Weekly Famitsu Vol. 1030 - New Import, Subscriptions

NCS Product Synopsis

Cover Date: September 12, 2008 / Cover: Mascot in AFRIKA
«©NCSX» The latest issue of Weekly Famitsu includes coverage of the following games and/or events:

» Famitsu scoops Gundam Musou 2 which is being released on the PS2, PS3, and X360 on December 4. The cast of characters and some mobile suits are shown to garner interest and goad preorders.
» The Review Crew gives NDS Blue Dragon a respectable (8/7/7/8) while Wii Rainbow Pop gets (6/5/5/5). The rest of the releases next week are Best re-releases on the PS2 and PSP so the pickings are slim this week.
» A gaming retrospective article titled Road to Famicom that covers the years between 1972-1984. The serial feature starts with information, old advertisements, and photos for the Magnavox Odyssey.
» Short but sweet article on Tatsunoko vs Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes (coin-op kit) which we're looking forward to.

Evangelion Ayanami Ikusei Keikaku DS LE - New, In Stock

Taking place at the beginning of the Shinseiki Evangelion television serial, Gendou Ikari hands you the responsibility of live-in teacher to Rei Ayanami. When you first meet her, she's pretty banged up with bandages all over and her arm's cradled by a sling. Similar to but not quite a blank slate, your young charge is recovering from injuries and it's up to you to help her heal mentally and physically.

With a set of six primary commands such as "talk," "goods," "costume," "town," and "schedule," you'll give Rei various duties to perform and gradually win her confidence. Ayanami's day can consist of going to school, learning archery to improve her willpower, playing violin, or a trip to the amusement park, among other venues. Each activity improves or diminishes one or more of her attributes. Along the way, you'll get to see Ayanami in various pieces of clothing.

The limited edition of Evangelion Ayanami Ikusei Keikaku DS includes a black NDS pouch with red NERV logo on the front and a blue Evangelion strap that's tethered to trinket which features an image of Rei and Asuka.

To Love-Ru Trouble: Waku Waku! Rinkangakkou-Hen LE

The limited edition of To Love Ru Trouble includes:

» Cardboard box with nifty artwork of the cast
» Set of To Love-Ru character decals
» Animation cel with Rito Yuuki, Haruna Sairenji, and Yui Kotegawa
» A placard which features Mikan Yuuki and Konjiki no Yami

Preorders have shipped as of yesterday and NCS expects restock by Thursday of next week for new orders.

Umibe de Reach! - New Import, In Stock

Play mahjong against five girls in a conversion of a game that was originally released for the Sega Saturn in 1998. The NDS conversion is a total revamp with many new features. By playing mahjong against the girls, love may inexplicably blossom between the player and one lucky girl. By winning at MJ, love points are awarded to the protagonist which helps build the affinity with a particular maiden. Multiple endings may be accomplished which hinge on your level of love points. For players who need a little help during a match, pressing the "Y" button will summon Ms. Kyoka who'll give you a helpful hint.

New features in the NDS update include a Story Mode with animated sequences, a Tournament Mode, and a Free Play Mode. A new pink-tressed character also joins the cast of characters in the Story Mode.

Captain Rainbow - New Import, In Stock

An unappreciated spandex-wearing TV superhero named Captain Rainbow isn't feeling the love. The kids flock to Iron Man (well, it looks like Iron Man) but they're just not into Rainbow. With little chance of boosting his ratings in his current state, the Captain reverts to his Hawaiian shirt wearing alter-ego Nick and sails off to an island where he'll find salvation.

While sailing on a rickety raft made of four logs, Nick spots a rabbit-like creature on the waves and decides to save it from certain demise. Soon after changing into Captain Rainbow, Nick dives into the surf and subsequently flounders. In the process of the botched rescue attempt, Nick loses his Captain Rainbow belt and washes ashore Mimin Island. It's an inauspicious start and perhaps a harbinger of things to come.

