Monday, April 02, 2007

DJ Max Portable 2

There's no sign of Beatmania on the PSP horizon but we don't pine for it anymore. DJ Max Portable filled the portable Bemani DJ void last year and the sequel to the game continues where the first game left off.

DJ Max Portable 2 hews close to the formula of the original game with flashy style, fresh new music, and fan-friendly modes that give appreciation back to the player. Pentavision shows love for their audience by offering three language settings (English, Korean, and Japanese) and includes a music jukebox (two OSTs at the outset but a third OST is unlockable) and a video player which contains 45 videos that are all viewable at the outset.

For new inductees into the DJ Max fold, the game is basically Beatmania with the option of playing the game in 4-button, 5-button, or 6-button configuration. If you're really good, you'll eventually unlock the Professional Mode which adds the use of the L and R trigger buttons for an 8-button experience. One niggle that we might throw out there is the lack of recognizable and licensed songs. It's pretty much a guarantee that most Western audience members have never heard any of the songs on the DJMP2 soundtrack. Regardless of the obscure song selection however, there are some catchy tunes to enjoy and more importantly, hit the cues to. Since the game's onscreen cues and corresponding "hit" buttons are essentially DJ mixes which add to the song, the placement of the cues make sense and add to the overall harmony of the music. «NCS Game Notes»

DJ Max Portable 2 Orpheus Package Silver

The first DJ Max Portable game was available in a regular version and a limited edition. The second DJ Max Portable is offered in three versions - a regular edition, an Orpheus Metallic Silver box, and an Orpheus Night Black box. The Metallic Silver edition includes the following items:

» DJ Max Portable 2 game with variant game cover
» Soundtrack (3 CDs) in a black gatefold binder
» Visual Art Book which spans 64-pages
» Jigsaw puzzle which includes 500-pieces and a frame
» Collection of 18 Visual Post Cards

The Orpheus Metallic Silver edition is limited to only 1000 units and new orders are welcome today at US$175 each. «more»

DJ Max Portable 2 Orpheus Package Black

The first DJ Max Portable game was available in a regular version and a limited edition. The second DJ Max Portable is offered in three versions - a regular edition, an Orpheus Metallic Silver box, and an Orpheus Night Black box. The Night Black edition includes the following items:

» DJ Max Portable 2 game with variant game cover
» Soundtrack (3 CDs) in a black gatefold binder
» Visual Art Book which spans 64-pages
» Jigsaw puzzle which includes 500-pieces and a frame
» Collection of 18 Visual Post Cards

The Orpheus Night Black edition is limited to only 1000 units and new orders are welcome today at US$175 each. «more»

Evangelion Horror Summer

NCS kicked off the Horror Summer product festival a couple of weeks ago with a frightening Toilet Roll. The Horror Summer merchandising wave is just getting started and it's spreading across different franchises. The gals of Evangelion have been bitten by the horror bug and pose with spooks and spirits in a new toy offering from Sega. To enhance the spooky appearance of the toys, the bases that the gals alight upon glow with eerie luminance. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late August 2007 at US$7.50 per figure.

Freddy vs Jason Fighting Game

Freddy, meet Jason and Jason, meet Freddy. What happens when two unstoppable forces of nature clash head on? The Freddy vs Jason movie was a letdown because it didn't resolve the age old question of "Who really wins?" but it doesn't have to be that way. Instead of relying on Hollywood to script the ending, pit Freddy against Jason in a fighting game where each fighter stabs and slashes like.... a little toy figure incapable of incurring any real damage. It'll be fun to watch in any case. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late August 2007 at US$15.

Freddy vs Jason 12cm Figures

You can't have a Horror Summer without bringing two of the scariest silver screen killers together in a figure offering. Freddy Kruegger wears his trademark claw-glove on his right hand while Jason Voorhees wields a blade capable of gutting fish, livestock, and the young adults in the neighborhood. The clothing that the two murderers wear is also somewhat accurate replicas of their movie incarnations. Freddy's shirt looks right, his face is burned, and the hat is spot on. Jason's ski mask is recognizable but we would have dressed him in rags instead of the all-black ensemble. The figures measure 12 cm tall and preorders will ship in mid-late August 2007.

Freddy vs Jason Cosplayer

If you've ever had the inclination to don a battle-weary hockey mask or wear a wicked looking clawed glove, your chance is nigh. Continuing the Horror Summer theme, Sega has announced two props for anyone aspiring to take on the personas of Freddy of Nightmare on Elm Street fame or Jason Voorhees from the Friday the 13th movies.

The claws look menacing but they're made of plastic. The mask measures 26cm and is affixed to a wearer's face by two straps. Through-holes are machined into the front of the to allow for gas exchange so you don't suffocate. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late August 2007.

He is My Master Bed Sheets

In the anime, "He is my Master," two runaway sisters named Mitsumi and Izumi became maids for an adolescent pervert with a hefty inheritance. To cater to master Yoshitaka's whims, the two girls were required to wear sexy maid's outfits which provided gratuitous views of their bodies.
Sega generally makes video games but the Sega Toys division makes bed sheets... at least in this case. Measuring 110 x 200cm (43 x 78") and considered twin size, the bed sheets cover up a bed with the image of either Mitsumi or Izumi in their dainty maid outfits. Why is it that maid outfits are always frilly and why are garters always involved? Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late August 2007 at US$19 per bed sheet.

Pink Panther Vanity Bag

«©NCS» The Pink Panther probably won't be used in couture circles as an emblem or mark but he'll do well in mass merchandise creations from the house of Omron. Two styles are on offer:


» Pink Bag with Pink Panther artwork on the front
» Black Bag with Pink Panther logo on the front

The dimensions of each bag are
15 x 22 x 16 cm (5.90 x 8.66 x 6.29") and they'll serve nicely as tote bags, lunch bags, or maybe even an overnight bag. The top opens and closes by way of zipper technology and a bow-decorated strap allows for easy carrying. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late July 2007 at US$19 each.

Sesame Street Remote Control

Elmo of Sesame Street fame is usually tickled by millions of children around the world but he has a new job now. In Omron's upcoming product offering, the cheery bug-eyed beast controls the television. Fitted with soft-touch keys and sporting a non-ergonomic design, the Elmo Remote control looks like a toy or a big piece of hard candy. Elmo syncs up with televisions by emitting an infra-red key so that the receiver (the television) accepts 36kHz control signals from the transmitter (Elmo remote).


Two Elmo versions are available for preorder - Elmo holding a pink heart and Elmo holding an orange heart. Both versions serve the same function however and run on two AA batteries (not included). Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late July 2007 at US$15 each.

Import Outlook

NDS Shin Sangoku Musou DS: Fighters Battle Koei
PS2 Pro Yakyuu Spirits 4 Konami

Naruto Shippuuden Narutimate Accel Namco

Netsu Chu! Pro Baseball 2007 Namco
PS3 Pro Yakyuu Spirits 4 Konami
PSP Gundam Seed: Rengou vs. Z.A.F.T. Portable Bandai

Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball Portable 2 Konami
X360 Absolute Blazing Infinity I. Factory

Culdcept Saga Updated Version Namco

USA Release Outlook

NDS Cake Mania Majesco

Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales Square
PS2 Singstar Pop [Software Only] Sony

Singstar Pop with Microphone Sony

Singstar Rocks [Software Only] Sony
PS3 Enchanted Arms Ubisoft
PSP Prince of Persia Rival Swords Ubisoft
Wii Prince of Persia Rival Swords Ubisoft
X360 Guitar Hero 2 Bundle Activision

Rapala Tournament Fishing Activision