Persona 3: FES
Atlus | Sony Playstation 2 | Demon Hunting High School Sim
With the news that the Metal Gear Online beta has been pushed back, Persona 3: FES takes its place as Game of the Week. Being one of the only people on the forum who hasn't beaten the original P3, I can't talk too much -- but the game was rather enjoyable. Some would say it's the best Japanese RPG in years, and I'm inclined to agree with them.

FES is the video game equivalent of the Lord of the Rings extended editions. Not only does the core game remain intact, but extras have been added (costumes, more personas), but additional content after the normal story ends which reveals the true ending.

If you missed out on Persona 3 the first time, you're a retard for missing it this time. Not only does it have more meat to it, this release is only thirty bucks.

The World Ends With You
Square Enix | Nintendo DS | Fashion RPG in Shibuya
What happens when Tetsuya Nomura is allowed to design characters without the confines of a long standing series (Final Fantasy) or major license (Kingdom Hearts)? Turns out they look exactly like every other character he's ever designed.

But this time, it actually works. Mr. Parish himself even liked it. If anything can warm his cold, dark, and jaded heart, I think it's worth checking out.

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness and Explorers of Time
Nintendo | Nintendo DS | Roguelite
I am Mudkip.

After Shiren and Baroque, this roguelike is a breeze. But you get to be a pokémon, and it's a fun time-waster. If you've wanted to get into the roguelikes, but are too afraid that they'll hurt you, try out one of these two games.

Battle of the Bands
THQ | Nintendo Wii | Music is fun with friends
A few months ago at the THQ offices:

Man 1: Say, this Rock Band game looks like it will be pretty successful. And it doesn't look like it will be available on the Wii!
Man 2: I smell easy profit!

A few months after:

Man 1: Crap, it looks like they're bringing Rock Band to the Wii after all.
Man 2: Screw 'em! We'll release first and get easy sales from everybody not wanting to wait.
Man 1: You're brilliant.

Wii VC: River City Ransom
Aksys Games | NES via Wii | Brawler
The best Double Dragon clone that ever was, River City Ransom crossed the street-brawler with RPG elements long before anyone considered the term "RPG elements" in that context. It's also the only game where the bad guys BARF!! as they die. Special items teach the game's fighters new tricks. I played through the game with a friend exactly once as a lad, and it's still an experience I can conjure up at will.

Wii VC: Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom
Sega | Genesis via Wii | RPG
You can get this in other places, in other ways -- most notably the Sega Genesis Collection for the PS2 and PSP -- but you can also get it right here on the VC if you prefer. You'll reach one of four different endings depending on whom you choose to marry and have children with. This game probably has the shakiest reputation of the main-series Phantasy Stars, but it definitely gets points for trying something different.

XBLA: Lost Cities
Sierra Online | Xbox 360 | Card Game
Playes are dealt cards in five suits representing different expeditions to Lost Cities. I'm not sure how to play this game, or really anything else about it. I am, however, a sucker for card games, so chances are I'll be getting this one. It's also one a' them German-style games, so it should appeal to fans of Catan and Carcassonne and what not. The original version was geared for two players; this one incorporates an alternate rule set allowing up to four, and allows for online play as well.