I picked mine up on launch day and I love it. I had to buy the transparent Hori shell for it though since I really just couldn't stand the weird matt texture of it. It made my skin crawl ~_~
I'll... have a look what's underneath out of curiosity, but I don't think I'd ever actually display anything with panties on show. (Pretty sure the girlfriend wouldn't be too happy XD)
I never realised Japan Center had been there so long. It's still there and sounds exactly like how it was when you were younger. The great little supermarket upstairs, the awesome book story downstairs... They even have the board on the wall still :P