PSP Idol Janshi Suchie Pai IV Portable - New Import

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» Jaleco originally released Suchie Pai IV on the Playstation in 2007 and they're giving the game another chance on the PSP this week. The redhead named Suchie Pai S and her trademark Hissatsu Suchie Stick serves as the hostess for the game where she'll twirl, sparkle, and look fetching as the mahjong action plays out. She's on your side and will do her best to make sure the game goes your way - even going so far as destroying an opponent's winning tile to give the player another chance. De-facto artist of the Suchie Pai series Kenichi Sonoda also returns with a bevy of new illustrations and outfits for the girls to wear.

The setting of Suchie-Pai 4 is Akihabara in Tokyo and the mahjong action takes place in seven eateries located around town. There's the posh Cafe Gentry, the casual coffee shop dubbed You & Me, and the utilitarian Hell & Heaven where the MJ-playing girls work and perfect their craft. At the outset, Suchie Pai S engages the player in a practice mahjong session before the action commences. In our trial game this morning, the first opponent that appeared was Reiko with a stash of 25,000. After throwing out a few useless tiles, we spotted a good one and then another one to complete our hand and win the first game in 2 minutes flat...

The PSP conversion of Suchie Pai IV includes a brand new character designed by Kenichi Sonoda, updated graphics and animations, and a new "Free Mode."

PSP Idol Janshi Suchie Pai IV Portable Limited - New Import

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» Jaleco originally released Suchie Pai IV on the Playstation in 2007 and they're giving the game another chance on the PSP this week. The redhead named Suchie Pai S and her trademark Hissatsu Suchie Stick serves as the hostess for the game where she'll twirl, sparkle, and look fetching as the mahjong action plays out. She's on your side and will do her best to make sure the game goes your way - even going so far as destroying an opponent's winning tile to give the player another chance. De-facto artist of the Suchie Pai series Kenichi Sonoda also returns with a bevy of new illustrations and outfits for the girls to wear.

The setting of Suchie-Pai 4 is Akihabara in Tokyo and the mahjong action takes place in seven eateries located around town. There's the posh Cafe Gentry, the casual coffee shop dubbed You & Me, and the utilitarian Hell & Heaven where the MJ-playing girls work and perfect their craft.

The PSP conversion of Suchie Pai IV includes a brand new character designed by Kenichi Sonoda, updated graphics and animations, and a new "Free Mode." The limited edition includes a special Drama CD featuring the voice actresses from the game and a slipcase which holds the PSP game and Drama CD in a compact container.

CDM Sengoku Basara 3 Original Soundtracks - New Import

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» Japanese gamers got to enjoy Sengoku Basara 3 a couple of weeks ago. They also listened to the songs in the game as they hacked and slashed at legions of enemies upon Warring States battlefields. If those gamers are hankering for the music that they hear whilst playing, they'll be able to purchase the official soundtrack for the game this week.
Sony Music releases the Sengoku Basara 3 Original Soundtracks which contains a total of 62 tracks which are crowded onto two CDs. The composer Kow Otani has created music for numerous projects in animation and film but we know him for his stellar work on the Shadow of the Colossus soundtrack. Otani's main theme song for Basara 3 is "「絆」「志」「命」(Bonds, Will, Life)" which has got a casual military vibe. The opening cinema song in the game is "Naked Arms" by T.M. Revolution and the ending theme is "'逆光' Gyakukou (Backlight)" by Chiaki Ishikawa. «View Complete Tracklist»

CDM King of Fighters XIII Original Soundtrack - New Import

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» SNK's latest take on the King of Fighters franchise was released a few weeks ago in arcades across Japan. We're going to assume that SNK will allow arcade operators at least 4 months to make their money back before releasing a home conversion. So, we're going to pinpoint the November-to- December frame for a King of Fighters XIII PS3/X360 release. Until then however, we'll be able to listen to the music of KOFXIII this week and revel in the gracious melodies.

