Thursday, April 30, 2009
4/30/2009 - 2:10 p.m. General Update
Final Fantasy Advent Children Blu-Ray + Demo - We have some in stock left, but we're restocking a very healthy amount tomorrow evening
ClubNamco Plush - Just arrived via trucking and all backorders are expected to ship today
Persona PSP - Sold out until next week, sorry folks.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Random Update For No Reason - Swine Flu Symptoms
Yes, it's because there is nothing else to write about today. But for the past week, all we've been hearing about is this swine flu virus. Well, I decided to pull up an easy chart so all our readers can recognize what this influenza-style thing-a-thing does to you. Fox and all local media have made this "pandemic" phase 5, which is I guess, the second highest rating for "danger zone status."
But either way, as long as you cook your pork to 160F, you should be ok, and of course, stay away from people who are harboring the symptoms mentioned above. How does this all relate to video games? Well it doesn't, at all. Technically, with the world scared of pork, other countries would probably put an embargo on pig importation for the time being, which hurts US exports.
We don't need another slow down to slow down what is already too slow. But on the upside, people will have more money to buy games.
Pre-Order Update - King of Fighters XII (12) PS3 / 360 - 7/7/09 - $59.99
Release Date: 7/07/2009
Genre: Fighting
Company: Ignition Entertainment
Version: USA
-from publisher-
The King of Fighters XII (KOF XII) is the latest installment of The King of Fighters series. SNK Playmore has announced that it is abandoning the Atomiswave system and is moving its most popular game franchises to the Taito Type X2 arcade system. KOF XII will use newly-drawn 2D sprites on detailed 2D backgrounds. Due to the time the developers took to make the sprites, there will be only 20 playable characters (the lowest number of characters ever had in a game from the series). The game is currently due to be released in Japan in April of 2009 for arcades, while home versions will be released worldwide in July of the same year. Like The King of Fighters '98, this game will not have a storyline; the saga from Ash Crimson that started in King of Fighters 2003 will finish in a sequel.
Gameplay
- KOF XII uses the usual 3-on-3 team system with each fight consisting on 5 rounds. However, the Tactical Shift System from The King of Fighters 2003 has been removed. KOF XII also introduces the "critical counter" system. When a player lands a close strong punch as a counter, the character enters into a critical counter mode where the player has a short amount of time wherein their character can link multiple attacks together. Once the critical counter's time period has expired (signified by a green hit) the player can finish with a special move. Finally, there is also a "clash" system in place wherein characters who land blows on one another with matched timing, the engine will generate a 'break' effect and push the characters away from one another into a neutral standing. As it happened with The King of Fighters '98 and The King of Fighters 2002, the game does not contain a storyline allowing the return of several characters depending on their status in the series. Additionally, there are no official teams, leaving the player to create any team to use.
- The game returns to its standard four button layout. Players can still dash, backstep, and perform rolls as their evade. The Guard Breaks from previous games can now be done at any time. Super special moves will now be executed in real-time and in a similar manner as KOF '94, meaning that it's a one level superbar that gradually drains once it is MAX. Some moves will take some time to charge.
- The game will feature roster of 20 characters, which is half the amount of characters featured in King of Fighters XI. With the exception of the Hero Team from The King of Fighters 2003 and the debut of Raiden from Fatal Fury in the series, the character roster is comprised primarily of characters from early KOF games prior to the NESTS storyline, with the majority of them reverting to their classic KOF and pre-KOF (Kensou and Athena are wearing the outfits of their Psycho Soldier counterparts) designs and move set as the SNK staff wanted to return to the original concept from The King of Fighters series. Raiden, however, was initially meant to appear as his unmasked persona from Fatal Fury 2, "Big Bear"; in order to add more villains to the game, the SNK staff decided to use his Raiden persona, which was one of the sub-bosses from the first Fatal Fury. KOF XII does not feature any of the pre-defined teams traditionally featured in the series, despite presence of members from recurring teams such as the original Japan Team and the Fatal Fury Team. According to Kukino, the home versions of the game will contain more characters. Some versions from the game will also include English voices for each character, but the player will be able to select between English and Japanese audio.
