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The Australian Office of Film and Literature Classification has posted a rating on its website for the long-awaited XBLA port of Rare's Perfect Dark, which would hint that a release is just around the corner. (Major Nelson did say that it would drop "this winter.") The OFLC gave the shooter an MA 15+ for "strong violence," the toughest rating they hand out for video games.

If a release is imminent, now might be the perfect time to play through the 360 prequel, Perfect Dark Zero, and get further acquainted with Joanna Dark before you can revisit her debut adventure in high resolution.

No, the world's most famous vampire wasn't judged unsuitable for families. Rather, it's a long-awaited hint of a localized Virtual Console release for Dracula X: Rondo of Blood. The legendary PC Engine Castlevania game came out in Japan in April 2008, but never made it to the Virtual Console elsewhere. Now, the Australian OFLC ratings board has classified the game, listing Nintendo as the publisher.

The impact of this development may be dulled somewhat by the game's availability in both original and remade form on the PSP Dracula X Chronicles disc, but we would enjoy the opportunity to play this game without first purchasing another system, and then unlocking the game somewhere in its remake.

[Via GoNintendo]

Sega has announced its victory in the fight over whether or not Australians will get to (legally) play Aliens vs. Predator. According to a statement given to Kotaku, Sega has successfully appealed the OFLC's decision to refuse classification to the FPS and has secured the game a rating of MA-15+, which has yet to be reflected in the OFLC database.

"We are particularly proud that the game will be released in its original entirety, with no content altered or removed whatsoever," Sega Australia general manager Darren Macbeth told Kotaku. "This is a big win for Australian gamers. We applaud the Classification Review Board on making a decision that clearly considers the context of the game, and is in line with the modern expectations of reasonable Australians".

We now urge our Australian friends not to do anything that might appear even the least bit inspired by this game. If you see a ravenous, monstrous alien, let it go unblasted.

The Australian government has finally released the R18+ discussion paper and is requesting comment on whether the adult classification should be made available for video games. For those just joining us, Aussie video game classification caps at MA15+, meaning any game unsuitable for a 15-year-old can't be sold in the region.

Submissions stating why the government should allow an R18+ rating for games is due by February 28, 2010. The government spells out quite plainly that any change in the classification policy "must be unanimously agreed [upon] by Commonwealth, State and Territory Censorship Ministers."

[Thanks Simon and everyone else who sent this in]

We've heard from Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson in the past on why he thinks certain games shouldn't be available to Australian consumers. And when he was asked recently by ABC why the upcoming Aliens vs. Predator was refused classification in his country (read: banned), he echoed previous sentiments on the interactivity of games having a stronger affect on people than other mediums. "I accept that 98 percent, 99 percent of gamers will tell the difference between fantasy and reality, but the 1 to 2 percent could go on to be motivated by these games to commit horrible acts of violence," Atkinson said.

When the subject of AvP comes up, though, Atkinson put on his game reviewer cap and offered, "You don't need to be playing a game in which you impale, decapitate and dismember people." So, what're you thinking, Mr. Atkinson -- 5.0/10 maybe? 4.7/10? We're all ears.

[Via GamesIndustry.biz]

Konami appears to be daring enough to localize Ninety-Nine Nights 2 -- which, we suppose, isn't too much of a surprise since it showed the courage to publish the sequel to the mediocre action title in the first place. While Konami hasn't said anything official, an OFLC rating has appeared for N32, outing at least a tentative plan to publish the game in Australia. Speculation: Konami's not going to localize the game just for Australia.

Whether the announcement is good news or not depends on your faith in Feelplus (for whom this is the first action game) to deliver a better Dynasty Warriors-type game than Phantagram did.

A "rally" in Brisbane, Australia in support of an R18+ rating for video games attracted approximately 50 people -- so maybe more along the lines of a "gathering," then. But let's not dwell on the meager turnout, let's focus on the intent and message, which GamePolitics reports was uploaded to YouTube (1, 2, 3, 4). Speaking at the event were Nicolas Suzor of Electronic Frontiers Australia and Ethan Watson of Treat Us Like Adults. Thankfully, it appears nobody was doing cosplay, a tactic that a previous rally considered implementing.

The first priority of the groups is to have Commonwealth Minister of Home Affairs, Brendan O'Connor, release the R18+ discussion paper that the "censorship ministers" have been slow to make public. Yes, a report on censorship is being censored. South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson had previously tried a political maneuver to bury the report and put the debate on an R18+ rating on indefinite hold.

[Via GamePolitics]

In a statement released this morning by Rebellion's Jason Kingsley, concerning the Australian Classification Board's so-called "ban" of Rebellion's Aliens vs. Predator game, the CEO expressed his studio's disappointment with the board's ruling, but added, "as we understand the law in that country the authorities had no choice as we agree strongly that our game is not suitable for game players who are not adults."

The subtle swipe at the Australian ratings system, which tops out at an MA15+ classification, turned into a full-on blow as Kingsley concluded, "We will not be releasing a sanitized or cut down version for territories where adults are not considered by their governments to be able to make their own entertainment choices."

