Japanese Import Outlook

NDS	Eiken DS Training	IE Institute
	Gakken DS Shin Toeic Test Kanzen Kouryoku	Gakken
	Mahjong Haoh DS Dankyuu Battle	NCS
	Pokemon Fushigi no Dungeon Toki no Tankentai	Nintendo
	Pokemon Fushigi no Dungeon Yami no Tankentai	Nintendo
PS2	Jissen Pachinko Hisshouhou! CR Sakura Taisen	Sega
	Shikaku Tantei: Sora no Sekai - Thousand Dreams	Nines Fox
PSP	Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII	Square Enix
	Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Slim PSP Bundle	Square Enix
	Fate/Tiger Colosseum	Capcom
	Fate/Tiger Colosseum Limited Edition	Capcom
	R-Type Tactics [Delayed to Sept. 20]	Irem
X36	Musou Orochi	Koei

USA Release Outlook

NDS	DK Jungle Climber	Nintendo
	Jam Sessions	Ubisoft
PS2	.hack//G.U. vol. 3//Redemption	Bandai
	Guilty Gear XX Accent Core	Aksys
PS3	DiRT	CodeMas.
	Heavenly Sword	Sony
	NHL 08	EA
	NHL 2K8	Take Two
X36	DiRT	CodeMas.
	The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - GotY Edition	2K Games
	Fatal Inertia	Koei
	Kengo: The Legend of The 9	Majesco
	NHL 08	EA
	NHL 2K8	Take Two
	Skate	EA

Final Fantasy VII 10th Anniversary Potion

Ten years ago, Final Fantasy VII was released on the original Playstation and the game set hearts afire. Back then, we figured it was another RPG that would fade into relative obscurity by the time Final Fantasy VIII rolled around. Didn't turn out that way. FFVII featured a special mix of drama, characters, and events that crept into the deep, dark recesses of gamers the world over and resonated with a million souls. Or something to that effect.

The 10th Anniversary of Final Fantasy VII required a special toast and to make that toast, a unique drink had to be created. A carbonated drink. Preferably from Suntory, who also worked on the Final Fantasy XII potion from 2006 which gave the term "sickly sweet" its true meaning.

Based on the ingredient list for the new potion, we're guessing it'll be a sweet caffeinated drink with the added thrill of bubbles that'll fizz and pop underneath a drinker's eager nostrils. We prefer the new packaging for the potions - durable aluminum cans decorated with the images of characters instead of the breakable bottles used for the FFXII potion. A total of 16 character cans weighing in at 350ml each are featured in the release and we're guessing rabid FFVII fans will try to collect them all. The preorder solicitation from our Japanese suppliers notes that the beverage will be sold in cases of 24 cans and we're free to import them by the container-load like we did for the FFXII Potions. Nearly 5 million cans of the potion are scheduled for production so it won't be a limited run product by a long shot. Preorders are welcome today to ship in early November. Pricing is set at US$7.50/can - much of that cost is the express shipping from overseas.

FFVII 10th Anniversary Potion w/ Trading Arts

One month after the regular canned FFVII Potions are released in Japan, Square Enix will release another version of the FFVII Potion which is bundled with a trading figure. This move puts Square Enix under the banner of "Absolute Masters At Milking a Franchise. Bar None."

Eight varieties are featured in the release with special cans and exclusive figures which won't be released in any other form. For a bit of added flair, the can and figure are packaged in a sleek transparent case which probably adds to its collectible potential. According to the preorder numbers, only 1 million units of the FFVII Potion with Trading Arts Mini will be produced at a price of JPY934 each. Due to the express shipping costs for the heavy cans, NCS is pricing each Potion at US$17.50. Preorders are welcome to ship in early December 2007.

