PSP BlazBlue Continuum Shift II - Import Preorder

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» The coin-op version of Blazblue Continuum Shift II reached Japanese arcades in December 2010 and featured a rebalancing of the fighters and three new combatants from the console DLC fpr CSI (Makoto Nanaya, Valkenhayn Hellsing, and Platinum the Trinity).

   The game gets a port to the Nintendo 3DS and Playstation Portable this week with features intact and new game modes to boot. The "Legion Mode" adds a strategy-conquer-map element to the fighting action while the "Abyss Mode" mode has fighters battling their way to the depths of a dungeon. The" Story Mode" was written by producer Toshimichi Mori and a "Gallery Mode" contains illustrations for players to peruse. Gamers who need to hone their skills may engage the "Training Mode" for practice. 

Cast of Fighters
Ragna the Bloodedge | Jin Kisaragi |  Noel Vermillion | Iron Tager
Rachel Alucard | Taokaka | Litchi Faye Ling |  Arakune | Bang Shishigami
Carl Clover | Hakumen | Lambda-11 | Tsubaki Yayoi | Hazama
 Mu-12 | Makoto Nanaya |  Valkenhayn Hellsing | Platinum the Trinity

   Gamers can play multiplayer matches via ad hoc mode but please note that online connectivity is not supported.

PS3 Mamoru-kun wa Norowarete Shimatta! - New Import

NCS Product Synopsis
Update: March 31, 2011

«©NCSX» The arcade version of Mamoru-kun wa Norowarete Shimatta was released on Naomi cartridge in the summer of 2008 at the price of JPY178,000. There was no way we were paying nearly US$2000 for a cartridge-based game but we did pick up a used copy from an operator for about $600. Mamoru-kun has already been released on the Xbox 360 at a much lower price than the coin-op kit and a PS3 version is headed home.
 

   The game follows the adventures of a lad named Tomoka Mamoru who's been involved in a car accident. After he's hit by a speeding vehicle, his soul is immediately spirited to the underworld by a priestess who calls herself Fululu Jigokudani. As the story goes, the gateway to the underworld is under attack and the spirits who reside there have been cursed by malevolent forces. Since Fululu can't fight the oppression by herself, she has summoned Mamoru and three other heroes to fight on the underworld's behalf. The summoned protagonists are:

» Tomoka Mamoru - A grade school student who enjoys baseball
» Miyuki Mayuno - Passive girl with no memory of her previous life
» Narai Kinya - High school rebel with a yen for riding motorcycles
» Higatera Beniko - A posh young lady who seems to enjoy the underworld

  Upon starting the game, the camera settles on a revolving tree which is what Fululu conspired with to bring Mamoru and company to the underworld. Players may select any of the five heroes who differ in their firing patterns which is shown on the lower right corner of the character selection screen. For example, Mamoru shoots straight ahead while Beniko fires her shots in a outwards radiating arc. Fululu is also a straight shooter but her shots are governed by orbiting spheres which give her shots a bit of a twist. Although Mamoru-kun is a shooter which features vertically scrolling stages, the stages share commonalities with the old school run 'n gun games such as Commando, Ikari Warriors, or Guerilla War. In game, the characters walk around on the ground and players move at their own pace instead of being continually forced upwards. You can walk left, stop, shoot, walk right, shoot, stop, and then move upwards towards the inevitable end-level boss. 

   Similar to the Xbox 360 home conversion, the Playstation 3 version of Mamoru-kun features updated graphics, two new playable characters (downloadable), a Practice Mode, a new Story Mode, and an Image Gallery. Preorders for the regular edition the the limited edition package which includes a 150-page Art Works booklet, a BGM Soundtrack CD, and a Superplay Capture DVD "The Perfect Terror" that's published by INH of Insanity DVD fame are shipping today.

3DS BioHazard: The Mercenaries 3D - Import Preorder

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» The "Mercenaries" missions from Biohazard 4 and Biohazard 5 are gathered together for a rehash on the Nintendo 3DS. In the game, players take on the role of a hero such as Chris Redfield, Albert Wesker, Jack Krauser, or Jill Valentine and eviscerate zombies within a given time frame. Thanks to the wireless cooperative mode, players can link up with other players and kill zombies together like a gang. The action and carnage takes place on the top Nintendo 3DS screen while inventory and rudimentary commands are shown on the 3DS touch screen. The 3DS game features new characters, maps, modes, and weapons to utilize. 

