Final Fantasy Cloud Strife 1/4 Scale Statue

Square Enix hasn't been prolific in recent years with grandiose toy products. We recall the Final Fantasy XI Chocobo and Elvaan statue that sold well and the Final Fantasy Yuna Wedding statue that sold even better. Please don't order them - they've been sold out for years.

Square returns to the realm of grandiosity this autumn with a large 1/4 scale Cloud Strife figure which measures 50cm or 19.68" tall. The coldcast sculpture stands atop a base and wields a blade in each hand. Cloud's clothing is made of cotton fabric while his shoes, straps, and belt are crafted from leather with metal buckles. The design of the figure follows the Final Fantasy VII Advent Children version of Cloud where his left arm is covered to hide the ravages of Geostigma. Pricing for the Japanese production of the toy is set at JPY50000 or US$400 from NCS. Preorders are scheduled to ship in mid-late September 2007.

Disgaea 2 Palm Characters

Japanese manufacturer Toranoana has started preorders for a collection of trading figures based on the rascals of Disgaea 2. The figures measure 8cm or 3.14" tall and are individually packaged in blind cardboard boxes with weaponry. A blind box means that there is no way to determine what figure is inside each box and it's the luck of the draw on what's within. According to the manufacturer sale sheet, there's a total of 11 different characters and one secret character. Since each factory sealed box contains 12 randomly packaged figures, we're guessing that each factory case will contain all 11 standard characters and the secret.

Pricing per factory box is set at US$65 and preorders are welcome today to ship in mid-late August 2007.

Rurouni Kenshin Candy Toys

Kenshin Himura aka Samurai X leads the cast of Rurouni Kenshin in another collection of candy toys from Bandai. The characters featured in the set are as follows from the left side of the product photo and moving right:

Kenshin Himura, his spouse Kamiya Kaoru, Sagara Sanosuke, Shinomori Aoshi, and Kurogasa.

The figures measure approximately 8cm or 3.14" tall and are sculpted from PVC. Each toy is also packaged with a piece of blue-colored candy for a tasty treat. Pricing is set at US$39 per factory case of 10 randomly packaged toys and delivery is expected in mid-late June 2007.

General Updates

Imports Tomorrow This week's shipments of new Japanese imports are scheduled to arrive tomorrow morning. All preorders for PSP Final Fantasy Tactics Shishi Sensou and PS2 Wrestle Kingdom 2 Pro Wrestling Sekai Taisen will ship on Thursday.

Super Mario Hat Cushions Please note that if you have not responded to our email last week requesting reconfirmation of the Super Mario Hat Cushion, we will not process your order. Unless we hear from you, the orders are considered canceled. Thanks for reading.

Upcoming Schedule Japanese distributors posted an updated release schedule last night and the sheer number of games coming out for the Nintendo DS is overwhelming. It's the platform of choice at the moment in Japan with heavy support from publishers. The Wii looks good over the next couple of months and the PS2 is still right in there with Pop'n Music 14 Fever shipping in July along with Sega Ages 2500 Vol. 30: Galaxy Force II.

Gameboy Wars Turbo

Originally released on June 27, 1997 in Japan, NCS unearths about 200 units of a product called Gameboy Wars Turbo for the original black and white Game Boy. The game is unique in that it's packaged in a metal can with flip-top lid instead of flimsy cardboard. Inside, you'll find the game cartridge, a user manual and map, a warranty card, and a block of cushioning which keeps everything in place. The original Gameboy Wars game was designed by Intelligent Design but Hudson took over production for Gameboy Wars Turbo and Gameboy Wars 2.

All stock is new and still packaged 10 per factory case in pristine cardboard boxes. If you purchase 10 copies for some reason, we'll ship the order in the Gameboy Wars Turbo branded box which will then be placed inside another cardboard box for safe transit. «photo gallery»