X360 Espgaluda II Black Label [Regular Edition] - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» Japanese distributors started preorders for Espgaluda II Black Label on the Xbox 360 last night. No one knew if the game would be region-free like Mushihimesama Futari v1.5 was since Cave didn't provide this information on the preliminary preorder offer. Based on the international good will that Cave created with Futari, we're somewhat confident that Espgaluda II is going to be region-free but they'll have to confirm before it's a go. We might shed a tear or three if they decide to region-protect their shmups again.

Espgaluda II is a vertically scrolling shooter but firing away isn't the only gist of the game. There's also swarms of gems to be collected; lots of them which burst out of enemies when they're destroyed. Players will also find themselves weaving and dodging a maze of bullets which spiral and scatter throughout the screen. By strategizing and going into three types of Kakusei mode, players can maximize the score multiplier, throw up an auto-barrier, and affect bullet velocity. Game modes in the Xbox 360 port include an Xbox mode, a Novice mode, Arcade mode, and an Arrange mode for a bit of variation on the horizontal shooting action. In the sequel, a girl named Asagi joins the cast of Ageha and Tateha from the original Espgaluda as a playable hero. She's a scrawny runt at the outset of the game but watch how she does when she's at maximum power.

Distributors have only started preorders for the regular edition of Espgaluda II thus far and the preorder solicitation mentions that every copy of the first printing includes a bonus 2-disc soundtrack that is packaged inside the DVD case. Furthermore, the allocation of the limited edition of Espgaluda II from Cave is dependent on the preorder quantity for the regular edition. For example, if NCS preorders 500 copies of Espgaluda II and Cave's regular-to-limited allocation ratio is 5:1, that means we'll only be allowed to order 100 copies of the limited edition. Due to this type of arrangement, NCS does not expect to be able to stock many copies of the limited edition and it'll likely skyrocket in price on the aftermarket upon release. We'll finalize the actual allocation ratio in the next few days after we submit our preorder numbers for the regular edition. A bonus Xbox 360 faceplate (viewable on our shopping link gallery) is included in the limited edition of the game.

Preorders for Espgaluda II regular edition are welcome to ship on February 25, 2010 at JPY6980 or US$74.90 from NCS. Please wait for information on whether or not the game is region-free in the next few days. Thanks.

PSP QIX++ - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» The original coin-op version of Qix gobbled up quarters back in 1981 when the competition consisted of Kangaroo, Donkey Kong, and Pac-Man. Fast forward nearly three decades and Qix++ has already been released on Xbox Live Arcade to mediocre reviews but that's not stopping Taito from porting the game over to the PSP. Qix is a simple block-building game. Players control a diamond-shaped vehicle which draws straight lines in order to create squares and boxes. The aim of the game is to isolate an electrical being called Qix in as small a space as possible by building blocks on the playfield while avoiding the deathly touch of the Qix. The PSP conversion will include all of the downloadable content that's available for the Xbox Live version. Preorders are welcome to ship on February 25, 2010.

X360 No More Heroes: Heroes Paradise - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» Sales for No More Heroes on the Wii were below expectations. NCS anticipated much more interest for a game by Grasshopper but maybe the stars weren't aligned properly. How any gamer could resist a protagonist named Travis Touchdown who wields a "Beam Katana" may be one of the great mysteries in this life.
One way to get more sales for a game is to release it on other platforms and that's what publisher Marvelous is trying next year. NCS opened up preorders for the PS3 conversion last week and we're starting reservations for the Xbox 360 version this week. The game is subtitled "Heroes Paradise" which features new voice acting, more event scenes, and a special mode dubbed "Very Sweet Mode," which is an easy level for beginners. Under certain conditions, the female characters in the game appear in bikinis, belly shirts, and generally show as much skin as possible without getting slapped with public lewdness citation.
Preorders are welcome to ship on February 25, 2010 and early preorders will ship with a bonus erotic portrait collection that's being given away in 50% ratio by the publisher. The collection is different from the PS3 bonus.

NEWS General Updates

Final Fantasy XIII Update All reservations for the Japanese version of FFXIII are shipping tomorrow. The packages have cleared U.S. Customs as of this morning and are scheduled to be delivered on Thursday. Due to the volume of transactions that are being processed and shipped tomorrow, we cannot accept any shipping changes at this time. Invoices and shipping labels have been printed and we'll get everyone's order out on Thursday.

Final Fantasy XIII Lightning Bundle Update The FFXIII Lightning Bundles are in the process of clearing Customs but based on tracking details this morning, NCS expects split-deliveries so that one big batch will arrive on Thursday and another smaller batch will arrive on Friday. We'll have more information by tomorrow morning once we track the different packages that are currently in transit from Japan to New York City. Please note that UPS Ground should deliver everyone's package (stateside) by Wednesday or Thursday of next week. UPS is treating next Thursday as a normal transit and delivery day.

