The Import Gaming Gift Guide [2008 Kotaku Holiday Gift Guide]

[GamePoster]

Holidays are a worldwide deal — and so are Kotaku gift guides. Here it is, your window into the world with games that you can import. Some of them have full English language support. Some do not. We tried to make a note where possible to help shoppers out. Also, some of these titles will work on all consoles, while others will not. Sticky stuff, so do carefully check things out before importing. Getting a region locked game you can't play is like getting a lump of coal, but better. At least the game will have an instructional manual you can flip through.
The categories are broken down into Bargains, Essentials and Hardware. Those interested in the "Things To Buy For Bashcraft" category, feel free to email.
Bargains:
Gears of War 2 (Asia Version - Region Free)
Price: US$42.18
Rating: Mature
It's already being called Game of the Year by some. Instead of paying full price for Gears of War 2, pick up a new copy of the region free Asia region version. Title has full English support.

Aquanaut's Holiday: Hidden Memories (English/Chinese Version - Region Free)
Price: $49.90
Rating: Everyone
Hidden Memories is the latest in the entry in Aquanaut's Holiday series. Players take the role of an underwater explorer and dive into the depths of deep blue. Currently, the game does not have a Western release slated, but the "English/Chinese version" has localized language options. Better yet, it's cheaper than the Japanese original.

Fable II (Asia Version - Region Free)
Price: $38.33
Rating: Mature
One of this year's biggest action RPGs, Fable II lets players chose between being good or evil. You know what's evil? Paying full price for Fable II. You know what's good? Getting the (cheaper) region free Asia version.

Mirror's Edge (Asia Version - Region Free)
Price: $48.99 (with free international shipping)
Rating: Teen
Do you like running? What about jumping? Kicking people? Then first-person-parkour game Mirror's Edge is for you. Hate paying full price for new games? Then get the Asia version.

Hakuna Makata (Afrika) (English/Chinese Version - Region Free)
Price: $49.90
Rating: Everyone
PS3 exclusive Afrika is out this month in North America, but Sony does not have plans to bring the title to Europe. What does that mean for European PS3 owners who want to take in-game pictures of wild animals? It means they've got to import. The Asia version has full English support and a new title to boot: Hakuna Makata. Makes us want to watch The Lion King. Over and over and over again.


Essentials:
Kitsui Death Label (Region free - Bonus DVD Japanese Region Only)
$58.90
Rating: Everyone
Ketsui isn't just a shooter, but an environment shooter! Set in the global warming ravaged future, the vertical scrolling shooting game has players join a United Nations elite squad to take down a rouge arms dealer. Akira's port of bullet hell shooter from venerated Japanese arcade dev <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_(company)">Cave