All Topics Gaming older than one year ago

#famitsu Lions, tigers and... pomeranians will run wild in the streets of a deserted Tokyo in Sony's newest PlayStation 3 exclusive, Tokyo Jungle, a most unusual concept revealed in the newest issue of Famitsu magazine. More »

If you're in the San Francisco area on September 7, you may want to stop by the Union Square shopping center, where characters from the Professor Layton series will let visitors step into a British phone booth and sample the upcoming Professor Layton and the Unwound Future. Combined total puzzle scores for guys will be pitted against ladies' scores as similar events are held in Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia.

... Hey, wait a minute! A puzzle-obsessed genius is trapping people in phone booths until they complete a battle of wits? Hell, toss in a couple of rotating blades and Cary Elwes and we've got a Saw movie on our hands.

#clips Forty minutes of expert level pinball, that is, from the deciding game at this month's Professional/Amateur Pinball Association World Pinball Championships. If you've got a thirst for pinball and the better part of an hour to spare, watch. More »

#madden Early discounts by retailers such as Amazon and Walmart stoked speculation that Madden's sales were coming slow. EA Sports is projecting a modest increase over what the title pulled last August. More »

Aww, poor PSP -- it's like you've been sitting out in the rain, looking through the window at all of the other consoles, laughing and having a good time together with Puzzle Quest 2. Well, come on in, buddy! You've finally been invited to the party.

IGN reports that Sony's handheld will indeed receive a port of Puzzle Quest 2, launching "towards the end of 2010." Oddly enough, the IGN piece mentions the game will be available for download via PSN and makes no mention of a UMD release. We've gone ahead and contacted the game's publisher, D3, for clarification.

Along with extreme tardiness, the PSP port brings with it a new game mode called Elite. Here, the difficulty of enemies has been ramped up, naturally yielding better rewards for players and more chances to throw your PSP to the ground in frustration.

Heading to Tokyo for the annual game show later this month, but your handmade convention center itinerary is sadly lacking ideas for how to divvy up time? No worries -- Sega, Konami, Level-5, and Tecmo-Koei have announced their showings for TGS 2010!

The highlight of, well, all of the listings is Level-5's news of a playable Ni no Kuni for both Nintendo DS and PlayStation 3. Sure, Konami bringing Metal Gear Solid: Rising is kind of exciting -- we guess -- but we've got a mighty large soft spot for Studio Ghibli animation. Perhaps yours was cut out by Raiden's urge to slice, slice, slice? Head past the break for the complete list of games, broken down by publisher.

I don’t know that I’d look to anyone in the Mushroom Kingdom for tips on how to be a villain. Mario seems to have no problem taking them down. We need some new villains that can actually best Mario!

#famitsu The PSP, healthier as a platform in Japan than anywhere else, is still the portable of choice for many in its native land. The new issue of Famitsu magazine unveils new details on two of the PSP's big forthcoming games. More »

#ruhroh Microsoft had to figure this was going to happen: Someone put their Kinect beta hardware and their console for sale on eBay, hoping to get $1,200 for it. It was rather quickly de-listed, however. More »

The new Goldeneye 007 doesn't have Pierce Brosnan and isn't a remake of the classic N64 title. This latest trailer looks at how Eurocom is reimagining the story of the film -- with Daniel Craig's Bond -- for today's audience. One thing you can't update: Joe Don Baker. Dude can't be reimagined.

In this modern era of high definition gaming, there's a certain set of gamers whose voices beg to be heard. This group wishes desperately to be a part of the new generation of gaming but, too often, they are left behind, forced to squint at tiny text that hasn't been optimized for standard definition televisions. At times the unfortunate condition can get so bad that it renders a game practically unplayable.

This forsaken group, also known as "the majority," has something to look forward to in Vanquish, as the recently released demo reveals an optional "SDTV mode." As the name implies, SDTV mode makes text and icons larger and, blessedly, legible.

EA Sports sacks the competition.

#roster Seventeen more fighters at the welterweight and lightweight divisions complete the EA Sports MMA roster, bringing to 60 the total number of combatants in the game. More »

We're still not 100 percent positive what the subtitle in DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue means. Perhaps our titular hero enjoys the snugness only a certain type of undergarment can provide? Regardless, we've got the next best thing for you today: gameplay footage.