Nintendo's latest adventure game hails from Skip, the team that brought Giftpia and Chibi-Robo to the world. Prior to that, members of Skip also developed Moon, Lack of Love, and Chulip. Similar to those earlier games, Captain Rainbow is quirky. Early in the game, Nick will run into Catherine (aka Birdo) from Super Mario Bros 2 and Doki Doki Panic who's been imprisoned in a cage. «NCS Game Notes»

Figma Kanu Unchou Figure - New Import, In Stock

Ikkitousen's brightest star is a raven-haired warrior named Kanu Unchou. She's been sculpted into many toys as we've chronicled over the past few months. NCS was hoping for Revoltech Kanu or Nendroid Kanu but we're going to be getting Figma Kanu instead. The Figma line-up from Max Factory features articulated PVC-ABS figures which are supported by a mounting stand. They're awfully popular and very well done in terms of construction quality.

Kanu's Figma turn measures 145mm or 5.70" in height. She wields a big honking Blue Dragon Crescent spear and wears a blue and white ensemble that hearkens back to old school Kanu. You know, before she became everything to everyone.

Max Factory throws in two extra faces to change Kanu's expression, chunks of interchangeable battle-shredded clothing (tattered top with breasts and a wrecked skirt), and a Figma mounting stand and display base. Although Kanu can stand upright on her own, the display base adds an extra measure of stability with its adjustable arm. «Photo Gallery»

Ikkitousen 1/6 Scale Kanu Unchou Miyazawa Mokei Ver.

As if there wasn't already a surfeit of love for Kanu Unchou, toy manufacturer Kurushima gets into the game with a limited edition 1/6 scale Kanu cold cast that is being distributed exclusively by Miyazawa Mokei. The special distribution agreement didn't really mean much for NCS because we're able to stock the figure without restrictions. Case quantities are listed at 2 figures per carton at the same price as the regular edition 1/6 scale Kanu distributed normally within Japan.

The limited edition figure features Kanu in a grey top with red handkerchief along with black skivvies. Her socks are still regulation-issue white however and her skin tone is convincingly flesh colored. Kanu's pose may be described as relaxed. Another descriptor might be "relieved" or perhaps even "exhausted." Whatever state she's in, Kanu still carries the Blue Dragon Crescent Spear which is gripped in her right hand. Kanu measures 26cm or 10.26" tall and a circular base is included for display purposes.

Preorders have shipped as of yesterday and new orders are welcome to ship today at JPY19800 or US$208.90 from NCS. Due to the size of the figure, NCS is only shipping via UPS Ground within the United States.

Animal Crossing Touch Pen Holder - Clearance

NCS Product Synopsis

Original Update: Dec 07, 2005
Insert your regulation-issue NDS touch pen inside the cozy confines of the Animal Crossing Touch Pen Holder and it automatically becomes a thick-barreled Animal Crossing-themed touch pen. If you're a NDS user who has a pair of beefy hands that can't grip the standard stylus comfortably, the Animal Crossing holder will give you something more substantial to hold. The front of the touch pen holder features the Japanese Animal Crossing logo (Doubutsu no Mori) and a little illustration of Harriet the hairdresser poodle. The bright orange color also makes it easy to spot if you drop it. Please note that the holder is just a shell and you must provide the actual stylus.

Sale Offer
NCS' remaining inventory of the Animal Crossing Touch Pen Holder is brand new, factory sealed, and in mint condition. NCS Price: US$6.90 per AXing holder which includes "free shipping" within the U.S. by USPS Media Mail Service. «Larger Photos»

Evangelion Ayanami Ikusei Keikaku DS - New, In Stock

Taking place at the beginning of the Shinseiki Evangelion television serial, Gendou Ikari hands you the responsibility of live-in teacher to Rei Ayanami. When you first meet her, she's pretty banged up with bandages all over and her arm's cradled by a sling. Similar to but not quite a blank slate, your young charge is recovering from injuries and it's up to you to help her heal mentally and physically. With a set of six primary commands such as "talk," "goods," "costume," "town," and "schedule," you'll give Rei various duties to perform and gradually win her confidence. Ayanami's day can consist of going to school, learning archery to improve her willpower, playing violin, or a trip to the amusement park, among other venues. Each activity improves or diminishes one or more of her attributes. Along the way, you'll get to see Ayanami in various pieces of clothing.

