Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Super Robot Wars K - Import Preorder, Ships on April 2

«©NCSX» Characters and robots from 14 animation franchises gather together for a new Super Robot Wars extravaganza where battles are fought upon tactical arenas on terra, high up in the atmosphere, and in the outer reaches of space. The animated series featured in the game include Gundam Seed Destiny, Gun X Sword, Soukyuu no Fafner, Haja Taisei Dangaioh, Mazinger Z, Virtual On Marz, Overman King Gainer, Steel God Jeeg, and Shinkon Gattai Godannar.

Early preorders will ship with a bonus
Official Commentary Book which will be given away by Banpresto in 50% ratio. This means that if we preorder a total of 500 copies of the game, NCS will only receive 250 bonus books which we'll give away to the first 250 reservations.

IdolMaster Twins - Import Preorder

«©NCSX» IdolMaster is a little cottage industry that's been cashing in on the J-Pop idol phenomenon in Japan. The two IdolMaster games released for the Xbox 360 thus far have proven that there's an audience for J-Pop simulators and Namco's going back to the trough once more. IdolMaster Twins isn't a new game however. It's a bundling of the original IdolMaster and its sequel Idolmaster Live: For You which are packaged in a special slipcase/sleeve featuring new artwork of the cast of characters.

NCS is curious if anyone who's already purchased both IdolMaster games is going to spend another ~$50 for what is essentially a new game sleeve. Collectors will probably spring for the Twins bundle but it's a pretty good assumption that everyone else is going to skip the purchase. Preorders are welcome to ship on March 12, 2009.

One Piece Unlimited Cruise Episode 2 - Import Preorder

«©NCSX» In the first episode of One Piece Unlimited Cruise, Luffy and the crew of the Jolly Roger found themselves in an adventure which spanned a series of islands. Players started the game off with Luffy but eventually got to control all of the members of the Straw Hats Pirates crew in sequential bite-sized episodes.

The sequel to the first Unlimited Cruise game features more of the same but new islands such as Desert Island and Marsh Island may be visited and conquered. New characters and adversaries also join the cast to provide drama and adversity such as
Eustace "Captain" Kidd who leads the Kidd Pirates on the high seas.

According to the preorder details, the battle system has been improved but we recall that the fighting action in the first game was polished and fluid. Character skills will also level up when they're used in the adventure. We'll post impressions and more details once we get to check the game out next month. Preorders are welcome to ship on February 26, 2009 at JPY5800 or US$63.90.

Space Invaders Exteme 2 - Import Preorder

«©NCSX» Taito's classic Space Invaders game gets extreme once again with new features that bring the retro franchise up to speed with the Joneses. Game elements in Space Invaders Extreme 2 include:

» Bingo System: Taito throws in the classic game of Bingo where a grid is lit up during the course of a stage as invaders are shot. To win at Bingo, key spots on the grid must light up horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
» Multiplayer WiFi Mode: Compete against another player via wireless Wi-Fi connection with new strategic considerations.

Preorders are welcome to ship on March 26, 2009 at JPY3800 or US$43.90 from NCS. Similar to the original SIE, the upcoming sequel will support the Nintendo DS Paddle Controller.

The Midnight Meat Train - New Release, Ships in 24 Hours

From the Manufacturer
A photographer (ALIAS's Bradley Cooper) gets far more than he imagines when he tries to capture the grit and grime of the city. While taking pictures of the subway, he encounters Mahogany (Vinnie Jones, SNATCH), a vicious killer who preys on subway riders. Ryuhei Kitamura (VERSUS) directs this adaptation of a Clive Barker short story. Struggling photographer Leon Kaufman's obsessive pursuit of dark subject matter leads him into the path of a serial killer, Mahogany, the subway murderer who stalks late-night commuters - ultimately butchering them in the most gruesome ways imaginable.

