Ragnarok Online Jumbo Poring Plush

Fans of the MMORPG Ragnarok Online are well aware of the species known as Poring. For everyone else looking at the photo to the left, the words, "Teardrop-shaped blob of fluff" might be an apt description. Here's where NCS comes in to school you - the game world of Ragnarok Online is populated by the Poring beasties who tend to ignore humans and have a voracious appetite. They'll gobble things up but if slain, the gobbled thing is released into the world once again. The Poring tend to be regarded as cannon fodder since they put up little resistance against the stroke of a sword. For enterprising adventurers, a Poring may be kept as a familiar of sorts to gather items in the game world.

Since there is much love for the Poring, Japanese manufacturer System Service has started preorders for a jumbo Poring plush which measures a whopping 35 x 38cm or 13.77 x 14.96" in dimension. Two varieties are on offer - a pink jumbo Poring and a lime-flavored Poring. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late September 2007 at US$39 per plush.

Wrestle Kingdom 2 + Partial Bonus

Bruisers from the world of Japanese professional wrestling enter the ring once again to grapple, slap, and growl at each other. A total of 73 bulky muscle-bound monsters from the New Japan Pro Wrestling and All Japan Pro Wrestling leagues tussle against each other and go to the mat with Freelancers such as Tajiri and Legends such as Bigbang Vader. The gang from Pro Wrestling NOAH is missing but a fifth category of wrestlers under the banner of "EX" is available in the game. There are a total of 13 EX wrestlers but they're all locked with the exception of a red-masked grappler named Masked Devilock.

The controls at first feint are simple - the D-pad moves a wrestler around the ring and the SQUARE button is used to slap and kick. To run around the ring and bounce off the ropes, press and hold the TRIANGLE button. The "X" button initiates a grapple which can progress into a leg lock, a body slam, or a throw move depending on the subsequent button combination. The depth in the controls is realized when exploring the grappling system which features a sizable number of attacks, chains, and even a power-up system. Early preorders will include a bonus DVD Video which contains legendary matches fought between marquee wrestlers such as Antonio Inoki vs Tiger Jeet Singh and Stan Hansen vs Andre the Giant. «Game Notes»

Final Fantasy Tactics Shishi Sensou

Return to the world of Ivalice and join a lad named Ramza Beoulve and his friend Delita Herial who find themselves embroiled in The Lion War. Princess Ovelia, the adopted daughter of King Omdolia, has been kidnapped and two mighty houses marshal for war. On one side is the Gallione Family ruled by Prince Larg who's family crest is a White Lion. Opposing them is the Zeltennia Family stewarded by Prince Goltana who's family crest is a Black Lion. Two lions clash and Ivalice suffers from their enmity.

Players take on the role of Ramza Beoulve who teams up with Delita Herial and cohorts in an adventure to beat back enemy hordes. The first chapter is titled, "The Meager" and the game starts in Magic City Gariland where Ramza's party is charged with defeating a group of brigands. The next mission takes place on the Mandalia Plains where the party may opt to save a warrior named Algus. In general, the goal of each mission is defeating all of the enemy units on the map but different objectives pop up from time to time.

Final Fantasy Tactics Shishi Sensou is based on the original Playstation game from 1997. The visual presentation of the game is a near 1:1 copy of the original but Square adds a cel-shaded introduction cinema and numerous animation sequences which play after each chapter. The PSP update of Final Fantasy Tactics also features two new playable characters: Balflear from FFXII and Luso from Final Fantasy Tactics A2. «Game Notes»

Final Fantasy Cloud Strife 1/4 Scale Statue

Square Enix hasn't been prolific in recent years with grandiose toy products. We recall the Final Fantasy XI Chocobo and Elvaan statue that sold well and the Final Fantasy Yuna Wedding statue that sold even better. Please don't order them - they've been sold out for years.

Square returns to the realm of grandiosity this autumn with a large 1/4 scale Cloud Strife figure which measures 50cm or 19.68" tall. The coldcast sculpture stands atop a base and wields a blade in each hand. Cloud's clothing is made of cotton fabric while his shoes, straps, and belt are crafted from leather with metal buckles. The design of the figure follows the Final Fantasy VII Advent Children version of Cloud where his left arm is covered to hide the ravages of Geostigma. Pricing for the Japanese production of the toy is set at JPY50000 or US$400 from NCS. Preorders are scheduled to ship in mid-late September 2007.

Disgaea 2 Palm Characters

Japanese manufacturer Toranoana has started preorders for a collection of trading figures based on the rascals of Disgaea 2. The figures measure 8cm or 3.14" tall and are individually packaged in blind cardboard boxes with weaponry. A blind box means that there is no way to determine what figure is inside each box and it's the luck of the draw on what's within. According to the manufacturer sale sheet, there's a total of 11 different characters and one secret character. Since each factory sealed box contains 12 randomly packaged figures, we're guessing that each factory case will contain all 11 standard characters and the secret.

Pricing per factory box is set at US$65 and preorders are welcome today to ship in mid-late August 2007.

Rurouni Kenshin Candy Toys

Kenshin Himura aka Samurai X leads the cast of Rurouni Kenshin in another collection of candy toys from Bandai. The characters featured in the set are as follows from the left side of the product photo and moving right:

Kenshin Himura, his spouse Kamiya Kaoru, Sagara Sanosuke, Shinomori Aoshi, and Kurogasa.

The figures measure approximately 8cm or 3.14" tall and are sculpted from PVC. Each toy is also packaged with a piece of blue-colored candy for a tasty treat. Pricing is set at US$39 per factory case of 10 randomly packaged toys and delivery is expected in mid-late June 2007.

General Updates

Imports Tomorrow This week's shipments of new Japanese imports are scheduled to arrive tomorrow morning. All preorders for PSP Final Fantasy Tactics Shishi Sensou and PS2 Wrestle Kingdom 2 Pro Wrestling Sekai Taisen will ship on Thursday.

Super Mario Hat Cushions Please note that if you have not responded to our email last week requesting reconfirmation of the Super Mario Hat Cushion, we will not process your order. Unless we hear from you, the orders are considered canceled. Thanks for reading.

Upcoming Schedule Japanese distributors posted an updated release schedule last night and the sheer number of games coming out for the Nintendo DS is overwhelming. It's the platform of choice at the moment in Japan with heavy support from publishers. The Wii looks good over the next couple of months and the PS2 is still right in there with Pop'n Music 14 Fever shipping in July along with Sega Ages 2500 Vol. 30: Galaxy Force II.

Gameboy Wars Turbo

Originally released on June 27, 1997 in Japan, NCS unearths about 200 units of a product called Gameboy Wars Turbo for the original black and white Game Boy. The game is unique in that it's packaged in a metal can with flip-top lid instead of flimsy cardboard. Inside, you'll find the game cartridge, a user manual and map, a warranty card, and a block of cushioning which keeps everything in place. The original Gameboy Wars game was designed by Intelligent Design but Hudson took over production for Gameboy Wars Turbo and Gameboy Wars 2.

All stock is new and still packaged 10 per factory case in pristine cardboard boxes. If you purchase 10 copies for some reason, we'll ship the order in the Gameboy Wars Turbo branded box which will then be placed inside another cardboard box for safe transit. «photo gallery»