All Topics Gaming older than one year ago

#northamerica Blacklight: Tango Down and Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare may be the most exciting new additions to the North American PlayStation Store, but no other piece of content has a name as great as Z.H.P.: Unlosing Ranger VS Darkdeath Evilman. More »

We've planted the first footage of Plants vs. Zombies DS (due January 2011) right here, offering a glimpse of the new minigames: Heat Wave, Homerun Derby, Bomb All Together and a shmup called Air Raid. The DS version also touts new achievements and is, like all things PvZ, unbearably charming.

#clips Robotic French duo Daft Punk will be spinning the deadly discs of Tron: Legacy's digital soundtrack. They'll also be making a cameo in Disney's sequel to the original Tron. Get a sneak peek at both, right now. More »

This week's downloadable games for PSN include the port of online-only shooter Blacklight: Tango Down and the direct-to-PSN North American release of Superstars V8 Racing -- a title which makes us desire tomato juice like you wouldn't believe.

Also, for Rock Band 3 owners, the Rock Band 2 import should be available now through the PSN. However, RockBand.com -- where you'll need to go for the code required for the process -- is currently down pending its (hopefully impending) relaunch, so sit tight!

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

Could this be it? The long-rumored PlayStation Phone appears to have taken a giant leap towards being real, thanks to these incredible pictures sent to Engadget. Although the sliding D-Pad and PlayStation face buttons make it look very similar to a PSP Go, the Android-loaded device is considerably more powerful, sporting a 1GHz Qualcomm MSM8655 chip and 512MB of RAM. (The PSP, by comparison, has a 333MHz processor with 32MB of RAM.)

This prototype device certainly looks like the real deal, but the lack of a custom Android skin and any obvious PSP branding raises even more questions. When will this device be ready, let alone announced? How much will it be? What kind of games will be compatible with it?

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

PlayStation Plus

Red Dead Redemption – Undead Nightmare Pack (PlayStation Plus price $7.99, original price $9.99)
Red Dead Redemption – Legends and Killers Pack (PlayStation Plus price $7.99, original price $9.99)
Red Dead Redemption – Liars and Cheats Pack (PlayStation Plus price $7.99, original price $9.99)
*Sale ends on 11/2

Updates

MX Vs ATV Reflex Track Pack 1 – Permanent Price Drop (PS3) (now $1.99, original price $4.99)
MX Vs ATV Reflex Track Pack 2 – Permanent Price Drop (PS3) (now $1.99, original price $4.99)

Downloadable Games

Blacklight: Tango Down ($14.99)
Experience the bleeding edge of advanced warfare. Participate in the “NetWar”: a hyper-realistic battlefield letting you fight tomorrow’s conflicts with or against your friends in the gritty Blacklight universe. Customize your character and weaponry from among thousands of combinations to become the soldier you always wanted to be.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 672 MB

Superstars V8 Racing ($19.99)
Superstars V8 Racing is an arcade racing simulation offering solo play or multiplayer with up to seven other drivers online. Race along the best circuit tracks in the world against world famous drivers in real cars from Audi, BMW, Mercedes of Jaguar. Shift into simulation mode or get the feel of the course in training mode.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 1.5 GB

Game Demos (free)

Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit Demo
In this demo of Need For Speed Hot Pursuit, players will be able to experience the intensity of Cops versus Racers for the connected generation with one Hot Pursit and one Race event that challenges each player to set the best race and chase times amongst their friends through the groundbreaking Autolog.
ESRB Rated RP
File size: 1.55 GB

Blacklight: Tango Down Trial
In the Blacklight: Tango Down Trial, try out the bleeding edge of advanced warfare. Participate in the “NetWar”: a hyper-realistic battlefield letting you fight tomorrow’s conflicts with or against your friends in the gritty Blacklight universe. Customize your character and weaponry from among thousands of combinations to become the soldier you always wanted to be.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 672 MB