- Ash Crimson
- Duo Lon
- Shen Woo
- Kyo Kusanagi
- Benimaru Nikaido
- Goro Daimon
- Iori Yagami
- Athena Asamiya
- Sie Kensou
- Chin Gentsai
- Terry Bogard
- Andy Bogard
- Joe Higashi
- Kim Kaphwan
- Raiden
- Ryo Sakazaki
- Robert Garcia
- Ralf Jones
- Clark Still
- Leona Heidern
General Updates - 4/30/09's Arrivals
ClubNamco Exclusive Plush Items - We're anticipating a large shipment of clubnamco items tomorrow evening via trucking. Our logistics partners have done an excellent job of delivering our freight on time.
Restocks This Week - Many of our restocks have been inspected by customs this week. We're guessing that since the economy is in such bad shape, customs agents need more work, thus, more inspections. One of our main shipments scheduled to arrive today experienced such a case. We have two shipments this week from Japan. We'll update what is to come tomorrow afternoon.
Pre-Order Update - Infamous Exclusively on the Sony Playstation 3 (PS3) - 5/26/09
Release Date: 05/26/09
UPC: 00711719811923
Genre: Action
Company: Sony
Version: US
-from publisher-
From game developer Sucker Punch, creators of the award-winning Sly Cooper series, and publisher Sony comes inFAMOUS. The first open-world title exclusively for the PlayStation 3, infamous is a single player action/adventure that places you in the role of once regular guy, Cole, who in the aftermath of a horrific catastrophe finds himself not only alive, but developing a fantastic array of superpowers. Going from ordinary to extraordinary overnight isn't something to take lightly. With these powers does one exact revenge? Protect the innocent? Or perhaps, dabble in a little of both? The choice is yours in infamous.
- Change the outcome of the game at every turn as citizens and city environment itself react to, and are impacted by your in-game actions.
- Take on the role of Cole, an everyday guy who develops a super-human powers and must decide whether to use these for the good of Empire City and its people or their detriment.
- Discover, grow and wield a wide range of electricity-based super powers against enemies using standard weapons as wells as comparable special abilities.
- Utilize Cole's climbing skills as you scale the cityscape and discover new vantage points, vaious offense and defensive tactics and employ inFAMOUS' vertical combat system.
- Experience the complete freedom to accept structured mission play options, or to explore the deep, open-world design of Empire City.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Demons Souls PS3 Asian Version Update - 4/28/09
Release Date: 2/5/2009
UPC: 4948872960717
Genre: Sony Computer Entertainment
Company: RPG
Version: Asia
We finally received confirmation that our shipment has departed Hong Kong. Assuming no more delays, our shipment should arrive on Thursday. All back-orders will be filled Thursday afternoon. New orders are welcome and can ship within 24 hours of order placement.
Stock Update - Pokemon Fushigi no Dungeon: Sora no Tankentai DS - Now Available!
Release Date: 4/17/2009
UPC: 4902370517750
Genre: Nintendo
Company: RPG
Version: Japan
-from wikipedia-
As with its predecessors, the game follows the story of a human who is mysteriously transformed into a Pokémon (determined by a personality test at the game's start-up). Along with the starters from the previous game, five more have been confirmed to be included as playable choices; Phanpy, Riolu, Shinx, Eevee, and Vulpix. Howerver, 2 starters, Munchlax and Meowth were removed.
Explorers of the Sky is set to expand on the plot of Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, as well as explore the background of several characters (such as Wigglytuff's inspiration to become an explorer, the induction of Bidoof into the guild, the formation of Team Charm, a special mission for guild member Sunflora, and the investigation of Grovyle and Dusknoir after the battle at the Hidden Land).
