It is a fact of getting older that eventually our favorite uncles, cherished grandpas, and even beloved parents go a little nuts as they get on in years. Luckily when this happens in the video game world we don’t end up with ridiculous family drama, but some wacky and wild games appearing on our past-its-prime system of choice. Since the dawn of the PS2 each PlayStation system has had a period when new games and titles were releasing for the previous generation of systems, while the new machine was trying to get up to speed. For example, Rockstar published The Italian Job on the original PlayStation months after they unleashed Grand Theft Auto III on an unknowing public via PlayStation 2 or God of War 2, which led the PlayStation 2 charge in 2007 as the PS3 gained traction. While those are examples of high profile games that bled into a new generation on past hardware, more interesting to me is the spectrum of truly weird titles that get released during this same stage in a console’s lifecycle – the “crazy old man” phase. As a hardware generation draws to a close the retail price of the system drops, which increases the number of people that have their hands on it, development costs also decrease as teams become more familiar with the system’s infrastructure and publishers are more willing to take risks on crazy, one-off titles, generally from Japan. Scanning across my shelf I’m greeted by titles that range from the ridiculously over the top God Hand to the incredibly cute, but satisfying 2D RTS GrimGrimoire. Most unexpectedly a few series have carved out a niche in the Crazy Old Man phase of a console most notably the Persona series. Here is something you may not have realized but every mainline Persona game beside the original Revelations: Persona, was originally released on past generation hardware. Here are the stats Persona 2: Eternal Punishment was released in North America a month after the PS2 launched and Persona 3 and 4 were released a year and two years, respectively, after the PS3 launched. So even with the looming shadow of a new console on the market great games can still find their audience.

Another aspect of an aged console is the ability to repackage compilations. A system staring at the Crazy Old Man in the mirror often decides ends up playing host to entries in its famous franchises bundled together or even collections of previous titles in a famous series. Don’t forget that at one time every mainline Final Fantasy game released until that point, except for FF3, was available on the PlayStation. That’s FF I, II, and IV through IX, which takes a bit of a time investment to get through. For this bit of insanity we must thank the likes of Final Fantasy Chronicles, released in 2001, and Final Fantasy Origins, from 2003. A system in the Crazy Old Man phase won’t just give you the weird and wild, but also offer a history lesson if you pay attention.

What I’m curious about now is how does this bode for the ailing PSP? With the announcement of a Growlanser game coming to PSP this year does this signal the PSP is about to enter the Crazy Old Man phase? Will we see the wacky and wild diversity of past Sony platforms repeat themselves on the PSP? Do fans want to see crazy compilations or are we ready to move on to the Vita and bigger and better things in the future?

A system’s senility is often considered a bad thing, with no more big name games on the horizon it is left to take up shelf space at retro game stores and/or old school gaming conventions. But don’t forget that in a system’s last gasps it will often offer pearls of wisdom, or more likely games of whimsy, that we would do well not to miss.

I blame the PSNation podcast for my new addiction.  I was an innocent RPG fan.  I occasionally visited the FPS realm with games like Killzone and Resistance.  And when Torgo and Co. would talk about Zen Pinball I’d recall me old opinion of pinball games.  “How can you enjoy a game where you look at the same environment all the time?”

Then Zen Studios released Zen Pinball free for Plus members, so I shrugged and gave it a shot. Yeah, I am now an official pinball convert.  I purchased some of the Marvel tables (because I am a huge Moon Knight fan and I had to try his table).

But word had it that Zen Studios was releasing a new table that would be right up my alley.  Torgo mentioned it a few shows ago, and I went frantically-looking for it, but it was nowhere to be found.  Finally, the official announcement came today.  A Role-Playing Pinball table.  It lampoons my favorite genre in a goofy and clever way (reminiscent of Monty Python).

But poking fun at the genre isn’t the only thing that makes Epic Quest an RPG/Table.  The main character Max is looking to defend the realm from injustice, rescue wealthy maidens, and earn as much loot as possible in order to build up his arsenal of weapons and armor.

But get this…Max levels up.  Even if your game is over and you lose all of your balls (TWSS) Max will continue with all his possessions and levels into the next game, so you will be rewarded for continuous sessions.  Max’s armor will also visually change as you acquire new pieces.

Zen Studios continues to impress with their new tables, and this is no exception.  They have added a level of depth and humor into the pinball genre, and I’m excited to give this a shot when it’s released to the PlayStation Store this month.  Check out the trailer below.

With the PlayStation Vita just a few weeks away, I’m curtailing my spending so that I can get a larger memory card (expensive) and a couple Vita games. Fortunately the list of Blu-ray new releases this week seems almost perfectly catered to my personal needs. Nothing here is a first-day purchase in my opinion.