Over at GameVideos, they've managed to procure four different gameplay sections showcasing several distinct areas of the game. We went on a quest to retrieve said videos, which show DeathSpank doing what he does best: making other people look like chumps. Feel free to swoon at our level 10 copy/paste ability past the break.

#northamerica Which game will win the download challenge for PlayStation 3 owners today? Will it be the recently added PlayStation Network version of Castle Crashers or the "Velocity Attack" demo of intense action shooter Vanquish? More »

We have a complete rundown of today's PSN update.

Two must-buy titles grace the PSN update this week. First up, for PS3, the Castle Crashers are finally set to rescue some princesses using classic 2D brawlin' -- you've put $15 aside for it, haven't you?

Also, PSP-owning fans of strategy titles shouldn't miss out on Valkyria Chronicles 2, the worthy follow-up to the overlooked PS3 gem.

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

The details aren’t clear right now, but this SaGa title may actually be a remake of a previous entry in the series. We’ll have more info as the night rolls on. Thanks to Johnny4 for the heads up!

#sony Sony is reported to be taking a shot at Apple's stronghold on the digital music and video market with a brand new multimedia subscription service, coming to the PlayStation Network (and beyond) next year. More »

Turn-based doesn't have to mean boring.

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

Updates

Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix – Sale (now $7.49, original price $14.99)
Digger HD – Sale (now $5.99, original price $9.99)
Mushroom Wars – Sale (now $5.99, original price $9.99)
Worms – Sale (now $6.49, original price $12.99)
Sam And Max – The Devil’s Playhouse – Full Season – Sale (now $19.99, original price $29.99)
Cuboid – Sale (now $5.99, original price $9.99)
Interpol: The Trail of Dr. Chaos – Sale (now $5.99, original price $9.99)
Magic Orbz – Sale (now $5.99, original price $9.99)
Mahjong Tales: Ancient Wisdom – Sale (now $5.99, original price $9.99)
Smash Cars – Sale (now $8.99, original price $14.99)
Wakeboarding HD – Sale (now $8.99, original price $14.99)
Hamsterball – Sale (now $5.99, original price $9.99)
DYNOGEMS – minis – Sale (now $1.99, original price $2.99)
Tehra: Dark Warrior – minis – Sale (now $2.99, original price $4.99)

Downloadable Games

Castle Crashers ($14.99)
Hack, slash, and smash your way to victory in this award winning 2D arcade adventure from The Behemoth. Play with up to three friends locally or online and discover mind-boggling magic and mystery like you’ve never seen before.
Save your princess, defend your kingdom, and crash some castles! Play with more than 25 unlockable characters, dozens of weapons to customize your hero, and an arsenal of combos and magical attacks to choose from.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 153 MB

Sam And Max Episode 5: The City That Dares Not Sleep (free with purchase of full season)
This is the biggest Sam & Max game ever. An enormous, scaly, floppy-eared monster is rampaging through the city, and Sam assembles a crack team to stop him! To end the mayhem, they must venture … inside … the creature! With an all star cast of heroes and villains – you’ll be riveted to your seat for each thrilling twist, and the truly shocking conclusion in this series finale episode!
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 365 MB

PSone Classics

Theme Hospital ($5.99)
Manage floor designs, hire medical staff, and cure some of the wackiest diseases known to man. Act quickly though, it is sure to be a matter of laugh and death! Download this PS one Classic today!
ESRB Rated E
File size: 123 MB

Game Demos (free)

Castle Crashers Trial
Download this trial version of Castle Crashers and begin your epic journey into a world of magic and mystery. Enjoy a taste of the most exhilarating 2D adventure you’ve ever experienced brought to you by the award winning studio, The Behemoth. Continue the adventure in the full version with more than 25 unlockable characters, dozens of weapons to customize your hero, and an arsenal of combos and magical attacks to choose from.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 153 MB

Vanquish Official Demo – Velocity Attack
VANQUISH OFFICIAL DEMO – VELOCITY ATTACK gives you the chance to boost and blast your way in a frenetic action-shooter!
ESRB Rated M
File size: 711 MB

