Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep gets special edition

Sony has revealed a special edition of Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep for PSP. Presumably it's just for the PSP-3000, since the PSPgo is all-digital and never gets anything, ever. 

As well as a neat little box, fans will be able to get their hands on two art prints, along with a 48-page art book. Fans of spiky-haired children who say the words "heart" and "darkness" over and over again will be foolish to pass it up!

So far, the special edition has only been announced for Europe, but hopefully a North American equivalent will be revealed soon. Hopefully. 

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Capcom: 3DS is the perfect fit for Street Fighter IV

While Capcom surprised the world by bringing Street Fighter IV to the iPhone, it never made its way to other gaming devices. You know, those with buttons and stuff. Why? Because series Yoshinori Ono says Sony's and Nintendo's handhelds couldn't have run the game "at the level [Capcom] wanted."

On the other hand, Nintendo's 3DS is a whole new beast. Particularly, Ono says that the system's wireless capabilities was key to the decision to bring the fighter to the handheld, noting that communication with others will be an important part of the 3DS version of the game. As for the gameplay, he says it won't be altered for a younger audience, and that "the gameplay will be the same as Super Street Fighter IV."

It's already looking great, too; Super Street Fighter IV for the 3DS is scheduled to ship next year.

'PSP' can't handled Super Street Fighter IV' - Capcom [CVG]

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Highlights from Sony's God of War Comic-Con panel

Did you miss out on Comic-Con? I've never gone myself but the urge grows stronger every year as we see more and more videogames penetrating into the event. Games like God of War: Ghost of Sparta, which was the subject of a panel called "The World of God of War" at the show last weekend.

The above video is a delightfully edited-down recording of that panel. Featuring the folks at Ready at Dawn, it discusses the development of this latest PSP entry while showing off a bunch of new in-game footage. There's some interesting details in there, such as the list of "dos and don'ts" the team has which specifically states that Kratos never takes a step back. Can't say I noticed before, but you can bet I'll be looking for it next time I play a God of War game.

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THQ working on yet another WWE-based franchise

THQ knows who's buttering its bread -- the publisher revealed to CVG that, in addition to its currently announced titles, it's got another World Wrestling Entertainment franchise up its sleeve.

The title will be a fresh game on top of the other franchises previously revealed: WWE Smackown! Vs. Raw, the arcade-style WWE All Stars, and the free-to-play Smackdown! Vs. Raw Online. Online, however, will only be available in Asia; there's no Western version planned at the time. However, those in the West will get this mysterious new game, which Bilson says is "less simmy" than the Smackdown! Vs. Raw titles, closer to the fast-paced arcade style of WWE All-Stars.

"We're growing that brand basically through an alternate SKU every six months," he says of the WWE brand, "the other SKUs [All-Stars and the unannounced game] are more friendly, easier and less simmy than Smackdown! Vs. Raw."

Smackdown! Vs. Raw 2011 is scheduled to hit this fall; WWE All-Stars is out next year.

THQ creating all-new WWE franchise [CVG]

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Sony to report Q1 profit for PlayStation division

After a disappointing showing in their annual report for 2009, Sony's PlayStation division is moving back to black with their financials. Nikkei is reporting that the consumer electronics giant will announce a return to profitability when they release second quarter figures on Thursday. This is also in stark contrast to Sony's first quarter performance last year, where the division saw a loss of 25.7 billion yen.

Cutting costs seemed to have been the cure. The report goes on to point out things you've probably surmised on your own by now. Obviously, Move will be a big focus in the coming Fall and Sony is banking a lot on adoption of 3D technology by consumers.

Good for Sony. Always nice to hear when someone is meeting with success. With the aggressive software lineup they have coming, I'd expect there to be more positive news next quarter as well. Unless, of course, Move should somehow manage to bomb at retail.

Sony likely bounced to black in first quarter: report? [ABS CBN news via Edge]

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Eggy puzzler Piyotama coming to PSP

Missed out on Piyotama, the PlayStation Network-only puzzler for PlayStation 3? Or maybe you just wish you could play it on the go? Prayers have been answered: Sony has announced that Piyotama is headed to the PlayStation Portable this week.

Piyotama has you matching colored eggs, helping them hatch before they overflow in a bird's nest. Match four eggs and start the birdie birthing process. Don't and, well… it's not pretty, and messes will be made. The PSP game will also feature a timed mode, along with global leaderboards for optimal "I can hatch eggs better than you" trash talking to your buddies. Or the globe, as the case may be.

