All Topics Gaming older than one year ago

#clips Uber Entertainment's gunning for a macho future where class-based FPS death is televised live, with sponsorships. No doubt taking a page from Bud Light's fake "Grooler" and "Foozie" we have something that keeps your ammo fresh and your bacon crispy. More »

Shin'en, developer of the DS Nanostray games, as well as the recent WiiWare release Art of Balance, has announced a new 3D platformer for WiiWare. Jett Rocket looks like your basic 3D platformer, but slightly smaller in scale, with three areas of the planet Yoroppa to explore. It looks impressive, with graphics that recall Super Mario Galaxy.

With a name like Jett Rocket, you'd expect some kind of powered vehicles, and the game features three: a paraglider, a "Jet Boat," and a "Jet Snowboard." Wouldn't that melt all the snow?

#northamerica This week's North American PlayStation Store update is a good week to both familiarize yourself with Avalanche Studios' Just Cause 2, one of three new demos, and to catch up on previous PlayStation Network releases. More »

[Business Wire] Nintendo of America VP Cammie Dunaway thinks the Nintendo DS is going to keep on getting bigger in America. (And no, not just literally.) Speaking with VentureBeat, the executive highlighted the tremendous success of the Nintendo handheld. "We had our best year ever, selling 11.2 million units. That has never been done by any game platform ever."

Yet, in spite of its success, Dunaway believes there's still a lot more to be done with the US market. Dunaway notes that -- in terms of market penetration -- "in Japan, one in two consumers has a DS." But in America? "It is one in four. So we have room to grow." Essentially, if Japan is the benchmark for America, Nintendo must sell twice as many DS systems as it already has.

If there's one thing we've learned not to doubt this generation, it's Nintendo's ability to sell systems and make money. In January, the company was able to sell over 400,000 units in America -- and that figure is likely to grow with the introduction of the DSi XL in March. Perhaps we need to add even more money to this already-overused JPG.

[Via Edge]

You know how in Gremlins 2, the Gremlins all break into a genetics lab, and they eat all of the weird gene goop and it gives them superpowers like bat wings or vegetable bodies? And remember how one of them drinks like a brain hormone and becomes Brain Gremlin and gets played by Tony Randall? That's kind of what's happening to the Darkspawn in the Dragon Age Origins: Awakening expansion, according to this new trailer.

Of course, we don't know what kind of brain goop they ate -- and they definitely don't sound like Tony Randall -- but they're all called The Disciples and are all smart and talkative now. And evil. As you can see in the various screenshots below, they've got a face only a Gremlin could love. And honestly, while you might play the expansion on March 16 "thinking you know of our kind, human," you're wrong. All they're looking for are things like the Geneva Convention, chamber music, Susan Sontag. That's right: They just want to be civilized.

#mlb2k10 Barely two days after release and MLB 2K10 players are boasting they've pitched perfect games - worth a $1 million bounty to the first to do so, verifiably. But cool your jets, we won't know for sure for a while. More »

The PSN update this week is casual. You know, nothing big, but not bad. There are some deals, like the seriously reduced Penny Arcade Adventures bundle. It has a couple neat demos, like Just Cause 2. Oh, oh, and there's a new episode of The Tester. We know you're loving that, but not as much as you're loving Ru Paul's Drag Race (confess!). It's a T-shirt and jeans kind of update this week. Check out the full PSN update after the break.

Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:
(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)

Hi Everyone – It’s time for the weekly PlayStation Store Update.

Price Updates

• Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo Sale (now $4.99, original price $9.99)

Downloadable Games

Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-slick Precipice of Darkness: Episode 1 and 2 (Bundle) ($14.99)
Episode 1 and 2 Bundle is the first two installments in the RPG-adventure game series based on the web comic Penny Arcade.
ESRB Rated M
File size: 545 MB

The Tester

The Tester Episode 3 “No Cry in Team”
Eight contenders remain and in Episode 3, “No Cry in Team,” and they face one of the most demanding challenges in the series. This week, it’s all about teamwork. Wielding a giant slingshot and the “TesterNet”, these contenders must prove they can work together when the pressure is on.
File size: 313 MB (SD) 859 MB (HD)

Game Demos (free)

Just Cause 2 Demo
Prepare yourself for extreme chaos creation in this non-stop adrenalin-fuelled demo of Just Cause 2.Whether freefalling from thousands of feet, hijacking enemy fighters in mid-air or blasting through military compounds, as agent Rico Rodriguez you’re guaranteed to leave your destructive mark on the tropical island of Panau. With 400 square miles of rugged terrain and hundreds of weapons and vehicles, Just Cause 2 completely defies gravity and belief!
ESRB Rated M
File size: 1.41 GB

