Did all those hot releases dig a hole in your wallet or are you saving up for the holidays but you still want more games? Then check this out - Play Asia is clearing out and you can get games, music, and UMD movies for great prices. Price lists in the full article.

You may already have ways to view anime or read manga on the Nintendo DS using homebrewed tools, but what if you want to support the people who are working to create your favorite media? AM3 has recently released DSvision, a downloadable entertainment service that was announced last year. Details in the full article.

  

Online retailer Play-Asia has just announced the commencement of their Summer Smoothie promo, which will provide for a 20% price cut for all select goods in their extensive (virtual) merchandise shelves. Here's a sample of the major deals available for the promo:

• Xbox 360
• Blue Dragon (English/Chinese language version) (Asia, US$ 35.92)
• Shadowrun (US, US$ 47.92)
• Forza Motorsport 2 (US, US$ 47.92)
• PlayStation 3
• Def Jam Icon (US, US$ 47.92)
• F.E.A.R. First Encounter Assault Recon (US, US$ 51.92)
• The Godfather: The Don's Edition (Asia, US$ 39.92)
• Wii
• The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Japan, US$ 31.92)
• Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII (US, US$ 47.92)
• Cooking Mama: Cook Off (US, US$ 47.92)
• PSP
• DJ Max Portable 2 (Korea, US$ 39.92)
• DJ Max Portable 2 Orpheus Package ~Night Black~ (Korea, US$ 119.92)
• Bleach: Heat the Soul 4 (Japan, US$ 39.12)
• DS
• Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (Konami's Best) (US, US$ 19.92)
• Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Justice for All (US, US$ 23.92)
• Final Fantasy III (US, US$ 35.92)
  

Play-Asia's Summer Smoothie is expected to last until July 12, Thursday, and will cover all items in stock, except for those released during the last 30 days. That's the basic rundown of this ongoing discount special - the full merchandise list should be available at Play-Asia's site via the read link below.

The Play-Asia online store has just announced that from March 30 to April 5 next week, it will be holding a special "Crazy Week" sale. The sale will reduce the price of all of Play-Asia's "in-stock" items by 20%. This offer will also stack up with previously discounted products, which should make for serious savings.

As an example for the PSP fans, we've spotted copies of Pentavision's DJ Max Portable game up for grabs for US$ 39.92. Also available at the Play-Asia site is the PSP GPS transceiver, which currently sells for US$ 47.92 - players of Konami's Portable Ops game may want to take advantage of this bargain.

For the Wii console owners, Play-Asia is selling a spare Wii component AV cable for just US$ 7.99, as well as copies of TOMY's Naruto Shippuuden: Gekitou Ninja Taisen EX game for just US$ 39.92. Just remember that Wii games are region-coded, and you should be all set.

These are just tidbits of the deals that await at Play-Asia's sale. Given that their list is constantly being updated as new stock comes in, we advise readers to keep alert - they just might list that elusive game/paraphernalia they have been looking for.

As an important point of clarification, we note that the Play-Asia's "Crazy Week" sale is not valid for items sold at wholesale discount, nor is it valid for the store's weekly specials. There are also various restrictions that may pop up depending on the product you click on. With that said, we wish the readers good fortune on their next buying binge.

Who knew that a red plumber with a funny moustache could have such lucrative merchandising gimmicks? You've played all the games, you have the posters, the bedsheets, the lunchbox and now you must have the brand-spanking new Super Mario plush doll!

Play-Asia is selling the official Super Mario plush doll in stores in Japan and ships them per order to the states. Shipping usually takes place within 24 hours of a placed order.

The cute 110 (W) × 90 (D) × 140 (H) mm is obviously being flagged as a collectible. The site says the dolls are in stock but there's a limited quantity. The price stated above does not include shipping and handling.

We're guilty of loving Capcom's dramatic lawyer sim, and you could say we've been sentenced to bask in the sheer awesomeness that is Phoenix Wright. While the American version of the game, known as Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Justice for All, will be out next year, you can actually get by that little problem of waiting by taking a sneaky, yet completely legal, means of getting the game.

