Sony announced it’s new handheld earlier today during the PlayStation Meeting 2011 in Tokyo which has been codenamed ‘Next Generation Portable’ (NGP) Despite the very Japanese name the NGP is looking to improve on what fans of the PSP have been looking for, along with some impressive tech. Which include:

• Two analog sticks.
• Bulit in 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, GPS radio and even 3G.
• A multitouch touchpad on both the front and back of the machine.
• A Front and Rear facing camera.
• The three-axis accelerometer, three-axis gyroscope motion sensors which is used in the PlayStation Move.

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Blacklight Tango Down saw a mediocre reception but for a title outside of the Summer of Arcade it sold pretty damn well. Now PS3 owners can have the joy of playing Blacklight Tango Down as it will finally be coming to the PSN on the 3rd November. This might be the perfect filler for a week before Black Ops makes its appearance.

“Fans flocked to Blacklight over the summer because the game offered the most extensive array of gameplay and features ever brought to the DLG venue —for just 15 bucks,” said Jared Gerritzen, Lead Designer at Zombie Studios. “Now with full updates, brand-new content and the ability to Join in Progress, PSN players will truly see the game at its best.”

Personally I believe they have picked the wrong time to release this. Reviews and impressions weren’t all that positive. But with the dry summer spell and everyone getting sick of Modern Warfare 2 made it for a decent alternative, which might help explain it’s good sales. But releasing only a week before one of the biggest launches of the year which also happens to be a very similar game isn’t smart. I’m afraid to say I think this game will flop on the PS3. Either way the option is there for those who can’t wait to play it and doesn’t have an Xbox 360.

Enslaved: Odyssey of the West
Developer: Ninja Theory
Price: $59.99
Platform: Xbox 360, PS3

Ninja Theory’s previous effort ‘Heavenly Sword’ had great characterisation and story but the gameplay didn’t quite match up to the same level of detail. Now with the developer set to reboot the popular and apparently sacred Devil May Cry series, Enslaved is their best chance to show us what they can do. Is Enslaved a step up or does it fall into the same traps ‘Heavenly Sword’ fell into? (more…)

It was almost like they didn’t want to show InFAMOUS 2 at Eurogamer, it was hidden right in the corner of show floor on 2 TV’s with no signs what so ever. I was lucky to catch it when queuing up for developer sessions, this meant time waiting to play was relatively low. We had the chance to play the demo shown at E3 in which we had to kill a few swamp monsters and then chase a limo which ended in the destruction of a helicopter. This gave us all a good taster of the new melee combat, improvements to platforming and destructible environments. There is little I really need to say since all of what was shown has been shown before, so all I will say for the demo is that those who have played the first game will feel right at home. The melee combat works well and the increase in destructibility really helps you feel like you are superhero. It’s something to look forward to. (more…)

Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep
Developer: Square-Enix
Price: $39.99
Platform: PSP

Birth by Sleep has been a long time coming. It was first teased way back when Kingdom Hearts 2: Final Mix + was released in Japan and was officially announced soon after as a set of spin off’s to help expand the ever growing Kingdom Hearts universe. Unfortunately since the release of Kingdom Hearts 2 the franchise hasn’t exactly be on top form. We are a remake of the Gameboy’s Chain of Memories and the disappointing 358/2 days on the DS. Does Birth by Sleep bring back that spark of the original or does it put us all to sleep? (more…)

Dead Rising 2: Case Zero
Developer: Blue Castle, Capcom
Price: 400 MSP
Platform: Xbox Live Arcade

With the highly anticipated sequel to the zombie killing fest just around the corner. Capcom has made an interesting move to add to the hype by releasing Dead Rising 2: Case Zero. A prequel that leads to the events that starts Chuck Greene’s adventure in Fortune City. What Case Zero offers is a short taster of what we should expect. But is worth buying? Or is it nothing more than a glorified demo. (more…)

For the time being we have reverted back to an audio podcast. Much respect to Francis for spending so long on our video E3 podcast but at the moment we don’t have the time or the people to make it a regular feature. It shall return at some point in some form, just not now.

Something else is also different I am hosting this one because obviously what the VineCast needed was a little more Craig. Joining me is William Saw and James Cobb and half way through Gyuri joins us emerging from the tall grass. We discuss Bioshock Infinite (Skyoshock), the PSP Phone rumour, Mafia II and a nice discussion on Innovation this generation. Along with what everyone has been doing since last time. Expect Chicken Holocausts, Scott Pilgrim and wild Hungarians.

There were so many audio issues. I was able to get rid of most of them but some of them remained due to me laziness. So much echo, I’m looking at you Cobb.

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Gamescom has only just begun and during the EA press conference they announced that Mass Effect 2 will be making it’s way to the PS3 in January 2011. It’s not just a straight port, this version will have hours of bonus content. Whenever or not the DLC will be included hasn’t been said, but this is great news for PS3 owners.

Mass Effect has long since been one of the many exclusive titles for the Xbox 360 and now PS3 owners can have the joys of playing this space epic early next year.