   Preorders for the 3DS mport BioHazard: The Mercenaries 3D are welcome to ship on June 2, 2011

PS3 Meruru no Atelier: Arland no Renkinjutsu 3 - Import Preorder

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» Alchemists tend to stick together and in the third Arland no Renkinjutsu game, Totori from the Atelier Totori game is training the new protagonist Meruru to become a proper practitioner.
   Reservations are welcome for a regular edition of the game and a limited edition which includes a blue crystal paperweight, a Meruru Petit Nendoroid, and an Atelier Meruru Drama CD. Preorders for both versions fo the game are welcome to ship on June 23, 2011.

TOYS Xenosaga Episode III KOS-MOS Ver. 4 - Preorder

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» Alter has already released a rendition of KOS-MOS Ver. 4 from the Xenosaga III game but it was fixed-pose and static. Sure, it was pretty to look at but KOS was just a statue to be displayed on a shelf.  Alter's upcoming Xenosaga Episode III KOS-MOS Ver. 4 is different however - it's poseable and includes a variety of weaponry that may be gripped in her hands or positioned adjacent to her limber frame. A pair of self-standing gatling guns which are mounted on movable stalks are part of KOS-MOS' arsenal. The new version of KOS-MOS Ver. 4 measures 17cm or 6.69" tall.

   Preorders are welcome to ship in July 2011 at JPY9800 or US$139.90 from NCS.

PSP Classic Dungeon X2 - New Import

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» The original Classic Dungeon gave gamers an adventure game filled with old school flavor. Retro features such as 5-channel-sounding music, big-pixel graphics, and beeping-booping sound effects all conspired with a simple quest to hearken back to the olden days of gaming. Nippon Ichi releases a sequel which offers another classic RPG experience but this time around, there's a lot more to love.

   At the outset of the game, players can opt to use pre-made character archetypes for the protagonist or create a unique character on a simple illustration grid by using a pencil tool and paint. New to the construction kit is the ability to animate characters and create linkages between party members to show their relationship. Players who have characters from the original Classic Dungeon can transfer them to the sequel.

   Once created, the character roams the world with a party to explore, slay monsters, and level up. The action runs in real-time with seamless battles that take place on the overworld as the party explores. The "X2" in the game title refers to the doubling of elements in the game - there's twice as many weapons, magic circles, and even jobs that heroes can occupy. Players can create their own theme music by using a the built-in Music Macro Language facility to compose up to five tracks that play during dungeon exploration or in the tavern.   

TOYS Big O: R. Dorothy Wayneright Figma - Preorder

From the Manufacturer

   A figma of the unsociable android. From the mecha anime 'The Big O' comes a figma of the android who serves Roger, R. Dorothy Wayneright.

» Using the smooth yet poseable joints of figma, you can act out a variety of different scenes. Flexible plastic is used for specific areas, which allows proportions to be kept without compromising posability.
» She comes with two expressionless faces perfect for her personality, the direction of her eyes differs in the two faces.
» The black cat 'Pero' from Act 08: 'Missing Cat' is also included, as well as a posable mop.
» She includes replaceable parts to pull out the band in her hair to reveal the memory drive inside.
» A poseable figma stand is included, which allows for various poses.

TOYS To Heart 2 XRATED: Kousaka Tamaki Beach Side - Preorder

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» In the To Heart 2 game and subsequent OVA series, Tamaki Kousaka was an compelling character with depth and complexity. Poised, honorable, and capable of playing the piano, Tamaki had admirers from the entire student body. All of those refined qualities are for naught in the upcoming Kousaka Tamaki Beach Side figure where Tamaki's reduced to a beach trophy.

   Tamaki's seated on a blue beach chair in a red bikini which matches her hair. She's not a lady however - her left leg's lifted upwards in an inexplicable show of unladylike behavior. Tamaki holds a bottle of spray in her right hand which might be lotion since she's on the beach. Preorders are welcome to ship in July 2011 at JPY9800 or US$123.90.