‘Heads-Up’ Game Store Update (28th July 2010)

Before we get into the bones of the update, there is some meat to attend to first (I apologise for the analogy used there). I’m referring to an addition being made to the store via the Firmware update 3.41 that appeared yesterday.
Firmware update 3.41 adds recommendations for games on PlayStation Store, so when you’re browsing the description details of a title, you’ll also see an additional “You May Like” section. This section will list additional items based on purchases of other users … how you’d expect a recommendation system to work really. So you’ll start to see great titles that may have passed you by, or that you’ve forgotten about, therefore adding another dimension to your store experience – more peer power!
Please note that while the 3.41 update has been released, the recommendations feature on PlayStation Store is slated to go live by the end of July.
Okay, now onto the content this week:
As you can see from the above image an old friend returns (for the first time on PlayStation since 1995); Earthworm Jim HD is a remake of the old classic – which I may add was hard as nails, I never actually completed it – and features all the old favourite characters and levels, but now comes with added HD shininess, additional levels and a multiplayer mode. I for one am I very excited, and will be doing my best to actually complete it this time!
We have two additions to the PSone roster on the store; Pong and Rayman 2: The Great Escape. I know it’s been quite a wait to get Rayman 2 onto the store, and we’re very pleased to say that it’s now available, so grab your copy and help Rayman defend his world against the pirate invasion! As for Pong, you know what to expect and it needs no further explanation really, other than this version (originally released in 1999) comes with 3D graphics and power-ups.
That’s not all for PS3 though, we have the Madden NFL 11 demo for instance as well as much more; I refer you to the full list below for the full details.
As for your PSP needs this week there are two Harry Potter games available, a demo for Worms: Battle Islands, and four new titles added to the Essentials range. Not forgetting the three new minis that are also available.
As ever, leave your comments and I’ll be around to address what I can.
Cheers.

PlayStation Store (via PS3, PSP and Media Go)

Special Offers (Karate Kid Promotion)

(Available until the 4th of August)

• Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection Online (was – £14.99/€19.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)
• Revenge of the Wounded Dragons (was – £6.29/€7.99 now – £3.99/€4.99)
• Mortal Kombat 2 (was – £3.99/€4.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
• Rag Doll Kung Fu: Fists of Plastic (was – £7.99/€9.99 now – £3.99/€4.99)
• Rag Doll Kung Fu: Fists of Plastic Time Savers Pack (was – £1.19/€1.99 now – £0.79/€0.99)
• Street Fighter IV Complete Alternative Costume Pack (was – £9.99/€12.99 now – £4.79/€5.99)
• Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix (was – £11.99/€14.99 now – £5.49/€6.99)
• Final Fight: Double Impact (was – £7.99/€9.99 now – £3.99/€4.99)

Permanent Price Reductions

• Heracles Chariot Racing (mini) (was – £3.49/€3.99 now – £1.99/€2.49)

Downloadable Games (PS3)

• Earthworm Jim HD (Trial and Unlock)

(£7.99/€9.99)
Rating: PEGI 12
Availability: All locales

• Premier Manager (£13.99/€17.99)
  Rating: PEGI 3
  Availability: All locales except Australia, New Zealand and Russia

Downloadable Games (PSP)

• Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix (£15.99/€19.99)
  Rating: PEGI 7
  Availability: All locales
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (£15.99/€19.99)
  Rating: PEGI 7
  Availability: Only available in France, Italy, Spain and UK.

PSP Essentials

(Availability may differ in some locales)

• Exit (£7.99/€9.99)
• Ben 10: Alien Force (£7.99/€9.99)
• Surf’s Up (£7.99/€9.99)
• Petz: My Puppy Family (£7.99/€9.99)

PSone Games (PS3/PSP)

• Rayman 2: The Great Escape (£3.99/€4.99)
  Rating: PEGI 3
  Availability: All locales
• Pong (£3.99/€4.99)
  Rating: PEGI 3
  Availability: All locales

minis (PS3/PSP)

• Brick Breaker (£2.49/€2.99)
  Rating: PEGI 3
  Availability: All locales except Russia
• Labyrinth (£2.49/€2.99)
  Rating: PEGI 3
  Availability: All locales except Russia
• Tetraminos (£2.49/€2.99)
  Rating: PEGI 3
  Availability: All locales except Russia

Demos (PS3)

• Madden NFL 11
  Rating: PEGI 3
  Availability: All locales
• Flower
  Rating: PEGI 3
  Availability: All locales

Demos (PSP)

• Worms: Battle Island
  Rating: PEGI 12
  Availability: All locales

Add-On Game Content (PS3)

