Xenoblade Chronicles is Europe-only

Xenoblade was released in Japan last summer and NCS described the game thusly:

Two monolithic gods once went to war and a great battle ensued which shook the planet and roiled the heavens. Swords were swung by both sides and massive damage was done whereby both gods died from their wounds. That was a while ago but the dead hulks of both gods still stand on the battlefield facing each other. The eerie goliaths now serve as the "continents" for two races - humans live on one god which was once a living being while sentient machines reside on the other god which was a mechanical monstrosity. As the story in Xenoblade begins, the humans and machines are at odds and a new conflict is in progress.

The game was a Japanese exclusive for about a year but it's making a trip to Europe where Nintendo plans on releasing the game on September 2, 2011. The European localization will be packaged with a crimson Classic Controller Pro. How about North America? Will the Americans get a localization of the game? That's a big "NO" for now as Nintendo stated on their Facebook page:

Nintendo: Thank you for your enthusiasm. We promised an update, so here it is. We never say “never,” but we can confirm that there are no plans to bring these three games to the Americas at this time. Thanks so much for your passion, and for being such great fans!

The other two games that Ninty has no plans on bringing to North America are The Last Story and Pandora’s Tower. Gamers may try importing Xenoblade Chronicles but if your Wii's firmware has been updated recently, the Freeloader (A region-circumvention boot disc from Datel) won't work anymore. One solution is firmware hacking which allows the use of import games from Japan and Europe on the Wii. In the case of Xenoblade Chronicles which will is a PAL-format game, please be advised that not all PAL Wii games can be forced to play on NTSC Wii consoles despite the firmware hacks that are available in the wild.

RRJ-Romain Jerome: Space Invaders shake up the watchmaking world!

Psst !… Don’t spread the news, but they are already among us: since first landing on our planet in 1978, the SPACE INVADERS® have colonised our world to the point of imposing their subliminal image on the collective unconscious of millions of human beings – many of them cured from their youthful game addiction only by the fact of reaching a more mature age…

RJ-Romain Jerome, in connivance with TAITO Corporation (TAITO) is becoming an accomplice of this incursion by agreeing to create two 78-piece limited series in honour of these SPACE INVADERS. Reality at last surpasses fiction.

Manuel Emch, CEO of RJ-Romain Jerome, freely admits to belonging to the generation of former SPACE INVADERS junkies. The game has become a legend for all those who grew up in the 80s, since it was the first « Killer app » for video game consoles installed in gaming arcades. The SPACE INVADERS craze even led to a shortage of 100-yen coins when it was first released in Japan. SPACE INVADERS with its pixelated figures was the first ever « iconic » form of entertainment: thousands of hours of TV programs and hundreds of cultural exhibitions have been devoted to this generational « legend ».

So why a SPACE INVADERS limited series from RJ-Romain Jerome ? One possible response – although the truth doubtless lies elsewhere – is that no other brand could have risked such a daring evocation of this epoch-making video legend. By agreement with TAITO Corporation (TAITO), RJ-Romain Jerome is paying tribute to late-20th century pop culture by launching a double limited-edition of SPACE INVADERS watches, designed like generational totems. By allowing the SPACE INVADERS to proliferate on the dial of these watches, Manuel Emch is proudly proclaiming the brand’s resolutely standout mission within the fine arts of contemporary watchmaking.

Inheriting the highly distinctive case of the Moon Invader series (a round shape within a cambered 46 mm square, with a round front and an almost rectangular back), the SPACE INVADERS have also kept the same steel coalesced with fragments from the Apollo 11 capsule. It is no coincidence that this case is designed like a strongbox, or even like a space vessel capable of travelling great distances, since that kind of vehicle is exactly what is needed to facilitate the SPACE INVADERS colonisation of our daily lives.

The four functional ball-and-socket joints of this rounded squares are cut like the pivoting « feet » of the lunar landing modules of the American lunar missions. These extremely sophisticated components mounted on axles anchored in the case hold the lugs of the rubber straps and enable the watch to adjust to all kinds of wrist sizes.

