Okay, so it's not Space World, the legendary Nintendo-only event whose last appearance occurred in 2001. Nintendo's announcement of a new event, however, named Nintendo World 2006, certainly conjures fond memories. The event, which takes place over a mammoth ten-day period from November 3rd to the 12th (and again on November 25th and 26th), will feature hands-on playtime with the Wii and some of the hottest new DS titles. Best of all, it's open to the Japanese public, and completely free. Awesome.

While it's unknown if Nintendo will be making any major announcements at the event, it's understood that they will, at the very least, announce more specific details of the Virtual Console service (read: launch titles) a bit closer to Wii Day. What better place to spring some good news on the unsuspecting Japanese?

(The image is a personal favorite, from digital artist Greg Martin. Check more of his work here.)

Konami with a vampire hunting game? Say it ain't so! But there's nary a Belmont in Lunar Knights (psst, don't call it Boktai), the action RPG coming to the DS in November. Like the newest installment in that other gothic franchise, Lunar Knights features two heroes: Lucian and Aaron. But they're not exactly regular guys -- their power is dependent on a solar cycle, with Lucian's power waxing at night and waning during the day, when Aaron comes to the fore.

The top screen of the DS will display weather and solar cycle effects. This new 'paraSOL' system (how's that for a pun?) will impact every aspect of the game, from the polar opposite heroes to the enemies they face.

As Aaron and Lucian fight to save their futuristic world from a dark fate at the hands of an undead army, they are supported by Terrenials, embodiments of the elements the world is built from. These Terrenials have their own attacks and can enhance the man characters, allowing them to take on even more powerful forms. And just because space vampires are awesome, when the planet-side evil is vanquished, Lucian and Aaron blast off for all new adventures as they try to dispose of their enemies once and for all. We're not quite sure how the light/dark cycle might function there, but the Terrenials, at least, accompany our heroes into the final frontier for further support.