Note: Due to an unforeseen complication, the Grand Theft Auto III PS2 Classic is not publishing with today’s Store post. We will update you when a new release date has been identified. We apologize for the inconvenience.

PS3 Full Games

RIDGE RACER Unbounded ($44.99)
RIDGE RACER Unbounded gears up to carve its own destructive path on a spectacular collision course! RIDGE RACER is on its way back into the eager hands of gamers and RIDGE RACER Unbounded is coming to add an unexpected dimension to the series and deliver an original blast of ferocious racing adrenaline. Easily create thousands of tracks and share them online.
ESRB: E
File Size: 1.46 GB

PSN Games

The Expendables 2 Videogame ($14.99) (Demo Also Available)
The Expendables videogame is a way for fans to experience all of their favorite explosive moments, as their favorite stars, in 4-Player Co-op action.
ESRB: M
File Size: 1.15 GB

PS2 Classics

War of the Monsters ($9.99)
Topple buildings and terrorize civilians as a giant creature wreaking havoc. Defeat rival monsters to be the strongest in the world.
ESRB: T
File Size: 1.2 GB

PSP Games

Growlanser: Wayfarer of Time ($29.99)
Unravel the mystery in this legendary RPG from ATLUS!
Join the enigmatic Crevanille on his journey through Noyeval as he tries to discover why mankind is being targeted for destruction. What power do the mysterious Angels possess? Who holds the key to preventing another tragedy? And how will your choices affect the outcome of world-shaking events? Discover the answers to these questions and more as you experience the legend of Growlanser!
ESRB: T
File Size: 919 MB

Apps

Crunchyroll (FREE)
Watch the latest Japanese Anime & Asian Drama! Now you can watch new episodes 1 hour after airing in Japan on your PlayStation 3. Watch the latest anime shows like Naruto Shippuden, Bleach, Shugo Chara!, Blue Exorcist, Gintama, The World God Only Knows, Bodacious Space Pirates, Nisemonogatari, Eyeshield 21, Skip Beat!, Beelzebub, Gosick, and more.

PlayStation Store Highlights

This week, make sure to check out the first game to release in this year’s PSN PLAY promotion! The Expendables 2 is a co-op arcade-style shoot ‘em up, and takes place just before the events of the upcoming movie of the same name, so make sure to play it before you catch it in theaters. Up to four players can join up to take part in an action-packed rescue mission spanning a number of exotic locales. It’s 20% off for PlayStation Plus members as well.

PSN PLAY is also offering up Sound Shapes this week for pre-order. It’s also 20% of for PlayStation Plus members, and pre-ordering nets you an exclusive static theme for your PS3.

We’re also seeing the release of a great PS2 Classic in the cult favorite War of the Monsters. If you missed this one the first time around, be sure to check it out.

Anime fans across the nation will be excited to see the new Video Services app Crucnhyroll debut as well! In addition, you’ll also get access to the best in Japanese drama, with new content coming online all the time.

Make sure to check out great Add-Ons for new release Risen 2: Dark Waters, and also adorable new Disney princess costumes for Little Big Planet 2! The rest of this week’s update is below; check it out and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

PlayStation Plus

Click here to learn more and purchase online or go to the PlayStation Store to activate instantly.

Free Content	Warriors Orochi 3 – Orochi X Avatar Mad Riders Game The Daredevil Map Pack
Discounts	Sound Shapes Pre-Order (20% Off) – Plus price: $11.99 The Expendables 2: The Videogame Game (20% Off) – Plus price: $11.99 Mad Riders (10% Off) – Plus Price: $8.99
Last Chance (Leaving Plus This Week)	PSN Play – Week #1 – The Expendables 2: The Videogame Pre Order

Preorders

Sound Shapes Preorder Offer (Static Theme Gift With Purchase) ($14.99)
Releases 8/7 as part of PSN PLAY. Play, Compose and Share in a unique take on the classic sidescrolling platformer where your actions make the music. Equal parts instrument and game, Sound Shapes gives everyone the ability to make music. Play through a unique campaign that fuses music and artwork into a classic 2D platformer featuring artwork by Pixeljam, Capy, Superbrothers and more, with music by I Am Robot and Proud, Jim Guthrie and Deadmau5. Additionally, Sound Shapes comes to the PLAY program as a cross-platform title, allowing players to play at home on their PS3, or take it on the go with PlayStation Vita. Create and upload your levels on either platform for others to download and remix on their own.
ESRB: E

