Anyone who’s got an unhealthy obsession with that cute, pink blob named Kirby is going to wish they lived in Europe or Australia tomorrow. It turns out Nintendo is going to release a new Wii channel in those two regions. It’s free, and called the Kirby TV Channel. I bet you can see where this is going.

The Kirby TV Channel will, appropriately enough, only show Kirby cartoons. Remember that series called Kirby: Right Back At Ya!…

Shocking no one who has followed the decisions of Australia’s Classification Board, the group has denied classification to the latest installment of classic fighting game Mortal Kombat.

The board has previously denied classification to Left 4 Dead and Left 4 Dead 2. The board later classified Left 4 Dead 2 after developer Valve removed dismemberment from the game. The board has no classification for adults only, so a game that doesn’t make the MA15+ rating can’t be sold in Australia. While the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) with does have an Adults Only (AO) rating, receiving it is still considered a kiss of death. Retailers usually refuse to stock such games.

Nintendo confirmed to VG247 what Nintendo Japan’s tech support said exactly one week ago – the 3DS will be a region-locked system. The company has reasons for it though. Nintendo is doing it so each region’s system is tailor-made for that area.

There will three 3DS variations – one for Japan, one for North America and the last one will cover Europe and Australia…

Europe’s getting a new PS3 bundle on November 5, 2010 – a Gran Turismo 5 Collector’s Edition PS3 bundle. A listing just appeared on Amazon.co.uk for £289.99. The European Gran Turismo 5 bundle doesn’t come with the blue PS3 and controller like the Japanese one, but it’s still a very nice set…

Atlus has just taken a major step! The company is known for creating and releasing games in Japan and North America, but now it has branched out into digital releases in other regions with the PSP version of Shin Megami Tensei: Persona. Atlus is publishing it on the European and Australian PlayStation Stores for €24.99.

Unfortunately, this means no UMD release in either region. I doubt this will bother people in Europe or Australia though…

Perhaps Australia’s controversial Ratings Classification Board is lightening up a bit. Capcom’s zombie horror sequel Dead Rising 2 got an MA 15+ rating. That carries some warnings about its content but does allow it to be sold. This is a far cry from the events in 2009 that saw Left 4 Dead 2 be refused classification twice. That game was finally released in an extremely toned down version removing much of the violence and things that make it Left 4 Dead 2.

Square Enix London Studios has announced a Game of the Year Edition for superhero hit Batman: Arkham Asylum.

This game broke up a long string of mediocre titles for the caped crusader to become not just a well-received comic book game but a legitimate Game of the The Year contender for 2009.

The GOTY edition will come with six extra challenge maps and a play-in-3D option compatible with all standard and high definition TV sets. The game releases March 26, 2010, on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC in Europe and other PAL territories. The bad news? It’s not coming to North America.

It seems that the situation in Australia concerning video games ratings isn’t getting better any time soon as the debate will be dragged along again by the South Australian Attorney General, Michael Atkinson.

We previously reported that the Australian government was soliciting public opinions concerning an R18 rating for video games. The government released a paper with arguments for and against the new ratings system so people would be informed before casting their vote. This seemed to be a fair and objective method for consulting the Australian population about an issue that affects them but, now, the whole thing will be moot thanks to Michael Atkinson.

Atkinson said that the public consultation isn’t fair and the anticipated overwhelming vote in favor will be biased because only gamers will vote. Additionally, Atkinson said that because he has received death threats and abusive emails he won’t change his posture on the subject…

For many years, Australians have faced a difficult situation regarding content in video games. The Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC), Australia‘s ratings board, doesn’t provide a rating for games with mature content. The highest rating for video games provided by the OFLC is “MA15+”, which restricts any content deemed not suitable to anyone under 15.

The current ratings system denies a rating to any game with content deemed not suitable for an “MA15+” rating. Any game in this situation is either submitted to modifications or outright banned. This policy has caused an uproar amongst the gamer community but things might be headed for a change this time around.

Australia‘s Office of Film Literature Classification (OFLC) is continuing its hard-line stance against graphic video game violence.

Sega’s PC game Aliens vs. Predator has received the refused classification (RC) rating, making it the sixth game this year to be deemed unfit for release in Australia. AvP joins Risen, Sexy Poker, Left 4 Dead 2, Necrovision and CrimeCraft on this rapidly lengthening list.