Wow, it’s March already. It feels like just yesterday that we were bombarded with the Holiday deluge of games. Thankfully, things haven’t slowed down too much since then, with the likes of Killzone 2, Street Fighter IV, and more. Read on for today’s headlines:

• Want Trophies in Metal Gear Solid 4? Konami hears you, but that doesn’t mean they will add them.
• Speaking of Trophies, starting tomorrow you’ll be able to show them off on PlayStation.Com.
• If you were hoping for a patch to fix the controls in Killzone 2, don’t hold your breath. Guerilla likes them that way.
• Tenchu: Shadow Assassins will be hitting the PSP later this month.

Post from: EveryJoe

Today in PlayStation: March 2, 2009

We’re nearing the end of the month, with Spring (hopefully!) on its way. Unfortunately, this weeks PlayStation Store updateleaves a lot to be desired. What ever happened to weekly free costumes for LittleBigPlanet? Oh well, read on for today’s headlines:

• Patapon 2 has been given an official North American release dateof May 5. Even better, players will soon be able to dress up their Sackboy’s as little Pata people.
• The folks over at NEO GAF have created a truly awesome level based on the 8 bit classic Contra.
• More Home spaces have been announced, this time based on SOCOM and Siren. No word on when we can expect to see them though.
• Criterion has updated the new Burnout Paradise page, which now includes friends and Twitter support.
• It’s not much, we have a few detailsfor the upcoming PSP version of LittleBigPlanet. It’s not being developed by Media Molecule, and it looks like it will be similar to the PS3 version.

Post from: EveryJoe

Today in PlayStation: February 27, 2009

Well, it’s certainly a slow new day out there today, but hat’s something that should be alleviated by this afternoon’s PlayStation Store. While there hasn’t been any official announcement, I still have my fingers crossed that Puzzle Quest Galactrix will be available today, if not, well I’ll just continue my addiction to Challenge of the Warlords. Check out today’s headlines:

• It’s not much, but we have a few details on the upcoming portable version of LittleBigPlanet. Unlike the console version, the new game won’t be developed by Media Molecule, but instead Sony’s Cambridge studio.
• Meanwhile the PS3 version is getting an upgrade for search functionality and a few new costumes based on Killzone 2, Heavenly Sword, and Buzz!
• A new space shooter, No Gravity: The Plague of Mind, is coming to the PSP as a downloadable title today.
• It’s far from confirmed, but an analyst has told Kotaku that a new PSP is on the way, this time with out a UMD drive.

Post from: EveryJoe

Today in PlayStation: February 26, 2009

While many gamers love it, there is no doubt that the PlayStation Portable has had a troubled existence. In spite of a relatively strong library of games, the powerful handheld system has constantly been in the shadow of the juggernaut known as the Nintendo DS. To make things worse, there has been little in the way of interesting new games of late to keep PSP owners interested. That’s what made yesterday so exciting. We learned about a bunch of upcoming games, including portable versions of LittleBigPlanet, MotorStorm, and Assassin’s Creed. But while these may appeal to PSP owners desperate for something new to play, chances are they won’t light the platform on fire in terms of hardware sales.

Now don’t get me wrong, I adore LBP. The game is in constant rotation among my PS3 games, and I’m frequently surprised by the new levels that users are coming up with. But it wasn’t the smash hit that either Sony or Media Molecule expected it to be, and certainly wasn’t a major mover of consoles. And while a portable version of LBP has the potential to be great, what are the chances that it will move hardware unlike its console predecessor? It won’t. At least, not in great numbers. Instead, it will appeal to hardcore gamers, most of whom already already own a PSP.

The same goes for the other new game announcements. Neither MotorStorm or Assassin’s Creed have much cache outside of gaming circles, so it’s unlikely that they will have the reach that Sony desperately needs. The wild card is Rock Band Unplugged. The rhythm genre has some truly widespread appeal, with both hardcore and casual gamers loving the virtual rock simulator. A portable version may sound strange, but Activision was incredibly successful with Guitar Hero: On Tour on the DS, so Harmonix might be able to do something similar. Unfortunately, at this point, we really have no idea of what the game will play like.

What the PSP really needs to breakout is a crossover game that will appeal to the non-gaming crowd. It needs its Brain Age, Mario Kart, or Animal Crossing. Instead, we’re yet again getting more portable versions of console games. And that’s something the PSP already has plenty of.

Post from: EveryJoe

Opinion: Why LittleBigPlanet Won’t Save the PSP

After yesterday’s flood of new PSP game announcements, today is relatively quiet. Things should pick up tomorrow though, with the weekly PSN update bringing new games and updates. Keep reading for today’s headlines:

• Sony has announced that the total number of PlayStation Network accounts worldwide has topped 20 million. Of course, this doesn’t account for gamers who have multiple accounts in different regions.
• Midnight Club: Los Angeles is getting some DLC love in the form of a South Central map upgrade.
• Capcom’s upcoming downloadable title Flock will be hitting the PSN in April.
• Is Lost Planet 2 coming to the PS3? We’re still not sure.
• Once again, rumors are swirling that the PS3 will finally get a price drop. Could they be true this time?