Tactical Guild - New Import, In Stock

As a genre, tactical strategy games have been around for a long time. They're usually considered premium titles (think Ogre Battle, Final Fantasy Tactics, Super Robot Wars) that command a premium price point of JPY6800 or JPY7800. Japanese manufacturer Success breaks from tradition by releasing a tactical strategy game that's priced at a measly JPY3800. What's the world coming to?

In Tactical Guild, players assemble a team of adventurers who vary in class and profession who then roam out into the world in search of adversaries, treasure, and experience. The protagonist can quest alongside attractive female party members and build bonds with them which can result in a relationship. Along with the main adventure, there's also 71 mission-based side quests to contend with. «Game Notes»

To Love Ru Trouble: Waku Waku! Rinkangakkou-Hen - New Import

Embark on a light-hearted interactive adventure with the To Love Ru Trouble gang which features conversation, spot-animation, and a smidgeon of voice acting. That's not all however. There's a mini-game in each of the 56 chapters including a vertical shooter that's based on Magical Chase and a touch exercise where Princess Lala's buttocks and legs are tapped with the touchpen to rid her body of little contagions. While she's being tapped, she'll make loud sighing sounds as she's relieved of the bugs that are plaguing her. There's also a fairly challenging pseudo-rhythm game where boxes and groupings of boxes are tapped just as an expanding outline reaches the perimeter of a box or group of boxes. When playing the outline-box game, a polygonal representation of Lala can be seen exercising in the background in short red shorts. «Game Notes»

AFRIKA - New Import, Restock Soon

A week-long safari in Africa will set you back about US$5000 this year for a single person. Rates are going up to US$6000+ next year because... everything else is going up. NCS recommends Tanzania but we hear Kenya also offers a prime viewing experience. By going on a safari, travelers get to check out how the animals live in the wild and experience nature in all of its raw primal glory. By primal, we mean lions chasing down zebras, buffalo grazing in groups, and elephants trudging around with steadfast determination. Then there are the cheetahs that hang out in the trees while waiting for the sun to stop beating down on their backs and baby baboons playing in the brush with nary a care in the world.

A safari is a sizable investment in both time and resources. Not everyone can go out like that. For the next best thing to being there, Sony presents Afrika which is basically a safari simulator. Drive out on a jeep or take to the air in a hot-air balloon to view the mighty expanse of Africa and all of its furry denizens in the wild. «Game Notes and Photo Gallery»

Fate/Tiger Colosseum Upper - New Import, In Stock

The cast members of Fate Stay Night are hardened warriors capable of doling out a lot of hurt. What happens when they're shrunken down into chibi-sized renditions of themselves? One obvious result is they're a lot smaller. However, their heads remain fairly big when compared to their shrunken bodies. One thing won't change however - the newly minted munchkins still dole out the hurt.

Gamers who enjoyed last year's Fate/Tiger Colosseum will find more of the same fighting action in the sequel. The basic gist pits two to four fighters on a stage and the goal is to knock the opponent(s) out and garner a higher hit ranking than the others. Special power-ups (Tiger Ball with stripes) may be collected for extra fighting oomph so that the fighters can bolster their offensive repertoire. When roaming the battlefield against three COM-controlled combatants, the tie-ups are usually 1-on-1 even though there are four fighters on screen. It's just easier to fight one opponent at a time although breaking in on a 1-on-1 smackfest is possible.

In addition to the 3D fighting action, Capcom includes an Extra Mode which contains character data, event scenes, BGM, and illustrations to check out. Everything's locked upon starting the game however and you'll have to work and play to get that data viewable. For players who need some practice mashing buttons, the Tiger Dojo mode gives pointers and tips on handling opponents. «Game Notes and Photo Gallery»

Fate/Tiger Colosseum Upper Megamori Box - New, In Stock

The limited edition of Fate/Tiger Colosseum includes the following bonus items:

» Deck of FSN Tarot Cards
» Tiger Card Ultora Binder
» Episode Drama CD
» Special animation DVD
» Illustrations booklet

All preorders ship today and new orders are welcome at JPY9800 or US$100.90 from NCS.

