Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep in Stores Now
September 7, 2010 by Doug
Filed under PSP, Video Games
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Square Enix announced today that Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep is now available at North American retailers. Developed exclusively for the PSP, this latest installment reveals the origins of the franchise and is an essential experience for new players jumping into the series for the first time as well as returning players uncovering the secrets of the iconic franchise.
A unique gaming experience that unfolds through the perspectives of three different main characters, Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep allows players to explore the worlds of their favorite Disney stories. With settings new to the series, such as Sleeping Beauty’s Enchanted Dominion, the Dwarf Woodlands from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Deep Space from Lilo & Stitch, this prequel takes players through a magical journey of courage and friendship, all with an enhanced, action-packed battle system.
The game features the voice talents of an incredible cast of actors including Jason Dohring, Mark Hamill, Willa Holland, Jesse McCartney, Haley Joel Osment, Leonard Nimoy and James Woods.
Four exciting multiplayer modes: Experience the excitement and fun with your friends with four brand-new multiplayer modes: Versus Mode, Arena Mode, Command Board and Rumble Racing.
New game features: The North American release will include a number of new features, including an extra boss, additional multiplayer options and Crown Stickers: a reward system where players earn prizes by collecting and placing stickers into an album
A Kingdom Hearts PSP
Also available today is the limited edition Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep PSP system Entertainment Pack from Square Enix and Sony exclusively at GameStop stores nationwide. This bundle includes a “Mystic Silver” PSP-3000 system, Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep on UMD, a 50-song voucher for Sony MusicPass and a 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo.
The Story
Long before Sora was chosen by his Keyblade, the worlds’ safety lay in the hands of the true Keyblade Masters.
Three youths – Terra, Ventus and Aqua – have been training long and hard under Master Eraqus to prove that they, too, exhibit the Mark of Mastery.
But they will soon find themselves in the middle of a crisis affecting worlds far beyond their own – just as another Keyblade Master, Xehanort, goes mysteriously missing.
Three friends, three destinies. Everything will link back to the beginning.
Rating, Price and Availability
Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep is rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) and is available for the PSP system at North American retailers nationwide for the suggested retail price of $39.99.
Sony’s PSP Step Your Game Up Favorite Fires iPhone
August 16, 2010 by Doug
Filed under PSP, Video Games
Sony has stepped up the fire of its Marcus PSP ads with a new spot attacking the iPhone directly. See below.
The spot has Marcus Rivers slag the iPhone as not meant for “big boy games” and points to a number of newly discounted $10 PSP games, such as Twisted Metal: Head-On and Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee, as proof the iPhone isn’t as good a gaming device. An iPhone is for “texting your grandma or calling your girl,” Marcus said.
Does any of this really matter until there is a PSP phone?
UFC Undisputed 2010 Coming to the PSP This Fall
August 6, 2010 by Doug
Filed under PSP, Video Games
THQ and Zuffa have announced UFC Undisputed will return to the virtual Octagon this fall with UFC Undisputed 2010 for the PSP system. Currently in development and scheduled for release on September 7, 2010, UFC Undisputed 2010 for the PSP system.
“UFC Undisputed 2010 raised the bar for sports games earlier this year with an impressive feature set and unbeatable gameplay experience on high-definition console gaming platforms,” said Danny Bilson, Executive Vice President, Core Games, THQ. “We believe this franchise has the ability to flourish in a handheld format and look forward to delivering the game this fall for the PSP system.”
In UFC Undisputed 2010 for the PSP system, players will navigate an unparalleled roster of more than 100 prolific UFC fighters, each fully rendered to convey a photorealistic appearance. Enhanced combat will lend significant authenticity, as players manage Octagon control with a variety of strikes, submissions, transitions, cage positions and more. In addition, players will enjoy customizable freedom with created fighters by combining move sets from numerous MMA disciplines to become true mixed martial artists. In Career Mode, players will compete to become the next UFC champion, where player actions, choices and proficiency directly impact career progression, while an Ad-Hoc Mode will encourage camaraderie by creating and searching for matches against other PSP system players in an ad-hoc wireless environment. UFC Undisputed 2010 for the PSP system will also feature Ultimate Fights Mode, featuring more than 30 minutes of UFC footage, as well as Title Mode, Title Defense Mode and Tournament Mode for the ultimate virtual Octagon experience.
