Anyone else play the Dragon's Dogma preview? Press L1 + L2/LB + LT for a neat secret menu.

Due this year

Nicalis is still putting the finishing touches to its WiiWare translation of La-Mulana, but it's already announced its next project, 1,001 Spikes for digital release on Wii U and 3DS.

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You'd think there'd be more excitement for Dragon's Dogma. Headed by staff responsible for Devil May Cry and Resident Evil, and with interest in RPGs at an all-time high thanks to Skyrim, the upcoming action RPG has generated very little heat in the past year: the game's official Twitter account has around 700 followers, and if not for the packed-in Resident Evil 6 demo we daresay DD would be on even fewer radars. It's a bit strange really, as we've spent the last two weeks exploring a preview version of the game and are happy to say that it's pretty excellent.

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Unova drill

Japanese show Pokémon Smash led with the first gameplay footage of Pokémon Black & White 2 this past weekend, showing the newly frosty Unova in motion.

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Colors!, Rush Rush, paid video and more

Europe gets its first taste of paid-for 3D video this week, alongside an art application and a WiiWare racer. Here's what's under starter's orders for this week.

3DS Download Software

Colors! 3D (Collecting Smiles, 231 blocks, £5.40/€6) — An excellent addition to the 3DS suite of creative tools, find out more in our Colors! 3D review.

WiiWare

Rush Rush Rally Racing (redspot games, 900 Points) — A WiiWare version of a Dreamcast title, R4 wants to evoke memories of classic 2D top-down racers like Micro Machines and more. We'll see if it's got the grunt to take the chequered flag in our review.

DSiWare

Escape Trick: Convenience Store (Gamebridge, 500pts) — Prepare for the inevitable occasion you're trapped in a convenience store with no obvious way out in Gamebridge's escapology simulator. Or don't, as our Escape Trick: Convenience Store review makes clear it's not worth the time.

Nintendo Video

The 3D Machine (Ka-Ching Cartoons, £0.90/€1) — The first paid video to hit 3DS in Europe, the description reads thusly: "After an inventor makes a breakthrough, he leaves his incapable assistant alone with his new wonder invention, which leads to wealth, love...and catastrophe!" Sounds like any normal week at Nintendo Life HQ, to be honest.

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So Xenoblade is a bit special then. Who knew?

How long does it take Xenoblade to get going, or is it good right away? Thinking of starting it tonight.

Busy day so far. Just organised the plums according to ripeness.

Also, FFXIII-2 for »14.99 on 360 or PS3. Some good bargains to be had!

UK Wii owners - Sonic Colours and Epic Mickey »10 each at Sainsbury's. Oh, and Metroid: Other M for »37.99.