Game Demos (Free)

Expendables 2 Demo (PS3)
The Expendables 2 Videogame demo is a taste of all your favorite explosive moments, as your favorite stars, in four-player co-op action.
ESRB: M
File Size: 1.15 GB

Transformers: Fall Of Cybertron (PS3)
Experience two single player levels and two multiplayer modes in the TRANSFORMERS: Fall of Cybertron demo!
ESRB: T
File Size: 2.1 GB

PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2013 (PS3)
Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 brings the perfect balance of the beautiful game home.
ESRB: RP
File Size: 997 MB

Sales

Cuboid (PS3) (now $4.99, original price $9.99)

PS3 Add-ons

Record of Agarest War 2

Right to the Blacksmith Pack 8 ($0.00) – Here is some good news for those too spineless or too lethargic to Convert! Take the following items and get your bad self to Gordon’s place! Cuprum x 3, Argentum x 3, Stannum x 3, Breunnerite x 3, Galena x 3, Aurum x 3, Iron Roze x 3, Hideralzentum x 3, Shining Fang x 2.
Bonus Point Pack 5 ($4.49) – Thank you for your insatiable appetite for our goods and services. We have put together a package of useful points and cold cash. Included within: 100,000,000G, 1,500PP.
Bonus Point Pack 6 ($3.99) – Thank you for your insatiable appetite for our goods and services. We have put together a package of useful points. Included within: 400,000TP, 1,500PP.
Frensberge Specialty Pack 4 ($1.49) – A collection of items made in the image of Frensberge’s most colorful citizens! If you want to be accepted as a TRUE Frensberger, you’ll need all of this stuff! What’s this? A note from Chloe: I’m making stew tonight. If you come home late, expect the -Queen of Iron Fist Matrimony- Banana Sword x 1, Chickapede Alert x 1, Red Thrusting Hell x 1, Le Crusher x 1, Chloe’s Incense x 1, Merchant’s Charm x 1.
2nd Extra Character ($2.49) – Hark! Allies that will share in your joys and sorrows have come in droves! Now, it is time to overcome adversity together!
Additional Massage Costumes ($2.99) – Here is some truly titillating attire for a lovely lady to wear while receiving a sensuous massage! Get someone to put this on…NOW!
Shaldie Mail Order 2 Pack ($2.99) – One of my experiments went sideways on me and I ended up conjuring up a pile of useless cra– I mean a treasure trove of wonderful items. I owe you a favor or two, so I’ll let you have it all…at a very reasonable price. It’s not like I’m ever going to use it, anyway. Alfa Beld Spear x 1, Rod of Omniscience x 1, Rebellion x 1, Core Elemental x 1, Avian Lapband x 1, Chickapede Charm x 1.