Price and Availability
UFC Undisputed 2010 for the PSP system is scheduled for release on September 7, 2010. Price was not disclosed at this time.
Square Enix Announces Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together
July 21, 2010 by Doug
Filed under PSP, Video Games
Square Enix has announced the upcoming release of Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together, a PlayStation Portable)system reinvention of the strategy RPG. The timing of the release will be announced at a future date.
Tactics Ogre is one of the most beloved strategy RPG titles of all time, with the game being the only one to place in the Japanese gaming magazine Weekly Famitsu’s “Top 20 games voted by readers” for 14 years running.
Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together, is being reborn from the ground up, with reworked visuals and effects, a re-arranged soundtrack by the original composers, new character growth mechanics and a new Wheel of Fortune system that adds even more replay value to the game.
For more information about Tactics Ogre please visit the official website at http://www.tacticsogregame.com.
Great Clips, EA Sports & PlayStation Team Up for the Ultimate Gaming Makeover Sweepstakes
July 21, 2010 by Doug
Filed under PS3, PSP, Video Games
During the month of July, When you can go to www.greatclips.com for a chance to win the EA SPORTS “Ultimate Gaming Makeover.” Prizes include a 52″ HDTV, a Sony Home Theater System, PlayStation 3 systems, a suite of EA SPORTS games, PSP systems, an XZipit Video Game Rocker and more!
Great Clips will feature EA SPORTS and PlayStation in more than 2,800 salon locations across the United States and Canada via in-salon signage. With 5 million customers expected to walk through the Great Clips doors during July, the word will easily spread about this exciting sweepstakes.
In addition to the chance to win the Ultimate Gaming Makeover, customers will receive $5 off their next EA SPORTS game at www.eastore.com with every haircut. This price-off offer will also be highlighted on the EA SPORTS and PlayStation web pages – and includes free shipping of the games!
“We are very excited to partner with two of the top brands in the gaming industry. This avenue is new to Great Clips and we are proud to say that we are the first in our industry to be able to enter this world of gamers,” said Terri Miller, vice president of marketing for Great Clips, Inc.
Sony Debuts ModNation Racers
May 25, 2010 by Laura
Filed under PS3, PSP, Video Games
Sony has announced the release of ModNation Racers available exclusively for the PlayStation 3, PSP, and PSP go systems. Developed by United Front Games and Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios, San Diego Studio, ModNation Racers brings a twist to classic kart racing, while empowering players of all levels to fully customize and design their entire racing experience. The second title in PlayStation’s PLAY, CREATE, SHARE series, ModNation Racers allows players to not only enjoy developer-made content, but unleash their imagination with easy-to-use editing tools to generate customized tracks, karts and characters that can be uploaded and shared with the ModNation community via PlayStation Network.
ModNation Racers’ creation tools feature a simple interface and a robust menu of options to trick out tracks, karts and drivers with a variety of accessories. If players are not feeling creative, ModNation Racers also features a Story Mode with a humorous narrative and a wealth of pre-made characters, karts and over 25 tracks to try.
“We continue to deliver on the success of PLAY, CREATE, SHARE movement with ModNation Racers as the next title in the series started by LittleBigPlanet,” said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President, Product Marketing, SCEA. “Combining deep customization with solid kart handling, and online multiplayer options, ModNation Racers brings a creative and interactive kart racing experience to life. It’s a breath of fresh air in the kart racing genre only available on PlayStation.”
ModNation Racers’ single-player career mode tells the tale of Tag, an inexperienced racer given the opportunity to compete in the world famous ModNation Racing Championship. Players with the PS3 system will dive into the ModSpot, the game’s central hub, showcasing each game mode including career, online, creation, and more. In the ModSpot, players can check out the community’s top Mods and Karts, enter Hot Lap tournaments, play the Top Tracks voted on by the community, and socialize with other racers. ModNation Racers also delivers Career Central mode leading players to beat the computer and unlock more content for creation.