It's out tomorrow when the PlayStation Store updates, and it's only $4.99.

Coming Soon to PSN: Piyotama for PSP [PlayStation Blog]

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Get your blood on with this GoW: Ghost of Sparta vid

Having just completed all three God of War games back to back I am actually considering buying a PSP only to play the God of War games on it. God of War: Chains of Olympus is supposedly awesome and judging from the new gameplay shown off above, God of War: Ghost of Sparta is going to nail it again.

I'm really digging Ready at Dawn's take on the protection gameplay. Instead of protecting someone from their death (LEON! HELP!) you're taking someone to their death and you also have to protect yourself from them. Pretty clever, but I suppose Ready at Dawn would explain it best so here is what they have to say about the clip:

We’re calling this footage the “Midas Moment” since is shows Kratos’ battle against King Midas. It really showcases the living/breathing world with the environment completely fleshed out with people reacting to Kratos’ presence and every action. The terrain is volcanic with lava all around providing a great glimpse into another part of the world Kratos will explore in Ghost of Sparta and another example of the breathtaking art found in the game. This scene also shows off a more immersive “in your face” battle with up-close and personal brutality. It cinematically presents the brutal, bulldozing force that Kratos exerts to obliterate each and every obstacle in his path (think Poseidon kill in GoWIII). And with the inclusion of King Midas, it seamlessly integrates another popular character from Greek mythology into the GoW universe.

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SDCC: Sega officially announces Thor: The Video Game

We've known Sega's had the license for some time, but the publisher has officially announced that it will be publishing Thor: The Video Game for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PSP, Wii, and Nintendo DS in 2011.

Based on the movie universe, it sounds a lot like Sega is taking the same approach with Thor that it did with Iron Man 2: The Video Game. They've even brought the same writer on board, tapping Matt Fraction as a story consulting. The game follows Thor as he battles through worlds of Norse mythology, from fire to ice, taking out Frost Giants and Trolls in an attempt to save Asgard. Players will pummel the crap of people in third-person, using Thor's hammer and storm powers, earning "Valor points" that can be used to upgrade throughout the game.

Sega is saying that each version of Thor will take advantage of the platform it's being designed for. What that means, as you can suspect, is that the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions get HD graphics, and the Wii version has motion controls. For the handhelds, the PSP version will have a "styled comic book look," while the DS game is a 2D side-scrolling title.

The Thor film is out May 6, and stars Chris Hemsworth as the mighty warrior, Anthony Hopkins as Odin, and Natalie Portman as that pretty girl love interest.

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Rent Godzilla 2000 for free from PlayStation Network

Do you like free things? How about the King of All Monsters? For a limited time, you can get both things in one from Sony. Godzilla 2000, the 1999 reboot of the classic Toho film series, is now available as a free rental for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable.

I love Godzilla in just about all its forms. This movie is no exception. I think that, once I'm done working for the morning, I'll run home and log on to my PS3 and give it a watch.

Who's your favorite of the Toho monsters? I'm a Mothra guy, myself.

Godzilla 2000 available as free rental on PlayStation Store [Joystiq]

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Famitsu reveals Tactics Ogre: The Wheel of Fortune (PSP)

I guess Square Enix didn't get the memo about The Wheel of Fortune being an infernal American television show -- Pat Sajak and Vanna White are obviously zombies. Or vampires. Or zombie vampires -- but someone from their El Segundo offices should really speak up before they localize too much of the new Tactics Ogre game.

Well, new is a bit misleading: Tactics Ogre: The Wheel of Fortune is, according to the most recent Weekly Famitsu, a "rebuilding" of the 1995 Super Famicom release. (Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together eventually made its way stateside on the PlayStation.) The PlayStation Portable remake is being spearheaded by the original Ogre Tactics team, a pretty celebrated list of Square Enix veterans: Hiroshi Minagawa, director; Yasumi Matsuno, game designer; Akihiko Yoshida and Tsubasa Masao, character artists; Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata, composers.

Square Enix devotés will recognize those names from games like Final Fantasy Tactics (!) and Vagrant Story (!!).

