All Entries Tagged With: "PlayStation Store"

A Proposition for Sony: Worldwide PlayStation Store

One of the most appreciated aspects of Sony’s consoles this generation – and this applies to both the PS3 and the PSP – is that, when it comes to games, they are “region free”. What does this mean? For those of you who don’t know, various forms of media are typically locked into one region, and can only be played on devices that originate in that region. If you look on the front and/or back of any DVD or BluRay you purchase in North America, you’ll typically see a “Region 1” somewhere on it. This means that it can only be played in DVD or BluRay players native to “Region 1”, which is basically all of North America.

Ys SEVEN Now Available In North America, Exclusively On the PSP

As our Senior Contributing Editor, Chad Awkerman (resident RPG guru), lays in bed at night, he dreams of being within the Ys SEVEN universe, counting sword slashes as he attacks the enemy and makes his way  to the end of his quest.

Ys SEVEN is a Japanese action RPG from Nihon Falcom and is available now exclusively on the PSP system in North America. The standard edition for Ys SEVEN is available for a suggested price of $29.99, and a Limited Collector’s Edition, which includes the soundtrack, a 60-page art book and a 12.5″ x 34″ cloth map is available for $49.99 through Amazon.com, Gamestop, and other fine retailers. You can also find Ys SEVEN as a downloadable version through the PlayStation Store for a retail price of $29.99.

Are Xenogears and Other PS1-era RPGs Coming Soon to the North American PSN?

Suikoden II. Vagrant Story. Xenogears. What comes to your mind when you think of these three classic RPGs? Probably something along the lines of missing the hay day of RPGs back in the PS1 era, before voice acting, before such a focus on pristine visuals and before games started putting those two things above any substance at all.

You may or may not know, then, that two of these three titles are available on the PSN in regions outside North America. Hopefully that will change soon, and we have a few hints from Sony that it will. In the comments on a recent post on the PlayStation Blog about updates to the PSN, Sony’s Ro Hernandez had a few choice remarks to make when anxious fans inquired about these PS1 classics.

A fan asked if there was anything new to report on PS1 classics like Xenogears, which has been available on the PSN for over two years in Japan, and the reply was:

“Unfortunately not, still being tested…”

On the topic of Vagrant Story, which is already available on the Japanese and European PSN, he replied:

“Hopefully soon??”

And, finally, in regards to Suikoden II, it was said:

“We’ll see what we can do!”

So, take those comments how you will, but one thing is sure – Sony knows that fans in North America want these classics added to the PlayStation Store sooner rather than later, so hopefully we’ll see some movement in that regard in the coming months.

[Examiner]

Lunar: Silver Star Harmony Available on PlayStation Store

For a limited time of one week, Lunar: Silver Star Harmony will be available on the PlayStation Store, under PSN Summer Sales, for the half off price of $14.99. Lunar: Silver Star Harmony is a turn-based RPG available on the PSP Portable, and was developed by GameArts.

Over 1 Million PlayStation Minis Served Worldwide

The PlayStation Network announced that in the short 9 months that the PlayStation minis have been available for download through the PlayStation Store, they have past a milestone of over 1 million minis downloaded worldwide.

PlayStation minis are perfect for on-the-go portable gaming. Many titles are now playable on the PlayStation 3 console, as well as the PSP.

There are now over 85 titles available for download on the PlayStation Store. Read more for the top ten most popular PlayStation minis.

Atlus Bringing Their PS1 Games to the PSN

Starting with the original Shin Megami Tensei, Atlus is bringing their library of PS1 classics to the PlayStation Network. This is good news for those who started gaming more recently, and fell in love with awesome RPGs like the more recent Persona and Strange Journey franchise iterations. Perhaps gamers who enjoyed those will go back and see how it all began.

At present this is only announced for the Japanese PSN, although you can still purchase them from anywhere in the world if you have a Japanese PSN account. Just keep in mind that, obviously, the games are all in Japanese. Shin Megami Tensei will cost you roughly $12 (¥1000). I definitely wouldn’t put it past Atlus USA to eventually bring the titles to North America via our own PlayStation Store. Patience!

[Siliconera]

PlayStation Plus and Many Free Updates Live Now on PSN

Sony has announced that the PlayStation 3 firmware update v3.40 would be “available soon” and bringing with it a whole lot of new features and enhancements, and tonight at midnight they have kept their promise. Here are some confirmed details on the content of the update which include the benefits of PlayStation Plus for paying subscribers as well as many free updates for non-paying members.

Joe Danger is Dated for PSN

The game that will fulfill all your stunt jumping needs has been dated for PlayStation Network Store.

PSA: PlayStation Store Update to Change Days

That’s right, for all of you PlayStation fanboys, like Jon, who have been jealous about Xbox Live getting their updates a day before you, now is the time for rejoicing. Starting next week, May 4, 2010, the PlayStation Store will now be fully updated on Tuesdays instead of Thursdays. Now you have something you can brag about to your Xbot friends – you have the upper hand, now, faithful Sony followers, do not squander this opportunity!

Olivia Munn to Host Capcom’s Kill Big for Charity

Want a chance to see Olivia Munn in person and support a good cause at the same time? Of course you do. Capcom has announced that Olivia Munn will be hosting the Lost Planet 2 “Kill Big for Charity” launch event and celebrity tournament in Los Angeles on May 6. Celebrities and community members will square off in a tournament in the final chapter of Capcom’s month long “Kill Big for Charity” campaign where community members were called into action to support a good cause and download the newest Lost Planet 2 multi-player demo on Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network.

Just Cause 2 Black Market DLC

As if the inhabitants of the island of Panau didn’t have enough to worry about. Square Enix is about to drop the Black Market Aerial Pack and the explosive Black Market Boom Pack right on their heads. Each DLC will contain even more Agency items for causing maximum chaos possible on the island of Panau.

Capcom Sets Sights on 2011

Fans of Capcom waiting to hear the latest on what 2011 will bring for them are about to be rewarded. Following the developer’s Captivate 2010 Showcase IN Hawaii, Capcom has announced their upcoming titles for 2011. The gaming media got a taste of the offerings and the lineup looks to have blockbuster written all over it.