Dragon Quest IX Character Making Figure - Import Preorder

«©NCSX» Square has delayed the release of Dragon Quest IX by nearly 4 months in Japan but the company continues to announce tie-in merchandise for the game. The DQIX Character Making Figure features heroes and heroines from the upcoming NDS adventure who are all decked out in their in-game costumes. A total of 9 different characters are featured in the collection which measure 4cm or 1.57" tall.

NCS is supplying the figures in complete factory boxes of 12 figures at JPY4200 or US$49.90. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late April 2009.

Excellent Model LTD Hanako Holstein Recharge - Preorder

«©NCSX» A "Holstein" generally refers to a dairy cow with a black and white color scheme. A "Holstein Hanako" refers to an attractive cat girl with a healthy bosom who wears white and black cow decorated apparel.

MegaHouse originally released the 1/8 scale Excellent Model version of Holstein Hanako in 2007 and the figure eventually sold out. To meet outstanding demand from fans and collectors, Megahouse has announced a "Limited" reproduction of the figure which ships in mid-late June 2009. Hanako is sculpted by OSIRIS where the "cow" girl in question is on bended knees and lifts her left hand. She's not waving to anyone but is rather providing a perch for a butterfly that alights upon her hand. Her face beams with childlike marvel as she looks at the insect and perhaps reminds us that there is wonderment in the smallest things. The Holstein Hanako figure is set at 1/8 scale and measures 14cm or 5.51"" in height. Hanako is fully assembled, painted, and ready for display. Preorders are welcome.

General Updates

Dragon Quest IX Delayed Square Enix announced yesterday that DQIX is being pushed from March 28, 2009 all the way to July 11, 2009. All preorders are on file and will be dispatched once the game is released this summer. NCS is assuming all of the DQIX accessories announced thus far will also be delayed.

Midway Files for Bankruptcy A news story on yesterday's filing by Midway used the title, "Fatality!" NCS holds shares in most of the major American game publishers and pretty much every company is down 50-80% from their 52-week highs. We might be seeing "Smackdown" or "Burnout" news titles later this year.

Batman Kubrick and Bearbrick - New Import, In Stock

«©NCSX» Even though the new Batman Kubrick and Bearbrick toy makes the Gotham City crusader appear constipated, we're going to keep a set for our Kubrick collection anyway. Batman measures 7cm or 2.75" in stature and is decked out in the new battle armor from the recent Dark Knight movie. According to a short scene in the film, the new armor allows Batman to turn his head which makes it easier when "backing out of the driveway."
Along with the Batman Kubrick, Medicom also includes a translucent blue Bearbrick figure which features a golden bat silhouette across its chest. Sort of like a Bear Wonder sidekick of sorts. All preorders have shipped as of yesterday and new orders are welcome to ship today.

Joker Kubrick and Bearbrick - New Import, In Stock

«©NCSX» Whereas the Batman is straight-laced and numbingly sober, the Joker is loosey-goosey. If he were candy, he'd be two packs of Twizzler. Jokey doesn't need libations to get the party started and you can always count on the former Arkham inmate to sport a big red smile. Medicom's new Joker Kubrick measures 7cm or 2.75" in height and is dressed in a green vest that's covered by a purple trench coat. Thick eye shadow gives his face the raccoon look that Goth girls strive for while bright green hair provides a vibrant contrast to Joker's pallid complexion.

The Joker Kubrick figure is accompanied by a ghastly Bearbrick with a bloody smile and a body that's charred in select spots. The words, "Why So Serious" are etched across its chest in jagged red letters. In the Dark Knight movie, the Joker recounts a story from his childhood where his father says those words to him before performing minor surgery.

Gundam Giren no Yabou - Axis no Kyoui V - New Import

«©NCSX» Relive the events in the Gundam Universal Century timeline which chronicle the aggression of the Axis (Neo-Zeon) as they wage war against the Earth Federation and the AEUG. Continuing the strategic campaigns that kicked off in the earlier Axis no Kyoui game on the PSP, players choose a side from various factions including the Anti Earth United Government, Earth Federation, or the Axis. The chapters covered in the game cover the events in Char's Counterattack (Second Zeon War) to Hathaway's Flash which take place over a decade after the war. The game features tactical-strategy action where mech forces battle opposing forces on terra and across the reaches of space in a turn-based war game. Between battles, interactive scenarios move the story along and allow players to make choices that affect the course of the game and potentially change Gundam history entirely.

Previous Gundam Giren tactical simulations have invariably been highly challenging so Bandai gives casual gamers a fighting chance by including a special Very Easy Mode. Mech handlers in the game are equipped with their best robots early in the game so that their attacks are more formidable and do a lot more damage to the enemy.

Weekly Famitsu Vol. 1053 - New Import, Subscriptions

«©NCSX» The latest issue of Weekly Famitsu (Vol. 1053) contains coverage on the following games and events:

p20-24 - Famitsu previews Persona on the PSP which is a remake of the Playstation game originally released in Japan in 1996. Due on 04/29/09.
p28-29 - The original Growlanser is making its way to the PSP on 5/14/09.
p35-38 - Games reviewed by Famitsu include NDS Mario and Luigi 3 (9/9/8/9), Wii Another Code: R (7/7/7/7), and Street Fighter IV (9/8/8/9).
p43-47 - Street Fighter article which looks back at the chronology of the series, the different home conversions or yore, and the latest SF game.
p86-88 - Details on Musou Orochi Z for the PS3.
p106-114 - Famitsu tallies up the votes and presents their top 100 games of 2008. PSP Monster Hunter 2nd G leads the pack followed by NDS Pokemon Diamond, Wii Wii Fit, and Wii Mario Kart Wii. The top 10 are dominated by Wii and NDS with nary a PS3 or X360 title to be seen. In case you're wondering, Metal Gear Solid 4 comes in at #11.
p130-131 Retro article on the original Mother game from Shigesato Itoi.

General Updates

Japanese Xbox 360 Arcade System All backorders for the Japanese Xbox 360 Arcade System have shipped as of yesterday and new orders are welcome to ship today. The systems that arrived this week are fitted with the newer Jasper chipset.

Uki Uki Chocobo (Chocky) Restock NCS has restocked another batch of the Chocobo bath toy and backorders have shipped as of Tuesday. New orders are welcome but please note the price has increased to US$22.90 due to yen conversion and purchasing from a higher cost aftermarket Japanese supplier.

Buffy, Interrupted The European Nintendo DS release of Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Sacrifice has been delayed from February 12 to March 27, 2009.