Some of the new releases:

• 2-Headed Shark Attack (Asylum)
• Adaptation. (Image)
• The Big Year (20th Century Fox)
• Cold Mountain (Lionsgate)
• Das Boot: Director’s Cut (Single Disc Edition) (Sony)
• The Double (Image)
• Dream House (Universal)
• Drive (Sony)
• The English Patient (Lionsgate)
• Frida (Lionsgate)
• Grand Canyon (Starz/Anchor Bay)
• In Time (20th Century Fox)
• Into the Universe with Stephen Hawking (Discovery Channel)
• Joe Somebody (Starz/Anchor Bay)
• Malcolm X (Warner Brothers)
• The Mill and the Cross (Kino)
• Monkeybone (Starz/Anchor Bay)
• Night Train Murders (Blue Underground)
• Nothing in Common (Image)
• Outrage: Way of the Yakuza (Magnolia)
• The Piano (Lionsgate)
• Poirot: Series 1 (Acorn Media)
• Poirot: Series 2 (Acorn Media)
• The Richard Thompson Band: Live at Celtic Connection (Eagle Rock)
• The Scout (Starz/Anchor Bay)
• Shakespeare in Love (Lionsgate)
• Snow Buddies (Disney/Buena Vista)
• A Soldier’s Story (Image)
• Star Trek: The Next Generation – The Next Level (Paramount)
• Styx: The Grand Illusion / Pieces of Eight – Live (Eagle Rock)
• The Summer of Massacre (Breaking Glass)
• The Terrorists (Starz/Anchor Bay)
• Texas Killing Fields (Starz/Anchor Bay)
• The Thing (2011) (Universal)
• To Kill a Mockingbird: 50th Anniversary Edition (Universal)
• Transformers: 7-Disc Limited Collector’s Edition Blu-ray Trilogy (Paramount)
• Transformers: Dark of the Moon – 3D (Paramount)
• Treasure Buddies (Disney/Buena Vista)

Really want to see Drive though and I’m sure I’ll do so down the road. Pun intended.

This is a week all about demos – namely Twisted Metal. Its available to play on the PSN worldwide, so get downloading now. As well as that, we have the demo for anticipated shooter Syndicate and the Gotham City beta arrives in Europe. However, this is tempered with a very weak PS+ offering – a trial for Madden 12 in the US and nothing in Europe. As you’ll see below, we have a PSP Power Sale to replace the PS+ section in Europe.

US

PlayStation Plus Exclusives:

[image: credit PS Blog]

Regular Update:

PSN Games

Puddle ($9.99)
ESRB rated T
File size 1.08 GB

PS3 Games

Madden NFL 12 ($29.99)
ESRB rated E
File size 4.97 GB

Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days ($19.99)
ESRB rated M
File size 8.1 GB

Kane & Lynch: Dead Men ($14.99)
ESRB rated M
File size 10 GB

Mini Ninjas ($19.99)
ESRB rated E10+
File size 6.3 GB

Demos

Twisted Metal Multiplayer
ESRB rated M
File size 1.49 GB

Syndicate
ESRB rated M
File size 620 MB

Puddle
ESRB rated T
File size 1.08 GB

DLC

LittleBigPlanet Groundhog Day Costume (Free)
File size: 1.04 MB

Assorted PlayStation Home Packs x 15 ($2.99 – $4.99)
File size: N/A

Dead Island – Ryder White ($9.99)
File size 1.04 GB

Need For Speed: The Run – Italian Pack ($6.99)
File size 3.16 MB

The King Of Fighters XIII Unlock Icons ($2.99)
File size 6 KB

Soulcalibur V Customization Equipment 1 ($1.99)
File size 134 KB

Soulcalibur V Downloadable Music 1 -10 ($0.99 each)
File size 136 KB each

Soulcalibur V Downloadable Music Pack 1 ($2.99)
File size 138 KB

Soulcalibur V Downloadable Music Pack 2 ($2.99)
File size 138 KB

Scene It? Movie Night Sci-Fi Movies DLC ($9.99)
File size 1.06 GB

Rock Band 3

• “Fat Lip” – Sum 41 ($1.99)
• “Head Over Heels” – Tears for Fears ($1.99)
• “Still Waiting” – Sum 41 ($1.99)

File size: 19 – 32 MB (singles)

Rock Band Network v2.0

• “Africa” – Quartered ($1.99)
• “Against the Wall” – Ill Niño ($1.99)
• “El Monstro” – Dance for the Dying ($0.99)
• “Hysteria” – Aiden ($1.99)
• “Turn Around” – Bumblefoot ($0.99)

File size: 21 – 31 MB (singles)

Updates

Mahjong Tales: Ancient Wisdom (Sale) (PS3) (now $4.99, original price $9.99)

Avatars

The Darkness II Avatars (x15) ($0.49 each)

The Darkness II Avatar Bundles (x3) ($1.49 each)

The King Of Fighters XIII Avatars (x9) ($0.49 each)

