Hori Real Arcade Twinstick EX - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
©NCSX» The Xbox 360 version of Virtual On Oratorio Tangram was unveiled for the Xbox Live Arcade earlier this year (April 29) and 'twas a beauty of a release. The revision is ver5.66 which is the final coin-op version of VOOT which features three additional Virtuaroids such as the Stein-Vok and the Apharmd C. We don't mind playing the game with a joypad since it works well but we prefer the twin stick for the tactile feel of operating a Virtuaroid the way it was meant to be manipulated. NCS won't be hacking open our official Saturn or DC Twin Sticks anytime soon to mod them for Xbox 360 compatibility but our wishes for an official Twin Stick solution have been answered, courtesy of Hori. We got dibs on three units.

Preorders for the Hori Twinstick EX are welcome to ship on or around mid October 2009 at JPY30000 or US$398.90 from NCS. The controller features two Sanwa JLJ-PL2-8V sticks which are bolted onto a standard Real Arcade Pro case. Sadly, we'll have to pay retail price for the controllers along with tax and costly air express carriage charges from Japan to the United States. Please note the production of the Twinstick is contingent on Hori receiving enough reservations to justify the manufacturing run.

Shooting Game Historica 3 - New Import, Split Shipments

NCS Product Synopsis
©NCSX» Over the past year, the Shooting Game Historica series of toys has been some of NCS' most popular products. We get to sell the gashapon sets which are packaged in plastic capsules and then we also peddle the "SP" re-renditions which are boxed in fancy cardboard containers. It's sort of like selling the same toys twice. Yujin released the third set of Shooting Game Historica toys last month which feature ships from another six games as follows:

» Wolf Fang - Blue armored mech which carries a blaster rifle
» Soukyugurentai - S.O.Q-004 Toryu with multiple movable parts
» Raiden - Raiden mk-II (red) or Raiden mk-IIb (blue)
» Kaitei Daisensou: In the Hunt - Squat submarine designed by Irem
» Maneuver Cepter Granada - A blue tank with moxie
» Star Soldier - The Ceaser which features a transformable cockpit

Please note that Yujin only shipped the Raiden mk-II in red and canceled production of the blue variant toy. The Kaitei Daisensou sub is accompanied by a miniature pink sub (single piece construction). New features on some of the ships are movable parts - for example, hatches on the submarine open up to reveal weaponry and the Ceaser's cockpit transforms.

NCS received the first batch of Shooting Game Historica Vol. 3 yesterday and preorders have begun shipping out. Please note however that some shipments of this particular toy haven't arrived yet although they should be delivered within the next few days. Since we haven't received the entire shipment of toys yet, we're holding off on the obligatory photo gallery since filling preorders takes priority.

Per normal NCS gashapon sales convention, we're gathering together all six ships and supplying them in complete sets at US$28.90.

NCS expects the S.P. edition of Shooting Game Historica Vol. 3 to be released next month and preorders will ship roughly 1-2 weeks after they have shipped from Yujin in the Japanese marketplace.

Japanese Product Name: SRシューティングゲームヒストリカ3

Nendoroid MikkuMiku Kagami - New Import, In Stock

From the Publisher (Good Smile Company)
Transformed by magic, it's Kagami in Miku's outfit!

It's an image of Kagami that has been popular ever since the cover illustration from the Lucky Star OVA was released, and now it's coming as a Nendoroid - it's Kagami as she appeared within her dream, cosplaying as Miku Hatsune!

She comes complete with the two leeks that featured on the OVA's cover, as well as various expressions that show exactly how awkward she feels about cosplaying. She even comes with the popular expression that she made as she said, "I want to ******", as she woke from her dream.

The body of the Nendoroid is based on Kagami's body shape, and is thus a completely new mould.

Specifications

• Product name Nendoroid MikkuMiku Kagami (みっくみくかがみ ねんどろいど)
• Series Lucky Star OVA
• Price 3,500 Japanese Yen
• Release Date 2009/06
• Specifications Complete painted ABS & PVC figure - not to scale - stand included - approximately 100mm in height
• Sculptor Nendoron (Youhei Kodama)
• Sold by Good Smile Company
• Japanese Product Name: みっくみくかがみ ねんどろいど

Domokun Aki Mascot - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
©NCSX» A few years ago, NCS' opinion on Domokun wasn't positive. In our eyes, he was a ne'er-do-well who ate a lot, didn't have gainful employment, and had a disturbing problem with flatulence. Over the years however, we watched Domokun grow up and engage in winter sporting events, protect Japan in the capacity of a samurai, and even clean up like a champ. That's some serious versatility and Domokun shows us again later this year why he's Mr. Versatile.

Eikoh's upcoming Domokun Aki Mascot toys feature big brown as an (from the upper left of the photo and rolling clockwise) Artist, a Relay Runner, a sleepy Reader, and a greedy Eater. Somehow it doesn't strike us as odd that Domokun gets sleepy when he's holding a book. The plush toys measure 9cm or roughly 3.54" tall and are topped with straps for tethering purposes. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late October 2009.

Hello Kitty Animal Gara Keychain - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
©NCSX» Even though Hello Kitty merchandise is already pervasive in the global marketplace, Sanrio and partners manufacture tons of new products each and every year. NCS has decided to vigorosly avoid most of the Hello Kitty merchandise but every once in a while, we can't resist the allure and the love that is Kitty.

Eikoh's upcoming Hello Kitty Animal Gara Keychain features four versions of Kitty garbed in big cat costumes. It's sort of like a feline mimicking bigger felines by way of cosplay. Each plush measures 10cm or 3.93" tall and preorders are welcome to ship in October 2009.

General Updates

PS3 Demon's Souls restocked today All backorders and new orders for the Asian version of Demon's Souls will ship today. The Asian version of the game is playable in English.

NEWS Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen early USA release The seven different versions of Activision's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (USA) are scheduled to arrive on Thursday of this week. We'll post a formal preorder offer tomorrow morning. On the NDS, Dawn of Discovery and the highly anticipated My Healthy Cooking Coach are also expected to arrive early. The official street dates are June 23, 2009.

NDS Kingdom Hearts DSi Limited Edition Price update Japanese vendors who still have inventory of the KH DSi LE bundle have raised the price to an average of JPY48900 (US$503.47) so we're holding off on restocking this week since our revised offer price was US$339.00.