PEGI power

Update: PEGI has since removed the rating.

Long suffering La-Mulana fans: there is light at the end of the tunnel.

The European ratings board PEGI has taken another look at the WiiWare adventure, rating it a 12. The game was rated once before back in 2010 with the same rating, but there's one important difference: the publisher.

At the start of May, you may remember, Nigoro and Nicalis cancelled their agreement to bring La-Mulana to WiiWare. At the time, Nigoro's Takumi Naramura said the developer would welcome offers from publishers, and now it looks like Spanish publisher EnjoyUp! is bringing the game to Europe.

We asked EnjoyUp! for a response and received "no comment". Make of that what you will.

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Dragons, kitchens and so much more

A very busy week this week with WiiWare, Virtual Console, DSiWare and no fewer than two eShop releases reaching North American shores. Here's what's awaiting your purchase today.

3DS Download Software

Order Up!! (Ignition Entertainment, $9.99, 2,488 blocks) — Released at retail in Europe, North America can try this kitchen caper via digital download. We'll see if it's a tasty treat or more like mud in your eye with a review soon.

Slitherlink by Nikoli (HAMSTER Corporation, $4.99, 292 blocks) — The Nikoli train keeps on rolling through, this time bringing the less familiar puzzle form of slitherlink, which is all about connecting dots with lines. We'll line up a review soon.

Wii Virtual Console

Double Dragon II: The Revenge (NES, Aksys Games, 500pts) — Billy and Jimmy return to smash more skulls in this 2D beat 'em up. Expect our review to hit hard soon.

WiiWare

Save the Furries (SDP Games, 1000pts) — It's been a while since we've had a premium priced WiiWare title (well, a while since we had any WiiWare, really) but SDP's Save the Furries is here to plug the gap. A conversion of a popular iPad game that's apparently a bit like Lemmings, we'll bring you a review soon.

DSiWare

Lola's Fruit Shop Sudoku (BeiZ, 200pts, 45 blocks) — The official blurb says "this game is the easiest sudoku game in the world!" — sold! We'll put our most stupid reviewer on the case to see if Lola's Fruit Shop Sudoku can live up to its lofty claims.

Jewel Legends: Tree of Life (cerasus.media, 500pts, 66 blocks) — It might have one of the most generic names for a puzzle game ever, but when the official description says you have to "rebuild the world of the Hods in Jewel Legends: Tree of Life" you know you're in for a treat. Full review soon.

What will you buy this week? Let us know in our Facebook poll.

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North America gets a Nintendo Direct presentation tonight, focusing on games for 3DS, DS and Wii.

The show kicks off tonight at 9pm Pacific time/12am Eastern time. That's the same time as Europe's Nintendo Direct.

You can watch it at the Nintendo Direct site.

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Sales ahoy

Nintendo's signed an arrangement with Square Enix that means the Big N will handle sales, marketing and distribution for Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance across Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

KH3D:DDD is released in PAL territories on 20th July, 11 days before North American players can sample its Disney delights.

Nintendo has signed similar marketing and sales deals in the past. At launch it worked with Capcom to promote Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition, teamed up with Tecmo Koei for Dead or Alive Dimensions and most recently collaborated with Square Enix for Heroes of Ruin.

KINGDOM HEARTS 3D [DREAM DROP DISTANCE] HEADING TO NINTENDO 3DS

Nintendo signs European distribution deal with Square Enix Europe for new Nintendo 3DS title

21st June 2012 – Nintendo of Europe today announces that it has entered into a distribution agreement with Square Enix Europe, a leading publisher and distributor of video games, for the forthcoming Nintendo 3DS game KINGDOM HEARTS 3D [Dream Drop Distance].

This brand new KINGDOM HEARTS adventure has been created specifically for Nintendo 3DS and under the terms of the agreement, Nintendo will be responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of the game throughout Europe, Australia and New Zealand territories, with Square Enix Europe remaining as publisher. KINGDOM HEARTS 3D [Dream Drop Distance] will be released from 20th July across Europe.

