Monday, July 21, 2008

The correct legal term is "Wii Remote™"

Last week, we received a letter from a law firm representing a company which holds the "Weemote" trademark. The letter stated that we were to stop using the term, "Wiimote" in our product descriptions and NCS Game Notes because our actions could possibly cause confusion in the marketplace. NCS respects trademarks and ©opyrights since we also own trademarks and copyrighted material so we're obliging even though we think it's a bit of a stretch... but whatever.

From this day forth, the word "Wiimote" has been banished from N
©S' shopping sites and replaced with the word "Wii Remote." We wasted spent about an hour on Friday making sure the term "Wiimote" was waxed from the NCS shopping experience. We'll endeavor to search and replace instances of the word "Wiimote" on our other websites by the end of the month. We wouldn't want the "Weemote" trademark holder to be supposedly damaged by our conjunction of the words "Wii" and "Remote." We're thinking of coining a new word - "Wii-rote" or maybe just "Wote." As in, "Wave your Wote in the air. Wave it like ya just don't care."

Quick, someone trademark that.

So, if you're a vendor who's foolish enough to use the word "Wiimote" in your literature and product descriptions, watch it. You're liable to get a letter from a law firm. Can the word "Wiimote" be banned from every shopping site on the internet? Maybe. Maybe not. In any case, the word "Wiimote" will be stricken from this posting in approximately 24 hours lest we receive another letter. Y'know, a letter from a law firm.

Star Wars Kubrick Series 9 - New Import, In Stock

A petulant Anakin Skywalker finds love in Star Wars Episode 2: The Attack of the Clones while Obi-Wan Kenobi finds a secret Republican Clone Army on the stormy planet of Kamino. Medicom's ninth Star Wars Kubrick set gets its inspiration from Episode 2 and the standard characters in each box are:

» Clone Trooper with Blaster Rifle
(Ratio: 4 per box)
» Jango Fett with Wester-34 Blaster
(Ratio: 3 per box)
» Obi-Wan Kenobi with Lightsaber
(Ratio: 1 per box)
» Count Dooku with Lightsaber
(Ratio: 1 per box)
» Yoda with Lightsaber
(Ratio: 2 per box)
» Anakin Skywalker with Lightsaber
(Ratio: 1 per box)

In addition to the six standard figures, two rare Chase figures are randomly packaged in miniscule ratios in every eight factory boxes as follows - Shaak Ti Jedi Master (1/96 ratio) and Clone Trooper Commander (2/96). Pricing is set at US$108 for a factory sealed box of 12 figures.

Binaltech BT-21 Arcee - New Import, In Stock

There was a lull with the Binaltech series but Takara/Tomy renews their Binaltech dedication with two new toys which shipped in Japan on July 17, 2008. NCS brings in Arcee so we can sell it expeditiously.

Binaltech BT-21 is based on Binaltech BT-12 (Overdrive featuring Honda S2000 Roadster with canvas top) which was originally released in 2005 but the roof, steering wheel, and spoiler are new. The pink and feminine robot is none other than Arcee who transforms into a Honda S2000 Hardtop with a platinum on pink color scheme. Price US$53.90 each.

Transformers Encore 10: Bumblebee & Minibots - In Stock

Bumblebee is only one part of the quintet of Autobot Minobots included in Takara's Transformers Encore 10. The package contains:

» Wave (aka Swerve in the States)
» Tailgate
» Outback
» Pipes

Each robot measures approximately 5cm or 2.0" in length and transforms from vehicle to robot. All orders will ship today at US$32.50 per box.

Dragon Quest V NDS Lite Accessory - New, In Stock

Square's re-release of Dragon Quest V for the Nintendo DS has prompted an action from Hori. The prolific accessory manufacturer horns in on the DQ action with a Dragon Quest V themed case for the NDS Lite which is transparent and fits like a glove.

When Hori ties an NDS accessory product to a game, they usually add a strap or a touchpen together with the case but this time around, they're only releasing a case by it's lonesome. It's unclear why they're changing product tactics but maybe they're trying to drive down the price of their accessories in a soft domestic market.

The DQ case is sold in a cardboard-backed blister pack at US$13.90 each.

Hori Real Arcade Pro Stick [Orange] - New Import, In Stock

The new HRAP-Orange is an Amazon Japan exclusive item which was released last Thursday. To make sure we got to check one out quickly, NCS imported a batch with overnight express service and they're in stock today. Feels just like a HRAP 2 with sturdy Sanwa parts and a heavy duty base. The rapid-fire slider console on the upper left remains the same as well.

Preorders will ship today at US$135.90 each + shipping. Due to the heavy weight of the stick, NCS recommends UPS Ground for customers who reside within the continental UPS to avoid onerous air service charges.

General Updates

More Import Toys in Stock
The Indiana Jones One Coin Figures, the Kanu Unchou D.D. Swimsuit Figure, and the Mitsuru Kirijou Persona 3 Fes Figure are also in stock and shipping today. However, the Monday update is getting long in the tooth so we'll push our updates and photo galleries for those three products to tomorrow. New orders will ship today.
Arkanoid DS Paddle Controllers
Yep, they're still in stock. NCS bought out the distributor. We still have a bunch of white paddles, the silvers are running low, and we'll probably have the pink paddles in stock until the end of the decade.
Under Defeat LE Update
Our Dreamcast Under Defeat Limited Edition inventory dropped below 10 pieces over the weekend. We're thinking of raising the price by $10 once we get down to 5 copies.

Japanese Import Outlook - Arrivals on Wed-Thurs

NDS

Katekyoo Hitman Reborn! DS Flame Rumble Hyper

Takara

Koma Neko DS

Genterprise
PS2 Samurai Spirits: Rokuban Shoubu SNK

PS3

Siren: New Translation Sony

Soul Calibur IV - Asian Namco

Wangan Midnight - Best

Genki
PSP

Eiyuu Densetsu: Sora no Kiseki the 3rd

Falcom

Infinite Loop: Furushiro ga Miseta Yume Nippon Ichi
Wii Samurai Spirits: Rokuban Shoubu SNK

Wario Land Shake

Nintendo

USA Release Outlook - Arrivals on Mon-Tues

NDS Final Fantasy IV Square

Izuna 2: The Unemployed Ninja Returns Atlus

New International Track & Field Konami
PS2

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

Sierra
Wii

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

Sierra

SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1 SNK

Devil May Cry: Trinity of Fates DVD Book - Clearance

Back in August of 2006, Capcom celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Devil May Cry franchise with a hardcover Film DVD Book subtitled "The Trinity of Fates. The 48-page book contains nifty artwork of the characters and monsters in the DMC games. The pages also capture images of Capcom's promotional materials that were created for the DMC games and distributed to shops around Japan.

To remind viewers of the DMC story, a 98-minute Region-2 DVD collects the cinemas from the first three games which are woven together in a seamless movie. As an added bonus, the DVD also includes trailers, commercials, and hokey music videos. There's also a preview for Devil May Cry 4 which was originally shown at the Tokyo Game Show in 2005. ISBN4-86233-070-3.

Sale Offer: NCS' remaining inventory of Devil May Cry: Trinity of Fates is new, factory sealed, and in mint condition. Price: US$35.90 per copy which includes "free shipping" within the United States by USPS Media Mail Service. Product Code: 9784862330703