Friday, March 12, 2010

X360 Death Smiles IIX - Import Preorder

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX»
In the original DeathSmiles, the heroines Windia, Caspar, Rosa, and Follet were teenagers who were accompanied by invincible familiars. In the sequel, the girls have devolved and they're no longer teens. They're now "tweens" which accentuates the lolita-gothic theme of the game with a younger-looking cast of immaculately garbed and coiffed junior maidens.

Similar to the first DeathSmiles, the sequel is a horizontal shooter where players fire shots to the right, fire shots to the left, and drop the occasional bomb blast. A lock-shot is also available by pressing the "A" and "B" shot buttons together to lock onto enemies with blazing lasers. In the coin-op version, DeathSmiles II featured a cast of four characters with Windia and Caspar returning to reprise their roles. They're joined by a lad named Lei with an identity crisis. Although Lei's a male, he nevertheless dresses up like a maid and appears to be wearing eyeliner. The fourth character is a youngling named Supe (Soupy) who looks like a baby munchkin just emerging from her swaddling clothes. The Xbox 360 conversion improves on the coin-op original by adding Rosa and Follet as playable characters. The 360 game also includes two new stages for a total of 7 to plow through and attendant bosses who guard the new stages.

DeathSmiles 2 is designed with 3D in mind so the stages, enemies, and bosses are rendered 3D models which may be off-putting to some 2D shmup purists. We like the game just fine however - picked up a used kit for about US$1500. Preorders for the Regular Edition (US$73.90) and the Limited Edition which includes a bonus soundtrack and slipcase (US$119.90) are welcome to ship on May 27, 2010.

Questions and Answers
Why do the girls look so young now?
The lolita fetish is strong in this one.

Region-free?
No, but Cave's intentions and plans might change.

How many copies will the original DeathSmiles sell in the USA?
About 100 copies. Maybe 200 if Walmart throws in a $10 gift card.

NDS Pokemon Ranger Hikari no Kiseki - New Import, In Stock

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX»
Partner up with a gang of Pokemon and help keep the peace by becoming a -=Pokemon Ranger=- who travels the land under the direction of Pokemon HQ. A gang called the Pokemon-Nappers are on the job and they're running around Oblivia causing trouble for the rangers. True to the organization's name, the Pokemon-Nappers are kidnapping Pokemon and Ranger Signs for nefarious purposes.

At the outset of the adventure, players may select a male or female protagonist. The introductory sequence takes place above the clouds where two Pokemon-Nappers are chasing a winged beast but their pursuit is interrupted by your timely appearance. After scaring the nappers away temporarily, your job is to draw circles around the winged Pokemon to capture it for yourself. After capturing the Pokemon, the two Nappers turn their attention to your hero and they begin shooting. Use the stylus to maneuver around the incoming fire but when they're joined by a third Napper, the protagonist gets hit by a volley of shots and plunges into the ocean below... You'll be cued to rotate the NDS 90° counterclockwise at this point where a mini-game starts up. Tap on the screen quickly to move the hero downwards towards a marine Pokemon which breathes out bubbles that must be avoided. Tap furiously to make contact with the Pokemon and successfully complete the mini-game.

In addition to the single-player mode of Pokemon Ranger, up to four players may link up for a cooperative adventure.

MAG Weekly Famitsu Vol. 1110 - New Import, Sold Out

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX»
The March 25, 2010 issue of Weekly Famitsu includes coverage of the following games and/or events in the Japanese marketplace:
» Previews for NDS Super Robot Wars OG: The Lord of Elemental, PSP Blaze Union: Story to Reach the Future, Wii Zombie in Wonderland, PS3 Nier Replicant, X360 Nier Gestalt, and NDS DQ Monsters Joker 2.
» Famitsu's reviewers rank PSP
Gundam Assault Survive (8/8/8/9), NDS Nettou! Powerful Koushien (8/8/7/8), NDS Kawaii Koinu DS 3 (7/7/7/8), NDS Crayon Shin-Chan: Obaka Daininden (8/8/8/7), and PS3 Ryu ga Gotoku 4: Densetsu o Tsugumono (9/10/10/9).
» Coin-op coverage for Guitar Freaks XG DrumMania XG.
» Special feature on PS3 Final Fantasy XIV which ships later this year.
» Continuing coverage on PS3 Hokuto Musou.
» The relatively recent Sherlock Holmes movie is the only film in this week's Digital Entertainment Front section.
» Entrees served at chain eateries such as Royal Host, Denny's (yes, that Denny's), and Jonathan's Coffee & Restaurant are checked out.

X360 Dream C Club Platinum Collection - New Import, In Stock

NCS Product Synopsis
Original Write-up: August 27, 2009

«©NCSX»
A new and highly exclusive hostess bar is debuting in Japan this week. Their liquor license has been approved by the authorities and patrons who are fortunate enough to become members will get to enjoy an added dimension to their nightly activities. Dream Club is the name and libation's served by lovely hostesses is the game. Literally. Dream Club is a hostess bar simulation where players visit the Dream Club, order colorful alcoholic beverages from an extensive menu, and talk to hostesses.

By being somewhat clever through the input of prompts and cues, players try to learn more about the girls and get them to drink. By loosening a hostess up, she might reveal a personal secret or get up on stage to do a little dancing or singing. Familiarity normally breeds contempt but not at Dream Club. The more that you visit and spend your hard-earned yen, the friendlier the hostesses get. You won't find love at Dream Club but you'll get lots of undivided attention that might not normally be forthcoming. Remember, as long as your money is flowing, you can do not wrong at Dream Club.

PS3 Ryu Ga Gotoku 4 - Arriving on Monday

NCS Preorder Update
«©NCSX» Our main Japanese distributor received Ryu Ga Gotoku 4 last night and our entire allocation has shipped from Tokyo. NCS expects the parcels to arrive on Monday and all preorders and new orders will ship on Monday afternoon. According to the supplier, they were able to include a 60% ratio of the bonus Kamutai Magazine Vol. 4 which we'll give away to early preorders.

Fresh from his stint as proprietor of the Morning Glory orphanage in Ryu Ga Gotoku 3, Kiryu Kazuma steps back into the neon-lit world of the Yakuza. In the fourth Ryu Ga Gotoku game, Kiryu is accompanied by three cohorts named Masayoshi Tanimura, Shun Akiyama and Taiga Saejima. The four thuggish heroes enjoy their own storylines in the game and their escapades intertwine as the adventure unfolds. The base of operations for Kiryu and friends are the seedy streets of Kamurocho which is populated by Yakuza who ply their trade in houses of vice. Sega expands Kamurocho by allowing the exploration of the rooftops and the sewers for an added dimension of realism and mobility.