PLEASE READ: The NEW SHOP is separate and distinct from the OLD SHOP. If you place an order on the OLD SHOP, you will not be able to use the NEW SHOP to check on your order and vice versa. Unfortunately, we were not able to resolve the two shop databases in order to transfer customer histories and accounts. Both shops are fully operational and capable of taking orders.
 

  GBA New Pokemon GBA SP Variants - Shipping Today
   Things were a little crowded on Friday's update so we're throwing up the update for the new Pokemon GBA SP units today. Nintendo started shipping them last weekend exclusively to Pokemon Centers in Japan. 

   For the Fire Red version, a stenciled Charizard appears on the top lid and on the left corner inside the unit. Venusaur serves as front man for the Leaf Green variant. Preorders have started shipping last Friday but new orders are welcome to ship today. Pricing is set at US$179 per unit.
 
 

Taiketsu! Ultra Hero

Fear them

Reicuras blows out smoke

  GBA Taiketsu! Ultra Hero - Shipping Today
   Eight Ultraman from the adored television series of the same name battle classic kaiju (monsters) and each other on 2-D landscapes. The chosen:

Ultraman Taro - The most powerful Ultraman of all Ultramen; horns on head
Ultraman Jack - A near clone of the original Ultraman with Ultra-Bracelet
Ultra Seven - Battles with Emulium Rays and the Eye slugger boomerang
Ultraman - The classic version with mass fighting skills 
Ultraman Tiga - The last Ultra-Being with the ability to call upon godly powers
Ultraman Dyna - Transforms into 3 modes with special powers for each
Ultraman Gaia - Excels in hand to hand combat like Bruce Lee
Ultraman Agul -  Shoots out the Photon Crusher and fights like a maniac

   Similar to some previous 2-D Ultraman games, the play mechanics are simple with the "A" button performing a kick while the "B" button throws out a punch. Variations on kicks and punches may be triggered by pushing the D-Pad up, down, left, or right while pressing the "A" or "B" buttons.

Pressing the D-Pad forward two times in quick succession sends an Ultraman running while pushing backwards twice makes him retreat. To activate a block move, push the D-Pad downwards twice and the Man throws up a momentary transparent shield. Pushing down on both "A" and "B" at the same time sets off a grab move where an opponent is hefted and then thrown down like offal or slapped, depending on the Ultraman being used.

   Monsters featured in the game include the mighty Dino-Tank, Z-Ton, Alien Baitan and Reicuras among others. All of the kaiju shoot projectile attacks along with close-range smash attacks for a somewhat formidable challenge. Mashing buttons may work from time to time but we found a hesitant and thoughtful fighting approach much more successful with this particular game since all of the monsters can take a lot of damage and know how to block.
 
 

Ghost in the Shell: SAC

  PS2 Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Shipping Today
   Major Matoko Kusanagi leads an elite team of operatives dubbed Public Peace Section 9 three decades in the future. Involved in the investigation, infiltration, and sabotage of rabid cyborgs and the viruses that cause them to go awry, Section 9 hacks and attacks machine-based motorheads and other cybernetic criminals and masterminds in the near future.

   Starting up the game, one wouldn't be faulted if comparisons to P.N. 03 were made. The action is viewed from behind heroine Matoko Kusanagi as she walks, runs and fires away at enemies far off in the distance or nearby. When close to a foe, Matoko gets into hand-to-hand combat where finishing blows are shown in bullet time. After she drops someone with a crushing attack, the camera swivels slightly overhead as everything slows to a crawl for a second or two and then normal time resumes. It's a nifty cinematic effect to watch for the first couple of times but we imagine that it could become tedious after the 300th time. In addition to Matoko, players may also play the Section 9 operative called Batou who's built like a tank, fires a big gun and is friendly with the PPS9 Tachikomas.

 
 

Star Wars Diorama Set #1 Box

Star Wars Diorama Set #2 Toys

  TOYS Star Wars Diorama Set #3 - Shipping May 2004
   The first set of Star Wars Diorama featured C-3PO and R2D2, Darth Vader flanked by Storm Troopers, an AT-AT, the Millenium Falcon and an X-Wing Fighter. Unfortunately these are no longer available for restock.
   The second set contained Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Chewie, Boba Fett and a frozen Han Solo, Yoda in a sedate pose and Obi-Wan vs a Sith. Unfortunately these are also no longer available for restock.
   Last night, Tomy announced the third set of the Star Wars Diorama Candy Toys which feature Obiwan, Yoda and some ships. A photo is shown below. Luckily, these are available for preorder and reservations are open today.

 
 
Summary of the Week
Monday GBA New Pokemon GBA SPs, Taiketsu! Ultra Hero  PS2 Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex  NEWS Star Wars Diorama 3 preorder
Tuesday NEWS Import outlook, More PS2 April and May 2004 preorders, Famicom Mini carts sans Mario Bros
Wednesday NEWS Moving servers from office to telco hotel, Famicom Mini cartridge scans, etc
Thursday XBX Ninja Gaiden  NEWS Tron Bonne and Kobun figures, EVA capsule toys, UPS strikes again
Friday DC Castle Fantasia Seima Taisen, Dousoukai Again and Refrain  GC Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes, Momotaro Densetsu XI - Best  PS2 Angel's Feather - Regular and Limited, Momotaro Densetsu - Best, Monster Hunter, Oshiete! Popotan
National Console Support, Inc ° Your Import Specialist
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