PlayStation

PlayStation Teaser Video Breakdown (video)

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 27, 2011 | 19 comments

A little over 24 hours ago, Sony released a new teaser video online. The video, which runs just shy of one minute, is packed with references to games that have come and gone on the PlayStation, PS2, PS3 and PSP. Many of those games are also slated to make an appearance on the upcoming Sony handheld, the PS Vita. Just which games and references were made in this video? Watch our video breakdown from the PlayStation teaser video to discover the hidden easter eggs. Catch something we didn’t? Let us know in the comments section below!

ESRB Lists Chrono Cross And Final Fantasy Origins For PSN

by Jan Hutchings | Sep 26, 2011 | 19 comments

According to a listing from the ESRB, the much-loved Chrono Cross and Final Fantasy Origins may be coming to the PlayStation Network sometime this year. If that wasn’t good enough, Sony has said that, since both games will be part of the PSOne Classics library, they will be available for play on both the PS3 and the PSP.

This comes at the heels of Sony’s announcement that two hard-to-find classics, Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI, are to be added to the collection sometime in 2011.

Square Enix has not commented on any release dates or pricing details for the four titles.

DISCUSS:

Which of the four Square Enix classics titles are you most excited about?
(Chrono Trigger) (Chrono Cross) (Final Fantasy Origins) (Final Fantasy VI)

PSN Getting Castlevania: Harmony of Despair Tomorrow

by Jan Hutchings | Sep 26, 2011 | 15 comments

Earlier today, Konami announced that Castlevania: Harmony of Despair will be available to purchase and download on PSN soon.

How soon? How about tomorrow?

On September 27, 2011, what was once an Xbox 360-exclusive downloadable game will be coming to the PlayStation Network. This Castlevania title will bring new features that have never been seen in previous titles, the biggest being a completely fun and addictive multiplayer component.

Hit the jump for more details on the newest 2D Castlevania title.

PlayStation Teaser Video Reveals Hidden Secrets, Promises More Next Week

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 26, 2011 | 6 comments

Sony has just released a new teaser video for the PlayStation 3, or maybe for the entire PlayStation brand. It’s hard to tell exactly which product this teaser is leaning on, though a safe bet would be the PlayStation 3. In the video also lies a dozen or so PlayStation game references with a promise of more to be revealed on October 5th.

The hidden Easter eggs that we’ve been able to spot so far include Sweet Tooth’s truck, Metal Gear Mk. II, Parappa the Rapper and Kratos. After the jump, you can find our screen shot breakdown of the hidden game references.

[Our video breakdown]

NYKO Raven Review For PS3

by Jan Hutchings | Sep 23, 2011 | 21 comments

The PlayStation 3 is home to many great first-person-shooter titles. Admittedly, the PS3’s DualShock 3 isn’t the best gamepad for these games. I would rather play them with my PlayStation Move controller to replicate a mouse-like precision aiming experience. Or I’ll play using my Xbox 360 wired controller using the XCM Cross Battle Adapte. (That’s right! You can use Xbox 360 controllers with the PS3).

That’s why I was so excited when I found and purchased the NYKO Raven “Alternate” controller for the PS3. It had the same control and button layout and feel as the Xbox 360 controller. The left thumbstick is now located on top of the directional buttons and triggers have replaced the traditional R2 and L2 shoulder buttons.

In addition to that, there’s a switch that toggles/switches L1 and R1 functionalities to the triggers themselves, adding to that Xbox 360 controller feel. It has an internal rechargeable battery like the Dualshock that lasts about 20 to 25 hours. With all these features, the NYKO Raven controller sounds like a dream come true for PS3 owners right?

Right?

Read More ›

Battlefield 3 Timed Exclusives For PlayStation 3

by Jan Hutchings | Sep 22, 2011 | 15 comments

EA announced today that all Battlefield 3 DLC are “timed exclusives” and will appear on the PlayStation 3 one week ahead of the Xbox 360 and PC. This is a big coup for SONY and EA as Microsoft has been getting timed dlc exclusives for Activision’s Call of Duty franchise since Modern Warfare 2.