Atelier Totori Avatars (x9) ($0.49 each)

Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken Avatar Bundle 1 ($2.99)

Assassin’s Creed Universe Avatars (x5) ($0.49 each)

Assassin’s Creed: Revelations Avatars (x9) ($0.49 each)

Jak and Daxter Collection Dark Jak Avatar 2 ($0.49)

Jak and Daxter Collection Jak and Daxter Avatar 3 ($0.49)

PixelJunk Shooter (x6) ($0.49 each)

Jak and Daxter Collection Jak and Daxter Avatar 2 ($0.49)

Jak and Daxter Collection Dark Jak Avatar ($0.49)

Jak and Daxter Collection Jak and Daxter Avatar ($0.49)

Carnival Island Avatar Bundle 1 ($1.49)

PlayStation B-boy Avatar (x3) ($0.49 each)

Videos

Pulse 1/31 Edition

Reality Fighters Features Trailer

Aliens: Colonial Marines Contact Trailer

The House Of The Dead III Announcement Trailer

UFC Undisputed 3 – Roster Video

PS3 Themes

The Darkness Ii: Official Theme (free)

Atlanta Hawks 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)

Charlotte Bobcats 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)

Cleveland Cavaliers 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)

Denver Nuggets 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)

Detroit Pistons 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)

Golden State Warriors 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)

Houston Rockets 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)

Indiana Pacers 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)

LA Clippers 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)

Memphis Grizzlies 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)

Milwaukee Bucks 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)

Minnesota Timberwolves 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)

New Jersey Nets 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)

New Orleans Hornets 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)

Philadelphia 76ers 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)

Portland Trailblazers 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)

Sacramento Kings 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)

Toronto Raptors 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)

Utah Jazz 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)

Washington Wizards 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)

Digital Blasphemy: Hidden Forces ($2.99)

Dynamic Temple Temptress ($2.99)

Wendy Premium Theme 5 ($2.99)

Vampire 5 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)

Dragon 3 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)

Technicolour Yawn by Tom Sewell Static Theme ($1.99)

PSP Games

Naruto Shippuden: UN Impact ($39.99)
ESRB rated T
File size 899 MB

PSP Themes

Redbox PSP Theme ($1.99)

Death Dealer PSP theme ($1.99)

Dragon 4 PSP theme ($1.99)

Dragon 5 PSP theme ($1.99)

EU

PSP Power Sale:

• Sonic Rivals 1 (Was £7.99/€9.99 – Now £4.79/€5.99)
• Sonic Rivals 2 (Was £7.99/€9.99 – Now £4.79/€5.99)
• Crazy Taxi: Fare Wars (Was £11.99/€14.99 – Now £6.49/€7.99)
• Crush (Was £11.99/€14.99 – Now £6.49/€7.99)
• Super Monkey Ball Adventure (Was £7.99/€9.99 – Now £4.79/€5.99)
• Dissidia: Final Fantasy (Was £14.99/€24.99 – Now £9.99/€11.99)
• Dissidia 012: Final Fantasy – Prologus (Was £2.39/€2.99 – Now £1.19/€1.49)
• Dissidia 012: Final Fantasy (Was £27.99/€34.99 – Now £13.99/€17.99)
• Final Fantasy (Was £7.99/€9.99 – Now £3.99/€4.99)
• Final Fantasy II (Was £7.99/€9.99 – Now £3.99/€4.99)
• Final Fantasy IV: Complete Collection (Was £27.99/€34.99 – Now £13.99/€17.99)
• Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions (£7.99/€9.99 – Now £3.99/€4.99)

*PS Plus members will receive an extra 10% off Final Fantasy titles

Regular Update:

PS3 Games

• Mini Ninjas (£14.99/€19.99) Rating: PEGI 7

File size: 6.5GB

• Kane & Lynch: Dead Men (£14.99/€19.99) Rating: PEGI 18

File size: 10GB

• Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days (£17.49/€21.99) Rating: PEGI 18

File size: 8.5GB

• Under Siege Rating: PEGI 12 (£7.99/€9.99)

File Size: 900MB

minis

• Prehistoric Isle (£1.99/€2.49) Rating: PEGI 7

File Size: 24MB

Demos

• Gotham City Impostors Beta Rating: PEGI 16

File Size: 1.6GB

• Pixeljunk Sidescroller Rating: PEGI 3

File size: 52MB

• Twisted Metal Rating: PEGI 18

File size: 1.7GB

• Syndicate Rating: PEGI 18

File size: 620MB

DLC

• Dead Island – Ryder White (£4.99/€9.99) Rating: PEGI 18

• The King of Fighters – Unlock All Icons (£1.99/€2.49) Rating: PEGI 12

• LittleBigPlanet – Groundhog Day Costume (Free) Rating: PEGI 7

• Marvel vs Capcom 3 – Animal Pack (£3.19/€3.99) – Released Friday 27th January.

