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Launching simultaneously with Final Fantasy XIII in the US is a limited edition 250GB Xbox 360 console. Included in the box is a copy of the game, two wireless controllers, a headset, a FF-branded hard drive, and "exclusive downloadable avatar items" -- perhaps something to go with your pet Chocobo. All of this will be packaged together for $399, according to Major Nelson.

Microsoft is trying to make sure Final Fantasy fans from the PS2 generation will choose Xbox 360 as their console of choice. The carefully worded press release notes that this is "the only console outside of Japan to be bundled with the game." In other words, don't expect the limited edition PS3 to make its way Stateside. Ever.

In addition, Microsoft also plans to release a Final Fantasy XIII faceplate designed by Tetsuya Nomura and not included with the special edition bundle. The press release doesn't explain exactly how to get one, only stating that a "very limited number" will be available "promotionally in fixed quantities across select retailers in Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand."

This is what it looks like.

Though most may require little more than a premise involving zombies, a besieged casino and a chainsaw-wielding motorcycle to get hooked on Dead Rising 2's ultra-violent charms, perhaps you demand greater narrative fortitude from your gaming pleasures. Perhaps you're a thespian, desperately seeking an answer for untold undead anarchy. What is my motivation? you wonder as you route another rigor-mortis special.

Well, you'll have to turn to Dead Rising 2: Case Zero, a "game add-on" launching exclusively on Xbox Live shortly before the full game's release on August 31. Case Zero will serve as a prologue to Dead Rising 2, introducing new protagonist Chuck Greene (who has not covered wars as far as we know) and elaborating on the events that followed the first game.

Pricing and exact release details have yet to be announced. It's also currently unclear how the add-on will work prior to the launch of the full game -- it may be packaged as a separate downloadable game, a la Halo Waypoint, that can interact with Dead Rising 2 ... and explain where all those zombies came from.

What the heck is a Gorn Hegemony?

- Dark-type - “Monster Fox Pokemon” - height of 5.2 feet and a weight of 179 pounds - can stand on all fours or hind legs - pre-evolution is called “Zorua” and is an “Evil Fox Pokemon.” - 2.3 feet tall and weighs 28 pounds Thanks to all of you that sent this in!

Join forces with other PSP soldiers online with Team Deathmatch.

Go rogue against the World in Free For All mode.

Thanks to the Summer of Arcade, we've been conditioned to compulsively check Xbox Live Arcade during the hottest months of the year. But it would seem that March is the new summer, since that month now plays host to the XBLA Block Party announced during Microsoft's X10 event today.

So, what do you have to look forward to? Well, Toy Soldiers kicks things off on March 3. If that doesn't grab you, don't worry, it'll be followed throughout the month by Scrap Metal, Perfect Dark and classics hub Game Room. Also, if it's anything like every block party we've ever been to, cocktail weenies will also be served. So that's something.

Preorder the game and get….nothing Halo related.

One of the more substantial pieces of news from Microsoft's X10 megaton clusterbomb: A release date for Remedy's psychological thriller Alan Wake has been announced. The game's seemingly endless development cycle will finally terminate on May 18, when the game lands in US retail outlets. Our friends overseas won't have to wait much longer than that to get their Wake on -- it's being released in Europe on May 21.

In addition, X10 brought word of the game's attractive pre-order bonuses, which include "exclusive content such as avatar gear, an Xbox LIVE theme, and a 'making of' video." We're not sure we want to deck out our Xbox 360's background with shadowy monsters. We're big fans of our current, non-terrifying theme.

Those of you not into getting your hot gaming scoops from specially branded Modern Warfare 2 energy drinks will be happy to hear that Infinity Ward's Modern Warfare 2 will be officially receiving its first infusion of post-launch DLC content this Spring. As Microsoft is keen to point out in its press release announcing the release window, the content will only be available (at least initially) on the Xbox 360. Unfortunately, no other information is given on the first DLC pack (though the energy drink case you see above seems to indicate that it'll be maps), but the announcement does note that this is but the first in a series of "content packs" that will be exclusive to Microsoft's console.

As part of Microsoft's X10 press event, it's been announced that Blue Castle's primetime sequel, Dead Rising 2, will be available this summer. Arriving on US shores August 31, Japan and Europe will be spared the zombie apocalypse for a couple days, arriving there September 2nd and 3rd, respectively. That's crucial time to gather supplies like duct tape, pitch forks and shotguns, no doubt. Oh, and comically large cellphones, of course.

Barry is back and ready to compete in the Mercenaries mode.

Rebecca Chambers joins the list of playable characters in Mercenaries mode.

Activision makes cuts to several studios.

You'll be afraid of the dark this May.

With Microsoft's X10 event underway in San Francisco, the company has finally announced the first details surrounding the Halo: Reach multiplayer beta. The beta test will officially begin on May 3, 2010. As promised, owners of Halo 3: ODST will be able to access the beta through the ODST game disc. There is no word yet on how the general public will get a crack at the beta (or if they will at all, for that matter). Details on what to expect in the beta also haven't been released yet. We'll update this post if we get any new information.

Can you feel it? After all the delays and waiting, can you feel how close Alan Wake is? If the reality of the situation hasn't fully sunken in yet, we've got a new trailer after the break, slated to be shown during today's X10 festivities.

As for the trailer itself, it looks pretty good, right? Not a ton of gameplay, but it certainly rams home the creepiness and the importance of light in combat. Here's hoping we get some more details when the trailer is shown for real later today.

Capcom's zombie thriller will rise later this year.

All it took were a few battles, one dinosaur turtle and some baby sheep.

Access begins this May.

SEGA's monkey troop climbs into plastic balls for our amusement yet again.

Activision makes cuts to several studios.

Dante's trek through the levels of Hell have attracted some attention.

Some of our favorite games are making us, like, feel stuff.

Please, please don’t forget about Dementium II when it hits later this year. It’s going to be a quality piece of work. I know that I don’t have to worry about making that judgment, since Renegade Kid always puts out top-notch stuff.

Velanna has a score to settle in the Origins expansion.