Blu-Ray Features

English 7.1 DTS HD Audio; "Clive Barker: The Man Behind The Myth" - Clive Barker tells us about the origins of "The Midnight Meat Train". Includes a "never-before-seen" tour of his personal art studio and paintings; "Anatomy Of A Murder Scene"; "What's In Mahogany's Bag?".

Cast List
Bradley Cooper, Leslie Bibb, Brooke Shields, Vinnie Jones

Chocolate - New Release, Ships in 24 Hours

From the Manufacturer
A
young autistic girl learns to fight from watching TV and the fighters from the boxing school next door. When she finds a list of debtors in her ailing mother's diary, she sets upon a violent quest to collect payment for medical expenses. Her quest is a dangerous one that ultimately leads her to her father, a mafia member of the Yakuza. Sin was once a prominent member of the most feared mafia gang in Thailand and mistress to its notorious leader, the ruthless Number-8. Now suffering from leukaemia, the only way to raise money for treatment is for her daughter, Zen, to seek out her old underworld contacts and collect aged debts. Blessed with an incredible ability to mimic the fighting moves of her favourite action heroes, Zen proves an awesome match for those who stand in her way. However, when Number 8 decides that the money belongs to him, Zen is faced with a full-on battle for survival. Starring Asia's new female action superstar JeeJa Yanin (who spent 2 full years in training), Chocolate contains some of the most breathtaking set piece action scenes you will see this year!

Blu-Ray Features: 5.1 and 2.0 Thai Dolby Digital with Spanish and English Subtitles; "The Making Of 'Chocolate'", Behind The Scenes Featurette.

Soul Men - New Release, Ships in 24 Hours

From the Manufacturer
Malcolm Lee, director of upbeat family fare such as WELCOME HOME ROSCOE JENKINS and ROLL BOUNCE, takes a slightly raunchier tack for his uproarious buddy comedy, SOUL MEN. The late Bernie Mac gives one of his final performances as Floyd Henderson, a retired back-up singer for a ?60s soul act known as the Real Deal.

When the group's lead singer, Marcus Hooks--played by real-life soul singer John Legend--suddenly drops dead, the two remaining members of the group, Henderson and Louis Hinds (Samuel L. Jackson), are enlisted to play a tribute concert at the Apollo Theatre in New York City. Hinds, an ex-convict trying his best to stay out of the limelight, is persuaded by Henderson to drive cross-country for the chance to re-ignite his music career. The classic comedic trope of road-trip antagonism reaches new heights as the pair curse and claw at each other for the entire voyage, taking occasional breaks to stage impromptu roadside rehearsals and other, less PG-rated misadventures. Throughout, Mac's formidable skills at slapstick play against Jackson's no-nonsense, tough guy demeanor--a veneer that, at times, cracks enough to reveal some genuinely tender moments between the two.

Miracle at St. Anna - Upcoming Release, Ships in 48 Hours

From the Manufacturer
From award-winning filmmaker Spike Lee comes Miracle At St. Anna, the story of four black American soldiers who are members of the US Army as part of the all-black 92nd Buffalo Soldier division stationed in Tuscany, Italy during WWII. They experience the tragedy and triumph of war as they find themselves trapped behind enemy lines and separated from their unit after one of them risks his life to save an Italian boy.
Praised as The best war movie since Saving Private Ryan (Pat Collins, WWOR TV) and One of the year s best (Ben Lyons, E!), and filled with epic battle sequences and action, the film explore deeply inspiring, powerful story drawn from true history, that transcends national boundaries, race and class to touch the goodness within us all. Now even more revealing with exclusive Blu-ray bonus features that bring you even deeper into the world of these unsung heroes. Based on the highly praised novel by James McBride, and filled with exceptional battle scenes and action, it's a gripping and inspiring story drawn from a real incident that will touch the goodness within us all and never let go.

Blu-Ray Features:
English 5.1 Uncompressed Audio; "Deeds Not Words"; "The Buffalo Soldier Experience", Deleted Scenes, Featurette.