The plan, reports Leo Lewis at the The Times, is poised to offer ¥13,000 ($157) each month for each child if the plan goes into law. In the second year, the payment will increase to ¥23,000 ($277).

While video game companies like Nintendo and theme parks appear like they will benefit from this scheme, Japanese analysts tell The Times that when governments make generous cash payments, especially into father’s bank accounts, the payment becomes a “hidden” bonus for the gambling business.

Pachinko and pachi-slots (think slot machines, but with buttons to stop the spinning reels) are made by companies like Sega Sammy, which is merged corporation of video game SEGA and pachinko company Sammy, and Aruze, which used to own SNK.

Many Japanese video game companies create animation and graphics for the LCD panels in current generation pachinko machines. Video game characters as well as anime characters are typically licensed for pachinko parlours. Pachinko exists in a grey, netherworld of gambling in Japan and is thus legal.

Occasionally, there are stories of children dying in hot parked cars during the summer or children being abducted at pachinko parlors by strangers while their parents play pachinko.

If passed, the scheme will put money in pocket, pay for nappies and fund weekend outings. It’s likely to create more happy families, but if the pundits are right, happy gamblers, too.

Japanese gaming to profit from child subsidies – Times Online [Pic, Pic, Pic, Pic, Pic]

The Entertainment Software Ratings Board has rated a quartet of titles originally released for SNK’s arcade/home console platform, the Neo Geo. The first four to be outed are Baseball Stars Professional, Alpha Mission II, League Bowling, and Super Sidekicks, perhaps not the Neo Geo classics you were hoping for, but a step in the right direction.

Hopefully, that leak portends the inclusion of other platforms, say the Sega Dreamcast and Sony’s own PlayStation 2, making their way to PlayStation Stores worldwide.

Perhaps the Neo Geo Archives, following the naming convention established by Hudson’s PC Engine Archives, will be announced in the coming days (or later at GDC).

ESRB Game Ratings [ESRB]

Late last month, Osaka-based developer SNK Playmore, best known for The King of Fighters series, released a vertical KOF shooting game called KOF Sky Stage. The title features fighting characters like Kyo and Mai Shiranui in a total new game mechanic.

This game, however odd it seems, is an interesting move on SNK’s part. Shooting games offer a totally new take on an established title. Don’t believe me?

Imagine that SEGA’s Bayonetta was turned into a shooting game – there has been no confirmation whatsoever that this could happen, but humour us, and imagine.

Anyone who has played Bayonetta is familiar with the character designs, the 3D world, the works. But what if it was a top-down shooter? Then it could very well look like this artist’s rendition of the title.

So many other franchises seem ripe for bullet hell shooters. But there has to be more. Many more.

Characters like Kyo and Mai Shiranui.

Dubbed KOF Sky Stage, the game is a vertical arcade shooting game. The fighting here is for your pocket change.

An alert sent through the Atlus Faithful mailing list heralded the coming of Metal Slug XX to the PSP on February 23rd, with the clever tagline of “One X Short of ESRB Trouble.” The latest title in the series features sees the return of Marco, Fio, Eri, Ralf, Tarma, and Clark, along with the option to purchase SNK’s Leona for an additional $.99 for a little extra replayability. Speaking of replayability, Metal Slug XX also features Combat School, with more than 70 mission-based challenges to keep you occupied long after the story has ended. All that, plus ad hoc two-player co-op, all for just $US19.99.

But wait, there’s more!

Head over to the PlayStation Blog post on the game and you could win one of four pairs of Metal Slug boxers or a Japanese promotional poster. Your life probably won’t be complete until you have a pair of Metal Slug boxers.

Look for Metal Slug XX on PSN and store shelves come February 23rd.

The three other titles going to XBLA are NeoGeo Battle Coliseum, The King of Fighters 2002: Ultimate Match, and KOF Sky Stage. Then SNK will finish The King of Fighters 2002: Unlimited Match for summer 2010.

Siliconera says that, while the release windows have only been announced for Japan, in the past SNK’s Xbox Live Arcade games have arrived in North America and Europe the same time they release in Japan, whether or not they’re fully translated.

More Metal Slug And King of Fighters For Xbox Live Arcade [Siliconera]

This figure, by A-Label, will be out next year in Japan. It stands at around 30cm high, and you should be able to import it for around USD$80-90. You want buttons, you gotta buy them yourself, so that’s extra.

So is Terry Bogard — but back to Mai. In this arcade title, she’ll be flying over freeways, throwing fans and appearing in countless merchandise. Have you ever tried to count Mai merchandise? You can’t. It’s impossible. I tried.

『KOF SKY STAGE』にテリー＆舞が参戦！ [Kotaku Japan]

We asked you to prove you are the true “king of fighters” by sending in a mock screenshot of the game. The catch is that you had to feature in said screenshot.

We’ve already picked the four Xbox 360 winners. Now it’s time for the four PS3 winners, who each take home that snazzy collectors edition pictured up there. You guys are clearly all mad.

Here’s Alana M and her… uh… I don’t know what’s going on here.

Marc C is equally dosed up on the insanity.

Ben M is a giant among plush toys.

And finally, Joy D might wish his Princess was in another castle…

Joy’s entry continued across a raunchy seven panel sequence culminating in this rather sticky end.

Congrats everyone. I’ll be in touch soon to organise delivery of your prizes.

We asked you to prove you are the true “king of fighters” by sending in a mock screenshot of the game. The catch is that you had to feature in said screenshot.

Dozens of stupendous, ridiculous and just plain weird entries later, and we’ve narrowed it down to these four winners. These guys each take home that Xbox 360 collectors edition of King Of Fighters XII pictured up there.

Oh, and stay tuned for the PS3 winners coming soon…

Here’s Steven B, who apparently already had taken this photo years ago.

Here’s Troy C and his quite deafening finishing move.

Here’s William L’s rather handy entry.

And finally, Tom L cleans up with this one.

Well done guys. I’ll be in touch shortly to organise delivery of your prizes.