Classic Linker N64 EMS Industrial (Hong Kong) has released a new controller converter for the Wii with the following features: Connects N64™ controllers to GC™ / Wii™. - Built-in two sets of KEY MAPPING. - Free BUTTON SWAP function. - Supports ANALOG STICK ADJUST function. - Supports RUMBLE function. - Supports N64™ controllers in N64™ games on Wii™ perfectly. Connects PS™ / PS2™ / Wii™ Classic controllers to GC™ / Wii™. - Programmable AUTO FIRE function. - Supports RUMBLE function. - Supports PS™ dancing mat. NCS expects our shipment to arrive next week. Preorders are welcome.

TOYS The Rocketeer Real Action Heroes ver2.5 - New Import

«©NCSX» In 1991, a rocket-powered superhero, Jennifer Connelly, and Nazi villains couldn't convince prospective movie audiences to pay the cost of admission. Positioned as a "summer blockbuster," the Rocketeer raked in a mere $46,704,056 in total receipts. That last $56 was hard fought.

Fast forward to 2003 and Medicom commemorated the 12-year anniversary of the Rocketeer with a Real Action Heroes run that was limited to 2000 pieces. Collectors applauded, paid the dear cost of collecting, and the figure eventually sold out, never to be seen again. Or so we thought. The Rocketeer RAH was re-released in 2006 and it's making another comeback later this week in a "version 2.5" (#461) rendition. The Rocketeer sports a studded brown leather jacket with a flap which flips open to reveal a zipper. To complete the ensemble, a silver colored rocket pack is strapped to his back with copper-colored thrusters at the bottom.

TOYS IkkiTousen GG Kanu Unchou Perfect Body - New Import

«©NCSX» NCS inspected the new Kanu Unchou Perfect Body Version thoroughly but we couldn't really discern what made this particular version the "perfect body" as opposed to the myriad incarnations of Kanu we've sold through the years. Were those earlier Kanu figures "imperfect," "ill proportioned," or "flawed" in some way? We'll never know for sure. Perfect Body Kanu has candy resin skin and an hourglass figure that might be deemed perfect by most standards. Women hate her and men stare a little too long for comfort.

Alphamax's Kanu coldcast figure is sculpted to 1/8 scale and measures 22cm or 8.66" tall. Kanu is basically nude but she wears a pair of skivvies below while two strategically placed strands of hair provide coverings for her bosom. In Kanu's left hand, she holds her uniform which drapes neatly downwards. Preorders have shipped as of yesterday and pricing is set at JPY13,800 or US$155.90 from NCS. Update: Sold out.

TOYS Rebuild of Evangelion Bike Helmet - Import Preorder

«©NCSX» New York City is an urban jungle. Stand in the middle of Times Square at noon and marvel at the masses of humanity that walk the Earth. Bet you a silver dollar that Mother Nature never anticipated there'd be this many people shuffling their feet at any one time. Yet there they are. Along with the pedestrians, a lot of bicyclists roam the streets. Loads of bike messengers. One time, we saw a taxi cab rear-end a bicyclist which sent the rider sprawling forward with a lot of thrust. The bike was a total loss but the biker survived. His helmet didn't really help because the bicyclist didn't land on his head but he did skin his chin so that there was a big patch of bloody red gore below his lower lip. Looked like a slice of roast beef that had just been lopped off a steer. Heartwarming visuals are NCS' business.

Movic's Rebuild of Evangelion Bike Helmet probably won't save your chin if you end up skidding face-first on concrete pavement. However, it'll probably save your life there's ever a time when you're riding a bike and you suddenly find yourself landing on your head. Preorders ship in January 2010.

TOYS Little Busters! Kudoryafuka Hair Pin - Import Preorder

«©NCSX» In the Little Busters! animated serial, Kudryavka Noumi is a bi-racial girl (Japanese, Russian) who has a pet Husky she calls Strelka which means "small arrow" in Russian. Kud wears a floppy hat which looks like a loaf of bread and she accessories with a little bat pin which she wears on her hair. The black bat may be symbolic of witchcraft, evil, bloodsucker, or maybe Noumi's just a really rabid Batman fan.
Cospa's Kudoryafuka Hair Pin measures 6 x 4cm (2.36 x 1.57") and is manufactured of PVC. A metal hair braid is attached to the back of the bat so that the pin may be attached securely to a few locks of a wearer's hair.
Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late March 2009 at JPY1200 or US$16.90 from NCS. The pin will ship in a cardboard-backed blister pack.