General Updates [Redux]

Friday Hiatus Update Due to a scheduled inventory management system upgrade and stock removal that's ongoing this week, please note that NCS is on a half-day schedule today. Orders submitted on Thursday evening after 6PM through Friday 11:08AM EST will ship today. Orders placed after 11:09AM today will not ship until Monday of next week. Apologies for the inconvenience that this will cause but our operations will return to normal by next Monday. The phones will be off-hook starting at 11:08AM today but email support will be available through the coming weekend.

Tingle Unleashed (Soon) The European release of NDS Freshly Picked: Tingle's Rosey Rupeeland is scheduled to ship from our UK-based supplier on Tuesday of next week. Barring any import delays, the game should arrive on Sept. 13.

Another Century's Episode 3

War-worthy mechs and characters from 17 animation series such as Aura Battler Dunbine and Macross Plus join together in the third and final Another Century's Episode from Banpresto. An original series titled "A.C.E. Original" is also featured in the game with three mechs including the blue XA-00 Exbrau which is featured in the beginning of the game.

Per the previous volumes in the ACE series, players control a mech and contend against other mechs and assorted creatures in 3D battlefields. In the first level of the game, a lad named Barrel Orland is standing atop a roof when aliens attack and are countered by a wave of Earth-based defenders. Barrel's in danger but a blue mech known as the Exbrau piloted by Fei Roshnande descends to pick him up. Once safely in the cockpit of the Exbrau, Barrel and Fei fly off to confront the alien invaders.

The first mission is a training stint to get players acquainted with the controls and the overall feel of the game. The Exbrau can attack with a sword or shoot rounds of gunfire at enemies in the local area. A secondary set of weapons are also available including a tethered battering ram and a bomb shot. Finally, the Exbrau can raise a shield to blunt oncoming mortar. Basically, it's a one man army. «Game-Notes»

Hitman Reborn! Dream Hyper Battle

The Vongola mob's line of succession has been splintered and disheveled due to untimely deaths but there is one who remains in the bloodline. His name is Tsunayoshi Sawada and he's the very image of the proverbial 98-pound weakling with no scholastic nor athletic acumen. He's woefully unfit to lead the Vongola Famiglia but due to the lack of candidates, Tsuna has to be the one to take the helm as the 10th Vongola mob boss. To help him along, a pipsqueak assassin named Reborn is sent to hone and sharpen the future mafiosi into a mob leader supreme.

Hitman Reborn! Dream Hyper Battle is a fast-paced 3D fighting game where the cast of the Hitman Reborn franchise bout it out with conventional attacks which are mixed up with special projectile shots. For example, Tsunayoshi can create boulders out of midair and throw them at opponents to literally stone them. Then there's Hayato Gokudera who opens his arms and throws sticks of dynamite into the battlefield which explode seconds later. A cast of over 30 colorful supporting characters are featured in the game including I-Pin, Lambo, Takeshi Yamamoto, and Mukuro Rokudo but note that only four main characters can be chosen in the "Dream Hyper Battle" mode (second option, main menu). «G-Notes»

God of War [The Best] + Bonus

From the publisher
The brutal world of Greek mythology comes to life. You'll take on the role of Kratos and embark on a quest to destroy Ares. Immerse yourself in the world of gods, monsters and revenge. As Kratos, an ex-Spartan warrior, you have set out on a quest to destroy Ares, the God of War. Armed with the Blades of Chaos, massive swords chained to his wrists, Kratos wages a campaign of death and destruction that will forever change his destiny. You'll confront mythology's darkest creatures, including treacherous Medusas, axe-wielding Minotaur, thundering Cyclops and more. Fight your way from war-torn Athens to the depths of Hades. Driven by his rage, nothing can keep Kratos from exacting his terrible vengeance.

Game Features
» Experience an explosive gameplay mix of melee combat, traps, stunts and story-driven puzzles
» Use an extensive and flexible combat system as you take on opponents with context sensitive moves that create a variety of combinations
» Unleash the fury of the gods, hurl the lightning bolts of Zeus, summon the dead from Hades, use Medusa's head to freeze and shatter enemies...