Rating: PEGI 12

• Need For Speed The Run – Italian Car Pack (£5.49/€6.99) Rating: PEGI 16

Rock Band 3

• Falling Away From Me – KoRn (£0.99/€1.49)
• Fat Lip -Sum 41 (£0.99/€1.49)
• Frankenstein – The Edgar Winter Group (£0.99/€1.49)
• Freak On A Leash – KoRn (£0.99/€1.49)
• Free Ride – The Edgar Winter Group (£0.99/€1.49)
• Head Over Heels – Tears for Fears (£0.99/€1.49)
• Still Waiting – Sum 41 (£0.99/€1.49)

Rating: PEGI 12

Rock Band Network

• Strangers – Free Spirit (£0.99/€1.49)
• Torture – Rival Sons (£0.99/€1.49)
• Turn Around – Bumblefoot (£0.59/€0.79)
• Without Morals – Nevermore (£0.99/€1.49)
• Africa (Rb3 Version) – Quartered (£0.99/€1.49)
• Against The Wall – Ill Niño (£0.99/€1.49)
• Any Other Heart – Go Radio (£0.99/€1.49)
• California – Winds of Plague (£0.99/€1.49)
• El Monstro – Dance for the Dying (£0.59/€0.79)
• Estranger – Vangough (£0.59/€0.79)
• Now Or Never – Stagehands (£0.59/€0.79)
• Pirats ‘Til We Die – Halfbrick Studios (£0.59/€0.79)
• Hysteria – Aiden (£0.99/€1.49)
• Last Chance – Tetrafusion (£0.99/€1.49)

Rating: PEGI 12

Soul Calibur V

• Downloadable Music Pack 1 (£1.59/€199)
  (Includes the following content, also available separately)
• Bravely Folk Song (£0.79/€0.99)
• Horangi Arirang (£0.79/€0.99)
• Soul and Sword (£0.79/€0.99)
• The Wind and Clouds (£0.79/€0.99)
• World Atlas Collapsed (£0.79/€0.99)

• Downloadable Music Pack 2 (£1.59/€199)
  (Includes the following content, also available separately)
• Chasing Downstream (£0.79/€0.99)
• Duelists (£0.79/€0.99)
• The Cursed Image (£0.79/€0.99)
• Unblessed Soul (£0.79/€0.99)
• Wing of Faith (£0.79/€0.99)

• Female Customization Equipment (£1.59/€1.99) Rating: PEGI 12

UFC Undisputed 3

• Ufc Undisputed Online Pass (£6.49/€7.99)
• Ultimate Fights Pack 2 (Free)
• Ultimate Fights Pack 3 (Free)

Rating: PEGI 16

WWE 12

• Macho Man’ Randy Savage (£0.59/€0.75)
• Batista (£0.59/€0.75)
• Mick Foley (£0.59/€0.75)
• Brodus Clay (Free)
• Wwe 12 – Kane, New Attire (Free)

Rating: PEGI 16

Avatars

Phineas And Ferb Across The 2nd Dimension

• Agentp (£0.20/€0.25)
• Alt_Agentp (£0.20/€0.25)
• Alt_Candace (£0.20/€0.25)
• Alt_Dr.Doofenshmirtz (£0.20/€0.25)
• Alt_Ferb (£0.20/€0.25)
• Alt_Phineas (£0.20/€0.25)
• Candace (£0.20/€0.25)
• Dr.Doofenshmirtz (£0.20/€0.25)
• Ferb (£0.20/€0.25)
• Phineas (£0.20/€0.25)

Metal Gear Solid 2

• Metal Gear Solid 2 Emma (£0.20/€0.25)
• Metal Gear Solid 2 Fatman (£0.20/€0.25)
• Metal Gear Solid 2 Fortune (£0.20/€0.25)
• Metal Gear Solid 2 Olga (£0.20/€0.25)
• Metal Gear Solid 2 Otacon (£0.20/€0.25)
• Metal Gear Solid 2 Raiden (£0.20/€0.25)
• Metal Gear Solid 2 Revolver Ocelot (£0.20/€0.25)
• Metal Gear Solid 2 Solid Snake (£0.20/€0.25)
• Metal Gear Solid 2 Solidus Snake (£0.20/€0.25)
• Metal Gear Solid 2 Vamp (£0.20/€0.25)

Metal Gear Solid 3

• Metal Gear Solid 3 Colonel Volgin (£0.20/€0.25)
• Metal Gear Solid 3 Eva (£0.20/€0.25)
• Metal Gear Solid 3 Naked Snake (£0.20/€0.25)
• Metal Gear Solid 3 Ocelot (£0.20/€0.25)
• Metal Gear Solid 3 The Boss (£0.20/€0.25)
• Metal Gear Solid 3 The End (£0.20/€0.25)
• Metal Gear Solid 3 The Fear (£0.20/€0.25)
• Metal Gear Solid 3 The Fury (£0.20/€0.25)
• Metal Gear Solid 3 The Pain (£0.20/€0.25)
• Metal Gear Solid 3 The Sorrow (£0.20/€0.25)

