Sonic Generations hitting PS3 and 360 on Nov. 1

While every game ever battles it out for a lucrative spot in yet another financially ruinous November, Sonic Generations grabs the first available date for its Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions. Sega's brisk, blast-processed stroll down memory lane will launch on November 1 in North America, and November 4 in Europe (where you can also obtain an elaborate special edition).

Sega has only confirmed the launch dates for Sonic's console outings at this time. The 3DS version, which features platform-exclusive levels and a two-player versus mode, is scheduled for "late 2011."

Xbox Live coming to Windows 8

As part of Microsoft's continuing effort to provide its users one all-encompassing ecosystem for all of their entertainment needs (or something), the company has announced that its latest operating system, Windows 8, will support Xbox Live. Exact details on integration are forthcoming, but the biggest question that surfaces in our is: What does this mean for Games for Windows Live?

We've got some questions in to Microsoft and will update as soon as we can. [Update: A Microsoft spokesperson tells us "we currently have nothing to announce beyond the statement that Major Nelson posted on his blog."] In the meanwhile, how about some tentative rejoicing?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Gears of War 3: Epic Edition, epic unboxing gallery

Well, here it is, people. The "Epic Edition" of next week's Gears of War 3. It's a big box, packed full of some big treats. Are you the kind of gamer who wants to declare his affection for the franchise by displaying an 11" statue of Marcus Fenix in your home and/or workplace? NOICE! Scratch one consumer. Maybe you're more intellectual? How does a 96-page book titled "The Art and Design of Gears of War" penned by Extra Lives scribe (and patron saint of video game writers) Tom Bissel sound?

Oh, we get it ... you want the "exclusive unlockable Adam Fenix multiplayer character" so you can play as Marcus' elderly father and use the "I've fallen and I can't get up" line. Yeah, we're bringing back that old chestnut.

Here's how you set up your PlayStation Vita

Wondering how you'll set up your PlayStation Vita come ... whenever it launches in the US? Well, it turns out that we've got this handy presentation straight from Sony's TGS 2011 presser earlier today, courtesy of our cohorts at Engadget. You'll get an idea of how to peel back a virtual page and, um, describe yourself. For instance, how old are you? Do you even know? You look so young!

Two new PlayStation 3 bundles (in blue and red) headed to Japan

Sony hasn't stopped trying to pique your interest in importing a flashy, Japan-exclusive PlayStation 3, announcing "Scarlet Red" and "Splash Blue" PS3s today during its Tokyo Game Show 2011 presser.

Hitting stores on November 17, the freshly colored PS3s will pack 320GB HDDs and an asking price of ¥29980 ($389.85) They might not have fancy embellishments from popular RPGs, but they sure are purty.

Dead or Alive 5 in development, heading to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2012

There's a brand new Dead or Alive game in development, and it's heading to Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Team Ninja head Yosuke Hayashi offered "a glimpse in the future" of the DOA franchise during tonight's TGS 2011 Tecmo event, during which he asked that we shut off all recording equipment (thus the lack of a thrilling image above). In a teaser trailer of a pre-Alpha (read: very early) build of Dead or Alive 5, Ninja Gaiden's Ryu Hayabusa faces off against rival Hayate on top of a brightly lit urban area -- perhaps the Shibuya digs we're currently writing this from? Hayashi teased dramatic new levels, and even went as far as to call the game "fighting entertainment," rather than "just a fighting game." (Note: It's a fighting game.) We've added the first teaser trailer above and a ... tantalizing image just after the break. Keep it cool, big guy!

GoldenEye 007: Reloaded gets special Move bundle for PS3

If you didn't buy all the PlayStation Move hardware yesterday thanks to GameStop's 50% off sale, you might be interested in Activision's special Move-only GoldenEye 007: Reloaded bundle, called the "Double 'O' Edition."

The first 'O' is surely the game, which has unsurprisingly remapped the original Wii controls to the Move. That means the second 'O' must be referring to the bundled hardware, which includes a Move motion controller, the navigation controller, a PlayStation Eye camera, and the SharpShooter peripheral. But there's also a PS3-exclusive downloadable character, Moonraker's Hugo Drax ... is that a third 'O'?

There's no word on price, but we're going to guess it matches Resistance 3's very similar Doomsday bundle at $150. Depending on your income, that could certainly elicit yet another 'O.'

You can find any other missing 'O's on November 1, when both the regular edition and the Double 'O' Edition shake up your local supervillain's subterranean shopping fortress.