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After Microsoft deprived us of new Xbox Live Arcade gaming last week they're trying to redeem themselves by offering up two XBLA games this week. They must really feel bad. Releasing to the Arcade on Wednesday, December 12th will be both Sidhe Interactive's GripShift and Wanako Games' Arkadian Warriors each for 800 Microsoft points. We know a select few of our fellow fanboys have been eagerly awaiting GripShift and some even Arkadian Warriors, so this Wednesday those select few shall be super, super happy. Anyone willing to commit to spending 800 points on either title or will a trial be necessary?

In a press release announcing the Fall Update's Xbox Live Arcade Hits program, Microsoft also announced the next few months' upcoming Xbox Live Arcade games that are scheduled for release. As things stand right now, the next XBLA games to get released are Arkadian Warriors, Brain Challenge, GripShift, N+, Omega Five, Poker Smash, Rez HD and Sensible World of Soccer. No specific release schedule for each game has been confirmed just yet, but it's always nice to see what's headed down the old XBLA pipeline. And this list also lets us officially get excited for N+ and Rez HD. A big w00t to that!

While recent Live offerings may have left us feeling jilted, like a lifelong pal or that leftover turkey sandwich it's impossible to stay mad at Microsoft's download service for long. This morning our frowns turned upside down as Sidhe Interactive sent word that it is bringing its over-the-top racer GripShift to XBLA later this year, which as we take a cursory glance at what's left of our calender looks to mean sometime in the next four weeks or so.

The game, which was originally released for the PSP in 2005, already made the leap to the PlayStation Network, and while its big screen debut was not as warmly received as it was originally, the game nonetheless marks a welcome addition to any download service, provided the price is right. While GripShift is good fun, we hope the game abandons its weighty $10 PSN price for something a bit more reasonable, say 500 Microsoft Points. Improved textures and sounds aside, this is still a two year old PSP game at heart, and holiday shopping has our wallets feeling a bit peckish.

[Via press release]

The arcade puzzle racer GripShift has seen its share of releases on various Sony platforms (the PSP in 2005 and on PS3's PSN earlier this year), but now Sidhe Interactive has confirmed that GripShift will headed to the XBLA in December. And, according to Sidhe, GripShift on the XBLA will be considered the "definitive version" featuring updated graphics, 120 levels, achievements, leaderboards and up to four player versus. W00t, w00t! So, be on the lookout for this puzzle racer to release sometime next month and you might as well give the embedded teaser trailer a looksy too.

Mere minutes after the European PlayStation Store was updated with the Heavenly Sword demo, American users of the PlayStation Network will be able to download the hotly anticipated demo, along with a few additional goodies. Here's this week's line-up:

• Heavenly Sword playable demo
• Metal Gear Solid 4 gameplay demonstration
• Resident Evil 5 game trailer
• Haze "Origins" game trailer
• "30 Days of Night" movie trailer
• "Across the Universe" movie trailer
• "August Rush" movie trailer
• "Vacancy" Blu-Ray movie trailer
• GripShift 2.0 full game - $9.99 {Update: "Previously available on the PLAYSTATION Store, this updated version includes faster load times and other minor fixes. If you've previously purchased GripShift from the PLAYSTATION Store, you can download this new version for free."]

This is quite possibly the most significant update the Store has ever received, providing a high profile game demo, hot game trailers, and a surprise new downloadable game. Log on to the Store now.

Sony Online Entertainment had a fairly sizable role in the PlayStation Store development thus far. They offered the original IP Cash Guns Chaos and helped fund Sidhe's Gripshift on its graphical upgrade for the PS3 reissue. Gripshift was enjoyable for the first 30 minutes we played it, but the tracks were so easy and uninspired, we soon lost interest. It was hardly compelling. Did we miss something here? Also, SOE helped secure the deal to port those Midway classics we've come to both tolerate and despise. Although not one Midway classic burned our eyes with anticipation, we've been so hungry for content, we downloaded nearly all those titles anyway. Perhaps we're not being true to the spirit of classics, but we envision something a little more meaty than an unabridged arcade port with online multiplayer. Mortal Kombat II fared okay in our book but Championship Sprint and Rampage definitely lost something in their translation, and it was mostly fun.