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

• Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker Amanda (£0.20/€0.25)
• Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker Cecile (£0.20/€0.25)
• Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker Chico (£0.20/€0.25)
• Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker Coldman (£0.20/€0.25)
• Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker Galvez (£0.20/€0.25)
• Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker Huey (£0.20/€0.25)
• Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker Miller (£0.20/€0.25)
• Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker Paz (£0.20/€0.25)
• Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker Snake (£0.20/€0.25)
• Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker Strangelove (£0.20/€0.25)

Dynamic Themes

The Studio (PS3)

• Create Dynamic Theme by Studio Output (£2.39/€2.99)
• Flow/Kinetic Dynamic Theme by Chuck Elliot (£2.39/€2.99)

The Studio (PSP)

• Create Theme by Studio Output (£0.79/€0.99)
• Flow/Kinetic Theme by Chuck Elliot (£0.79/€0.99)

Abstract

• Dynamic 40′s Vintage Theme 1 (£1.59/€1.99)
• Dynamic 40′s Vintage Theme 2 (£1.59/€1.99)
• Dynamic Blue Dream Theme (£1.59/€1.99)
• Dynamic Blue Screen Theme 2 (£1.59/€1.99)

Nature

• Dynamic underwater sunshine theme (£1.59/€1.99)

Places/Landmarks

• Dynamic bridge at sunset theme (£1.59/€1.99)
• Dynamic passing train theme (£1.59/€1.99)

Sci-Fi/Fantasy

• Dynamic Azmodeus Dark Angels Helchen Theme (£1.59/€1.99)

Seasonal

• Dynamic snowing theme (£1.59/€1.99)
• Dynamic winter theme (£1.59/€1.99)Videos (PS3)

Special Offers

PS3 Game

• Hamsterball (Was £7.99/€9.99 – Now £3.19/€3.99)
• Smash Cars (Was £11.99/€14.99 – Now £6.49/€7.99)
• Magic Orbz (Was £7.99/€9.99 – Now £3.19/€3.99)
• Cuboid (Was £7.99/€9.99 – Now £3.19/€3.99)
• Sky Fighter (Was £7.99/€9.99 – Now £3.19/€3.99)
• Mahjong Tales (Was £7.99/€9.99 – Now £3.99/€4.99)
• Interpol (Was £7.99/€9.99 – Now £3.19/€3.99)
• Ricochet (Was £6.29/€7.99 – Now £3.19/€3.99)

Minis

• Gold Fever (Was £3.99/€ 4.99 – Now £1.74/€ 1.99)
• Rocks N Rockets (Was £3.99/€ 4.99 – Now £1.74/€ 1.99)
• Panda Craze (Was £2.49/€ 2.99 – Now £1.74/€ 1.99)
• Shapo (Was £2.49/€ 2.99 – Now £1.74/€ 1.99)
• Caterpillar (Was £2.49/€ 2.99 – Now £1.74/€ 1.99)

PSone

• Final Fantasy V (Was £7.99/€9.99 – Now £3.99/€4.99) – 100% discount for PS Plus members!
• Final Fantasy VI (Was £7.99/€9.99 – Now £3.99/€4.99)*
• Final Fantasy VII (Was £7.99/€9.99 – Now £3.99/€4.99)*
• Final Fantasy VIII (Was £7.99/€9.99 – Now £3.99/€4.99)*
• Final Fantasy IX (Was £7.99/€9.99 – Now £3.99/€4.99)*

*PS Plus members will receive an extra 10% off Final Fantasy titles except for Final Fantasy V which has a 100% discount!

Videos

• Bigger Than You Think!’
• Aliens Colonial Marines – Contact Trailer
• Hitman: Absolution – A Personal Contract
• Need For Speed : The Run Italian Pack Trailer

Permanent Price Drop

• Premier Manager 2012 (Was £13.99/€17.99- Now £9.99/€12.99)
• A Bug’s life and Monster’s Inc. (PS1 store bundle) (Was £7.99/€9.99 – Now £5.49/€6.99)
• Little Mermaid 2 & Winnie the Pooh (PS1 store bundle) (Was £6.29/€7.99 – Now £5.49/€6.99)

A demo for the latest iteration in the Resident Evil series, RE6, will be included with copies of Dragon’s Dogma.

The release date for the brand new Capcom franchise was revealed today – 22nd May in the US, 25th May in Europe.

However, it’s not all good news for PS3 owners – Microsoft have got their hands on another timed exclusive, on this occasion two months. For PlayStation fans, the demo will be available on September 4th in the US and a day later in Europe.

