Pop'n Music 14 Fever

In the 1980s, a form of music known as Italo Disco hit Japan and became a sensation. NCS recalls Italo Disco becoming pretty big in Hong Kong in the 80s as well but not to the extent that it captured Japan. Notable names in Italo music include Giorgio Moroder (Together in Electric Dreams), Ken Lazlo (Tonight), C.C. Catch (Jump in my Car), and Fockewulf 190 (Body Heat). Listening to a sampling of the songs in PnM 14 this morning such as "1/6 billionth" by NAOKI and "Denki Dance" from Freddy Hotae, we're reminded of the catchy hooks and synth-pop sensibilities of Italo Disco. The mix is diverse however since the song "Craze for You" sounds like something the Ramones would wail and "Let's Go Out" from Ucchies <3 color="#00ffff"> is high energy J-Pop. The song "Akumajo Dracula Medley" spools together classic tunes from the Akumajou games.

Pop'n Music 14 was released in Japanese arcades on May 17, 2006 and the game migrates to the home consoles a little more than a year later. The PS2 conversion features new songs, new characters, and a new mini-game challenge where 14 micro-games are played in quick succession ala Made in Wario. Tried and true game modes such as Taisen Mode, Challenge Mode, and Battle Mode return to mix up the action. «more»

Railfan: Taiwan High Speed Rail

Twenty seven years after the concept of the Taiwan High Speed Rail twinkled in its creators' collective eyes and six years after construction started, the new railroad system opened on January 5, 2007. Spanning eight cities across Taiwan from Taipei to Zuoying, service to five additional cities is planned in the next few years including Changhua and Yunlin.

The first Railfan game for the PS3 has sold well to a contingent of devoted train-game fans and the second Railfan gives players the reins of a Shinkansen Super Express on the Taiwan HSR. The video used in Railfan was captured with a stationary high-definition camera mounted behind the windshield of the Super Express which spooled in 700 km of footage as the train ran through the entire HSR line both ways. In other words, if you're an aficionado of trains and Taiwan in general, you'll get to see the geography, sights, and landscape of Taiwan as it appears from the vantage point of a conductor who motors along at 290 km/h. «more»

Dragon Quest Swords

Back in the day, Neo Geo fans were treated to a little diversion called Crossed Swords. In that game, players viewed enemies head-on and slashed out attacks with simple button presses. Square tested this type of entertainment in 2003 with their dedicated Kenshin Dragon Quest TV game which used Xavix motion-sensing technology to register the weapon of choice - a plastic sword. To play, gamers wielded the sword and swung at the air like their lives depended on it to defeat Slime, Magicians, Skeletons, and other foes intent on death and destruction.

As we pass the midway point of 2007, Square Enix serves up the sequel to Kenshin Dragon Quest where players wield the Wiimote and slice and thrust like a nameless hero possessed. When faced with a gang of Slime, swish the Wiimote in a right-to-left trajectory and watch as the onscreen monsters are damaged. Encounter a dracky and thrust the Wiimote forward repeatedly to poke it from the air. Special attacks may also be meted out to deal extra hurtful damage on rollicking creatures. Unlike Kenshin Dragon Quest, the hero does not fight alone - he's joined by comrades including a pompous prince and his very own poppy. «more»

Juicy Honey 6 Collection Cards

Trading card purveyor Mint flies four Japanese AV actresses to Bali and takes thoughtful photos of the gals in scenic locales, against lush backdrops, and in obligatory bikinis. The JAV models featured in Juicy Honey 6 are (From the top of the photo and going down):

» Hotaru Akane / Measurements B83cm (E-cup) W59cm H80cm
» Rin Suzuka / Measurements B90cm (G-cup) W58cm H88cm
» Yuma Asami / Measurements B96cm (H-cup) W58cm H88cm
» Sasa Handa / Measurements B90cm (I-cup) W59cm H82cm

A total of 186 cards are featured in the new collection as follows:

72 Regular Cards
18 Juicy Special Cards
16 Juicy Special Parallel Cards
18 Autograph Cards (type A, B, C, D, and combo)
4 Message Cards
49 Jersey Cards (split into twelve categories)
4 Kiss Cards
4 Kiss & Autograph Cards
4 Photo Card "1 of 1"
4 Autographed Photo Card "1 of 1"
Instant Photo (serially numbered to 400)
4 Actress DNA Cards
8 Bra Hook Card "1 of 1"

The new cards were released in Japan on June 16, 2007 and our shipment finally made it in yesterday afternoon. NCS prices each factory sealed retail box at US$55. Each box contains 12 packs of cards which each contain 8 cards inside for a total of 108 cards.
Please note that we are Sold Out to preorders today but we'll update our product listing if additional stock is made available from our suppliers.

