PlayStation

Choplifter HD Coming To The PSN Tomorrow

by Jan Hutchings | Jan 9, 2012 | 23 comments

One of my favorite classic games on my Atari, Choplifter, finally gets its long-overdue sequel tomorrow. According to Sony and inXile Entertainment, the Unreal Engine-powered Choplifter HD will be released for download on the PSN tomorrow, January 10, 2012.

Choplifter casts players as an ace pilot as he is put into different missions where he must use his chopper to pick up injured soldiers, freed prisoners with the Blackhawk chopper. From time to time, he’ll have to bring the hurt to the enemy using fearsome attack choppers.

While the original game was more of a defensive game, Choplifter HD gives players a large variety of firepower to help with their missions. Players will go on over 30+ varied missions that have them going on rescue and attack missions all over the world. There are even zombie missions that have players saving people from becoming an undead delicacy.

If that wasn’t enough, players should also prepare to see characters from other games as they make special cameos in Choplifter HD; one of the biggest and baddest being the tough-as-nails Duke Nukem. inXile Entertainment has also said that they have plans to release free DLC with lots more zombies, choppers, and characters soon.

I had a chance to play Choplifter HD late in 2011 and was able to talk with the game’s developers. It looks like their vision of bringing the favorite’s classic gameplay into the HD-generation is going to be an awesome ride.

Check out our interview with game developers inXile Entertainment about Choplifter HD here.

Choplifter HD will go on sale this January 10th for $15 on the PlayStation Network.

SEGA’s House of the Dead 3 And 4 PSN-Bound

by Jan Hutchings | Jan 6, 2012 | 14 comments

Earlier this week, SEGA announced that they will be releasing HD-editions of House of the Dead 3 and 4 on the PlayStation Network later this year. It seems the company’s re-release of House of the Dead: Overkill met with success; enough to warrant bringing the two other games in the franchise to the PSN.

Of course, in addition to HD graphics both House of the Dead games will come with complete trophy and PlayStation Move support. This will be the first time both games will ever be released on a Sony game console. House of the Dead 3 was first released in 2002 in the arcades, later ported to the original Xbox, Windows, and finally the Nintendo Wii in 2008. House of the Dead 4; released in 2005, has never seen a console release until now.

I’ve actually been waiting for both of these games to hit the PS3 as light-gun games work perfectly with my recently purchased PlayStation Move Sharpshooter. No better feeling than blasting zombies with un-deadly firepower right?

House of the Dead 3 is coming to the PSN on February 7, 2012 while House of the Dead 4 releasing later in the spring.

PlayStation Store Update (01-03-2012)

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 3, 2012 | 21 comments

With the new year upon us and only one year left on this world (because you know, the whole 2012 end of the world thing), how has Sony decided to update the PlayStation Store? Lot’s of classics and free content it seems, especially if you are a PlayStation Plus member. Some highlights:

Resistance 3 The Legacy Grenade (free)
Resistance 3 Infected Nathan Hale Skin and Taunt (free)
Resistance 3 SPRA Black Ops Skin (free)
TNT Racers (Demo)
Free PS one Classics for PS+ members:

Syphon Filter
Syphon Filter 2
Syphon Filter 3

After the jump, the entirety of the update awaits you.

First Twisted Metal Prints Coming With Twisted Metal: Black Vouchers

by Jan Hutchings | Jan 2, 2012 | 0 comments

According to Twisted Metal Co-director David Jaffe, the first prints of the highly anticipated Twisted Metal will come with voucher for a downloadable copy of 2001’s Twisted Metal: Black.

Having packed-in games with big-name releases aren’t anything new these days. EA did it with Dead Space 2 which came with Dead Space: Extraction and Ubisoft included the original Assassin’s Creed with copies of the recently released Assassin’s Creed Revelations.

According to Jaffe, the voucher is for the original, unedited, version from 2001. That means Twisted Metal: Black will not come with any online modes featured in the online-only Twisted Metal: Black Online released at the same time as the PS2’s network adapter.

Twisted Metal is set to be released on February 14, 2012.

PS Vita 3G AT&T Data Prices Revealed (poll)

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 2, 2012 | 4 comments

As we creep closer to the PS Vita’s US launch date, we can expect more details to be revealed about the device. We already know that on February 22nd, the PS Vita will launch with a $249 Wi-Fi and $299 Wi-Fi + 3G variant from AT&T with a host of games like Uncharted: Golden Abyssand wipEout 2048. What’s been a mystery till now has been the pricing of the 3G data plans from AT&T. Many pondered if the 3G enabled handheld would gain some kind of special pricing from AT&T, seeing how it’s a different type of machine versus the iPhone or iPad. Now, we have the answer to that and it’s a big no.