• Transformers: War for Cybertron – Map and Character Pack #1 (£7.99/€9.99)
  Rating: PEGI 12
  Availability: All locales
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11
  • Carolinas Pack (£3.99/€4.99)
  • Championship Pack (£3.19/€3.99)
  • International Pack (£3.19/€3.99)
  • North America Pack (£3.19/€3.99)
  • The Predator (£3.19/€3.99)
  • The TPC Blue Monster at Doral (£3.19/€3.99)

Rating: PEGI 3
Availability: All locales

• PAIN – Pinball (Abusement Park) (£1.59/€1.99)
  Rating: PEGI 16

Availability: All locales

• Lost Planet 2 – Rush Arena (£2.39/€2.99)
  Rating: PEGI 16

Availability: All locales

• Super Street Fighter IV – Super Complete Alternate Costume Pack (£13.99/€17.99)

Rating: PEGI 12
Availability: All locales

• Clash of the Titans – Athena’s Request (free)
  Rating: PEGI 16

Availability: All locales

• Rock Band
  • Avenged Sevenfold Pack 01 (£3.49/€5.29) (contains the following tracks which are also available separately)
  • ‘Nightmare’ (£0.99/€1.49)
  • ‘Scream’ (£0.99/€1.49)
  • ‘Seize the Day’ (£0.99/€1.49)
  • Juanes Pack 01 (£4.99/€7.99) (contains the following tracks which are also available separately)
  • ‘A Dios Le Pido’ (£0.99/€1.49)
  • ‘Fijate Bien’ (£0.99/€1.49)
  • ‘Gotas De Aqua Dulce’ (£0.99/€1.49)
  • ‘La Camisa Negra’ (£0.99/€1.49)
  • ‘Mala Gente’ (£0.99/€1.49)
  • ‘Yerbatero’ (£0.99/€1.49)
  • The Vines Pack 01 (£4.39/€6.59)

Rating: PEGI 12
Availability: Not available in Czech Republic, Greece, Luxembourg, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and United Arab Emirates

• Rock Band Network
  • ‘1348’ by Umphrey’s McGee (£0.99/€1.49)
  • ‘Battles And Brotherhood ‘ by 3 Inches of Blood (£0.99/€1.49)
  • ‘So Says I’ by The Shins (£0.99/€1.49)
  • ‘Tastes Like Kevin Bacon’ by iwrestledabearonce (£0.99/€1.49)
  • ‘The Funeral’ by Band of Horses (£0.99/€1.49)
  • ‘Walls’ by All Time Low (£0.99/€1.49)
  • ‘Goth Girls’ by MC Frontalot (£0.99/€1.49)
  • ‘Henchmen Ride’ by Testament (£0.99/€1.49)
  • ‘Higher’ by Creed (£0.99/€1.49)
  • ‘River of Tuoni’ by Ameberian Dawn (£0.99/€1.49)

Rating: PEGI 12
Availability: Not available in Czech Republic, Greece, Luxembourg, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and United Arab Emirates

• Guitar Hero 5
  • Shinedown Track Pack (£4.39/€5.49) (contains the following tracks which are also available separately)
  • Devour (£1.59/€1.99)
  • Second Chance (£1.59/€1.99)
  • Sound of Madness (£1.59/€1.99)

Rating: PEGI 12
Availability: Not available in Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and United Arab Emirates

FirstPlay (PS3)

• Episode 017 (£0.99/€1.20)
  Availability: Ireland and UK only

Videos (PS3)

• Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam Trailer
• Crysis 2 Marine Salvage Trailer
• Hunted: The Demon’s Forge E3 Trailer
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1 – 4 Year 3 Vignette
• What is PlayStation Home? Trailer

Dynamic Themes (PS3)

• Bamboo Forest (£1.59/€1.99)

Themes (PS3)

(static)

• Nordic Warrior (£1.19/€1.49)
• Steampunk (£1.19/€1.49)

Avatars (PS3)

• Flower – (£0.20/€0.25 each)
  • Daisy Avatar
  • Daisy on Blue Avatar
• SingStar – (£0.20/€0.25 each)
  • Amateur Avatar
  • Hit Avatar
  • Hopeful Avatar
  • Lead Avatar
  • Rising Star Avatar
  • SingStar Avatar
  • SuperStar Avatar
  • Tone Deaf Avatar
  • Wannabe Avatar

Additional Locale Releases

• Toy Story 3 – Alien Escapades
  Rating: PEGI 3
  Now available in France
• Toy Story 3 – Woody’s Round-Up
  Rating: PEGI 3
  Now available in Germany, Ireland, Switzerland and UK