UK PS Store is hiding a PSP secret

22 11 2007

Sony is being very good to PSP owners right before the Thanksgiving holiday. Not only did the PlayStation Store launch yesterday to allow access from your PC, but the company also decided to plant an easter egg for those curious enough to browse the store. This easter egg came in the form of a new trailer for a game called “Beats” that was hidden by Sony within the PSP game trailers section.

Shortly after releasing the trailer, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe launched the downloadable game “Beats” through the UK PlayStation Store with a price tag of GBP 4.99. The game is great for music fans that have their music collection on their PSP. Beats is based almost completely on the playback of your personal music collection, taking any song and turning it into gameplay.

The game is similar to DDR and DJ Max Portable as it uses beat tracking technology to create button-press sequences for each song in your personal music collection. The trailer provides details on two different modes labeled “Jamming” and “Challenge”. It also appears that the game will allow a wide array of customization options so that you are able to change your background and visual style.

Multiplayer is available locally for 1-4 players and details on the Official UK page state that the title allows for game sharing (players sharing the game with other PSP users who do not currently own the game). An online ranking system is said to be available (one can assume there will be online playability) but there is no official word yet regarding online play.

As of right now, the game is only available through the UK PlayStation Store with no official release date announced for a US version, but due to the sudden release of the game in the UK, North America & Europe can hope it will only be some time before it is released there.





PS3 Phone Features Microsoft Operating System & Plays Nintendo Games

22 11 2007

“That’s right folks, wrap your minds around this — a phone that features Playstation buttons, has a Microsoft Windows operating system, and plays Nintendo games. Confused yet? How about the fact that the phone was made in “Koera” — No, that’s not a typo, that’s what is printed on the phone.”

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An Alternative View of Full HD

13 11 2007

An industry-leading sound and vision reviewer (Harvey Norman) has contacted SmartHouse to shed some light on a question raising much chatter in the electrical retail industry – what constitutes full HD?

Norman explains full HD, true HD, 1080p, 1080i, and the differences – if there is any.

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Player impressions of the Dualshock 3

12 11 2007

A lucky owner of the Dualshock 3 posted his impressions on the new controller at the Official Playstation Boards.

Read here





Sound Advice: HD DVD leaves Blu-ray in the dust

12 11 2007

Don Lindich, a national columnist and creator of the “Digital Made Easy” book series states, ” I enthusiastically recommend HD DVD because it’s a better product and a better proposition for consumers. Signs are showing it is going to trounce Blu-ray, and soon.”

“For those looking for a single sentence explaining why go with HD DVD: It’s a better thought-out, more solid product than Blu-ray, it is half the price, and picture and sound quality are identical. At less than $200 including seven or more movies, HD DVD players are a stunning value. Why pay twice the money when Blu-ray has serious issues and the movies look and sound the same?”

“I smile when I see people buying HD DVD players based on bargain pricing, because they are unknowingly getting the Ferrari as well. Despite its purported superiority and much higher cost, Blu-ray is the emperor with no clothes. HD DVD has been superior since day one.”

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Only in Japan: Assassin’s Creed is only on the 360

12 11 2007

Ubisoft is launching Assassin’s Creed this week. Meanwhile Japan has to wait until November 29 to try it out, but unlike the multiplatform release in North America, Ubisoft only has a date for the Xbox 360 version. The Playstation 3 release is probably still coming out.

Siliconera finds this news rather interesting since Assassin’s Creed was previously believed to be a Playstation 3 exclusive and it’s made by a western company. Now in one territory the tables are nearly turned, Assassin’s Creed is Xbox 360 only in 2007.

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