The RJ security screws (stamped with four cup marks), representing the SPACE INVADERS signature feature, are echoed on the functional movement-locking screw on the case-back. They confirm both the legendary universe and the distinctive RJ design codes.

Embodying another tangible token of the space age symbolised by this new SPACE INVADERS collection, a dedicated plate made of Moon SilverRJ– a silver alloy with an extremely low oxidisation rate incorporating moon rocks – appears on the stellar-patterned back of the watch. This engraved plate reproduces the lunar surface, of which the mineral particles interact on an infra-molecular level with the wearer of the watch. The veined pattern and grainy texture also extend along the rubber strap.

The two 78-piece limited series are distinguished by their dial. The latter is composed of three layers of pixelated and shotpeened dies featuring hand-drawn file strokes. The 3.5 mm-sized SPACE INVADERS are lacquered in different colours (« day » version) or coated with Superluminova (« night » version), each individually machined and hand-applied. These invaders are a playful nod that transforms these watches into inspired talking pieces capable of creating ties based on natural affinities between the people wearing them – and who in doing so consciously adopt this humorous and original way of thumbing their noses at classic watchmaking conventions. A new contemporary and generational legend is born…

ABOUT TAITO CORPORATION
TAITO Corporation (TAITO) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. With headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, TAITO operates core businesses such as game arcade operations, coin-operated game machines, and mobile phone content services. A seminal part of gaming history, TAITO caused a worldwide sensation with its arcade legend, SPACE INVADERS®, and developed such fan favorites as PUZZLE BOBBLE® (BUST-A-MOVE®) and ARKANOID®. Today, TAITO continues to thrill game lovers of all generations by offering both classic and new family-oriented titles on the latest gaming platforms. TAITO delivers a wide range of entertainment experiences with the goal of providing consumers with fresh surprises and new discoveries. More information on TAITO can be found on the Internet at http://www.taito.com/.

ABOUT SPACE INVADERS®
Planned, developed, and released by TAITO Corporation (TAITO), the 1978 arcade game SPACE INVADERS® became an instant global phenomenon. Today, its iconic characters frequently appear both in licensed projects worldwide and as TAITO’s corporate mascots.
TAITO is the exclusive owner of the global intellectual property rights, including copyrights and trademarks, for SPACE INVADERS and its characters, and takes an active role regarding new SPACE INVADERS-related enterprises.

©TAITO CORPORATION 1978, 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

3DS Tales of the Abyss - New Import

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» Lead heroes Luke fone Fabre and Tear Grants are joined by a supporting cast in a story which ties together ancient prophecies, factions, and the possible re-release of a wafting terror. The battle system is dubbed the Flexible-Range Linear Motion Battle System where the fighters are able to wander the battlefield after blows and magic attacks. The environments in Abyss are interactive - trees may be felled to create bridges to cross bodies of water and rocks may be destroyed to gain passage to other parts of the game world. Mini games in Abyss include kitchen detail where dishes ordered by customers are shuffled out by pressing the proper buttons, a card game, and other games of chance held inside a casino. Early preorders will include a Dramatic CD which is being given away in 50% ratio.

PSP To Heart 2 Dungeon Travelers - New Import

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» Aquaplus originally released To Heart 2 Dungeon Travelers on the PC in December 2009 as a fan disc. The PSP conversion of the game throws in new characters and full voice acting for added value. 

   Dungeon Travelers is an honest-to-goodness dungeon exploration game which hearkens back to the days of Wizardry, Bard's Tale and Dungeon Master. The perspective of the party is first-person and the dungeon walls scroll by fluidly as the adventurers travel through the labyrinths. Treasure chests may be found and plundered, enemies encountered and fought, and fellow travelers can be met in the dungeons.

PS3 Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition - New Import

NCS Product Synopsis

«©NCSX» Four new brawlers are joining the SFIV ranks this summer when Capcom releases Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition on the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. Who are the new combatants?

