It appears that the upsurge in Nintendo shares has calmed down somewhat and levelled after an extended two-year bull run. While still going strong this holiday season, Nintendo has lost eight percent in terms of shares since November.

The increase in PlayStation 3 sales in recent months (due to Sony's price cut) and the shortage off Nintendo Wii units in the U.S. and Europe may have something to do with Nintendo's current situation. Find out more after the jump!

Aside from Nintendo, it looks like even 3rd-party accessory manufacturers are cashing in on the Wii's health benefits. Japan's Rakuten retailer has just sent out details on a Wiimote and Nintendo DS wrist strap made from bio-ceramics that, as advertised, will douse your wrist with far infrared rays.

From what we're reading from some sources (i.e., health sites, shopping catalogs), far infrared energy promotes several health benefits, such as improved circulation, and increased white blood cell count.

This, in turn, could mean improved immune functions, and in the Wiimote's case, a less likely chance you'll sprain your wrist from playing too long.

We're not too sure if this accessory really works (or is FDA-approved), but if you're curious enough to test this new-age peripheral, it's expected to launch in Japan on July 20, at a retail price of just ¥ 740 (US$ 6.31).

Another Japan-only anime-based game is getting ready for launch, and this one deals with Gainax's Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise. The game by Cyber Front is titled Secret of Evangelion Portable - a PSP port of the Secret of Evangelion adventure game previously released to the Sony PlayStation 2 (PS2).

Details are a bit sketchy at this point, though PSP Hyper reports that compared to its PS2 counterpart, the PSP version will carry additional CG event scenes, and extra quizzes and mini-games which enable players to unlock more Eva-related art. Translation - more Ayanami pics, Yay! Of course, there's also Asuka...

Japan's Rakuten online store dates the game for a June 28 release for this year, at an estimated price of ¥ 4,080 (US$ 34). Fellow anime/manga fans, set your calendars, and remember to bookmark Play-Asia for this upcoming release... Shanghai-ing a friend proficient in Nihongo might help too.

We've already established that Japan has produced the most  insane inventions ever. This, timer for your noodles, is no exception. It measures 22mm in height and 90mm in diameter, perfect fit for those instant noodles that you always buy at the grocery for midnight snacks or plain lack of funds. You have two options for the settings. You can either choose how long you're going to let the noodles boil (3,4 or 5 minutes) or if you want your noodles to be soft (+20sec) or still with some crunch (20secs). An alarm will set off to tell you that your noodles are ready. It is priced for ¥ 1000 or roughly $ 9.00. Why they just couldn't wait for three measly minutes is the biggest mystery of all.