replicant wrote:

"Pardon my French, but you lucky bastard. :-p"

LOL, I'll be bringing back a lot of stuff.  IF I happen to have any demos, I 
can send some your way if you wish.  Since I'm going everyday this year, I 
plan to pick up a lot of stuff for my friends.  
 


"I have it on my Dreamcast and it definitely is very awesome. Although,
it seemed a bit short. IS the GCN version any different or just a direct
port?"

The GCN version is basically a direct port with Progressive scan support but 
no VGA option.  They included a slow motion practice option, and also 
unlockable demo videos on how to chain through each section of the stage.  
There are 4 videos for each stage section.  Also incldued is a Net-Ranking 
feature where you can post your high score up on the official website via a 
Password.  The top 5 in the world for Normal and Prototype mode get prizes.  
COntest ends July 31st, and its unknown whether anymore prizes will be given 
out after that (although the net-ranking system will remain). The NA version 
of Ikaruga doesn't include the quotes that were present in the beginning of 
the stage however.  
 

"I been hearing from some friends
at Namco that the GCN and PS2 may be getting a cool bundle deal at SC2's 
launch stateside. Basically, you get a SC2 Hori Stick, SC2 Strategy
 
Guide, and SC2 for $89.99 as a launch bundle."

REALLY?!?  That is such a delightful piece of news!  Seriously made my day, 
thanks a lot!  I hope your friend's resources are reliable.  Now I won't have 
to import for $70+  I plan to use the stick with my GameBoy Player to play 
the GBA fighters on it too, which includes SNK Vs. CAPCOM and The King of 
Fighters EX 2.
 

btw, Shiki is in SNK Vs. CAPCOM:  CvS Chaos!

"Nomatter what those X-Arcade geeks say, I still think their product
stinks."

LOL!  I don't like it much either.  I prefer the Japanese sticks as opposed 
to the US ones.
 
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