Minna no Golf Ba Vol. 4 - New Import, In Stock

The fourth and final Minna no Golf Ba for the Playstation Portable takes virtual golfers to the 30 courses situated in the Kansai and Nagoya (Chubu) regions of Japan. Minna no Golf plays a satisfying game of golf and serves double duty as a digital caddy if you're actually at a golf course in Japan. PSP owners living in Japan armed with the GPS Receiver (sold separately) and a copy of the game can visit any of the courses featured in the game and obtain distance and course information in real-time. The game package includes two UMDs - the first UMD contains recreations of golf courses that are located in Kansai while the second UMD hosts courses from Chubu. When choosing which course to play on either UMD, a map is shown and the location of the golf course is highlighted when you scroll through the different venues to play upon.

Old hands to the Minna no Golf franchise will find a friendly game interface manned by affable characters as well as a challenging golf simulation. Select one of four possible virtual golfers (2 guys and 2 girls) to use as your onscreen agent and modify their appearance with different hairstyles, clothing, and accessories such as glasses or bows. Players may also decide to play on a sunny course or a rainy one to mix up the atmospherics. Once the golfer has been created, mosey onto the golf course and swing your way to eagle or maybe just bogey. For players who utilize the virtual caddy GPS function of the software, the distance to a hole may be calculated in real time to determine which club to use.

General Updates

PS3 Shin Sangoku Musou 5 - On the Way Please note that the release date of Shin Sangoku Musou 5 for the PS3 and X360 is November 11 in Japan. Suppliers are expected to take delivery of the game tonight and we should receive our shipments on Monday of next week. All preorders will ship once the game is in stock.

PSP Akumajou Dracula X Chronicles Konamistyle - On the Way An allotment of the different limited editions of Akumajou Dracula X Chronicles which is only being sold on the Konamistyle website will be shipped to suppliers in Japan tonight. We expect the games to arrive to us in New York City by Wednesday or Thursday of next week and we'll post photos and final pricing once everything's in stock.

TOY Dream Chick (Yume-Kiyoko) - In Stock Today The cuddly replica chicks arrived today and we'll post a photo gallery and possibly videos on tomorrow's website update. We'll process and ship preorders today and honor the price of US$19 but please note that new orders will be priced at US$25 due to the shipping charges and the continuing weakness of the dollar against pretty much every foreign currency. The chicks ship in a large cardboard box that only holds six of them per carton which incurred the higher than expected shipping costs.

Crazy Climber Wii - Import Preorder

Back in the early 80s, Nichibutsu's Crazy Climber took place on a flat 2D surface where a scrawny guy used only his hands to scale the height of an entire building. The new generation Wii update of the game features a similarly scrawny climber who scales buildings, canyon walls, and other surfaces that offer little ledges that are conducive to upward mobility. The Wii update also features 3D representations of buildings and a four-player mode allows for exciting climbing challenges where everyone's trying to trump the other with their scaling skills. Preorders ship on Dec. 20, 2007.

Yukinko Daisenpuu - Import Preorder

A snow maiden (aka Yuki Musume) teams up with a familiar and her sister to beat back an onslaught of spirits and their overlords. The gals use the power of winter to meet their goals and control is handled entirely through the Wiimote. Up to two players may collaborate for a concerted attack. Preorders are welcome to ship on December 20, 2007.

Evangelion Sound Drop Compact - Import Preorder

The chimes, utterances, and jingles from the recent Evangelion theatrical release are captured in a collection of eight Sound Drop toys which are activated with the press of a button. The sound quality is generally audible but the sampling rate is probably somewhere in the range of 32 to 48 kbps. Each Sound Drop measures 5cm and fits in the palm of your hand, in your pocket, or if you're crazy like that - looped through earrings and hung from the sides of your head.

NCS gathers together all eight Evangelion Sound Drops and supplies them in a complete set at the price of US$25. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late February 2008.

Xenosaga Legend Episode III - Import Preorder

Preorders are welcome for the third series of Xenosaga Legend trading figures which feature another eight characters from the Xenosaga universe. Four have been revealed thus far but the rest should be updated soon. From the top left of the photo gallery and rotating clockwise, the characters are: KOS-MOS ver. 4, M.O.M.O., KOS-MOS ver. 3, and Shion. The prototypes haven't been painted yet but if previous versions of the Xenosaga Legend are any indication, the final product should be of respectable quality. Preorders will ship in mid-late February 2008.

Mamegoma Tsuri Plush Toy - Import Preorder

In the Japanese pop culture vernacular, the word "Mamegoma" refers to a cutesy assemblage of seals with plump bodies and playful demeanors. San-X has produced a number of different Mamegoma toys over the years but this time, it's System Service on duty with a set of four Mamegoma Tsuri plush toys which measure 15cm or 5.90" in length. Each plush also includes a little fishing pole that's tied to a kind of bait such as a strawberry, a yellow plush ducky, or a beach ball.

Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late February 2008 and NCS will supply the plushes in complete sets of four at US$30/set.

Eagle Talon Deka Clip Clock - Import Preorder

Frogman is the name of a writer, character designer, animator, editor, voice actor, and director who created a Flash-based show known as Himitsu Kessha Taka no Tsume (Eagle Talon Secret Society). The show became an internet sensation in Japan and the studios came calling. Now, the toy manufacturers are on the way.

System Service has started preorders for four battery-powered clip clocks which feature character artwork from Eagle Talon on both sides of the clock. The clock is of the analog variety with two hands to tell the time and a third hand to count down the seconds. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late February 2008 at US$9.50 per clock.