KINGDOM HEARTS 3D [Dream Drop Distance] features new worlds and never-before seen gameplay elements in the KINGDOM HEARTS series that are sure to excite both fans and newcomers. You take control of two of the most famous KINGDOM HEARTS protagonists, Sora and Riku, in an adventure that sees you meet a colourful cast of Disney characters, many of which are making their 3D handheld title debut.

Beloved Disney worlds, such as La Cité des Cloches (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), and “The Grid” (TRON: Legacy) also make their series debut.
KINGDOM HEARTS 3D [Dream Drop Distance] from Nintendo and Square Enix will be released across Europe only on Nintendo 3DS from 20th July. For more information check http://www.kingdomhearts3dgame.com

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Living in a box

Nintendo's Miiverse social network will start life on Wii U before eventually spreading to Nintendo 3DS and any other web-enabled device, but it won't interact with popular social networks like Twitter or Facebook.

GamesIndustry.biz reports Miiverse will keep its focus on those already interested in video games. Nintendo of Europe's Laurent Fischer told GI:

The community will be the Wii U owners, who will have this common interest for video games and our expectation about that is it's going to be a way to enhance the idea of sharing information on the video game.

Fischer also said there are currently no plans to offer Twitter and Facebook applications on Wii U, citing Nintendo's policy not to offer a service that's already easily accessible on multiple devices; if everyone has these social networks on multiple devices, "what is our benefit to do so also?" asks Fischer.

Of course Wii U will have a built-in web browser so you'll still be able to get your fix of non-Miiverse social interaction for those times when OctoG123 just isn't enough.

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Times inside

Nintendo of Japan's announced a new Nintendo Direct presentation for tomorrow, focusing on 3DS and Wii. The show starts on 22nd June at 12 midday Japan time.

Europe will get its own show from Satoru Shibata at 5am UK time/6am Central European Time (12 midnight Eastern/9pm Pacific.) This show for Europe will focus mostly on Nintendo 3DS.

There's a Nintendo Direct for North America tonight at 9pm Pacific/12 midnight Eastern.

We'll be setting an alarm and warming the coffee pots to report on the European show tomorrow morning. Come and join us.

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Emma Stone you are amazing.

No Tombi!

There's no Tombi! for Europe this week, but Sony says it's working on it. In the meantime, here is what's available for you EU PSN account holders.

PS3 Games

Air Conflicts: Secret Wars [Air Conflicts: Secret Wars review]
Out of fierce battles great heroes are born…
It is 1939: the Second World War has broken out and troops everywhere are arming themselves and preparing for battle on the ground and in the air. You side with the resistance, and your task is to stop the Nazi advance. Daredevil flying missions take you from North Africa over Europe and on to Berlin.
Price: £14.99, €19.99, PEGI: 12, Availability: Not available in AU, IN, IS, KU, NZ, QA, RU, SA, ZA, TR, UA, AE, File Size: 2358MB

Batman: Arkham City [Batman: Arkham City review]
No escape from Arkham City…the sprawling super-prison in the heart of Gotham City, home to its most violent thugs and infamous super villains. With the lives of the innocent at stake, only one man can save them and bring justice to the streets of Gotham City…The Batman.
Price: £19.99,€29.99,AU$39.95, PEGI: 16, Availability: All, File Size: 7920MB

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Fatal Conspiracy
For the first time in the CSI game series, team up with the cast of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation not only to solve some of the most gruesome crimes of Sin City, but also to take down a dangerous drug cartel. Unveil clues in 5 connected cases to bring a powerful drug lord to justice in the most strategic and unpredictable CSI game yet!
Price: £14.99,€19.99,AU$29.95, PEGI: 16, Availability: All, File Size: 2513MB

