is expected to ship in February 2008 at a price of JPY3996 per factory box of 12 randomly packaged toys.

Looking over the names of the ships and the toy designs from the new collection, there's no difference from the original gashapon ships. However, the new set is packaged in blind cardboard boxes and a total of 9 ships and color variants are included. The source games and ships are:

»
R-Type featuring R-9A Arrow-Head (original and color variant)
» Image Fight featuring 0F-1 Daedalus (original and color variant)
» Gradius featuring Vic Viper T301 (only original color)
» Gradius 2 featuring Metarion (original and color variant)
» Darius Gaiden featuring Silver Hawk (original and color variant)

Pricing for the TFC Shooting Game Historika SP collection is set at JPY3996 or US$45 per factory sealed box of 12 from NCS. A factory case should include all nine ships + color variants and three duplicates. Preorders will ship in late Feb 2008.

Star Wars Kubrick Series 8 - Preorder

The Star Wars Kubrick series outsells pretty much every other Kubrick toy we've stocked thanks to a rabid devoted fan base. When Spring 2008 rolls around, the eighth Star Wars Kubrick release looks to thrill fans once again with fresh faces from the Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace movie. The six standard character featured in the set are as follows (From the upper left corner of either photo and rolling clockwise):

» Trade Federation Battle Droid with Blaster
» Darth Maul with Double-Bladed Lightsaber
» Anakin Skywalker in Pod Racer Outfit with Tools
» C-3PO Prototype Production Version
» Qui-Gon Jinn with Lightsaber
» Queen Amidala in Red Senator Gown

In addition to the standard figures listed above, rare Chase figures are randomly packaged in the factory cases but some Chase figures only appear once in ever 4 factory cases. Good luck in finding them. NCS supplies the Kubrick figures in complete factory cases of 12 toys only and preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late April, 2008 at US$89 per factory box of 12 random figures.

Jan Code:
4530956172309

Juicy Honey Rio (Tina Yuzuki) - Preorder

Mint has started preorders for a Juicy Honey DVD which features Tina Yuzuki aka Rio cavorting in swimsuits, her birthday suit, and assorted flimsy lingerie. The DVD captures the antics that took place when Tina posed for the upcoming Juicy Honey Premium Edition trading cards which are scheduled to ship next month. For voyeurs who enjoy a little idol interaction, a 10-question quiz game is playable. It's unclear if separate DVDs featuring the other girls (Kotono Higashi and Maria Ozawa) from the Premium Edition cards will be released but we'll update accordingly if they are announced. In addition to the DVD, each copy includes a bonus promotional trading card which is packaged inside the retail case.

Product Specs
Region-2 NTSC DVD
60 minutes in length
4:3 Standard Aspect Ratio
MPEG-2 Stereo
Shipping to preorders on or around December 28, 2007.

Jan Code: 4582154107577

Nendroid/Character Vocal Series Miku Hatsune - Preorder

Miku Hatsune, the star of the PC Vocaloid 2 software finds herself sculpted into Nendroid form next year. For the uninitiated, Vocaloid (Vocal + Android) is a Japanese song simulator from Yamaha and Crypton Future Media where users type in lyrics and the software engine sings out the words in rapid fire staccato. Voice actress Fujita Saki provides the voice for Miku Hatsune in the software and she sounds like a mix between a munchkin and a generalized cartoon character. Vocaloid 2 has enjoyed strong sales since its release earlier this summer and it's only fitting that the heroine of the software get in on some merchandising deals. The Nendroid version of Miku measures 10cm or 3.93" in height and three variant faces and arms are included for posing purposes. Preorders are welcome to ship on or around March 25, 2008.
Jan Code: 4582191963372

Super Mario Galaxy Original Sound Track - Preorder

Last week, NCS opened and subsequently closed preorders for the Club Nintendo exclusive version of the Super Mario Galaxy OST Platinum version which spanned across two CDs. We sort of knew preorders would be strong but we didn't expect them to be that strong.

Today, we start preorders for the regular version of the SMG OST which features a gold cover and fills up only a single CD. Preorders are welcome to ship on or around February 23, 2007. Maybe buyers of the Platinum Edition can pick up this version as well to complete their personal Super Mario Galaxy shrines. The one in the basement. Near the laundry room.

