GBA Hello Kitty Deluxe Set 

$175

 
   The guttural growl gave me a fright. It sounded something like "Kaaaawaaaaiii" but deeper, almost animal-like. I knew "kawaii" meant "cute" in Japanese but the low, slow intonation sounded almost...sexual.  The source of said murmurings issued forth from none other than an older Asian woman who held a Pocket Hello Kitty in her hands at the Chinatown store. Needless to say, a primal yearning was erupting right there, right then. She had found the object of her affection, and exorbitant pricing would not derail her desire. 
   Nintendo originally released the Pocket Hello Kitty a couple of years ago and the kitten's charms apparently held even the old girl's attention spans, much less a young one. 
   If NCS had a retail shop, here in the city, we'd pretty much revisit that scene from yesteryear when the Hello Kitty GBA hits the shelves. It's pink, cute, and above all, two little Kitty icons and the Kitty logo are plastered on it. Hence, the intrinsic value and that little iota of sunshine which makes it an object of adoration. Also included with this special package is a game titled Hello Kitty Miracle Fashion Maker.
  		 
GC Pikmin 

$58

 
   Space-farer types seem to encounter more than the usual amount of accidents, at least in the realm of gaming and attendant story backgrounds. In Pikmin, a spacenaut collides with a comet and plunges helter skelter into an alien planet. Survival and a return to the heavens depends on his ability to befriend little creatures called Pikmin who may be gathered together and marshaled into an imposing force. Individually, a Pikmin isn't going to accomplish much but it's strength lies in amassing big numbers of the little fellows into an gang. Waves of Pikmin may be commandeered to topple walls, retrieve parts of your spaceship and attack ravenous predators who would otherwise eat you and your flock.
   Best described as a strategy-action game, the player tends to the Pikmin as little charges and exploits them for his own purposes. The end-all motive remains escaping from the planet and a return to space. An imaginative and engrossing simulation, Pikmin marks Nintendo's foray into a field usually reserved for the PC market where keyboards and mice are regulation issue. Game-play works well with simple maneuvers and controls to master your Pikmin army. Recommended.   		 
PS2 J-League Winning Eleven 5 

$63

 
   With Winning Eleven 5 blowing out a 1/2 million units in Japan earlier this year, Konami looks to accomplish the same sales performance with the release of the J-League edition of W/E 5. Refined with new features and boasting an embarrassment of riches, JLWE5 includes:  
 
  • Onscreen controller function displays for learning the controls
  • Updated J-League player/team statistics
  • 256 facial types for players and facial hair distinctions
  • All J-League team stadiums represented
  • Distinctive J-League uniforms
  • Realistic atmospheric conditions affect game
  • Somewhat tweaked, improved game-play  
  • PS2 Hard Drive support reduces loading times markedly
  • Support for up to 8 players with the PS2 multi-tap
  
Also in stock today...

 
   Four new import products also arrived this morning as follows:   
 
  • DC  D+Vine [LUV]  US$60  RPG
  • GBA  Phalanx  US$49  SFC Shooter
  • PS1  The Table Tennis Simple 1500  US$23  Not bad...
  • PS2  Global Folktale  US$63  RPG
  
Konami calendars 2002

 
   In addition to the recent Metal Gear Solid 2 calendar, Konami slates a few more for release in the coming weeks. Pre-orders are welcome by e-mail request for delivery around the second week of November.   
 
  • Tokimeki Memorial 3 calendar - Size B2
  • Hanapoo calendar - Size 300mm x 300mm
  • Yu-Gi-Oh Dungeon Dice - Size B2
  
NCS Weekly Recap

Monday GBA Hello Kitty Deluxe Set, Phalanx  DC D+Vine  GC Pikmin  PS2 Global Folktale, JLWE 5  
Wednesday TOYS FFX Figure Collection, Candy Toys, Valkyrie VF-1A Hikaru, Cute Cushions