The answer's simple really: Get a copy of Gyakuten Saiban 2, the Japanese version of the game, when it comes out in October. In a wonderful stroke of good luck, Capcom's decided to make the title available with English and Japanese languages built into Gyakuten Saiban 2. Now, since the game isn't region-specific, you can play it on any kind of DS.

On an related note, our source also mentioned that pre-ordering from Play-Asia will get you a sticker set with the purchase.  If you're the type who likes stickers or just wants some new decals for his game machine, then it sounds like a pretty good deal.

Till the game comes out though, this court is adjourned. Keep checking QJ for more attorney-action and other game goodies.

Gyakuten Saiban 2, the Japanese version of Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Justice for All, will be released in Japan on the 26th October. Something we've been wondering for a while now is whether or not the game will feature both Japanese and English text like in Gyakuten Saiban. The answer to that is a resounding yes according to Play-Asia. You'll be able to switch between Japanese and the English localization.

Now why is Capcom releasing the Japanese version with English localization in Japan months before the North American release? We don't know. They should be able to do a simultaneous launch with no problem. Now people are faced with a decision: import the cheaper Japanese version with English text early, or wait for the English version to help sales so we get the sequel. I haven't decided what I'll do yet... I'm thinking of waiting for it to be released here. How about you?

We just realized we haven't updated you on Rune Factory: Shin Bokujou Monogatari (New Harvest Moon). Time to correct that mistake. Rune Factory: Shin Bokujou Monogatari is set to be released in just a few days, August 24 to be exact. But that's the Japanese version. However, if you really want to get your hands on this, you can purchase your copy from online stores which ship worldwide.

We came across two Netshops, Play-Asia ($48.90 plus $2.50 shipping) and Lik-Sang ($54.90 free shipping). Both stores will start selling as soon as their stocks arrive. According to Play-Asia, their copies have no region protection.

On the other hand, if your Japanese is a crusty-and-rusty as ours we suggest a little more patience and wait for the North American version. Make that a lot more patience since Nintendo has not announced a solid release date for it. Meanwhile, here's the opening movie that ought to keep you satisfied for the next couple of hours...

Is it just me or does Nintendo want every country to hate Japan? They have announced yet another limited edition DS Lite for the country - this time with little Pikachu face printed on the cover. But don't head over to Lik-Sang or Play-Asia just yet...there will only be 150 of these things. Even if you live in Japan, you wouldn't exactly be eligible unless you were a part of the Pokemon Daisuki Club. The only way of getting the ultra-rare DS Lite is to win it in a draw held by the club. Sounds a lot like that weird Pokemon Club in Vermillion City in Pokemon Red and Blue versions! You know...the guy that trades you the Farfetch'd? How come we don't get any cool clubs like this? If you really want one, you could always try your luck on eBay sometime...

The Nintendo DS Lite Pink is the most recent edition to the DS Lite line-up, along with the Black version. The Black version is already available in Japan, and the Pink will be available in Japan too as of July 20th. As you may have read in our previous article, the shameful thing about the DS Lite Pink is that the release date for US version hasn't been announced yet.

Well, I'm here to wipe that frown off your face, because Play-Asia have the DS Lite in Noble Pink listed in their online store for $179.90 US + $20 for shipping via airmail. If you order a Noble Pink DS Lite, it will be shipped as soon as they come in stock, and you can pretty much guarantee to be the envy of your DS friends when you have something that hasn't even been released yet in the US.

Play Asia also has the DS Lite Black (which is supposed to be exclusively European) up for grabs at $199.90. The first shipment of the Black DS Lite's have already been been snapped up, so be sure to get your order in ready for the next shipment, expected on Monday July 3rd.

Link: [DS Lite Noble Pink via Play-Asia]
Link: [DS Lite Black via Play-Asia]