In his interview with Famitsu, Matsuno emphasizes that the game is being re-designed from the ground up (including new side stories!) while trying to retain the flavor of the 16-bit original. You'll be able to change the viewing angle, add up to 30 unites (up from the original 20), and use new skills and tactics, but the turn-based battle, with its focus on terrain advantage, remains unchanged.

Japanese blog Game Jouhou quotes Matsuno on the team's approach to Wheel of Fortune: "If you developed and played Tactics Ogre in this day and age, it would be like this." From the same interview, FF-Reunion says that Matsuno would be "proud" if fans compared the new game to the original.

This Week's Flying Get [Andriasang]

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ESRB reveals Ghost Recon Predator for PSP

We could pad the post with unnecessary fluff, or we could just point to the headline. See it?

The ESRB ratings board spills the beans on an upcoming PSP game called Ghost Recon Predator. This Teen rated Tom Clancy game is a third-person action shooter where you'll play as a member of an elite military unit.

Players use a variety of machine guns, sniper rifles, grenades, and explosives to infiltrate hostile compounds and kill enemies. Gun fights are depicted realistically, with loud gun sound effects, large explosions, and characters that yell in pain when hit. Gunshots result in splashes or small clouds of red blood that disappear quickly. Characters use the words "sh*t," "b*tch," and "a*s" in the dialogue.

I'm always down for more big titles on the PSP. We're hoping to hear more on this one soon.

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Cladun: This is an RPG is a new RPG by NIS

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Cladun: This is an RPG -- known as Classic Dungeon in Japan -- is a quirky little hack and slash RPG made by the minds responsible for Disgaea. Think Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past mixed with the insane humor that NIS is pretty well known for.

Cladun has two very important things going for it that really sets it apart from the other hack and slash games. First, you’ll have complete freedom to make the main character look like whatever you want. Prinny, Mr. Destructoid, a shark, Dale North -- the possibilities are limited to your imagination. You can make up to 64 custom designed characters that can be shared with anyone online.

The final boss of the game is also customizable so you can make someone like Chad Concelmo to beat the snot out of. The cool thing about the final boss is that he scales to your strength the first time you encounter him. After which, he will become stronger and stronger than you every time you fight him again.

The second key point of Claudin is that all of the dungeons are always randomly generated and have 99 levels to explore. Thankfully, you don’t have to complete all 99 levels and can leave whenever you want. It may be fun to try to complete all 99 levels for one dungeon with three other friends. You know, for bragging rights.

I played through the first ten-minutes of Claudin and instantly fell in love with this game. The retro feel with NIS’s deranged humor had me smiling and laughing out loud before I even killed my first monster. Be sure to check out the trailer to get a real sense of what to expect.

Claudin: This is an RPG will be out as a downloadable only title for the PSP later this Fall.

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Watch the recording of echochrome II's soundtrack

I may be alone in this, but watching a game soundtrack's recording process is an absolute thrill for me. I was able to do that this morning as composer Hideki Sakamoto was kind enough to share some video of a string recording session for Sony's upcoming sequel to the puzzle game echochrome.

There's a livestream of the recording sessions for echochrome II for those interested. The above video is an embed, but Sakamoto has a UStream page that you can check back with. GameSetWatch says that another session is going down at around 1pm EST today.

The only thing better than this would be being in the studio. I would kill to be in the studio watching the session.

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PlayStation minis: 1 million downloaded

Today Sony has announced that the downloadable games they call minis has reached the one million downloads mark. Between the US and PAL territories, on both the PSP and the PS3, a million little games have been pulled down since the 2009 launch.

Right now there's about 85 titles. If you're not in on the minis game yet, the EU PlayStation Blog gives us a list of the top ten most downloaded minis:

I didn't realize that minis were doing that well. Perhaps the low price point has them doing well. Keep it up!

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Watch all of these Where is My Heart? videos please

We received four short trailers for a PSP game called Where is My Heart?. I'm a little bit fascinated by them. The one above left me just puzzled enough to watch another, which led me to watch another, etc. You really should just take the two minutes and watch them all.

Where is My Heart? looks like a platformer with a unique presentation and is described on its development blog as, "a simple video game about the complication of family life." I dig the simplistic art design, but it's the final video that ultimately clinches the deal for me. I love mechanics where you control the environment as if it the world itself were just another tool. 

Hooray for purposely vague gameplay videos. Consider me effectively teased. The remaining three videos lay in wait below.

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