PS3 Firmware 3.56 Released January 27, 2011

Firmware 3.56 for the Playstation 3 has been released to download through the PS3’s update program.  According to the patch notes released prior to the update, this update addresses “security issues”, none specifically designated in the notes.

Firmware 3.56 is required for Playstation Network access.

Dead Space is out for iPhone/iPad January 25, 2011

At midnight in my time zone, Dead Space found it’s way into the Apple iPhone App Store.  The game takes place shortly before the adventures of Isaac Clarke begin on the sprawl, and they follow an entirely new character, a sprawl engineer known only as Vandal.

All of the Dead Space gameplay has remained in this version.  The game is not a rail shooter, and is a fully controlable 3rd Person Action Game.  All the things that you could do as Isaac Clarke in Dead Space can be done here, including a few new things.  You can cut off limbs with weapons, telekenisis objects, stomp on enemies, freeze enemies with stasis, and a whole range of weapons are avalible.  Also, just like in the normal game, you can also upgrade weapons and your rig with power nodes.

The game also has it’s own achievements you can unlock, which unlock exclusive wallpapers, similar to the iPhone/iPad version of Mirror’s Edge.

Dead Space for iPhone is $6.99US.  An HD version of the game is avalible for iPad owners.

Mortal Kombat Release Date January 24, 2011

The next Mortal Kombat game, which is going to be a return to the 2D fighting perspective of the early sprite-based MK games but with fully realized 3D graphics, has a release date.

Since Mortal Kombat made the jump to 3D from it’s sprite based roots, it has been a 3D controlled fighting game.  This is the first 3D Mortal Kombat game that will stick to a 2D fighting perspective.  This is the MK that we all remember!

Mortal Kombat is coming April 19th, 2011 for PS3 and Xbox 360.

Dead Space 2 Live Stream Event Tonight January 24, 2011

This is just a reminder that the guys working on Dead Space 2 are doing a special live webcast tonight to promote the release of Dead Space 2 tomorrow.  There will be interviews, giveaways and prizes!

The live feed will be broadcast here at 4:30pm PST (which is 7:30pm EST).  All are invited to check it out.

Dead Space 2 releases tomorrow for PC, Xbox 360 and PS3.

UPDATE:  The live feed is starting up right now and should go fully up in about 5 minutes.  iPhone users can watch the feed using the free USTREAM app in the iPhone’s App Store.

UPDATE:  Missed the live stream?  You can watch the entire feed right here.  Enjoy.

Crysis 2 Demo Coming to Xbox 360 on Jan 25th January 21, 2011

I was just emailed by EA to notify me that they will be launching an exclusive multiplayer demo for the highly anticipated game Crysis 2 on January 25th.

The catch is the demo will ONLY be provided for Xbox 360 users.  Since the demo is multiplayer only, it will require an Xbox Live Gold account in order to play it.

Even though the demo will currently be exclusive to Xbox 360 Gold Members, Crysis 2 is coming for Xbox 360, PC and Playstation 3.

Duke Nukem Forever Release Date January 21, 2011

A moment I have been looking forward to for well over 12 years has finally come to pass…

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the OFFICIAL release date trailer for Duke Nukem Forever.

In this heavily censored trailer (likely due to YouTube restrictions), you can see a lot of new gameplay footage, weapons, enemies, and a nice few tidbits of story.  I have to say I do like opening voice over a lot, about Duke disappearing after the events of Duke Nukem 3D, coupled with the obvious parallel when the aliens toppled over his statue (anyone have an Iraq War flashback there too?).  The art style reminded me a lot of Prey mixed with SiN Episode 1 (Prey came in whenever things looked organic, especially with the organic doors, the SiN Episodes whenever I saw building exteriors, especially rooftops).  Now since these were my two favorite PC games of 2006, I am really psyched about that.

I can’t believe I’m actually typing this out.  Duke Nukem Forever is coming May 3rd, 2011 for the PC, Xbox 360 and PS3.

Portal 2 to Support PS3/PC Cross-Platform Multiplayer January 19, 2011

Big news for cross-platform fanatics.  Portal 2 has been confirmed to be a cross-platform multiplayer title.  Due to the new Steamworks integration to debut in the PS3 version of the game, PS3 owners will be able to link up with PC owners and play multiplayer games through Valve’s Steam Network.

Anyone who purchases a copy of Portal 2 for the Playstation 3 will get a free copy of Portal 2 for the PC simply for linking your Steam account to your PSN account.  So you PS3 owners, get to setting up those Steam accounts now, you never know what games might find your way if you do!  And if you’re a Mac owner, fear not, Steam’s Mac client will also support Portal 2 when it comes out.

Portal 2 is coming April 21st, 2011 for the PC, Xbox 360 and PS3.  The Xbox 360 version will not support cross platform multiplayer.

3DS Release Date March 27th January 19, 2011

Nintendo’s highly anticipated next handheld, the 3DS, finally has a definite release date and a retail price.  It will be released March 27th, 2011 for $249 US.  The handheld’s major innovation is in its glasses-free 3D screen.  It will also have an analog stick, tilt sensors, 3D camera, and a built-in pedometer.

Two colors will be at launch, aqua blue and cosmo black.  They will also come with a 2GB SD card for memory.  It will also be compatible with SDHC cards (which you can buy separately).

The system will be backwards compatible with DS and DSi games.  Also, the system will be able to connect to an online store where you’ll be able to purchase downloadable versions of classic Game Boy and Game Boy Color games (something I’ve wanted them to bring to the Wii Shop Channel for a while now).  For those of you who already have DS or DSi software, system transfer of your data will be supported after launch.

Killzone 3 Gold January 17, 2011

“Gold Master” is an older term which was coined around the glory days of PC CD-ROM.  A gold-master of a game was quite literally the finished product, which would have a gold finish to it, and would be the disc sent out for mass duplication.

Today that term lives on, as the Playstation Blog has confirmed that the heavily anticipated Playstation 3 game Killzone 3 has gone gold, and will be coming soon.  Killzone 3 will support Playstation Move.

Amazon.com, Best Buy and GameStop have their own exclusive pre-order incentives for the game.  There is also a collector’s edition of the game coming called the Helgast Edition which comes with goodies like a figurine, a helmet replica, and various DLC.  That will retail for $129.00 US.

Killzone 3 is a Playstation 3 Exclusive coming Feb 22nd, 2011.

Bulletstorm Demo January 25th January 17, 2011

For those of you interested in the next major release from Epic Games, Bulletstorm, an unapologietic First Person Shooter which harkens back to the glory days of the genre, is getting a demo release on January 25th for the PS3 and Xbox 360.  Unfortunatly, there have been no announcements about a PC demo for the game, although a PC release of the game is coming.

The Bulletstorm Epic Edition for Xbox 360 will include an invite to the Gears of War 3 Beta.  Bulletstorm releases Feb 22nd, 2011 for PC, Xbox 360 and PS3.