Ouch! You feel that too, Germany? "It is for adults," Kingsley insisted of AvP, "and it is bloody and frightening, that was our intent." Clearly, that's why PEGI assigned an 18-rating. Check out the box art for PAL territories that will release the game -- for adults -- come February 2010 worldwide:

It may not have acid blood or infrared vision, but the Australian Classification Board has won its battle against Rebellion's upcoming Aliens vs. Predator game. "The game contains first-person perspective, close-up depictions of human characters being subjected to various types of violence, including explicit decapitation and dismemberment as well as locational damage such as stabbing through the chest, mouth, throat, or eyes," the board reports. Apparently, the game's excessive gore and violence exceeds the requirements for a MA15+ rating. Without an option for an R18+ rating, Aliens vs. Predator becomes the latest title to join the ever-growing list of essentially "banned" games in the territory.

Sega is left with two options should it want to pursue an Australian release: Attempt an appeal with the board, or censor the game's content to meet Australian standards. Should AvP follow in the footsteps of the edited Left 4 Dead 2, Australian gamers should get ready to be disappointed yet again.

Update: Rebellion responds. Oh snap!

Following yesterday's report that unsung steampunk action title Edge of Twilight had ceased development, we were unsure of the fate of the game's Australian developer, FuzzyEyes. That fate was revealed earlier today in a public statement from the company's CEO, Wei-Yao Lu, who explained, "On 30th of September, FuzzyEyes has let go the majority of staffs as FuzzyEyes was confronted with number of challenges, including economic downturn and some legal complications."

Lu confirmed that the studio is still in business, and is transitioning as it sells a "portion" of its shares to an unnamed third-party company. During this transition, the studio will "suspend all onsite development," while outsourced development will continue on. Lu claims the studio will be fully operational once more, after the transition, and that a number of employees will be offered their positions back in early 2010. The statement promises more details once the transition is finished -- at which point, we'll hopefully learn the true fate of Edge of Twilight.

Vogster's freeish-to-play MMO, CrimeCraft, has been effectively banned from Australia. The beleaguered publisher's online title won't make it to the country in its current form due to "drug use related to incentives or rewards." The same complaint was aimed at Fallout 3 last year.

Gamespot UK reports the Australian Classification Board's main objection was to the use of "boosts," the drugs used in the game. The board declared there was "insufficient delineation between the 'fictional drugs' available in game and real-world proscribed drugs." On the bright side, Vogster can thank Australia's lack of a mature classification for video games -- and Attorney General Michael Atkinson's opposition to an R18+ rating -- for getting the game some press.

In a statement to AU GameSpot, South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson said he plans to appeal Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's MA15+ rating in the region. If successful, the game will be banned in Australia and this would be Atkinson's first time intervening on a rating by the Classification Board. Atkinson explains, "I worry about any game that encourages gamers to perpetrate extreme violence and cruelty on screen, but this game allows players to be virtual terrorists and gain points by massacring civilians." Those points for killing civilians aren't the only ones Atkinson is missing.

The anti-game antics of Atkinson are coming dangerously close to reminding us of the United States' disgraced, former attorney Jack Thompson. The Age reports Atkinson was recently on Aussie national radio and expressed that the Classification Board in Australia "does everything" to "get games in under the radar, and film, generally." Later, he stated that he has "no trust" in the board to apply guidelines, thus drawing up guidelines for games to have an R18+ classification "would be to draw them up in sure and certain knowledge that they would be stretched and then broken." So, games aren't being rated properly, but he won't support an R18+ rating. Feel free to drop your "facepalm" reactions below in the comments.

Source -- Atkinson confirms MW2 appeal [AU GameSpot]
Source -- No confidence [The Age]

Footage allegedly taken from Australia's censored version of Left 4 Dead 2 has made its way online ... and we feel it's inadequately preparing citizens down under for the future! Though the game will get Aussies used to facing down a charging zombie horde, it does nothing to desensitize them to the revolting gore that inevitably follows.

The censored version lacks exploding heads, dismemberment (courtesy of the new melee weapons) and burning corpses. Sadly, for those of us who have built up a considerable hatred for the undead scourge threatening our civilization, the fallen undead just fade into the ether. Check out the full video after the break and pray for Australia's survival when the zombie apocalypse comes.

[Via Destructoid]

Ever since that Modern Warfare 2 scene got out on the internets in all of its airport civilian-shooting "glory," the game has been catching a lot of flak. Despite giving Activision the chance to explain it on this very site, it's just not enough for some -- and in light of that scene, one Aussie group is demanding the game be re-rated.

Lobby group Australian Council on Children and the Media is calling for the second look at the game, The Sydney Morning Herald reports. MW2 currently has a rating of MA 15+ -- the highest available -- though ACCM president Jane Roberts argues that the current rating would still make it accessible to kids under the age of 15. Update: If the game was to be reconsidered and denied a rating (anything considered higher than MA 15+), it would be effectively banned.

"We understand that it's a game but ... we're not far off when you look at the images that you could actually put it on a Channel Nine news report and you'd think maybe that is real," she said. As for the re-rating, odds aren't looking good for Roberts. An Australian Classification Board spokesperson said that the Board could not review its own decisions.

[Via Kotaku]

If you live near Melbourne, Australia, you'll have the opportunity to pick up New Super Mario Bros. Wii a bit early, and either vie for a lovely prize or laugh at people in silly costumes! Nintendo is holding a midnight launch event for the game on Wednesday night, November 11, at its "Nintendo Experience" EBGames store.

Attendees will have a chance to win the glass laser-etched Mario statue seen above, provided they're willing to dress up as their favorite Mario character. Does the Kuribo's Shoe count as a character?

If you don't already have a costume, you'll have the beginning of a (terrible) Mario outfit once you pick up your pre-order: EB in Australia is giving away Mario baseball caps with reserved copies.

[Via GoNintendo]