Dragon Quest IV - New Import, Restock Wednesday

When monsters kidnap children in the land of Batlando, the king summons soldiers to the castle and charges them with the rescue of the hapless tykes. In the first chapter, players take control of a soldier named Ryan, a princess known as Otenba Oujo (Tomboy Princess) in the second chapter, and three more heroes in the next couple of chapters. The final chapter features the entire team working together towards a common goal of defeating an evil king who's about to be resurrected.

The NDS remake of Dragon Quest IV updates the 8-bit Famicom original with Dragon Quest VII elements such as a polygonal world map, a 360° capable camera, animated monsters, a Monster Notebook, the Party Talk system, and improved visuals. «NCS Game Notes»

Kodai Ouja: Kyouryuu King 7-tsu no Kakera - In Stock

Sega's popular Mushi King game turned beetles into warriors and their new play-alike titled Kyouryuu King does the same for dinosaurs. Originally released in arcades and made into a television series, Dinosaur King uses the same rock-scissors-paper card-based battle system from Mushi King and features cheery characters with ebullient attitudes and the indomitable spirit of youth.
The storyline centers around two lads named Ryuuta and Rex who stumble upon a plot by Alpha Gang who plan on going back into time to hunt dinosaurs and use them to take over the world. Ryuuta and Rex befriend two mighty dinosaurs and use them to counter Alpha Gang and throw a monkey wrench onto their aspirations of domination. «G-Notes»

Nazotte Oboeru Otona no Kanji Rensyu Kanzanban - New

Scholars and normal citizens alike can take a lifetime to learn Kanji and still require regular practice to keep their character recognition skills in fighting shape. To help practitioners maintain their grasp on the language, a number of NDS Kanji training software titles have reached market in recent years. NowPro's latest edition of Nazotte Oboeru Otona no Kanji features a new collection of reading and writing problems which focus on repetition so that character strokes become familiar and possibly ingrained. Users are encouraged to practice on a daily basis and one's performance data is stored for tracking purposes. Drill exercises, mini-games, and assorted trivia round out the practice sessions. «G-Notes»

Ryuusei no RockMan 2 Berserk x Dinosaur - New, In Stock

Taking place a couple of months after the events of the original Ryuusei no Rockman, TK City serves as the backdrop for the sequel where Subaru Hoshikawa and War-Rock reprise their roles. The game features online battles, the Star Carrier (updated Transer/wave scanner), and an updated battle system. Three Transformations are featured: Fire Dinosaur, Green Shinobi, and Thunder Berserk. Ooparts (Out of Place Artifacts) are used in conjunction with Transformations to create Double Tribe combinations such as Berserk Dinosaur, Berserk Shinobi, Dinosaur Berserk, Dinosaur Shinobi, Shinobi Berserk, and Shinobi Dinosaur. A seventh transformation known as Tribe King is also available. «G-Notes»

Ryuusei no RockMan 2 Berserk x Shinobi - New, In Stock

Taking place a couple of months after the events of the original Ryuusei no Rockman, TK City serves as the backdrop for the sequel where Subaru Hoshikawa and War-Rock reprise their roles. The game features online battles, the Star Carrier (updated Transer/wave scanner), and an updated battle system. Three Transformations are featured: Fire Dinosaur, Green Shinobi, and Thunder Berserk. Ooparts (Out of Place Artifacts) are used in conjunction with Transformations to create Double Tribe combinations such as Berserk Dinosaur, Berserk Shinobi, Dinosaur Berserk, Dinosaur Shinobi, Shinobi Berserk, and Shinobi Dinosaur. A seventh transformation known as Tribe King is also available. «G-Notes»

Dokapon Kingdom - New Import, In Stock

The fusion of the board game and the traditional RPG is complete with Sting's new Dokapon Kingdom which features elements from both genres. Players flick a spinner to determine movement range and then trudge the corresponding number of spaces on an expansive play board where a castle serves as centerpiece. Each space contains a treasure chest, an item icon, a monster encounter, or another event that is triggered upon landing on it. Treasure chests invariably contain varying amounts of gold pieces while Item spaces unveil crystals, weapons, spell books, or other objects which are useful to the enterprising adventurer. Enemy encounters are simple affairs where two combatants stand facing each other and dole out attacks or magic with single button presses.