Major League Baseball 2K10 Demo
Major League Baseball 2K10 brings baseball’s most exciting match-up to life: Pitchers vs. Hitters. Get ready to battle!
ESRB Rated E
File size: 874 MB

MotoGP 09/10 Demo
The new MotoGP 09/10 demo lets you test ride all three bike classes AND experience the challenge of three different game modes, including; ‘Championship’, ‘Time trial’ and ‘Arcade’. MotoGP 09/10 is simply the best racing action on two wheels.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 1.74 GB

Add-on Game Content

MLB 10: The Show – 6 Classic Stadiums ($9.99)
Unlock all Classic Stadiums for use in MLB 10: The Show!
File size: N/A

MLB 10: The Show – Franchise Funds Increase ($0.99)
Increase your Franchise funds by 20 million.
File size: N/A

MLB 10: The Show – Road to the Show Training Points ($0.99)
Increase your Road to the Show training points by 1000.
File size: N/A

Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce Quest Pack #1 (free)
Quest Pack #1 – Enhance your Strikeforce experience with these new missions and challenges. The following quests will be added to the city’s “Noticeboard”. To learn more about this pack and about Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce go to www.tecmokoeiamerica.com/strikeforce.

• Battle of Tong Gate
• Defense of Nan Zhong
• Martial Contest 1

File size: 101 KB

Dragon Ball: Raging Blast Ultimate Warriors Pack 1 (free)
“Dragon Ball: Raging Blast” Character Pack #8 is now available! The eighth release is the “Ultimate Warriors Pack 1!” This pack contains the fighters with ultimate abilities: Goku, Teen Gohan, Piccolo, Bardock and Super Gogeta! These fighters are already strong, but they now go beyond your imagination! See their true powers for yourself!
File size: 116 KB

Dante’s Inferno Dark Forest Pack ($4.99)
The Dark Forest pack includes the Disco Inferno costume, Stone of Wrath relic, and a prequel level featuring new enemies, puzzles, and storyline!
File size: 307 MB

Dante’s Inferno Relics Triple Pack ($2.99)
This pack contains three relics: ‘Paolo’s Heart’ for turning souls into mana, ‘Wing of Furie’ to increase the hit counter on your scythe, and ‘Brain of Ruggieri’ to allow you to dodge-roll from any special combo.
File size: 222 MB

Resident Evil 5 Costume Pack 2 ($1.99)
This costume pack is compatible with the original game. Play with Chris’ completely new take on tactical field armor with Heavy Metal, and give Sheva the sleek elegance of a power suit with Business. These costumes can also be used in The Mercenaries Reunion in addition to the main story.
File size: 116 MB

Resident Evil 5 Desparate Escape ($4.99)
This is the second installment of new content for RESIDENT EVIL 5. Learn the untold story of Jill’s escape during RESIDENT EVIL 5, and play as Rebecca Chambers and Josh Stone in The Mercenaries Reunion.
File size: 539 MB

topatoi: Pillar Of The Skies ($7.99)
topatoi for PlayStation 3 brings your screen to life with classic platforming gameplay over a variety of dynamic levels. Continue your journey through the brand new world of Sky Pillar with this exciting new add-on. New environments, a new gameplay experience, new bonus levels playable alone or in co-op mode, are all waiting for you in this, the second episode of topatoi saga!
File size: 116 MB

Guitar Hero 5
For all song credits please visit www.guitarhero.com.

• “Adam’s Song” by Blink-182 ($1.99)
• “All The Small Things” by Blink-182 ($1.99)
• “First Date” by Blink-182 ($1.99)
• Blink-182 Track Pack ($5.49) – Downloadable Track Pack featuring “First Date”, “All The Small Things”, and “Adam’s Song” by blink-182, Please Note: Many songs are available both as singles and as part of a Track Pack, so please carefully consider your purchases before downloading.

File sizes: 30 MB – 41 MB (singles), 100 MB (track pack)

The Beatles: Rock Band
Build your library for The Beatles: Rock Band by purchasing these song game tracks. For music credits, visit thebeatlesrockband.com.

• “All You Need Is Love” by The Beatles ($1.99)

File size: 20 MB

Rock Band
Build your Rock Band library by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit RockBand.com.