Magic: The Gathering — Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013
Face a greater challenge in the latest version of this hit franchise. Play with friends or the AI, take on new encounters and opponents, and face up to three other players in the Planechase multiplayer format.
Featuring ten customizable decks, Magic 2013 offers new game items to unlock and introduces the option to choose what lands to tap when you cast your spells.
Price: £7.29,€8.99,AU$14.45, PEGI: 7, Availability: All, File Size: 1403MB

PS3 Demos and Trials (Free)

Air Conflicts: Secret Wars [Air Conflicts: Secret Wars review]
PEGI: 12, Availability: Not available in AU, IN, IS, KU, NZ, QA, RU, SA, ZA, TR, UA, AE, File Size: 508MB

Magic: The Gathering — Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013
PEGI: 7, Availability: All, File Size: 1403MB

Journey [Journey review]
PEGI: 7, Availability: All, File Size: 572MB

PS Vita Games

LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes
Compatible with PlayStation Vita only.
Gameplay requires PlayStation Vita memory card (sold separately).
Legends Unite! The Dynamic Duo of Batman and Robin join other famous super heroes from the DC Universe including Superman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern to save Gotham City from destruction at the hands of the notorious villains Lex Luthor and the Joker.
Price: £34.99,€39.99,AU$54.95, PEGI: 7, Availability: All, File Size: 1144MB

PSP

Cars Race O Rama
Price: £7.99,€9.99,AU$15.95, PEGI: 3, Availability: All, File Size: 241MB

minis

All-In-One Sports Collection
Prices: £3.49,€3.99,AU$6.95, PEGI: 3, Availability: All

Massive Minis Collection
Prices: £3.99,€4.99,AU$8.45, PEGI: 3, Availability: All

PS3 DLC

Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice Of Arland [Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland review]

• Makina Domain
  Prices: Free, Availability: All

Battlefield 3

• Close Quarters
  Prices: £11.99,€14.99,AU$23.95, Availability: All

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

• Collection 2 (Releases Thursday 21st June)
  Prices: £11.49,€14.49,AU$22.95, Availability: All

Dragon’s Dogma [Dragon's Dogma review]

• From A Different Sky – Part 5 (£0.79, €0.99, AU$1.75)
• Rift Crystal Bulk Pack (£3.99, €4.99, AU$8.45)
• Set Out For Adventure – A Great Defense (£0.79, €0.99, AU$1.75)
• Set Out For Adventure – The Best Offense (£0.79, €0.99, AU$1.75)
• Set Out For Adventure – The Right Tools (£0.79, €0.99, AU$1.75)
  Availability: All

LittleBigPlanet

• Solstice Costume (Re-Release, 1 Week Only)
  Prices: Free, Availability: All

Marvel Pinball

• Marvel Pinball: Avengers Chronicles
  Prices: £7.99,€9.99,AU$15.95, Availability: All

Pure Chess [Pure Chess review]

• Roman (Game Pack)
  Prices: £1.59,€1.99,AU$3.45, Availability: All

Rock Band 3

Fireflies (£0.99, €1.49, AU$2.45)
In My Head (£0.99, €1.49, AU$2.45)
The Adventure (£0.99, €1.49, AU$2.45)
Reap (Radio Edit) (£0.59, €0.79, AU$1.30)
Ghostly Echoes (£0.99, €1.49, AU$2.45)
Goodbye, Mr. Personality (£0.99, €1.49, AU$2.45)
Farewell To Good Days (£0.99, €1.49, AU$2.45)
Field Of Serpents (£0.99, €1.49, AU$2.45)
Availability: AU,AT,BE,DK,FI,FR,DE,IE,IT,NL,NZ,NO,PT,ES,SE,CH,UK only.

