Thursday , March 28 2024
A solid week, some PSP ports, a new PSN title, and a free episode of Qore. Start downloading!

PlayStation Network Update: 12/04/2008

Let's call this update the portable version! Still no PS1 classics (why?), but four great games for the PSP this week. Ported versions of PSN classics Super Stardust and Everyday Shooter make their way to PSPs via the PSN store or the PC store. We also have digital versions of Archer Maclean's Mercury and Brain Challenge to round out the portable side of the update.

The PS3 also gets a new game with the long-delayed and much anticipated Soldner-X: Himmelssturmer game. This schmup will make many, many PS3 users happy, I for one plan on giving this a try!

I suppose we have to talk about Qore. Sony must be seeing the reactions and probable low buy rate for the online 'magazine' and have offered this months issue for free! Hopefully it is much better then previous weeks, otherwise it may signal the end of the road for the video magazine. Annual subscribers are not left in the cold, with an exclusive Flock demo only for those select few.

Some freebies on hand as well, which is always nice, featuring a really great LittleBigPlanet costume designed by the community. There are also three Age of Booty map packs at the wonderful price of nothing as well as another free character pack for NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja STORM. To balance it out there is a Far Cry 2 pack; unfortunately, at $10 it seems overpriced as you only get some weapons, a vehicle, and four multiplayer maps. Ten dollars should buy expanded content, not skins and maps, in my humble opinion.

GRiD also has a fairly minimal but expensive add on at $10, giving us only two online events and eight new cars. Developers must hate Criterion.  After the major free updates for Burnout Paradise, I cannot spend $10 for two measly events in a racing game. Soulcalibur IV is also still at it with another minimal costume pack at $2, this one Christmas-themed for some sexy Santa action.

We have the requisite Rock Band, Guitar Hero, and Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore 2 tracks on display. Guitar Hero wins hands down by giving us good songs by artists people actually know.

On the multimedia front we have many gaming and Blu-ray videos, some more ridiculous pay themes and a number of great wallpapers to decorate your PS3's background with.

All in all a huge update with some great PSP entries and a solid PSN title. Deets are below.

Qore
Qore Annual Subscription ($24.99)
Qore: Presented by the PlayStation Network is a monthly interactive video production covering the world of PlayStation. Qore provides its audience with exclusive behind-the-scenes access to developers and their games, from both the SCE Worldwide Studios and the third-party community, where the audience member can freely navigate through the content.
File size: 1.34 GB

Qore Episode 07, December 2008 (Free)
Episode 07 (December 2008) of Qore: Presented by the PlayStation Network is being offered to all PSN account holders, 18 and older, for free! (*PSN registration required. user responsible for Internet fees.) Download now to see what all of the excitement is about!
File size: 1.34 GB

Downloadable Games PS3
Soldner-X: Himmelssturmer ($9.99)
Set in the distant future, Soldner-X: Himmelssturmer is a fast and furious shoot ‘em up with state-of-the-art graphics, driving soundtrack, and classic fun gameplay sprinkled with fresh innovations. In the storyline, planet Earth’s resistance aims to stop a deadly infection consuming both life forms and technology alike, oddly having to rely on an anti-hero mercenary and bounty hunter to pilot a mighty prototype star fighter.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 845 MB

Downloadable Games PSP

  • Archer Maclean’s Mercury ($9.99)
  • Brain Challenge ($9.99)
  • Super Stardust Portable ($9.99)
  • Everyday Shooter ($9.99)


Add-on Game Content

LittleBigPlanet Kabuki Actor (free)
Download the winning Costume Contest submission from Japan. This free costume will dress your SackBoy in traditional japanese Kabuki attire.
File size: 1.04 MB

Age of Booty Map Pack 1 (free)
Download the new “Oasis” and “Slow and Stead” maps! These maps are available in the 2v2, 3v3, and 4v4 playlists.
File size: 100 KB

Age of Booty Map Pack 2 (free)
Download the new “Tight Passage” and “Tug of War” maps! These maps are available in the 2v2, 3v3, and 4v4 playlists.
File size: 100 KB

Age of Booty Map Pack 3 (free)
Download the new “Bombs and Whirlpools” and “Bloody Wake” maps! Battle Royal is also unlocked as a new gameplay mode. These maps are official maps and will appear in the 2v2v2v2 playlist.
File size: 100 KB

Far Cry 2 Fortunes Pack ($9.99)
Ramp up the terror with the Far Cry 2 Fortunes Pack, loaded with three new weapons, two new vehicles, and four new multiplayer maps. You get:

  • Silenced Shotgun
  • Craftsman Shotgun
  • Crossbow (with explosive bolts)
  • All-terrain Vehicle
  • Heavy-duty Utility Truck

Plus four NEW MULTIPLAYER MAPS:

  • Last Resort
  • Cheap Labour
  • Lake Smear
  • Fort Fury

Let the mayhem begin…
File size: 61 MB

GRiD 8-Ball Additional Content ($9.99)
The "8-Ball" pack for GRiD features eight thrilling new cars and two new online events as the first in a series of three new extensions for the game. Car List: McLaren F1 GTR, TVR Cerbera Speed 12, Mitsubishi 2.0 Turbo Lancer Evolution X, Honda S2000, Nissan GTR GT500, VW Nardo, Pontiac Firebird Trans AM, and Volvo C30 Green Racing.
File size: 171 MB

Guitar Hero: World Tour
For all song credits please visit www.guitarhero.com.

