1P Start

Not long ago Sony launched the PSP store on the PC. Through your USB cords and a program you had to download, you could download games straight to your PSP. While this feature was certainly cool, and a big ol’ boost for PSP owners, one question would constantly arise:

When the hell will we get this on our actual PSPs?!

Well, if you ask Eric Lempel, Playstation Network Operations Director, the PSP store is “definitely something we’re thinking about.” Gee, I would hope so considering it’s the freaking PSP store.

The reasons for the delay in the PSP launch and the launching of the service via PC first was so they could work out any security kinks and whatnot.

[PSPSPS]

Sony, PSP, PSP Store

The PSP, which will soon be getting a new battery that will improve its battery life by some 80% in newer models, is getting another little upgrade in the form of the 3.73 Firmware update.This newest update addresses some random occurences of the PSP failing to load data from the UMD. If you’ve never had this problem, then don’t sweat it.

To apply the update, simply go to your Network Update option in your Settings menu. If you’re not able to get online with your PSP (then odds are you aren’t reading this) simply go to the PSP System Update page and download the firmware update to your PC, and transfer to your PSP via the handy dandy USB cord.

Sony, PSP

Sony has answered the prayers of PSP Slim owners worldwide, announcing today a new battery pack that will add upwards of 80% more battery life for the PSP Slim. Not to be left in the dark, the original PSP will gain a cool 20% extended battery life.

Unfortunately the battery will still bulge out a little on the Slim, but not to fear. Sony is including a new battery cover that will make sure the new battery fits. Unfortunately, if you are one of those who own the Star Wars white PSPs… well, first you’re a tool. Secondly, you’re SOL as Sony will only be releasing black and silver backplates.

You can get your hands on this new battery sometime in December, for $44.99.

[PSP Fanboy]

Sony, PSP

If you own a PSP, rejoice! The PlayStation Store for the PSP is now live on your PC! That means if you want to play PlayStation classics like WipeOut or Crash Bandicoot, or download some of the latest demos for upcoming PSP games, you can finally do that from the comfort of your own office chair… unless you sit on a stool or somethin’, then I pity you.

By downloading the PlayStation Network downloader, you can download games and demos from your PC, and install them right onto your PSP.

If you own a PSP this is surely excellent news. If you’re not a PSP owner… well, then you’re probably not reading this, and if you are you have way, WAY too much time on your hands.

[PlayStation Store]
[PlayStation Network Downloader]

Sony, PSP, PlayStation Store

The Golden Compass `Iorek` Trailer - Large

Here’s the latest trailer to The Goldan Compass, an action/adventure game based on the film “The Golden Compass”, which itself is based on the first book in the “His Dark Materials” trilogy. After seeing the video, I have to say I’m pretty interested in seeing how this game comes out. After all, it’s not every day you get to maul people as a polar bear, right?

The Golden Compass will be released on the Xbox 360 on December 5th, and the Wii, PS2, PS3, PSP, and DS on December 7th.

[Gaming Today]

Sega, The Golden Compass, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PSP, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS

In my youth I was a huge wrestling fan. I was lucky enough to start watching wrestling at the height of the WWF/WCW wars of the 1990s, and actually switched my allegiance from WCW to WWF during what is now known as the “Attitude” era. Hell, I still own Stone Cold Steve Austin shirts, and I still wear them with pride.

Just not in public.

THQ has been pumping out the WWF/WWE games since 2000, and in fact has been involved the development and publishing of wrestling games since 1997’s atrociously bad WCW Nitro. Apparently, after a decade of practice, they still can’t get it right.

And it only enhanced the bad tastes Conan left in my mouth. (If any one of you sons of bitches makes a comment on that, I will hunt down your entire bloodline)

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Cyanide Studios, who’ve previously worked on several DS and PSP titles as well as Loki for the PC, have announced that they are working on a game called “Blood Bowl”, which will feature a new game engine developed by Cyanide Studios that promises to blend “real-life, real-time character behaviour for collisions, falls, tackles, kicks, punches, etc while takeing into account all the forces governing the game environment”.

Blood Bowl itself is based on a table-top fantasy football game from Games Workshop (Warhammer 40,000 ring a bell?), set in a universe where goblins, dwarfs, elves, trolls, orcs and humans settle their differences on the gridiron, in an obvious parody of American Football. I asked how the game will play, and while nothing is yet set in stone, I’ve been told that it will involve both Madden-esque real-time play as well as the tabletop/turn-based gameplay found in both the table-top game and Cyanide’s previous release, Chaos League. Of course, this info could easily change over time.

Blood Bowl is currently slated for a late 2008 release on the Xbox 360, PC, PSP and Nintendo DS.

Download the full resolution Blood Bowl image

Cyanide Studios, Blood Bowl

According to figures from GamesIndustry.biz (who they got from Media Create), Sony’s PlayStation 3 has overtaken the Nintendo Wii in sales.

In Japan.

This week.