In what should now be no surprise, AT&T is offering their traditional data plans for the PS Vita 3G model with two options:

250MB of data – $14.99/month
2GB of data – $25/month

Like the 3G data plan on the iPad, AT&T requires no monthly contracts and users can activate the 3G for a month period at their time of choosing from the machine (we believe since you can on the iPad). With PS Vita games coming on a flash card and or being downloaded via Wi-Fi (there is currently a 20MB download cap via 3G), it’s unclear how much data will be utilized to play games online with the Vita. Rumors have also circulated around AT&T offering a combined data plan, allowing you to share your data between machines (say iPad and Vita) but that’s something that’s entirely up to AT&T and out of Sony’s hands.

The PS Vita 3G also has other features like “Near Me” which shows you what those around you are playing and their scores. With a built in GPS, users can also play location based games and use maps.

PlayStation “Play Days” Discounts Select PS3 Accessories

by Jan Hutchings | Dec 27, 2011 | 24 comments

Just in case holiday shopping sprees haven’t bled everyone’s wallets dry yet, Sony announced that they will be having their “Play Days” PS3 accessory discount promotion that will run until January 21, 2011.

With “Play Days,” select PS3 accessories will recieve massive discounts ranging from 20 to 50 percent! And best of all, a great number of retailers are going to be participating in the promotion. So far, we know that Best Buy, Amazon, Sears, Toys R Us, KMart, GameStop, and more will be having the sales immediately.

Check out the full list of discounted PS3 accessories after the break.

UK PlayStation Vita Memory Cards Officially Priced, Missing 32GB Model

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 23, 2011 | 2 comments

As Japan continues to bathe in gaming goodness with a stellar PlayStation Vita launch, more information continues to trickle out from Sony in regards to the PS Vita’s launch in other countries. We’ve already learned the pricing of PlayStation Vita memory cards for the US. Now, Sony has officially priced the same memory cards for the UK. The only thing that European fans might not be happy about is the lack of 32GB card for that territory. We’ve reached out to Sony to find out if those territories will eventually receive a 32GB memory card but have yet to hear back. Pricing for the 4, 8, and 16GB cards are as follows:

GB Memory Card – €19.99/£17.99/$26.95 AUD/$34.95 NZD
8GB Memory Card – €34.99/£31.99/$44.95 AUD/$59.95 NZD
16GB Memory Card – €49.99/£44.99/$64.95 AUD/$84.95 NZD

Updated:

Sony responds to lack of 32GB memory cards:

at this time we are not planning to launch with the 32GB PS Vita Memory Card

More accessories and games priced, after the jump.

Sony Sells 50% Of Vita Shipment At Launch

by Jan Hutchings | Dec 22, 2011 | 2 comments

Even with (what seem to be false) news reports about the Vita’s technical woes, Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu reported that Sony has sold almost half of its initial Vita shipments during the first two days of the handheld’s launch. To be more specific, Sony has sold more than 321,407 of its 700,00 units in the first 48 hours that the system was available.

When we look at the launch numbers, it looks like the Vita sold well, but just fell short of meeting or surpassing Nintendo’s 3DS (The 3DS sold 371,000+ units during the two-day launch period).

The two PlayStation Vita SKU (Wi-Fi and 3G versions) were released on December 17, 2011. The Wi-Fi-enabled SKU is priced at 24,980 yen while the 3G version is priced at 29,980 yen.

PlayStation Vita Memory Cards Officially Priced. Cheaper Than Earlier Reported

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 22, 2011 | 92 comments

Many websites, including us, jumped on the bandwagon when GameStop listed its prices for the PlayStation Vita memory cards. The PS Vita memory cards which will come in 4, 8, 16, and 32GB variations will be available on February 15th, right along side of the PS Vita launch and were originally thought to be priced as follows:

~~4GB – $29.99~~
~~8GB – $44.99~~
~~16GB – $69.99~~
~~32GB – $119.99~~

However, we should have known that, like always, GameStop has no real prior knowledge of Sony’s strategy or pricing scheme. Because of this, GameStop just listed the prices they thought were correct, in which case they happened to be off by nearly 20%. Today, Sony has announced the real pricing of the memory cards and they are much more in line with other flash-based cards out there.