Since RPGs commonly use the mechanic of leveling up and character attributes to determine the abilities of a hero, Dokapon Kingdom stays true to convention and utilizes experience points to serve as the basis for a character's level and capabilities. In addition to contending against the monsters on the board, the other players in the game also serve as opposition by casting deleterious spells against each other. «G-Notes»

Final Fantasy XI: Altana no Kamihei - New Import

From the Publisher
Experience the next chapter in the immersive and ever expanding world of Vana'diel in FINAL FANTASY XI: WINGS OF THE GODDESS, a content-rich expansion pack that brings exciting new features to the world of FINAL FANTASY XI. Delve into new quests, meet new players, view new sights and experience the fourth chapter in the award-winning MMORPG that has a community of more than 500,000 active subscribers and more than 1.7 million characters from around the world.

Game Features
» Unravel the secrets of this exciting new chapter and discover its ties to the exciting world of Vana'diel
» Engage in combat with powerful new monsters and foes – witness the spoils and rewards that come from defeating these ferocious enemies
» Travel back in time to protect Vana'diel's past—and future.
» Team up with friends from around the world and across the PlayStation 2, Windows and Xbox 360 to experience the world's only triple cross-platform, triple-region MMORPG
» Join a community of more than 500,000 active subscribers and 1.7 million player characters from around the world and on several platforms

Winning Eleven 2008 - New Import, In Stock

From the Publisher
The key to Winning Eleven 2008 is a proprietary adaptive AI system entitled Teamvision. Unique to the Konami game, Teamvision is a sophisticated AI programming that learns and adapts according to an individual's style of play. As such, it will learn new ways to build attacks and to counter specific movements and previous attacking or defensive errors, ensuring games are more in line with the tactical but flowing nature of the real thing.

With the Winning Eleven series renowned for its fluid, realistic gameplay, the new game builds on the implementation of Teamvision with additional key advances. As with previous releases since its inception in 1996, the ball is again treated as a separate entity, with the timing of shots entirely down to the player, while the new AI ensures that defenders work to close down space and block efforts on goal. Close control has also been enhanced with more control when dribbling the ball, and a number of subtle moves added to bypass defenders and move the ball into space.

Air - New Import, In Stock

Ever since you were a child, your mother regaled you with tales of a girl on the other side of the sky... an angel of sorts who was meant for you. Since you're a momma's boy, you believe it hook, line, sinker like a rube and set out in search of this angel. Step into the shoes of protagonist Kunisaki Yukito who works as an unsuccessful street performer who's partner is a little doll that he can move without physical contact. While on his travels, he meets three girls - one of whom may be the very angel he's been looking for his entire life. Interact, romance and do your thing with the three lovelies and win a happy ending with "the one."

Toned down from the "adult" PC version of the game, the Playstation Portable version of Air mimics the "all age" PC release and removes nudity and other sexually charged scenes unsuitable for children. As a street magician in search of a winged angel, the protagonist seeks out anime maidens who sprout hair colors as vibrant and varied as the rainbow.

Akin to real world objectifications of beauty, the girls also possess unique personalities and quirks which are fleshed out as you delve into their lives. Two of the girls work at a medical office which supplies medicine to the town while another girl appears to be an alcoholic of sorts. A mild mannered but beautiful archetype and the sporty tomboy round out the cast. The PSP conversion features memory stick data caching to reduce UMD disc loading, full voice acting for the protagonist, and the ability to take snapshots of game screens and store them to memory stick.

Homestar Portable - New Import, In Stock

Put a planetarium in your pocket with Sega's Homestar Portable software for the PSP. Imagine wandering down a country path with your boy scout troupe under a starry sky. When the scoutmaster asks, "Where exactly is Orion?" you can flick out of the PSP, power-up, and stare at the flickering screen. After hunting and pecking for a few seconds, answer (with steely-eyed authority), "The Hunter is over there..." while pointing skyward like Babe Ruth at the batting cage.


Homestar Portable includes a database which maps 5,000,000 stars in the heavens and their respective constellations. The program is based on the Megastar-II Cosmos planetarium projector developed by Takayuki Ohira who oversaw the PSP Homestar project and provided his expertise. Homestar Portable features over 300 celestial bodies and formations that may be viewed including constellations, comets, eclipses, nebulae, planets, and aurora. For eager learners, a series of 20 sky tours in the Fantasy Theater goes through star systems and showcases events in the skies.

When used in conjunction with the GPS Receiver, a Homestar Portable user will be able to lock his position in the software and view the night sky on the PSP as it currently appears above him. Since the Earth moves across the solar system and the orientation of the stars change, the program keeps track of your location on Earth and maps the skies according to the time, date, and geographic location. A game sharing feature allows users to beam their current star maps to other users.