» Evil Ryu
» Oni
» Yang
» Yun
 

   In addition to the new fighters, Capcom's re-balancing the game, throwing in new costumes, and adding the "Enhanced Endless Battle" mode for player-customized online battles and a new Replay Mode dubbed Elite Channel. Reservations for the PS3 version (on disc) are shipping today at JPY3800 or US$46.90 from NCS.

X360 Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition - New Import

NCS Product Synopsis

«©NCSX» Four new brawlers are joining the SFIV ranks this summer when Capcom releases Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition on the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. Who are the new combatants?

» Evil Ryu
» Oni
» Yang
» Yun
 

   In addition to the new fighters, Capcom's re-balancing the game, throwing in new costumes, and adding the "Enhanced Endless Battle" mode for player-customized online battles and a new Replay Mode dubbed Elite Channel. The game features a total of 39 characters and all of the new playable characters are unlocked and playable at the outset including the twin brothers Yun and Yang, Oni, and, Evil Ryu. Reservations for the X360 version (on disc) are shipping today at JPY3800 or US$46.90 from NCS.

3DS Ryoume De Unou O Kitaeru: 3D Sokudoku Jutsu - Preorder

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» Scenario: You can read Japanese but you're slow like a little kid who stumbles around in a romper room. You want to read faster.
Solution: Milestone's Ryoume De Unou O Kitaeru:3D Sokudoku Jutsu speed reading software for the Nintendo DS which is capable of helping users read up to 2-10 times faster than normal. By training readers to exercise their eyes and maximize the use of the ciliary muscle in the vascular layer of the eye, reams of text are consumed in the blink of an... eye. In addition to the training portion of the software, users may also take quizzes, play mini-games, and also check out the Quick Mode for a refresher on reading quicker. Preorders are welcome to ship on Aug 25.

3DS Nightmare Puzzle: Crush 3D - Import Preorder

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» Explore a world which may be toggled from 3D to 2D and vice versa so the intrepid protagonist can flip switches, solve puzzles, and clear stages. The 3D capabilities of the 3DS add a new wrinkle to this platform puzzle game. Preorders ship on Sept 8, 2011.

PS3 Dunamis 15 - Import Preorder

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» Sometime in the near future, a nuclear explosion has rained  genetic mutations upon the populace. Far away from the discord and changing humanity, the Ceres School is located on the peaceful and secluded island of Dunamis Base. In the school, the student body is made up entirely of clones who weren't affected by the nuclear dismay. One day, a top student named Tōgo Takatsuki is running to class when he smacks into a girl. Apologetic and startled by the encounter, Togo and his friends are about to see their lives flip upside down.
   Dunamis 15 is an interactive adventure which is presented in visual novel style across five chapters of human drama. During the adventure, the vantage point of the game switches between the five main characters so that players get to view the adventure from different perspectives. Preorders are welcome to ship on Sept 15, 2011.

X360 Dunamis 15 - Import Preorder

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» Sometime in the near future, a nuclear explosion has rained  genetic mutations upon the populace. Far away from the discord and changing humanity, the Ceres School is located on the peaceful and secluded island of Dunamis Base. In the school, the student body is made up entirely of clones who weren't affected by the nuclear dismay. One day, a top student named Tōgo Takatsuki is running to class when he smacks into a girl. Apologetic and startled by the encounter, Togo and his friends are about to see their lives flip upside down.
   Dunamis 15 is an interactive adventure which is presented in visual novel style across five chapters of human drama. During the adventure, the vantage point of the game switches between the five main characters so that players get to view the adventure from different perspectives. Preorders are welcome to ship on Sept 15, 2011.

X360 Rise of Nightmares - Import Preorder

Publisher's Product Synopsis
   An unashamedly mature title in a sea of family-friendly offerings on Kinect for the first time, Rise of Nightmares takes you into a cinematic world of horrific blood and violence.

