Happy Holidays from Muscle March!!! (WiiWare)

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By far the weirdest looking game trailer I’ve seen in a while.  Glad it’s coming to North America as a downloadable title via WiiWare.  We can never have enough diversity in the video game market.  That is all.  Sean C.

PSN Store Update Dec/22/2009: Thursday = Tuesday edition

This week’s update actually arrived this past Tuesday as with seemingly every other  update that happens to fall in a holiday week.  Wrapping up the year, this update firstly brings us the PSN and Sega content sale while the 3 Pixeljunk titles before “shooter” get bundled together.  So rather than going out and braving the crowds on boxing day, use that recently received PSN card you got for Christmas or just stay in and go shopping on the Playstation Store

ARC System works, developers of the Guilty Gear and Blazblue fighting series, sneaks Battle Fantasia onto the PSN which was previously only available on the Xbox 360 via retail disc in North America.
As mentioned before, this update also allows you to pre-load the upcoming MAG public beta before servers go live on Jan/04, while demos for the already released Peggle and Lego Indiana Jones 2 and the newly released Polar Panic join in.

DLC is highlighted by the expansion of Little Big Planet with the Pirates of the Caribbean kit introducing new “water” elements to gameplay while Katsuaki Kato, editor-in-cheif of Japanese video game mag Famitsu, gets his own free downloadable character for PAIN.

For the PSP, we see new PSN games in Savage Moon: The Hera campaign and Aedis Eclipse and the PSP mini 3d Bowling.  Demos come in the form of the recently announced Holy Invasion of Privacy Badman! 2  and the PSP unique version of Army of Two: The 40th Day.  Happy Holidays!  Sean C.

note:  For all you French Canadians Western RPG players out there, you’ll be happy to know that the French versions of all the Fallout 3 DLC have been also made available via the update this week

Full listing below:

Pre-load MAG today before public beta goes live Jan/04/2010

Putting in some time with the initial MAG beta, I think it’s safe to say that amateurs need not apply.  Developed by Zipper Interactive, MAG is a massive online, squad based shooter with up to 256 players simultaneously.  With Zipper’s reputation in tactical gameplay which they’ve established with the long running SOCOM series (“Confrontation” excluded), MAG is the next evolution for the revered studio and online multiplayer  gaming for the PS3.

Since the first beta, MAG has evolved with multiple patches and numerous versions with a new public beta going live Jan/04/2010 making it version 5.  The beta only lasts 6 days up to Jan/10, so as early as today you’ll be able to pre-load and install the data so that you’re ready when the servers goes live.  No download code needed, no pre-order has to be made; just 2.3 gb of hard space and an online connection.  See you online Jan/04!

MAG has now gone gold set for full release Jan/26/2010
For full details check out Zipper’s official post on the Playstation Blog: http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/12/mag-is-gold-beta-for-everyone-soon/

SPEAKAL LAUNCHES THE iPOM AND mi-SOCCER Docking Speaker Systems

Speakal looks to crank the holidays to eleven with the new and trendy iPom with two flower-shaped speakers and a rocking 12 Watts subwoofer along with it’s latest model: The MI-SOCCER! GOOoooooOOOOaaALLLL!!!! full details, availability and pricing BELOW.

DVD RACK (DEC 22ND) AMERICAN PIE: BOOK OF LOVE

American Pie: Book of Love (DVD and BLURAY)

This all-new movie from the ever-popular American Pie franchise was filmed in Vancouver, and of course brings back the much-loved veteran Eugene Levy. It also stars Canadian actress, Melanie Papalia, who appeared in Painkiller Jane and will be teaming up with Halle Berry in the not-yet-released movie Frankie and Alice. This story follows three East Great Falls High buddies who accidentally discover the legendary “Book of Love” penned by some of their school’s alumni. They then embark on a hilariously outrageous quest to lose their virginity with the girls of their dreams. Join Jim’s Dad (Eugene Levy) and this loveable and outrageous group of guys in this raucous comedy full of shocking and heart-warming fun!

The Week that Was in Gaming/Tech (Dec 14-20)

We take a look at the past week in gaming/tech news including the return of some favorites, the introduction of new standards, a look at upcoming titles, and a rumor not so confirmed or justified.

pre-Holiday Party reminder: Buzz! Quiz World now available for download for the PSP

I’m going to have to get back to you about how I feel when they take such an enjoyable social gaming franchise like Buzz! and their latest iteration with Quiz World and move it to a portable platform that is so intrinsically personal (in North America at least) like the PSP. But with this being Buzz’s second go around on the PSP, on top of the “pass the PSP around” multiplayer game mode they’ve added new options to a create a fuller experience with online multiplayer, local multiplayer with only one copy of the game (via game sharing), question packs DLC, and direct in-game access to MYBUZZquiz.com. Mostly likely I’ll be whipping out the PS3 version more than once this holiday season but now the PSP version will allow you to take the Buzz! experience on the go and play with friends regardless if they have a PSP or not.  So load it up and bring it along wherever you go this holiday season just in case the party you’re at is starting become a dud.   Sean C.

