If you’re keen to actually play something on your Wii for a change and happen to live in Europe, then you’re in luck this week. The highly anticipated Xenoblade Chronicles is launching in Europe this Friday, August 19th. If playing with a Wii remote and Nunchuk isn’t exactly your thing, the title is also coming bundled with a red Classic Controller Pro. If you’d like more information on the well-received Wii RPG, Nintendo has launched a full website for the title in addition to the trailer seen above.

Nintendo of America is keeping a close eye on how this one does at retail in Europe, so hopefully people actually buy the thing. It’s not like there’s anything else coming out for the system any time soon.

Shadow of the Colossus and Ico will be re-releasing in glorious HD next month on the PlayStation 3. In addition to getting to experience these masterpieces again glorious HD and stereoscopic 3D visuals, you’ll be able to enjoy some additional bonus features unseen in the originals. The bundle features a total of five behind-the-scenes videos about the games and their developers. Also, trophies.

The Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Collection lands in stores September 27.

Chris Hecker (Spore, Quake) announced Thursday the price for early beta access to his latest espionage game, SpyParty, will be $15. This gets you access to the early beta, access to the forums and discussions, as well as the complete game once its released. Players who sign up through the game’s site will also have a chance to lay down $50 or more for their name to be included in the credits once the full title is released.

$15 dollars is a justified price, Hecker says, as it “has become the de facto price point for AAA Indie Games.” Is SpyParty a AAA indie game and is it worth $15 dollars? A good number of people certainly think so. Last time Hecker checked in on the numbers, there were more than 700 gamers already signed up and ready to go. That’s only a few months after he opened the sign up. Not convinced?

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Nintendo of America has just confirmed release dates for two of the most exciting 3DS releases of the year. Players will be able to take to the skies in a new Tanooki suit for the first time in twenty years on November 13 in Super Mario 3D Land. Just in time for the holidays, Mario Kart 7 will be releasing a few short weeks later on December 4.

It looks like things are looking up for Nintendo’s portable with Luigi’s Mansion 2 and Kid Icarus: Uprising, and Star Fox 64 3D in the pipeline. The recent price cut and this strong first-party holiday line up surely will help. Now hopefully third parties are willing to do their part. What upcoming 3DS title are you most excited for?

THQ has confirmed that Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine will be receiving co-operative multiplayer. The mode will not be launching with the game but rather will be dropping 30 days later as free additional DLC. That is, unless you purchase the game used. It’s looking as though THQ will be using some sort of online pass seemingly to dissuade players from buying the title second hand.

So far all that is known about the co-op is that it will support up to five players, but THQ will have more information for us within the month. In the meantime, Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team landed on PSN last week for $9.99 and has been available on XBLA if you’d like to check that out. I really enjoyed my time with Kill Team at E3 and am looking forward to playing both titles. Be on the look out for Space Marine when it drops on September 6.

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[Update: Target has followed Walmart's lead and begun selling the 3DS at $170 early.]

Stop what you’re doing, go to Walmart and buy a 3DS. While Nintendo’s portable console will be receiving an official $80 price cut this Friday, Walmart has jumped the gun and started selling them for $170 early. Apparently, the evil big box isn’t only keen on killing off small businesses in your town, but beating its competitors to the punch.

Fearing the wrath of scorned early adopters, Nintendo is offering 20 free downloadable games to 3DS owners who connect to the eShop by August 12th.  So if you’re planning on picking a 3DS up anyway, why not do it before Friday at the attractive new price point and nab yourself 10 free Gameboy Advance titles in addition to 10 free NES ones?

Deploying Surprise in 3….2….1…

If you’ve yet to purchase a copy of Portal 2, Valve has sweetened the deal to make pulling the trigger that much easier. The company has dropped the price of the PC and Mac versions of the game to the attractive price of $30. For an additional fiver you can pick up a bundled copy with the original Portal, if you’re the only person on earth that hasn’t played it yet.

Not good enough for you? Well then, here are your test results: You are a horrible person.  Read more… »

Sony announced the the first annual PSN PLAY event Friday, vying to replicate the success Microsoft has had with its annual The Summer of Arcade sale. PSN will offer four games at retail, with a fifth game free to players who purchase all four. Pre-orders start Tuesday, August 9; and the event will last until Monday, September 19.

Sony goes further, giving players a free PS3 theme along with an unannounced “special gift” with each pre-order. Playstation Plus members will also get a 20% discount off every purchase during the event. This sounds like a good deal on the surface. But, I tell you, my wallet is terrified. Let’s break it down and do the math.

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Way Forward and Majesco are bringing back femme fetale Rayne with BloodRayne: Betrayal. Wednesday, they released new screenshots of this side scrolling, hack-and-slash blood fest. Gamer Limit has them here for you.

Back in June, we got our hands on this game at E3 and recommended that you keep your eyes on this downloadable title for Xbox Live and PSN. Whether you’re into side scrolling hack-and-slash and gore, or a fan of the franchise. Did we mention that it has a knock-out art style? It does.

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At the peak of a 12 year working relationship, Sony has acquired Sucker Punch Productions, makers of the inFamous and Sly Cooper series. Both sides have expressed nothing but excitement about the deal, which will have all future products release under the Playstation monicker.

On the consumer side, it will be as if nothing has happened. Sucker Punch titles have consistently been exclusive to the Playstation brand. Yet, there are more subtle forces at play that may prove to be less than favorable.

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[Update: If recent tweets and pictures of cake are to be believed Catherine managed to sell over 200,000 copies in its opening week.Yay!]

“Catherine has exceeded our highest expectations,” said Tim Pivnicny, VP of Sales and Marketing at Atlus when speaking with IGN.  Citing the enormous fan response to the game’s mature themes and challenging gameplay, he went on to say “It is fitting, then, that Catherine can boast the largest launch in the 20-year history of Atlus, and continues to see strong sales at retail.” Despite the strong sales Atlus has yet to reveal any specific sales numbers.

While strange Japanese games may be popular with the enthusiast press and core gamers, I had my doubts about how well Atlus’ latest would do at retail. In a market dominated by shooters, it’s rare to see something so unique be so successful. We enjoyed Catherine quite a bit, so it’s nice to see that Catherine beat the odds.

If you had any worries that Grasshopper Manufacture’s next project would be another exciting game that never made its way outside of Japan, Warner Bros has other plans in mind. While Kadokawa will be handling things in Japan, the Bugs Bunny publisher will be the one bringing Lollipop Chainsaw to your PlayStation 3s and Xbox 360s in America, Europe and Australia.

We’re always looking forward to the latest from Suda 51 and will be sure to keep you posted as more details come out. In the meantime you can follow the game on Twitter and Facebook.

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