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DS Daily: Case couture
When you're looking for a case for your DS, or another non-gameplay-oriented accessory (strap, screen cleaner, sticker, etc.), do you tend toward mass-produced products, like the generally excellent ones from Hori or Keys Factory, or the bizarre puffy ones from Tomy? Or do you prefer a one-of-a-kind homemade item from Etsy?Or are you like us -- you would prefer a nice handmade one, but for whatever reason you bought a Hori case instead, and now you feel kind of guilty for some unspecified reason? You're probably not like us.
Deal of the Day: Soulcalibur IV Hori Fighting Stick $42
Those of you who were on the fence about the Soulcalibur Limited Edition Fighting Stick 3 by Hori last month might want to reconsider the peripheral again: the price has been reduced $8 to $41.99. Not too bad for a newly released product. We are aware there are some higher-end fighting sticks around, but at this price range, this particular one is unbeatable. With Soulcalibur IV arriving in stores a week from today, order one now and you might just have it ready when you bring the game home.[Via CAG]
Hori bringing Soulcalibur arcade sticks to US
In preparation of Namco Bandai's upcoming fighting game, Hori is set to release an arcade pad in the US. There are a few things of note of this peripheral, as noted by Siliconera. Firstly, the PS3 pad is only $50 (as opposed to the Xbox 360's $60 controller). Secondly, Hori hasn't announced plans to bring this to Japan. Could the tables have finally turned? Strange!Hardcore fighting fans swear by arcade pads, opting not to use standard controllers. We'll see if Soulcalibur IV dominates the competitive fighting scene when it releases at the end of next month.
More Dragon Quest DS decor: DQV cover
Just yesterday, NCSX began taking preorders on adorable Dragon Quest slime DS Lite styli. Today, they've revealed a thematically appropriate companion piece: this Dragon Quest V DS protector. Much like other Hori Protect Cases, this is a transparent hard plastic cover for the DS, with attractive monochrome artwork on the top. This one features artwork of the Hero and the game's logo, and looks cooler than we expect things with Akira Toriyama art on them to look. This one doesn't come with any other accessories, which in our minds is just another excuse to go ahead and spend the $7 on a Slime Stylus. The Dragon Quest V Accessory will ship in July for $13.90. Try not to scuff up your DS before then!
Hori Charge Stand delayed, coming to America?
We hope you haven't already put in a preorder for Hori's upcoming DS Lite Charge Stand! When we last previewed this accessory, Play Asia had put up a product page promising to deliver the stylish dock to your doorstep for $16.90 (plus $5.90 s/h) once it debuted in Japan this month. Checking the online import shop earlier today, we spotted a pair of notable details, bad news and good news, if you will:. Bad news: The charging base's shipping date has been moved to May Good news: There is now a listing for the White DS Lite Charge Stand bearing a US flag, scheduled for June and priced at $14.99. Is Hori's North American arm planning to bring the dock to the states as it has with many of the company's other DS accessories? If so, it might worth waiting an extra month to pick up the Charge Stand at a local store for a few bucks less. Hit the gallery below for glamour shots of the White and Black models. %Gallery-22278%
Neo Geo Stick 2 for the Wii, it's here, and it's awesome
When you're playing Samurai Shodown on your virtual Neo Geo, you need more than that rinky-dink controller to immerse you in a world of arcade magic. When you need to reach for a controller than can match up to your memories, you need the Neo Geo Stick 2. That's right, this fully Wii-compatible controller can send you hurtling back through time to a happier day when your only concerns were cruising in your IROC-Z, shredding to Winger, and making sure you had enough quarters in your pocket to play Fatal Fury. Ready to do the time warp? $59.90 gets you through the door.[Via technabob]
DS Daily: taking a stand
You know, we've never really felt the need to actually purchase one of the many stands available for the DS. We don't own Cooking Navi and playing Elite Beat Agents (or Ouendan) can be accomplished fairly easily by holding the DS with one of our hands and playing with the other. Then, we get an eye full of Hori's Taiko no Tatsujin stand and immediately felt the need to get one.We can't imagine what we'd use it for, so we figured we'd ask you! Who better to let us know the many uses of a DS stand than the fine folks who've been using one for awhile now. So, tell us how your DS rocks its stand.