Dragon Ball Raging Blast 2 Demo
Unleash the rage within with the new Dragon Ball(R): Raging Blast 2 demo! Download the demo and freely command either Super Saiyan Goku, Kid Buu, Demon King Dabura or Ultimate Gohan in the ultimate battle of strength and stamina. Feel the power of your bone-crushing blows as you square off in VS. Mode using tons of special moves to dominate your rival in two of the game’s large-scale, 3D environments. Full game available November 2010!
ESRB Rated T
File size: 319 MB

Majin And The Forsaken Kingdom Demo
Get a glimpse into the world of Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom in this trial version. Play as Tepeu, a cunning young thief, as he forges an alliance with a giant monster, the Majin, to restore life back into a fallen empire. Traveling through majestic lands, use your wits as well as Majin’s growing abilities to defeat sinister creatures and overcome any challenge that lies in your path.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 272 MB

TV Superstars Demo
Cook, model, and battle your way beyond 15 minutes of fame and into celebrity stardom! Use the PlayStation Eye camera’s unique face-capture technology to place you, friends and family into the starring roles of five action-packed TV shows. Then use your PlayStation Move motion controller to physically compete and rise to the top of the “A list” to become a household name. Download the demo today and begin your rise to fame!
ESRB Rated E
File size: 1.29 GB

Add-on Game Content

High Velocity Bowling Move (free)
High Velocity Bowling now offers PlayStation Move motion controller support! Bowl like the pros with a realistic bowling swing and movement. This content addition provides PlayStation Move motion controller support.
File size: 100 KB

ModNation Racers – Stunt Props Pack (free until 11/9)
Use brand new track pieces to design your track with this new Props Pack! The Stunt Props Pack comes with an array of new track props to add new levels of danger and excitement to any racetrack including: 3 Scene Props, 7 Dynamic Props, and 4 Track Props to bring out your creativity and enhance your racing experience.
File size: 100 KB

EyePet DLC – Halloween Pack ($2.99)
The Hallowen Pack for EyePet brings the fun of Halloween directly to your living room! You’ve never seen a virtual pet quite like this. EyePet! Download the new pack today!
File size: 12 MB

PAIN – I, Probot DLC ($1.99)
Download this new and PAINful version of pinball today. Launch your favorite character into a giant table filled with tons of ways to bump and Ooch your score up onto the Global Leaderboards. As with other Add-on modes, you can play with any launchable character you already own. Download I, Probot today!
File size: 100 KB

PAIN – Souxxie Character Pack ($0.99)
Check out the latest launchable PAIN character known as Souxxie. She is a girl with a little funk to go with her punk, a new age rocker with a great set of… well, you get the idea. She comes complete with her own costume, poses, and sound effects and is playable in any of the modes and environments you own. Pick up Souxxie today and bring the PAIN!
File size: 100 KB

The Sims 3 Online Pass ($9.99)
This Online Pass grants you access to The Sims 3 Exchange. Access to online features is non-transferable. EA may discontinue online services with 30 days’ notice at http://www.ea.com/2/services-updates.
File size: 130 KB

MX Vs ATV Reflex Special Series DLC (free)
Series of five events set within five locations. Each event is played with a different event rule: Elimination, Rival, Section Race, Overthrow and Outrunner.
File size: 1.77 MB

WWE Smackdown Vs Raw 2011 – Fan Axxess ($9.99)
Fan Axxess is premium content for the ultimate WWE fan. With its purchase you get the All Unlockables, WWE Superstar Attribute Customizer, and an Online Ranking Fan Axxess badge. Fan Axxess is a discounted pre-payment for all future WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2011 downloadable content. Note: This purchase does not include Online Axxess or WWE Legend Bret Hart.
File size: 5.81 MB

Red Dead Redemption – Undead Nightmare Pack ($9.99)
Unleashed upon the world of Red Dead Redemption, the Undead Nightmare Pack features an entirely new single-player campaign following John Marston as he tries to find a cure for the highly-infectious undead plague spreading across the frontier.

