X360 Strike Witches: Shirogane no Tsubasa - Import Preorder

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» In an alternate reality, the Earth and particularly Europe has been ravaged by the effects of an invasive force known as the Neuroi. To counter their assaults, humanity develops the "Striker Unit" which is an all-in-one device which grants wearers the power of flight, defensive measures, and enhances one's propensity for magic. In the world of Strike Witches, cat-eared girls serve as the warriors who don the Striker Units and thrust through the heavens to battle the insidious Neuroi.

Originally a manga/anime, Strike Witches expands its reach with a horizontal shooter on the Xbox 360. The game features a cast of 11 cat-eared girls who are grouped into cadres of three whom take to the skies and shoot down waves upon waves of Neuroi attackers. The girls are:

» Yoshika Miyafuji
» Mio Sakamoto
» Lynette Bishop
» Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke
» Erica Hartmann
» Gertrud Barkhorn
» Perrine-H. Clostermann
» Francesca Lucchini
» Charlotte E. Yeager
» Sanya V. Litvyak
» Eila Ilmatar Juutilainen

Strike Witches uses a control scheme that's reminiscent of Robotron where the left thumbstick on the Xbox 360 controller is used for movement and the right thumbstick shoots. This control mechanism allows for flighty movements and rapid-fire 360˚ directional shots as Neuroi enter the screen from all quarters. Furthermore, the trio of girls that the player selects may be arranged in various flight formations to counter threats and overcome obstacles during the course of the game.

Modes include a Story Mode which includes cinematic sequences, a Practice Mode for honing one's skills, and an Online Mode where players can post their top scores and check where they stand on a national leaderboard of elite Strike Witch handlers.

Preorders are welcome for a Regular Edition of Strike Witches at JPY7329 or US$75.90 from NCS and a Limited Edition which is packaged with an exclusive Yoshika Miyafuji Nendoroid toy which includes a gun prop, an inner tube prop, a backpack prop, and an extra face to change her expression. Please note the quantity of the Limited Edition will be allocated based on how many Regular Editions we purchase. Due to this preorder stipulation, please be advised that there may be shortages.

TOYS Korilakkuma 7th Plush Doll XL Premium - Import Preorder

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» When Rilakkuma the lazy-ass bear needs someone to talk to, he'll call up a little chick named Kiriroi-tori or a cream-colored bear known as Korilakkuma. System Service ignores Rilakkuma and Kiriroi-tori in their next Rilakkuma plush toy and goes only with Korilakkuma. The new Korila toy is special because its big. Massive even. Measuring a mighty 55cm or 21.65" tall and roughly 30cm or 11.81" wide, the Korila plush can be used as a pillow, a huggable toy, or a scarecrow to frighten crop invaders.

Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late August 2010 at US$39.90 each from NCS. Please note this item will incur dimensional weight and NCS recommends only shipping by UPS Ground within the U.S.

TOYS Rilakkuma MakuMaku Solar Mascot - Import Preorder

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» Toys that run on solar power are eco-friendly since batteries aren't required and the loving light of the sun is all that's necessary to make them move. Solar toys are simple, run clean, and won't pollute our waterways. Kindly ignore the few ounces of PVC that were used to create the toys.

In the case of the Rilakkuma MakuMaku Solar Mascot, the brown bear known as Relakkuma and his honey-colored friend Korilakkuma are about to dig into a sweet dessert that sits at their feet. Whenever sunlight glances at the solar panels located at the front of each toy, the bears will wobble their heads and pump their spoon-holding hands. Preorders are welcome to ship in late August 2010 at US$20.90 each.

NEWS Photos from NYC

NCS Synopsis
«©NCSX» Nothing much is going on import-wise so we're throwing up some photos taken around town in a little gallery. To pass the time yesterday, we twiddled thumbs, played a few games of Donkey Kong Hockey, and shooed squirrels away from the rooftop garden.

Today's plans: Read at least two comic books, build a wood trellis for the tomato plants on the rooftop garden, and attempt to arrange the objects on one of our office desks so that they comply with proper feng-shui principles. I.e, the letter opener probably shouldn't be pointed at anyone.

