New Super Mario DS Plushes

New Super Mario Brothers was released on the Nintendo DS earlier this year and a few product tie-ins have already shipped to market such as the Mario tins and the Mario water games. This week, something a little more substantial ships to market. The New Super Mario DS plushes measure 16cm or 6.29" tall with soft bodies that may be squished. The three Goomba plushes differ from each other only in the caps that are sewn atop their noggins: Mario cap, Luigi cap, and Wario cap. The Toads are available in either red or green mushroom cap. All preorders will ship today and new orders are welcome. View larger photos for the plushes on the main NCSX website.

Nintendo DS Lite Strap Set

Anyone still on the fence about whether or not to purchase a Japanese NDS Lite at the price of US$189 has another option. An NDS Lite Strap that measures 30mm square (1.18") that costs a piddling US$3.66 each. Buy a whole bag of 'em and share them with school pals or the nice guy at the delicatessen who makes your peanut butter and banana sandwich just the way you like it. With extra chunky peanut butter.

Each miniature NDS Lite replica is hooked to a little ring that's tethered to one of six NDS game cartridges - Eigo ga Nigate na Otona no DS Training, Kanji Sonomama, Shunkan Puzz Loop, New Super Mario Bros (with properly colored yellow card case), Metroid Pinball, and Legend of Stafy 4. The ring is also linked to a strap for connecting to your cellphone. The original colors of the NDS Lite are featured in the set - Crystal White, Enamel Navy, and Ice Blue and two of each color are linked to the various NDS cartridges. All preorders are shipping today and new orders are welcome for complete sets of all 6 straps at US$20 per set. View larger photos for the straps on the main NCSX website.

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.