The first expansion pack called “Back To Karkand” (4 throwback maps from Battlefield 2) will be the first to arrive a week early exclusively for the PS3. According to Developer DICE’s Tommy Rydling,

“You’ll be happy to know that, starting with our first expansion pack Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand (released later this year), all full-blown upcoming expansion packs for the game will appear one week early exclusively on PlayStation 3!”

While it’s not the months long timed exclusivity that Microsoft has with Call of Duty DLC’s, but it’s still a win for anyone wanting to pick up Battlefield 3 for their PS3.

[Via PlayStation Blog]

Assassin’s Creed Revelations Blu-Ray To Include Original Game

by Jan Hutchings | Sep 22, 2011 | 22 comments

Ubisoft announced that they have partnered up with PlayStation to include an exclusive bonus to the Assassin’s Creed: Revelations Blu-Ray. According to the company, Assassins Creed Revelations will include the full original Assassin’s Creed game on the same disc.

This makes sense as AC: Revelations is the final chapter in Ezio and Altair’s stories; and what better way to end it by letting players experience where it all started. Keep in mind that this bonus is on for a limited time only. So pre-order your copy of Assassin’s Creed: Revelations before it comes out later this year.

This isn’t the first time Sony has gotten exclusive content on third-party titles because of the bigger amount of data space that Blu-Ray provides developers and publishers. So far, we’ve played EA’s Dead Space: Extraction as part of the Dead Space 2 disc, Medal of Honor included a remastered-in-HD version of Medal of Honor: Frontline, and Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Gold Edition included a copy of Battlefield 1943 on the same disc.

DISCUSS:

Do you think we’ll see more and more exclusive, value-added content included on PS3 (Blu-Ray) versions of high-profile third party games?

Street Fighter X Tekken Will Have Cross-Platform DLC

by Jan Hutchings | Sep 21, 2011 | 14 comments

A few weeks ago, Capcom announced that their highly-aniticipated crossover fighter Street Fighter X Tekken (pronounced Street Figthter Cross Tekken) would be coming to both the PS3 and the PlayStation Vita. The company also said that both versions will be pretty much identical graphically and gameplay-wise.

I was quite skeptical after hearing that the PS3 version would be the same as the Vita until I learned that they both platforms will recieve cross-platform DLC.

Hit the jump to find out more about the exciting Street Fighter X Tekken DLC Cross-Platform DLC!

DC Universe Online Going Free To Play In October

by Jan Hutchings | Sep 20, 2011 | 3 comments

DC Universe Online is Sony Online Entertainment Massively Multiplayer Online RPG for the PlayStation 3 and PC. So far, the game has met with mixed to positive results with critics and consumers alike. As it stands, the game costs $49.99 with a $14.99 monthly fee.

As a gamer who’s never been interested in MMORPG’s, I had never even given any thought of purchasing or playing DC Universe Online because of the monthly fee, as well as the lengthy dedication the game requires of it’s players.

But I think my mind’s about to change.

According to Sony Online Entertainment, DC Online Universe is going free to play starting in October. This means, players can download and play the game for free, with some microtransaction features for those who are willing to pay for extra and exclusive content. Hit the jump for more details on the free-to-play MMO from SOE.

Shoot Many Robots Preview

by Jan Hutchings | Sep 19, 2011 | 19 comments

I was walking through Ubisoft’s demonstration booths when this game with an animated design caught my eye. It had hillbilly-looking characters carrying big guns who shot and destroyed pretty much everything that moved on the screen.

As I watched people play the game, I thought to myself “Goddamn! I need to try this!”

It looked like a cross between Contra, Metal Slug, and the Horde Mode from Gears of War, It was Shoot Many Robots, a digital release from Demiurge Studios.