Taiko: Stand Master
Similar to its Sangokushi Taisen DS-branded base, Hori has another themed stand set in the works for rhythm game series Taiko no Tatsujin. The adjustable platform comes in red and has two holders for the drumstick styli that come with every copy of the original game. Also included in the kit is an adorable screen wipe The bundle may or may not also come packaged with the attachable banner of cheering characters -- we haven't decided yet if this would be distractingly goofy or awesome to the max. Japan has already seen one Taiko DS title release and has another coming, whereas every other country's DSes have been so far Taiko-less. Thus, it's safe to assume that Hori's accessory won't appear in North American stores any time soon. Import shop Play-Asia, however, has the stand available for preorder (due April) for $19.90. Peek past the break for a look at the full, watermarked product sheet.
Huge discounts and prizes at Play Asia's Year of the Rat Lucky Sale
Bringing in the Chinese New Year, import shop Play Asia has slashed the prices on over five thousand of its in-stock games and accessories. What's more, each order you put in between today and February 29th will count towards an entry for you to win a variety of Japanese consoles, games, and store credits. There's just too many items on sale to list, so we've picked out a few from the DS and GBA sections that might pique your interest. DS game sales: Ryuusei no RockMan: Dragon, Leo, and Pegasus - $48.90 $9.90 Nodame Cantabile - $48.90 $14.90 Operation: Vietnam (US) - $24.90 $16.90 Slide Adventure: Mag Kid - $58.90 $19.90 Oshare Majo Love and Berry (DS Collection) - $58.90 $19.90 K-1 World GP - $48.90 $24.90 Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2 - $48.90 $29.90 Jump past the break for the accessory and GBA bargains!
Hori creates Monster Hunter pack, will make money
Anything with the words Monster and Hunter together seems to sell well in Japan. One of the best selling games of last year is getting a psuedo-sequel of sorts, and Hori is poised to capitalize on the frenzy. Their upcoming PSP accessory pack is totally Monster Hunter-branded. You'll get a sweet looking fleece cover, some headphones and a pouch. It actually looks pretty damn good.It'll be available in Japan on March 27th for the price of 2,919??? (about $27). Wait, that sounds like a great deal! Thankfully for Monster Hunter fans, it looks to be available for pre-order on import sites.
Hori Charge Stand is style over substance, just our thing
We're struggling to justify to ourselves the idea of purchasing one of Hori's new Charge Stands. After all, a standard wired power adapter -- like the one you get totally free with your DS -- does the same job. The only obvious advantage to owning one of these is that your DS can be displayed at a jaunty, kind of cool angle.We suppose this is a case of form over function, though we're not ashamed to still want one -- the DS is an attractive piece of kit, so why shouldn't we show it off? For just under $17, you can be as superficial as we are, though you will have to wait until April. Oh, and they only come in black or white, meaning any new cobalt blue DS owners might have to go without.[Thanks, Chris!]
Hori DS protector combines form and function
For us, the perfect DS protector would be something made of Kevlar and covered in hearts and plumbers. Just take a page of doodles out from your little sister's diary and you got what we're talking about, only that it's bulletproof. Hori has done an okay job, though, in trying to come up with a viable solution to those lacking any kind of protection for their DS. It's sleek and looks like it not only protects, but is pretty functional as well. All it needs are some stickers of hearts and unicorns. Or maybe some Doraemon.[Via Go Nintendo]
Doraemon returns from the future to make your DS cute again
The world's favorite blue robot cat from the future is back with more stuff to put on your DS. The Doraemon Waku Waku DS Accessory Set includes a system shell, a card case, an extending stylus, and a screen-cleaning strap all bearing the adorable visage of Doraemon. The DS case has a repeating light blue Doraemon pattern that we think is pretty nice, and the card case features three Doraemons (Doraemen? Doraemans?) in cute poses.NCSX is taking preorders for this $23 accessory kit from Hori, to be sent out when it releases on March 6th. If you're looking to protect, clean, write on, and carry games with your DS, it seems like a good option.