Resident Evil 6 was recently unveiled after an interesting viral marketing campaign.

As for Dragon’s Dogma, it’s certainly a series Capcom seem to have a lot of faith in; recently claiming it will be one of their “hit franchises”. At the moment though, there has been relatively little fanfare, so we’ll have to wait and see whether the open-world action game lives up to the publishers promise, in around four months’ time.

Following a whole week of worries for THQ, NASDAQ is now piling-on some more misery.

The publisher has been told they could well face being de-listed from the stock exchange this summer.

This comes after the shares in THQ have not been higher than $1 at any time in the past 30 days. In order to keep their place, they must ensure it tops $1 for 10 consecutive days.

THQ have until July 23rd (180 days) to make this happen. If not, the troubles will just keep getting worse for the California-based company.

The PlayStation Network will be partially affected yet again this week.

However, unlike the occasions over the month or so, it shouldn’t halt your online gaming. The PSN Store as well as account management will definitely be down though.

Here are a few regional guidelines as to when you can expect the outage:

Thursday Start: 6am (PT), 9am (ET), 2pm (GMT)

Friday Finish: 12am (PT), 3am (ET), 8am (GMT)

EA Sports have cleared up confusion regarding their online pass for SSX.

Yesterday, screenshots emerged of a prompt screen for inputting the code. Later on, this was bizarrely denied.

Now, we have clarification, and if you purchase SSX pre-owned, you will actually be able to play online. However, any credits earned from these events will not be activated until you have purchased the pass. It’s a step in the right direction though; they’re not making it mandatory, so everybody can experience the basic game functions.

Here’s the full statement from EA:

“In SSX, players without an Online Pass are able to compete and play in both of SSX’s online game modes, Explore and Global Events with no restrictions. In Global Events, the top finishers from each event are awarded with in-game credits.

These in-game credits earned during play will not be awarded to the player if they do not have an Online Pass; these credits will be stored so that at any time, if a player redeems an Online Pass code, all the credits that they had previously earned in Global Events will be immediately awarded to them.

Economy balance makes it possible to unlock all available content and allows you to participate in all event drops across both Explore and Global Events, with credits earned solely in Explore.”

THQ have had an interesting week to say the very least. Starting with strong rumours of a sale and culminating in a slew of layoffs, the past few days have just been a steady drip-feed of news based on the publisher. So here it all is:

Towards the beginning of the week, a flurry of talk began to emanate around the publisher, claiming they were ready to sell up. Various sources in the industry claimed they were so cash-strapped and desperate to sell, that the entire 2014 line-up of games was being cancelled. Their much-hyped Warhammer MMO project also looked to be dead.

48 hours on, THQ issued a statement on a new business strategy – leaving the kids market. They were keen to point out that the company will continue to produce top games, but it sounded a lot like your typical positive PR spin. One telling sentence though; “THQ will be a more streamlined organization focused only on our strongest franchises“.

This was followed by talk of how well Saint’s Row is doing, so basically they’re now cutting costs by only concentrating on their one money-making series. All their eggs are most definitely in one basket (that basket also containing a few fart grenades, octopus launchers and “adult toys” of course…) so expect to see a lot more of the franchise, in a kind of Tony Hawk/Guitar Hero/Call of Duty type deal.

Finally, THQ had this to say yesterday:

“THQ confirms a reduction in force to the company’s administration and publishing organization. As recently announced, the company is exiting the kids’ licensed games category, and is focusing on its core game franchises and developing its digital initiatives.”

The number of layoffs weren’t confirmed, but as always, it’s sad to see people lose their jobs in this industry – we hope they’ll land on their feet working under another publisher quite soon. This news also comes after 30 cuts were made last month, from the relatively new uDraw team. Related to the subject of ex-employees, a team of them wrote to THQ regarding the senior management. They claimed four executives (one of which being the CEO) were “underqualified” and the layoffs were due to “chronic and constant mismanagement”.

Strong words, and understandably so from their position. As for THQ though, it looks like worrying times ahead. We’ll certainly see in the next year or so whether the aforementioned Saint’s Row, along with franchises like WWE and UFC, can save them. Or, one of the big players in the gaming industry being taken away by the recession. Only time will tell, but hopefully, they can go back to the drawing board (maybe even use a uDraw) and come up with a few new IP’s to improve their fortunes in 2012.

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[sources: Edge, CVG, GameInformer]

It is that magical time of the year once again. We look back on the games that wowed us over the last year, try to grab a copy of those hidden gems, and ultimately decide which games should remain spinning in our PlayStations and which ones need to go on the skeet shooting practice pile. This year the Golden Minecart Awards (GMA) saw a great turn out and a list of winners that represent the best the PlayStation systems have to offer. We proudly present your winners and include the PS Nation staff’s, both podcast hosts and website writers, winners as well (feel free to tell us how wrong we are, we love that). As a bonus we’ve included links to our reviews of select games, just click on the title to see the review. If you want to hear want we had to say about the GMAs this year check out this week’s podcast.

