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NEWS:
New Preorders &
General Updates |
BEMANI
With
Aerobics Revolution
shipping on March 13 and
DDR Max 2 slated for April
24, Konami crafts a new DDR controller aptly advertised as
the "Dance
Dance Revolution Max 2 controller" for release on
March 27. Compatible with all Playstation DDR games and the
latest franchise dubbed Aerobics Revolution, the new
controller bolsters Konami's peripheral presence in a market
recently dominated by flimsy third party controllers prone
to slippage, breakage and in some cases, the source of
bodily wreckage. NCS expects pricing at US$68.
In Aerobics Revolution, players choose a set of exercises to burn
calories and work out arms and legs in various repetitive
motions. Each set is about 5 minutes long and participants
exercise to songs while watching an onscreen instructor who
takes you through the paces. Jane Fonda paved the way in the
80s with VHS exercise tapes and a pair of leg warmers.
Konami may succeed similarly via PS2 by targeting a global
population which grows ever more obese with mega-sized meals
and comfort food... |
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GBA SP
A new shipment of GBA SPs
landed today and most confirmed preorders are shipping this
afternoon. One shipment didn't arrive and looks like it'll
arrive on Saturday. Another confirmation message will be
sent out later today to customers who remain on our preorder
list. A large shipment of SPs is expected on Monday and we
be able to fill all remaining preorders at the
US$153.50 price.
After that, we will update our customers on possible price drops to
the US$130 level throughout the course of next week. Thanks for your patience during this
re-confirmation process.
In somewhat related news, Nintendo has not acknowledged any
supplies of the Japanese Gameboy Player to a number of
Japanese distributors at this time. The GB Player debuts on
March 27 and we're assuming there will be another major
shortage next month to ruin the launch of this new product.
NCS expects to open up preorders next week but please be
advised that only our smaller Asian suppliers have assured
us of availability thus far. This, of course, usually bodes
ill. Updates soon. |
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TOYS
Yesterday, NCS posted news on a set
of DBZ figures shipping in
June. Here's the follow-up
set shipping in
July. Banpresto also
announced a
Capcom Girls figure set
shipping in July and a
Lupin mirror and figure
collection. The latter two products won't sell very well. We
know this. However, since this is a heavy preorder month, we'll
submit orders for them anyway since the pictures are so
irresistible. |
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PSO
If you sent in a Gamecube PSO v1.0 game
for exchange towards PSO v1.1, we will receive the
replacement games on Tuesday of next week. Distribution of
the disks will take place on Wednesday and players should be
able to resume their addiction by the following week. Sega has not
begun selling PSO v1.1 directly but we will notify our
customers if this ever takes place. |
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PREORDER
Xbox
Nobunaga Mahjong and
Wild Rings are now up
for preorder. In the Nobunaga game, generals and leaders
from Japanese history play mahjong and employ various
strategies in their tactical repertoire. Wild Rings
represents Microsoft's entry in the wrestling game arena. As
most retailers know, the market can always support another
wrestling game thanks to rabid fans. |
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DATEL Shipments of the
Action Replay for Gamecube
were dispatched from the UK a couple of days ago and NCS
expects delivery tomorrow morning. Cheaters, hacks and
others will soon be able to bust open heretofore
"unbeatable" games and discover hidden retro classics in
Animal Crossing. An added bonus is the ability to play
import games with the built-in Freeloader function. Pricing:
US$33. |
