Last Hope - New Import, In Stock

NCS sells about eight (count 'em) Neo-CD games per annum from our standing inventory. To say demand isn't what it used to be is putting it kindly. However, the developers of Last Hope believe in the viability of the Neo-CD and the game is in stock today. The packaging includes a Tactical SuperPlay DVD which shows a master raging through the game like a Master of the Universe. Or something like that.
Each game will be serially numbered with a print run of 500 copies. Even though that may seem like a small number, it might be 400 more than today's market can support. In any case, preorders are welcome at 50 Euros per copy or US$79 from NCS. Preorders and new orders ship today.

The Misshitsukara no Dasshutsu - New Import, In Stock

Play the part of a "detective" who tackles eight escape scenarios which require sleuthing skills and touch screen tapping. The hero dresses like a salaryman and smokes cigarettes while doing his thing. Movement is handled by tapping on arrows that appear on the touch screen in order to to pan around and inspect areas and objects of interest. For example, if you spy a desk, tap on it to move closer and then tap the drawer below the desk to open it up and view the contents. Anything that you find inside may be picked up and inspected to search for clues and useful information that'll help you escape. The animation of the game moves fluidly and the sound effects are faithful renditions of real life rustles, bumps, and thumps.

TFC Shooting Game Historika SP - Preorder

NCS started preorders for Yujin's SR Shooting Game History gashapon on August 6, 2007 but another offer for the same exact toys has popped up on distributor's release schedules. The toys from the original gashapon offer are still scheduled to ship next month but the new TFC Shooting Game Historika SP collection is expected to ship in February 2008 at a price of JPY3996 per factory box of 12 randomly packaged toys.

Looking over the names of the ships and the toy designs from the new collection, there's no difference from the original gashapon ships. However, the new set is packaged in blind cardboard boxes and a total of 9 ships and color variants are included. The source games and ships are:

» R-Type featuring R-9A Arrow-Head (original and color variant)
» Image Fight featuring 0F-1 Daedalus (original and color variant)
» Gradius featuring Vic Viper T301 (only original color)
» Gradius 2 featuring Metarion (original and color variant)
» Darius Gaiden featuring Silver Hawk (original and color variant)

Pricing for the TFC Shooting Game Historika SP collection is set at JPY3996 or US$45 per factory sealed box of 12 from NCS. A factory case should include all nine ships + color variants and three duplicates. Preorders will ship in late Feb 2008.

Star Wars Kubrick Series 8 - Preorder

The Star Wars Kubrick series outsells pretty much every other Kubrick toy we've stocked thanks to a rabid devoted fan base. When Spring 2008 rolls around, the eighth Star Wars Kubrick release looks to thrill fans once again with fresh faces from the Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace movie. The six standard character featured in the set are as follows (From the upper left corner of either photo and rolling clockwise):

» Trade Federation Battle Droid with Blaster
» Darth Maul with Double-Bladed Lightsaber
» Anakin Skywalker in Pod Racer Outfit with Tools
» C-3PO Prototype Production Version
» Qui-Gon Jinn with Lightsaber
» Queen Amidala in Red Senator Gown

In addition to the standard figures listed above, rare Chase figures are randomly packaged in the factory cases but some Chase figures only appear once in ever 4 factory cases. Good luck in finding them. NCS supplies the Kubrick figures in complete factory cases of 12 toys only and preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late April, 2008 at US$89 per factory box of 12 random figures.

Jan Code: 4530956172309

Juicy Honey Rio (Tina Yuzuki) - Preorder

Mint has started preorders for a Juicy Honey DVD which features Tina Yuzuki aka Rio cavorting in swimsuits, her birthday suit, and assorted flimsy lingerie. The DVD captures the antics that took place when Tina posed for the upcoming Juicy Honey Premium Edition trading cards which are scheduled to ship next month. For voyeurs who enjoy a little idol interaction, a 10-question quiz game is playable. It's unclear if separate DVDs featuring the other girls (Kotono Higashi and Maria Ozawa) from the Premium Edition cards will be released but we'll update accordingly if they are announced. In addition to the DVD, each copy includes a bonus promotional trading card which is packaged inside the retail case.

Product Specs
Region-2 NTSC DVD
60 minutes in length
4:3 Standard Aspect Ratio
MPEG-2 Stereo
Shipping to preorders on or around December 28, 2007.

Jan Code: 4582154107577

Nendroid/Character Vocal Series Miku Hatsune - Preorder

Miku Hatsune, the star of the PC Vocaloid 2 software finds herself sculpted into Nendroid form next year. For the uninitiated, Vocaloid (Vocal + Android) is a Japanese song simulator from Yamaha and Crypton Future Media where users type in lyrics and the software engine sings out the words in rapid fire staccato. Voice actress Fujita Saki provides the voice for Miku Hatsune in the software and she sounds like a mix between a munchkin and a generalized cartoon character. Vocaloid 2 has enjoyed strong sales since its release earlier this summer and it's only fitting that the heroine of the software get in on some merchandising deals. The Nendroid version of Miku measures 10cm or 3.93" in height and three variant faces and arms are included for posing purposes. Preorders are welcome to ship on or around March 25, 2008.
Jan Code: 4582191963372

Super Mario Galaxy Original Sound Track - Preorder

Last week, NCS opened and subsequently closed preorders for the Club Nintendo exclusive version of the Super Mario Galaxy OST Platinum version which spanned across two CDs. We sort of knew preorders would be strong but we didn't expect them to be that strong.

Today, we start preorders for the regular version of the SMG OST which features a gold cover and fills up only a single CD. Preorders are welcome to ship on or around February 23, 2007. Maybe buyers of the Platinum Edition can pick up this version as well to complete their personal Super Mario Galaxy shrines. The one in the basement. Near the laundry room.

Dragon Quest IV - New Import, Restock Wednesday

When monsters kidnap children in the land of Batlando, the king summons soldiers to the castle and charges them with the rescue of the hapless tykes. In the first chapter, players take control of a soldier named Ryan, a princess known as Otenba Oujo (Tomboy Princess) in the second chapter, and three more heroes in the next couple of chapters. The final chapter features the entire team working together towards a common goal of defeating an evil king who's about to be resurrected.

The NDS remake of Dragon Quest IV updates the 8-bit Famicom original with Dragon Quest VII elements such as a polygonal world map, a 360° capable camera, animated monsters, a Monster Notebook, the Party Talk system, and improved visuals. «NCS Game Notes»