Dorimaga Vol. 9

US$13.50

 
   Faced with a flagging Dreamcast console and sleepy user base in Japan, Dorimaga takes another tack and goes multi-platform. Covering the Gameboy Advance, Gamecube, Playstation 2, and X-Box in addition to the Dreamcast may not necessarily ensure survival but it will stave off extinction a little longer. 
   Dreamcast games reviewed in the issue include Air 7, 10, 10; Garou MOTW 7, 8, 8; Memories Off 2nd 6, 6, 8 and Typing of the Date 7, 8, 9. Garou ships on Wednesday to pre-orders, new orders from NCS.
   The Gamecube launches with six Dorimaga pages dedicated to Nintendo's new world beater. Comparisons between the DC console and the Gamecube are shown side by side and the orange and black shell models are shown. Software-wise, we get a look at Luigi's Mansion, Super Monkey Ball, and Wave Race. Over on X-Box coverage, some delicious photos of Dead or Alive 3 are shown. 		 
GBA Super Robot Wars A

US$49

 
   Super-deformed robots culled from legendary Japanese franchises prove their mettle once again in portable form. Utilize tactical maneuvers and turn-based commands to mobilize your mecha forces into battle against all odds. Similar to the recent Dreamcast release of SRW Alpha, union attacks are possible so that two robots may perform a fusion attack, pump out counterattacks, and resist certain bombardments.   
PS2 Densha de Go! Shinkansen

US$63

 
   All roads, or tracks in the case of Densha de Go!, lead to Tokyo. Appearing in previous Densha games in limited capacity, Taito sees fit to dedicate an entire volume to the Shinkansen. Known as bullet trains, the Shinkansen line began life in 1964 with the Tokaido express service. Even back in the day, the bullet trains hit 200km/h and modern models hit speeds topping 300km/h. Renowned for their punctual and "on the dot" service commitments, the Shinkansen enjoy an excellent reputation among it's passengers. 
   As a newly appointed Shinkansen conductor, it's your job to maintain the level of pristine service that your riders have come to expect. Never fear if your train driving skills are a tad rusty, a training mode guides you through the rudimentary tasks and procedures to properly maneuver your train. The player may view the progress of the ride from a standard cockpit mode or from the vantage point of a camera which floats outside the train, just above the locomotive car. All the rules found in previous Densha games apply, except the schedules are tighter and less leeway is given for mistakes and you must hit the station just right.   		 
PS2 Densha Shinkansen Controller

US$85

 
   No conductor should leave home without a new Shinkansen controller. Looking sporty in a blueberry shade, an ergonomic stick on the right detects your acceleration and a similarly ergonomic left stick brakes the machine. An attached pedal may be tapped with your feet, or hands if so inclined, to toot your own horn. A lighted dash board gauges train speed, level of acceleration, and signals doors opens/close. Please note, this controller plugs into the USB connector of the PS2.    
PS2 Guitadora 

US$63

 
   Bemani fusion is a good thing. Rhythm attackers basically get two for the price of one. Guitar Freaks 4th Mix and Drummania 3rd Mix are melded once again in this new monster jam featuring tunes such as Born to be wild, Bad medicine, You oughta know, Secret of your heart, You elevate me, Cosmic Cowgirl, and Session X'man. A selection of original songs from the Konami label and Christmas music also appear in the song selections. A player may go solo on either guitar or drums but it's good times when two people grab their respective controllers and perform a session. PS2 hard drive support allows for disk caching to speed up gameplay for near instantaneous access to the entire library of songs.
   NCS sold out of both the guitar controllers and the pack-in drum kits a while ago but the literature in the game and the back cover of the DVD case mentions a new Yamaha electronic drum kit which may be used as a regular musical instrument and a PS2 controller for Drummania. The set-up appears fairly involved, expensive, and professional. If there is interest in this drum kit, feel free to send an e-mail to NCS and we'll bring them in for general sale on our site. 		 
PS2 Shin Sangoku Musou 2

US$63

 
   The fabled generals from literary work The Romance of the Three Kingdoms written by Luo Guanzhong dominate the battlefield once again. Choose the mighty Zhang Fei as your protagonist and you're immediately imbued with animal strength, indomitable courage, and an iron spear crested with the head of a snake. Go with Liu Bei and you're in control of a charismatic ruler who releases souls from bodies with the best of them. As a participant on a massive battlefield, you affect the tide of battle hands-on and goad your men on as you dispense death in efficacious and brutal manner. Be a rampaging hero and your men will assail foes with renewed vigor and ambition. Certain levels have targeted objectives to accomplish such as assassination, enemy bunker destruction, or wholesale slaughter upon opposing armies so they eventually turn tail and run or surrender. Fast and furious action paces the game well with legions of forces on the battle screen at any time. The overriding goal of the game, kingdom conquering, provides direction to the carnage and sates the question of "Why am I killing everyone that moves?".    
Weekly Import Outlook

Garou

 
   It'll be difficult but we'll try to match last week's sales performance, this week, with fifteen new releases and re-releases on the way as follows below. Garou MOTW received a "silvery" 7.66 ranking in this week's Dorimaga. Propeller Arena for the USA Dreamcast was recently delayed indefinitely but the Japanese release should be on schedule for this week. Pre-orders are welcome via e-mail request or through online shop. Some items haven't been added to the store yet however. 
  		 
Wednesday  
  • DC Garou Mark of the Wolves
  • PS The Space Invader
  • WSC Guilty Gear Petit 2
  
Thursday  
  • DC Propeller Arena
  • GBA Zone of Enders 2173 Testament
  • PS Bishi Bashi Special - Best Collection
  • PS Bishi Bashi Special 2 - Best Collection
  • PS Beatmania Best Hits - Best Collection
  • PS Hunter X Hunter - Best Collection
  • PS2 Ring of Red - Best Collection
  • PS2 Seven Blades - Best Collection
  • PS2 Shake it Bravos
  • PS2 Silent Hill 2
  • PS2 Sky Gunner
  • WSC Star Hearts
  
NCS Weekly Recap

Monday Dorimaga Vol. 9, PS2 Densha de Go! Shinkansen, Guitadora, Shin Sangoku Musou 2  
Wednesday DC Cosmic Smash
Thursday DC Garou Mark of the Wolves GBA Zone of Enders 2173 PS Bishi Bashi Special, Bishi Bashi Special 2, Beatmania Best Hits, Hunter X Hunter Best Collection, Hunter X Hunter Ubawareta Aura Stone PS2 Ring of Red Best, Seven Blades Best, Silent Hill 2, Sky Gunner WSC Guilty Gear Petit 2, Star Hearts
Friday Week's import stock checked out