Saints Row The Third

• Saints Purple Ops Pack
• Maximum Pleasure Pack
  Prices: £4.99,€5.49,AU$9.25, Availability: All

SoulCalibur V [SoulCalibur V review]

• Bridal Costumes 1 (£1.99, €2.49, AU$4.25)
• Cepheus Compatibility Pack 6 (Free)
• Music Festival 1 (£0.79, €0.99, AU$1.75)
  Availability: All

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine

• Ultimate DLC Bundle
  Prices: £19.99,€24.99,AU$39.95, Availability: All

Warriors Orochi 3

• BGM PACK 2 (£1.59, €1.99, AU$3.45)
• DYNASTY COSTUME (£0.79, €0.99, AU$1.75)
• STAGE PACK 3 (£2.39, €2.99, AU$4.95)
• WALLPAPERS 2 (£3.19, €3.99, AU$6.95)
  Availability: Not available in NZ

PS Vita DLC

Wipeout 2048 [Wipeout 2048 review]

• WipEout Complete Game Pack (£9.99, €12.99, AU$19.95)
• WipEout HD Game Pack (£6.49, €7.99, AU$12.95)
• WipEout HD Fury Game Pack (£6.49, €7.99, AU$12.95)
  Availability: All

Avatars

The Studio Avatars

Mr Bingo Avatar Bundle (Avatars 1-6 only) (£0.99, €1.19, AU$1.95)
Mr Bingo Avatar 1 (£0.21, €0.25, AU$0.45)
Mr Bingo Avatar 2 (£0.21, €0.25, AU$0.45)
Mr Bingo Avatar 3 (£0.21, €0.25, AU$0.45)
Mr Bingo Avatar 4 (£0.21, €0.25, AU$0.45)
Mr Bingo Avatar 5 (£0.21, €0.25, AU$0.45)
Mr Bingo Avatar 6 (£0.21, €0.25, AU$0.45)
Mr Bingo Avatar 7 (£0.21, €0.25, AU$0.45)
Mr Bingo Avatar 8 (£0.21, €0.25, AU$0.45)
Mr Bingo Avatar 9 (£0.21, €0.25, AU$0.45)
Availability: All

Themes

DYNAMIC THEMES

ABSTRACT

Dynamic DNA Theme (£1.59/€1.99/$3.45)

NATURE

Dynamic Calm Sea Theme (£1.59/€1.99/$3.45)
Dynamic Retro Pool Theme (£1.59/€1.99/$3.45)
Dynamic Spider Theme (£1.59/€1.99/$3.45)
Dynamic Volcanic Crater Theme (£1.59/€1.99/$3.45)

PLACES/LANDMARKS

Dynamic Bali Theme (£1.59/€1.99/$3.45)
Dynamic Caribbean Beach Paradise Theme (£1.59/€1.99/$3.45)

SCI-FI/FANTASY

Digital Blasphemy: New Dawn (£1.99/€2.49/$4.25)

Special Offer

EA SPORTS UEFA EURO 2012 – £9.99/€12.99 (Ends Monday 25th June)

Price Drops

Saints Row The Third – £16.99, €26.99, AU$44.95
Amy – £3.99, €4.99, AU$8.45 [Amy review]
Red Johnson’s Chronicles - £3.99, €4.99, AU$8.45

Videos

Dishonored – E3 2012 Trailer (not available in DE)
Dmc E3 Trailer (not available in DE)
Dungeon Twister Party In The Dungeon
Sleeping Dogs E3 Trailer (not available in DE)
VIRTUA FIGHTER 5 FINAL SHOWDOWN – TRAILER 1 (not available in DE) [Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown review]

All told.

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Journey demo hits EU today - now there's no excuse for me not to have played this.

Grin up north

Nintendo UK's Unleashed bandwagon rolls through Sheffield in July, but it's also trekking across the Pennines to take in Manchester this October.

On 13th and 14th October, UK fans will be able to sample upcoming and recently released Nintendo titles at the Play Expo in Manchester's EventCity. Neither Nintendo nor event hosts Replay have commented what will be playable, but with Wii U set for launch before Christmas we think it would be a good opportunity for Nintendo to put its new GamePad in players' hands. If Wii U doesn't make it to England's frozen North there'll surely be plenty of 3DS games to try out instead.

Tickets are on sale now and start from £8.80.

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