Import Preorder Updates

The main import schedule has been updated with the following new releases which are shipping in the coming months.
Nintendo DS
5/03	Duke Saraie no Kenkou Walking Navi	Dorart
5/24	Osawari Tantei: Osawa Rina - Season 2 1/2	Success
	Hoshigami	AS Net
	Puchi Puchi Virus	Keys
5/31	New Zealand Story DS	CyberFront
	Simple DS Vol.14: The Jidoushakyoushuujo DS	D3
Playstation 2
5/17	Odin Sphere	Atlus
5/31	River Ride Adventure featuring Salomon	Red
	Sumomomomomo: Chijou Saikyou no Yome	Marvelous
	The Ochimusya - Dokakubu Samurai Toujou	D3P
6/28	Juujimoto Ripputai Sypher: Game of Survival	Abel
	Shinseiki Evangelion: Battle Orchestra	Broccoli
	Shinseiki Evangelion: Battle Orchestra DX Pack	Broccoli
Wii
5/17	Meitantei Conan: Tsuioku no Gensou	Marvelous
6/21	Hajime no Ippo Revolution	AQ Int.
Xbox 360
4/05	Culdcept Saga Updated Version	Namco
6/14	Trusty Bell: Chopin no Yume	Namco

Raiden IV Type X Kit

Preorders are welcome for the fourth Raiden game which ships this summer. The operator kit consists of a hard drive containing the Raiden IV program code and a USB protection dongle. Both items are to be plugged into a Taito Type X hardware + cab. Next, throw up the snazzy header marquee and slap the side panel decals and you're ready to rock. Raiden IV's location test in Japan was nearly half a year ago but we're guessing fans of the series will nevertheless flock to the game. NCS will probably skip this one for our private collection - we can wait for the inevitable PS2/PS3 port. Preorders are welcome by email request to ship in mid June.

Star Wars: The Jumbo Darth Vader

NCS has always suspected that Darth Vader had a bit of a paunch and the upcoming Jumbo Darth Vader toy from Japanese manufacturer Hot Toys confirms our suspicions. The Dark Lord of the Sith appears to be enjoying extra servings of space chow at the Imperial cafeteria and maybe sneaking an extra dessert after every meal.
Measuring 25cm or 9.87" tall from helmet to toe, the chubby Darth Vader is shaped like a squat bowling pin and wields a red light saber. Since the design of the toy doesn't allow for arms, the light saber sort of juts out of a receptacle on the right side of Darth's belly. A plastic cape drapes realistically over Darth's back and the electronics on his chest plate are drawn in.

Preorders are welcome today to ship in mid-late June 2007. Please note that manufacturer shipping delays may cause delivery to be pushed back to July. Any shipment delays will be updated on our shop listing for this product. Pricing is set at JPY9500 or US$100 from NCS.

Super Mario Bros 150cm Figure

Nintendo is currently accepting orders for a large and very heavy Mario figure which measures 150cm or 59.05" tall. We've sold similar Mario statues in the past to stores and shops but never to normal retail customers. We're of the opinion that a retail store which places one of the most successful video game characters near its front doors can only invite fortune into the establishment. Mario will also attract curiosity seekers who'll enter the shop to marvel at its girth. Think of it as feng-shui for the gaming industry.
As an aside, all of the stores that we've sold these types of Mario figures to are still in business and successful. That's not to say that Mario will save a flagging business or a shop that's competing against a newly opened Gamestop or EBGames next door...

Preorders are welcome to ship in early April. The Mario statues are currently in stock from distributors in Japan but shipments will generally take 2 weeks to arrive. Retail pricing is set at JPY300,000 or US$3000 + shipping from NCS.

Super Mario Bros 50cm Figure

If a massive Mario isn't your cup of tea, Nintendo also peddles a smaller 50cm model where the world's most famous plumber smiles and welcomes visitors into an establishment. Measuring a smaller 50cm or 19.68" tall, the Mario standee is still very heavy and may be mounted on a stand or pedestal of some sort.

In Japan and Asia, many households and businesses place a Maneki Neko or Fortune Cat near the window or door to bring good luck and prosperity. The fortune cat lifts up a paw in salutation while the other paw holds a koban or gold coin close to its belly. We look at the Mario standee as the video game equivalent of Maneki Neko and it'll potentially bring good fortune into local arcades, video game shops, and amusement centers.

