Tatsunoko vs Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes - Preorder

«©NCSX» NCS was hoping for Capcom's Tatsunoko vs Capcom on the PS3 (mainly because we have the Hori RAP3 to use on that console) but we'll have to be content with the Wii version for now. The game is the latest in Capcom's Versus fighting games which pit one group of heroes against another group. Previous games have featured X-Men vs Streetfighter (1996), Marvel Super Heroes vs Street Fighter (1997), Capcom vs SNK: Millennium Fight (2000) and others. Characters from Tatsunoko properties such as Gatchaman and Yattaman battle household names from Capcom including Chun-Li, Morrigan, and Ryu.

Tatsunoko vs Capcom is basically a 2D fighting game but the fighters are rendered in full-bodied 3D. The visual style/design is dubbed 2.5D since it's the halfway point between 2D and 3D.

If the Wii version of the game wasn't shipping this year, NCS would have imported a coin-op kit. The Wii conversion allows us to get the game for under US$100 instead of the considerable expense required for the arcade version. We're guessing the game will use a combination of the Nunchuk and Wii Remote. Preorders are welcome to ship on December 11, 2008 at JPY6990 or US$65.90 from NCS.

General Updates

Xbox 360 Arcade Pack Backorders for the X360 Arcade Pack have shipped as of yesterday but we're sold out again as of this morning. The lot number of the consoles is currently "0836" which indicates the inclusion of the HDMI port and the Falcon chipset. Interest in the Xbox 360 over the past couple of weeks has been somewhat surprising. We expect additional restock by Thursday of next week for new orders. Note that USA X360 hard drives are compatible with Japanese consoles.

Hori Real Arcade Pro 3 All backorders for the Hori RAP3 will ship on Monday. The shipment's on the way and new orders are welcome.

Famitsu Magazine The latest issue of Weekly Famitsu didn't arrive today as expected but it'll make it in on Monday. Subs will go out on Monday afternoon.

Big Window for Game Gear - Clearance

NCS Product Synopsis - Original Update: Sometime in 1991
«©NCSX» The Game Gear portable gaming machine was originally released in Japan in 1990 where it competed against the original Gameboy. The Gear featured a backlit 3.2" color screen which was small but accessories were released to address the problem. One of them was the "Big Window" from a company named Abba which magnified the screen by about 200% which alleviated squinting.

Sale Offering: NCS' remaining inventory of the Big Window for the Game Gear is new, factory boxed, and in very good condition. The outer box has some slight deterioration from nearly 20 years in storage. Pricing is set at US$13.90 per unit which includes "free" shipping by USPS Media Mail within the U.S.

Macross Ace Frontier - New Import, Restock Monday

Whenever a new Macross game is announced, there's generally a good amount of fanfare since the brand is well known and beloved by international fan base. The buzz has been building in Japan over the past couple of weeks and Bandai's latest Macross game is another 3D mission-based shooting game. Players take control of a Valkyrie which can transform into three forms - battroid, jet fighter, and robot.

The Macross franchises featured in Macross Ace Frontier are as follows:

» SDF Macross
» Macross Plus
» Macross 7
» Macross Zero
» Macross Frontier

Over 40 Valkyries may be piloted in the game including the YF-19, VF-1S Strike Valkyrie, VF-19, YF-21, and the VF-1J. The Valkyries may be upgraded and customized during the course of the missions. A total of 35 characters from the Macross universe also appear for dramatic foil. To enhance the atmosphere of the game world, Bandai also throws in speech snippets and a number of classic songs from the various Macross series.

In addition to solo play, up to four gamers may link up for a cooperative game where four Valkyries tackle mission objectives. «Game Notes»

General Updates

Nintendo DS Import Delays The following Japanese NDS games have been delayed: » Detroit Metal City DS: Death Shout - New date: Winter TBA » Valkyrie Profile: Toga o Seoumono - New date: Nov 2, 2008(?) » Avalon Code - New date: Nov 1, 2008 Valkyrie Profile's delay is only 2 days from October 30 to November 2 but November 2 is a Sunday.

Hori Real Arcade Pro 3 Due to a shipment delay from the Japanese distributor, NCS expects restock of the Hori RAP3 by next week. If the controllers arrive any sooner, we'll update our customers accordingly.

Market Timing Selling the market short on Rosh Hashanah (last Monday) was a great call this year. Buying Yom Kippur (today) may be a similarly profitable move for any bulls that are still standing. All three of you.

Sonic Adventure for Dreamcast - Clearance

NCS Product Synopsis - Original Update: September 25, 2003
«©NCSX» The irascible Dr. Chaos is back and raising a ruckus. Since the authorities can't corral Chaos, Sonic has to step up and beat back his old foe. Sonic Adventure is a 3D action game that was released a couple of months after the launch of the Japanese Dreamcast.

Sale Offering: NCS' remaining inventory of Sonic Adventure for the Japanese Dreamcast is new, factory sealed, and in mint condition. Pricing is set at US$13.90 per copy which includes "free" shipping by USPS Media Mail within the U.S.

Fantasm Soldier Valis Gashapon Vol. 2 - New, In Stock

Hot on the heels of the first Valis Gashapon Set which arrived last month, Millennium releases the second set to market. Valis Gashapon Vol. 2 features another four standard figures and NCS gathers them up into complete sets which are priced at US$25. The standard characters in the new set are:

» Yuko Asao - in full armored regalia with broadsword
» Valna - sedate pose with a convoluted staff weapon
» Yuko Asao - wears a skimpy ocher costume with two weapons
» Cham - redhead in pink and yellow body armor «NCS Photo Gallery»

Fantasm Soldier Valis Gashapon Vol. 2 + Secret Figures

In addition to the four standard Valis Vol. 2 gashapon toys, Millennium also produced two "secret" figures which both feature Yuko Asao in different costumes and in different poses as follows:

» Yuko Asao in white robe with golden armlets from Valis 2 (MSX version)
» Yuko Asao in white and gold costume from Valis 2 (PC-Engine version)

This offer includes the two figures listed above and the four standard figures as shown in our Photo Gallery.