Jealous Europeans vs Happy Americans

So, last time we ran one of these articles we suggested we'd try to get back to a fortnightly routine. That's one crazy aspiration too far, especially as Nintendo is intent on throwing interesting news, Nintendo Direct broadcasts and new HD consoles at us from all directions. Let's drop the promises, and say that we'll do these whenever we get around to it.

With that out of the way, we've got a big team with equally grand gaming plans for the weekend. Some are North American show-offs flouting their Wii U systems in our face — those of us in Europe aren't bitter, not at all. There's a broad variety of games lined up, however, so let's get on with it.

Anthony Dickens

This weekend I'll be blasting around the streets of Fairhaven in Need For Speed: Most Wanted on the Xbox 360, trying to become the most wanted driver before the Wii U launches next week (in Europe!).

Mike Mason

PIX3D - I'll be spinning squares into 2D pixel art in this new eShop puzzle game.

Gravity Rush (PS Vita) - This is a free download for PlayStation Plus owners now; I plan to take advantage.

Assassin's Creed: Revelations (Xbox 360) - If I get a bit of spare time I might dig into Ezio's final adventure, too.

Tom Whitehead

I've been replaying the (lengthy) campaign in Kid Icarus: Uprising recently and chasing some of the unlockable picture panels — it's an epic, fantastic game, which is all the better with a pair of headphones. I'm also planning to blast through the original Trine on PC, as well, ahead of the sequel's Wii U release next week (Europe again, obviously).

I feel like the good-old Wii needs a final run, too, so I may carry on with Kirby's Return to Dreamland, which I picked up recently and have been enjoying a lot.

Desiree Turner

It'll be Style Savvy: Trendsetters for me. I've been having a blast hooking up my regulars with Luxury duds lately, and I've got two more nights to go before I'm done with the Beginner's Contest. I'm excited to see what I get to do after that — don't spoil it for me, I want to find out for myself!

Corbie Dillard

While I've been picking at Paper Mario: Sticker Star for a week now, I'm going to try to sit down some this weekend and get in some serious playing time on the game. Really enjoying it so far, although it's not quite what I expected. In truth I probably just got a bit too used to the first two titles that had a more RPG-feel to them, but I'm enjoying the more streamlined experience it has to offer.

I've been playing quite a lot of Ikachan for our upcoming preview, so I'd also like to spend some more time with it once I get the preview finished up. Not to take anything away from the preview, but it's a rather unique and interesting game.

Katy Ellis

Sleeping Dogs (PS3) - After completing the main campaign I'm still not ready to leave the bright lights of Hong Kong, so this weekend I'll probably be scouting the alleyways for those elusive lock-boxes and health shrines, and maybe even downloading the Halloween DLC.

Virtue's Last Reward - My 3DS has been feeling a bit neglected with all this Wii U talk recently, so the release of VLR today is a good excuse to get it up and running again!

Orla Madden

I've been stuck for time lately when it comes to playing my games, but one game I always prioritise when I get a chance is Theathrythm: Final Fantasy. My mission is to get an S score on all Ultimate modes, so wish me luck! Plus with two gigs this weekend, as a drummer it helps me keep on top of my rhythm!

Andy Green

With the Wii U on the horizon I'll be honing my Mario skills by dusting off my copy of New Super Mario Bros. on the DS. I must be ready for when I make a start with New Super Mario Bros. U!

Of course I'll have to give my Wii some attention too seeing as it's the last weekend of its outstanding service. I think I'll play some Donkey Kong Country Returns, I recently finished the game but still lack all the jigsaw pieces! I think Super Smash Bros. Brawl will also have to be played at some point!

Philip J Reed

Crashmo all day every day! Then maybe some breathing, eating and sleeping if I have time.

Ron DelVillano

I'll be spending most of my weekend playing games and exploring the many new features on Wii U. My list of games really boils down to Trine 2: Director's Cut, Scribblenauts Unlimited, and Batman: Arkham City: Armored Edition.

I also picked up Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why'd you steal our garbage?! for the 3DS, and I'm really excited to dig into that one as well this weekend, assuming I have the time. And I might squeeze in some Left 4 Dead 2, if I'm feeling up for it.

Morgan Sleeper

It's a Wii U weekend here! Along with squeezing in as many rounds of Nintendo Land and Chasing Aurora with family as possible, I'll be running Rabbids Land, Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two, and Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion through their paces for reviews. If I get any extra time, I'll be working my way up the contest ranks and sprucing up my online store in Style Savvy: Trendsetters - see you runway cats in the Fashion Plaza!

Martin Watts

Most of my free gaming time this weekend will be dedicated to Halo 4 and Call of Duty: Black Ops II. The latter is a bit unusual for me as I don't usually opt for COD games, but I've finally succumbed to its addictive gameplay after my housemate picked up a copy the other day.

That doesn't mean that I've turned traitor and abandoned Nintendo completely! In fact, during my travels throughout the week I've gotten stuck into Star Wars: Battlefront - Elite Squadron on DS, which I'll stick with for a bit longer. It's not a particularly good game, but there's something soothing about the mindless running and gunning.

The highlight of the week, meanwhile, was getting to finally try out Paper Mario: Sticker Star at the Paper Mario Pop-Up Diner earlier this week. I absolutely love how the game looks and I'm looking forward to getting my grubby mitts on it next month.

So there you have it, our weekend gaming plans laid bare. Tell us what you'll be playing in the comments below.