Overstocked and underpriced: Hori Fighting Stick
Despite Hori's reputation for producing quality arcade joysticks for consoles, its $50 Fighting Stick Wii is just too expensive for many gamers. If you're one of those people seeking an arcade alternative to the Classic Controller, but not looking to pay any more than two Jacksons, thank your lucky stars that you loaded Nintendo Wii Fanboy today -- Overstock.com has Hori's "Wii Digital Arcade Stick" temporarily listed for $38.95.We can't guarantee that this deal will stay up for long, so swoop in fast and snatch your prize, like a hawk, while the sale lasts. Make sure to throw a free shipping coupon onto your order, too.Update: Apparently, the free shipping coupon doesn't work on video game-related items. That is some straight-up malarkey. Thanks, Garu.[Via NeoGAF]
Hori takes a stand (and puts LEDs in it)
Hori's USB Illumination Stand -- available in black and white -- seems straightforward, lighting up your Wii with LEDs as it siphons power off the console. But what's with the $19.90 price tag at Play Asia ($22.90 on NCSX), and why is that extra cord in the back also plugged into one of the system's two USB ports? Though you can't tell just by looking at it, the front flap of the base opens up to reveal a USB port powered by that extra hook-up. With the port conveniently positioned on the front, you can plug in a USB keyboard or, one day, an external drive without having to mess with the tangle of wires in the back. You can see a close-up of the hidden port and another shot of the base after the break.See also: Put your Wii on a new pedestal
Hori summons an accessory set to complement Final Fantasy IV's release
Another major RPG release for the DS, another Hori accessory set. This latest bundle for Final Fantasy IV's 3D remake comes packed with a trio of items you can buy to showcase your fanboyism and poor money management skills -- a protective system case, an extendable stylus, and an attachable screen wipe bearing the image of a chibi Rydia, FFIV's green-haired summoner. Like the game, this kit won't be available in Japan until December 20th, but import shop Play Asia is already taking preorders, charging $17.90 plus shipping. Gather your party, stock up on potions, and travel past the post break for more images from this official accessory set.
Live a lie with Hori's FFTA2 accessory set
Buying Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift when it hits Japan in two weeks might not be economically feasible for you, what with shipping costs and jacked-up import pricing, but that doesn't mean you can't make everyone believe you've purchased and played the game.Hori's FFTA2 kit, available for preorder at Play-Asia for an affordable $17.90, includes everything we've come to expect with these supplementary kits -- a themed system case, an extendable stylus, a stylus pen casing, and a screenwipe strap -- enough branded stuff to convince any doubters out there that you're the proud owner of Square Enix's newest SRPG, even if you really aren't.As for why you'd want to live this double life, pretending you're in possession of a game you've never actually held, we're not sure what your motivation would be; we're just offering advice in case you ever find yourself caught up in the dilemma we've described. Click past the post break for more photos of the set.
Neat Accessory Sets of Innocence
We like Hori's themed Protect Cases. They're an easy, inexpensive, and impermanent way to give your DS Lite a "limited edition" look. This way, you can deck out your DS like you spent $200 dollars on a bundle, but then if you decide that the game is terrible or something, you can just toss the cover and not have a constant reminder of your own folly on the top of your system.From the looks of it, Tales of Innocence won't be terrible, and so there will no doubt be an audience for this nice-looking set. It includes a clear Protect Case and a maroon Tales of Innocence extending stylus, for $23. It'll be released on December 6th.
Hori releases new accessory kit
The stylus included in the package was released before for purchase, but is also now included in this new accessory bundle. Including another stylus and cartridge cases, as well as a case for the whole package, this new kit from Hori looks like it gets the job done.Isn't that the pain about cases, though? Once you think you've found your ideal case or organizer, another is released, perhaps looking more tempting or functional than that you already own?[Via Go Nintendo]
Hori Ace Combat joystick for Xbox 360 on display
Blink and you might have missed it: at Tokyo Game Show Microsoft is showing off the Hori Ace Combat joysticks that were announced a couple of months ago for the Xbox 360. They still aren't available until November 1st overseas (and who knows when the US will get 'em), but there's nothing that manages to excite us like glass-encased $150 video game flight sticks that use old school parallel connections. Sign us up!%Gallery-7688%
