Derby Stallion DS - Preorder

Practically unknown in the USA but big in Japan, the Derby Stallion series of games have always commanded a premium price as well as general adoration from the Japanese gaming press. Enterbrain has opened up preorders for an upcoming NDS version of Derby Stallion which features touch-pen tapping to develop and build a horse racing empire.

Players start the game with a certain amount of capital with which to purchase the first yearling (after checking its pedigree and bloodline) and hire the staff who'll run the day to day affairs of the horse business. The game will feature updated 2008 horse and jockey data to give players a sense of operating within the real equine racing world. Preorders are welcome to ship on June 26, 2008 at JPY5800 or US$53.90 from NCS.

Hercules no Eikoh: Tamashii no Shoumei - Preorder

Back in the mid to late 80s, a host of Japanese publishers were eager to release their own RPGs after witnessing the success of Zelda no Densetsu and Dragon Quest. Between the years of 1987 and 1994, Data East released five Hercules no Eikoh (Glory of Hercules) games on the Famicom, the original Gameboy, and the Super Famicom. Data East went out of business in 2003 and their Hercules property was bought by a company called Paon. To capitalize on their investment, Paon opens up preorders for a Nintendo DS update of the game.

From a western perspective, the name "Hercules" invokes images of a middle-aged he-man with bulging biceps, a grizzly beard, and a really loud booming voice. He was also mortal. From the Japanese perspective (by way of Paon), Hercules is young, thin, and probably weighs a buck-o-five. He's also immortal. The story follows Hercules as he grows from a young lad to a strapping adventurer who's ultimate goal is gaining entry into Olympus. Hercules no Eikoh makes use of the NDS stylus for combat and magic blasts. The game system also allows the creation of equipment and the cleaning of tarnished weapons found along Hercules' travels so that they're shiny and usable again. Preorders ship on May 22, 2008.

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kizuna - Preorder

After encountering strong sales on the PC and the PS2, Alchemist adapts the digital suspense novel Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (ひぐらしのなく頃に絆 第一巻・祟) over to the Nintendo DS. The game features a total of four new scenarios where a murder mystery, a crime, or other malfeasance is the driving factor for a suspenseful story. The setting is a remote village and the time is the summer of 1958 where strange things are afoot. Per usual digital novel convention, the game features little actual interaction and you're supposed to read the dialogue, view the images, and make a choice every once in a while which will affect the outcome of the story.

All preorders will ship with a bonus ballpoint pen engraved with the game's logo. Reservations are welcome to ship on June 26, 2008.

Super Mario Stadium Family Baseball - Preorder

Mario conquered platform gaming about a decade ago. NCS pinpoints Super Mario Bros 3 (Famicom, 1998) as the definitive platform game that reached the pinnacle of the genre. All platform games afterwards would never equal the silicon-wafered nirvana that was SMB3.

Once Nintendo hit that lofty peak, they started pimping Mario out into different gaming categories - for example, Dr. Mario in 1990, Mario Open Golf in 1991, Super Mario Kart in 1992, and so on and so forth. The rotund plumber has been featured in nearly every type of video game including the National Pastime. When the summer of 2008 creeps up on us, Nintendo will release another Mario baseball game where Princess Peach, Luigi, Waluigi, Mario, and more get to swing for the fences and hustle on the bases. The Wiimote is used to hurl pitches and swing the bat with realistic motions. For example, to throw a pitch, the Wiimote is moved back and then thrust forward to launch a fastball. A similar motion is used to swing the bat where the Wiimote is snapped forward as the pitch sails towards the plate. Preorders are welcome to ship on June 19, 2008.

Aa Megamisama Belldandy Nonscale PVC Figure - Preorder

To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Aa Megamisama in Japan, the Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) televised two special programs subtitled Fighting Wings which focused on the goddess named Lind.

Japanese manufacturer Toy's Works ties into the Fighting Wings episodes by announcing preorders for a Belldandy figure where the goddess is seemingly taking flight while billowing robes trail her forward-oriented form. Belldandy measures 18.50cm or 7.28" in height and is mounted on a white pedestal which matches her flowing garment. Preorders are welcome to ship in late September 2008 at JPY7400 or US$75 from NCS. Due to the packaging size of the figure, NCS recommends shipping only by UPS Ground within the United States.

S.A.C. Motoko Kusanagi 1/7 Scale VMF - Preorder

Yamato's inaugural figure in their vmf (Variable Motion Figure) line of toys features the irrepressible Motoko Kusanagi of Ghost in the Shell fame. The Major wears a swimsuit (face it, it's a swimsuit) and a flak jacket which sort of makes the protective purpose of the flak jacket moot. In addition to her questionable choice of garb on top, Motoko wears leggings and heavy-duty boots below. The figure is set at 1/7 scale and measures 23cm or 9.05" tall which makes her as big as a Real Action Heroes toy.

The "Variable Motion" in the product title refers to the many points of articulation in Motoko's framework which allows for different poses and postures that the figure may be placed in. She can crouch, bend, lunge, and stand with arms outstretched if so desired. Think of Yamato's vmf as the company's answer to Max Factory's Figma figures. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late June 2008 at JPY7800 or US$78 from NCS.

General Updates

Import Game Delays Idea Factory has delayed the regular and limited editions of NDS Spectral Force Genesis from May 29 to June 29, 2008. On the Japanese Wii, Boom Blox has been delayed from May 22 to July TBA.

Email Issues Our spam filter has been aggressively routing emails from @yahoo.com, @aol.com, and @hotmail.com accounts to Trash. If you don't receive a reply within 12 hours, please try resending your email. Thanks.

Linda³ Again - Clearance

Alfa Systems' Linda³ (aka Linda Cube) RPG was originally released on the PC-Engine Super-CD in October 1995 and was ported to the Playstation two years later. In the game, a girl named Linda and her crew attempt to save the animals of the world by gathering them into a latter day Noah's Ark. Updated cinemas and enjoyable gameplay make this a fine addition to any RPG fan's library.

Sale Offering: NCS' remaining inventory of Linda³ Again is new, factory sealed, and in mint condition. Pricing is set at US$20.90 per copy which includes free shipping by USPS Media Mail within the U.S. Photos.