Neo Geo Stick 2 (USB Controller) - Import Preorder

«©NCSX» We have a soft spot in our hearts for the original Neo Geo AES controller. Sure, it's not the best nor the snappiest joystick we've ever manhandled but there's a certain design aesthetic to the controller that still appeals to our Neo Geo lovin' souls. Exar probably knows our kind so they're showing love to SNK's Neo Geo joystick once more with a new production that ships for the Playstation 3 on July 16. The four main buttons (Square, X, Triangle, O) are arranged in a diagonal row on the left side of the controller and the Dual Shock 3's trigger buttons are mapped to the little sliver-buttons located to the east and south of the main buttons. Preorders are welcome to ship on July 16, 2009 at JPY6279 or US$78.90 from NCS.

Arabians Lost: The Desert Engagement - Import Preorder

«©NCSX» There's a lot of sand in the desert but if we're to believe the premise of Arabians Lost, there's also a lot of love behind those dunes. The Princess of a mighty kingdom in the sands is looking for a husband and only savvy suitors need apply. The objective is to earn money before the big wedding day by slaying monsters and going to casinos (in the desert, no less) to build wealth and become worthy of the Princess' affections. Preorders for the Japanese NDS import Arabians Lost are welcome to ship on July 31, 2009

Toro to MoriMori - Import Preorder

«©NCSX» Toro the white cat has been Sony's Japanese mascot since the days of the original Playstation and his 10th Anniversary with the company is celebrated this year. To mark the event, Toro gets recruited into a new traveling adventure + mini game collection for the PS3 that's scheduled to ship this summer. Sony touts over 30 mini-games where up to four players engage including soccer ball balancing, wilderness darts, wading in a river, snake apple eating, and many more.

The snake apple game will probably get the most play at NCS - you'll control a segmented snake on an isometric playfield and the goal is to eat apples to increase the snake by one segment. Opponent's snakes also slither around so you'll have to watch your snake's tail lest it be eaten off. Preorders are welcome to ship on July 23 at JPY4800 or US$50.90.

Katamari Damacy Tribute - Import Preorder

«©NCSX» Namco released the original Katamari Damacy on the PS2 in 2004 and has migrated the franchise to all other major platforms since then. The upcoming PS3 rendition of the game is more of the same where players maneuver a magnetic nucleus of material that attracts anything and everything in its path. Bottles, boxes, people, cows, and even buildings are all fair game. Katamari Damacy Tribute features a Story Mode and visual "skins" to make the game's graphics appear woody or cel-shaded. Preorders are welcome to ship on July 23, 2009 at JPY6279 or US$63.90 from NCS.

Brillliant Stage: ToraDora! Aisaka Taiga Figure - Preorder

«©NCSX» High school is a cross-current of rivalries, raging hormones, and relationships - sort of like society at large but encapsulated within a single building. In the ToraDora novella by Yuyuko Takemiya, a fierce looking high school lad named Takasu Ryuuji befriends fellow student Aisaka Taiga who's known as a "Hand Held Tiger." Whereas Takasu is actually a pussycat at heart despite his bad boy looks, Aisaka really is a tigress. A rich and spoiled tigress. Together, their unlikely friendship leads them on a story of exploration where they discover each other alongside the everyday interaction with their classmates.
The latest Aisaka toy figure hails from MegaHouse and depicts the teenager as an average student in her school uniform. However she's carrying a kendo stick which rests upon her left shoulder so maybe Aisaka isn't so average. The figure is sculpted to 1/8 scale by Hatsumi and measures 17cm or 6.69" tall. Two faces are included with the figure so that Aisaka's expression may be switched. Preorders ship in mid-late Aug 2009.

Capcom Girls Collection SFZ Cammy Pink Version - Preorder

«©NCSX» Songstress Kylie Minoque played Lieutenant Cammy in the Street Fighter movie from 1994 and she bore a fairly good likeness to the blonde-braided fighter. If we were to nominate an actress to play the new Capcom Girls Collection SFZ Cammy, we'd probably have to go with Christina Applegate. The facial structure is about the same and the eyes match. Note however that CGC Cammy's eyes are a little crossed while Christina's aren't.

Yamato's upcoming Cammy rendition is sculpted to 1/7 scale and measures 26cm or 10.23" tall. Cammy stands at attention and raises her right arm in salute. If her eyes look a little distant, maybe it's because she's in her brainwashed "Killer Bee" persona when Cammy worked under the employ of the Shadaloo (Shadowlaw) criminal organization. Remember, she was brainwashed so Cammy gets a free pass from her sordid past. The sculpture is by Mitsumasa Yoshizawa (REFLECT) and is a pink colored variation of a figure that NCS started preorders for last month. That earlier original figure places Cammy in her default blue outfit. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late August 2009 at JPY7800 or US$80.90 from NCS. Due to the size of the figure, NCS recommends only shipping by UPS Ground within the USA. Japan Product: カプコンガールズコレクション キャミィ Pink Ver.

King of Fighters XII - Cover Artwork

«©NCSX» NCS got some mail yesterday demanding an explanation for why we described the X360 KOFXII cover as a mess. The cover of a fighting game should convey some sense of the conflict that awaits within. There's little of that on the cover of X360 King of Fighters XII. What do we have on the cover? Let's run it down:

1) An androgynous Ash Crimson relaxes dead center in his red outfit. Is he waiting for the bus or just lingering after having lunch? What is his purpose in life and why does he sport a Mona Lisa-esque smile? We'll never know.
2) Terry and Kyo look like they're dearly departed. As in they've had their last rites two months ago. Is that the reason why they're part of the sky and looking larger than life? Are they waiting for reincarnation?
3) Leona and Athena seem to be fighting each other but it's unclear because a big Ash separates them like some kind of human divider. Leona could also be attacking the KOFXII logo because it was being naughty and Athena could be casting a magic spell. We think her nickname should be the "Purple-haired mini-skirt sorceress."
4) The cover could theoretically also be used for a Japanese dating game that's aimed at girls if the KOF logo was removed. Ash is the protagonist who's looking for love but his potential "beaus" are already dead and part of the heavens. Leona and Athena are his rivals for the hearts of the dead boys because ghosts need love too. Their means of contact? Ouija board.