Importer National Console Support is first out of the gate on pre-orders for the "limited" edition version, offering the complete package — one 160GB HDD PlayStation 3, one Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Complete Blu-ray disc movie and one Final Fantasy XIII demo — for $619.90.

Their notable competitor Play-Asia has not yet opened pre-orders.

I guess the question you have to ask yourself is: How desperate are you to play a Japanese language version of an FF XIII demo?

Final Fantasy XIII PS3 Cloud Black Bundle [NCSX]

National Console Support announced yesterday it was accepting pre-orders for the European version, rated 16+ by PEGI. It's every so slightly gorier. Price for Americans is just $66.90 plus shipping, which should occur on or around November 21. Not a high price to pay for fatality integrity.

Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe EUROPE [NCSX]

New York import shop NCSX hasn't specified its import price, with the retailer still finalizing with overseas distributors.

While the Nintendo DSi isn't planning on landing on these shores "well into 2009," before import fever gets the best of you, we should note that some software for the system will be region locked. If you still must the first kid on your block (or row of cubicles) to have one, we'd suggest waiting just a little bit for demand to taper. But, hey, we know we're not the boss of you.

The cheapest option will ensure that you get your copy of Famitsu, like, a week or so after it hits Japan's magazine racks. That'll set you back $480, all up front, for 52 issues.

If money is no object, you can sign up for overnight shipping of the mag. That's an impressive $2860 per year for 52 issues. I'm expensing mine, hoping it just flies under the radar of finance. If not, it's been nice working here.

Famitsu Magazine Subscription [NCSX]

Toys, movies, music! Aaaah! This may read like an advertisement, but I promise this is genuine excitement. There's plenty to look at but make sure you make your decision by March 31. Just don't grab my copy of Senko no Ronde and Sega Ages 2500: Galaxy Force II before I get my credit card out. Thanks.

Easter Egg Sale [Play-Asia]

Wii-kly Update: Two New Classic Games Added to Wii Shop Channel

Got enough challenge in your daily routine? Chances are that basic everyday tasks - getting to work or school on time, walking the dog, taking out the trash - aren't enough to keep you firing on all cylinders. Luckily, Virtual Console(TM) is close at hand to help you test your mettle in fresh and unusual ways. Whether you're rescuing a kidnapped pal or mastering a set of mind-bending grid puzzles, this week's new arrivals, imported from Japan,
offer a refreshing break from the late-winter blahs.

Nintendo adds new games to the Wii(TM) Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points(TM) to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:

DoReMi Fantasy: Milon's DokiDoki Adventure (Super NES(R), 1 player, Rated E for Everyone - Alcohol Reference and Comic Mischief, 900 Wii Points): This is an action game where an energetic boy named Milon sets off on a great
adventure in a cute fairy-tale world. Piccolo is a village in the country of Fantasia. One day, they hear from the fairy Alis that songs and music have disappeared from the forest. Suddenly, the wizard Amon appears, grabs Alis and
vanishes with her. The brave Milon must now go on a journey to rescue his kidnapped friend, with his bubble shooter as his only weapon. Along the way, he'll need to retrieve five legendary instruments and stars by defeating Amon's minions. Get ready to enjoy the fun and comical action of this charming game.

Puyo Puyo 2: Tsuu (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 900 Wii Points): The object of this head-to-head puzzle game is to clear your grid of falling patterns called puyos by forming chains of four or more same-colored puyos in a straight line or one of several geometric patterns. What makes this a challenging two-player contest is the fact that when you clear a chain of puyos from your grid, it drops a random piece of filler onto your opponent's grid. The more puyos you clear, the more you fill your opponent's grid, and if you can clutter up his grid enough to fill it to the top, you've won the game. An intriguing backstory makes this an amusing experience for one or two players.

NCSX urges caution to rumble-hungry games, warning them to wait until stock levels off or distributors offer more sane pricing schemes.

One of its biggest competitors, Play-Asia, is no longer soliciting pre-orders, asking customer to check in for potential restocks. With two of the bigger Japanese hardware and software importers unclear of their availability for the November 11 launch of the new controller, it's looking likely that latecomers will have to hold tight for a while longer.

General Updates [NCSX]

Kotaku reader Marcelo turned us on to this Reuters piece, detailing the upcoming Brazilian launch of Microsoft's Xbox 360. What I thought was going to be a run of the mill launch in a territory that no one cares about... oops, I mean is largely ignored... turned out to be an eye-opening bit of news.

Microsoft will be the first manufacturer to sell direct to the market in Brazil, where importers reign supreme. But this privelege will come at a price: 2999 reias, which currently exchanges at $1400 US. That's a lot of reias! Tough to swallow, as importers will bring a 360 to you for close to half that price.

The premium console package will be bundled with a few games, Project Gotham Racing 3, Perfect Dark Zero and Kameo: Elements of Power, which makes the steel-booted kick in the wallet a little easier (games retail for close to $75).

The real lesson to be learned here, is that we must be thankful for the low, low prices the God of Consoles has provided for us this generation. No more whining, Americans! Michael McWhertor

Microsoft bets on fast Xbox growth in Brazil

Interesting to see Best Buy dip their toes into the import market. The only other major retailer I've seen carry imports is Fry's, which carries not only DS games but imported PSP and PC games as well.

Having played struggled to play Jump Superstars due to its heavy use of Japanese and knowing the amount of parents who do their holiday shopping using cartoon character recognition, I predict many confused children come Christmas. This makes me smile. Michael Fahey

Thanks Ian!

Fortunately for us, handheld specialists Modojo have put together their list of the best (currently) import-only titles that you are missing out on. While I personally feel that the list is lacking some bit Generations Dotstream and Rhythm Tengoku, it has rekindled my interest in snagging a copy of DJ Max Portable.

Besides, any list that caps off with Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan at #1 is definitely right. Michael McWhertor

Japan in My Hand: Best Handheld Imports

If you're looking for more info on reviews, previews and opinions of Japan-only titles, check out NTSC-uk, NCSX and Insert Credit, or visit your local library.

Know Your Imports [Gamespot]