• Use your whole body to fight the undead horde with physical brutality.
• Navigate through Viktor's castle with free movement control, uncover the secrets held within and delve deeper into his the mind of a madman.
• Master the different fighting styles and various weapons, stealthy sneaking and puzzle-solving.
• A full, cinematic gaming experience set in a twisted and astonishing world that grips you from the very start.
• Rise of Nightmares is an intensely immersive experience that brings horror to life like never before.

TOYS Freezing: Ingrid Bernstein Ver. 1/4 Scale Figure - Preorder

Manufacturer's Product Synopsis
    The 'Guardian of Order' will find it hard to keep order in these clothes!
    Another sexy figure from the popular anime and manga series 'Freezing', this time of Ingrid Bernstein, also wearing a super sexy shirt and net stockings!

    She is sculpted in FREEing's popular 1/4th scale size, which really captures all of her unique features, and shows off her stunning body in all its glory. The net stockings are made using real material, giving that familiar realistic feeling the FREEing 1/4th scale figures are known for - it'll be tough for her to keep order while looking like this! Preorders ship in January 2012 at JPY14095 or US$208.90.

TOYS Queens Blade Echidna 1/4.5 Polyresin Figure - Preorder

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» In the Queen's Blade mythology, Echidna is a pouty-mouth warrior maiden who possesses pendulous bosoms. She's normally refined and highly dignified in her appearance but she's more ribald than regal in A+'s 1/4.5 scale polyresin interpretation which is sculpted by Gigantes.
   Echidna's face features a leering expression where her eyes appear to be gloating and her lips are pursed into a pout. The figure is accompanied by a pair of snakes - one of which is wrapped around her neck and another which is wrapped around her waist. Echidna's armor captures her bosom (barely) but it may be removed so the girls are visible to the world. The figure is sculpted to 1/4.5 scale and measures 12cm (W) x 20.50cm (H) x 10.40cm (D) in dimension. Preorders are welcome to ship in late December 2011 at JPY17800 or US$239.90. 

TOYS Nendoroid Petit: Fate/Stay Night Extension Set - Preorder

New servants are being summoned into the Nendoroid world!
   From Fate/stay Night comes an extension set including Nendoroid Petites of Saber Alter, Archer, Lancer and Caster, as well as a Nendoroid of Berserker!

   Archer comes with the swords Kanshou and Bakuya as well as his bow, whileall the other servants come with their specific weapons to wield. Saber Alter's mask can be attached and removed, and Caster can be displayed both wearing her hood and without it. Combine this set with the original set of Nendoroid Petite Fate/stay Night characters and recreate the Holy Grail War right on your desk! Preorders are welcome to ship in late December 2011 at JPY4571 or US$73.90.

Volkswagen: The Dark Side

Afro Cookie

Japanese Cookie pays homage to the afro. 

MAG Weekly Famitsu Vol. 1177 - New Import

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» The July 7, 2011 issue of Weekly Famitsu includes coverage of the following games and events in the Japanese marketplace:

» Preview of the Playstation Vita which is being priced at JPY24980 for the Wi-Fi version and JPY29980 for the 3G/Wi-Fi variant.
» PSP Project Diva ver. 2.5 and PS3 Dreamy Theater 2nd previews.
» Reviews for NDS Ohanaya-San Monogatari (7/6/7/6), PSP To Heart 2 Dungeon Travelers (8/7/8/7), PSP Shutsugeki! Otometachi no Senjou 2 Ikusabana no Kizuna (5/5/6/5), 3DS Tales of the Abyss (8/8/7/8).
» Scoop on PS3/X360 Final Fantasy XIII-2 which ships in December.
» Special feature on Japanese snack foods and game-related tie-ins.
» Continuing coverage on PS3 Ryu ga Gotoku Of the End which checks out bosses, key events, sub-stories, and storyboards.
» Sandwiches from McDonald's and Lotteria are presented along with treats from First Kitchen, KFC, Freshness Burger, and Mos Burger in this week's PICK UP FOOD section.