In addition to this epic single-player adventure, the Undead Nightmare Pack also features a brand new multiplayer mode in addition to new gameplay mechanics, weapons, undead animals and mythical creatures.
File size: 1.7 GB

Def Jam Rapstar: MIMS – “This Is Why I’m Hot” ($1.99)
(Music Downloads Not Rated by the ESRB) Expand your DEF JAM RAPSTAR library with this song: “MIMS – This Is Why I’m Hot”. DEF JAM RAPSTAR game disc is required to play this downloadable content.
File size: 43 MB

Dead Rising 2 – Skills Pack – Sports Fan ($1.99)
This special costume brings Chuck’s inner sports fan to the surface!
File size: 4.08 MB

Super Street Fighter IV – Ultra Challengers Pack 1 ($3.99)
Download the first ultra-powered pack of alternate costumes for Super Street Fighter IV! New costumes for Hakan, Makoto, Guy, Dudley and Dee Jay are included. Don your ultra rad gear and go to town on the opposition! This downloadable content is only compatible with Super Street Fighter IV.
File size: 48 MB

Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock
For all song credits please visit www.guitarhero.com.

• “Sweet Transvestite” – The Rocky Horror Picture Show ($1.99)
• “Hot Patootie” – The Rocky Horror Picture Show ($1.99)
• “Time Warp” – The Rocky Horror Picture Show ($1.99)
• The Rocky Horror Picture Show Track Pack ($5.49) – Downloadable Track Pack featuring “Sweet Transvestite”, “Hot Patootie”, and “Time Warp” by The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Please Note: Many songs are available both as singles and as part of a Track Pack, so please carefully consider your purchases before downloading.
• “Black Hole Sun” – Soundgarden ($1.99)
• “Birth Ritual” – Soundgarden ($1.99)
• “Blow Up The Outside World” – Soundgarden ($1.99)
• “Burden In My Hand” – Soundgarden ($1.99)
• “Fell On Black Days” – Soundgarden ($1.99)
• “Hands All Over” – Soundgarden ($1.99)
• “Hunted Down” – Soundgarden ($1.99)
• “My Wave” – Soundgarden ($1.99)
• “Outshined” – Soundgarden ($1.99)
• “Rusty Cage” – Soundgarden ($1.99)
• “Spoonman” – Soundgarden ($1.99)

File size: 28 – 58 MB (singles), 107 MB (track pack)

Rock Band Network

• “Cheat On The Church” – Graveyard BBQ ($1.99)
• “Chiron Beta Prime” – Jonathan Coulton ($1.99)
• “How We’d Look On Paper” – The Main Drag ($0.99)
• “Life Unworthy Of Life” – Warpath ($0.99)
• “Rip’Er” – Lead the Dead ($0.99)

File size: 21 – 34 MB (singles)

Bundles

Red Dead Redemption – Undead Nightmare Collection ($19.99)
The Undead Nightmare Collection combines the Undead Nightmare Pack, Liars and Cheats Pack & Legends and Killers Pack, adding more single-player and multiplayer content to Red Dead Redemption.
ESRB Rated M
File size: 1.86 GB

Avatars

Darkstalkers Avatars (x4) ($0.49)
File size: 100 KB

Dead Rising 2 Avatars (x2) ($0.49)
File size: 100 KB

Ghouls ‘n Ghosts Avatars (x12) ($0.49)
File size: 100 KB

Kung Fu Rider Toby Avatar Bundle ($1.49)
File size: 700 KB

Uncharted Avatars (x10) ($0.49)
File size: 100 – 109 KB

Uncharted Avatar Pack 5 ($1.49)
File size: 530 KB

Uncharted Avatar Pack 6 ($1.49)
File size: 516 KB

Game Videos (free)

The Tester Season 2 Preview Episode
File size: 354 MB (SD), 534 MB (HD), 894 MB (1080)

God of War: Ghost of Sparta Origins Trailer
File size: 89 MB (HD)