• “Downfall”— Trust Company ($1.99)
• “Panic Switch”— Silversun Pickups ($1.99)
• “Sort Of”— Silversun Pickup ($1.99)
• “White Falcon Fuzz”— The Mother Hips ($0.99)
• “Third Floor Story”— The Mother Hips ($0.99)
• “The Game”— Disturbed ($1.99)
• “Meaning of Life”— Disturbed ($1.99)
• “Voices”— Disturbed ($1.99)
• Disturbed Pack 2 ($5.49)- Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track pack: Disturbed Pack 02. This pack includes “Meaning of Life,” “The Game,” and “Voices” by Disturbed

File sizes: 24 MB – 56 MB (singles), 90 MB (track pack)

Game Videos (free)

Pulse 3/4 Edition
Join host Christina Lee for PULSE presented by the PlayStation Network. This edition features the next installment in the smash hit role playing series, FINAL FANTASY XIII, the bar-raising MLB 10: The Show, and an add-on that expands the world of UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves. New video features include 2012, Pirate Radio and Where the Wild Things Are.
File size: 255 MB (HD) 431 MB (1080)

make.believe Global Lifestyle Brand
File size: 133 MB (1080)

God of War 3 Vengeance Trailer
File size: 65 MB (HD) 109 MB (1080)

UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves PlayStation Heroes Trailer
File size: 53 MB (HD)

UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves – UNCHARTED: Drake’s Fortune Multiplayer Pack Trailer
File size: 45 MB (HD)

Dante’s Inferno Developer Diary – Treachery
File size: 150 MB (HD)

Dante’s Inferno Developer Diary – The Big Game
File size: 22 MB (HD)

Fallout: New Vegas Teaser Trailer
File size: 92 MB (HD)

BioShock 2 Launch Network Trailer
File size: 144 MB (HD)

Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Launch Trailer
File size: 49 MB (HD)

PS3 Themes

MLB 10: The Show Themes (x11) (White Sox, Indians, Tigers, Royals, Twins, Cubs, Reds, Astros, Brewers, Pirates and Cardinals) (free)
File sizes: 2.46 MB – 2.66 MB

2010 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Dynamic Theme ($3.99)
File size: 11 MB

make.believe Theme (free)
File size: 932 KB

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Theme (free)
File size: 6.12 MB

Clover Fractals Theme ($1.49)
File size: 5.4 MB

Nightmare Before Christmas Theme ($1.49)
File size: 3.36 MB

Vintage Comic Mickey Theme ($1.49)
File size: 4.84 MB

Abstract Premium Theme ($1.99)
File size: 6.93 MB

PlayStation Store for PSP

Downloadable Games (also available from PS3 Storefront)

MLB 10: The Show ($39.99)
Get the full major league experience, anytime and anywhere.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 846 MB

Major League Baseball 2K10 ($29.99)
Major League Baseball 2K10 brings baseball’s most exciting match-up to life: Pitchers vs. Hitters. Get ready to battle.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 1.31 GB

Dante’s Inferno (English and French versions) ($39.99)
You are Dante, a veteran of the Crusades who must chase his beloved Beatrice and try to free her soul from Lucifer’s grasp. As your pursuit takes you deeper into the pits of Hell, you must battle ever more fierce and hideous monsters—while also facing your own sins, a dark family past, and your unforgivable war crimes. Go to Hell.
ESRB Rated M
File sizes: 1.41 GB

Lunar: Silver Star Harmony ($29.99)
A classic is reborn! The beloved RPG classic, Lunar: The Silver Star, with its timeless tale of love, betrayal and redemption, is reborn exclusively on the PSP system as Lunar: Silver Star Harmony with all new graphics, added gameplay features, and a re-mastered soundtrack so that a whole new generation of fans can experience this legendary first entry of the Lunar universe, while added story elements will be sure to please returning fans.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 827 MB

PSP minis (also available from PS3 Storefront)

Digi-Tiles ($2.99)
File size: 4.88 MB

Vector TD ($3.99)
File size: 13 MB

Earthshield ($2.99)
File size: 6.01 MB

Legend of Kunoichi ($2.99)
File size: 7.41 MB

Smashbreak ($2.99)
File size: 5.06 MB

Game Demos (also available from PS3 Storefront) (free)

Patchwork Heroes Demo
The fate of a city is in your hands! Act quickly in 30 levels to save cities from giant looming warships in this fun action game. Become a hero by controlling a powerful destructive vehicle that can cut enemy ships apart into patches of different sizes that crash to the ground. Dodge enemies, rescue trapped comrades, and use special attacks to beat each ship before time runs out!
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 27 MB

Add-On Game Content (also available from PS3 Storefront)

