Well, I’ve got a nice, happy list for you that would make any dad proud and all you have to do is shell out a bit of cash to make your pop’s day.

Systems:

#1 Sony PS3 160 GB Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune Pack

This system is my all-time favorite and comes with a kick-ass game. With 160 GB worth of space, Dad won’t run into space issues when he’s downloading games online and saving every five second. Though it’s pricey [$469.79 new/$371.55 used] it is a major workhorse of a system and will be useful for years to come.

#2 Xbox 360 Elite

If you’re going to get your dad a 360, get him this one. Not only will he get a very solid system, he’ll also get Halo 3 and Fable II-two games that are awesome unto themselves.

The console will set you back just shy of $400 [$399.99] and comes with free shipping.

#3 PSP Go

This is THE handheld gaming device to get Dear Ole Dad.

Granted, it doesn’t come out until October of this year but you can pre-order it and then give Dad a card with a note letting him know to check the mail in a few months.

The PSP Go boast both WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity as well as 16 GB of on-board flash memory. As if that wasn’t enough, Metal Gear Solids’s next installment: Peace Walker will be offered exclusively on the PSP Go.

The price point of $249.99 might scare some off but take heart! This little guy has so much to offer that Dad will be having SO much fun that your aching wallet will be a distant memory.

Accessories:

#1 PlayStation 3 Wireless Keypad

If Dad spends a lot of time playing Call of Duty:4 or tooling around PSN Home, then he needs this keypad.

Who really wants to to deal with taking all that time searching out letters and numbers when now you can just type like you would from your phone?

This handy little guy will set you back $43.99.

#2 Xbox 360 MC2 Racing Wheel

Most dads seem to like racing games and if he’s a hardcore racing fan then you have to get him this wheel.

• Features vibration feedback technology
• Double injected steering wheel with rubber coating is specially designed to provide optimal vibration feedback
• 10 High-performance action buttons provide superior control
• Retractable leg supports put you in the driver’s seat and keep you there
• Vertical vector design means when you throttle up, the pedals won’t take off

Games:

1. Prototype [$59.99]
2. Red Faction: Guerrilla [$56.99]
3. Fuel [$56.99]
4. Infamous [$49.99]
5. Call of Duty: 4 [$46.99]
6. Fallout 3 [$56.99]
7. Burnout: Paradise [$19.99]
8. NHL 09 [$56.99]
   
9. Grand Theft Auto IV [$49.99]
10. Madden NFL 10 [$58.99 pre-order for Aug '09 release]

When all else fails, get Dad a giftcard. ;)

All images|Amazon.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Gifts for Your Gaming Dad

The best part is that it’s hard to get bored with this game since it’s always changing due to its wide selection of downloadable content (including the whole new free game called Burnout Bikes!)

Visit the packs page to find out what’s available (you can also check out the Coming Soon page) but, in the meantime, take a look at these awesome screenshots from the Cops and Robbers pack (click to enlarge)!

images: Criterion Games

Post from: EveryJoe

Burnout Paradise Cops and Robbers Pack

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

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

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

It’s an incredibly slow day when it comes to PlayStation new, but at least we have plenty of games to play in the meantime. Not only did the incredible Flower come out last week (watch for a review later today), but this week we have both Street Fighter IV and Noby Noby Boy. It’s a great time to be a gamer. Read on for the headlines:

• The legendary cars are coming to Burnout Paradise this week, though the pricing may be a little much for some. The Delta 88 (AKA the Delorean) will be $4, while the rest of the cars will run you $2.
• Metal Gear Sold 4 is becoming a Greatest Hits game, so those who missed it can now get the game at a discounted price.

Post from: EveryJoe

Today in PlayStation: February 17, 2009

Few, if any, console games have seen as much evolution as Burnout Paradise. Criterion Games has constantly been feeding new content into the racing game, which has both kept players coming back, and attracted new ones on a steady basis. Last week the game received a major update creating version 1.6. After spending quite a lot of time in the new Burnout, I’m ready to report on what changes work, and what needs to go. Read on for impressions.

