Tomba in tow

One of the best and rarest PSone titles comes to PSN this week, courtesy of retro champions MonkeyPaw Games, and PS Vita owners can pick up some LEGO adventures too. Here's the line-up for this week.

PlayStation Plus

Full Game Trials: Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Future Soldier Full Game Trial
Two Worlds II: Velvet Edition Full Game Trial
E3 Past Award Nominees Sale: Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood; 50% off, PS+ Price $15.00
Red Dead Redemption; 40% off, PS+ Price $17.99
Limbo; 50% off, PS+ Price $7.50

PSN Games

Magic: The Gathering – Duels Of The Planeswalkers 2013 ($9.99)
Face a greater challenge in the latest version of this hit franchise. Play with friends or the AI, take on new encounters and opponents, and face up to three other players in the Planechase multiplayer format.
ESRB rated T, File size 1.37 GB

PS Vita Games

LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes ($39.99)
The Dynamic Duo of Batman and Robin join other famous super heroes from the DC Universe including Superman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern to save Gotham City from destruction at the hands of the notorious villains Lex Luthor and the Joker.
ESRB rated E10+, File size 1.08 GB

PS3 Full Games

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Future Soldier ($59.99) [Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Future Soldier review]
There is nothing fair, honorable, or just about combat. There is only winning and losing—the dead and the living. The Ghosts don’t fret about even odds. They do everything in their power to overwhelm and obliterate the enemy.
ESRB rated M, File size 11 GB

Two Worlds II Velvet Game Of The Year Edition ($24.49)
The Two Worlds II Velvet Game of the Year Edition offers an amazing RPG adventure. The Velvet GotY Edition combines the thrilling storylines of both Two Worlds II and its expansion.
ESRB rated M, File size 4.02 GB

Game Demos (free)

Magic: The Gathering – Duels Of The Planeswalkers 2013 Demo
Download the trial version of Magic: The Gathering — Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013 and face a greater challenge! Take on new encounters and opponents and face up to three other players in the Planechase multiplayer format.
ESRB rated T, File size 1.37 GB

PS3 Add-ons

Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland Makina Domain (free) [Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland review]
This will allow you to explore a mysterious land that appears suddenly in the farthest eastern reaches of Arls. Will the fascinated Meruru and her friends safely make their way through this foreboding labyrinth? “Makina Domain” will be added to the game map, allowing you to go gather there.
File size 111 KB

Battlefield 3 – Close Quarters ($14.99) [Battlefield 3 review]
Battlefield 3: Close Quarters is a themed expansion pack bringing the team play of Battlefield 3 indoors. The frantic infantry combat is amplified by added persistence and new weapons, while HD Destruction lets players reduce entire locales to ruin.
File size 1.12 GB

Choplifter HD Huely Chopper ($0.99)
A heavily armored helicopter with superior firepower, the battle-proven Huely has great carrying capacity and extra-large fuel tanks for long runs into enemy territory!
File size 48 MB

DC Universe Online – The Last Laugh ($9.99)
Buy The Last Laugh DLC Pack now to get access to the new Shield weapon and jump in to new multiplayer battles! Experience new PvP maps and game modes, and fight to earn new gear and styles. Join Legends PvP with seven new iconic DC Comics characters! Purchase of this DLC pack requires an active game account.
File size N/A

Dragon’s Dogma [Dragon's Dogma review]

From A Different Sky – Part 5 ($0.99)
The fifth of the ‘From a Different Sky’ series, you will need your wits to clear all 10. Check the Pawn Guild to begin!
File size 707 KB

Rift Crystal Value Pack ($4.99)
Be king of the rift with this pack of 15,000 Rift Crystals.
File size 129 KB

Set Out For Adventure – A Great Defense ($0.99)
This armor pack will stock your item storage with sturdy armors for Fighter, Strider and Mage.
File size 129 KB

Set Out For Adventure – The Best Offense ($0.99)
This weapons pack will stock your item storage with dependable weapons for Fighter, Strider and Mage.
File size 129 KB

Set Out For Adventure – The Right Tools ($0.99)
This pack provides 2000 Rift Crystals, and an increased inventory at Aestella’s shop in Cassardis from game start.
File size 129 KB

LittleBigPlanet Solstice Costume (free)
File size 1.04 MB

Marvel Pinball: Avengers Chronicles ($9.99)
Marvel Pinball: Avengers Chronicles takes the critically acclaimed pinball series to uncharted territory. Each of the four tables in this brand new pack chronicles a blockbuster event in the Marvel Universe: Marvel’s The Avengers (based on the 2012 film from Marvel Studios), Fear Itself, The Infinity Gauntlet and World War Hulk. Avengers Assemble!
File size 248 MB

Pure Chess Forest Pack ($2.49)
Check out all the Pure Chess additional content available for download. Each pack contains a stunning new location and incredibly detailed set of chess pieces. This pack features a calm forest clearing where a set of Lewis chessmen do battle on a carved wooden board.
File size 73 MB