Preorders are welcome to ship in early April. The Mario figures are currently in stock from distributors in Japan but shipments will generally take 2 weeks to arrive. Retail pricing is set at JPY19,000 or US$200 + shipping from NCS.

Persona 3: Mitsuru Kirijo 1/7 scale Figure

In the Persona 3 video game, a brunette named Yukari Takeba and a redhead named Mitsuru Kirijo are the first two characters that the protagonist encounters. Yukari's an attractive girl but Mitsuru is in a whole other league by herself.

Kotobukiya apparently agrees and announces a 1/7 scale Mitsuru Kirijo fixed-pose figure where the fiery-maned demon slayer wields a sword while a white holster is wrapped below her waist. Inside the holster is a gun which may be swapped with the sword. The Mitsuru figure measures 21cm (8.26") tall and a circular base is included for mounting and display purposes. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late July 2007.

Hello Kitty Ice Shaver

Winter's in the rear view mirror and soon it'll be summer. To combat the impending heat and humidity, Japanese manufacturer Eikoh has announced a Hello Kitty Ice Shaver which is powered by hand crank. Once you've shaved off some ice, douse it with a fruity flavor of some sort and a cold and delicious treat is created. Just like that.
While you won't be able to compete against the likes of Lemon Ice King of Corona, enterprising entrepreneurs may be able to make a few bucks with the HK Ice Shaver. Scenario: Set up a stand on a street corner and throw up a sign which reads, "HELLO KITTY FLAVORED ICE - 50 Cents" and have two ice shavers at the ready along with a helper. As the patrons line up, whirl the hand cranks to deposit freshly shaved ice onto paper bowls. Squirt lemon, cola, and cherry flavors (per the customer's request) on top of the ice and you're on your way to a building a little refreshment empire with tiny start up costs. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late June 2007.

Import Outlook

PS2 Hokuto no Ken leads preorders by a wide margin this week but there are strong bids for PS2 Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix+ as well. PS2 Taito Memories 2 Vol. 2 rounds out the top three.
NDS	D.Gray-Man: Kami no Shitotachi	Konami
	Digimon Story Moonlight	Namco
	Digimon Story Sunburst	Namco
	My Melody Angel Book: Denshi Techou & Enjoy	TDK
	Puzzle Series: Odenkun 2	Hudson
	Puzzle Series Vol. 13: Kanji Puzzle	Hudson
	Shakugan no Shana DS	MWorks
	Tamagotchi no Appare! Niji-Venture	Namco
PS2	Gakuen Utopia - Manabi Straight!	Marvelous
	Gakuen Utopia - Manabi Straight! Limited Edition	Marvelous
	Hokuto no Ken	Sega
	Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix +	Square
	Shin Bokujou Monogatari: Pure Innocent Life	Marvelous
	Taito Memories 2 Vol. 2	Taito
	Vitamin X	D3
	Vitamin X Limited Edition	D3
	Zoids Infinity Fuzors [The Best]	Tomy
	Zoids Struggle [The Best]	Tomy
	Zoids Tactics [The Best]	Tomy
PS3	Winning Post 7 Maximum 2007	Koei
X360	Absolute Blazing Infinity	IFactory
Wii	Mezase!! Tsuri Master	Hudson

USA Release Outlook

NDS	Disney's Meet the Robinsons	Buena Vista
	Honeycomb Beat	Konami
	Konami Classic Series Arcade Hits	Konami
	Pogo Island	EA
	Purr Pals	Crave
PS2	Disney's Meet the Robinsons	Buena Vista
	Made Man	Aspyr Media
	Medal of Honor Vanguard	EA
	Metal Slug Anthology	SNK
	Red Star	JoaGames
PSP	Virtua Tennis 3	Sega
PS3	Splinter Cell: Double Agent	Ubisoft
X360	Dance Dance Revolution: Universe	Konami
	Disney's Meet the Robinsons	Buena Vista
Wii	Disney's Meet the Robinsons	Buena Vista
	Medal of Honor Vanguard	EA