Then get ready to shake an extra 100 note out of your wallet, as pre-orders for the Japanese release of the Nintendo DSi currently carry an "import tax" of ove 100 Aussie dollars. Regularly priced at 18,900 yen (about $339 Aussie bucks) in its home country of Japan, the DSi asking price from reputable import retailers like Play-Asia and YesAsia is currently $499.

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This info comes in via tipster Raze35, who reports that the Video Ezy in Tuart Hill, WA, is not only taking preorders for new games, but doing so competitively. For example, it's doing Fable 2 for $99.95 and Too Human and Force Unleashed for $89. Apparently, you can even pick up preowned copies of GTA IV for $39.95. There's also mention that some preorders include posters and other tidbits.

Apparently the store will be importing titles such as Rock Band for sale and rental.

This improved focus on games may be unique to the Tuart Hill VE, as it recently changed owners. So let us know if your local VE is doing something similar!

The source for all things video game related in Japan, Famtisu, can be yours to enjoy on a weekly basis. National Console Support began offering year long subscriptions to the Japanese language mag a few weeks ago in North America, for not outlandish prices. Your cheapest option is a bit over $US 9 an issue.

The cheapest option will ensure that you get your copy of Famitsu, like, a week or so after it hits Japan's magazine racks. That'll set you back $US 480, all up front, for 52 issues.

If money is no object, you can sign up for overnight shipping of the mag. That's an impressive $US 2860 per year for 52 issues. I'm expensing mine, hoping it just flies under the radar of finance. If not, it's been nice working here.

Famitsu Magazine Subscription [NCSX]

There's no word yet on Fallout 3 and its future in Australia, so if you've decided to place your order for the Collector's Edition in a country that doesn't have draconian classification laws, I can't blame you.

Importing concerns aside, it's somewhat crucial the product in question can leave its country of origin. Unfortunately for reader Con, his order for the game was cancelled by GAME in the UK. Here's the reason why:

Sadly we will not ship this item over seas due to the weight of the item. If any orders exceed the 1kg weight limit, we will not dispatch this item and will cancel the order.

The email goes on to say that this proviso is mentioned in the terms and conditions on GAME UK's website. What isn't mentioned, however, is the weight of the Collector's Edition, though looking at the tin box and bobblehead alone, I'm not surprised it's over a kilo.

Looks like you lucked out with GAME UK Con. Can anyone recommend a substitute?

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Looking to import Fallout 3? Might not be such a wise idea - at least while the game remains without classification. Australian Gamer decided to get the final word on the legalities by contacting someone at the Australian Customs Service. Here's what it came up with:

...this was also confirmed by the Senior Customs Officer I spoke to, who told me "if they are refused classification they are deemed to be prohibited imports". When I pressed him as to what the repercussions of this would be if you went ahead and tried to import it anyway, he told me "Generally, Customs will seize the goods".

Well, "seize" is better than "fine", which is better than "gaol", which is better than "strip search", etc. The lesson? It's not so much you can't do it, just that you do so at your own risk.

The plot thickens ... Fallout 3 importation rules [Australian Gamer] [Pic]