Oboro Muramasa - Import Preorder

«©NCSX» The 2D platformer is dead. Long live the 2D platformer. Marvelous eschews the allure of 3D and does 2D proud with an action game that's packed with lush hand drawn visuals and fast-paced swordplay. A dainty heroine dubbed Momohime and a dashing hero named Kisuke star in this 2D side scrolling hack 'n slasher which takes place in olde Japan. Not post-war Japan but way further back when weapons called "Demon Blades" were actually bandied about. Enemy underlings and magnificent end-level bosses such as a club-wielding demon, a giant samurai, and a massive millipede that stretches multiple screens. Preorders are welcome to ship on April 9, 2009 at JPY6800 or US$70.90.

Naruto Shippuden Shinretsuden III - Import Preorder

«©NCSX» One-on-one Naruto fighting action revisits the Nintendo DS next month when Naruto Shippuden Shinretsuden III ships to market. Players choose a combatant from a sizable roster of characters and fight it out in 3D action that's accompanied with touch screen elements that are triggered during battle. Along with conventional bouts, Naruto and friends may also challenge creatures which dwarf their frail human frames. Preorders are welcome to ship on April 30, 2009 at JPY4800 or US$52.90.

Pokemon Fushigi no Dungeon Sora no Tankentai - Preorder

«©NCSX» After waking up on a beach with amnesia and in the awkward body of a Pokemon, the protagonist of the upcoming Pokemon Dungeon game soon teams up with a fellow monster and joins a guild. The player's party tackles a dungeon exploration adventure that features a large variety of Pokemon including Shaymin.
Preorders are welcome to ship on April 18, 2009 at JPY4800 or US$52.90.

Growlanser - Import Preorder

«©NCSX» The original Growlanser captivated Playstation gamers a decade ago and kicked off a series of sequels in the years since. To mark the 10th anniversary of the game, Atlus is releasing a Playstation Portable port which features two new heroines named Amelie and Melfee with their respective scenarios and new routes to take in the game. The graphics from the original game don't appear to be "stretched" to fit the PSP widescreen but we'll inspect thoroughly once we do our usual play test. Preorders are welcome to ship on May 14, 2009 at JPY5800 or US$60.90.

Pikmin 2 Wii de Asobu - Import Preorder

«©NCSX» After much toil and trouble in the first Pikmin adventure, Captain Olimar launches the Dolphin back into space and heads home. To financial distress. Olimar's employer, a rough-looking transportation company with a raggedy sign, is deep in the red to the tune of 100,000 pokos. Nearing ruin and with little prospects for a turnaround without emergency intervention, Olimar is asked to return to the world of Pikmin to raise a little wealth for the company. Ever the loyal and obedient employee, Olimar heads into space once again in a junky jalopy of a ship and marshals the Pikmin population for a greater cause: capitalism.

Preorders for the Japanese Wii import Pikmin 2 Wii de Asobu are welcome to ship on March 12, 2009.

Tamaki Kousaka Undergarment Ver. Black - Import Preorder

«©NCSX» In the To Heart 2 game, Tamaki is a fiery-maned alpha female who commands respect. Toy sculptors have used Tamaki's image to create statuesque figures which have found a receptive audience. It's about that time again for another rendition of Tamaki, this time from Kaitendo, which measures 15cm or 5.90" tall and is made of a polymer called "candy resin." Apparently, the new resin holds flesh colors well so that Tamaki's "skin" appears realistic. The figure is also dressed in nylon hosiery and wears a brassiere and lacey underwear made of PVC that's removable.

Preorders are welcome to ship in mid to late May 2009 at JPY13,800 or US$153.90. Due to the size of the item and packaging, NCS recommends shipping by UPS Ground only if you reside within the United States.

Vampire Savior Kinu Nishimura Collection Morrigan - Preorder

«©NCSX» The Kinu Nishimura version of Mai Shiranui which was released a couple of years ago was one of NCS' best selling toys in recent memory. Two productions were required in Japan to meet demand and most shops have since sold out. Mai looked natural, somewhat attractive, and Asian based counterfeiters saw fit to clone the toy as they're apt to do with products that are in high demand.

Max Factory has started preorders for another Kinu Nishimura figure and this time, it's Morrigan of Vampire Savior fame who gets love. Sculptor Takeshi Hamasaki was hired to do the job but Morrigan looks somewhat off. The figure's proportions are fine but her pose is odd. We once saw a lumberjack pose like that after eating 12 flapjacks and an equal serving of sausage links. Morrigan's face is also suspect since her lips appear to have been injected with collagen. In any case, preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late July 2009 at JPY12,800 or US$135.90 from NCS.

General Updates

PS3 Biohazard 5 Early Arrival A batch of the PS3 Biohazard 5 game shipped from Japan last night and is expected to arrive tomorrow. All preorders will ship upon delivery to NCS. If you reserved the game to ship with overnight delivery, please look out for the game on Thursday instead of Friday. Please also note that some of the Biohazard 5 PS3 Bundles were also released early in Japan last night. We will fill the first batch of preorders on Wednesday and the remainder should ship on Friday of this week when the second batch arrives.

Postal Shipments Yesterday We were able to get most of our domestic and international postal shipments sent out on Monday despite the snow and slushy roads. The only postal shipments that didn't go out yesterday were the Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 Rise Dragon bundles since they were too bulky and heavy to heft/lug/lift to the post office on foot.