While it is no surprise that the Nintendo DS and PlayStation Portable are #1 and #2. After all, the two handhelds have sold over 70 million units combined. However, the race for third has been a tight-knit, two-horse race between Sony and Nintendo for a while now and until this week the Wii had been able to hold off the PS3’s advances. But, this week Sony finally overtook Nintendo in weekly sales, selling close to 56K units while the Wii sold just under 35K. It continues a downward trend for the Wii, which has continued to slide in console sales for some time.

You Xbox fanboys out there… yeah, it sold 5,800 units. Yippee. Full figures after the break.

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If you live in Europe and have been waiting for the right time to get a PSP, you’re in for a treat as Sony and Electronic Arts have teamed up to release a special bundle for The Simpsons Game on PSP. The bundle, which comes packed with The Simpsons Game will feature a limited edition yellow and white PSP.

Now, if you live in the United States you’re out of luck. A Sony representative has informed us that this is a European exclusive. In short: It’s not coming over here. But hey, you still have Star Wars and Daxter, right?

The Simpsons Game, PSP, Sony, Electronic Arts, Europe

My excuse to buy a Wii is finally here! No, not Super Mario Galaxy, although that is pretty badass in itself. I am referring to Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles. Other notable games this week include Assassin’s Creed, Kane & Lynch: Dead Men and WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2008.

At this rate, we may have to cancel Christmas because we’re all broke.

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The list of nominees for the Video Game Awards by Spike has been released on ifilm.com, where you can ‘VOTE NOW!’ for the most addictive game fueled by the Nectar of the Tards (ie Mountain Dew), featuring 2006’s Wii Sports. Where as Game of the Year and Best RPG features the not even released yet, Mass Effect. All I know is The orange Box is going to take home something, being in 5 categories and even Valve getting themselves in Studio of the Year. Check the full list of Nominees after the break:

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Now that Halloween is behind us, it’s time to gear up for Christmas! …sure, there’s Thanksgiving and all, but let’s be honest: Who cares about a bunch of turkeys when Santa is but weeks away!?

Many notable games are due out this wee-*coughCallofDuty4cough*… excuse me. As I was saying, there are many not-*coughSimpsonsGamecough*… damn, must be gettin’ sick. Now, again, many notable games coming to all plat-*coughGearsofWarPCcough*… lots of games. Click after the break to see just what all is due in stores.

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A few days ago it was discovered that, by hacking into the PSP version of Manhunt 2, you could remove the pesky censorship and play Manhunt 2 as it was originally intended: chock full o’ guts! Naturally, this had people scared out of their wits that the ESRB would pull a… well, an ESRB, and re-rate Manhunt 2 like they had with Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion before it.

Not to fear, the ESRB is laying off the banhammer. For now. In a conference call with all the big gaming news organizations that I didn’t attend simply because I was busy reviewing a producting, ESRB el presidente Patricia Vance stated that due to the nature of the hack, the ESRB had no plans to return Manhunt 2 to its original rating of AO. The ESRB believes that Rockstar disclosed every piece of pertinent content to the review organization, and went on to remind parents that they can’t regulate mods and hacks.

What parents, and indeed all consumers, need to be aware of is that computer software and hardware devices are susceptible to unauthorized modification. Parents should be cognizant of whether or not their children are engaging in unauthorized modification of their games, consoles or handhelds, as those modifications can change game content in ways that may be inconsistent with the assigned ESRB rating.

Glad to hear that the ESRB is sitting this one out, even if it does seem slightly hypocritical that they allow this hack to go, but a similar hack (Hot Coffee) brought down everything but the literal hand of God. To me, it’s just more proof that violence is more accepted than sex in this culture.

Press Release after the break.

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Guitar Hero III and The Simpsons Game, if you aren’t getting one, you should get the other, hitting all three big systems this week. Though I am going to wait on Rock Band myself (I want those drums), Guitar Hero III is here now, and has a great line up of songs itself. The Simpsons Game might possibly be *the* Simpsons game to own, looking like a perfect mixture of comedy and gameplay, however, with the track record of past Simpson games, it may be best to keep an eye on Metacritic before making a full on dive into buying it.

Some other notable things this week, Manhunt 2 makes its way onto Wii, I might give this a rent, though never into the series, the fuss it has caused makes me curious as to the content. Virtual Fighter 5, the first good fighting game on the 360, I am still waiting on Soul Calibur, but for now, VF5 looks like a “definite rent.” PC games seem to reach into every single genre, even fashion designing. PS3 gets a hold of Stranglehold finally, and… well, time to just check the full list after the break:

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At the top of this week should be noted that PS3 finally has what some may consider a “system seller” title with Ratchet & Clank. Platformers are not everyones cup of tea, however you have to admit the game is rated ‘E for Everyone’ and can help the PS3 make sure it has some consoles sold this holiday season (that and the now “Affordable Edition” of the PS3).

I am not sure what is worse with Nintendo, the Dancing with the Stars (also on PS2) or the game that gives me nightmares of the Noid (NES) and Cool Spot (SNES) games, M&M Kart Racing!!! Seriously, what in the hell. Anyways, for the rest of the systems, there seems to be quite a bit of ’something for everyone’ .. Ace Combat (360), a new Phoenix Wright (DS), Assault Heroes (PC), and… well, just check the list after the break:

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