LittleBigPlanet PSP Canyons Costumes (free)
PLAY, CREATE, SHARE…Everywhere. LittleBigPlanet’s critically acclaimed “PLAY, CREATE, SHARE” experience, makes its way to the PSP system with a completely new Sackboy adventure. Get two free costumes from the Canyons level of the PS3 version of the game. NOTE: Manual Update required
File size: 2.5 MB

LittleBigPlanet PSP Canyons Theme Pack ($2.99)
PLAY, CREATE, SHARE…Everywhere. Download a new set of costumes and CREATE materials to create your own Canyons levels! The Canyons Theme Pack includes 2 costumes, 19 materials, 15 stickers, 1 music kit, and 1 background. NOTE: Manual Update required
File size: 2.65 MB

BUZZ! Quiz World Sci-Fi Movies Pack ($2.99)
Sci-Fi movie questions to stump your competition into outer space — but will you need to phone home to find out the answers? This BUZZ! Quiz World PSP quiz pack features hundreds of questions about science fiction movies to play in any of your favorite BUZZ! Quiz World PSP game modes. Download this quiz pack today and turn your party into the ultimate trivia showdown. Challenge friends and family and “Show ‘em Your Trivia!”
File size: 64 MB

Game Videos (free)

The Tester Episode 3
File size: 138 MB

Pulse 3/4 Edition
File size: 47 MB

God of War 3 Vengeance PSP Trailer
File size: 65 MB

echoshift Trailer
File size: 12 MB

Dante’s Inferno Developer Diary – Treachery
File size: 36 MB

Dante’s Inferno The Big Game
File size: 5.43 MB

PSP Themes (also available from PS3 Storefront)

MLB 10: The Show Themes (x11) (White Sox, Indians, Tigers, Royals, Twins, Cubs, Reds, Astros, Brewers, Pirates and Cardinals) (free)
File sizes: 2.46 KB – 2.66 KB

2010 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit PSP Theme ($1.49)
File sizes: 509 KB

Bad Business 2 – Delinquent Lincoln PSP Theme ($1.49)
File size: 688 KB

Bad Business 2 – Roast Master Cleveland PSP Theme ($1.49)
File size: 630 KB

Clover Fractals PSP Theme ($1.49)
File size: 460 KB

While what we've seen of the track editor in ModNation Racers has been impressive so far. But it's always lacked a certain amount of ... carnage. It looks like that's about to change, as this new trailer from the PlayStation.Blog introduces some truly wacky props. Creators will be able to place devices like the Wall of Flame, the Turntable of Destruction, and the Devastator. Oh, and did we mention there are giant camels?

With launchers, ramps and other lethal traps, ModNation Racers just got a lot more interesting. With these new tools on hand, we hope to see someone create a devious track that finally bests Rainbow Road from the original Super Mario Kart. Check out the video after the break.

Just one more reason to get yourself ready for the Netflix launch on Wii. Soon you can stream this baby right through Nintendo’s little white box!

The best of the best.

A portion of a Pure Nintendo review… If you enjoy games that take patience, thoughtful processing, and time, you will enjoy this game. If you do not enjoy any of those things, like me, you probably will want to look elsewhere for a new DS game.

The best of the best.

#impressions We here at Kotaku have been underwhelmed by forthcoming Cavia-made video game Nier Gestalt. We have played it and been bewildered. We have questioned the game's reason for being. So, uh, last time I saw it, I liked it. More »

Come celebrate the release of the most anticipated game of 2010 – by playing it early!

Earlier today, we sent this God of War III invite out to media, industry luminaries, heads of state, space marines, surviving Greek and Roman gods, and select reality TV show stars (nobody from celebrity rehab shows, thankyouverymuch).

Assuming you don’t fit into one of those categories, we did what we always do here at PlayStation.Blog: score extra tickets for you community members. We’ve got a couple HUNDRED tickets to get some of our close, personal friends (this means *you*) into this super-exclusive event, where you’ll get to go hands-on with the final, polished version of God of War III, enjoy our legendary hospitality, and watch a Really-Awesome-Band-That-I-Can’t-Name-Yet perform.

What do you need to do? Well – just show up.

Based on previous meet-ups we’ve held, we know some of you will get there early. For this event – we’re expecting it. Heck, we’re practically demanding it!

