Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Face Bank Dodeka - New Import, In Stock

«©NCSX» 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" whenever motion is detected. 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.

That was the old Face Bank. Takada releases 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 all around and includes a voice mechanism so that it'll belch and mutter various utterances which make it even more creepy. The new Face Bank can store up to 180 coins that measure at least 2.6cm in diameter which means quarter, nickels, and dimes will all fit. Two color variants are available and shipping today - a red Face Bank and an off-white version.

Koihime Musou - New Import, In Stock

«©NCSX» Originally released for the Japanese PC in January 2007 where it went on to sell 50,000 copies, Koihime Musou is a re-interpretation of the Sangokushi (Romance of the Three Kingdoms) Warring States period in Chinese history. Instead of male generals waging war against each other, over 30 attractive maidens provide all of the conflict, arms, and even love. Koihime Musou is a tactical strategy game which features interactive sequences so the bonds between the player and the maidens grows ever stronger. Amidst the carnage of the Warring States, five principalities emerge with plans to unite the nation under a single crest.

Characters in the game include Kanu Unchou who appears on the center of the PS2 game cover,
Chohi Ekitoku, Choun Shiryu, Kochu Kansho, and many more. At the outset of the game, a lad named Hongo Kazuto is teleported from the present day to olden China where war is afoot. Hongo is assaulted by a trio of brigands but Kanu Unchou comes to the rescue and saves him from certain death. Kanu assumes him to be a presaged hero who has come to put the Warring States to rest and bring tranquility back to the land. By way of coincidence and circumstance, Hongo eventually joins Kanu in her bid to unite China.

Koihime Musou Limited Edition - New Import, In Stock

«©NCSX» Originally released for the Japanese PC in January 2007 where it went on to sell 50,000 copies, Koihime Musou is a re-interpretation of the Sangokushi (Romance of the Three Kingdoms) Warring States period in Chinese history. Instead of male generals waging war against each other, over 30 attractive maidens provide all of the conflict, arms, and even love. Koihime Musou is a tactical strategy game which features interactive sequences so the bonds between the player and the maidens grows ever stronger. Amidst the carnage of the Warring States, five principalities emerge with plans to unite the nation under a single crest.

Characters in the game include Kanu Unchou who appears on the center of the PS2 game cover,
Chohi Ekitoku, Choun Shiryu, Kochu Kansho, and many more. At the outset of the game, a lad named Hongo Kazuto is teleported from the present day to olden China where war is afoot. Hongo is assaulted by a group of brigands but Kanu Unchou comes to the rescue and saves him from certain death. Kanu assumes him to be a presaged hero who has come to put the Warring States to rest and bring tranquility back to the land. By way of coincidence and circumstance, Hongo eventually joins Kanu in her bid to unite China.

Sengoku Basara 2 Heroes Double Pack - New, In Stock

«©NCSX» Continuing their recent spate of twofers, Capcom bundles together two Sengoku Basara games for the Wii at the reasonable price of JPY3800 or US$40.90 from NCS:

Sengoku Basara 2
During the Sengoku era of Japan's history, warring states set the stage for constant episodes of war and unrelenting bloodshed. As a general serving a clan, players lead troops into battle and clash with the opposing forces of another clan in fast-paced slashing action.

Sengoku Basara 2 Heroes
The Warring States are never ending in the minds of men and game publishers who base their action-packed games on that fractious period of Japanese history. Capcom's Sengoku Basara 2 Heroes takes players back into a time when warlords ruled the land and sought to topple each other by way of force and the drumbeat of war. A total of 30 warlords are featured in the game along with 64 stages of blistering action split into six game modes including Heroes Story, Gaiden Story, and Basara Tournament where fighters engage in one-on-one bouts.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time - Preorder

«©NCSX» The blurb for the upcoming Nintendo DS game Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time from our Japanese distribution agent reads as follows:
DS版同士のみならず、Wi-FiをつなげばWii版とのクロスプラットフォーム協力プレイが可能。※ゲーム内容は同じです。
Basically, it alerts buyers to the fact that the game is a cross-platform title and the Nintendo DS version is exactly the same as the Wii version. That means the underlying code, the graphics, the music, and the gameplay are identical. By using the Wi-Fi communications mode, NDS players can adventure together with Wii players like one big happy family. Preorders are welcome to ship on January 29, 2009.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time - Preorder

«©NCSX» The blurb for the upcoming Nintendo Wii game Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time from our Japanese distribution agent reads as follows:
DS版同士のみならず、Wi-FiをつなげばWii版とのクロスプラットフォーム協力プレイが可能。Wii版ではMiiも登場。※ゲーム内容は同じです。
Basically, it alerts buyers to the fact that the upcoming Final Fantasy game is a cross-platform title and the Nintendo Wii version is exactly the same as the NDS version. That means the underlying code, the graphics, the music, and the gameplay are identical. By using the Wi-Fi communications mode, Wii players can adventure together with NDS players like one big happy family. One extra function that the Wii version features is the ability to use a Mii character in the game. Preorders are welcome to ship on January 29, 2009.

Uranai Seikatsu DS - Import Preorder

«©NCSX» Man has long sought a view into the future, whether it be divination by way of animal entrails, palm reading, the I Ching, or peering into a crystal ball. The Norse threw runes while European fortune tellers performed spreads with their tarot cards to divine the future.

Nintendo expands their roster of lifestyle software for the NDS with Uranai Seikatsu which contains various fortune telling programs. By using the software and instructions, users will be able to read a palm, work a tarot deck, determine one's lucky numbers by entering his/her name, view a daily horoscope, and more. Up to 40 user profiles may be stored onto the game card so their individual fortunes may be divined. Preorders welcome.

General Updates

European Imports Later Today
Preorders for NDS Flower, Sun, and Rain and PS3 Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe will ship later today. Our shipment arrived at the airport last night and the courier should be dropping off the packages in the next few hours. Although we are currently sold out of the MK vs DCU game, we do expect another batch to arrive next week. We'll also be importing the European X360 version of MK vs DCU because it is region-free and may be played on USA and Japanese Xbox 360 consoles. We'll post another update once it is in stock and ready to ship.
Thanksgiving Holiday
The Japanese celebrated Kinro Kansha no Hi yesterday which is a holiday that honors and gives thanks the nation's labor force. Here in the USA, we'll celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday. Please note that NCS will be on hiatus on Thanksgiving but we'll resume normal business hours on Friday (November 28, 2008).

Pease note that UPS will only deliver and pick up air packages on Friday. Since they're unwilling to pick up Ground packages, we'll ship those orders by USPS Priority Mail to avoid losing a transit day. USPS Priority Mail normally delivers within 2-3 days to most parts of the continental USA.

Gyakuten Saiban Best Price! - Clearance

Original Update: June 15, 2006
«©NCSX» Phoenix Wright features the courtroom antics of the title character who jousts with opposing counsel in dramatic screen shaking action. With sharp legalese and testy determination, Phoenix parries false accusations, uncovers perjury, and occasionally even schools the judge on case law.

Sale Offering: NCS' remaining inventory of Gyakuten Saiban Best Price is new, factory sealed, and in excellent condition. Pricing is set at US$28.90 per copy which includes "free" shipping by USPS Media Mail within the U.S.