R.U.S.E. Demo
Play an exclusive mission from the Italy campaign in this R.U.S.E. single-player demo! You’ll play as U.S. General Joe Sheridan. Your final objective : clean the Tunisian Front in destroying or capturing a German and Italian HQ.
R.U.S.E is a one-of-a-kind RTS game that allows players to deceive and manipulate their enemies to lead their nation to victory, controlling the action from the heart of the battlefield to the full theater of war.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 1.37 GB

Add-on Game Content

ModNation Racers: Lil’ Tinker Mod ($0.99)
Some kids were just born to race. Sporting a homemade Soap Box Racer and X-Ray Specs, this little rascal is ready to go! This ModNation Racers Mod includes a fully-designed Mod, as well as several related parts and accessories for you to Create with. Download this pack today!
File size: 100 KB

ModNation Racers: Lil’ Tinker Kart ($0.99)
Some kids were just born to race. Sporting a homemade Soap Box Racer and X-Ray Specs, this little rascal is ready to go! This ModNation Racers Mod and Kart pack includes a fully-designed Mod, Kart, as well as several related parts and accessories for you to Create within the Mod and Kart Studios. Download this pack today!
File size: 100 KB

ModNation Racers: Lil’ Tinker Mod and Kart ($1.75)
Some kids were just born to race. Sporting a homemade Soap Box Racer and X-Ray Specs, this little rascal is ready to go! This ModNation Racers Mod and Kart pack includes a fully-designed Mod, Kart, as well as several related parts and accessories for you to Create with in the Mod and Kart Studios. Download this pack today!
File size: 100 KB

MAG – Characters Slot B ($0.99/month)
Expand your horizons by adding extra characters to your MAG account. This single character slot addition enables you to create and build another soldier in MAG in addition to your main character. Join another PMC and witness the Shadow War from the other side, explore new specializations, or prove your valor by leveling multiple characters at once. Download your character slot today!
File size: N/A

MAG – Characters Slot C ($0.99/month)
Expand your horizons by adding extra characters to your MAG account. This single character slot addition enables you to create and build another soldier in MAG in addition to your main character. Join another PMC and witness the Shadow War from the other side, explore new specializations, or prove your valor by leveling multiple characters at once. Download your character slot today!
File size: N/A

Bioshock 2 – Minerva’s Den ($9.99)
As a newly-awakened Big Daddy, enter Minerva’s Den: three sprawling levels filled with Rapture’s cutting-edge technology. Explore robotics labs, the Air-Tite Archives, and ultimately the inner workings of “The Thinker” itself, a 30-ton mainframe computer that makes up the braind of Rapture. Through miles of cable, circuits and relays, buzz the city’s deepest secrets, just waiting to be uncovered.
File size: 1.36 GB

Split Second Elite Vehicle Livery Pack (free)
Download “The Elite” Livery Pack now and access new liveries for the Elite vehicles of Brawn, Vixen and Raptor!
File size: 49 MB

Split Second Elite High Octane Supercar Vehicle Pack ($1.99)
Download the new “High Octane” Supercar Pack now and enhance your supercar selection with 3 new vehicles!
File size: 63 MB

Split Second Elite Ryback Cyclone Special (free)
Download this special edition vehicle now to look slick on the race track and increase your car collection!
File size: 63 MB

Yakuza 3: Challenge Pack ($3.99)
Thank you for pre-ordering Yakuza 3: the next cinematic chapter in the series. This bonus Challenge Pack will allow you to enjoy 2-player mini games, competing against your friends at Pool, Bowling, Darts and Golf. You will also be able to customize the principle characters with four alternative costumes for Kazuma, Haruka and Rikiya. (A Completed game save file required to access some of this content.)
File size: 100 KB

Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days – Alliance Weapon Pack ($2.99)
Increase your weapons arsenal with 7 powerful new weapons for all Multiplayer modes & Arcade mode.
File size: 100 KB

Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days – Multiplayer Mask Pack ($1.99)
Conceal your identity with 8 costume masks stolen from a Chinese gift shop, for all Multiplayer modes and Arcade mode.
File size: 100 KB

Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days – The Doggie Bag ($5.99)
Take on new heists with 3 new Shanghai maps & 5 new weapons, all for multiplayer & arcade modes.
File size: 492 MB