Extra gameplay features will be incorporated into the game, including but not limited to; extra dungeons, the event Pokémon Shaymin, and alternate forms introduced in Pokémon Platinum.
4/29/09 - Confirmed Arrivals - Done Deal
Death Smiles [Regular Edition] - $69.99
Naruto Shippuden: Shinobi Retsuden 3 - $59.99
Demon's Souls (Asia Version) PS3 - $69.99 / 4/30 RESTOCK
Suggoi! Arcana Heart 2 - $64.99
Oboro Muramasa - $69.99
Persona - $54.99
Zettai Zetsumei Toshi 3 ( Zettai Zetsumei Toshi 3: Kowareyuku Machi to Kanojo no Uta ) - $54.99
PlayStation Network Card / Ticket (5000 YEN / for Japanese network only) [retail packing] - $69.99
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PlayStation Network Card / Ticket (3000 YEN / for Japanese network only) [retail packing] - $49.99
Nintendo DSi Console - Matte Blue - $169.99
Nintendo DSi Console - Matte Black - $169.99
clubNAMCO Plush Collection - Red Ghost Plush - 8 Inch - Blinky - $26.99
clubNAMCO Plush Collection - Blue Ghost Plush - 8 Inch - Inky - $26.99
clubNAMCO Plush Collection - Pink Ghost Plush - 8 Inch - Pinky - $26.99
clubNAMCO Plush Collection - Orange Ghost Plush - 8 Inch - Pokey - $26.99
clubNAMCO Plush Collection - Pooka Dig Dug Toy Plush - 10 Inch - $26.99
clubNAMCO Plush Collection - PacMan Oversized Toy Plush - 12 Inch - $29.99
clubNAMCO Plush Collection - PacMan Plush Cushion Toy - Large - 14" x 3.5" - $24.99
clubNAMCO Plush Collection - PacMan Plush Cushion Toy - Medium - 10" x 3.5" - $24.99
Monday, April 27, 2009
Stock Update - Samurai Shodown Anthology Wii - Now Available!
Release Date: 4/14/2009
UPC: 828862900036
Genre: Fighting
Company: Crave
Version: US
-from publisher-
The Classic Fighting Series Brings a New Showdown to the Wii System. The complete collection of the Samurai Shodown series, containing 7 games; Samurai Shodown I, II, III, IV, V, V Special, and VI. Celebrate the history of Samurai Shodown by battling as one of the greatest Samurai of all time. Seven separate adventures that span across the life of the franchise in this incredible collection. | ||||||||||
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Stock Update - Samurai Shodown Anthology PSP - Now Available!
Release Date: 3/10/2009
UPC: 828862300027
Genre: Action
Company: Crave Entertainment
Version: US
-from publisher-
The Classic Fighting Series Brings a New Showdown to the PSP System. The complete collection of the Samurai Shodown series, containing 7 games; Samurai Shodown I, II, III, IV, V, V Special, and VI. Celebrate the history of Samurai Shodown by battling as one of the greatest Samurai of all time. Seven separate adventures that span across the life of the franchise in this incredible collection. | ||||||||||||
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Nintendo DS Lite Lime Green Spring Bundle With Personal Trainer Cooking - 5/6-5/7/09
Receive Date - 5/6-5/7
Release Date - 5/3/2009
- Interactive Gaming Fun for the Whole Family
- Includes 1 Game, Nintendo DS Lite System, Carrying Case
- Bundle Includes Carrying Case
- Games Included: Personal Trainer Cooking
- Features Wi-Fi Capability, Two Screens, Touch Screen Display,
- Slim, Lightweight Design
- 10.6x8.1x2.8 "
Cool stuff, cool stuff. The lime green color was only available through european channels until now. Nintendo is offering up a colorful carrying case, a personal cooking trainer ds, and a limited edition lime green system. Usually, the bundles that were released, such as the crimson w/ brain age 2, the nintendogs pink, the pokemon dialga and palkia version, and the red mario version were all plentiful until weeks after. Any orders placed today will ship around 5/6-5/7.