Dead Nation – Upgrades Trailer
File size: 52 MB (HD), 87 MB (1080)

NBA 2K11 – Bulls Vs. Genghis Khan Trailer
File size: 29 MB (HD)

NBA 2K11 – MJ Present Day Trailer
File size: 23 MB (HD)

NBA 2K11 – MJ’s Greatest Moments Trailer
File size: 19 MB (HD)

NBA 2K11 Launch Trailer
File size: 80 MB (HD)

Soldner-X 2: Final Prototype The Last Chapter Trailer
File size: 61 MB (HD)

Medal of Honor – Friends From Afar Trailer
File size: 117 MB (HD)

Medal of Honor – Gunfighters Trailer
File size: 153 MB (HD)

Splatterhouse Trailer
File size: 71 MB (HD)

Superstars V8 Racing Trailer
File size: 24 MB (SD)

Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare Debut Trailer
File size: 42 MB (HD)

Sonic Adventure Launch Trailer
File size: 37 MB (HD)

Vanquish Gameplay Trailer #6
File size: 67 MB (HD)

Vanquish Gameplay Trailer #7
File size: 54 MB (HD)

Homefront – Multiplayer Debut Trailer
File size: 62 MB (HD)

PS3 Themes

Dead Nation Theme (free)
File size: 6.36 MB

TV Superstars Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
File size: 4.13 MB

Spartacus Blood and Sand Dynamic Theme (US Only) ($2.99)
File size: 29 MB

The Rosa Acosta Wild West Show Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
File size: 12 MB

Northern Lights Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
File size: 5.41 MB

PlayStation Store for PSP

Downloadable Games (also available from PS3 Storefront)

Bakugan: Defenders Of The Core ($19.99)
For the first time ever, ultimate monsters come to life in all-out brawls. In Bakugan: Defenders of the Core, you’ll seize real-time control of towering Bakugan as you unleash their fury in action-packed battles. A thrilling action game that gives you control of skyscraper-sized Bakugan in your quest to save the world’s cities from the evil Spectra and his Vexos armies. The fate of humankind is in your hands!
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 707 MB

Z.H.P.: Unlosing Ranger VS Darkdeath Evilman ($29.99)
Zettai Hero Project… Engage! You, the protagonist, were on your way back from the neighborhood convenience store, when you witnessed a fatal traffic accident! The victim handed you a strange-looking belt before taking his last breath. That belt was the morphing belt needed to turn into the “Absolute Victory Unlosing Ranger!”
ESRB Rated T
File size: 596 MB

WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2011 ($39.99)
You’ve seen the Superstars’ greatest moments on WWE programming. You’ve shared them and lived through them on television, on the web, and at the arenas. Now, it’s time for you to define your ultimate WWE moment, with WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2011. The most interactive experience in WWE. This is your moment.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 1.26 GB

PSP Minis (also available from PS3 Storefront)

Flick Fishing – Minis ($4.99)
ESRB Rated E
File size: 41 MB

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

LittleBigPlanet PSP – Costumes of Killzone ($0.99)
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. Show off your love for the Killzone franchise with these great outfits for Sackboy!
File size: 2.14 MB

Piyotama PSP: Halloween Skin (free)
Download this free skin for Piyotama to customize the look of Mother Piyo’s Hotai Forest! Download the Piyotama Halloween Skin today!
File size: 2.72 MB

Game Videos (free)

The Tester Season 2 Preview Episode
File size: 84 MB

These things still creep me out. There’s something about the whole Splatterhouse series that gives me a creepy vibe. It’s not the gore or anything, but the enemy designs and music to go along with it. What a strange, strange game.

#konami The further adventures of Travis Touchdown are coming to the PlayStation 3. No More Heroes: Heroes Paradise is coming to the PS3 in North America, bringing PlayStation Move support along with it. More »

You must excuse Team Meat for looking a little loony upon the completion of the duo's Game of the Year contender, Super Meat Boy. "I can't even count the amount of times I had breakdowns and my wife had to convince me that I need to finish the game and I'll be okay," co-CEO Edmund McMillen told Eurogamer of the development of the game (which eerily echoes our experience of playing it).

