Yakuza: Of the End (Ryu ga Gotoku: Of the End) no longer lingers in release date limbo! After the March 11, 2011 earthquake in Japan, Sega decided it would probably be in everyone’s best interest if the latest Yakuza game, one set in a post-apocolyptic Kamurocho beseiged by zombies, not be released on March 17, 2011. So it slapped the game with a TBA and then stayed pretty much silent for almost a month. The TBA has officially been replaced now with a June 9, 2011 release date…

If there’s one thing iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad owners need, it’s one more app. It doesn’t matter how many apps you already have in your iOS device, you still need one more. Frog Minutes is the next one you need to get. It’s a fun and relaxing little game about frogs. Everybody loves frogs!

Besides, if you buy Frog Minutes, you’re helping to make a difference…

Many people from the videogame industry, whether they’re on the development side or not, are doing what they can to assist Japan in these troubling times. All this week, proceeds from many games are being donated to aid in the recovery effort. Yesterday, we told you about auctions for two Nintendo DS consoles autographed by industry icons. The current bid for one of these units has exceeded $2,500. Every dime earned from these auctions are being donated. Today (March 19, 2011), we’d like to tell you about a site called Play For Japan that also puts rare gaming items up for bids.

Sony is offering a way for PlayStation Network users to aid to the relief efforts in Japan and it doesn’t have anything to do with Facebook likes. PSN users can choose donate certain amounts of money to the cause using the payment option that is tied to their PSN account.

Prepare to head to iTunes, as another video game company is going to hold a sale to benefit the 2011 Japan earthquake relief effort. PopCap’s joining the ranks of companies like Capcom, Sega and 5pb by discounting every iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch game it has ever released. All of the money goes to help people in need. All the games that play on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch will be 99¢, while all the iPad games will be $1.99…

Square Enix has recently announced that it is also planning to step up to help Japan recover after the devastating earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011. Wait! Don’t go run to iTunes. I know that’s probably instinct now, after Capcom, Sega and 5pb had relief efforts that involved discounted iPhone games with proceeds going to charity. That’s not the road Square Enix is taking though…

The Red Cross and Gaia Online have developed a way for gamers to make donations to assist Japan’s earthquake relief efforts.

Many game companies are feeling charitable in the way of the 2011 Sendai earthquake in Japan, with iOS games being an easy way to encourage people to donate. They can discount the game and give the money made directly to charity, so people help out and get something as a reward. Capcom did it with Street Fighter IV, 5pb did it with Memories Off 6 and now Sega’s at it as well.

Sega’s actually one-upping the other companies…

I know, you’ve probably stumbled on Important Importables this week, expecting to read the promised review of Freshly-Picked: Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland (DS). Then, suddenly, you find it running on a Monday instead of Friday, like usual. After what has happened in Japan, it seems more appropriate to look at ways we can help those who have had their lives changed forever by the March 11, 2011 8.9 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear plant problems..

So here are a few reliable charities and trustworthy links you can go to, to learn everything about what’s going on in Japan and see how you can help make a difference…

In support of the Red Cross Haiti Relief efforts Gaia Online announced that it will match the donations made by Gaians up to $10,000 and have created a dedicated online forum where the Gaian community can coordinate and support their donation effort.

Supporters do not have to become a member of Gaia Online to make a donation but if they would like Gaia Online to match the donation simply visit the Red Cross site, click on “Donate Now” and select the “Haiti Relief and Development” button and type “Gaia Online” in the Company/Organization Name field in order to have their donations matched.