The pricing for two variants of the Japanese version of MGS4 was finalized overnight by distributors. Prior to the revelation, online pricing was listed at JPY999,999. Details are as follows:
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Regular Edition
メタルギアソリッド4【通常版】ガンズオブザパトリオット (Japanese game title)
Mastered on a dual-layer Blu-Ray disk; includes MGS Online Starter Pack
Sku: BLJM-67001 / Jan Code: 4988602141856
Retail Price: JPY8800 or US$90.90 from NCS
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Special Edition
メタルギアソリッド4【スペシャルエディション】ガンズオブザパトリオット (Japanese title)
Mastered on a dual-layer Blu-Ray disc; includes MGS Online Starter Pack and bonus MGS4 "Making of" disk (single-layer Blu-Ray).
Sku: BLJM-67002 / Jan Code: 4988602142174
Retail Price: JPY9800 or US$101.90 from NCS
The dollar/yen exchange rate is under pressure but perhaps ¥95 is where there'll be support and buying interest. Preorders for the PS3 bundled edition of MGS4 were not started last night but they should open up in the next few days. Preorders will ship on June 12, 2008.
Global A Entertainment veers off the beaten path of RPGs with its upcoming Sekai Atashi Demawatteru which features a pampered princess as the protagonist. When she's rejected by her prince, the uncommon blonde adventurer scoops up her pet parrot Palo and embarks on a quest around the world to prove that she's worthy of his love. Preorders are welcome to ship on June 12, 2008 at ¥4800 or $46.90.
Kanu Unchou of Ikki Tousen fame is a popular subject for toy sculptors and their corporate overlords. The reasons are fairly evident but we'll list them anyway:
1) Kanu is loved by the Ikki Tousen fan base and her name generally perks interest when preorders open up.
2) She's attractive and has a girlish figure.
3) Kanu carries the Blue Dragon Crescent Blade
4) Her hair is purple?
Originally solicited in garage kit form, manufacturer Kurushima has announced a completed 1/6 scale cold cast figure which measures 26cm tall. Preorders are welcome to ship in late August 2008 at JPY19800 or US$198.90 from NCS.
As if there wasn't already a surfeit of love for Kanu Unchou, toy manufacturer Kurushima has also started preorders for a limited edition 1/6 scale Kanu cold cast that will be distributed exclusively by Miyazawa Mokei. The special distribution agreement doesn't really mean much for us because we'll be able to stock the figure without restrictions. Case quantities are listed at 2 figures per carton at the same price as the regular edition 1/6 scale Kanu.
The limited edition figure features Kanu in a grey top with red handkerchief along with black skivvies. Her socks are still white however and her skin tone is convincingly flesh colored. Kanu measures 26cm or 10.26" tall and preorders are welcome to ship in late August 2008 at JPY19800 or US$198.90.
We have a small quantity of black Bomberman Bakuhatsu plushes which have the words, "SAMPLE" stitched above the Bomberman label on the front of the bomb. Other than the "SAMPLE" mark, everything else about the plush is identical to the standard black Bomberman Bakuhatsu plush.
The Japanese word "Bakuhatsu" means "Explode" and that's what Bomberman's bombs do. To capitalize on the decades old Bomberman craze, Banpresto unleashes a plush bomb which sports a lit fuse on top and a sound emitting mechanism inside. When the sound device is smacked and triggered by pounding on the Bomberman plush, two sounds roar forth from the innards of the toy which are meant to recreate explosive video game aurals from yesteryear.
NCS Sale Offering
Pricing per Bomberman Bakuhatsu Plush is set at US$19.90 which includes free shipping by USPS Media Mail within the United States. All stock is new and bagged in a crinkly wrapper. [View Larger photos]
When a corrupt construction company (fueled by corporate greed) overbuilds and disrupts the natural harmony of the great outdoors, a carpenter rises up to put an end of the construction boom. Armed with a hammer and gifted with agility and moxie, the hero named Carpenter trudges through different stages and dismantles robots, construction equipment, enemy workers, and other agents of the company. When the occasion calls, Carpenter can adopt the skills of eight other professionals such as a baseball player, a sushi chef, lumberjack, deep sea diver, and more. Preorders ship on May 15, 2008.
Isou is a spiky-haired farmer from the town of Saki where he lives with his wife Marin. When Isou gets caught up in political intrigue, he leaves the simple life behind and gets caught up in a fractious war between two countries.
Windaria was an animated movie that was released in Japan 22 years ago. It's unlikely to have much "brand" recognition or street cred amongst the jaded youth of today but Compile Heart has licensed the property for a dungeon exploration game on the NDS. Inomata Mutsumi designed the characters and the hero Isou appears to have influenced the look of a certain somber hero with blonde locks and a big sword.
The promotional material for the game touts randomly generated dungeons, real time action, and an involving storyline that stays true to the movie. Preorders welcome.
Vain Aureolus, Philomel Hartung, Gunnar Damm, and the other heroes from the original Mana Khemia have moved on and a new cast of characters star in the upcoming sequel. Players join Roseluxe Meitzen (blue-haired lad) or Ulrika Myberg (blonde lass) in a new adventure where the two heroes are incoming student at a school of alchemy. Roseluxe and Ulrika view alchemy differently and take divergent paths to reach their goals. The new students spend their time in class and out in the wilds hunting for ingredients, reagents, and monsters.
NCS is currently accepting preorders for the regular edition of the game and a limited edition which is packaged with a figure diorama. Both versions of Mana Khemia 2 will ship to preorders on May 29, 2008.