In just minutes players can build a track or spend hours perfecting it with the same tools the developers used to design the game. By simply driving, players build a track that is laid out behind them. Players can create tunnels, bridges and hairpin turns as well as alter the terrain and morph the land to form mountain ranges, lakes, and more. With auto-complete, players can finish their track at any point during the building process and instantly populate it with obstacles and scenery. Whether a player builds a track covered in weapons or a narrow road for pure racing, the depth of track creation in ModNation Racers truly offers players a unique racing experience.
ModNation Racers features multiplayer options for both the PS3 and PSP systems. The PS3 system version includes split-screen racing with up to four players offline and two player split-screen online. Players also have the option to go online and battle against 11 other players on the PS3 system version. The PSP system version allows up to six players both online and offline. Through PlayStation Network, players can SHARE their creations with the rest of the world and interact with the community on the platform by uploading racers, karts and tracks online for others to experience.
The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rating for ModNation Racers is “E” for Everyone. For more information about ModNation Racers, visit modnation.com.
Atari to Sponsor Youth Baseball Award
Atari has announced an expansion of its relationship with the Baseball Youth organization through which its Backyard Sports: Sandlot Sluggers title will serve as the exclusive videogame sponsor of the 2010 Baseball Youth Player of the Year Award.
The Baseball Youth Player of the Year is presented annually to one player in both the 10 & under and 12 & under age group categories. The award campaign runs concurrently with the Baseball Youth Road Trip FANFEST, an interactive traveling tour visiting youth baseball tournaments across the United States. The two winners of the Baseball Youth Player of the Year Award will receive Backyard Sports prize packs including T-Shirts, videogames and a feature in an upcoming Backyard Sports videogame that is in the works. The award winners will be announced live on the MLB Network on August 29th during the New Era National Youth Baseball Championships taking place in Memphis, TN. More details about the Baseball Youth Player of the Year award can be found at www.baseballyouth.com.
Scott Hacker, President of Dugout Media adds, “We are very much looking forward to having Atari and its Backyard Sports franchise on board as the exclusive videogame sponsor of the Baseball Youth Player of the Year. Backyard Sports: Sandlot Sluggers is a playful, entertaining videogame version of our beloved sport that our players and families can relate to and interact with in a fun and wholesome way. Having young players hone their understanding of – and passion for - the game both on and off the field is a great combination.”
Backyard Sports: Sandlot Sluggers, developed by HB Studios, is a new take on a longtime favorite franchise with all-new features, updated graphics, enhanced gameplay, and extensive options that will keep casual players and gamers alike entertained. Backyard Sports: Sandlot Sluggers has multiplayer tournaments, mini games, eight different interactive fields, season mode, family mode, quick play and an all new story mode setting. Super charged power-ups and stunning visuals make gameplay result in an irresistible game for kids. Backyard Sports: Sandlot Sluggers will be available May 25 for Xbox 360,($29.99) for Wii ($29.99), for Nintendo DS ($29.99) and PC Download ($29.99).
For more information, please log onto www.atari.com and www.BackyardSports.com.
Relive FIFA World Cup Moments
Electronic Arts and Coca-Cola Zero are teaming up to launch a free online service called The Coca-Cola Zero Story of the Finals for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa video game from EA SPORTS. The feature will enable gamers to relive crucial moments from the actual tournament hours after games have been played. The free service from EA SPORTS will be available for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
“This is an ambitious and completely unique feature that has never before been attempted for soccer videogames,” said Executive Producer Kaz Makita. “The hopes and dreams of nations will rise and fall throughout the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final and within hours after the real matches have occurred our development team will re-create the storylines in our game and provide fans the opportunity to replay and, perhaps, change the outcome – virtually.”
The Coca-Cola Zero Story of the Finals will enable gamers connected online to play real matches from the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final and face the same challenges their heroes experienced throughout the tournament. The free service complements an existing game mode called The Coca-Cola Zero Story of Qualifying which enables gamers to relive moments from the 2010 qualifying campaign and the 2006 FIFA World Cup Finals through over 50 scenario-based challenges.
