PlayStation Network Update: 08/20/2009

Another week, another update. This time we are now celebrating the long awaited price drop on the PS3 as announced at GamesCom. Hopefully we will see a lot more PS3 users around the network.

Only one new game this week, the anticipated Smash Cars appears to PSN users. Not my kind of game but this stunt-infused RC racing game should appeal to a lot of people. We also finally have a worthwhile PSOne classic in the form of Bloody Roar. A cool take on the fighting genre with your characters able to change to animal forms.

Demos for the cutesy Mini Ninjas and the aerial combat game IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds Of Prey are joined by many, many add-ons this week. Both demos feature lots of action, but very different gameplay styles.

Oh add-on content, why are you so fickle? There may be a lot of it, but there's really nothing worthwhile this week. Perhaps the most embarrassing is the Andy Dick character for PAIN. The Hoff was fun because he is campy and amusing. Andy Dick is just annoyingly stupid and a waste of good graphics.

Another embarrassment is the BlazBlue DLC, it is a shame that this outstanding fighting game is getting EA-style cheat codes for a price. More colors and buying unlockable ultimate characters? For shame Arksys, you just encourage cheap players to stay cheap and pay for the perks.

Cross Edge has many pay for add-ons and one freebie. Looks like the pendulum has shifted on this game to the cost model, at least there are a lot of freebies already. Finally there is a new Street Fighter 2 inspired table for Zen Pinball, possibly the only DLC with any value this week. Speaking of Street Fighter, we do have the FREE soundtrack to Marvel Vs Capcom 2, free is always nice.

Finally we also have some free quality themes again focusing on Savage Moon, Bioshock 2, and other titles, this makes the $2 Army of Two theme look downright silly.

There are tons of videos both for the PS3 and PSP as well as the game Warriors Orochi for the PSP. I would recommend watching the Borderlands Premiere Gameplay Trailer, it is a nice peak at this amazing looking game from Gearbox.

Not a great week, but some diamonds in the rough for you PS3 lovers. Below is a list of all the items added to this week's PSN update. For more details, please visit the official PlayStation Blog.

Downloadable Games

• Smash Cars ($14.99)

PSone Classics PS3 / PSP

• Bloody Roar ($5.99)

Game Demos

• IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds Of Prey Demo
• Mini Ninjas Demo

Add-on Game Content

• PAIN Celebrity Character Andy Dick ($1.99)
• Zen Pinball Street Fighter II Tribute Table ($2.49)
• BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger Additional Colors (Type A) ($1.99)
• BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger Additional Colors (Type B) ($1.99)
• BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger Additional Colors (Type C) ($1.99)
• BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger All Additional Colors ($4.99)
• BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger Unlimited Hakumen ($0.99)
• BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger Unlimited Rachel ($0.99)
• BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger Unlimited V-13 ($0.99)
• BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger Unlimited Ragna ($0.99)
• Cross Edge Service Point Pack (free)
• Cross Edge Open Voice ($1.99)
• Cross Edge Open Gallery ($1.99)
• Cross Edge Beauty & Beast Pack ($1.99)
• Cross Edge Exotic Pack ($1.99)
• Cross Edge Thanks for Waiting Pack ($1.99)
• Cross Edge Strongest (in a Way) Pack ($1.99)
• Cross Edge Lots of Legends Pack ($1.99)
• Guitar Hero World Tour
• Rock Band

Game Videos (free)

• Gran Turismo PSP interview video (also downloadable via PSP)
• Red Faction Guerrilla Demons Of The Bad Lands Trailer
• Borderlands Premiere Gameplay Trailer
• Mini Ninjas Suzume Gameplay Video
• Mini Ninjas Suzume Vignette
• Tekken 6 GamesCom 2009 Trailer
• NHL 2K10 Teaser Video 1
• Dew Tour Summer Videos – Chicago (x8)

Game Music (free)

• Marvel Vs Capcom 2 tracks (x10)

Themes

• US Army Best Ranger Competition XMB Theme (free)
• Gamer: PS3 Theme (free)
• Bioshock 2 Multiplayer Theme (free)
• Savage Moon Grey Theme (free)
• Savage Moon Red Theme (free)
• Army Of Two: 40th Day Theme ($1.99)

Wallpaper (free)

• US Army Wallpaper (x4)
• Gamer Wallpaper (x3)

PlayStation Store for PSP
Downloadable Games

• Warriors Orochi ($14.99)

PSone Classics PS3 / PSP

• Bloody Roar ($5.99)

Add-on Game Content

• Rock Band Unplugged (also available from PS3 storefront)

PSP Wallpaper (free)

• Warriors Orochi wallpaper (x6)