It had such a distinct gameplay idea and visual presentation that even David Jaffe, creator of Sony’s Twisted Metal series stopped in his tracks while we were conducting an interview later that day as he commented at how cool the game was.

Hit the jump for more information on Shoot Many Robots for the PlayStation Network.

PlayStation 3 System Software Update 3.72 Now Live (updated)

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 19, 2011 | 17 comments

The minor PlayStation 3 System Software Update 3.72 is now live and ready for download. This manditory update is a fairly small one in size and should only take a few minutes to download and install. The update, according to Sony will improve;

system stability during use of PS3 format software and network services has been improved.

Beyond that, not much is even known or told about minor updates. We can only hope that it also address the PlayStation Plus Auto Trophy Sync issue that exists.

Updated:

Sony has also released the update on their servers for download to your computer.

Download Now

Discuss:

If you’ve downloaded the update, have you noticed any other changes?

Ni No Kuni Coming To North American PS3’s

by Jan Hutchings | Sep 18, 2011 | 0 comments

At Tokyo Game Show earlier this week, Studio Ghibli and Level-5 announced that they will be releasing the long awaited Ni No Kuni: Queen of the White Ashes to North America sometime in 2012.

According to Level-5’s President, Hiro Akihino, the english version of the game is now in production and will be released to the market in early 2012. He also said that while the the PS3 and DS versions will both start out the same, the games will have major story differences at a certain point. He also noted that the PlayStation 3 version will have additional content as well as planned downloadable content exclusive to the system.

Hit the jump for more information on Ni NoKuni for the PlayStation 3.

PS Plus Subscribers Get Resident Evil 4 HD For Half The Price

by Jan Hutchings | Sep 17, 2011 | 5 comments

On the next PlayStation Store update, PS Plus subscribers will get a healthy dose of Capcom deals that will definitely please Resident Evil fans. This coming Tuesday, PS+ members can purchase Resident Evil 4 HD for a cheap $9.99. That’s half off the original price! And on the day of its release! Those who don’t have the membership can still download the game for $19.99. (A great price for one of the best action games of last generation.)

But Capcom isn’t done yet; hit the jump to find out what other deals Capcom has in store for PSN Plus members and for PlayStation 3 owners.

Sony Announces PlayStation Vita Launch Games

by Jan Hutchings | Sep 17, 2011 | 29 comments

Two days ago, we reported a number of Sony’s planned PlayStation Vita games. According to Sony, over 26 games are to be launched with the Vita this December, with a total of 100 planned later this year and in early 2012.

Some of the PlayStation Vita launch games announced are:

Mortal Kombat
LittleBigPlanet
Uncharted: Golden Abyss
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
Katamari (Untitled)
Power Smash 4
Fish On
Project N.O.E.L.S
Blazblue
F1 2011

Sony is planning to follow up the launch with a massive volley of high-profile releases:

Metal Gear Solid HD Edition
StarStrike Delta
Zone of the Enders HD Edition
Escape Plan
FIFA
Gravity Daze
Lumines Electronic Symphony
MALICIOUS
Wipeout 2048
Rayman Origins

In addition to the launch games, Sony has announced that over 500 to 600 PSP games will be available for download at launch. Sony has also said that they are trying to think of a solution for gamers to be able to play their UMD games on the PlayStation Vita.

*These games are only planned for the Japanese PlayStation Vita launch on December 17, 2011. Sony has not given a definite date for the North American and European release. Stay tuned for more updates.

Choplifter HD Developer Interview

by Jan Hutchings | Sep 15, 2011 | 120 comments

Who could forget playing the classic Choplifter for the ATARI?

Even with it’s blocky and antiquated graphics, Choplifter is, even now, still really fun to play. Imagine my surprise to learn that a new Choplifter game is coming out for the PlayStation 3. I had a chat with Bryan Perfetto, lead engineer for Choplifter HD at inXile Entertainment about their upcoming PSN game.

Hit the jump for the full interview as well as gameplay footage of Choplifter HD.