TRC Juicy Honey AVC 17 Trading Cards - Import Preorder

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» Reservations are welcome for Mint's upcoming Juicy Honey AVC 17 Trading Card set which features three JAV idols as follows:

» Aino Kishi
» Tsubasa Amani
» Akie Harada

   Akie is a newcomer to the Juicy Honey fold and she's a fresh-faced contender for the hearts of JAV aficionados. Each factory sealed box of cards contains 12 packs which in turn contain 8 cards each for a total of 96 cards in every box. Preorders are welcome to ship on or around September 03, 2011 at JPY6300 or US$86.90 from NCS.

TOYS Hello Kitty Mega Monster Cosplay - Preorder

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» The ever-versatile Hello Kitty is molded into eight monsters courtesy of the magic of cosplay. By wearing costumes, Kitty becomes a skeleton, a paunchy vampire with a cowlick, a ghost, a witch accompanied by a traditional broom, a mummy, and more. Each figure measures approximately 7cm tall although Witch Kitty towers over everyone a little more thanks to her hat.

   Preorders are welcome to ship in September 2011 at JPY4800 or US$63.90. The figures are packaged in complete sets of 8 in a window box so that every Kitty monster is visible.  

TOYS To Heart 2 X-Rated Tamaki Kousaka Purple - Preorder

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» There is a lot of Tamaki Kousaka in Japan. A lot. The headstrong heroine from To Heart 2 has been rendered into a number of toy figures which have sold well in the past few years. Griffon apparently feels that the Tamaki market hasn't reached the saturation point yet and they're releasing the To Heart 2 X Rated Kousaka Tamaki Shitagi Ver. Alice Purple Color later this year.
   Tamaki bares herself by posing like a swimsuit model and she's clad in a dark purple bikini top and bottom. Her stockings are a lighter shade of purple which run up to her thighs. If the figure could speak, we'd imagine she'd mouth, "Giselle ain't got nothin' on me." or something like that. Tamaki in purple is sculpted to 1/7 scale and measures 11cm or 4.33" tall in her seated position. Preorders are welcome to ship in late September 2011 at JPY6800 or US$98.90.

TOYS Movie Masterpiece Captain America - Import Preorder

Hot Toys is proud to present the Captain America 12-inch Figure from the upcoming summer blockbuster Captain America: The First Avenger movie. The movie-accurate collectible is specially crafted based on the image of Chris Evans as Captain America in his hero costume in the movie, highlighting the newly developed head sculpt, highly detailed costume and weapons.

• Stands approximately 30 cm tall
• Helmeted head
• Muscular body with over 30 points of articulations
• Hand-painted, movie-accurate facial expression with detailed wrinkles and skin texture
• Nine (9) pieces of interchangeable gloved palms including:
• One (1) pair of palms for holding shield
• One (1) pair of palms for wielding shield
• One (1) right palm for holding gun
• One (1) pair of relaxed palms
• One (1) pair of fists
• One (1) blue and off-white jacket with embossed pattern as well as stars in chest and arms
• One (1) pair of grey and red suspenders
• One (1) pair of blue pants
• One (1) brown faux-leather belt with pouches and pistol sheath
• One (1) pair of brown boots
• One (1) metallic electroplated shield
• One (1) machine gun
• One (1) pistol
• Figure stand with Captain America nameplate and movie logo

TOYS Space Invaders 30th Anniversay Magnets - In Stock

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» Taito celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Space Invaders franchise in 2008 and the company released an assortment of merchandise to fete the occasion. It was all the way back in 1978 when Tomohiro Nishikado designed the game which featured a contingent of invading aliens opposed by a single cannon. Arrayed across the heavens, the marauders marched downwards in slow and deliberate fashion. However, as their numbers dwindled due to the unerring marksmanship of the defender below, the march would ramp up to a fervent staccato. When the battle came down to one-on-one, the last invader would perform a maniac's march in an attempt to stamp out resistance. It would fail... but the waves would replenish themselves anew, leaving the lone cannon in an unenviable position...