While the hands-on event doesn’t start until 7pm – we’re setting up a Community-Only pre-event party that goes on all day. We’ll have free food from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Tacos of the Gods, anyone?), limited edition schwag giveaways, free wi-fi (we expect you to Tweet!), the chance to put yourself on the God of War III box, autographs with the developers and CHAOS…in the form of games, of course. We’ve got some really good stuff planned, so take the day off, make the drive from LA/Vegas/St. Louis, and get there early!

This event will be limited, so if you want to go, be sure to RSVP on our Facebook event page.

Here are some important details:

• The hands-on event goes from 7-10pm on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at the SF Concourse Exhibition Center. The pre-party meet-up begins at noon (you’ll see our tent in venue’s parking lot). Directions here. Don’t even think of strolling up at 6.30pm – you ain’t getting in!
• Keep in mind that you must be 21 or older to get into evening hands-on event, but anyone 18+ (or with their parent/guardian) can come to the all-day meetup. ID *will* be checked!
• Parking is rough in the area, so try to take BART or Caltrain – both very close to venue.
• Once you’re in, you’re in — no ins and outs (don’t worry, we will have bathrooms). Unless of course you don’t want to stick around for the amazingly awesome hands-on event at 7pm. Then you’re free to leave at will…but you’re making a HUGE mistake!
• You must RSVP via this Facebook event invite
• Be sure to leave your replica Blades of Chaos at home
• You might wanna think about bringing your PSP ;-)

The End Begins at GDC. Will you be there?

Michael Ironside is like one of those dudes you respect so much, he could show up at your house, eat the last of your Nilla Wafers, break your Solid Snake figurine collection while tracking mud all over the house and you'd still love him afterward. He's got unlimited clout and his job as the voice of Sam Fisher, protagonist in Splinter Cell: Conviction, is just one of the many respectable bullet points the man has on his resume.

In that vein, we thought it appropriate to point out the brief video interview with Mr. Ironside above, which discusses coming back to the character for the fifth time and how this time around, the dialogue was "emotionally richer" than what he's used to. Frankly, we don't buy that. We were a mess when Lt. Rasczak bought the farm in Starship Troopers -- a performance that was about as emotionally rich as they come.

#playstationnetwork Thank god it's Thursday, when new episodes of the PlayStation Network's only reality show, The Tester, brings us new trials, fresh tears and one less contestant vying for a QA position at Sony. Oh! It also brings our weekly liveblog. More »

More screens here * GameTitle: Jr. League Sports * Developer: Data Design Interactive * Publisher: XS Games * Genre: Sports * Platforms: Wii * Release Date: March 2010 * Price: $19.99 [...]

Bigger isn’t always better Let’s face it…the DSi XL isn’t exactly a pocket-sized gaming device. It’s going to be a little harder lugging this guy around than it is your DSi. It’s not going to be a massive pain, but it might be just enough to put you off of a purchase.

It's like the zombies are coming right at you.

The German team's third game heads into Mario's territory.

#addiction A Korean couple is said to have neglected their infant - to the point of starvation - while they fed their own online gaming addiction in Internet cafes. The Sun's reporting this, so, let's get our sensationalism detectors on. More »

Ludwig offered some high praise in our Best of the Rest series for Shatter, the Arkanoid-inspired PSN arcade game. Not content on making the game exclusive to PS3 owners, developer Sidhe has announced a new platform for brick-busting: the PC. Arriving on Steam in "the coming weeks," the PC port will feature new game modes, including Endless, Endless Co-Op, Time Attack and Time Attack Co-op.

Fans of the original Shatter eager to get their hands on the new content won't have to buy the PC version, though. Sidhe director Mario Wynands told the NeoGAF community that "we will be bringing the new modes back to the PSN version"; however, it's unclear if the new modes will arrive as a free title update, or premium DLC. "[We] haven't worked out the exact nature or timing of that yet," Wynands told PSN Stores. Considering the low price of the original, we're certain fans won't mind spending a few more dollars to access the new content.

#godofwariii What is considered out of bounds for the God of War series? It's not violence, as players will decapitate and eviscerate enemies with gory, glorious detail. It's not sex, either, as God of War III continues the series' naughty mini-game tradition. It's the laughs. More »

There's an old saying: "Beating the snot out of people is better with friends." At least, we think that's a saying. It really doesn't matter, though, as the video above pretty much proves it anyway. When Zeno Clash: Ultimate Edition lands on XBLA, it will bring with it new co-op modes that weren't seen in the PC version. Specifically, the game will feature split-screen and online co-op in the Pit and Tower challenge modes, which will also include leaderboards.

So, if ganging up on helpless bad guys and pummeling them to death sounds like fun, you should probably keep an eye on Zeno Clash.