TOYS Hello Kitty Formation Arts - Import Preorder

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» Square Enix applies their fantasy making skills to the Hello Kitty franchise and comes up with the Hello Kitty Formation Arts toys. The five standard figures featured in the set are:

» Hello Kitty as a proper Parisian mademoiselle
» Hello Kitty takes the throne as a Chinese Empress
» Hello Kitty as Greek goddess with leafy wreath on her head
» Hello Kitty comes of age as Queen of England with scepter in hand
» Hello Kitty does her turn as an Arabian belly dancer

Each toy measures roughly 8.50cm (3.34") tall and preorders for factory cases of 8 figures are welcome to ship in mid-late September 2010.

TOYS Kingdom Hearts Avatar Trading Arts Mini - Import Preorder

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» The kids of Kingdom Hearts are smudged into "Avatar" renditions of themselves in Square's upcoming Kingdom Hearts Avatar Trading Arts Mini toys. Five figures are featured in the set as follows:

» Cloud - A blonde shock of hair is Cloud's identifying mark
» Tifa - Wears a relaxed hairstyle to match her relaxed facial features
» Sora - Carries a Keyblade and wears a black/red outfit
» Riku - Silver-maned hero who's friends with Sora and Kairi
» Axel - Ginger-haired member of Organization XIII

The figures measure 5.20-6.20cm in height and are fully assembled and pre-painted for immediate utility. Preorders are welcome to ship in late August 2010 at JPY6800 or US$78.90 from NCS for a complete factory box of nine figures.

TOYS Water Turtle Strap X Magnet Gashapon - Import Preorder

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» Turtles are probably immortal. Along with anecdotal evidence from our forebears in the Far East and this NYT article, NCS has owned a bunch of turtles in the States for nearly 3 decades now. They're still as lively and boisterous (especially around lunch time and dinner time) as ever and they'll likely outlive us by at least a century.

Turtle toys aren't too common in Japan but we generally grab a few factory cases whenever they're released just for our own pleasure. Japanese manufacturer Kitan Club has announced a set of Water Turtle Strap X Magnet gashapon which feature red-eared sliders and albino sliders. Some of the rascals are hiding in their shells while others are walking towards some unseen destination. A strap is tethered to each turtle and a magnet allows for adhesion to metallic surfaces. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late August 2010 at US$15.90 per set of five.

SOTW BPS-Max Controller for Famicom - Clearance

NCS Sale of the Week Offering: May 04, 2010
Original Release in Japan: October 1987
«©NCSX» Brand new and factory packaged BPS MAX controller for the original Famicom and Nintendo Entertainment System. The BPS Max could be considered a precursor or perhaps inspiration for the design sensibilities of the Sony Dual Shock with its stubby finger grips and rectangular shaped main body. In our opinion, the BPS MAX has a built-in learning curve in order to be used properly. A player who grasps the controller for a few minutes and twiddles mindlessly with the red Cycloid Pad might not appreciate how it's supposed to work. Hint: It's not supposed to be shuffled around by its non-centering lonesome.

The Cycloid Pad is surrounded by a "Donut Pad" which works like a standard 8-way D-pad which measures roughly 1" in diameter. You could try to manipulate the Donut Pad by pressing on it directly but that's unwieldy and uncomfortable. For proper usage, situate your thumb upon the Cycloid Pad and press down and move it all around in order to manipulate the Donut Pad. Got it? You're supposed to press on the Cycloid Pad in order to exert control on the surrounding Donut Pad. It's a thing of beauty once you realize how smooth the control mechanism is for shooters, some sports games, and select platform titles on the Famicom and NES. As an extra bonus, a turbo-fire function may be toggled for the "A" and "B" buttons which allows gamers to gun 16 shots per second.

Product Condition
NCS' remaining inventory is brand new and factory boxed in the original cardboard containers with removable plastic window. The packaging is in overall very good shape with all remaining inventory in undamaged condition but please note that there is some scuffing and slight creasing of the cardboard boxes due to years in warehouse storage.

Sale Offering
Pricing per BPS Max controller is set at US$28.90 each. If you reside in the USA, NCS recommends USPS Media Mail shipping for the most economical domestic service. For our customers outside the USA, NCS recommends normal Airmail International service. «Photo Gallery»