4GB – $19.99
8GB – $29.99
16GB – $59.99
32GB – $99.99

Sure it might not be here for Christmas but this should but a smile on everyone’s face, especially those who are budget sensitive which I believe is 99% of us. Find the comment section, after the jump.

Naughty Dog Talks Uncharted DLC and Bug Fixes

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 21, 2011 | 4 comments

Fans have been clamoring for any additional Uncharted 3 content they can get. Whether this comes in the form of bug fixes or new Uncharted DLC content, fans just want to hear and see more in the world of Nathan Drake. On the PlayStation Store, Uncharted fans can also purchase the Treasure Hunter’s Club for just $24.99 which gives them access to every single Uncharted 3 DLC that is bound for the PS3. So when exactly will future bug fixes and DLC content come from Naughty Dog? The answer is soon, but not too soon as Naughty Dog took to their Facebook page to answer and address some questions.

More for you, after the jump.

New PSP Dual Packs Incoming

by Jan Hutchings | Dec 21, 2011 | 14 comments

Sony announced today that they will be re-releasing a number of PSP classics as part of the Dual Pack series. Starting soon, gamers will be able to get two games for the price of one.

The games included in this new batch of Dual Packs are:

MotorStorm: Arctic Edge/Twisted Metal Head-On
Patapon/LocoRoco
Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee/Hot Shot Tennis: Get A Grip

Over the last few months, Sony has been packaging games together as part of the PSP Dual Pack series. So far we’ve had combinations of Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow with Killzone Liberation, Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror with Socom: Fireteam Bravo, and Secret Agent Clank with Daxter.

The newest dual packs will be available in January in UMD format as well as download for a low price of $14.99.

PlayStation Store Update (12-20-11)

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 20, 2011 | 0 comments

Your weekly PlayStation Store update is once again live with plenty of new content for you though nothing for the Vita yet (at least not in the States anyways). Some highlights include:

Sonic CD ($4.99)
L.A. Noire ($31.99)
Scene It? Movie Night Demo
Gran Turismo 5 Course Pack Family Upgrade (free)
MotorStorm Apocalypse Holiday Livery (free)

After the jump, the full list awaits you.

We Unbox the PlayStation 3D Display (video)

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 20, 2011 | 20 comments

Now that we’ve given you our video unboxing of the Playstation 3D glasses, it’s time to follow up with the reason for that glasses, our PlayStation 3D Display. Now despite what we sometimes encounter via our Twitter feed or our comments section, we don’t receive any units from Sony for testing purposes or get any form of discount from them. We are 100% independent from Sony; thus any review you see on the site is because we went out and purchased the product.

So with that being said, after the jump you can find our video unboxing of the PlayStation 3D Display. This would also be the opportune time for you to ask us any questions you might have as we will follow this video with a review.

PlayStation Vita Plagued With Bugs, Sony Issues Apology and Software Update

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 19, 2011 | 1 comment

To say there’s a lot riding on the PlayStation Vita for Sony is an understatement. The company whose been lacking a hit products for many years now as it continues falling behind to rivals like Apple and Samsung has just launched their latest portable handheld gaming console in Japan to long, sold out lines which is a good indicator. That is, till many users starting arriving home with their Vita units, only to find the system unresponsive and plagued with many bugs.

It should be noted that many high profile devices, especially those with multiple functionalities tend to have bugs during launch and this seems no different. The only concern is in the number of users who seem to be experiencing these bugs which is never a good thing, if for purely PR reasons. It does seem though that Sony was/is aware of such bugs as the company has already issued a public apology and released a new system update, designed to address bugs like unresponsive touch screens, complete system freezes, and poor performance.

We cannot currently confirm if the new system update has addressed all the mentioned issues but will be following the story closely. Sony will be launching the PS Vita on February 22nd for US gamers. After the jump, your chance to comment and Sony’s public apology.

Best Buy Marks the PlayStation 3D Display to $299

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 19, 2011 | 3 comments

I cannot stress enough how impressed I’ve been with our PlayStation 3D Display. Just a mere weeks ago, the 3D TV from Sony took a $100 price drop, down to $399, giving you quite a bang for your buck. Now, for their sale of the week, Best Buy has dropped the price of this 1080p TV by another $100, down to $299 with free shipping as well.

Regular readers of this site will know that we took delivery of our own PlayStation 3D Display and have since followed it up with a video unboxing. In the next few days, we’ll be putting together another video overview and a written review as well. So if you have any questions, let us know after the comments section and we’ll do our best to answer. Till then, I highly recommend looking at the PlayStation 3D Display at it’s $399 price tag which currently makes it a steal at $299.