Post from: EveryJoe

Today in PlayStation: February 25, 2009

There’s a nasty bug floating around PSM HQ, so apologies for not posting the news yesterday. But to make things up to everyone, we have some truly awesome game announcements today. Read on:

• The PSP is making a comeback, with announcements of portable versions of LittleBigPlanet, MotorStorm, and Assassin’s Creed.
• In the same announcement, Sony also revealed that the Warhawk Command Center would be launching in Home this week.
• It’s official: Atlus is working on a remake of the original Persona for the PSP.
• In yet more PSP news, the first ever portable version of Rock Band, Rock Band Unplugged, will be hitting the handheld.
• In addition to the PSP, MotorStorm: Arctic Edge will also make its way to the PS2.
• If you picked up the Legendary Cars for Burnout Paradise, don’t forget they also come with some brand new Trophies to earn.

Post from: EveryJoe

Today in PlayStation: February 24, 2009

The PlayStation Network is full of all sorts of weired, experimental games, but Noby Noby Boy tops them all. There are no specific goals, instead the game provides you with a quirky playground in to cause mischief in. And while it certainly is an acquired taste, for $5, it’s worth a download.

The game has you controlling Boy, a strange creature that has the ability to stretch incredible distances. By moving the two analog sticks — which each control one end of Boy — in different directions, you can stretch him out, with the goal being to make hims as long as possible. However, you don’t actually beat the game, or any individual level. Instead you simply play around with Boy, making his as long as you can. The only real competition comes from online leader boards, which showcase the longest lengths that people have achieved.

The different environments are filled with plenty of objects; everything from houses and vehicles, to camels and people. These objects are integral if you plan on going for broke and stretching out Boy as far as possible. You will have to wrap his body around them like anchors, which allows you to continue to get bigger without falling off the edge. Some characters will hop on your back for a ride, or you can simply eat everything in sight…and then poop it out.

Since you have no explicit goals, what you end up doing is up to you. In fact, you can completely ignore the goal of stretching out Boy if you want to. This essentially makes Noby Noby Boy a virtual toy, letting you do what you please, having fun as you do so. Hop around and make Boy fly, or simply try eating combinations of objects to see what happens. It’s up to you.

Some will relish this freedom — which creates an oddly relaxing experience — while others will quickly become bored. It really depends on what kind of gamer you are. But if you’re looking for a fun little game to kill a few hours, Noby Noby Boy fits that bill perfectly. It’s cute, strange, and liberating, and a great example of sheer range of experiences that video games can create.

Post from: EveryJoe

Review: Noby Noby Boy is more toy than game…and really strange

Well it’s finally Friday, which means most of us have plenty of gaming ahead of us this weekend. Me, I’m planning on spending some more time with the intriguing Noby Noby Boy, and maybe even giving the new Burnout Paradise cars a while. What’s everyone else playing this weekend.

• Sony has expanded, and will now be operating in Latin America for the first time.
• The company also confirmed that both God of War III and MAG will be hitting the PS3 sometime this year.
• An analyst is predicting that the PS3 will soon see even more premium priced games, with a new $40 line of titles.
• Love Noby Noby Boy? Well now you can wear the t-shirt to prove it.

Post from: EveryJoe

Today in PlayStation: February 20, 2009

We’ve got a healthy dose of news for you today, including a few new updates that should be hitting the PlayStation Network later today. Keep reading for the headlines:

• Following the release of Bejeweled 2, Popcap has announced that another popular casual gamewill be making its way to the PSN: Zuma.
• This week’s LittleBigPlanet update will see the release of the previously announced WipEout HD costumes, as well as some bonus stickers.
• SingStar is going wireless, with new wireless mics coming out in March.
• Mirror’s Edge is getting another dose of DLC, with a second batch of time trial maps.
• Next week’s PSN update will see the release of the PSP space shooter No Gravity.
• On March 5 a new content pack will be hitting Unreal Tournament 3, which adds new maps, units, vehicles, characters and Trophies.

Post from: EveryJoe

Today in PlayStation: February 19, 2009

It’s a snowy day here at PSM HQ, but thankfully we have Flower to help bring us to a warmer place. Also, don’t forget that tomorrow’s PlayStation Network update will bring with it another curious new game, Noby Noby Boy. Check out today’s headlines.

• Update 1 for MotorStorm: Pacific Rift is now available for download, adding a ton of new features and fixing a number of issues and bugs.
• PSM favorite LittleBigPlanet has been nominated for an amazing 8 awards at the upcoming GANG audio awards.
• A few lucky regions are able to download the legendary cars pack for Burnout Paradise early, that is, if they can part with $8.
• Though the game may not make it over here, a demo for Yakuza 3 will soon be available on the Japanese PSN. So those with Japanese accounts can at least give the game a try.

Post from: EveryJoe

Today in PlayStation: February 18, 2009