KOF lovers can listen to tracks such as "Arashi no Saxophone V (Yagami Team Theme)" that's jazzy and peppy or the energetic "Who is Queen? [Women Team Theme]" which could double as the theme song for a kitschy TV comedy-drama... from the 1970s. The soundtrack spans 2 CDs and contains a total of 83 minutes of smooth-sounding tunes. «Tracklist»

ETC FFVII Advent Children Sephiroth Eau de Toilette - New

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» Sephiroth sort of looks like a lady with his long silver hair, slender frame, and chiseled features. Even though his appearance is feminine, we'd never pin him as someone who'd dab some eau de toilette behind the ears. He's too uppity and savage for that. Nevertheless, Square Enix has decided that Sephiroth needs a scent and bottles of Sephiroth eau de toilette have been unleashed on the Japanese populace this week.

Each shiny black bottle contains 50ml of scented liquid and is made of nickel-plated glass. A zinc alloy strap is tethered to each bottle. The eau de toilette contains the essences of apple, plum, bergamot citrus, peach, and pineapple followed by freesia, lily of the valley, rose, jasmine, orchid, iris, and cyclamen. The base scent is cedarwood, sandalwood, and musk for a light fruity fragrance that has the bouquet of a musky forest after a damp evening. Or something like that. All preorders are shipping today.

NEWS General Updates

Obon Holiday Japanese vendors are observing the Obon holiday which runs from August 13 to the 16th. During the holiday, Japanese folks pay respects to their ancestors and reminisce about the good old days. Many of our suppliers won't be back at work until August 17 but PS3 Another Century's Episode R should arrive on August 19 as originally scheduled.

Skipping Famitsu Last week's Famitsu was a double issue and no new periodical is shipping from Enterbrain this week.

Yen Intervention The Japanese yen hit 15 year highs against the dollar yesterday. We're just glad that the moonshot is happening during the summer when business is slow rather than the winter when trade becomes brisk. Sure, the dollar could break even lower than these pitiful lows but official intervention normally rides in like the cavalry around these levels.

NEWS S.W.C - Day 07 - Mon-sieur Bome 8

NCS Product Synopsis
Original Update: December 15, 2005
«©NCSX» Kaiyodo releases Monsieur Bome Collection Vol. 8 which features a version of KOS-MOS from the Xenosaga game. While not as beautifully sculpted and painted as the 1/8 scale variant of KOS-MOS from manufacturer Alta (which is also expected this week), the Mon-sieur Bome interpretation has its strengths. For one, KOS doesn't twist in the Bome version and stands straight, like a wooden plank, to allows for head-on viewing of her armor, arm coverings, and garters. From behind, KOS' blue locks flow in luxurious fashion. Similar to other Bome figures, KOS-MOS is tucked inside a standard blister pack with a mounting base for display purposes. A pistol is included for Kos-Mos to grip.

NCS Impressions
When we originally started preorders for this particular figure, Kaiyodo's photos made KOS appear chunky instead of her usual svelte self. Now that we have the figure in hand, we can confirm that KOS is still svelte with a curvy arch that starts at the small of her back and rides up to her laid-back shoulders. The sculpt is beautifully chiseled with KOS' dainty features surrounded by shocks of blue hair that seemingly frame her face. Her helmet and body armor are painted on like a second skin - no bleeding, fading, or specks to ruin the illusion. Even the micro text etched on her helmet which reads "KOS MOS" is perfectly applied without bleed or fade problems. KOS measures 21cm or roughly 8.25" tall.

From the back of the blister package: Interview with BOME
There are thousands of models that I would like to make. But at the same time, there are thousands of reasons why I can't make them all. There are copyright issues, salability issues, and sometimes even technical issues preventing me from making some models; in short, there are all sorts of setbacks. But these setbacks give me all the more reason to think about all the models that I want to make. KOS-MOS is one of those models; I wanted to make her ever since I first saw her 4 years ago, but at the time I didn't feel like my technique could do her justice. But my desire to make her never wavered, and finally in 2005 I decided to go ahead with production. I threw an extra Zohar in there too - it's the base of the model, so feel free to do with it what you like.

NCS Sale Update: August 12, 2010
Pricing for NCS' remaining Bome KOS-MOS inventory is US$45.90 each which includes free UPS Ground shipping within the continental U.S.