"We get five or six hours of sleep a day, max," McMillen recounted. "As time drags on and you get sleep-deprived things get really crazy" -- perhaps explaining some of Super Meat Boy's loopy brilliance.

Despite the grueling development process of the two-man team's first commercial release (currently available and on sale for Xbox Live Arcade), Team Meat has no plans to hire more staff nor seek a publishing deal (which "seems like the most awful thing ever") for the next game -- and it "won't be Meat Boy," McMillen insisted. "It'll be totally new."

"We'd be lying if we said we hadn't talked about the next game, because we very much have," a pooped out McMillen confessed. "But thinking about it right now makes me want to stab myself in the stomach as hard as I can. With a gun."

You guys know the drill by now. We’ve gone over this report by so many times. This is indeed a brand-new report from Greenpeace, but Nintendo falls dead last once again. If you want to check out the full report, just hit up the link below.

We've been fairly busy around the office this week after it was mandated that browsing International Stately Hats of Nationals was not a good use of time and there was work to be done on the next update.

Are you prepared to make your mother proud? We've joined up with Kritzkast to determine what the Demoman really said during his diatribe in Meet the Demoman. Our sensitive ears are incapable of determining exactly what was said so it's best left to the experts. The funniest clean entry, funniest not so clean entry, and most accurate will all receive prizes. Recording your brother being dominated in Dustbowl is not a valid entry.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Super Mario Bros.(TM), Nintendo announces two new limited edition Wii(TM) Mario packs and a special Nintendo DSi(TM) offer. Included in one of the new packs, Wii will be available in red for a limited time! Red Wii / New Super Mario Bros.(TM) Wii pack - Currently available in white or [...]

See why Timegate's orbital nutjobs might make their second drop something special.

#screengrab This Philips vacuum cleaner looks very familiar. As seen on Wii Nintendo. More »

Elemental: War of Magic's road to redemption is being paved with free stuff -- for those willing to take the ride. Stardock CEO Brad Wardell announced today on the game's forums that anyone who purchases (or already bought) the game before October 31, 2010, will receive the first two expansions to the game for free.

The company has been working to turn around the game's "disastrous" launch by showing it plans not to abandon the 4X strategy title. A major sign of support came earlier this month when Stardock hired Derek "Kael" Paxton as the studio's senior producer. Paxton is the creator of the popular Civilization über-mod Fall from Heaven.

Stardock plans to begin the beta testing of Elemental version 1.1 in early November. Owners of the game have the option to opt-in and find out how Elemental is evolving.

[Thanks, Chris P.]

Hey baseball fans! With the World Series ready to get underway, we’re here to predict the winner of this year’s Fall Classic using the most realistic baseball game on the market, MLB 10: The Show. We simulated the match-up between the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants, and are excited to see that a seven-game classic is in our future. Here’s a quick video rundown of the series:

Much as they did against the Yankees, Texas jumped to an early lead in Game 1 and then blew it open against the Giants bullpen. After San Francisco bounced back to take Game 2 easily, the series moved to Arlington for a pivotal Game 3. Texas battled back from a 4-0 deficit to lead 5-4 in the ninth, but Aubrey Huff hit a two-run homer off Neftali Feliz and the Giants seized control of the series with a 7-5 win. A 6-3 triumph in Game 4 extended the Giants’ lead three-games to one, but Cliff Lee continued to be an almost unhittable force in the postseason for the Rangers, throwing eight innings of six-hit ball and winning Game 5, 4-3.

Still, the Giants had two chances on their home field to win it all. In Game 6, it was the Rangers’ turn to leave the hometown fans heartbroken, as they rallied for two runs in the 8th and two more in the 10th to win 4-3 and force a deciding Game 7.