Official release below:

Whatcha Playin’ (Last weekend before Christmas)

This weekend will be a frenzy for me with a bunch of last minute Christmas shopping.  Between spurts of that I’ll putting in some time with 2 PSN shooters with Gravity Crash and Pixeljunk Shooter for my PS3.  Luckily Pixeljunk Shooter and Peggle (which I also recently purchased with a PSN gift card I received for my birthday) are both equipped with remote play which means I can laze in my bed and play these downloadable PS3 games remotely on my PSP.  Sean C.
Demo pick of the Week: There was a lot of variety this week particularly from the recent Playstation Store update but I’m going to have to go with the Metal Gear: Peace Walker demo.  Kojimaaaaa!
PSN/Steam: shonathan

This week has been kinda slow for titles dropping in HQ, not to mention I’m little tied up with a free-lance project that I hope to finish up before early-weekend. I was pretty hyped to run into my old Gears of War online clan with Modern Warfare 2!! They’re good dudes and what can I say…we chalk up team deathmatch WINS.  I’m pissed my created WWE Superstar attribute level went from 92 back to 39 all because I made a slight wardrobe change –URGH!! Career re-start I guess. Friday night is the new American Pie: The Book of Love DVD launch event to check out too. I also got a big Cowboys/Saints game to watch Saturday night. All I want for Xmas is a Cowboys victory in December!! James S.
Demo pick of the Week: I’m gonna check out Konami’s Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker demo on the PSP and I’m gonna try to get my hands on a MODNATION RACERS Demo code.
Gamertag/PSN: elSCIENTIFICO

Resident Evil 5 “Desperate Escape” expansion confirmed and detailed

Capcom has revealed the second downloadable episode in the Resident Evil 5 story arc entitled “Desperate Escape”.  In this episode you take control of a recently liberated Jill Valentine and agent Josh Stone as they fight their way to escape the Tricell facility.  Desperate Escape will follow up Lost in Nightmares and will be available for download Mar/04/2009 and both episodes will be included in the Gold Edition re-release of the game on Mar/09/2009  only for PS3 and Xbox 360 (sorry PC owners of the game…at least you can play your copy in 3D and already have extra costumes for Sheva and Chris) .  Sean C.

Official release and screen shots below:

PSN Update 17/12/2009: 5+8+40= Peace Walker!

Ooohh what a lovely update we have here.  Let’s start with the demos where we see them this week  for yet to be released titles Gran Turismo 5, Army of Two: The 40^th day, and Metal Gear: Peace Walker (PSP).  That’s complimented by demos for TV Show King, Guitar Hero: Van Halen, Diner Dash and Puzzlegeddon.  Puzzlegeddon also see its’ full downloadable release along with the digital release of Buzz! Quiz World (PSP).  In addition, we see the PSone classic Final Fantasy VIII available for download, playable on both your PS3 and PSP.

With the Metal Gear: Peace Walker demo, Konami delivers all other Metal Gear PSP content with Portable Ops, Portable Ops+, and the rare graphic novel.  F1 2009 also shows up as a new full game available for download along with 2 more PSP minis.

PS3 DLC is headlined by the long overdue Cold Fronts content for SOCOM: Confrontation while Brutal Legend gets new multiplayer maps.  The weekly Rock Band song list is dominated by Green Day content for the main franchise and the “Rubber Soul” album for The Beatles: Rock Band.

Did I forget anything else important? …check the full listing below.    Sean C.

NEW CLASH OF THE TITANS SCREENS!

NAMCO BANDAI  today released new screenshots for Clash of the Titans, a robust action-adventure title that launches in conjunction with the worldwide theatrical release of Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ feature film “Clash of the Titans” starring Liam Neeson, Sam Worthington and Ralph Fiennes.

PSone classic Final Fantasy VIII now available on PSN

Ok, so right about now Japanese PS3 owners are enjoying Final Fantasy XIII maybe with a special edition FF13 PS3 complimented by a refreshing sip of their “Final Fantasy Elixir” (no really, it’s an actual drink there).  But North American Final Fantasy fans need not fret because as part of today’s PSN update, my personal favorite installment in the series with VIII is now available.  This installment had the tough task of following up the record breaking VII and lived up to every bit a new expectations set by it’s predecessors with improved graphics and a new story centered around an unbreakable love.  Ohhh how sentimental I am.  Sean C.

Official release below:

Mega Man 10 announced for WiiWare, PSN, XBLA – March 2010

Today Capcom announced the next installment in the main Mega Man series with Mega Man 10 for the Wii, PS3 and Xbox 360 once again as a downloadable title.  In the current-gen age + Wii (cheapshot!), 10 will continue the throwback theme seen in Mega Man 9 reflecting more the Mega Man in the 8-bit era graphically and difficulty-wise (but will now include an easy mode!) .  Number 10 is slated to be available for download in March 2010.  Until then here are some screens (See Below)  Sean C.

Playstation Home Launches MMO “Sodium One” today

Well now; the Playstation Network seems to be full of last minute goodies before the Christmas break.  This time it comes in the form of a new Playstation Home space entitled Sodium One accessible today.  Taking place within the online community of Home, The Sodium One space will include a new vehicular combat MMO (I guess that’s a genre?) allowing Home users to teleport into the space through the Central Plaza.  Visitors will be able to participate in a number of mini games within the new space (one may come to expect from a new Home by now), as well as the aforementioned, fully fledged game integrated into the Playstation Home platform with a wide range of social, customization,  and upgradeable features.

Originally intended as a social hub for Playstation gamers to compliment PSN/PS3 games, Playstation Home has itself turned into a gaming platform with spaces themed around particular developers/publishers and disc based/downloadable titles.  The release of Sodium One today highlights the evolution of the PS3 sub-platform and promising direction it’s racing towards.  Sean C.
Official release below:

KONAMI ANNOUNCES ASSAULT HEROES FOR PLAYSTATION NETWORK

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced Assault Heroes for the PlayStation Network. A direct port from the critically acclaimed title on Xbox LIVE Arcade, Assault Heroes makes its way onto an all-new platform for non-stop action with explosive graphics that push the boundaries of a timeless 2D action arcade game.