   One of the products that Taito released in 2008 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Space Invaders was a collection of refrigerator magnets. Each factory case contains a total of 20 magnets which feature five types (UFO, three aliens, and the cannon) in four color variations. Each magnet measures approximately 3cm square and adheres to metallic surfaces such as refrigerators, PC cases, stoves, and more.

» Cannon (White, Clear, Red, Black)
» Space Invader 10-points (White, Clear, Red, Black)
» Space Invader 20-points (White, Clear, Red, Black)
» Space Invader 30-points (White, Clear, Red, Black)
» UFO Mystery (White, Clear, Red, Black)

   New orders are welcome to ship today at US$49.90 per factory sealed box of 20 magnets.  

GEAR Playstation Microfiber Towel - New Import, In Stock

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» Taito releases three Playstation-themed micro fiber towels which may be used for drying, covering, or swaddling as follows:

» White Playstation button-stream design
» Playstation Portable on blue background
» Playstation buttons on black background

   Each towel measures 70cm or 27.55" long. New orders are welcome.

TOYS Ocean Animals 3D Crystal Puzzles - New Import, In Stock

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» The animals of the ocean are the subjects of interest in Japanese toy manufacturer Epoch's new collection of 3D puzzles. Not just any 3D puzzles however... crystal 3D puzzles. Six ocean animals are featured in the set as follows:

» Manta Ray - A bat-shaped creature that feeds through filtration
» Hammerhead Shark - The oddly shaped head gives it binocular vision
» Dolphin - Cetacean which is probably smarter than most humans
» Shark - Menacing creature of the deep with a jagged multi-toothed bite
» Killer Whale - Related to the dolphin and also known as Orca
» Humpback Whale - Large and playful creature which eats krill

   Each 3D puzzle measures approximately 8cm in length and is made up of at roughly 8 pieces which lock and fit together to create the animals shown in the product solicitation flyer. Two samples are in our gallery.

NEWS Japanese Release Outlook - Arrivals on Thursday

NDS	Nanami no Oshiete Eibunpou DS	Media5
	Ohanaya-San Monogatari	Columbia
	Kaidan Restaurant: Zoku! Shin Menu 100-Sen	Bandai
3DS	Tales of the Abyss	Namco
PS3	Initial D: Extreme Stage - PS3 the Best Reprint	Sega
	Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition	Capcom
PSP	Elminage III: Ankoku no Shito to Yaiyou	Starfish
	Initial D: Street Stage - PSP the Best Reprint	Sega
	Mashiro Iro Symphony *mutsu-no-hana	Comfort
	To Heart 2 Dungeon Travelers	Aqua+
	To Heart 2 Dungeon Travelers Limited Edition	Aqua+
360	Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition	Capcom

PS3 Bleach: Soul Ignition - New Import, In Stock

From the Publisher
   At last the popular manga/anime series makes its way to the PlayStation®3 platform! There are numerous anime-based video games, but many fall short in gameplay. Bleach: Soul Ignition; however, faithfully represents the anime series with its beautiful cel-shaded graphics and combines it with amazing gameplay. The game style is simple enough for action game beginners, yet has enough features to satisfy hardcore players. The game follows the battle against the evil Arrancars, but there are times when you will be able to play as the enemy. This is especially exciting if you follow the manga closely, since you can be characters in the manga that are normally forgotten after being defeated.
   Bleach: Soul Ignition gives players the sensation of single-handedly destroying an army of monsters and evil spirits with lightning-fast swordfighting action. Gamers can re-live the experiences of various characters from the anime by closely following the original story.

