X360 Death Smiles IIX - Import Preorder

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» In the original DeathSmiles, the heroines Windia, Caspar, Rosa, and Follet were teenagers who were accompanied by invincible familiars. In the sequel, the girls have devolved and they're no longer teens. They're now "tweens" which accentuates the lolita-gothic theme of the game with a younger-looking cast of immaculately garbed and coiffed junior maidens.

Similar to the first DeathSmiles, the sequel is a horizontal shooter where players fire shots to the right, fire shots to the left, and drop the occasional bomb blast. A lock-shot is also available by pressing the "A" and "B" shot buttons together to lock onto enemies with blazing lasers. In the coin-op version, DeathSmiles II featured a cast of four characters with Windia and Caspar returning to reprise their roles. They're joined by a lad named Lei with an identity crisis. Although Lei's a male, he nevertheless dresses up like a maid and appears to be wearing eyeliner. The fourth character is a youngling named Supe (Soupy) who looks like a baby munchkin just emerging from her swaddling clothes. The Xbox 360 conversion improves on the coin-op original by adding Rosa and Follet as playable characters. The 360 game also includes two new stages for a total of 7 to plow through and attendant bosses who guard the new stages.

DeathSmiles 2 is designed with 3D in mind so the stages, enemies, and bosses are rendered 3D models which may be off-putting to some 2D shmup purists. We like the game just fine however - picked up a used kit for about US$1500. Preorders for the Regular Edition (US$73.90) and the Limited Edition which includes a bonus soundtrack and slipcase (US$119.90) are welcome to ship on May 27, 2010.

Questions and Answers
Why do the girls look so young now?
The lolita fetish is strong in this one.

Region-free?
No, but Cave's intentions and plans might change.

How many copies will the original DeathSmiles sell in the USA?
About 100 copies. Maybe 200 if Walmart throws in a $10 gift card.

NDS Pokemon Ranger Hikari no Kiseki - New Import, In Stock

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» Partner up with a gang of Pokemon and help keep the peace by becoming a -=Pokemon Ranger=- who travels the land under the direction of Pokemon HQ. A gang called the Pokemon-Nappers are on the job and they're running around Oblivia causing trouble for the rangers. True to the organization's name, the Pokemon-Nappers are kidnapping Pokemon and Ranger Signs for nefarious purposes.

At the outset of the adventure, players may select a male or female protagonist. The introductory sequence takes place above the clouds where two Pokemon-Nappers are chasing a winged beast but their pursuit is interrupted by your timely appearance. After scaring the nappers away temporarily, your job is to draw circles around the winged Pokemon to capture it for yourself. After capturing the Pokemon, the two Nappers turn their attention to your hero and they begin shooting. Use the stylus to maneuver around the incoming fire but when they're joined by a third Napper, the protagonist gets hit by a volley of shots and plunges into the ocean below... You'll be cued to rotate the NDS 90° counterclockwise at this point where a mini-game starts up. Tap on the screen quickly to move the hero downwards towards a marine Pokemon which breathes out bubbles that must be avoided. Tap furiously to make contact with the Pokemon and successfully complete the mini-game.

In addition to the single-player mode of Pokemon Ranger, up to four players may link up for a cooperative adventure.

MAG Weekly Famitsu Vol. 1110 - New Import, Sold Out

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» The March 25, 2010 issue of Weekly Famitsu includes coverage of the following games and/or events in the Japanese marketplace:
» Previews for NDS Super Robot Wars OG: The Lord of Elemental, PSP Blaze Union: Story to Reach the Future, Wii Zombie in Wonderland, PS3 Nier Replicant, X360 Nier Gestalt, and NDS DQ Monsters Joker 2.
» Famitsu's reviewers rank PSP Gundam Assault Survive (8/8/8/9), NDS Nettou! Powerful Koushien (8/8/7/8), NDS Kawaii Koinu DS 3 (7/7/7/8), NDS Crayon Shin-Chan: Obaka Daininden (8/8/8/7), and PS3 Ryu ga Gotoku 4: Densetsu o Tsugumono (9/10/10/9).
» Coin-op coverage for Guitar Freaks XG DrumMania XG.
» Special feature on PS3 Final Fantasy XIV which ships later this year.
» Continuing coverage on PS3 Hokuto Musou.
» The relatively recent Sherlock Holmes movie is the only film in this week's Digital Entertainment Front section.
» Entrees served at chain eateries such as Royal Host, Denny's (yes, that Denny's), and Jonathan's Coffee & Restaurant are checked out.

X360 Dream C Club Platinum Collection - New Import, In Stock

NCS Product Synopsis
Original Write-up: August 27, 2009
«©NCSX» A new and highly exclusive hostess bar is debuting in Japan this week. Their liquor license has been approved by the authorities and patrons who are fortunate enough to become members will get to enjoy an added dimension to their nightly activities. Dream Club is the name and libation's served by lovely hostesses is the game. Literally. Dream Club is a hostess bar simulation where players visit the Dream Club, order colorful alcoholic beverages from an extensive menu, and talk to hostesses.

