Ikaruga
GC: Ikaruga  JPN  US$58  BUY
   There was a time when hope of a home conversion of Ikaruga was all but dashed. Treasure denied it completely. Dejected hardcore gamers went out and procured Naomi Ikaruga (~$500 secondhand) while the shmup masses settled down and replayed Mars Matrix, Silvergun, Soukyugurentai and other notables. Ikaruga would never see the light of day on DC.
   Things changed as summer ended and Treasure, goaded by sizable interest and potential preorders in Japan and the USA, had a change of heart and confirmed Ikaruga on DC. At around the same time, news of a GC conversion of Ikaruga bore fruit for release in 2003.
   The Gamecube edition of Ikaruga plays exactly like the DC original based on our speeding through the first stage this morning. The cinemas flow the same, the game moves similarly well and the screen quality (D-Video piped through an XRGB-2) compares favorably to DC on VGA. New modes include a Training Mode and a Challenge Mode where players receive a password upon completing the game. Enter the password on www.ikaruga-atari.net (Not up yet since the game isn't slated for release in Japan until Jan 16) and see your ranking against other players across the globe. [View back]
 

 

 
NEWS: General Updates
   A week after the announcement of the GBA SP, Square issues news of a Pearl White colored GBA SP to be bundled in a Final Fantasy Tactics pack. A FFT carrying strap and pouch are also included in the bundle. Priced at Y18300 and shipping on February 14, NCS will update accordingly within the next few days if we are able to supply this special GBA SP + FFT bundle to customers.
   Xbox Panzer Dragoon Orta [USA] ships to preorders tomorrow morning. Also in the pipeline for Wednesday: GC Resident Evil 2 [USA] and Resident Evil 3 [USA] along with PS2 The Sims [USA] and Dynasty Warriors 3 Extreme Legends [USA].
   NCS receives roughly 30 messages daily regarding the GC Freeloader. The most common inquiry asks if [XXX XX, 2003] is the actual release date. Note that retailers listing ship dates for Freeloader are guessing. Datel has not posted ANY official ship date for the boot disc and it is entirely possible for Freeloader to ship in June, September or December of 2003. As mentioned before on this site, don't hold your breath.
 
Summary of the Week
Monday NEWS Dating game revelations, Week outlook - looks like Ikaruga on GC only
Tuesday GC Ikaruga  NEWS A GBA SP color variant already..., USA releases this week, Freeloader vapors
Wednesday NEWS Import game delays announced, GBA FFT bundle update, Guilty Gear XX in the USA soon
Thursday NEWS Gamecube Digital Controller, PS2 April 2003 import roster, GBA FFT bundle offer
Friday NEWS Hori unleashes Final Fantasy X-2 tower, Memory cards, Tiny Bee and Sakura to boot
National Console Support, Inc ° Your Import Specialist
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