General Updates

Nintendo DSi - Japan launch on Nov 1, 2008 The NDS Lite was released two years ago and generated a good amount of excitement and sales. Nintendo is looking to inject another jolt of excitement (and sales) into the handheld market this November with a new portable gaming contender dubbed the Nintendo DSi. In the photo to the left, the circular object on the upper right corner of the unit is a 0.3 megapixel camera. A second camera is located inside next to the microphone. The DSi features dual 3.25" screens, a built-in SD memory card slot, and an integrated web browser. The first two colors to be available at launch will be white and black. NCS expects a rainbow assortment within a year of the handheld's launch and at least one Gundam-themed DSi if history is any guide. Japanese distributors have not started preorders yet but we have a contact list so we can notify interested parties once preorders are open. Pricing is expected to range between US$185-200 if supplies are "normal" during the launch. If there's gouging from overseas, then prices will be higher...

International Aircraft Delay Due to an overnight flight delay in Japan caused by "mechanical" reasons, NCS expects games such as PSP Ikkitousen Eloquent Fist and X360 Raiden IV to arrive tomorrow.

Dreamcast DUX Delay NCS assumed that DUX for the Dreamcast would ship soon since the publisher requested payment a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, the game has been delayed until November-December. We'll update again once the game is released.

Famitsu Wave DVD Nov 2008 - New Import, In Stock

The November 2008 issue of Famitsu Wave DVD features print and video coverage of the following games and/or events:

» ARC Lord of Vermillion
» ARC Sangokushi Taisen 3
» PS2 Devil Summoner: Kuzunoha Raidou tai Abaddon Ou
» PS3 Samurai Dou 3
» PS3 Soul Calibur IV
» PS3 Grand Theft Auto IV
» PS3 Tomb Raideer: Underworld
» PSP Monster Hunter 3-tri
» PSP Sengoku Basara Battle Heroes
» Wii Space Invaders Get Even
» X360 Unlimited Undiscovery
» TOY The Robot Spirits
» Monster Hunter Festa '08

Street Fighter 20th Anniversary Chun-Li - Preorder

Japanese manufacturer Organic has opened up preorders for a special limited edition Street Fighter 20th Anniversary Chun-Li figure which ships next month. The production quantity is limited to only 500 pieces total but it's unclear if each figure will be serially numbered so collectors can keep tabs on where they stand in terms of the manufacturing run.

The full product title is "Street Fighter 20th Anniversary Chun-Li Limited Color Black Version" where the not-so-dainty Street Fighter wears a black dress with gold trim and regulation-issue dark leggings. Her shoes and the hair accessories are white. Chun's appearance and pose are somewhat cherubic although the spiky wristbands are a telltale sign that Chun-Li is no angel. The figure measures 12cm or 4.72" in height and is sculpted from PVC. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late November 2008.

To Heart 2: Another Days Nanako Big Towel - Preorder

In Aqua Plus' To Heart 2: Another Days game for the Japanese PC, Nanako is a young girl who suspects Lucy Maria Misora of being a magician. Lucy isn't a magician... but she is an alien. Not the kind from foreign lands but the kind that hails from outer space. After Nanako's assumptions about Lucy are dashed, she decides to look for a four-leaf clover so she can reconcile with a friend named Yuko. Lucy and a friend named Tamaki help her in that regard all it's basically happily ever after for Nanako. Sort of.

Since Nanako is fairly popular despite her cookie-cutter design, a number of toys have popped up or will be popping up which are based on her persona. If toys are coming out, towels are fair game as well and Cospa has started accepting preorders for a Nanako Big Towel reissue which measures 140 x 80cm (55.11 x 31.49") in area. The towel is 100% cotton and features an illustration of a bashful Nanako who's wearing what appears to be sleepwear. Preorders are welcome to ship in late Nov 2008.

Evangelion EVA-00 Entry Plug Rei - Preorder Import

When it's time for Rei Ayanami to pilot an Evangelion, she can't just climb into a cockpit and start the ignition. It doesn't work that way. What Rei has to do is climb into an Entry Plug while wearing a Plug Suit and wait for the chamber to fill up with LCL. The Entry Plug is then inserted into the Evangelion and only then is it ready to roll.

Aoshima has seen fit to finally create a toy which celebrates the Entry Plug and its inhabitant. The plug measures 50cm or 19.68" in length and features a hatch which pops open to reveal the inner chamber which is illuminated by blue LEDs. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late December 2008 at JPY8800 or US$95.90 from NCS.

Mickey Mouse in Runaway Brain W-Size - Preorder

Medicom's Runaway Brain figure has been around for a few years now in two variants which were small toys measuring 15cm or 5.90" in length. The company has announced another variant which doubles the size of the figure to 30cm and quadruples the price. We're guessing this is one that's targeted solely at serious collectors. Preorders are welcome to ship in February 2009 at JPY18,000 or US$229 from NCS.

Super Hero Sakusen: Diedal no Yabou LE Items - Sale

NCS Product Synopsis - Original Update: November 22, 2000
«©NCSX» The limited edition of Super Hero Sakusen: Diedal's Ambition includes a slipcase, nice packaging with a flip top lid and see-through window, a set of six Super Hero figures measuring about 2" high each and a collectible NTT telephone card good for 50 calls...in Japan, on NTT's payphones. Note the game is not included - just the bonus items.

Sale Offering: NCS' remaining inventory of Super Hero Sakusen: Diedal no Yabou LE Items for the Japanese PS1 is new, factory boxed, and in mint condition. Pricing is set at US$33.90 per copy which includes "free" shipping by USPS Media Mail within the U.S.