Street Fighter X Tekken

Swap Costumes Note – The following Swap Costumes DLC add-ons are exclusive content for STREET FIGHTER X TEKKEN. These add-on contents can only be used if the additional character pack has been purchased.
Sakura (Swap Costume)($0.99) – In order to attend a cultural festival at Asuka’s school, Sakura borrows one of their uniforms.
Blanka (Swap Costume)($0.99) – After a fight with Hwoarang, the two become friends. Rumor has it that Blanka decided to get some matching clothes as a token of appreciation.
Guy (Swap Costume)($0.99) – Rumor has it that Guy disguised himself as Kazuya in order to infiltrate the G Corporation.
Cody (Swap Costume)($0.99) – Rumor has it that Cody beat Paul in a money match, but after Paul came up short on funds he was forced to pay with the shirt off his back.
Elena (Swap Costume)($0.99) – Rumor has it that Elena met Julia during the latter’s reforestation activities. The two became good friends, and Julia gave Elena these clothes as a present.
Dudley (Swap Costume)($0.99) – Rumor has it that this was a present from a certain dancing Tiger. Dudley was reluctant, but it would be rude not to accept such a thoughtful gift.
Lars (Swap Costume)($0.99) – Rumor has it that after defeating a ninja named Geki who had come to take his life, Lars decided to don his outfit and try to infiltrate his organization.
Alisa (Swap Costume)($0.99) – Rumor has it that after hearing that Juri is working together with M.Bison, Alisa disguised herself as Juri in the hopes of getting to the bottom of Shadaloo’s recent activities.
JACK-X (Swap Costume)($0.99) – Rumor has it that to gain more information about the sumo style of fighting, JACK-X decides to enter the sumo world. He tries to dress for the part, but somehow this makes him even more conspicuous!
Bryan (Swap Costume)($0.99) – Rumor has it that with his powers and abilities being recognized by Urien, the second in command of a mysterious organization, Bryan is brought into their ranks.
Christie (Swap Costume)($0.99) – Brainwashed by M.Bison, the leader of Shadaloo, Christie becomes a member of Bison’s special bodyguard unit, The Dolls…
Lei (Swap Costume)($0.99) – Upon hearing about the activities of a suspicious individual, apparently Lei disguised himself as that man in order to sneak into his Hong Kong dojo. …The pink unexpectedly suits him.
SF DLC Char Swap Costume Complete Pack($3.99) – A pack featuring the swap costumes for the 6 Street Fighter DLC characters. The SF cast take on the look of Tekken characters with these new outfits. Characters Included: Sakura, Blanka, Guy, Cody, Elena, Dudley Note: Please be careful not to purchase the same costume twice. This add-on content can only be used if the additional character pack has been purchased.
TK DLC Char Swap Costume Complete Pack($3.99) – A pack featuring the swap costumes for the 6 Tekken DLC characters. The TK cast takes on the look of the Street Fighter characters with these new outfits. Characters Included: Lars, Alisa, JACK-X, Bryan, Christie, Lei Note: Please be careful not to purchase the same costume twice. This add-on content can only be used if the additional character pack has been purchased.
DLC Char Swap Costume Complete Pack($5.99) – This pack features the swap costumes for the Street Fighter and Tekken DLC characters. Characters Included: Sakura, Blanka, Guy, Cody, Elena, Dudley, Lars, Alisa, JACK-X, Bryan, Christie, Lei Note: Please be careful not to purchase the same costume twice. This add-on content can only be used if the additional character pack has been purchased.
Additional Characters Pack (12 Chars)($19.99) – 12 new Street Fighter and Tekken characters join the battle! Characters Included: Sakura, Blanka, Guy, Cody, Elena, Dudley, Lars, Alisa, JACK-X, Bryan, Christie, Lei MEGA MAN and PAC-MAN are also included! Note: This add-on is exclusive content for STREET FIGHTER X TEKKEN.

LittleBigPlanet 2

Snow White Costume ($1.99) – Download this costume to dress your Sackgirl up as Disney’s Snow White! You must have LittleBigPlanet 2 in order to download and utilize this costume.
Jasmine Costume ($1.99) – Download this costume to dress your Sackgirl up as Disney’s Jasmine! You must have LittleBigPlanet 2 in order to download and utilize this costume.
Aurora Costume ($1.99) – Download this costume to dress your Sackgirl up as Disney’s Aurora! You must have LittleBigPlanet 2 in order to download and utilize this costume.
Cinderella Costume ($1.99) – Download this costume to dress your Sackgirl up as Disney’s Cinderella! You must have LittleBigPlanet 2 in order to download and utilize this costume.
Disney Princesses Costume Pack ($5.99) – Download the Disney Princesses Costume Pack to dress your Sackgirl as a lovely princess! This pack includes: -Cinderella Costume -Aurora Costume -Snow White Costume -Jasmine Costume -Disney Princesses Sticker Pack

The Expendables 2 Videogame

Barney Ross Full Upgrade ($0.99) – Fully upgraded Barney Ross skills and weapons.
Hale Caesar Full Upgrade ($0.99) – Fully upgraded Hale Caesar skills and weapons.
Gunner Jensen Full Upgrade ($0.99) – Fully upgraded Gunner Jensen skills and weapons.
Yin Yang Full Upgrade ($0.99) – Fully upgraded Yin Yang skills and weapons.
All Characters Full Upgrade ($2.99) – All characters fully upgraded skills and weapons.

Bellator MMA Onslaught

Scouting Report ($0.99) – Gain the competitive advantage by increasing your insights into your opponents stats before every online match begins with the Scouting Report!

Max Payne 3

Special Edition Pack ($1.99) – The Special Edition Pack includes the Hammerhead shotgun, G9 grenade launcher, Molotov Cocktail and classic characters like Max Payne, Mona Sax and Jack Lupino. Please Note: The Special Edition of Max Payne 3 includes this content. Add-on content, Max Payne 3 required to play. This content is part of the Rockstar Pass and will be available to Rockstar Pass purchasers in game upon release.

