Transformers Chrono Label Autoceptor/Time Limit - Preorder

«©NCSX» Preorders are welcome for an upcoming Transformers Wristwatch which features a detachable watch unit that can transform from boxy timepiece to boxy robot. The price tag for the watch is about US$300 but note that it doesn't transform by itself. You would think it would at that price... The LCD on the watch features 170 LEDs to display rudimentary graphics which depict a smiley face, sleepy face, or the Autobots symbol. The watch also displays the time and various letters on the LCD. Two versions of the Chrono Label will be released later this year - a Cybertron Autoceptor version and a Destron Time Limit watch which displays the same dot graphics.
Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late August 2009 at JPY30000 or US$290.90 NCS.

Evangelion Shin Gekijouban EVA-W01 Watch - Preorder

«©NCSX» NCS has sold a couple of Evangelion-themed watches in our company's history and a third watch is on tap for mid-February 2009. The new model is painted a pretty purple color which is designed by Takeshi Wada with Seiko doing the manufacturing chores. Each battery-powered, waterproof watch will be serially numbered. Preorders are welcome to ship next month at JPY24,990 or US$289.90 from NCS.

Gintama Elizabeth USB Wheel Mouse - Import Preorder

«©NCSX» Hailing from the Gintama manga and anime, Elizabeth is the name of a white duck who's usually in the company of a freedom fighter named Kotaro Katsura. Elizabeth has inspired a decent amount of merchandising in Japan over the past few years and she recently made the break into PC consumer products.

NCS isn't interested in the $50 Elizabeth 1GB USB flash drive but we are somewhat interested in the Liz Wheel Mouse (PC/MAC). We're intrigued by her wide-eyed expression which seems to indicate that she bet her life savings on the wrong horse at the track. Preorders ship in mid-late Feb.

Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha: Subaru Nakajima - Preorder

«©NCSX» Subaru Nakajima is a cast member of the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS animated series and she's a cyborg. Subaru has a few attacks including the Revolver Knuckle and Divine Buster. Alter's upcoming figure for the heroine features Subaru in a skating/punching pose where she's apparently rolling in motion and pulling back her right arms for an eventual attack. Wings may be seen sprouting from the back of her boots.
The upcoming Subaru figure is set to 1/7 scale and measures 22cm (8.66") tall. A circular base is including for display purposes. Preorders ship in June 2008 at JPY7800 (US$89.90).

Bamboo Blade Kawazoe Tamaki- Preorder

«©NCSX» In the Bamboo Blade manga/anime serial, Tamaki Kawazoe is a high school freshman with a penchant for Kendo. When she's recruited into a team challenge by a Kendo instructor named Toraji Ishida, Tamaki becomes the leader and core of the Kendo practicing students.

Since all popular heroines in Japan are eventually sculpted into toy figures, Alter participates by announcing a Tamaki rendition that shows the Kendo student in a sedata pose. Tama-chan grasps her bokken (wooden sword) with both hands and sits in a very feminine manner. Preorders are welcome to ship in May 2009.

Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Complete - Preorder

«©NCSX» Square Enix announced three versions of the upcoming FFVII Advent Children Complete Blu-Ray yesterday and NCS starts preorders today. The Blu-Ray disc ships in Japan on April 16, 2009 but a North American date has not been announced yet.

Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Limited Edition
The first version listed on the distribution preorder sheet is dubbed the FFVII AC Complete First Print Limited Edition which is priced at JPY5900 or US$70.90 from NCS. To whet the appetites of Fantasy fans, Square includes a preview of Final Fantasy XIII which is scheduled to ship later this year in Japan and sometime in 2010 stateside. We've watched previews of the game and read numerous tidbits on the pages of Famitsu but the preview will be the first time we'll get to check out the adventures of Lightning (the female version of Cloud), Snow Villiers, and other cohorts in the comfort of our little gaming den.

Final Fantasy VII Advent Children "Cloud Black" PS3 Edition
The second version of FFVII AC Blu-Ray throws in Playstation 3 (160GB) console that's decorated with a special imprint. The Final Fantasy XIII "Cloud Black" Playstation 3 features a white ink etching of the Cloudy Wolf on the top shell. In case you're wondering, the Cloudy Wolf is Cloud Strife's personal symbol. The Final Fantasy XIII preview is also included in the bundle which makes it the "comprehensive" version of Blu-Ray release. Pricing for the bundle is set at JPY49,980 or US$619.90 from NCS. Due to the weight of the Cloud Black PS3 bundle, NCS recommends only shipping by UPS Ground within the United States.

Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Regular Edition
Last but not least, a Regular Edition of the Blu-Ray will also ship in April which does not include the FFXIII preview. If you just want the movie by its lonesome, then this is the version for you at the price of JPY4900 or US$58.90 from NCS.

Preorders for the three versions are welcome to ship on April 16, 2009.

Weekly Famitsu Vol. 1050 - Subscriptions Only

Cover Date - January 30, 2009
The latest issue of Weekly Famitsu features print coverage of the following games/events:
» Hideo Kojima and Toshihiro Nagoshi sit down and talk about games and current/upcoming projects.
» Preview of Super Robot Wars K for the Nintendo DS which checks out the numerous animated series to be featured in the game.
» Famitsu's reviewers rank NDS Monster*Racer (8/8/8/7), PSP Hokuto no Ken: Raoh Gaiden - Ten no Haoh (6/6/7/5), Wii Suzumiya Haruhi no Gekidou (6/6/5/5), Wii Fragile: Sayonara Tsuki no Haikyo (8/8/8/7), and X360 Left 4 Dead (10/9/8/8).
» Famitsu includes a little booket in the centerfold of the magazine which looks back at all of the highly ranked games of 2008 on all platforms. The DS section takes up 13 pages while the PSP section spans a measly 4 pages. The Wii is notable because it's the only gaming system which garnered two perfect 10s for Dairantou Smash Bros X and 428 ~Fuusa Sareta Shibuya de~. The PS3 had one perfect 10 game in MGS4. As a comparison, there were no NDS games which scored perfect 10s in 2008.

Street Fighter 20th Anniversary Drink - Preorder

«©NCSX» Appreciation Systems Company (Apris) of Japan makes unremarkable beverages but since they package them in nifty character cans, some forgiveness is in order for the quality of their drinks. We've dodged most of their offerings in the past such as the Rockman E-Tank but they're coming out with a Street Fighter 20th Anniversary Drink that we can't ignore nor dodge successfully. History is being made and NCS has to reluctantly embrace the SF canned drink. At least Apris isn't calling them something weird like potions.

Street Fighter IV ships next month and Apris is gearing up for the occasion by announcing a beverage that embodies the verve and strength of the game. Not really.. but work with us here for the sake of our preorder solicitation. An ingredient list hasn't been disclosed by the beverage distributor but we're guessing the following ingredients will be listed once it has been announced: Fructose, water, ginseng extract, taurine, riboflavin, xanthan gum, and maybe a little minty fresh flavoring just for the heck of it. The artwork on the can shows a few characters but Ryu looks sort of like a gorilla. An angry gorilla with a red headband.

Each can is priced at US$4.90 or you can elect to purchase a full case of 10 for the bargain price of US$49. Shipping charges for beverages from Japan are outlandish but we might go the sea-freight route if that'll bring our import costs down substantially. Preorders are welcome to ship on or around late February 2009. Due to the weight of the cans, NCS advises shipping by UPS Ground for multiple can orders but we'll ship by USPS Media Mail if ordering a single can at the flat rate of US$2.50.