TOYS Puyo Puyo 7 Plush Toys - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» Sanei Boeki has started preorders for five officially licensed Puyo Puyo plush toys which measure 9cm (3.54") in diameter as follows:

» Blue Puyo - Jan Code: 4905330247049
» Green Puyo - Jan Code: 4905330247025
» Red Puyo - Jan Code: 4905330247018
» Purple Puyo - Jan Code: 49053302470156
» Yellow Puyo - Jan Code: 4905330247032

In addition to the 9cm Puyo plushes, two larger plushes are on tap:

» Red Puyo (40cm or 15.74" diameter) - Jan Code: 4905330247018
» Carbunkle (25cm or 9.84" in height) - Jan Code: 4905330247063

Preorders are welcome to ship in late October 2009.

TOYS Star Wars Darth Vader Sound Tsuke Strap - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» Darth Vader is an imposing figure when he's on his feet and swinging a light saber while a swishy cape billows behind him. Respect the dark knight. However, decapitate Darth and he's not that imposing anymore. That's what you'll get with the Star Wars Darth Vader Sound Tsuke Strap which makes Darth noises and may be tethered to a set of keys, a phone, or another device fitted with a loop. Preorders ship in late September 2009 at JPY1280 or US$16.90 each.

TOYS Terminator Salvation Real Arm Figure - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» We don't remember a whole lot about Terminator Salvation other than the kiss the convict got when he agreed to be a guinea pig at the beginning of the movie. Then he became a Terminator. Japanese manufacturer Omron/Furyu has started preorders for a 30cm "Real Arm Figure" that's inspired by Terminator Salvation. The arm is made of PVC so we're not sure how "real" it can be. Preorders ship in Dec 2009.

NEWS Bayonetta - Region Coding Clarification

X360/PS3 Bayonetta Coding Clarifications
We received a flood of emails asking about the region coding on Bayonetta earlier this morning. Just to clarify:

1) Japanese Xbox 360 games are region-locked. Always have been.
2) Japanese PS3 games are not region-locked. Old news.

The Japanese Xbox 360 version of Bayonetta won't work on a USA or European Xbox 360 but this is status quo and par for the course.

The PS3 hardware is region-free for game software and in any case, Japan and the USA share the same region and the firmware updates are interchangeable. Sega can't region-lock PS3 Bayonetta.

TOYS Puyo Puyo Mascot Set - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» The Puyo Puyo franchise started modestly enough. In 1991, Tokuma Shoten shipped the game on a floppy disk titled "Famimaga Disk Vol. 5" for the Family Disk System followed by a release for the MSX. It wasn't until developer Compile produced the game for the arcades in 1992 that gamers really started to take notice. Bright graphics accompanied by chipper music and squeaky voices from the likes of cutesy characters such as Arle, Drac, and the fish-lipped Tara attracted the first crop of fans. The coin-op version of Puyo Puyo also featured a "versus" style of play that proved to be a winning formula as it went on to become a puzzle game sensation on consoles and handhelds through the years.

Toys based on the Puyo Puyo franchise have been fairly scarce over the past few years but Sanei Boeki rectifies the situation with a collection of five Puyo figures which are packaged in a cardboard-backed blister pack. All of the Puyos have big eyes but the yellow variant appears to be taking a nap. Each Puyo measures 5cm or 1.96" in height and is constructed of slightly pliable PVC. Preorders are welcome to ship in late October 2009 at JPY1680 or US$20.90 per set of five.

TOYS GeGeGe no Kitaro Original Version - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» Kitaro is a one-eyed goblin-lad who has a penchant for peace. Kitaro is different from the other goblins in that he doesn't want to beguile and torment humanity. Kitaro just wants everyone to get along but the other goblins generally won't have any of that. Japanese manufacturer Astron tips its hat to Kitaro for his peaceful ways and announces a GeGeGe no Kitaro Original Version posable figure (arms, wrists, head are movable) which measures 22cm or 8.66" tall and is constructed from PVC.

Kitaro's eyes are sleepy and his mouth is pursed in such a way as to indicate the action of whistling. Failing that, maybe he's waiting for a kiss from a passing goblin-gal. The figure is fully assembled, painted, and ready for display. Kitaro's standing on a stump but he may be removed from the stump and stood on his own two feet. Preorders ship in October 2009.

TOYS Project Diva Miku Hatsune Figure - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» The recent PSP Project Diva game sold reasonably well in Japan and we attribute the sales success to Miku Hatsune and Miku Hatsune alone. The game itself is an acceptable rhythm action title but were it not for Miku serving as the onscreen personality, Project Diva would have fallen by the wayside within a week or two. On a related note, Miku-branded merchandise has been selling at a decent clip over the past year or so and manufacturers continue to show their confidence in the franchise by releasing a steady supply of Miku-related products. The latest toy is a fixed-posed figure from Sega Toys which measures 21cm or 8.26" tall with a release date of late November 2009.

The upcoming figure is based on the cover artwork for the PSP Project Diva game where Miku throws her left hand outwards which her knees are bent slightly to convey motion. Mik's twin-tail hairdo drapes downwards like a curtain of hair whilst her eyes betray a childlike innocence that's unbecoming of a singing sensation. Each Miku figure will be packaged in a "Prize" cardboard box since these figures are supposed to be only available through game parlors as prizes for patrons who redeem winning tokens. Preorders are welcome to ship in late November or early December.

General Updates

PSP Shin Sangoku Musou 5 Special Delayed Koei has updated the release date for PSP SSM5 Special to October 22 from the original date of September 17, 2009.

TRC Juicy Honey Special Edition Kirara Asuka The second batch of the Juicy Honey Kirara Asuka cards should arrive within the next 1-2 weeks and we'll contact customers once they're in stock and ready to ship.

PS3 Demon's Souls (Asian Version) The Asian-English version Demon's Souls sold out again last night. We've decided to restock another batch of the game and we'll update our product listings once the game is in stock again.