SoulCalibur V add ons (x3) ($0.99 – $2.99) [SoulCalibur V review]
Various add on content.
File size 133 KB – 13 MB

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Ultimate DLC Bundle ($29.99)
Become the ultimate warrior of the 41st Millennium with this collection of all DLC for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine. Includes custom armors for five different Space Marine Chapters and Chaos Space Marine legions usable in multiplayer, additional weapons for multiplayer, the CHAOS UNLEASHED co-op mode, and the DREADNOUGHT multiplayer mode. For the Emperor!
File size 1.27 MB

Warriors Orochi 3 add ons (x4) ($0.99 – $3.99)
Various add on content.
File size 11 MB – 282 MB

Rock Band 3

Build your Rock Band library by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com.
“FIREFLIES” – Owl City ($1.99)
“The Adventure” – Angels & Airwaves ($1.99)
File size: 23 – 35 MB (singles)

Rock Band Network v2.0

“FAREWELL TO GOOD DAYS” – Seven Day Sonnet ($1.99)
“FIELD OF SERPENTS” – Amberian Dawn ($1.99)
“GHOSTLY ECHOES” – Amberian Dawn ($1.99)
“GOODBYE, MR. PERSONALITY” – Less Than Jake ($1.99)
“REAP (RADIO EDIT)” – The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus ($0.99)
File size: 19 – 54 MB (singles)

PS Vita Add-Ons

Pure Chess Forest Pack ($2.49) [Pure Chess review]
Check out all the Pure Chess additional content available for download. Each pack contains a stunning new location and incredibly detailed set of chess pieces. This pack features a calm forest clearing where a set of Lewis chessmen do battle on a carved wooden board.
File size 54 MB

Wipeout 2048 Wipeout HD add ons (x3) ($7.99 – $12.99) [Wipeout 2048 review]
Various add on content. All DLC will appear once the Online Pass is installed.
File size 268 – 566 MB

Updates

1942: Joint Strike (Sale) (PS3) (now $2.99, original price $9.99)
Alice: Madness Returns (PS3 Full Game) (Price Change) (PS3) (now $19.99, original price $39.99)
Assassin’s Creed Revelations (PS3 Full Game) (Price Change) (PS3) (now $39.99, original price $59.99)
Bionic Commando: Rearmed (Sale) (PS3) (now $4.99, original price $9.99)
Defenders Of The Mystic Garden – Minis (PSN Exclusive) (Price Change) (PSP) (now $2.49, original price $3.49) [Defenders of the Mystic Garden review]
Ninja Gaiden 3 – Ultimate Ninja Pack (Price Change) (PS3) (now $7.99, original price $9.99) [Ninja Gaiden 3 review]
Power Stone Collection Legacy (Sale) (PSP) (now $4.99, original price $9.99)
Rocks N’ Rockets – Minis (Sale) (PS3) (now $1.49, original price $2.99)
Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max (Sale) (PSP) (now $4.99, original price $9.99)
Saints Row: The Third (Sale) (PS3) (now $49.99, original price$59.99)
SOCOM Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 3 (Sale) (PSP) (now $29.99, original price $39.99)
Ultimate Ghosts N’ Goblins (Sale) (PSP) (now $4.99, original price $9.99)
Wolf Of The Battlefield: Commando 3 (Sale) (PS3) (now $2.99, original price $4.99)
Worms 2: Armageddon (Sale) (PS3) (now $7.49, original price $14.99)

Game Videos (free)

Dungeon Twister – Party In The Dungeon Trailer
Max Payne 3 Official Launch Trailer [Max Payne 3 review]
Starhawk Build to Kill Trailer Starhawk review]
Starhawk Official Launch Trailer
Starhawk Ride, Drive and Fly!
Starhawk Story Trailer
WWE Wrestlefest Trailer

PS3 Themes

Ace Of Space Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Digital Blasphemy New Dawn Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Dynamic 40?s Vintage Independence Day Theme ($2.99)
Dynamic Dragon Battle Theme 2 ($2.99)
Dynamic Pirate Theme 2 ($2.99)
Dynamic Statue of Liberty Theme ($2.99)
Dynamic USA Eagle Independence Day Theme ($2.99)
Pure Chess Staunton Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
The Sexy Ladies of SHOW Mag 2 Dynamic Theme ($3.99)

PSone Classics

Tomba! ($9.99)
Tomba! is a truly unusual platform adventure. You’re a pink-haired, high-flying jungle boy out to retrieve his stolen golden bracelet from evil, diabolic pigs. This fast-paced scroller rewards with a blend of frantic action and creative sub-quests. The adventure is where the game really shines. Characters are packed with personality. Level designs are top-notch. Tomba! is full of fantastic gameplay.
ESRB rated E. File size 164 MB

Bundles

Alien Breed Trilogy ($22.99)

Music

PlayStation Move Heroes Soundtrack ($9.99) [PlayStation Move Heroes review]
Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One Original Soundtrack ($9.99) [Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One review]

PlayStation Store for PSP

PSP minis (also available from PS3 Storefront)

Kaleidoscope ($4.99)
ESRB rated E, File size 45 MB

That's all, folks!