Turok Evolution for USA Gamecube - Clearance

NCS Product Synopsis
Original Update: August 31, 2002
«©NCSX» Tal'Set gets himself sucked into a warp of sorts and travels to the Lost Lands where reptilian brutes rule. At the outset of interaction, Tal'Set battles archenemy Captain Tobias Bruckner in Texas circa 1886. As the confrontation roils, a warp bridges Earth and the Lost Lands which sends Tal'Set and Tobias on a journey to another world.
Waking up inside the River Village, Tal'Set recovers from his injuries with help and medicine from the local natives. Soon, the story of Lord Tyrannus and the reptilian death squads are told and Tal'Set joins the fight against the oppressive Tyrannus who has charged Captain Bruckner to lead the "purification" of the Lost Lands.

Sale Offer
NCS' remaining inventory of Turok Revolution is new, factory sealed, and in mint condition. Price: US$13.90 per copy which includes "free shipping" within the U.S. by USPS Media Mail Service. «Larger Photos»

Fate/Stay Night Saber Gift Version - Preorder

Japanese manufacturer Gift has started preorders for a visually striking Saber figure which is dressed in a poofy dress and shining armor. The contrast is basically the impression of hard metal on top and gossamer below. The upcoming Saber figure is sculpted to 1/8 scale and measures 18cm or 7.08" in height.

Saber's eyes are colored green and a sprig of blonde hair pokes out of the top of her head. The "sprig" hairstyle may also be seen on Naru Narusegawa of Love Hina fame and Kanu Unchou from Ikkitousen, among others. A mirrored base and a sword are also included in the packaging. Preorders are welcome to ship in late December 2008 at JPY7428 or US$78.90 from NCS.

Nendroid Saber Lion Figure

In the Fate/Tiger Colosseum game, the cast of Fate/Stay Night is shrunken, deformed, and shifted into toddler-like versions of themselves. Archer is lanky in his full-size form but he's a chubby little punk in the Colosseum. Similarly, Saber's normally lean and mean but in her Colosseum turn, she does "Lion Cosplay" and whacks her enemies with a bone-in meat chop.

Good Smile Company takes hold of Saber's Colosseum persona and sculpts her into a 10cm or 3.93" Nendroid figure which is a near perfect rendition of Saber video game persona. Her eyes are fierce, the lion costume is about right, and the meat chop looks menacing. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late December 2008 at JPY2857 or US$29.90 NCS.

Face Bank Dodeka - Preorder

The original Face Bank was released in Japan about a year ago by Takada/Bandai and sales have been strong. The piggy bank features the flattened face of a simian creature of some sort which wraps around a plastic wedge. The eyes embedded on the front are optical sensors which trigger the mouth to start "chewing." Once the Face Bank is masticating, drop coins into its mouth so that it seemingly chews them up and deposits them into its gullet. It's not only creepy but a bit surreal as well to watch Face Bank do its thing. A number of color variants have since reached market to appeal to a wide range of sensibilities and preferences.

When November 2008 rolls around, Takada will release a larger version which they're calling Face Bank Dodeka. Whereas the original measured an equal 97cm in height, width, and length, the new Dodeka variant measures 140cm and includes a voice mechanism so that it'll mutter various Japanese sayings which make it even more creepy. The new Face Bank can store up to 180 coins that measure at least 2.6cm in diamater which means quarter, nickels, and dimes will all fit. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late November 2008 at JPY4800 or US$50.90 from NCS.

General Updates

Mercenaries 2: Orders for the X360 and PS3 versions of Mercenaries 2 will be shipping out today. If you select UPS overnight or USPS Express Mail service, you'll receive your order tomorrow.

Thunderforce VI Cover Artwork We're not loving Sega's recently released cover artwork for Thunderforce VI. Why didn't they just use a vertically expanded version of the title splash page viewable here?

Neo Geo AES Update Our belated shipment of Neo Geo AES cartridges will arrive later today and we'll begin processing and shipping orders this afternoon. The shipper is apparently a "crack-head" (his own words) and originally sent the package to the wrong address where it was lost. The replacement shipment was accidentally sent to the wrong address again but it was retrieved by the courier and will arrive in a few hours. Future shipments should be smoother and but tracking details will be emailed to customers before 6PM EST today. Thanks for everyone's patience.