What’s Great:

• Vehicle selection. It’s a small thing, but the bikes and cars have now been separated into different categories. This makes things slightly faster, as you now have to go through far less vehicles in order to get the one you want. It’s especially helpful if you, like me, don’t particularly enjoy the bikes.
• Event restart. Sometimes when you really want to complete an event but you fail, it can be a total pain to drive all the way back to where it started, especially if it was a really long race. Thankfully you now have the option to restart. Simply hit right on the d pad and select “restart last event.”
• Like Rock Band before it, Burnout now has its own in-game store. There isn’t a lot to buy at the moment, since the game only has one premium content pack, but with all the stuff coming down the pipe, this is definitely a handy feature.

What’s Unnecessary:

• When the game loads, it now takes you to a web page very reminiscent of Criterion Games home page. This page features all kinds of info, from news and stats, to a friends section that should be ready to go soon. The problem is, navigating a web page with a Dual Shock controller is no fun at all. It also slows things down a bit, and since Burnout is such a pick up and play game, this is not a good thing. Solution: keep the page, but make it optional.

There have been a few other changes as well, such as some graphical updates that make billboards and other points of interest stick out more. These are less noticeable, but help make things smoother. Overall it’s hard not to be pleased with the update, and specifically the addition of a restart option, which was a real sticking point for some. With plenty of content planned for this year, it looks like Burnout Paradise may still be my racing game of choice for quite some time to come.

Post from: EveryJoe

The New Paradise City: Exploring the changes in Burnout Paradise 1.6

Today is a day of downloadable goodies, as a number of titles are receiving new content, updates, or demos in the near future. Things are getting so hectic on the DLC front, you barely even have to leave your house to get new games to play. And that, my friends, is a wonderful thing. Read on for the headlines:

• Sony has announced a bunch of new content for Home, including ninja outfits, a Warhawk space, and a SOCOM space, all of which should be coming soon. They also confirmed that Capcom’s Street Fighter outfits will be coming to the North American version of Home.
• Yesterday it was revealed that Burnout Paradise would be getting a cops ‘n robbers update in the future, and now we have screenshots.
• A demo for Tom Clancy’s HAWX–a flight simulation game–is set to hit the PSN this week.
• LittleBigPlanet just received update 1.09. For a complete list of what’s changed/been fixed, head here.
• Call of Duty: World at War will be getting four brand new maps some time this March.

Post from: EveryJoe

Today in PlayStation: February 10, 2009

It’s Monday, and man am I excited. Not only is flOwer coming out this Thursday, but we have confirmation of a former Xbox 360 exclusive getting a sequel on the PS3. It’s a good time to be a gamer. Check out the rest of today’s headlines:

• Dead Rising 2 has been confirmed, and it’s coming to the PS3. Unfortunately, we have virtually no details on the zombie game, though they should be coming out soon.
• The SingStore is getting a hefty update this week, though the new tracks aren’t the biggest releases available.
• Yet another Bleach fighting game is coming out, and it’ll be hitting the PSP.
• Though the party pack was just released, Criterion has already announced what is next for Burnout Paradise, with the upcoming cops ‘n robbers pack.
• The Punisher: No Mercy has a release window, and should be hitting the PSN later this Spring.
• 24 companies have been given licenses to develop for Home, including Atlus, Q?, and SNK.

Post from: EveryJoe

Today in PlayStation: February 9, 2009

It’s finally Friday, which for most of us means a weekend full of gaming up ahead. If you haven’t played WipEout HD yet, be sure to download the PSN demo that was released yesterday. It really is one of the best games on the PS3. Here are today’s headlines:

• Resistance 2 is getting a patch, which should help some multiplayer and balancing issues. Get all the details here.
• Burnout Paradise is also getting patched, with a whole heap of updates for the open world racer.
• The sci-fi tower defense game Savage Moon should be hitting the PlayStation Network in the next few weeks.
• A new space is coming to Home, and it looks like some sort of cafe.
• Tenchu 4 is coming to North American PSPsthanks to publisher Ubisoft.

Post from: EveryJoe

Today in PlayStation: January 23, 2009