Stock Update - Fatal Frame III: The Tormented PS2 - Bringing It Back, Back To Back
Release Date: 11/8/2005
UPC: 018946010410
Genre: Survival Horror
Company: Tecmo
Version: US
-from wikipedia-
- The player controls the character of either Rei, Miku or Kei, and uses the camera obscura to photograph and fight off ghosts. The player explores in third person in either the dream world, the Manor of Sleep, or the real world. On the main screen there is a sensor bar that indicates if a ghost is present. When the sensor bar glows red, the controller vibrates, signaling that there is a hostile ghost nearby. If the sensor bar turns blue, there is a neutral or friendly ghost present, one that will not attack but can be captured with the camera. At any point in the game, the player can enter the first person camera mode in which ghosts can be defeated. The camera has a limited amount of film. Experience points are gained through defeating ghosts or by taking pictures of friendly ghosts and powering up the camera. Different abilities can be gained and it is up to the player how the points are distributed.
- Fatal Frame III is split into day and night sequences. During the day, Rei moves about her home, speaking with the other characters and developing photographs. At night, while sleeping, Rei enters the "Manor of Sleep" in her dreams. Upon completing each chapter, referred to as an "hour" in-game, Rei wakes up back in the real world. However, as the game plot proceeds, the lines between the two worlds begin to blur for Rei. As a result, she starts to have visions of ghosts even when awake and the mysterious tattoo grows to cover an ever-increasing percentage of her body.
- In some chapters, the player has the opportunity to play as Miku or Kei. Each character has different special abilities, making each of their playing styles unique. Rei is capable of using the camera's flash to scare off some spirits, but can only use it a limited number of times. Miku has a special "Sacred Stone" charm that decreases the speed of spirits when used. Additionally, using her "Double" ability, she can shoot twice in rapid succession with the camera after charging her first shot. Kei, with his greater physical strength, can perform actions such as moving a bookcase or jumping from the roof of one building to another. However, as Kei's camera capability is weaker than that of either Rei or Miku, he must hide to avoid detection by spirits.
Stock Update - Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly PS2 - Bringing It Back
Release Date: 11/1/2003
UPC: 018946010335
Genre: Survival Horror
Company: Tecmo
Version: US
-from wikipedia-
- Brand new setting with more wide-open exploration -- more possibilities for fear and terror
- All-new storyline and different game mechanics as you try and capture the ghosts who stalk the forests
- Fatal Frame II uses gameplay mechanics very similar to its predecessor, with some changes and updates. For most of the game you control Mio Amakura, except for some short scenes where you control her elder twin sister Mayu. Mayu's scenes are unlike the regular game however, viewed with a gray filter as she moves from one place to the next, giving the player clues as to where to go. In normal gameplay, Mio's health is shown as a bar in the lower right corner, although only during combat and in viewfinder mode. If her health runs out the game will end. Life can be replenished using different healing items scattered throughout the game. There is also a special item called Stone Mirror, which restores Mio's life to full once when it runs out, and then breaks; only one can be carried at any time. Mio also has a flashlight, which can be aimed in different directions, although the flashlight will not work in all areas. Mio's only weapon is the Camera Obscura, an antique camera with the ability to take pictures of ghosts and exorcise them. As "ammunition" the camera uses films of different quality. The weakest type of film never runs out, but the other types have to be collected throughout the game; obviously, the strongest ones are also rarest. The camera can be equipped with special functions and with special lenses, all of which grant some special ability useful in combat; these, like everything else have to be found in game, or earned as a result of multiple playthroughs. Finally, the camera's native functions and the special lenses can be upgraded using spirit orbs found in the game and points earned from photographing ghosts. The points earned from each picture depend on the accuracy of the shot, and during combat also the timing and damage caused. The camera's features also include a filament, which is displayed in the lower right corner. The filament glows red when facing a hostile ghost, and serves as an indicator of both direction and distance; it can also glow blue when there is a non-hostile ghost nearby.