PS3 Best RPG

GMA Results
1. Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
2. Mass Effect 2
3. Dark Souls
Honorable Mentions: Disgaea 4, Dragon Age 2, and Two Worlds 2.

The hulking juggernaut that is Bethesda’s latest sojourn into Tamriel was able to shout down Sheperd and his suicide mission, and in the process claimed the coveted number one spot. Dark Souls got plenty of light, and enthusiasm, shined on it this year and took third. The list of honorable mentions and write-ins was vast and ran the gamut from the almost infinitely replayable strategy of Disgaea 4 to the story heavy fantasy of Dragon Age 2.

PS Nation Staff Results
1. Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
2. Mass Effect 2
3. Dark Souls

Oh my gosh! Am I seeing a consensus between staff and community? That’s unheard of! That’s inconceivable! That…can’t possibly last. Let’s keep moving.

PS3 Best Sports Game

GMA Results
1. MLB 11: The Show
2. FIFA 12
3. NBA 2K12
Honorable Mention: NHL 12

The PlayStation-exclusive baseball franchise retains its deathgrip on the number one spot for another consecutive year. Even virtually kicking people in the shins and dunking can’t compete. Though it should be noted that there was actually a pretty tight race for the number three spot, with Canada’s sport of choice barely getting edged out.

PS Nation Staff Results
1. MLB 11: The Show
2. FIFA 12
3. NBA 2K12 & NHL 12 (tie)

We are clearly on the same wavelength with our community when it comes to sportsball.

Newcomer of the Year

GMA Results
1. L.A. Noire
2. Catherine
3. Shadows of the Damned
Honorable Mentions: Rage, Bulletstorm

The newcomers this year ranged from gritty crime drama, to ridiculous western themed shooter, to a supernatural take on relationships via a puzzle game. However, when all the votes were tallied Rockstar’s latest claimed over half your votes and the top spot on our list. Proving that gamers love to see if people are lying to them.

PS Nation Staff Results
1. L.A. Noire
2. Catherine
3. Bulletstorm

Bulletstorm ended up with a little more love from the PS Nation staff, but not enough to unseat L.A. Noire or Catherine. Oddly none of the staff took much notice of Shadows of the Damned, even though it’s packed with penis-based double entendres.

Blast from the Past

GMA Results
1. Mortal Kombat
2. Deus Ex: Human Revolution
3. Rayman Origins
Honorable Mentions: Driver: San Francisco, Alice: Madness Returns

The glorious return of MK was able to eviscerate the competition, making it so that Blade Runner-y cybernetic heroes and adorable platformers didn’t stand a chance.

PS Nation Staff Results
1. Mortal Kombat
2. Rayman Origins
3. Hard Corps Uprising

The PS Nation staff also loved the return of Raiden and company, but couldn’t deny the pure delight of Rayman or the Contra-esque shooting of Hard Corps Uprising.

TWO!!

GMA Results
1. Infamous 2
2. Portal 2
3. Mass Effect 2
Honorable Mentions: LittleBigPlanet 2, Dead Space 2

Even expanding on one of the most critically acclaimed games of this generation Portal 2 still couldn’t maneuver past the passion play of Cole to claim top honors. It should be noted that only a handful of votes put Sheperd and Mass Effect 2 in the third spot, just easing out that lovable burlap scamp Sackboy and LittleBigPlanet 2.

PS Nation Staff Results
1. Infamous 2
2. Little Big Planet 2
3. Batman: Arkham City

In addition to Cole and Sackboy we couldn’t forget about Batman: Arkham City, even though it technically lacked a TWO in its title it is one of the best sequels of the year.

Third Time’s the Charm

GMA Results
1. Uncharted 3
2. Battlefield 3
3. Resistance 3
Honorable Mention: Killzone 3

With a whopping 61% of the vote Nathan Drake was able to fight his way, with slightly more melee combat than usual, past various impressive first person shooters. While Battlefield is more for the multiplayer gamer, and Resistance tells a more personal tale, both take a long running series and keep the momentum going.

PS Nation Results
1. Uncharted 3
2. Battlefield 3 & Killzone 3 (tie)
3. Dirt 3

Just as Sully and Nate share a bond, so do the staff and the community in our mutual love of Uncharted 3. However, while we weren’t as enamored with Capelli’s tale as all of you, we did include some rally racing with Dirt 3, so we should get some points for variety.

