Sakura Taisen is easily one of our best selling games in 1996. Its continued popularity has translated into consistent sales in 1997. This week, we restock on the limited edition of the game. When we first sourced the deluxe box last year, we were severely allocated by our supplier in Japan. It was a bad situation made worse when word started spreading that this was an epic release. This time around, we were prepared...
		The Sakura Limited Box to the right and mousepad to the left, B-Set.

		NCS was able to source 125 units of the Sakura Limited Box, but unfortunately only the B-set was allocated to us. Our supplier would not confirm what we suspected, but in our opinion, they sold all of the A-sets to the local market in Japan. It seems that many people in Tokyo were absolutely frantic that they got an A-set Sakura Taisen Limited Box. It was either A-set or death...or something to that effect. In any case, I consider the pad design on the B-set to be nicer anyway since it includes all of the Sakura characters in a group moment. The A-set which is pictured to the left only features Sakura with her sword in hand, in front of her battle mech.
Everything thats in the Limited Box, A-set

		Whats the attraction? It could be the awesome character designs and character development. It could also be the fun mech-battles that you engage in. Or maybe, its the fine animation and voice acting.
Our heroine as seen through a tinted camera				Sakura heads into battle flanked by her girls

It's all those things. Once in a while, a game comes along that surprises everyone. No one expected a release of this caliber and it took a little while for the Sakura buzz to spread. In our business, most games sell for about a month and then they die. I.e, in a crowded, mature software market, few releases sell consistently for more than a quarter. Some sell for only a week. Sakura has lasted for three quarters and its still going strong. Thank it's unique quality and wonderfully engaging characters for the longevity. Saturn owners who would like to try the Sakura experience are encouraged to try the regular edition of the game which is in stock from NCS at US$58. If you find that you need a mouse and a mouse pad as well, NCS does have the limited box this week. <wink>
		Ichirou and Iris wave their hearts out

Once you get the game, visit the most excellent Ming's Sakura Taisen homepage. There, you will find an intro to Sakura, character data, updated news and various miscellany on the Sakura Taisen phenom.