  • “1979″ by The Smashing Pumpkins ($1.99)
  • “G.L.O.W.” by The Smashing Pumpkins ($1.99)
  • “The Everlasting Gaze” by The Smashing Pumpkins ($1.99)
  • The Smashing Pumpkins Track Pack ($5.49) – Downloadable Track Pack for Guitar Hero World Tour featuring “ “G.L.O.W.,” “1979,” and “The Everlasting Gaze” by The Smashing Pumpkins.

File sizes: 36 MB – 45 MB (singles), 121 MB (track pack)

Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore 2
Expand your Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore 2 library by purchasing these tracks.

  • "Don’t You (Forget About Me)" ($1.49)
  • "For You I Will" ($1.49)
  • "Friends in Low Places" ($1.49)
  • "Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door" ($1.49)
  • "Midnight Train To Georgia" ($1.49)
  • "Unwritten" ($1.49)

File sizes: 15 MB – 54 MB

NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja STORM — Storm Pack 4 (free)
Download Storm Pack 4 and unleash legendary ninja Asuma as your support character in battle. The Storm Pack 4 also contains new Ultimate Mission to engage!
File size: 100 KB

Rock Band
Build your Rock Band library by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com.

  • “Real World” by All-American Rejects ($0.99)
  • “Ready, Set, Go!” by Tokio Hotel ($0.99)
  • “I Don’t Want to Go to School” by Naked Brothers ($0.99)
  • “Headphones On” by Miranda Cosgrove (free)
  • “Hay Poco Rock N Roll” by Platero y Tu ($0.99)
  • “Body I Occupy” by Naked Brothers ($0.99)
  • “Are You Dead Yet?” by Children of Bodom ($0.99)
  • “Tutto E Possibile” by Finley ($0.99)
  • “Tempted” by Squeeze ($0.99)

File sizes: 17 MB – 40 MB

Soulcalibur IV Customization Equipment 3 ($1.99)
Christmas is here with with the Santa equipment set. Turn Santa sexy by picking Ivy or Amy. This equipment can be used for both female and male characters.
File size: 3.1 MB

Game Videos (Free)
Soldner-X: Himmelssturmer Trailer
File size: 63 MB (HD)

Prince of Persia Dev Diary 2
File size: 221 MB (HD)

Prince of Persia Dev Diary 3
File size: 214 MB (HD)

Mercenaries 2 Blow It Up Again Trailer
File size: 43 MB (HD)

Facebreaker Audition Video #4
File size: 83 MB (HD)

Facebreaker Audition Video #5
File sizes: 82 MB (HD)

BAJA: Edge of Control – Launch Trailer
File size: 190 MB (HD)

Savage Moon Trailer
File size: 52 MB (HD)

Resistance 2 – Last Hours
File sizes: 91 MB (HD), 158MB (1080)

Life in LittleBigPlanet: Ep 4
File size: 180 MB (HD)

LittleBigPlanet WELCOME TO MY WORLD Video
File size: 103 MB (HD)

PS3 Themes (Premium)
Lingerie Girls Theme ($1.49)
File size: 6.77 MB

University of Florida Theme ($1.99)
File size: 5.15 MB

European Highlands Theme ($1.49)
File size: 6.25 MB

Bloodwork Theme ($1.49)
File size: 5.71 MB

Atomic Acid Theme ($1.49)
File size: 5.4 MB

Metal Battalion Maidens Theme ($0.99)
File size: 3.38 MB

PS3 Wallpaper (Free)
Soldner-X: Himmelssturmer Wallpaper 1
File sizes: 220 KB – 660 KB

Soldner-X: Himmelssturmer Wallpaper 2
File sizes: 264 KB – 977 MB

Soulcalibur IV Holiday Hilde Wallpaper
File sizes: 2.99 KB – 1.09 MB

Soulcalibur IV Holiday Ivy Wallpaper
File sizes: 233 KB – 881 KB

About Michael Prince

A longtime video game fan starting from simple games on the Atari 2600 to newer titles on a bleeding edge PC I play everything I can get my hands on.

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