KoroKoro Hakushi Wood Puzzle Gashapon - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» Back in the 80s, the world was awash with handheld puzzle games such as Rubik's Cube, Pyraminx, and the Skewb. Over the ensuing years, the mechanical puzzle craze died down as fads are apt to do. Although sales for puzzle games such as the Rubik's Cube will never reach the lofty levels seen in the 80s, there's still an audience for mechanical puzzles and it is this audience that System Service is trying to reach.

The KoroKoro Hakushi Wood Puzzle Gashapon feature five puzzles from yesteryear which are crafted from wood blocks, rounds, wafers, and plugs. The most recognizable toy is the "Rubik's Cube-alike" made from constituent square blocks while the other toys feature assembly and disassembly play mechanics. The toys are sold randomly in gashapon dispensers in Japan but we'll sort them all out in complete sets of five. Preorders are welcome to ship in October 2009 at US$20.90.

J-League Winning Eleven 2009 Club Championship - Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
©NCSX» The J-League is in focus once again when Konami ships the latest edition of their renowned J-League Winning Eleven game for the Playstation 2. With the way the market is headed, this may be the final J-League title on the PS2 which has survived for nearly a decade in the rough and tumble video game market.

A total of 36 J-League teams are featured in JLWE 2009 CC including three new inductees as follows: Tochigi S.C. from Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, Katare Toyama which is a recently merged team that's comprised of ALO's Hokuriku and YKK AP F.C., and Fagiano Okayama F.C from Okayama Prefecture. All three teams play in the J-League Division 2. In addition to the three new teams, a total of five new stadiums have been added: Saitama Stadium 2002 (World Cup), Sapporo Dome, Osaka Nagai Stadium, Tochigi Green Stadium, and Momotaro Stadium. To bring the world a little closer together, the game also features 118 foreign teams from the Italia League, the England League, Spanish League, and Portugal League which allows players to set up dream matches between marquee clubs. The team and player data in the game is current as of April 10, 2009. Preorders are welcome to ship on August 6, 2009.

Yugioh 5D's TagForce 4 - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
©NCSX» Yugioh has been around for what seems like forever and Konami keeps churning them out with regular tenacity. The latest animated series is Yugioh 5D's which began airing last year in Japan and has been the source material for two games already on the Wii and NDS. A third game based on the 5D's universe is set to hit the PSP later this year.

Taking place in Domino City after the storyline chronicled in Yugioh GX, standard card dueling is still happening along with mobilized dueling where card battlers ride on vehicles called Duel Runners. The PSP game will focus on the standard card battling side of the Yugioh equation. The first production of the game will include three official game cards which are packaged inside the UMD case. Preorders ship on Sept. 17, 2009.

Family Challenge - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
©NCSX» What makes a challenge a "family challenge?" NCS isn't certain as to the exact parameters but it probably has to be G-Rated, relatively simple, and wholesome. Konami stays within these guidelines with their upcoming Family Challenge for the Wii which features 40 mini-games which fit into the genres of brain games, competitive challenges, cooperative exercises, and other short but somewhat sweet activities that up to four players can enjoy. Please note that NCS is accepting preorders for the version of Family Challenge that includes the controller and game in a bundle package. Preorders ship on November 19, 2009.

TabeMon (Wii) - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
©NCSX» Namco's Pac-Man was a video game phenomenon that inspired sequels, clones, and even a song back in the day when 8-bit was bleeding edge. Nearly 30 years later, Namco's still around albeit as a part of the Bandai empire and Pac-Man still scores high on the awareness meter.

When we first watched previews of TabeMon, we figured it to be a spiritual successor to Pac-Man. The character in the game looks like a mutated version of Pac-Man and it eats. A lot. However, instead of being isolated within a maze and chased by a quartet of spooks, TabeMon features free-roaming gameplay where the hero runs around chomping down mobile as well as immobile objects and creatures on screen.

General Updates

PS3 King of Fighters XII update The release date for the Japanese version of KOF XII has been revised again to July 30, 2009. That's a lot better than the previously revised date of August 20, 2009. The KOF XII USB Joystick's release date has also been solidified for July 30, 2009.

NDS Dragon Quest IX Hoshizora update Japanese distributors didn't receive the game as of last night but we'll check again tonight. Since the latest DQ is being officially released to retailers on Saturday in Japan, the game should be available to distribution by tonight. If it is released on time, we'll receive the game and start shipping all preorders on Friday (July 10, 2009). NCS recommends USPS Express Mail for weekend delivery if you're interested in a quick arrival.