By being somewhat clever through the input of prompts and cues, players try to learn more about the girls and get them to drink. By loosening a hostess up, she might reveal a personal secret or get up on stage to do a little dancing or singing. Familiarity normally breeds contempt but not at Dream Club. The more that you visit and spend your hard-earned yen, the friendlier the hostesses get. You won't find love at Dream Club but you'll get lots of undivided attention that might not normally be forthcoming. Remember, as long as your money is flowing, you can do not wrong at Dream Club.

PS3 Ryu Ga Gotoku 4 - Arriving on Monday

NCS Preorder Update
«©NCSX» Our main Japanese distributor received Ryu Ga Gotoku 4 last night and our entire allocation has shipped from Tokyo. NCS expects the parcels to arrive on Monday and all preorders and new orders will ship on Monday afternoon. According to the supplier, they were able to include a 60% ratio of the bonus Kamutai Magazine Vol. 4 which we'll give away to early preorders.

Fresh from his stint as proprietor of the Morning Glory orphanage in Ryu Ga Gotoku 3, Kiryu Kazuma steps back into the neon-lit world of the Yakuza. In the fourth Ryu Ga Gotoku game, Kiryu is accompanied by three cohorts named Masayoshi Tanimura, Shun Akiyama and Taiga Saejima. The four thuggish heroes enjoy their own storylines in the game and their escapades intertwine as the adventure unfolds. The base of operations for Kiryu and friends are the seedy streets of Kamurocho which is populated by Yakuza who ply their trade in houses of vice. Sega expands Kamurocho by allowing the exploration of the rooftops and the sewers for an added dimension of realism and mobility.

PS2 Summon Night Gran-These: Horobi no Ken - New, In Stock

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» A lad named Lost and a gal who answers to Millet are the selectable protagonists in Banpresto's latest Summon Night chapter. Lost's name is apt because he suffers from amnesia and has no knowledge about his past. Although Lost is lacking in memories, he's a formidable fighter with a strong sword hand. He's been summoned into the world by a trio named Coco, Dino, and Folt. Millet is more cognizant of herself but she's a frail girl who's not very worldly. She carries a firearm for her primary weapon in order to keep the distance between her and assorted enemies. Together, Lost and Millet are the vanguard of a team of adventurers in the latest Summon Night.

Previous volumes in the Summon Night series of games have fit into the S-RPG genre but Gran-These is an action-adventure where the heroes run, dodge, and attack in real time motion. The designers of the game gave the R-Analog thumb stick a "roll and dodge" function where simply nudging it sends either Lost or Millet into an evasive maneuver which is convenient when facing multiple enemies or bosses with powerful attacks that shouldn't be allowed to connect. Early preorders will ship with a bonus Official Visual Book which is being given away by Banpresto in 50% ratio.

PSP Yuusha no Kuse ni Namaikida Or 3D - New Import, In Stock

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» It ain't easy being a devil. Every self-righteous hero wants to capture the creature and parade it around like some sort of trophy. That's where you come in. You're the monster's protector. A watchful guardian who carves out deep dungeons that house the beast and keep it safe. Your craftsmanship must be savvy enough to foil any attempts by heroes to capture your little charge. By populating the dungeon with slime, skeletons, and even dragons, an ecosystem resides in the labyrinth to attack the parade of heroes that are after fortune, devil, and glory. A new feature in Yuusha no Kuse 3D is the addition of water (which always flows downwards) which may be used to make the dungeon a watery hazard for hard charging heroes. Water also supports new life forms that wouldn't exist on land.

At the outset of the game, players are allowed the opportunity to start digging out the tunnels, rooms, and areas of the dungeon. Salting the rocks to start the genesis of life may also be implemented before the hero enters the labyrinth. To "salt" rocks, destroy slimes that are adjacent to a rock and speckles of white color will appear on the rock. This indicates that the rock is being cultivated to be able to create a new and higher-level life form. The most basic life form in the dungeon is green slime but more complicated species may be generated including blue slime, lizard men, demons, and fairies which giggle and divide themselves into more fairies. In the first stage, a red-armored warrior is the antagonist who struts into the dungeon like he owns the joint. He's a punk but powerful wizards and brute knights in later levels provide for a more robust challenge.

PS3 Initial D Extreme Stage [the Best] - New Import, In Stock

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» It's been six years since Sega released Initial D: Special Stage on the PS2. The game sold very well and a number of printings were made to fill demand in Japan, Asia, and abroad. When Initial D: Extreme Stage was released on the Playstation 3 roughly two years ago, the game sold well with a positive reception throughout the territories that NCS ships to.

PS3 Initial D: Extreme Stage is based on Initial D Arcade Stage 4 which was originally built on Sega's Lindbergh coin-op hardware. The game features seven main courses such as Lake Akina and Irohazaka but if you factor in the variations, the course count runs up to 28 tracks. There's 23 vehicles that may be driven including the Toyota Trueno GT-APEX (AE86), Mitsubishi Lancer GSR Evolution III (CE9A), Nissan Skyline GTR V-Spec II (BNR32), and the Honda Civic Type R (EK9). Finally, a total of 23 drift-savvy rivals provide drama and adversity for racing fans to contend with.