Vampire Savior v3.5 Gashapon [Set of 3] - Clearance

Original Update: September 18, 2003
«©NCSX» The Vampire Savior v3.5 gashapon were originally released in September 2003 and a bunch of them have been sold to collectors around the world. Over the years, the supply of full sets of six petered out and only partial sets of three figures remain as follows: Aulbath, Morrigan, and Zabel. That's two blondes and a ginger - a mermaid, a winged succubus, and a ghoul in leather who rocks out with a guitar that's as tall as she is.

Sale Offer
NCS' remaining inventory of the Vampire Savior 3.5 gashapon is new, packaged in plastic capsules, and in mint condition. Price: US$16.90 per set of three which includes "free shipping" within the U.S. by USPS Media Mail Service. «Larger Photos»

Honyaradoh Oyasumi SJ Plush - Preorder

In Western society, the practice of counting imaginary sheep is one way to deal with insomnia. When the Sandman won't lull you into slumber, a procession of sprightly sheep leaping over a fence might do the job.

Counting sheep takes on a literal interpretation when Eikoh's upcoming Honyaradoh Oyasumi plush ships to market. Each sheep measures a massive 45cm or 17.71" in length and is blessed with a furry coat of fluffy synthetic wool. The sheep have their eyes closed which indicates that they're sleeping. They're also apparently encouraging insomniacs to do the same. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late December 2008 at US$38.90 per plush. Please choose from a blue or off-white colored sheep.

Ikkitousen GG Kanu Unchou After Battle Figure - Preorder

The flood of Kanu Unchou figures has passed and the release scheduled has slowed to a trickle. Peak Kanu is behind us. The latest Kanu Unchou figure to join the ongoing trickle is a coldcast sculpture from manufacturer Alpha Max.

The new "After Battle" Kanu is set to 1/6 scale and measures 26cm or 10.26" tall. Her uniform is regulation issue but the shirt is hiked up for some unknown reason to reveal the bottom of her bosom. Despite being in a battle, the only garment in tatters is Kanu's school which has been shredded but her stockings and shirt look okay. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late October 2008 at JPY15,000 or US$158.90 from NCS.

Haruhi Suzumiya 1/8 School Uniform Figure - Preorder

The impish Haruhi of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya fame isn't your average high student student. She's into peculiar stuff and can alter reality. Despite Haruhi's unconventional interests and abilities, her outward appearance is like that of an average schoolgirl who wears a white/blue school uniform.

Alter's upcoming Haruhi Suzumiya 1/8 School Uniform Figure is set to 1/8 scale and measures 18cm or 7.08" tall. Haruhi wears her school uniform and perches on her left leg while her right leg kicks backwards for the illusion of movement in the figure. A school bag is latched to Haruhi's right shoulder and a bright yellow ribbon circles the top of her head.

Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late November 2008 at JPY5800 or US$62.90 from NCS.

One Piece Flash Keychain- Preorder

Bandai's Mario Mascot Light Keychains have been consistent sellers over the past few months. Maybe there's more of a need for keychain lights than anyone ever expected so Bandai continues the theme with a collection of One Piece Flash Keychains.

Each keychain measures W6 x D3.5 x H10cm or 2.36 x 1.37 x 3.93" in dimension. The keychains resemble baubles and light up with an eerie blue luminescence. Nine different styles are available for preorder and NCS is accepting reservations at US$10.90 per keychain which includes free shipping by Media Mail within the U.S. Preorders will ship in Dec 2008.

One Piece Wrist Watch - Preorder

In just a few short months, fans of the One Piece franchise will get to slap a snazzy wristwatch on their pudgy wrists. Three styles are on preorder as follows:

» Red wristband imprinted with Tony Tony Chopper
» Black wristband imprinted with Monkey D. Luffy
» Blue wristband imprinted with Franky

Reservations are welcome to ship in Nov 2008 at US$12.90 shipped.

