Chobits

   High school student Motosuwa Hideki struggles in cram school to make a bid for Tokyo University. The game recounts the storyline of the manga/anime where Hideki finds a Persocon (Personal Computer, in the shape of a girl) while going home from work. Hideki and friends then endeavor to find out what Chi is and help her learn and adapt to the world. Perhaps she is a Chobit, a legendary type of Persocon, which is capable of emotions and independent thought.

 
 

  Fighting Stick EX

   Hori uses the same mold and form factor from the Dead or Alive 3 joystick to craft their latest Xbox creation dubbed the Fighting Stick EX. Unlike that earlier DOA3 specific controller which featured a mere four buttons, the new model places all eight buttons on the unit and throws in a clicky joystick with green lollipop knob. A memory card port located on the back of the unit accepts a standard Xbox card and a lengthy 8' cord allows for range in your seating arrangements.
   Generally, NCS disfavors clicky sticks but given the reluctance of ASCII to product the FT2 for the Xbox, the Hori controller will have to do for now. Overall, the quality is good with a sturdy base and solid construction but we would have preferred a more tactile response from the somewhat mushy buttons and a quieter (non-clicky) stick. 
 
 

  Observations, Updates and Restock

   Although the announcement of the Playstation Portable (PSP) sunk Nintendo shares in Japan overnight, the unit won't make it to market until the fourth quarter of 2004. Sony's upcoming handheld features 4.5" TFT LCD and storage in the form of 1.8 gig mini-disks. Shareholder perception views the PSP as direct competition against the GBA but Sony appears to be positioning it more as a multi-purpose multi-media player with gaming serving as only one facet of the PSP's capabilities. The Nintendo portable empire will likely withstand this assault as it has weathered all other contenders and pretenders over the past decade.
   Other than the PSP news, everything else coming out of E3 seems fairly routine. Microsoft's iLoo "hoax" caused a flurry and served as a source of mirth in Britain. 
   NCS will stock The Pianist and Die Another Day movie DVDs tomorrow.
   The Ikaruga Appreciate DVD and PS2 Soul Calibur 2 joysticks were restocked earlier today. Gamecube USB Memory Adapters are also shipping again.
   Manufacturer EPOCH announced a set of Chaos Legion capsule toys overnight.
 
 
Summary of the Week
Monday NEWS New preorders for July, general updates to start off the week of E3, old shop and new shop
Tuesday NEWS More preorders for July and August, restock, waiting for news from E3...
Wednesday PS2 Chobits  Xbox Fighting Stick EX  NEWS General Updates and Ikaruga Appreciate restock
Thursday DVD Die Another Day  PS2 Generation of Chaos 3  NEWS More restock arrives to fill inventory
Friday NEWS Another smattering of preorders and Yamato announces Macross Valkyrie parts
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