- During the game, Mio has to explore the entire village area and its central buildings, and needs to find various objects and solve puzzles in order to advance. Throughout the game, Mio will encounter different kinds of ghosts, some of which appear unexpectedly while some appear during cutscenes. In addition to hostile ghosts, there are numerous vanishing and hidden spirits Mio can photograph for points. The vanishing ghosts often talk, giving some information related to the story. One ghost is a special case: the ghost of a boy locked in a storehouse will give clues as to what to do and help Mio. The game is divided into chapters, mostly related to certain areas which Mio visits as she chases after her sister. In the seventh chapter, Mio briefly loses both the flashlight and the Camera Obscura, and has to resort to dodging ghosts with no means to fight back. The total number of chapters is nine, with a special tenth chapter available in hard and nightmare difficulty settings.
- Game saving is done at red lanterns scattered throughout the village. There is no limit on how many times you can save, however you cannot save if there is a hostile ghost nearby; in those cases, the lamp will be dark. Unlike in the first Fatal Frame, there is no way to restore film ammunition; should you run out and spend all the film found in the game, all you will have left is the weakest type which cannot run out.
- The game has a new game plus feature, where you can start a new game while keeping your camera with all the special functions, lenses and upgrades from the previous game, as well as all your stored healing items and film. Over multiple playthroughs you can unlock various bonus content, including a mission mode, different outfits, gallery features and special lenses for the camera. In mission mode, the player is presented with a challenge, usually to kill certain ghosts as quickly as possible or getting the highest points possible, either overall or with a single shot.
- The director's cut edition for Xbox also has an FPS mode, where you can play through the entire game in first person. This does a lot in fixing the problems inherent with fixed camera locations; at the very worst, there are some small closets which are difficult to walk into, as when the camera switches locations the character will spin around and step right out of the closet you tried to enter. Unfortunately, the FPS mode also takes away some of the game's atmosphere. The Xbox version also has a new feature with gameplay effects: a shop where you can trade points from pictures for healing items and film.
Pre-Order Update - Naruto Shippuden: Shinobi Retsuden 3 - 4/30/09
Pre-Order Update - Made in Ore / WarioWare Myself DS - 4/29/09
Release Date: 4/29/2009
Receive Date: 4/30/2009
UPC: 4902370517699
Genre: Action
Company: Nintendo
Version: Japan
-from wikipedia-
WarioWare: Myself!, known as Made in Ore in Japan, is a mini-game compilation video game to be released for the Nintendo DS in 2009. It is the seventh title in the WarioWare series, after WarioWare: Snapped! It was first revealed at Nintendo's conference on October 2, 2008.
Players will be able to design their own microgames, creating their own graphics, music and designing a 'cassette' for them. The game features three sections in its main menu: My House, where you design microgames, WarioWare, the tutorial, and My Shop, where you make microgame cassettes. When creating the music, the player can sing through the DS's microphone, which the DS then converts into notes. These notes can then be performed by various instruments such as pig noises, similar to music creation in Mario Paint. It will also include 90 premade microgames.
Pre-Order Update - Persona PSP - Remake - 4/30/09
UPC: 4984995900438
Genre: RPG
Company: Atlus
Version: Japan
-from wikipedia-
Persona, is a exclusive remake for the PlayStation Portable of Revelations: Persona which is the first in a series of role-playing games for PlayStation consoles – one of several spin-off series within developer Atlus's Megami Tensei franchise. The story is set in contemporary times, with high school teenagers serving as the heroes of the game. Armed with weapons and imbued with magical beings known as Personae, they band together to repel demons that are invading their city.
- Persona's gameplay will be very similar to the original, Revelations: Persona, with only a few exceptions.