PSP Protection Filter Portable - New Import, In Stock

The Slim PSP (aka PSP-2000) is subject to smudges and scratches during the normal course of use. To prevent scratches and the build-up of grime, grease, and other detritus on the PSP screen, Hori ships a thin and flexible silicone film which is applied directly over the face of the PSP in three segments. In addition to its protective capabilities, the Protection Filter Portable also reduces glare and improves visibility when the PSP is in use underneath a light source. A dust cloth is included in the Hori filter package to wipe the surface and screen of the PSP screen to rid it of any dust, chocolate nougat, and/or oily fingerprints.

Gegege no Kitarou Youkai Daiundoukai - New, In Stock

Way back towards the middle of the last century, Shigeru Mizuki created a world filled with monsters known as yokai who looked like relatively normal humans but weren't. The hero of the serial was a one-eyed boy named Kitaro who protected humanity from the general population of yokai who weren't as kindly as he was. For Bandai's latest Wii game, the spirit beings of GeGeGe no Kitaro flock together and engage each other in seven primary sports-themed mini-games and a total of 31 variants of those games. The controls are relatively simple and use both the Wiimote and the Nunchuk for mobility and directional motion.


The seven games are selectable from a menu and the first one is a raucous race where four yokai ramble across a dirt track filled with serpentine obstacles. Continue onwards and the quartet will reach the back of a massive millipede while winds buffet the troupe from the left and right. The "A" button on the Wiimote is used to jump over obstacles while the "B" button makes your yokai of choice scoot forward like a jack rabbit. There's a second racing game where four yokai dash like madmen across a short expanse. The controls for this particular race is solely Wii wagging - just shake it left and right to race like the wind. «NCS Game Notes»

Monday, November 26, 2007

General Updates

NCS is not in Eagan, Minnesota
Last Friday, the helpful UPS representative assured us that one of our delayed shipments was in New York City. Fine, as long as it gets delivered on Monday, we're okay with the late delivery.

This morning, we tracked the shipment and we now see that the package went from Maspeth, NY to Eagan, MN on 11/23. We never bothered to open a subsidiary in Minnesota and we hear the winters are brutal so we'd never settle in. The only explanation that we could conclude was the infamous B-Team had struck again. We've spoken to UPS this morning and the packages should be re-routed later today back to New York for delivery tomorrow. Sincere apologies to our customers for the mess but we'll know never to ship with UPS ever again during the holidays. The B-Teams are just too brutal.
NCS Holiday Gift Gallery
Today is supposedly Cyber Monday. We think it's a crock since we noticed a substantial spike in sales starting in early November. However, to do our part, here's a round up of unique Japanese products that probably aren't available at Walmart, Target, or the other vanilla stores across the land.
Club Nintendo Gear
Please note that preorders are CLOSED for both the Super Famicom Wii controller and the Super Mario Galaxy OST. Sadly, there's a limit to what we can procure from Club Nintendo and we met our allocation last week. If additional supplies become available to NCS, we will update our customers accordingly but please do not add either item to your shopping cart and check out of the store. We will not be able to fill new orders at this time.
Nintendo Wii USA
Distributors in New York have raised the price of the Wii progressively higher last week and our price is currently US$425 per console. Sorry.

Japanese Import Outlook - Arrivals on Wed-Thurs

NDS Gouma Reifu Den Izuna Ni Success

Layton Kyouju to Akuma no Hako Level 5

Tank Beat 2 Milestone

Yes! PreCure 5 Bandai

Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2008 Konami
PS2 Another Century's Ep. 2 Special Vocal Version Banpresto

Lucky Star Kadokawa

Lucky Star DX Pack Kadokawa

SD Gundam G Generation Spirits Bandai

Sengoku Basara 2 Heroes Capcom

Simple 2000 Vol. 121 The Matching Maker 2 D3

Zero no Tsukaima: Muma ga Tsumugu Marvelous

Zero no Tsukaima: Muma ga Tsumugu Limited Ed Marvelous
PSP Makai Senki Disgaea Portable Tsuushin Taisen Nippon Ichi
Wii Naruto Shippuuden Gekitou Ninja Taisen EX2 Takara

Sengoku Basara 2 Heroes Capcom

Swing Golf Pangya 2nd Shot! Tecmo
X360 Guilty Gear 2 Overture Arc Sys