Joystiq [Playstation]

Richard Mitchell

Namco prepares a Raging Blast of Dragon Ball DLC

If there's one thing Dragon Ball has, it's a giant, sprawling cast of unique characters. Namco Bandai understands this, so it will be offering new downloadable characters for Dragon Ball: Raging Blast every two weeks from now until April of 2010. Best of all, the downloads will be free. Each pack will include "customized versions of popular characters, each with different powered-up abilities." In other words, if the initial lineup of characters just wasn't enough, soon you'll have remixed versions on top of the current cast.

Check out the full DLC schedule after the break. Unless otherwise noted, the DLC will release simultaneously on XBLM and PSN.

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Metal Gear Rex toy will launch a nuclear assault on your heart

by Richard Mitchell { 14 days ago }

Created with the capability to launch a nuclear slug, halfway across the world -- undetected -- Metal Gear Rex is anything but cute. That is, until you shrink it down to toy size, at which point it becomes positively adorable. The killer collectible was initially spotted by a Toyark forum member, who noted it was coming from threeA. The forum dweller further noted that Rex appears to be 15 to 17 inches tall.

We're not sure if the railgun is functional but, if push comes to shove, you could definitely launch some rubber bands off of that thing. Pricing and release information have not yet been revealed.

[Via TomoPop. Thanks, Gusto]

Demon's Souls strategy guide replacement program now live

by Richard Mitchell { 15 days ago }

Atlus has announced that it's previously revealed Demon's Souls strategy guide replacement program is now active. If you purchased the deluxe edition and wound up with a defective strategy guide -- the defective units have "unusual cover ink wear / fading" -- then all you have to do is visit the replacement program website and follow the instructions. In short, it amounts to filling out a form and shipping off the front cover and first page of the guide. Within 8-12 weeks, players should receive a shiny new copy.

All requests have to be postmarked by December 31, 2009, so hop to it if you've got a defective copy.*

*The editors of Joystiq realize that this post doesn't include a single crack about how incredibly difficult Demon's Souls is. Please accept their heartfelt apology.

PSA: 250GB PS3 available now

by Richard Mitchell { 24 days ago }

Just a quick reminder to let everyone know that the 250GB PlayStation 3 is available now in North America. The package runs $349 and crams a console, 250GB hard drive, controller and composite AV cables into the box. As the more astute readers have no doubt realized, the only thing different from the 120GB model is the 250GB hard drive. Still, as Gaming Bits points out, that's more than twice the storage for an extra $50 over the $299 model.

Of course, with Black Friday sales just a few weeks away, you might consider waiting to see what deals will be available before taking the plunge.

The Street Fighter II HD Remix intro that never was

by Richard Mitchell { 24 days ago }

We're sure everyone likes the redrawn, high definition art featured in Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, but did you know that Udon also redrew the original SSFII intro sequence? It's true, and Capcom Unity has the video to prove it. After the break, you'll find the intro movie that Udon created, though it never made it into the actual game. The video features Ryu doing his fireball thing, while Chun-Li poses and Cammy (for some reason) gives everyone a raspberry. Watch the redrawn trailer and the original after the break.

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Off-putting off-screen Heavy Rain footage

by Richard Mitchell { 1 month ago }

Remember the scene in Heavy Rain that we told you about at E3? The emotional roller coaster in which private investigator Scott Shelby does his best to thwart a convenience store hold-up? Remember how we noted the plentitude of ways that players can tackle this single scene, using a variety of context sensitive inputs and quick time events? Try to remember that as you watch off-screen footage of the same scene after the break, which has the players rather amused at making Shelby repeatedly run into walls and, ultimately, getting him shot.

It's a bit silly, but it does prove one thing: It's fun to watch Heavy Rain even if you're only trying to see how bad the situation can get.

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No install for Final Fantasy XIII on PS3

by Richard Mitchell { 1 month ago }

If you were planning on making yourself a nice sandwich for your first session of Final Fantasy XIII, it looks like you'll have to make it before you pop the disc in your PS3. According to IGN, director Motomu Toriyama told Famitsu that FFXIII will not require an install on PS3. Furthermore, other than the transition between town and field segments, the game won't feature any loading screens at all. Toriyama stated that loading time was one of the biggest concerns from the beginning of development.

We're sure there were at least a few folks out there looking forward to watching a Chocobo take a smoke break. Alas, it just wasn't meant to be.