- Like the games in the Megami Tensei series, battles in Persona need not always be about fighting. Instead, the player has the option to "Contact" the demons they encounter in an attempt to communicate with them. However, certain enemies (usually bosses and human-type enemies) cannot be contacted no matter how much the player might try. Each playable character has a set of different Contact commands, which will affect the selected demon in one of four ways: Joy, Anger, Fear or Interest. There are occasional questions posed by the demon, and the chosen answer will also have an effect on its mood. By making a demon interested three or four times in a row, they will offer the player their "Spell Card". These Cards can be used in the mystical Velvet Room to summon new Persona.
- Battles are also from a third-person view. Each party member is confined to a space on a grid, which dictates the range of their attacks and where they can move during their turn. Ranged weapons can travel over many 'squares' to hit an enemy, while melee attacks are confined to one square. Enemy demons are positioned in front and rear lines on the grid; When the front line is defeated, the rear line advances to take their place.
- Unlike the original, Revelations: Persona, Persona will stay as true to the original Japanese Version as possible with localization of Persona to be completely redone from scratch.[5] However it is unknown if the names of the characters will be converted to their previous North American localization names or if they retain their Japanese ones.
- A different name, Persona is now branded without the title "Megami Ibunroku" in Japan.
- A new opening which includes an entirely new opening song which was unveiled by Atlus before the game's launch.
- All the original FMVs will be remade by Kamikaze Douga, and there will be many brand new FMVs as well to enhance the storytelling.
- Shoji Meguro, who will also be serving as the game's director will be arranging all the original BGM and the vocal tracks will feature Yumi Kawamura, the vocalist for the Persona 3 tracks.
- The interface has been fully revamped to take advantage of the full widescreen view for the benefit of all users.
- Both the original scenario and the Snow Queen scenario will contain additional dungeon floors not found in the original. The new dungeon elements will also contain tricky puzzles and extra content for the player to unravel.
- The game has been fully rebalanced to enhance the playing experience from the original version. The encounter rate and dungeon designs have been tweaked as well. There will also be multiple difficulty settings to more player choice.
- Battle animations can now be skipped entirely, and the battle load times have been decreased to 2/3 the time of the original game.
- There will be many more save points available throughout the game, and for portable fans the game will also feature a quicksave feature.
- A new pre-rendered aerial view town map similar to the later Persona franchises will replace the original real-time 3D town map. There is no more random encounter when traveling in the town as well.
Stock Update - Demons Souls PS3 - 4/27/09
Release Date: 2/5/2009
UPC: 4948872960717
Genre: Sony Computer Entertainment
Company: RPG
Version: Asia
While I was gym'n it yesterday, I received an email from Hong Kong to inform us that Demons Souls is shipping out today. We will be able to fulfill all backorders by end of this week, assuming no more delays. This batch of demons souls is nearly sold out. Any additional orders placed beyond this week, if sold out, will be shipped end of May.
General Update - Japan On Holiday This Week Starting Wednesday
- April 29
- May 3
- Constitution Memorial Day (憲法記念日 ,Kenpō kinenbi?)
- May 4
- May 5
- Children's Day (こどもの日 ,Kodomo no hi?), also customarily known as Boys' Day (端午の節句 ,Tango no sekku?).
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Pre-Order Update - Bleach Heat the Soul 6 PSP
Release Date: 5/12/2009
UPC: 4948872680387
Genre: Fighting
Company: Sony Computer Entertainment
Version: Japan
I had to come back with another blog post about heat the soul 6 because we're receiving a generous amount of pre-orders and I'm sure everybody is wondering when we're going to bring this one in. I should be able to bring this in a day before the official release date, but I'm not quite sure just yet. My suppliers give me a firm thumbs up on early shipment, but as always, I want to wait until a week or so beforehand to really give everyone the true heads up. I strongly encourage everyone to pre-order as soon as possible, this one will pretty much have everybody. No Choice.