Now, I know what you’re thinking – deja news! Don’t worry, I promise this is all new information. We already knew Europe had received the pink and white 3DS units thanks to Nintendogs + Cats and Super Mario 3D Land bundles released back on November 18, 2011. Well, Nintendo says that soon you won’t have more »

Time for another gift guide! This time, we’re looking at the slightly more expensive console games and special consoles that can only be found in Japan and Europe. You know, the delicacies most gamers can never see or experience because they require importing and cost so much money. That second part is especially poignant now that the dollar’s value has dropped against the yen. Still, if you want to pamper a gamer, one of these items could be the way to do it.

Now remember, only the PS3 is region-free. Any PS3 can play any PS3 game. However, Wiis and Xbox 360s are region-locked consoles. So before buying any import games for a Wii or Xbox 360 owner, make sure they have a way to actually play them! Both AmiAmi and Play-Asia are reliable sites to shop and order from, with AmiAmi usually being the cheaper of the two.

Before we launch into the six game recommendations, there are a few awesome, Japanese PS3s that make any gamer’s year if he or she received one as a present…

See that 3DS on the right there? The gorgeous and ever-so-stylish black one with gold accents and a rather subtle Hyrulian crest? It’s pretty amazing, isn’t it. Too bad there’s a chance you’ll never get it. That 3DS is, as of right now, a European exclusive.

Did I just break your heart?

Don’t worry, you’ll get over it…

Europeans usually get left out when it comes to video games. They’re passed over when it comes to some game localizations that North America gets and, when they do happen to get a game we already have, it can be up to a year later. Except in the case of a few Wii exclusives like the Another Code, Disaster and Xenoblade releases, Europe usually gets left out. Which is why it’s nice to see Nintendo make the region feel special by offering the European exclusive Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games bundle.

As you can gather, this bundle includes Sega’s next Wii game…

Europe’s getting an Xbox 360 bundle that actually isn’t worth getting excited over. Well, if you don’t own an Xbox 360 and all and want one, it may look appealing, but it certainly isn’t as special as that red Gears of War 3 bundle. No, the Batman Arkham City is pretty much ordinary in every way. The only really awesome part of it is the rather striking box.

As you can gather from the name, the Batman Arkham City Xbox 360 bundle includes a copy of the forthcoming sequel…

Don’t you just hate it when you consoles and their peripherals just don’t match? I mean, come on! It’s the 21st century! Yes, I’m kidding. Color schemes aren’t that crucial. But if you live in Europe do find matching systems and accessories asthetically pleasing, then you’ll be pleased to know a new Wii Fit Plus bundle with a black Balance Board will be released on October 7, 2011…

There’s some good news coming out of Gamescom 2011 today. Well, it’s good news for Europeans. For North Americans, especially those involved in that Operation Rainfall thing, this announcement is like a dagger in the back. Nintendo’s European branch has just announced that The Last Story and Pandora’s Tower, the other two Wii games Operation Rainfall has been campaigning for, will be released in Europe sometime in 2012.

So, optimistically speaking, by mid-2012 Europeans could be playing the three Wii RPGs a large number of North American Wii owners have been begging, pleading and praying for. Ouch…

Hey, all you happy people in Europe and Japan. Do you feel like watching a handful of videos on your 3DS today? Because you can. In the July 13, 2011 3DS eShop update for both regions, the free Nintendo Video application is now ready to download. Go ahead and enjoy yourselves, and don’t worry about those of in North America and Australia who won’t be seeing any free shows.

At least those of us in the neglected regions can take some pleasure in knowing the initial batch of videos available for Nintendo Video stink. No, really…

Good news for fans of manga pirates, One Piece is getting another video game. One Piece: Gigant Battle, the DS fighting game from Ganbarion and Namco Bandai, is going to be released in Europe. I guess you all better prepare for four player battle royales in 2011…

It’s been over 10 years since Aya Brea’s last major adventure, but that isn’t going to hold her back. The 3rd Birthday‘s almost here and a new generation of PSP-owning gamers are going to see why fans have been clamoring for a new Parasite Eve. The game will be released in North America on March 29, 2011 and in Europe around the same time, in spring 2011.

Odds are, you’ll want the European version of The 3rd Birthday. Instead of being some standard game release, like North America is getting, it will be a TWISTED Edition…