Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Wii Toshinden + 50% Bonus DVD - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» When the first round of 32-bit console wars kicked off roughly 15 years ago, the Playstation had Toshinden in its corner and the Saturn had Sega's very own Virtua Fighter. If we were to judge a console's potential success solely on the quality of its first fighting game, we would have awarded the trophy to the Saturn. Toshinden was decent for its time but Virtua Fighter had depth. As it turns out, depth didn't mean squat.

Fast forward a few years and Toshinden reached four volumes in its canon along with a couple of gaming adjuncts but it was just one face in a crowded field of fighting games from every publisher. Even Square released a fighting game (Tobal) to test the genre. In those years, the Playstation became the 800-lb juggernaut of the gaming industry which mowed down our beloved Saturn like a combine slashes innocent stalks of wheat.

Fast forward many more years and Toshinden's making a re-appearance on the Wii. We're somewhat puzzled by its revival since the game never attracted the hardcore player and it never stood out once everyone started making fighting games back in the day. The new Toshinden is described as an "Easy Operation" fighter which means the controls are rudimentary without complicated moves or combos to bog down casual gamers. A new cast of characters is featured in the game including a blue-haired lad named Toji Shindo who slashes at foes with an ornate tapered blade, a pixie-ish pink-haired girl named Lilith, and a blonde dude named Carmine who fights with a sword in each hand. Based on previews released thus far, the action runs fast with most characters wielding some sort of bladed weapon. One girl fights with a book. The previews also show aerial juggling, cinematic super attacks, character transformations, and evasive maneuvers where a fighter swivels in a 180˚orbit around an opponent. We'll post our full impressions of the game once we have it in our hands this December. Early preorders will ship with a bonus Toshinden DVD (shown to the left) in 50% ratio. Preorders will ship on December 10, 2009 at JPY6800 or US$73.90.

NDS Kaijuu Busters - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» According to the almanac of space destinations, there's a bevy of planets across the cosmos which are populated by massive monsters of every stripe, color, and blood type. Expeditionary forces are sent to these unexplored worlds where teams of intrepid peacekeepers hope to subdue the creatures and prevent them from being transported to other worlds by nefarious agents where they'll wreak havoc.

In Kaijuu Busters, players join the peacekeeping corps and travel to one planet which is brimming with monsters. In fits and starts of exploration and monster battling, players and party members quell monster uprisings in assorted missions. Early preorders will ship with a bonus "Secret Recipe Card" in 50% ratio. Preorders ship on December 3, 2009.

NDS Dakkoshite! Chimpanzee - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» Speed Racer and Spritle of Speed Racer fame had a simian friend named Chim-Chim who occasionally rode shotgun in the Mach 5 when Trixie wasn't around. Chimpanzees are cool like that. You can have your own chimp when Starfish ships Dakkoshite! Chimpanzee on the Nintendo DS this December. Players get to raise a baby chimpanzee from youngling to big ape by feeding it, providing the beast with water, and making sure its diaper is tethered tightly to its loins. An assortment of mini-games allow chimp owners to interact with their charges and create a bond that'll last until you power off the Nintendo DS. Chimps can also be taught sign language and various tricks that they can perform for your amusement. Preorders ship on December 17, 2009 at JPY4800 or US$53.90 from NCS.

BED Michael Jackson Sleep Mask - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» Japanese manufacturer "Dive" purchased a license to create officially sanctioned Michael Jackson consumer products for the Japanese market and they unleashed a wave of preorder solicitations last night. One such product is the Michael Jackson Sleep Mask which is literally a Michael Jackson Sleep Mask where the visage of MJ peers out into the world from the front of a sleep mask.

Someone somewhere in the world probably just muttered, "What exactly is a sleep mask?" Well, it's a mask that you place over your eyes which blocks out light when you're prone on a bed and about to sleep. You can also wear the sleep mask when you're sitting upright but you're liable to topple over once the Sandman takes control. Preorders are welcome to ship in November 2009 at JPY1238 or US$15.90 from NCS.

ROOM Michael Jackson Air Freshener - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» Japanese manufacturer "Dive" purchased a license to create officially sanctioned Michael Jackson consumer products for the Japanese market and they unleashed a wave of preorder solicitations last night. One such product is the Michael Jackson Air Freshener which is guaranteed to freshen up the air indoors with a positively refreshing scent.

The MJ Air Freshener uses the "Smooth Criminal" persona from the music video of the same name where Michael is decked out in natty white threads and a matching white hat. Michael raises both arms as smooth criminals are apt to do. The back of the freshener is colored black with licensing information from Ecbizz Japan. Preorders are welcome to ship in November 2009 at JPY571 or US$7.90 from NCS.

PACK Michael Jackson Packing Tape - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» Japanese manufacturer "Dive" purchased a license to create officially sanctioned Michael Jackson consumer products for the Japanese market and they unleashed a wave of preorder solicitations last night. One such product is the Michael Jackson Packing Tape which may be used to seal cardboard boxes, mailing tubes, and other containers with a little bit of MJ Moon-walking magic.

Each roll of tape holds 50 meters of semi-transparent tape which shows Michael Jackson performing the Moonwalk on nine sequential panels. The first panel features the initial backward thrust followed by shuffle steps, a lean-to, the toe-hold, and concludes with a dip on the final panel. Preorders are welcome to ship in November 2009 at JPY571 or US$7.90 from NCS.

KEY Michael Jackson Rubber Keychain - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» Japanese manufacturer "Dive" purchased a license to create officially sanctioned Michael Jackson consumer products for the Japanese market and they unleashed a wave of preorder solicitations last night. One such product is the Michael Jackson Rubber Keychain which features a rigid rubber representation of MJ which is attached to a keychain to hold your keys together so they jingle and chime.

Each rubber keychain measures 6cm or 2.36" in height and features a version of Michael's music video personas through the years. From the left of the product photo and moving right, they are: "HIStory," "Smooth Criminal," "Bad," and "Thriller." Preorders are welcome to ship in November 2009 at JPY650 or US$8.90 from NCS.