Friday, August 07, 2009

PS2 Beatmania IIDX 16 Empress Konamistyle - Preorder

NCS Game Synopsis
«©NCSX» We were waiting for it. Maybe we've been waiting for the past couple of years but it eluded us in 2007 and 2008. We're all going to hear it this year however. The Beatmania IIDX PS2 swansong will be sounding off soon and NCS is going to shed a tear or three for all the Beatmania memories, the sales, and the fun we've had over the past 9 years.

Konami released Beatmania IIDX 3rd Mix on the PS2 all the way back in November 2000 and we've studiously imported every IIDX game after that along with a few Konamistyle exclusives. The final game in the series for the PS2 will ship later this year and it's a 2-DVD spectacular that will include over 180 songs such as "Jack" by DesQ, "MY FUTURE" from Ping Pong, "Colorful Cookie" courtesy of Lucky Vacuum, and "naughty girl@Queen's Palace" by DJ Mass MAD Izm. The usual game modes such as "Arcade," "Expert," and "Free" are intact along with a "Tutorial Mode" for novices.

NCS started preorders for the regular edition of Beatmania IIDX 16 Empress a few weeks ago but we're opening up reservations for three Konamistyle exclusive versions of the game today as follows:

Beatmania IIDX 16 Empress Konamistyle Special Edition
» PS2 Beatmania IIDX 16 Empress + Premium Best (2 DVDs)
»
Beatmania IIDX CS Collection-GOLD, DJ TROOPERS, EMPRESS Soundtrack
» An undecided privilege will also be given away (probably a keychain)
Konamistyle Price: JPY9180 (US$129.90)

Beatmania IIDX 16 Empress Konamistyle Special Edition Set
» PS2 Beatmania IIDX 16 Empress + Premium Best (2 DVDs)
»
Beatmania IIDX CS Collection-GOLD, DJ TROOPERS, EMPRESS Soundtrack
»
Beatmania IIDX Visual Emotions Vol. 8 DVD
» Beatmania IIDX Storage case which holds all three discs
» An undecided privilege will also be given away (probably a keychain)
Konamistyle Price: JPY13170 (US$179.90)

Beatmania IIDX 16 Empress Konamistyle Complete Edition
» PS2 Beatmania IIDX 16 Empress + Premium Best (2 DVDs)
»
Beatmania IIDX CS Collection-GOLD, DJ TROOPERS, EMPRESS Soundtrack
»
Beatmania IIDX Visual Emotions Vol. 8 DVD
» Ryu "starmine" Limited Edition First Album (SKU: LC1799-1801)
» Beatmania IIDX Spin-off Drama ROOTS26 S[suite] Vol.1 (SKU: LC1704)

» Beatmania IIDX Storage case
» Beatmania IIDX 16 Empress poster
» An undecided privilege will also be given away (probably a keychain)
Konamistyle Price: JPY18800 (US$239.90)

Please note that the special bundles listed above will not be sold through normal sales channels in Japan and the only way for NCS to obtain them will be by buying them on Konamistyle. That means paying retail and attendant taxes along with shipping charges from Japan to the states. Furthermore, please be aware that Konamistyle does not package the limited edition bundles in special containers. When NCS receives them, they're just packaged in normal cardboard boxes and we assemble the limited edition bundles together ourselves and ship them to customers.

We are considering supplying the Visual Emotions DVD and the other items individually as well since they're being sold as single products on Konamistyle. We'll update our shop listings and link accordingly if we decide to import them. Preorders for all three special Beatmania IIDX 16 Empress bundles are expected to ship on or around October 16, 2009.

NDS Shugo Chara! Norinori! Chara-Nari Zumu - New, In Stock

NCS Game Synopsis
«©NCSX» The cast of characters from the animated series Shugo Chara! are no strangers to the Nintendo DS. They've appeared in two games already and a third title is winging its way to the market this summer. The pink-haired heroine Amu Hinamori and her miniature guardians (Ran, Miki, Su, and Diamond) engage in a rhythm action game where heart cues stream across the screen.

In addition to the rhythm interaction, a number of mini-games are also included to provide some variety. Amu is joined by a recently introduced character in the animated series named Yua and her guardian who's named Cecil. The game features over 13 music tracks which provide peppy backdrop to the rhythm action sequences.

TRC Juicy Honey Special Edition Kirara Asuka - New Import

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» Earlier this year, trading card purveyor Sakurado celebrated JAV actress Kirara Asuka with her very own collection of cards dubbed the Kirara Asuka Official Card Collection. We got an eyeful of Asuka back then and we're seeing even more of her this summer.

Mint releases their own trading card collection dedicated to Kirara Asuka which features the actress in Jersey Cards, Photo Cards, Pinky Spot Cards, Nipple Stamp Cards (no typo), and the highly valuable DNA Cards which contain a strand of Kirara's card. Y'know, just in case you want to clone her sometime in the future. Mint also touts a new type of card called the "Action Card" which features lenticular printing so that Kirara appears to move when the card is shifted to and fro. NCS received a partial shipment of the Kirara cards yesterday and orders have begun shipping but the remainder of our shipments should arrive in the next week or so. Photo Gallery.

TOYS I Love Kinbaku - Import Preorder

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» Kinbaku is the art of Japanese bondage where human bodies are tied up and restrained with tethers. The word "bondage" implies eroticism and Kinbaku explores a unique aspect of human sexuality which derives pleasure from a person's immobility and/or lack of control. We'd liken it to a form of imprisonment but instead of a dank jail cell, all that's needed to capture someone (both sexes are fair game) is a few lengths of rope and a skilled hand at tying things down.

Takara Tomy explores the world of Kinbaku but not with human bodies. They're an international conglomerate so it probably wouldn't look right if their name was linked with human bondage. Takara Tomy practices Kinbaku but only on a banana, an apple, a heart, and a few cats. That's acceptable family-friendly Kinbaku which won't rile shareholders or offend board members. Preorders are welcome to ship in late November 2009 at US$22.90 for a complete set of 8 toys which are shown in the product flyer.