Even more news from Microsoft's Xbox 360 RPG Premiere event, this time for Namco Bandai's Tales of Vesperia. Namco Bandai has not only announced the release dates of the game in Japan, North America, and Europe, it's also announced the impending release of a new Xbox 360 Bundle for Japan. Learn more after the jump!

Remember Nathaniel? He's the guy who lost his artwork and autograph loaded Xbox 360 to a tragic washing when he sent it in for repairs. Microsoft, who had been silent after contacting him only once after the incident, finally made things right. They sent him a huge cardboard box loaded with everything but the kitchen sink (because it was too heavy). Details in the full article.

If you believe that you can rock the hardest in Neversoft's Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, PC), then you may want to participate in the tournament to be hosted by Xbox Live. More details in the full article!

Ten days after Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare hits shelves on November 6, Xbox 360 gamers will be able to take part in the Live Fire Weekend, a 72-hour Play & Win Sweepstakes over Xbox Live.

Every hour for 72 hours, players will have a chance to walk away with CoD4 swag and Xbox Live point cards. The grand prize winner will receive an Xbox 360 Elite console and a limited edition CoD 4 faceplate, among other items.


Buy: [Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PS3)]
Buy: [Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PC)]
Buy: [Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Xbox 360)]

Accompanying BioShock's (for Xbox 360 and PC) imminent release are limited edition BioShock Xbox 360 faceplates given to BioShock community members and random gaming store employees. The BioShock Xbox 360 faceplates are only limited to 5100 kits, and some those who were lucky enough to snag one are now putting them up on eBay, fetching at least US$ 100.

The kit contains a BioShock-themed faceplate, a lanyard, a BioShock XBLA theme pack code card, as well as a pamphlet. While US$ 100 may seem a bit too pricey for just a faceplate with a lanyard and theme pack thrown in, it seems that many collectors and BioShock fans are still eager to get one of these rare items: the highest bid for a BioShock faceplate kit as of this writing is US$ 152.20.

Got Milk? It seems the Xbox 360 is being saturated with all kinds of faceplates. A new - and perhaps slightly offbeat for the video game track - faceplate has become available for a limited amount of time. Introducintg the Milk Edition faceplate, which is based on Hong Kong's Milk Magazine.

 

Now, when we say limited amount of time, we mean it. There are only two units available in the whole wide world and they are both being sold in an online Yahoo auction that will end at noon of August 9. The asking price is now up to HKD 7,544 (about US$ 936). Proceeds will go to the World Wildlife Foundation.

The model is a sleek black that celebrates the sixth anniversary of the magazine, with its logo non-too-subtly yet elegantly printed on the side.

In case you've got an inkling to customize your PSP's externals as much as its insides, we've got an interesting heads up from Team Xtender. The console mods group has just announced that they're releasing XCM Crystal color faceplate kits for our PSP's use.

The kits come in two colors - clear and blue crystal - and includes matching buttons for the D-Pad, analog nub, face buttons (start, select, volume, display, audio, home), and action buttons (Triangle, Circle, Square, X). The XCM kit, as with Team Xtender's previous releases, also comes with its own screwdriver, which should ease up the swapping process for guys planning to make a purchase:

  

We don't have an exact price tag on these new PSP peripherals at the moment, although we'll update accordingly when we find out.

Time to get your creative juices flowing. While you thought only Martha Stewart can have her own handicraft projects, you can get your own hands dirty with paint now. If you've been hesitant in trying to mod your Xbox 360 faceplate for fear of busting some inner workings, here's something to help you.

While some of you have either A) already done this yourself, or B) at least already know the concept of how to do it, Pavel Dolgov of Xbox 360 artistry fame has drafted three easy steps for newbies to mod an Xbox 360 faceplate:

1. Preparation: sand the surface with fine 220A sandpaper, then mask the power button with vinyl application tape and cut the shape of the ring of light and the power symbol with X-acto knife (you can mask the infrared port before sanding). Prime with 4000 series base coat sealer (from airbrush paints) and let dry.
2. Painting: it's all yours, make styled graphics with aerosol spray or paint cool art with acrylic paints.
3. Finishing: apply 2-3 coats of Krylon Clear Glaze in a steady motion 10-12 inches from surface in well ventilated area. Make sure you wear filter mask. After 2 hours remove the tape, clean around the button and enjoy your artwork!

If you want a detailed version, and have around six minutes to spare, here's a vid that walks you through the whole process:

Remember iRiver? The Korean company which gave us the USB watch? Well, it has come up with two new innovative gadgets again: two new portable media devices, the Clix 2nd Generation and S7.

Both products feature SRS WOW HD technology. This technology is a complete and scalable suite of 3D audio, bass, and mono and stereo speaker technologies that can be customized by portable audio manufacturers to improve the quality of any audio played on any digital audio player.

Through the SRS WOW HD technology, both models of MP3 players improve the playback quality of digitally compressed audio and provide powerful audio performance from standard ear-buds so consumers have a more natural audio experience. These two are currently shipping in Korea.

The Clix 2nd Generation provides a bright display with vivid colors for a great video playback. Meanwhile, the S7 is display-less, having only faceplate images of animals and humans which represent volume control and fast-forward and reverse.

The two gadgets already sound good to us. We wonder about the price, though? Just be posted so we can tell you as soon as we get more info on these.

Finally, the Wii is now getting some color treatment to break off the monotony of its pearly white casing. Not that we have any problems with that at all. But come on, guys. Admit it. At some point in time, you wondered yourself just how fun it could be to color your Wiis according to your mood, right?

  

Well, that time's come now as Team Xtreme now unveils their Wii console case replacement. Although they only have prototype pictures for now, they assure that they are dead serious about turning this Project SHOCKii into a full-fledged thing. The prototypes come in color grey, but it won't be long 'til they add more colors to their palette to suit your preferences even more.

Included in the SHOCKii's package are the following replacement parts:

• Faceplate with buttons
• Standby Battery Insert
• Card/Controller Panels
• Console left/right Panels

Something funky to match those catchy Chuckiis, eh? Keep it posted here for more updates on this project.