Risen 2 Dark Waters

A Pirate’s Clothes ($2.99) – A set of stylish items for the player including a hat, boots, trousers, a pistol and a special ring which increases the rate the player accumulates experience by 5%.
Risen 2 Dark Waters – Treasure Isle ($9.99) – Journey to an unknown island in a story quest that offers new environments to explore with many puzzles to solve, treasures to loot and mysteries to unravel.
Risen 2 Dark Waters – Air Temple ($9.99) – Uncover the mysteries of the Air Temple in this exclusive story quest line. Explore an additional island with new characters, quests and enemies.

Spec Ops: The Line

FUBAR Pack ($3.99) – Get immediate access to the Officer Class and AK47 weapon for multiplayer, as well as the FUBAR Pack of exclusive character accessories for each class. The Officer Class assists your teammates by giving you gameplay bonuses including the ability to create ammo drops, increased firepower, and increased armor.

Rock Band 3

Rock Band 3 – Build your Rock Band library by purchasing song game tracks. For music credits, visit www.RockBand.com.

• “The End of Heartache” ($1.99) – Killswitch Engage.
• “The End of Heartache” – Pro Guitar (In Game Only) ($0.99) – Killswitch Engage.
• “The Arms of Sorrow” ($1.99) – Killswitch Engage.
• “Starting Over” ($1.99) – Killswitch Engage
• Killswitch Engage Pack 01 ($5.49) – This pack includes “Starting Over,” “The Arms of Sorrow,” and “The End of Heartache” by Killswitch Engage. Compatible with Rock Band 3 and Rock Band Blitz.

Rock Band Network – Build your Rock Band library by purchasing song game tracks made available through Rock Band Network

• “Until I Feel Nothing” ($1.99) – Carnifex. Compatible with Rock Band 3 and Rock Band Blitz.
• “Come Now Follow” ($1.99) – Amberian Dawn. Compatible with Rock Band 3 and Rock Band Blitz.
• “ Collide” ($1.99) – Anarchy Club. Compatible with Rock Band 3 and Rock Band Blitz.
• “Coming Undone” ($1.99) – Shatterglass. Compatible with Rock Band 3 and Rock Band Blitz.
• “Reson-8-R (Pts. I & II)” ($0.99) – Christopher J. Compatible with Rock Band 3 and Rock Band Blitz.

PS Vita Add-ons

Escape Plan

Underground Pack ($1.99) – Free from the Asylum and delivered fresh from crazy town, Lil and Laarg discover an underground railway. Could this be their ticket home? Pick up this treacherous new DLC pack to discover an entirely new labyrinth of 19 puzzles and death traps, but beware—Bakuki will stop at nothing to prevent your escape! The Underground Pack also delivers even more Challenge Modes, four new costumes, and four additional Trophies. Download it today! To use this download, you will need the Escape Plan Full Game.

Available In-Game Only (Not on PlayStation Store)

Bellator MMA Onslaught

Bellator Mma Onslaught Advanced Xp Boost ($1.99)
Bellator Mma Onslaught Attack Boost ($0.99)
Bellator Mma Onslaught Defense Boost ($0.99)
Bellator Mma Onslaught Stamina Boost ($0.99)
Bellator Mma Onslaught Xp Boost ($0.99)

DC Universe

DC Universe Butterfly Wings ($1.99)
DC Universe Online Runed Gargoyle Wings ($1.99)
DC Universe Online Turbine Jets ($1.99)

Avatars

Pure Chess Black & White Knights Avatar ($0.49)
Pure Chess Golden Knight Avatar ($0.49)
Pure Chess King Motif Avatar ($0.49)
Pure Chess Staunton Pawn Avatar ($0.49)
Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Episode Ii Avatar Bundle ($1.49)

Game Videos (Free)