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It sure would

Level-5 top dog Akihiro Hino has told Famitsu (via Andriasang) a 3D Professor Layton game on Wii U would be 'interesting'.

So far the popular puzzle series has only appeared on portable formats, but with the Wii U's touch screen GamePad and wealth of inputs it might be able to do the tricky teasers justice. Hino says a game where you walk around a 3D version of London would be interesting; another word might be "awesome".

Of course as we're still waiting for Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle — released in Japan in 2011 — don't go holding your breath for a Wii U Luke and Layton adventure.

Read more...

Killer beats

Legendary musician Yuzo Koshiro is best known for his soundtracks to The Revenge of Shinobi, Streets of Rage and Sonic the Hedgehog on Master System, but he's also a killer at Kid Icarus: Uprising.

Uprising supremo Masahiro Sakurai spoke to Cubed3 and revealed the musical maestro's multiplayer habit:

Of course, the game is very addictive, even one of the musicians on the game, Yuzo Koshiro is really into Free-for-All and in the month after release racked up 5,000 kills.

You go, Koshiro.

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Pastures new

Nintendo UK general manager David Yarnton is to leave the company after nearly 20 years of service.

Yarnton took the position of general manager in September 2003, steering the UK ship during the successful Wii and DS eras and overseeing the launch of 3DS last year. Before taking up the UK position Yarnton served as director of sales and marketing at Nintendo Australia from March 1995 to 2003.

This is the latest high-profile departure from Nintendo UK. Last year communications director Rob Saunders left to join Apple, marketing director Dawn Paine joined Universal in February and most recently marketing manager Rob Lowe took up a new position at BBC Worldwide.

We at Nintendo Life wish Mr Yarnton all the best in his future endeavours.

Nintendo of Europe announces with regret that David Yarnton has decided to pursue opportunities for a change of career outside Nintendo and therefore will shortly be leaving the company. David has had a distinguished career of almost 20 years at Nintendo, first as Sales Director of Nintendo Australia and then, since 2003, as General Manager of Nintendo UK. Nintendo wishes him every success in his choice of new career. Mr Shibata, European President of Nintendo, will be working alongside the UK's senior management team and will be actively involved in the running of the UK office until a replacement is announced.

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Outgoing Nintendo UK GM David Yarnton lists his specialities as "honesty (can be considered blunt)." Industry needs more of that, not less.

Beautiful (updated: now with trailer)

PS2 classic Okami is set to get a visit from the god of 1080p, as Capcom's announced Okami HD for PSN.

The HD remaster will come with Trophies, 1080p support and PlayStation Move controls, which we expect will work rather like the controls in Okami on Wii. In Japan it's a retail release, but players in the West will be able to download it from PSN this Autumn for $19.99/£15.99.

Excellent news all round.

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Power-ups and Koopalings in tow

New Super Mario Bros. 2 is a real homage to Super Mario World, what with Reznor and everything, but there are more SMW nods in store.

This artwork from Nintendo shows off the Koopalings in Bowser's clown car/copter combo, plus other released images reveal the return of the Mega Mushroom, Mini Mushroom and old staples like the Raccoon Leaf and Fire Flower. The Invincibility Leaf will also return to help harassed players clear a tricky section. Of course there will also be new power-ups, most of which come with a distinctly golden hue: the new Golden Fire Flower grants you fireballs that turn everything into coins, for instance.

Last year Nintendo put out similarly panoramic artwork for Super Mario 3D Land; which do you prefer?

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Somebody's just sent me photos of his school essays to apply as a writer for @nintendolife. I sincerely wish this was a joke.

So, Steel Battalion is another Kinect disappointment - here's @DamienMcFerran's verdict. "A glorious failure" http://t.co/MITp3Mi2

Do not adjust your sets

Your eyes do not deceive you: the gallery below does indeed feature photographs of renowned birdwatcher Bill Oddie and pop group The Saturdays. No, we haven't finally lost it and decided to turn Nintendo Life into a celebrity gossip blog — the famous faces came out to support Nintendo UK's Another Dimension photography events that took place earlier this month.

Bill Oddie took a select group of photography fans to Battersea Park Zoo, TV presenter Rick Edwards walked with dinosaurs at Bristol Zoo, street artist Pure Evil looked at graffiti and The Saturdays dressed people up in space suits. A more varied palette of life you couldn't hope to find.

Nintendo's panel is now judging the entrants of the 3D photography competition, with the winning photos to be displayed in a London gallery from early July.

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