General Updates

Xbox 360 Raiden IV Delayed Moss has pushed the release date for Raiden IV to October 2 from the original ship date of September 11, 2008. All preorders on file will be processed and dispatched once the game arrives.

PSN Tickets Japanese PSN Tickets are currently on backorder but we expect another batch to arrive on Thursday. Sadly, our suppliers won't send the tickets to us electronically (due to security concerns and their general conservative nature) and we have to wait for physical delivery.

Mercenaries 2 (USA X360 and PS3) The USA versions of Mercenaries 2: World in Flames for X360 and PS3 are expected to arrive either today or tomorrow and we'll begin shipping orders once the game is in stock. The official street date is August 31.

USA DVD Early Releases Married Life, Baby Mama, Forbidden Kingdom, and Something Beneath are all available today. The official street dates are Sept 2-9.

Guilty Gear X Advance Edition - Clearance

From the Publisher
You're the World's Only Fighting Chance
In the 22nd Century, mankind is battling with futuristic biological weapons named Gears. Now you must stop these dangerous beasts in their tracks. At stake is a huge reward... and the fate of mankind.

Sale Offer
NCS' remaining inventory of Guilty Gear X Advance Edition for the Gameboy Advance is new, factory-sealed, and in mint condition. Price: US$17.90 per copy which includes "free shipping" within the United States by USPS Media Mail Service. «Larger Photos»

Odin Sphere Gwendolyn 1/8 Scale Figure - Preorder

In the Playstation 2 game Odin Sphere, a Valkyrie named Gwendolyn kicks off the game where she uses a weapon known as the Psypher Spear to battle foes. Gwendolyn also has a swooping dive move where she glides across the screen with predator-like grace.

Japanese toy manufacturer Alter gives appreciation to Gwendolyn with a statuesque 1/8 scale PVC figure where the Valkyrie perches on one leg atop a snarled tree stump. Gwen raises her arms to heaven with Psypher Spear in hand and Valkyrie wings on full display. The sculpture measures 35cm or 13.77" in height which means the packaging will be large and unwieldy. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late December 2008 at JPY8000 or US$78.90 from NCS. Due to the size of the item, NCS recommends only shipping by UPS Ground within the United States.

Fate Hollow Ataraxia: Saber Maid Version - Preorder

Alter's interpretation of Saber of Fate Stay Night fame gets her out of the blue suit of armor and into a frilly maid's outfit. The blonde warrior also trades in her armaments for a mop. Saber stands with panty-hosed-covered legs apart and rests both hands atop the handle of a cleaning instrument.

A bucket of water is nowhere to be seen but you can probably buy a toy pail from a USA toy shop or make your own. We're going to use a soda bottle cap and fill it with orange detergent. A blue bow keeps the back of Saber's hair together so that it forms a compact bun. The figure is set at 1/6 scale and measures 26cm or 10.23" tall from her feet to the top of her maid's doily/cap.

Saber Maid was originally released last year but is being reissued in December 2008 by the manufacturer. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late December 2008 at JPY8000 or US$78.90 from NCS.

Japanese Import Outlook - Arrivals on Thurs

NDS	Shinseiki Evangelion Ayanami Ikusei Keikaku DS	Broccoli
	Shinseiki Evangelion Ayanami Ikusei Keikaku DS LE	Broccoli
	Tactical Guild	Success
	To Love Ru Trouble	MMV
	To Love Ru Trouble Limited Edition	MMV
PSP	Fate/Tiger Colosseum Upper	Capcom
	Fate/Tiger Colosseum Upper Megamori Box	Capcom
PS3	AFRIKA	Sony

USA Release Outlook - Arrivals on Mon-Wed

NDS	Digimon World Championship	Bandai
	From the Abyss	Aksys
	Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness	Natsume
	MLB Power Pros 2008	Konami
	N+	Atari
	Picto Image	Sega
PS2	Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09	EA
PS3	Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice	NISA
	Vampire Rain: Altered Species	Ignition
PSP	B-Boy	Evolved
	N+	Atari
	Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09	EA
Wii	Super Mario Sluggers	Nintendo
X360	Infinite Undiscovery	Square
	Smash Court Tennis 3	Sega
	Tales of Vesperia	Namco