GBA Hoshi no Kirby: Kagami no Daimeikyu - New import

   Nintendo's pink marshmallow of a hero returns to the scrolling action fold once again in a platformer subtitled "The Great Maze in the Mirror." Guide Kirby through a massive world subdivided into varied levels and traipse through forests, dungeon areas, and even underwater ruins where beasts of all types attempt to knock Kirby out. The pink one may absorb special powers to smite foes with swords, shoot them with arrows or just use the old reverse suction force... A 4-player cooperative mode may also be enjoyed where four GBAs are linked together and everyone controls a different colored Kirby.
  
   In a 1-player game, Kirby has company in the form of three fellows who rush in to action when Kirby calls them on the cellphone (activate by right trigger button) and hollers for help. During the game, fellow Kirbys take on different forms and powers as they come into contact with creatures. A row of Kirbys on the top left of the screen indicate the forms that they are currently in for quick 'n easy reference.

Controls
A button: Jump
B button: Suction force; tap again to release an enemy
D-pad Up: Fill Kirby with air and fly upwards
D-pad Dn: Flatten Kirby out...like a pink pancake

   Pressing the D-pad down along with either "A" or "B" makes Kirby scoot along for a short distance to slide under tight spaces or to make a dent on enemy creatures. When Kirby enters water, scuba gear immediately appears like magic and pressing the B button underwater sprays out a jet of water. The bosses in the game are a varied and interesting lot. For example, the brick creature with Colonel Sanders mustache seen to the left pounds the floor with its hands to knock boulders from the ceiling. Kirby's job then is to suck the boulders in and launch them right back at the mustached assailant.

  PS2 Bomberman Kart DX - New import

  PS2 Crimson Sea 2 - New import

   Sho returns in Crimson Sea 2 to strike more fear and psionic damage upon insect-like creatures in missions across the galaxy. CS2 includes over 60 missions which range from "Kill Everything," "Reach the Target," or "Kill Boss" along with a few variants and twists in the basic mission templates. Sho meets up with a female warrior named Feanay who exudes sex appeal while slashing away with her twin swords. Both characters are used throughout the game but they're fairly similar. New Neo-Psionic powers also enable the destruction of waves of attackers with a single stroke. Crimson Sea 2 moves at a rapid pace with little slowdown during the action and is an enjoyable if derivative experience based on tried and proven hack 'n slash forebears.

  PS2 Koufuku Sousakan - New import

   Sometime in the far off future, technology has progressed to the point where life experiences may be fulfilled entirely on a computer. The new development bodes well for the legions of miserable citizens roaming the streets of Japan with disgruntled lives and destitute dreams. Dubbed CLOVER, the technology serves as an indulgent Matrix, if you will, where potential happiness may be found. When the CLOVER system debuts, 100 unhappy people immediately sign up as trial subjects to find true happiness inside an alternate reality. Things seem to be going well until CLOVER conks out and traps the 100 souls inside its system. As the certified Happiness Manager, the player takes the reins of the system and guides its hostages to individual fulfillment and happiness while keeping the illusion of normalcy inside CLOVER alive. Some of the malcontents in the system suffer from mundane tragedies such as impending bankruptcy, unrequited love, an infertile womb, disinterested parents and other believable life dramas.
   In addition to the 100 normal citizens, there is a rabble rouser who works to bring down the happiness level of the CLOVER collective. When any one person reaches a high level of happiness, the trouble maker challenges the player on a 7x7 grid. Defeat him and the happy individual stays happy. Losing will revert the happy person back into another recruit in the army of misery. 

  XBX Shikigami no Shiro 2 - New import

   Version-wise, Xbox Shikigami no Shiro 2 is closest to the Dreamcast version with a Gallery Mode, Story Recollect Mode, and a Practice Mode where any character may be chosen for level forays that one has already completed in the normal arcade mode. Upon starting the game, three choices are available as follows:

ARCADE MODE: The original coin-op Naomi code ported over to the Xbox intact and near perfect. Choose this and one will be able to further choose "Normal Game" or "Extreme Game" along with the choice of original tunes or remix. The normal game is a carbon copy of the arcade coin-op with character interaction sequences that are shown before boss meetings. The extreme game takes those little cut-scenes out and plays through the entire game without any backstory for a faster and fiercer experience. Seven characters are selectable - a few familiar faces along with fresh blood.

GALLERY MODE: 60 pieces of artwork are arranged neatly in rows. Thirteen of the images are immediately viewable but the others require unlocking. Press the "A" button to Zoom in and "B" to return to the main menu.

OPTION: Select screen size or change from horizontal aspect to vertical aspect if you're willing to flip your WEGA on its side for true arcade perspective. Players may also set game difficulty, assign buttons or turn Vibration On/Off.

Two Game Options are not immediately available and they are:

PRACTICE MODE: Try out any level that you've already completed in normal mode with any character.

STORY RECOLLECT: Review the storyline of a character that you've used to complete the game.

Players who have played through the original Shikigami no Shiro will find a similar experience in SNS2.

   Enemies fly onscreen and shoot diamond-shaped bullets which one buzzes. The default buzz perimeter is fairly spacious and a buzz is indicated by a sparkle at the center of the character's being. Pressing "A" fires the default weapon while "B" unleashes a bomb. Holding "A" brings out a special weapon which one uses to destroy enemies and garner a ton of coins which magically fly towards your character... FULL Review may be viewed under the shop listing for Shikigami no Shiro 2.

  SOTD Scrap Heap Scramble: Sixth Style

   Mostly JAMMA boards for today and a few units of consoles and controllers. We've been trying to locate our PC-Engine hardware from back in the mid 90s but have been unable thus far. We recall a large assortment of PC-Engine Hu-cards and CD software as well but we'll post an update once we locate them in the next few weeks.

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  MOTD Saturn Fan Vol. 11 (June 12, 1998)

  ETC General Updates

   All backorders for wordimagesoundplay are shipping today. We are sold out completely at this point but another supply is expected next week for anyone who hasn't submitted an order yet but wants the experience.

   A small quantity of Ninja Gaiden with bonus items for the Japanese Xbox was restocked today and new orders are welcome.

   Backorders for PS2 Final Fantasy X International will be filled today along with any pending orders for Naruto Narultimett Hero. A bunch of other restock also arrived and all shop listings have been updated this morning.