Counter Strike Global Offensive Trailer (PSN Play 2012)
Dead Space 3 E3 Announce Trailer
Journey Collector’s Edition Official Trailer (720, 1080)
Persona 4 Arena E3 Trailer
Persona 4 Arena Moves Video: Aigis
Persona 4 Arena Moves Video: Akihiko Sanada
Persona 4 Arena Moves Video: Chie Satonaka
Persona 4 Arena Moves Video: Elizabeth
Persona 4 Arena Moves Video: Kanji Tatsumi
Persona 4 Arena Moves Video: Labrys
Persona 4 Arena Moves Video: Mitsuru Kirijo
Persona 4 Arena Moves Video: Naoto Shirogane
Persona 4 Arena Moves Video: Shadow Labrys
Persona 4 Arena Moves Video: Teddie
Persona 4 Arena Moves Video: Yosuke Hanamura
Persona 4 Arena Moves Video: Yu Narukami
Persona 4 Arena Moves Video: Yukiko Amagi
Persona 4 Arena Tutorial 1
Persona 4 Arena Tutorial 2
Rainbow Moon Dev Diary 6: Conclusion
Red Johnson’S Chronicles – One Against All Trailer
Sorcery Launch Trailer (720, 1080)
Sorcery Story Trailer (720, 1080)
Sorcery The Making Of – Part I – The Magical Technology of Move (720, 1080)
Sorcery The Making Of – Part II – A Hero’s Journey (720)
Sorcery The Making Of – Part III – The Music Behind the Myth (720, 1080)
Sorcery The Making Of – Part IV – The Creatures of Sorcery (720)
THE EXPENDABLES 2 WORLD PREMIER GAME TRAILER

PS3 Themes

1970′s Germany Static Theme ($1.49)
Abstract Dragons Static Theme ($1.49)
Abstract Summer Static Theme ($1.49)
Cowgirl Bath Time w/ Rosa Acosta Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Little Holland Static Theme ($1.49)
Old Mine Shaft Static Theme ($1.49)
Spring Petals Static Theme ($1.49)
Summer Music Static Theme ($1.49)
Magical Toadstools Theme ($1.49)
Neon Lights Theme ($0.99)

PS3 Wallpapers

Counter Strike: GO Wallpaper 2

We didn’t just have a ton of fun making the War of the Monsters — we were very happy with how the finished product turned out. The game was ridiculously fun to play, and players around the world loved it! So when Jeff pinged me the other day to tell me that War of the Monsters is going to be released as a PS2 Classic on the PS3 I was crazy-excited. Of course, I wanted to write a quick post!

The first thing I did was dig through some of my old archives and find some really cool old artwork from back when we were developing War of the Monsters. The image below is something I put together during the game’s production to summarize the core combat mechanics in the game. We used it internally to make sure everyone on the team understood the basics of game’s combat. What’s really cool is that now, almost a decade later, you can look at this combat sheet and still get a quick overview of the game before you download it from the PlayStation Store tomorrow.

Here’s another cool image I found. It’s an early color comp I created to show the team how we were going to reference old movie posters to develop our color and lighting palette, and how we’d adapt it for our game environments. Man, I’m having fun digging through all my old files. Thanks, Jeff!

These were internal docs, so cut me some slack on their style. When you’re preparing materials for internal studio communication it’s often not as flashy or super-produced like you might see from a full-up marketing team. And hey, this stuff is almost a decade old!

Oh snap, check these out! These are the level-loading screens for each of the battles when you play through single player battle mode! These were all painted by a super-talented artist by the name of Owen Richardson, who also worked with Dave Jaffe and Scott Campbell on the new Twisted Metal for PS3.

Here’s another bit of trivia: Bet you didn’t know that I also did some 3D modeling on War of the Monsters too — back in those days everyone had to do a bit of everything! This is Preytor; I had a great time modeling and texturing him. He’s a massive praying mantis with a nimble fighting style, and one of only two monsters in the game with the ability to fly.

It’s crazy to look back on War of the Monsters and see those low-poly, low-res PS2 graphics — a reminder of how far we’ve come with the PS3. One thing remains the same though: great gameplay is timeless. Luckily, War of the Monsters is super-fun to play and holds up nicely. I hope you all download this PS2 Classic from your PS3 on Tuesday when the Store Update goes live!

And in case you were wondering, we are still totally hard at work on Starhawk! We have a ton of stuff ready for release very soon — including our 1.3 Update, which has a bunch of new features and fixes, as well as the awesome (and free) Cypress Map Pack! Here’s a sneak-peek at a couple screen shots of Cypress, but check back here on the blog real soon for a complete breakdown of the Starhawk 1.3 Update, as well as more in-depth info on the new free map pack!

Stay tuned and, as always, rock on!