Spongebob Sponge

The square-shaped rascal known as Spongebob Squarepants resides in the depths of Bikini Bottom and shuffles to his job as a fry cook each morning. Since Bob works in the kitchen, his sponge body proves useful when grease stains and a splattering of catsup needs mopping up. Sega takes the Spongebob character literally by creating four beefy sponges which are square-shaped and etched with the recognizable mug of the lovable cartoon hero. When a cup of mushy oatmeal is spilled on the kitchen floor, grab the (B) sponge which features the appropriate facial expression and soak up the mess with quick determination and ease. New orders are welcome to ship today. View larger photos for the sponges on the main NCSX website.

Star Wars R2-D2 Wastebasket

Japanese manufacturer Heart has started preorders for a wastebasket that's designed to look like the legendary R2D2 robot of Star Wars fame. Although the Heart Art Collection version of Artoo can't roll like the movie version or override computer systems, it can flip its dome to accept paper waste and other detritus. To pop R2-D2's top, step on the foot-lever at the base of the robot... just like any conventional wastebasket with foot powered mechanism. Trash-Can-R2-D2 measures 60cm or 23.62" tall which is about a foot shorter than the actual R2-D2 used in the Star Wars movies.

Pricing is set at Y14,800 or US$215 from NCS. Please note that the weight and size of this item will incur dimensional shipping freight from overseas and NCS' retail price reflects the import costs from Japan. View a larger photo for the wastebasket on the main NCSX website.

Mogitate Tingle Hints

For non Japanese-reading players
In the early part of the game when the old lady hands Tingle an easel and asks him to scribble, you’re supposed to doodle a few lines on the touchscreen map exactly where the shrine is located on the upper screen. Once done, the shrine is revealed on the overhead map. There’s a rudimentary battle system in the new Tingle game also where the green-clad hero runs into a creature and then a scrambling attack occurs. To help Tingle fight, tap on the beast with the stylus to damage it.

Phoenix Wright's Fifth Production

Capcom released the fourth reproduction of Phoenix Wright last month but today, NCS received copies of the game from the fifth reproduction of the game which shipped earlier this week. Needless to say, Phoenix Wright has ruled our domestic sales this year and is still going strong. The game features the courtroom antics of the title character who jousts with opposing counsel in dramatic screen shaking action. With sharp legalese and testy determination, Phoenix parries false accusations, uncovers perjury, and occasionally even schools the judge on case law. In the first case, Phoenix defends his friend Larry Butz against a murder charge where the lead witness has questionable intentions...

Eve: New Generation Deluxe Pack

The Deluxe Edition of Eve: New Generation includes three bonus items which are packaged in a laminated cardboard box as follows:

» A "Pictorial Stories" novella which features artwork by Eve series character designer Takashi Hashimoto.
» An Eve: New Generation drama CD which features an original scenario.
» Eve: New Generation temporary tattoos.

Five years have passed since Kojiroh Amagi and Marina Houjou tackled the adventure that took them to the Kingdom of Eldia as told in the original Eve game. Kojiroh's still a detective with trademark hair covering his eyes and Marina continues her work as a national intelligence agent. In addition to the deluxe edition of Eve: New Generation Zero, a regular edition is also in stock and shipping today.

Valhalla Knights

In an alternate reality where cities float and magic weaves through the world, humans, elves, dwarves, and hobbits populate the land and live in harmony. That is, until the monsters arrived. Led by a mighty horned dragon known as the "King of Monsters," paradise was lost and strife touched all corners of the world. The races of the world all marshaled for war and years of conflict raged across the land. The bloodshed endured until the hero Rastil led a party of warriors and beat the King of Monsters down in a climactic battle where the beast was sealed away. As it was contained, the blood of the King of Monsters seeped into the soil and cursed the world. From this dreary scenario, a young hero suffering from amnesia enters the world and hopes to recover his memory. Perhaps along the way, the hero will find a way to bring paradise back to the land.

Valhalla Knights plies the 3D role-playing trade with adequate visuals and conventional adventure game basics such as quests, character classes, level raising, and party members. The character creation system allows four primary classes - fighter, mage, priest, and thief. From these four foundation archetypes, other classes may be created such as archmage and samurai when a character levels up and attains skills and attributes. At the outset of the game, players may only select a male or female human as the protagonist but elves, dwarves, and hobbits are available for new characters that are created in the guild.

Mogitate Tingle no Barairo Rupee

The impish Tingle is a rupee collecting jester who travels around the land collecting coin. Light-footed and blessed with a joyful disposition, Tingle evokes feelings of revulsion love and appreciation from all who witness his greedy antics. In the NDS game Mogitate Tingle no Barairo Rupee Land, Tingle roams around the world collecting rupees in a bid to elevate a tower to the heavens where lovely ladies are generous with kisses and libations flow like Deer Park Spring Water. Rupees may be collected directly or obtained by trading in valuable items. Tingle may also go on missions to earn generous amounts of the shiny gem-like rupees. By throwing rupees into a magic pool of water at the center of the cylindrical tower, the spire rises ever higher into the sky to reach the paradise that Tingle so desires.

Super Operation Machine MG

Giant robot games such as Alchemic Drive and Tetsujin 28-go have enjoyed sizable audiences in recent years. Nintendo takes the concept to task in their interpretation of the robot controlling game with stylus control for a more hands-on approach. The robots in Super Operation Machine MG are called Marionette Gears which measure 30 meters tall. The MGs differ in look and function as well as the operation and control scheme. Once the handler steps into the cockpit of an MG, the controls are laid out on the touch screen with the ability to move the robot and attack by manipulating the levers, yokes, modified control pads, buttons, and other controls based on the type of MG at hand. Missions may consist of simple skirmishes while others feature races where an MG vehicle is used to beat competitors.