Steve is lucky enough to have a fiancee who's interested in gaming. Maybe he'll want to send her this free Valentine's Day level of GripShift to her. This level features tons of twists, turns and enough traps to crush you. Sounds like a real relationship to me!

[Via PlayStation]

Sony seems to be having a bit of a problem. They have a portable system that is a success, but not by any means their main product. Then they have a new console that desperately needs games any way it can get them. Obviously they need to compete on the high end next gen game front, but they also need to compete against the Virtual Console and Xbox Live Arcade. Without the backlog of games like Nintendo or the head start of Microsoft, they seem to be turning to a questionable source for their downloadable games; the PSP.

The obvious issue with PSP games going to PS3 is that it begins to negate the reasons for a consumer to own both. Sure, right now it's a Gripshift and a Tekken, but what happens if the trend just continues? Sure, this would strengthen the PlayStation Network, but at the cost of PSP exclusives. This is just not acceptable when the PSP still has a long way to go to establish itself.

If Sony does insist on continuing to take games from the PSP library to the PS3, than it needs to change how it does so. Microsoft announced Live Anywhere quite some time ago, but we're still waiting for the day when we can play Xbox Live Arcade games on the go. Part of the reason is that Microsoft doesn't yet have a portable gaming system, but Sony does. Why not have it so if I download Gripshift on the PS3 I can download it to my PSP as well free as charge. For games that require progress, it would be great if I was able to share saves between my PSP and PS3. Maybe this is part of Sony's eventual plans anyway, but until I can buy Tekken on my PSP and continue it on my PS3 or vice-versa, it seems like a missed opportunity.

It could just be that this is a temporary solution and as more developers jump on board the PlayStation Network, Sony will stop relying on PSP games as downloadable content. Even if this is the case though, it still seems like a dangerous road for Sony to travel. It could just be that I'm overreacting though. What do fellow PSP owners think of this development?

Well, seems they changed something in the PlayStation Store after a good friend and my 3 A.M. Resistance bout ended. What's so different? No, not the logo... it's not the color of the store, either... oh my goodness! Two more games to enjoy! The elation is not unwarranted -- one is a fairly celebrated PSP cross-genre title, GripShift, and the other is long celebrated as the very first fully 3-D platformer (and consisting of a robotic rabbit aptly named Robbit), Jumping Flash.

The demo for GripShift is free -- so we're currently downloading it now to try it out. Feel free to leave any feedback you may have for the title here. Also feel free to talk about how much, or how little, Jumping Flash has aged since its original inception. Good stuff, Sony! Keep cranking out these downloadable titles and we'll have a sufficient online library of games in no time at all.

[thanks to those who sent this in!]

IGN blogger chubigans had the chance to talk to GripShift executive producer, Mario Wynands. Gripshift joins a number of games, such as Tekken: Dark Resurrection that are making the leap from PSP to PLAYSTATION 3. The "racing platformer" will feature some obvious improvements, such as HD visuals and real-time lighting, on the next-gen console.

However, PSP owners need not fret that they're being ignored. Mr. Wynands states, "It is definitely our intention to produce a full sequel of GripShift for PSP." While a sequel is exciting, what gets me truly revved up is the potential for a new original IP, something the PSP is certainly not unfamiliar with: " For PSP in particular, it's been interesting. We've certainly seen some great new IPs hit the handheld, made possible by the PSP being powerful but relatively cheap to develop for in comparison to console and also with a solid user base in place... We intend bringing more original IP to the PSP platform."

For the rest of this lengthy and revealing interview, head over to Club IGN.