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

• Boom – P.O.D. ($1.99)
• Southtown – P.O.D. ($1.99)
• Youth of the Nation – P.O.D. ($1.99)
• P.O.D. Track Pack ($5.49) – Downloadable Track Pack featuring “Boom”, “Southtown”, and “Youth of the Nation” by P.O.D. 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 size: 33 – 45 MB (singles), 118 MB (track pack)

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

• “Days Go By″ – Keith Urban ($1.99)
• “Fancy″ – Reba McEntire ($1.99)
• “Hell On The Heart″ – Eric Church ($1.99)
• “It Happens″ – Sugarland ($1.99)
• “Lookin’ For A Good Time″ – Lady Antebellum ($1.99)
• “Rebound″ – Laura Bell Bundy ($1.99)
• “What Was I Thinkin’″ – Dierks Bentley ($1.99)
• “Women″ – Jamey Johnson ($1.99)
• “Would You Go With Me″ – Josh Turner ($1.99)
• Country Pack 04 ($14.99) – Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track pack: Country Pack 04. This pack includes “Days Go By” by Keith Urban, “Fancy” by Reba McEntire, “Hell On The Heart” by Eric Church, “It Happens” by Sugarland, “Lookin’ For A Good Time” by Lady Antebellum, “Rebound” by Laura Bell Bundy, “What Was I Thinkin’” by Dierks Bentley, “Women” by Jamey Johnson, and “Would You Go With Me” by Josh Turner.

Rock Band Network

• “Bang Camaro” – Bang Camaro ($1.99)
• “Do Not Disturb (Tell Me How Bad)” – Let’s Get It ($0.99)
• “Hard To See” – Five Finger Death Punch ($1.99)
• “Seven” – Sunny Day Real Estate ($1.99)
• “Where Were You” – Every Avenue ($1.99)

File size: 20 – 33 MB (singles), 236 MB (track pack)

Avatars

Mega Man 10 Avatars ($0.49) (x3)
File size: 100 KB

Super Street Fighter IV Avatars ($0.49) (x3)
File size: 102 – 107 KB

Top Gun Avatar ($0.49)
File size: 130 KB

Savage Moon Avatars ($0.49) (x4)
File size: 100 – 125 KB

Savage Moon Avatar Bundle ($1.25)
File size: 438 KB

Game Videos (free)

Bioshock 2 – Protector Trials Trailer
File size: 66 MB (HD)

Mafia II – Developer Diary #3
File size: 151 MB (HD)

Mafia II – Launch Trailer
File size: 40 MB (HD)

Brink Developer Diary #4
File size: 127 MB (HD), 209 MB (1080)

Neverdead E3 2010 Trailer
File size: 75 MB (HD)

Neverdead Gamescom 2010 Trailer
File size: 42 MB (HD)

Thor: The Video Game Announcement Trailer
File size: 35 MB (HD)

Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days – Gaming’s Most Notorious Criminals Trailer
File size: 67 MB (HD)

Lara Croft And The Guardian Of Light – Weapons, Artifacts, and Relics Trailer
File size: 57 MB (HD)

Sam And Max – The Devil’s Playhouse – Full Series Trailer
File size: 77 MB (HD), 123 MB (1080)

LORD Of ARCANA – Gamescom Trailer
File size: 45 MB (HD)

PS3 Themes

PixelJunk Racers 2nd Lap Theme (free)
File size: 1.84 MB

Young Thor Theme (free)
File size: 939 KB

NCAA Dynamic Theme – Texas ($2.99)
File size: 3.13 MB

NCAA Dynamic Theme – Alabama ($2.99)
File size: 3.14 MB

NCAA Dynamic Theme – Miami ($2.99)
File size: 3.23 MB

NCAA Dynamic Theme – North Carolina ($2.99)
File size: 3.21 MB

NCAA Dynamic Theme – Georgia ($2.99)
File size: 3.13 MB

NCAA Dynamic Theme – Kentucky ($2.99)
File size: 3.23 MB

NCAA Dynamic Theme – Florida ($2.99)
File size: 3.37 MB

NCAA Dynamic Theme – Oregon ($2.99)
File size: 3.10 MB

Romantic Petals ($0.99)
File size: 4.48 MB

Dr. Butcher ($1.99)
File size: 5.64 MB

Wallpapers (free)

PixelJunk Racers 2nd Lap Wallpaper #1
File size: 94 KB (SD), 327 KB (1080)