Wii Earth Seeker - New Import, In Stock

NCS Product Synopsis

«©NCSX» Planet Earth is done. Toast. It's gotten to the point where it can no longer sustain life so the remaining humans decide to take to the heavens and find a new home. A convoy of ships sail away from Earth and into the cosmos. While on their journey to find a new planet, one particular spacecraft housing the protagonist's party develops a situation, suffers difficulties and dives into a somewhat hospitable world. Once planetside, the machinery on the ship begins the process of terra-forming the new world but the machinery's slightly damaged due to the crash which is causing the newly formed flora and fauna to become slightly wonky, monstrous, and irregular. 
   In Earth Seeker, the story kicks off a millennia after the crash landing and players take control of a party who teams up with the planet's Guardians to fight aggressive monsters created during the terra-forming. With help from the Guardians, the bloodthirsty giant creatures that roam the world are fought, beaten down, and repelled away from what the humans are to establish - a kinder, gentler planet upon which they can settle and thrive. Although the Guardians are resentful of what the humans have done to their planet. they're grudgingly welcoming and are willing to help the wayfarers cohabitate in their world in exchange for hard liquor. The devil's drink has a purpose when farming new worlds...

PS3 Meruru no Atelier Arland no Renkinjutsu 3 - New Import

NCS Preorder Synopsis

«©NCSX» Alchemists tend to stick together and in the third Arland no Renkinjutsu game, Totori from the Atelier Totori game is training the new protagonist Meruru to become a proper alchemy practitioner. Meruru's adventure represents the conclusive chapter in the Arland series and Gust brings back characters from the first and second Arland games for a proper swansong.
   Meruru Rede Arls is a fledgling alchemist who has been tasked with the challenge of building up the country of Earls into something that's comparable to the land of Arland. She's not lone in her mission however. Her party also includes Totori Helmond and a transformed Rorona Fryxell. Rorona is now a younger girl due to a mishap involving a potion that Meruru crafted and Rorona quaffed. Together, the party travels the land, creates new items, and aids the citizenry. With successful completion of tasks and assignments, the party earns points which are used to construct building in Earls to bolster the wherewithal of the kingdom.

PSP Gundam Memories: The Memory Of Battle - New Import

NCS Product Synopsis

«©NCSX» Bandai has followed a simple formula in its previous Gundam Battle game incursions - players control one mech who ventures forward into the heat of battle across a series of missions. With responsive controls, fluid gameplay, and nonstop action, the Gundam Battle games appealed to fans and spawned series sequel after sequel. In the new Gundam Memories, Bandai tries a whole other tack in the gameplay where three mechs are selected before a mission and the mechs may be swapped on-the-fly during firefights thank to the "MS-Shift System." The game features mechs from Gundam series such as

» Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn
» Mobile Suit Gundam OO
» Mobile Suit Gundam Char's Counterattack
» Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny
» Mobile Suit Gundam W Endless Waltz
» Mobile Suit Gundam After War X
» Mobile Suit Gundam Zeta A New Translation
... and more.

   By switching between a trio of mechs during a mission, players may adapt to battlefield conditions quickly when the carnage calls for a new suit of armor. This game is also known as Gundam Memories Tatakai no Kioku. Japanese product title: ガンダム　メモリーズ～戦いの記憶～

NEWS General Updates

Shooting Gameside Vol. 2    The second volume of Shooting Gameside magazine ships from the publisher next week and reservations are welcome. Please note that due to special arrangements required for this item, we may not receive the magazine until the first week of July. Games featured in the magazine include the Gradius series of games including Parodius and Otomedius and the continuation of a feature on Taito's ZUNTATA Sound Team.

Space Invaders Magnets - Monday    We received a shipment of individually boxed Space Invaders Magnets which were originally released in 2008 to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Space Invaders. We'll post up photos and offer them for sale on Monday in factory boxes of 20 magnets each.

Japanese Import Toys    A batch of toys arrived yesterday including various Ikkitousen figures and the Ocean Animal 3D Crystal Puzzles from Epoch. Most of the figures are already sold out but we'll post up what's currently still available on Monday's website update.

PS3 Meruru no Atelier Arland no Renkinjutsu 3 Premium Box

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» Alchemists tend to stick together and in the third Arland no Renkinjutsu game, Totori from the Atelier Totori game is training the new protagonist Meruru to become a proper practitioner.