In Game 7, pitching ruled the day as the teams combined for just five hits over nine innings. Leading off the bottom of the 10th, Pat Burrell’s fourth home run of the Series not only cemented his claim to series MVP award, it gave the Giants their first World Series title since moving west in 1958.

Here are the game-by-game scores:

• Game 1: Texas 10, San Francisco 3
• Game 2: San Francisco 9, Texas 1
• Game 3: San Francisco 7, Texas 5
• Game 4: San Francisco 6, Texas 3
• Game 5: Texas 4, San Francisco 3
• Game 6: Texas 4, San Francisco 2 (10 innings)
• Game 7: San Francisco 1, Texas 0

And here are some of the Series’ top performers:

San Francisco Giants:

• Pat Burrell (MVP): 10-28, 4 HR, 11 RBI
• Buster Posey: 10-30, 3 HR, 6 RBI
• Matt Cain: 2 games, 1-0, 15 IP, 8H, 1 ER, CG in Game 2

Texas Rangers:

• Cliff Lee: 2 games, 2-0, 16 IP, 12 K, 2.81 ERA
• Josh Hamilton: 7-29, 2 2B, 3 RBI
• Elvis Andrus: 8-22, 4 runs, 2 RBI, 2 SB

How accurate is MLB 10: The Show? The World Series starts tomorrow – we’ll know soon!

Who doesn’t miss popping in a cartridge and having it glitch out on you? Sure, it could be a pain in the ass from time to time, but other times the game became completely different based on the level of garble! You were no longer running around in Castlevania, you were scaling a [...]

#food This plate of cookies, complete with bloody bullet holes, was spotted at the offices for the game developer behind F.E.A.R. 3, Day 1 Studios. We're told these iced delights were created by "the girlfriend of one of the designers." More »

Telltale's first episode of the Back to the Future game won't be free -- unless you've got power. Specifically, we're talking: "121GIGAWATTS" of power! That code, first spotted in the Blu-ray release of the time-traveling movie trilogy, grants access to a free copy of the first episode of the five-part series on PC or Mac.

Unless you're just "chicken," you can now make like a tree and register in advance for the free episode (which requires a Telltale account). Redeemers will be contacted in the future about when they can go back ... to the future -- in other words, this December.

You're playing Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions and you're thinking, "Man, all these different Spider-Men are confusing." Get ready to ease your addled mind: The Cosmic Spidey costume pack conveniently unifies all Spider-Men into one "Cosmic" being ... uh, with slightly different "universal" looks.

Update: Check out some screens in the gallery below and a trailer after the break.

#pc We are all over PC gaming this week, but what do we know about PC gaming? Each day, one Kotaku editor will reveal their PC gaming knowledge and share some memories. Yesterday you read about Totilo's experiences, now it's my turn. More »

Quick! Snap judgment: When you hear the term "dog outfit" with regard to Fable 3 -- a game widely known for its canine companion -- what do you think of? Perhaps an adorable little garment for your adorable best friend? Something gaudy and ostentatious -- you know, like horse armor?

That's a pretty logical guess, but keep in mind that we're talking about a series where lovers gravitate to the hero who farts the best. Logic isn't really Fable 3's strong suit -- as evidenced by the fact that the game's first premium DLC, the "Dog Outfit," is actually a costume worn by the player.

The getup will run you 160 Microsoft Points ($2), but that price should be justified by the strange looks your pet will give you when he sees you dressed as a giant version of himself. Not to mention the strange looks we will give you, because, hey dude, you just bought a dog costume.

[Thanks David!]

#lego Custom minifig creator Jaimie tells Kotaku he whipped up this little scarred beauty to celebrate the release of Red Dead Redemption's Undead Nightmare today. More »

Etsy user AnUnclesMonkey recently homebrewed a quartet of Plants vs. Zombies figurines -- all based on living species from the game. Act quickly, and you could even purchase one, including the Torchwood, Kernel Pult, Hypnoshroom or Peashooter (seen here).