Shank Wallpaper 1
File size: 202 KB (SD), 841 KB (1080)

Shank Wallpaper 2
File size: 151 KB (SD), 614 KB (1080)

Shank Wallpaper 3
File size: 186 KB (SD), 781 KB (1080)

PlayStation Store for PSP

Downloadable Games (also available from PS3 Storefront)

Valkyria Chronicles 2 ($39.99)
The epic RPG continues as Gallia erupts in civil war against a Rebel army plotting to overthrow the country’s regime. Lead your fellow classmates on a heroic journey through 200+ missions, fight with 30 brand new military units and customize characters, weapons and tanks with over 3 times the options as before! Experience the all new co-op and versus multiplayer modes and the revamped BLiTZ Battle System!
ESRB Rated T
File size: 826 MB

PSP Minis (also available from PS3 Storefront)

Coconut Dodge – Minis ($3.99)
ESRB Rated E
File size: 22 MB

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

LittleBigPlanet PSP – King Arthur Costume (free)
There’s no need to be a lady in waiting, your Sackperson can now be the Queen of the kingdom with this wonderful free Guinevere costume. NOTE: Manual Update required
File size: 1.42 MB

LittleBigPlanet PSP – King Arthur Pack ($2.99)
Journey back to an age of chivalry with this incredible new King Arthur pack. Now you too can live the legend with a wealth of stickers and costumes fit for a king! Includes 5 costumes and 12 stickers to make your own King Arthur levels! NOTE: Manual Update required
File size: 1.43 MB

Game Videos (free)

Ys Seven Trailer
File size: 12 MB

PSP Themes (also available from PS3 Storefront)

Young Thor PSP Theme (free)
File size: 388 KB

Embark on a quest for booty in the upcoming DLC, "Barnacle Bay," for The Sims 3 -- er, wait, we're mixing up our content here! Rather: You'll get to explore a tropical paradise in the Barnacle Bay, available for download this fall. Whether you decide to be a lowdown, dirty pirate on the hunt for treasure and grog, or a sightseeing tourist looking to soak up virtual sun, is up to you.

The Barnacle Bay area will be sold exclusively through The Sims 3 Store. Within, you'll discover new locales such as Founder's Beach, Goldbeard Galleon Gallery and Pirate's Hideaway -- plus several other locations and NPCs that await your inner Magellan. The expansion pack will also include "nearly two dozen" new items.

Much in the vein of Wii Play, it seems the European version of Wii Party will come with an additional, savory bonus: an extra Wii Remote. According to Siliconera, every copy of the game (which drops in Europe October 8) will come with a new controller -- a slight departure from the game's Japanese release strategy, which offered a controller bundle for 6,800 yen ($81), and a controller-less copy of the game for 4,800 yen ($57).

The game will be out in North America on October 3, but we still haven't heard whether we'll also be able to choose between different Wii Party SKUs. Sometimes you feel like a Wiimote, but sometimes you don't, you know? (Particularly when you already have four.)

#trademarks Monday Night Combat. Evokes a sense of battle-as-primetime sport, right? Sure, thanks to a certain football broadcast. Uber Entertainment filed and owns the Monday Night Combat trademark, but it had backup plans in case the lawyer-mans raised a fuss. More »

#tokyogameshow We're just a few weeks away from the 2010 Tokyo Game Show and publishers are started to tout their wares. Professor Layton and Dragon Quest developer Level-5 is one of the first to announce its plans... and they're exciting! More »

As Guild Wars 2 preps for its US hands-on debut at PAX this weekend, we followed up with NCsoft about the current state of the series. The publisher informed us that the original Guild Wars has now sold over 6.5 million units. Roughly half of those copies found homes in Europe, with Germany making up the largest fan base, which is why the publisher debuted hands-on gameplay for the sequel at this year's Gamescom.

As for Guild Wars 2's speculated release window, NCsoft is taking the Blizzard approach to the game's launch status and saying "when it's done." A representative for the company told us an MMO -- even one like Guild Wars 2 that is going down a different path -- can't be released nowadays until it's finished. It's a lesson NCsoft learned harshly through Tabula Rasa. Hopefully the eventual launch of Guild Wars 2 will wipe the slate clean of that painful memory.

Wondering when you'll get to read IGN's verdict on Bungie's last Halo game?