   The limited edition of Meruru no Atelier Arland no Renkinjutsu 3 includes a blue crystal paperweight, a Meruru Petit Nendoroid, and an Atelier Meruru Drama CD. Preorders for the limited edition are shipping today but please note the regular edition will ship tomorrow.

NEWS General Updates

Delayed Shipment    A shipment that was delayed in transit from Tokyo has been rescheduled for delivery tomorrow. Preorders for PS3 Bleach Soul Ignition and others will be processed and shipped on Friday.

Space Invaders Magnets    We received a shipment of individually boxed Space Invaders Magnets which were originally released in 2008 to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Space Invaders. We'll post up photos and offer them for sale tomorrow in factory boxes of 20 magnets each.

Oil Breaking Down    Oil's Potential Death Spiral: Oil $91.15 -$4.26 -4.46%

ETC Official CARS 2 movie trailer in LEGO

Official CARS 2 movie trailer in LEGO from Pascal Blais Animation Studio on Vimeo.

ETC Bruins Beverage Chart

ETC Suicidal Cat

I took this in the mid­dle of the night on Ed and Frans balcony. I loved both of the cats, but they were incredibly suicidal all the time. They actually fought and chased each other on this railing, and as you can see its pretty damn fucking high. My heart always skipped a beat when I saw them doing this, but Ed told me its OK. loco gatos potones!»

By Crazy Ivory.

NEWS General Updates

Hodge-Podge    There's not much going on so we've thrown up a hodge-podge of content from around the interwebs today.

Possible Delayed Shipment    This week's import shipments were dispatched last night from Tokyo but one of the deliveries might be delayed. We'll update again tomorrow.

3DS Pokemon Scramble    Preorders are still welcome.

TOYS Transformers Encore 20: G1 Devastator - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» Reservations are welcome for the Transformers Encore 20: G1 Devastator which is scheduled to ship late in 2011. Please note the photo to the left was provided by the Japanese distributor and shows the original release of the toy. The Transformers Encore update of the toy (in a box set) will probably look different. Takara did release a photo of the new set which shows the six robots in vehicle form, in robot form, and in combination form but warned that anyone posting it up would result in some sort of action... so we'll refrain. Preorders are welcome to ship in late November 2011 at JPY10,000 or US$139.90 from NCS.

TOYS Star Wars Homestar R2-D2 - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» In the Star Wars movies, R2-D2 is capable of projecting holograms from its rotating dome. That's sort of the idea in Sega's upcoming R2-D2 rendition of its popular Homestar planetarium gadget. Plant R2 on the floor, flip the switch and the little droid shoots out a projection of a star system on the ceiling.

   If you're the type who enjoys sleeping under the stars, the Homestar R2-D2 gives nappers a night time show that almost like lying down in a meadow on a crystal clear night while staring upwards into the heavens. Preorders are welcome to ship in October 2011 at JPY6500 ($98.90).

TOYS Kasugano Sora Alter Version - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» In the Yosuga no Sora game which was followed by the manga and animation, two orphans named Haruka Kasugano and Sora Kasugano go to live with their grandparents. Brother Haruka
hearkens back to the past in an effort to remember and hold onto what once was. On the other hand, Sora lives in the present and uses her sibling as a sort of crutch. Her body is sickly and weak so she relies as Haruka to be her everything which includes thoughts of a sexual nature. Two sides of the same coin, the Kasuganos rely on each other to withstand the rigors of each day.

   Japanese toy manufacturer Kotobukiya has already started preorders for a rendition of Sora in a swimsuit and Alter throws their hat into the Sora Kasugano trade with a fully clothed figure. Sora appears somewhat angelic and swishes her dress like Marilyn Monroe used to do. She's depicted in a pale pallor which reflects her sickly and frail nature. The figure is sculpted by Houjin Otoyama to 1/8 scale and measures 20cm or 7.87" tall. Preorders are welcome to ship in late November 2011.