“Just like Coke Zero made the impossible possible by offering real Coke taste with zero calories, the Coca-Cola Zero Story of the Finals empowers people to become part of the game and virtually rewrite sports history,” said Scott Cuppari, Manager, Media and Interactive, Coca-Cola North America. “Through our partnership with EA SPORTS and their 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa game, we’re offering new, innovative videogame content that delivers a rich experience to gamers and soccer enthusiasts.”
The 2010 FIFA World Cup will available on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, PSP and iPhone on April 27, 2010 in North America and April 30, 2010 in Europe and Asia. The game is rated “E” for Everyone by the ESRB and 3+ by PEGI in Europe.
More DLC for Need for Speed SHIFT
Electronic Arts has announced the all-new Exotic Racing Series pack for Need for Speed SHIFT. On March 18th, gamers will have access to seven new cars and a new track in the game. Highlighting this exclusive pack of cars are the McLaren MP4-12C and the legendary BMW M1. Each of the new car and track combos is desgned to be a potent mix of machine and terrain. The Exotic Racing Series pack will be available worldwide on the PlayStation 3 for $10.00 or the Xbox 360 for $10.00 or 800 Microsoft Points.
Over 50 exciting new events have also been created specifically for these cars including time challenges, endurance and sprint races. The challenging and spectacular new Riviera track boasts four unique layouts, each with daring corners, multiple blazing straight-aways and a few hairpins that will push these cars to the limit. Players that complete the package will receive an additional 125 Microsoft gamerpoints or 5 PlayStation Trophies as a reward for undertaking various exciting challenges.
The Exotic Racing Series pack cars include:
- Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
- BMW M1 Procar
- GUMPERT apollo
- Honda NSX
- McLaren MP4-12C
- Maserati GranTurismo S
- Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss
Need for Speed SHIFT features an intense first-person crash dynamic and a signature cockpit view that is designed to deliver a true driver’s experience. The game further personalizes the experience through the all-new driver profile — a unique persona based on the driving skill and style of each player. Need for Speed SHIFT is now available on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC, PSP, mobile and the iPhone. More information can be found at www.needforspeed.com
TT Games Chosen for LEGO Videogames Through 2016
March 4, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Nintendo DS, PC Games, PS3, PSP, Video Games, Wii, XBOX 360
LEGO and TT Games have announced a worldwide license agreement for TT Games Publishing to continue developing the highly successful LEGO video games across multiple platforms.
Operating as part of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, TT Games is the publisher and developer behind the award winning hit LEGO video game franchises including, LEGO Star Wars, LEGO Batman: The Video game and LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures, which have sold close to 50 million units worldwide.
“The LEGO Group is a brilliant and trusted organization with an extremely loyal fan base,” said Kevin Tsujihara, president, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group. “We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to continue the successful partnership between this legendary company and the talented TT Games, which will enable us to further expand our slate of widely recognized, family-friendly games.”
“One of the things that sets the LEGO brand apart is that it allows kids to express their creativity, and the games we develop with TT Games are not just great fun but also inspire kids to play with their LEGO bricks, exploring our different play themes more deeply,” said Henrik Taudorf Lorensen, vice president of LEGO Digital. “We are very excited to continue to work with TT Games because they take a distinctive approach to making games creative, social and non-violent, which makes them a valuable part of the broader LEGO experience.”
“We look forward to carrying on our excellent collaboration with the LEGO Group in building extraordinary LEGO video game franchises, with both Warner Bros. and third party IP, that continue to resonate with consumers,” said Tom Stone, managing director of TT Games Publishing. “There is a tremendous future for LEGO games, and we are looking forward to working with all of our partners over the coming years.”
TT Games, which was formed in 2005 with the merger of the developer Traveller’s Tales and publisher Giant Interactive Entertainment, continues to manage their existing relationships with other publishers. The next title from TT Games and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment will be LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 in 2010.