Evangelion Life-Size Figures

Preorders are welcome for three life-size Evangelion figures which are scheduled to ship in August 2007. The EVA-01 isn't really life-size since it only measures 2 meters or 78.74" but it's still pretty big. The price tag is similarly lofty at JPY1,032,000 or US$9500.00 from NCS.

Fans of Rei Ayanami and Asuka Langley get to own their life-size representations for slightly less coin than the EVA-01. Rei Ayanami is priced at JPY472,500 or US$4900 and measures 158cm or 62.20" tall. Asuka Langley is priced at JPY367,500 or US$4000 from NCS and measures 154cm or 60.62" tall. Both figures feature joints for the elbows, knees, and the neck so that the figures may be posed. Please note that NCS includes the Rei Ayanami display stand at our preorder price.

FFVII Sculpture Arts: Aerith Gainsborough Kit

Kotobukiya has opened up preorders for what appears to be a magnificent Aerith kit which depicts the beloved sacrificial heroine from Final Fantasy VII in stately repose... or perhaps she's practicing a form of prayer. Or maybe she's releasing White Materia and summoning Holy to stop an unstoppable force.

When built and assembled together, the Aerith sculpture measures 43cm or 16.92" in height and nearly that much in width. A sturdy stand is included for mounting the sculpture securely atop a mantle or table. Pricing is set at JPY26000 or US$265 from NCS. Pricing takes into account the air express carriage cost to import an item of this dimension into the USA from Japan. NCS recommends only shipping this item within the USA with UPS Ground to avoid incurring onerous shipping charges. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late October 2007.

Valkyrie Profile Sculpture Arts: Lenneth Valkyrie

Classic Norse mythology (or a bastardization thereof) re-entered popular culture in 1999 with the Japanese release of Valkyrie Profile on the Playstation. The game sold well and we figured that was that. Countless games come and go and die, never to be seen again. Fast forward nearly a decade later and Valkyrie Profile is still steeped in today's gaming culture with games and toys. Kotobukiya adds another toy to the Valkyrie Profile ranks which ships later this year.

When built and assembled together, the Lenneth sculpture measures 43cm or 16.92" in height and nearly half that in width. Pricing is set at JPY55000 or US$475 from NCS. Pricing takes into account the air express carriage cost to import an item of this dimension into the USA from Japan. NCS recommends only shipping this item within the USA with UPS Ground to avoid incurring onerous shipping charges. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late October 2007.

Japanese Import Schedule Updated

Nintendo DS
9/13	Eiken DS Training	IE Institute
	Pokemon Fushigi no Dungeon Toki no Tankentai	Nintendo
	Pokemon Fushigi no Dungeon Yami no Tankentai	Nintendo
9/20	Biz Taiken DS Series: Hanashin no So	Kokuyo
	Deltora Quest: 7-tsu no Houseki	Namco
	Gachapin Nikki DS	Hudson
	Sankei Sports Kanshuu	Dimple
9/27	Eigo wo Taberu Fushigi na Okimono Marsh	Dimple
	Mitsukete! Keroro Gunsou	Namco
	Pro Yakyuu Famista DS	Namco
	Tamagotchi no Puchi Puchi Omisecchi: Mina San	Namco
Playstation 2
9/6	Another Century's Episode 3 The Final	Banpresto
9/13	Happiness! Deluxe - Best	Marvelous
9/20	Arabians Lost: The Engagement on Desert	Prototype
	Saint Beast Rasen no Shou	Marvelous
	Saint Beast Rasen no Shou Limited Edition	Marvelous
9/27	Bleach Blade Battles 2nd	Sony
	Colorful Aquarium: My Little Mermaid	Nines Fox
	Colorful Aquarium: My Little Mermaid LE	Nines Fox
	Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus	Sega
Playstation 3
10/25	Eye of Judgment	Sony
Playstation Portable
9/13	Fate/Tiger Colosseum	Capcom
	R-Type Tactics	Irem
9/27	Eiyuu Densetsu Sora no Kiseki SC	Falcom
	Kaitou Apricot Portable	Takuyo
	SP2500 Series Vol. 11: The Puzzle Quest Rider	D3
	Wangan Midnight Portable	Genki
10/4	Minna no Golf Ba Vol. 3	Sony
	Minna no Golf Ba Vol. 3 + GPS Receiver	Sony
Nintendo Wii
8/2	Forever Blue	Nintendo
9/20	Mario Strikers Charged	Nintendo
9/27	Bass Fishing Wii: Rokumaru Densetsu	Arc Sys
	Kekkaishi Kokubourou no Kage	Namco