Final Fantasy CC: Echoes of Time - New Import

«©NCSX» The latest Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles game is a cross-platform title which is equally the same on the Nintendo DS and the Wii. Square accomplishes the handheld-to-console parity with the Pollux Engine which makes it easy to release the same game simultaneously on two platforms. 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.

At the outset of the game, players choose a character class from four races - Clavats, Yukes, Lilties, and Selkies - and the sex of the protagonist. The adventure starts in a quaint little town filled with folksy citizens but soon expands into the dangerous environs of the world outside.

PSP Tales of The World: Radiant Mythology 2 - New Import

«©NCSX» Heroes from assorted Tales games join together for an adventure royale which features an assemblage of 51 characters including:

» Anise Tatlin (Tales of the Abyss),
» Guy Cecil (Tales of the Abyss)
» Farah Oersted (Tales of Eternia),
» Cless Alvein (Tales of Phantasia)
» Huzibayashi Suzu (Tales of Phantasia)
» Caius Qualls (Tales of the Tempest)
» Ilia Animi (Tales of Innocence)
» Zelos Wilder (Tales of Symphonia)
» Veigue Lungberg (Tales of Rebirth)
» Presea Combatir (Tales of Symphonia)
» Ilia Animi (Tales of Innocence)
» Yuri Lowell (Tales of Vesperia)

At the outset of the game, the protagonist hurtles from the sky onto the deck of a ship and is eventually "indoctrinated" into the cast of characters. Kanonno Earhart from the first Radiant Mythology joins the player's party immediately at the outset. She's a pink-haired girl with green eyes who has helpful healing magic. Once the introductory sequence is over, the protagonist, Kanonno, and a crew of Tales characters travel around the world in a massive vehicle that bears a distinct likeness to a race car. Early preorders will ship with a bonus "Special DVD" in 50% ratio.

Final Fantasy CC: Echoes of Time - New Import

«©NCSX» The latest Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles game is a cross-platform title which is equally the same on the Nintendo DS and the Wii. Square accomplishes the handheld-to-console parity with the "Pollux Engine" which makes it easy to develop and release the same game simultaneously on two platforms. That means the underlying code, the graphics, the music, and the gameplay are identical. By using the Wi-Fi communications mode, NDS players can link up with Wii players and go on adventures like one big happy family.

One drawback to the cross-platform functionality however is the cramped "dual screen" design that the Wii version uses - the main game screen is positioned on the left while a stats screen is positioned on the right to mimic the NDS but it's claustrophobic and looks clumsy especially when a Wii is connected to a 50' HDTV. In other words, you'll never get to view the game on a full screen but you can magnify the size of either of the screens by pressing the "-" or "+" button on the Wii Remote. Despite the cross-platform graphics, the game looks good on the Wii with bright colors, a detailed game world and well defined characters. It's better than we initially expected after hearing about the Pollux Engine a few months ago.

Soul Eater: Battle Resonance - New Import, In Stock

«©NCSX» The cast of Soul Eater make like the crew from Bleach and battle it out in a fast-paced 2.5D fighting game that features 13 pairs of combatants who bout on 12 stages inspired by the animated serial. Although the fighters stand on a 2D plane, the backgrounds are rendered in 3D and the screen occasionally pivots to and fro when special attacks or events are triggered. The default Story Mode features an original drama for each fighter as he/she battles through the ranks.

The Mission Mode (50+ missions) gives players certain objectives and goals that must be completed before moving onto the next mission. In addition to the regular cast of fighters, players may also create a custom character from prefabricated cel-shaded parts. To add authenticity to the game, Namco hired the voice actors from the television series to recreate utterances, grunts, and other spoken sound effects. The PS2 edition of the game includes a "Soul Theater" option which features animated sequences culled from the original televised series.

Early preorders for both versions will include a bonus Soul Resonance CD that was allocated by Namco Bandai in 50% ratio.

Dance Dance Revolution X - New Import, Restock Soon

«©NCSX» Konami released the North American version of Dance Dance Revolution X a couple of months ago but the Japanese get to enjoy the game as well this week. New to the series is the multi-player LAN Battle Mode (Party Mode) where four Playstation 2 consoles may be linked up via network cable so that eight players can dance simultaneously. The "Street Master Mode" features the background stories of 14 characters who compete against challengers in order to move their stories along. Konami also introduces "Shock Arrows" in DDRX which are directional cues that must be avoided.

The Japanese version of DDRX contains over 60 songs including Bemani classics such as "Butterfly" from SMILE.dk and "Dub I Dub" by Me & My. Flipping through the track list this morning, we see that SMILE.dk is represented thrice - in addition to "Butterfly [2008 X-edit]," Konami has also included "Boys [2008 X-edit]" and "Koko Soko [2008 X-edit]." The Pet Shop Boys' "Always on My Mind" makes the cut and if you play the song in the standard Game Mode, you can watch about 1/2 of the original video that aired on MTV over a decade ago. Other notable tracks: Fergie's "Big Girls Don't Cry" as covered by Purefocus and "Trickster" by Nana Mizuki.

PSP Soul Eater: Battle Resonance

«©NCSX» The cast of Soul Eater make like the crew from Bleach and battle it out in a fast-paced 2.5D fighting game that features 13 pairs of combatants who bout on 12 stages inspired by the animated serial. In the Soul Eater universe, students known as meisters train themselves to wield weapons which are capable of sucking in the souls of wayward humans. Soul Eater Battle Resonance follows the story of the meisters and their powerful weapons as they go to war against each other. Although the fighters stand on a 2D plane, the backgrounds are rendered in 3D and the screen occasionally pivots to and fro when special attacks or events are triggered. The default Story Mode features an original drama for each fighter as he/she battles through the ranks.

The Mission Mode (50+ missions) gives players certain objectives and goals that must be completed before moving onto the next mission. In addition to the regular cast of fighters, players may also create a custom character from prefabricated cel-shaded parts. To add authenticity to the game, Namco hired the voice actors from the television series to recreate utterances, grunts, and other spoken sound effects. The PSP edition of the game features a wireless versus function where two players can link up via Ad Hoc mode and engage in a Soul Eater match.

Early preorders for both versions will include a bonus Soul Resonance CD that was allocated by Namco Bandai in 50% ratio.