Metal Slug XX rolls onto PSP this December

by Richard Mitchell { 1 month ago }

SNK Playmore has announced that it's bringing Metal Slug XX ("double X") to the PSP. The title is set to release on December 23 in Japan, with an asking price of ¥5,040 ($56). A remixed version of Metal Slug 7, the game includes ad-hoc cooperative play, over 70 mini-games and, as is tradition, lots of bullets. SNK was kind enough to release a trailer for the game, so you won't have to imagine how chaotic the game will undoubtedly be.

If you just can't handle all that action, we have some nice, quiet screenshots too.

Gallery: Metal Slug XX (PSP)

1-year subscription to Playstation Magazine for only $9 at Amazon

by Richard Mitchell { 1 month ago }

Amazon is currently offering a pretty good deal for the declining number of gamers that prefer receiving their news on paper. Specifically, the site is offering a one-year subscription to Playstation: The Official Magazine. But you'd better hurry. Like really fast, as over half of the subscriptions Amazon has on sale have already been claimed. No, seriously. You should go now. Why are you still reading this?

What's that? You prefer reading your news on the internet? Touché.

Original PSP to get 15% price cut ... in Japan

by Richard Mitchell { 2 months ago }

Sony may have been busy talking up the PSP Go (and its ridiculous accessories) during TGS, but it looks like the company hasn't forgotten the Go's older brother. Beginning October 1, the original PSP will receive a fifteen percent price drop in Japan, lowering the price to ¥16,800 (~$185). While it might seem a little strange for Sony to lower the price of the PSP just prior to the launch of the already overpriced PSP Go, Bloomberg rightly points out that the cut will place the PSP at a lower price than Nintendo's monstrously successful DSi.

For now, the price cut remains exclusive to Japan. Joystiq has contacted Sony to find out whether it plans to share the love with the rest of the world.

[Via Engadget]

Get your Pata on with Patapon 2 for $14

by Richard Mitchell { 3 months ago }

Amazon is just laying on the PlayStation sales today, with Patapon 2 being slashed to a measly $13.98. Okay, so it's not like Patapon 2 was terribly expensive in the first place, but come on, $14! For the price of two delicious hamburger combos, you could be playing this year's premiere drum-sequence-battle game. With the money you save off the regular $20 price tag, you could still buy one hamburger combo and you'd have something to play after lunch.

Right there? That's a win-win.

Media Molecule details the LBP History Kit

by Richard Mitchell { 3 months ago }

Media Molecule has officially spilled the beans on the upcoming History Kit that was recently revealed on the Japanese LittleBigPlanet site. In addition to the cutesy, historical costumes seen above, the History Kit will come packed with new objects, decorations, stickers (140 of 'em), sounds, music and a background, all available on August 13 for $3.99 / €3.99 / £3.19.

Check out a trailer for the History Kit, and a list of its contents -- politely cribbed from Media Molecule -- after the break.

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Reenact Amadeus with the LBP History Pack on Aug. 13

by Richard Mitchell { 4 months ago }

The Japanese LittleBigPlanet website has revealed that some new historical DLC is scheduled for August 13. According to the above image, there will be both a History Kit (¥300) -- which looks to include some new stickers and decorations -- and a History Costume Pack (¥400). The costumes available include Ghengis Khan, Boudica, Countess of Lovelace and Mozart. Each costume will be availalbe individually for ¥100.

Not available in the pack: Antonio Salieri. Now, if you'll excuse us, it's time to design a level about God laughing at him.

[Via Playstation.com EU forums]

Katamari Forever demo squashes Japanese PSN tomorrow

by Richard Mitchell { 4 months ago }

Alongside the Japanese release of Katamari Forever, andriasang.com reports that a demo is rolling out on the Japanese PSN tomorrow. While we're sure this information is particularly useful to our Japanese readers, it should also come in handy for those of you who have "friends" with a Japanese PSN account.

For those that have somehow steered clear of the delightful madness that is Katamari Forever, this new entry in the series includes spiffy graphical filters, SIXAXIS support and some new twists on the classic Katamari gameplay. You can read all about it in our recent preview. Or, if you'd rather, you can just listen to some puppets explain it.

Behold the LittleBigPlanet Ghostbusters DLC

by Richard Mitchell { 4 months ago }

And there they are. Via the Japanese LittleBigPlanet website, Sony has announced the LittleBigPlanet Ghostbusters DLC will be arriving in Japan next week, July 16. We're sure that no one really needs us to explain what will be available (it's all right up there, folks!), but here we go. Obviously, there is a Ghostbuster costume, along with a nifty trap item. There's also the "no ghosts' costume, the Staypuft Marshmallow Man costume and a Slimer hat.

Each costume will be ¥200 (~$2.17), or players can nab the whole pack for ¥600 (~$6.50). Hopefully, Sony will bust out the details for other regions soon.

[Via Siliconera]