Best HD Remake

GMA Results
1. Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection
2. Metal Gear Solid HD Collection
3. God of War: Origins Collection
Honorable Mention: Oddworld Stranger’s Wrath

Your list highlighted three long-running, and mostly exclusive, series that helped define the last two generations of PlayStation consoles and handhelds. Ultimately, the simplicity and artistry of Fumito Ueda and Team Ico trumped our buddies Snake and Kratos. Of course, these two legendary fighters battled for the number two spot with Snake edging out Kratos but a slim three-vote margin.

PS Nation Staff Results
1. Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection & Oddworld Stranger’s Wrath (tie)
2. God of War: Origins Collection
3. House of the Dead Overkill Extended Edition

Eschewing the various ballads of Snake the staff bumped up Stranger’s Wrath to the official top three and recognized that one of the top Wii shooters (how often do you see that phrase?) was able to successfully migrate to the PS3 by giving House of the Dead our third spot.

Best Co-op

GMA Results
1. Portal 2
2. LittleBigPlanet 2
3. Killzone 3
Honorable Mention: Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One

This year helping a buddy solve a brain busting puzzle and creating and playing in a world with various sackpeople took precedence over shooting our fellow man. Nothing could stop the duo of P-body and Atlas as the orange portal all their fans dropped deposited them at number 1.

PS Nation Staff Results
1. Portal 2
2. Killzone 3 & Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One (tie)
3. Resistance 3

We too could not resist the siren song of Aperture Science, but also showed love to Resistance 3 and your ability to follow Capelli’s tale with a friend.

Best Multiplayer

GMA Results
1. Battlefield 3
2. Uncharted 3
3. Killzone 3
Honorable Mentions: Resistance 3, Motorstorm Apocalypse

Battlefield 3 was your undisputed number one, receiving more than double the number of votes that Uncharted garnered. Looking at the top 3 is further proof that the multiplayer shooter era is far from over.

PS Nation Staff Results
1. Killzone 3
2. Battlefield 3 & Uncharted 3 (tie)
3. FIFA 12 & Mortal Kombat (tie)

The staff choices were a little more eclectic with sportsballs and the ripping out of organs also joining the gunplay-a-thons that the community loved.

PSP Best Overall

GMA Results
1. MLB 11: The Show
2. The 3^rd Birthday
3. Dissidia 012 [duodecim] Final Fantasy
Honorable Mention: Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together

Let’s hear it for stat updates! With 2011′s slim PSP catalog only a handful of titles were even on anyone’s radar this year. Luckily most of them show up in our top 3 with the stats updated, and not much else, MLB 11: The Show was strangely able to come out of nowhere to win this category. Oddly named sequels from Square Enix round out the top three and honorable mention, with Dissidia pushing Tactics Ogre out of the top three by a single vote. Behold democracy in action, where a single vote counts.

PS Nation Staff Results
1. The 3^rd Birthday & Ys I & II Chronicles (tie)
2. Dissidia 012 [duodecim] Final Fantasy & Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together
3. MLB 11: The Show

While you might confuse this for a complete list of PSP games released in 2011, it’s just our staff picks.

PSN Best Overall

GMA Results
1. Infamous 2 Festival of Blood
2. Limbo
3. Marvel Pinball
Honorable Mentions: Plants vs. Zombies, Pixel Junk Sidescroller

In a hotly contested category with tons of write-ins Infamous 2 Festival of Blood, and its “What If” scenario where Cole is a vampire, garnered top honors. Limbo with its simple controls and unique art style snuck past Marvel Pinball by two votes to grab the second spot.

PS Nation Staff Results
1. Marvel Pinball
2. Infamous 2 Festival of Blood
3. Pixel Junk Sidescroller

The true believers on staff made a not so secret war on the voting and elevated Marvel Pinball to the top of the heap. Cole’s blood sucking tale and Pixel Junk’s latest also grabbed our attention.

PS3 Best Overall

GMA Results
1. Uncharted 3
2. Batman: Arkham City
3. Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Honorable Mention: Portal 2

In one of the best years of PlayStation gaming yet Uncharted 3 was still able to dominate with 43% of your votes. Naughty Dog has proven once again that they can tell a story like no one else. Gotham’s Dark Knight and the dragon-fearing denizens of Skyrim also got strong support.

PS Nation Staff Results
1. Batman: Arkham City
2. Uncharted 3
3. Mortal Kombat

The PS Nation staff gave the continuing struggle between Batman and The Joker top honors in our picks, with Drake and Co. having to settle for number 2. Not surprisingly Mortal Kombat, as one of the best relaunches of a game series and one of the deepest stories in fighting games, finished in a strong third.

That’s it ladies and gentlemen. You have your winners. If you don’t like the results, then make sure you get out and vote next year to insure your favorites get the love and attention they deserve. One thing that every PlayStation fan can agree on is that 2011 was an amazing year for games and with the PS Vita and some amazing titles on the horizon, like Twisted Metal, BioShock Infinite, and The Last of Us, the future of PlayStation looks bright in 2012.