| WSC
SD Gundam G-Generation Gather Beat 2 |
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In Gundam mythology, a bustling population problem and
attendant pollution spike on Earth drove the colonization into
space. Massive space stations called "Sides" are
deployed which orbit the earth in a perimeter dubbed the Earth
sphere. Thus began a new world calendar standard, Universal
Century, which ticks off at UC 0001. In UC 0058, the colony of
Side-3, lorded over by Zeon Zum Deikun declares independence
from the Earth Federation and both sides prepare for war and
rhetoric. As UC 0068 turns, Zeon Deikun goes the way of the
dodo by the hand of Degwin Zabi, who founds the Principality
of Zeon on Side 3. During this time, a scientist named Dr.
Minovsky discovers a new elementary particle which can be used
to create mighty weapons of war. In UC 0074, the first mobile
suit rolls off the production line, powered by an internal
fusion reactor. On January 03, UC0079, the Principality of
Zeon launches the One Year War against the Earth Federation
which destroys half the population of the planet. With it's
superior weaponry, a wide swath is cut across terra, including the destruction of an orbiting space colony. It is
under this premise that the latest SD Gundam G Generation
Gather Beat begins. As with all SD Gundam games, the
action plays out in tactical fashion with the player
marshalling forces against opposing cadres of mecha both in
space and on Earth. The first battle the player participates
in acts only as a prelude and the real meat and potatoes battle
begins on November 30, UC 0079 at Jaburo. The introduction to
the game mentions the battle at Odessa only in passing. Each
game order includes a beautiful, super glossy poster from
Bandai, which measures 24 1/2 x 33 1/2". Due to separate
shipping necessary for this poster, NCS will charge you an
additional US$3.00 if you wish to have the poster. You can
also opt out of the poster and no additional charge will be
assessed to you. |
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SDGGGGB 2
US$52
with poster |
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SDGGGGB 2
US$49
without poster |
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| Wonderswan.
New Color, New Blood |
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Bandai refracts the color spectrum of the Wonderswan Color a
little bit with
a Silver-Metallic variant which ships on July 15. Tinted a
shiny, silvery color, the new WSC appears not unlike metal,
except that it's not. Pre-orders
are welcome to ship towards the middle of next month.
Software-wise, in August and September, a
whopping two new WSC titles have been announced for release. Hunter
X Hunter ~ Steer Person ships in August and Guilty Gear
Petit 2 from Sammy fights on in late September. Both
titles are priced at Y4500. The Hunter X Hunter game appears
to be a remix of the HXH which shipped in April of this year.
The selling points listed for Guilty Gear Petit include a
simple fighting command system, new characters, and a new
survivor fighting mode has been added to the game. |
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| Evangelion
Perfect Grade Reproduction |
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Bandai plans a limited re-release (basically whatever is
pre-ordered by vendors in Japan and Asia + a small buffer) of the Evangelion Perfect
Grade model which originally shipped in Japan on December 12, 1997.
Perfect Grade was produced to
commemorate the cinematic debut of The End of Evangelion.
The new production is expected in August and priced at Y10000
per unit. Perhaps one of the finest EVA models produced, the
Perfect Grade EVA-01 Test Type features rubber body parts to
bolster a molded inner
skeleton which allows for excellent construction quality when
fully assembled. The bulk of the model snap-locks together although
there are a few pieces which must be screwed together with a
Phillips. Kit
includes a power generator and connecting cables, similar to
the movie, and the eyes of the model light up. A trading card
and a poster are also included in the packaging. The assembled unit
stands 34.5cm tall or roughly 13.5".
Also back in production in August are the three Gundam Perfect
Grade models: the Perfect Grade RX-78, Perfect Grade RX-78-2,
and the Perfect
Grade Zaku II MS-06F at Y12000 each. Those who missed out on
these models the first time around essentially get another
chance to obtain them without going through the auction route.
Pricing for each unit is
expected to be US$125-$135
from NCS. Pre-orders are welcome by e-mail
communique. |
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| Konami
Calendars |
Snake |
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MGS2 ships later this year on the Playstation 2 and it's only
natural that officially sanctioned product begin trickling out
at the same time. First in the pipeline is a Metal Gear
Solid 2 ~ Sons of Liberty 2002 calendar which ships on
October 11 at Y2000. NCS expects an assortment of other Metal
Gear products, perhaps another Solid Snake Chrono Watch in
natty wooden box, but we'll post them once details are divulged. Also
shipping later this year from Konami, a Yu-Gi-Oh 2002 calendar
makes a market run on November 15. Pre-orders, sight unseen,
for either calendar are welcome via e-mail
request but we'll post sample photos
once available. |
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| Parappa
the Rapper Madness |
Snaps
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No less than six Parappa the Rapper plush dolls and sets from
manufacturer Takara are moving their way to market in July,
including a re-release of the adorable "Dancing Parappa"
plush doll we originally stocked in the fall of '98. That
canine was sound
activated and stood 7" tall, in seeming repose, but clap
your hands and the dancing doll plays the street artiste as it
talks, plays music and grooves to his own beat. Parappa's
attire consists of his orange hat with a green frog decal in
front, an aqua-blue shirt, navy blue pants and a pair of red
nylon sneakers. Parappa's arms are raised but they may be
tucked under his chin for homeboy posing purposes. Check him
out on the photo to the lower-left, right of here. The doll
next to him is a Furby-like Parappa doll which interacts with
it's owner through a series of sensory registers. We'll have
more details on this one soon. The
other dolls on offer
include a big plush (30cm) and a set featuring Parappa, Sunny
Funny, and PJ Berri holding maracas. NCS is considering
stocking only the active Parappa dolls at this time.
Pre-orders are welcome by sending
a note to NCS.
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| Pokemon
Gameboy Advance...Celebi |
Napped
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The mysterious and mighty Celebi Pokemon joins Suicine on July
20, so far the only two Pokemon to have their own GBA
handhelds. The Celebi-GBA features a greenish shell hue which
waxes and wanes when viewed from different angles. Although
Pokemon Centers in Japan will have stock on July 20, NCS
expects our own delivery on July 29 due to purchasing
arrangements with suppliers. Celebi-GBA will not be available
for general sale in Japan. Pre-orders are welcome via e-mail
request at US$155 per unit. Similar to the Suicine GBA, we
are limiting each customer to one unit only, please.
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| Weekly
Import Outlook |
Restock this
week
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| Dreamcast
Miss Moonlight, Pia ~ Welcome to Carrot v2.5,
and Super Runabout ~ San Francisco Edition stand out on
Wednesday, along with Playstation J-League Winning Eleven
2001, Z Gundam Best Series and restock of Gear
Fighter Dendou. On Thursday, GBA Tactics Ogre ~ Knight
of Lodis, Playstation 2 Gitaroo Man and Lillie's
Studio close out the week. New pre-orders are welcome to
ship upon delivery of all software products on schedule this
week.
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Suicine
GBA should arrive on Wednesday and a set of Gamest trading
cards featuring the SNK characters are due on Thursday. Guilty
Gear cards are also expected. GBA Get Backers and Circle
of the Moon on tap, too.
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E-mail
NCS
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