The Drop: Week of February 20th 2012 New Releases

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The Drop: Week of February 20th 2012 New Releases

PlayStation Vita is only days away from arriving in North America, and we’re continuing the celebration with another phenomenal week of releases on The Drop.

The quirky and addictive worlds of Plants vs Zombies and Touch My Katamari roll onto the PS Vita. On PS3, we are introduced to the science-fiction worlds of Asura’s Wrath and Syndicate. PSN brings demos to one of the most anticipated games on PS Vita with Unit 13 and SSX for the PlayStation 3.

New York City, are you ready? I’ll be in the big Apple with Jeff this week, ushering in PS Vita to the gaming world this Tuesday night at 550 Madison in Midtown New York, see you at 8PM!

Enjoy this week’s The Drop!

PlayStation Vita

Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen (PSN/Game Card) — Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen raises the bar over the original with even more stylish ninja action, new gameplay features, intuitive touch controls and a thrilling dynamic storyline. Players will scale sheer walls, leap across roof tops, sneak up silently on their prey, and expertly dispatch enemy after enemy with their razor-sharp blade. New gameplay features include Assassination, which lets players make silent and satisfying kills more easily. Throughout the game, players will hone their skills to execute numerous different attacks and finish their enemies in elegant style, while the game controls will make full and intuitive use of the touch screen capabilities of PlayStation Vita.

Plants vs Zombies — Help! The zombies have invaded! And don’t look now, but they’re coming for you next! You’ll need to think fast and plant faster to fend off this mob of helmet-clad, pole-vaulting zombies.

Hustle Kings (Demo Available) — Rack ’em up and hustle your way to the top of the leaderboards with Hustle Kings. Set in contemporary and stylish pool bars, the Hustle Kings game allows players to hone in on their billiards skills in one of the most realistic looking billiards settings ever realized.

Touch My Katamari — Roll up some fun with this portable entry in the beloved Katamari Damacy franchise. In Touch My Katamari, the ever-growing ball of bits and bobs is controlled by touching the screen or using both analog control sticks to roll it in any direction. A completely new Katamari gameplay feature allows players to use the rear touch panel of the PlayStation Vita system to stretch the ball either horizontally or vertically to pick up more objects at once or squeeze through a narrow gap. With many more details yet to be revealed, the Prince is already limbering up in the wings to bring a dose of irresistible Katamari oddness to the PS Vita.

Ben 10 Galactic Racing — The first kart racing game set in the popular BEN 10 universe and based on the hit Cartoon Network TV series features Ben and his alien friends competing in an over-the-top, galactic grand prix race through a variety of tracks on five different planets! Compete for the best times in the high-speed grand prix modes or engage in four-player multiplayer mayhem!

Army Corps of Hell (PSN/Game Card) — A bloodmoon shall rise over battlefields of endless warfare and ritualistic sacrifice when this hellish action game of regimented slaughter invades the PS Vita!

Dynasty Warriors Next (PSN/Game Card) — Tecmo KOEI’s massive battle franchise Dynasty Warriors comes to the Playstation Vita.

Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack — In Mutant Blobs Attack players take on the role of a twisted mutant blob with a bit of an attitude problem. Players explore, puzzle and platform their way through a world that takes them from the size of a quarter to that of a giant city – devouring everything around them all the while.

Using a range of inputs including touch-based Blob movement and world manipulation controls as well as good old fashioned thumbstick platforming, players will explore a unique gaming experience never before possible.

PS Vita Demos

  • Unit 13
  • EA Sports: FIFA Soccer

PlayStation 3

Asura’s Wrath — Inspired by Asian mythology and fused with science fiction, Asura’s Wrath aims to redefine the action genre by delivering unprecedented levels of dynamism, drama and interaction. Once a revered deity, Asura was betrayed by his fellow gods and stripped of all his powers. Consumed by anger at the injustice he has suffered and swearing vengeance, Asura discovers he can use this fury to his advantage and turn it against his enemies. By channelling his inner rage, Asura is now able to unleash devastating attacks and wreak havoc as he battles against the deities who have wronged him and their earthly forces. Inspired by episodic dramas, Asura’s Wrath is split into distinct sections with gameplay and narrative unfolding as one and building to a final climatic conclusion.

Syndicate — Set in 2069, Syndicate takes players into a dark, Machiavellian world run without government oversight with many syndicates vying for total dominance of their local market place. With no one to question their intentions or actions, three mega corporations – Eurocorp, Cayman Global, and Aspari – are at the forefront of this brutal war for control of the pivotal American market.

In the world of Syndicate, everything is digitally connected, including the people. Players aren’t limited to the weapons in their hands. Through DART 6 bio-chip technology implanted in their head, players can slow down time and breach the digital world around them to take down their foes using a variety of upgradable hacking mechanics. Syndicate’s blend of fast-paced, futuristic, action shooter settings and story combined with innovative chip breach gameplay instantly immerses players in a unique digital world.

Mafia II (PS3 Digital Download) — Mafia 2 immerses players in the mob underworld of a fictitious late 1940’s / early 1950’s scenario. The game engages you in a cinematic Hollywood movie experience in a living, breathing city, fusing high octane gunplay with white knuckle driving and an engaging narrative.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II (PS3 Digital Download) — Explore more of the hidden shadows of the Sith with this sequel to the hit game Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. Starkiller, Darth Vader’s apprentice, returns with over-the-top Force powers and embarks on a journey to discover his own identity and to reunite with his one true love, Juno Eclipse. In Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II, Starkiller is once again the pawn of Darth Vader — but instead of training his protégée as a ruthless assassin, the dark lord is attempting to clone his former apprentice in an attempt to create the Ultimate Sith warrior. The chase is on — Starkiller is in pursuit of Juno and Darth Vader is hunting for Starkiller.

PS3 Demos

  • SSX
  • Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm – Generations
  • Shank 2

minis

  • Hungry Giraffe
  • Touchdown Fever

PlayStation 2 Classics

Full Spectrum Warrior: Ten Hammers — Full Spectrum Warrior is a squad-based real-time combat game allows players to experience the intensity and gritty realism of urban combat warfare. The game is based on a real-time squad-based strategy game commissioned by the U.S. Army to train light Infantry troops in urban combat situations. Soldiers are placed in a tense, hostile, and claustrophobic environment where they must complete a variety of military objectives. Players act as the Squad Leader, providing direction to Alpha and Bravo fire teams. The successful Squad Leader effectively uses cover in the environment and moves his fire teams in a coordinated fashion so they can protect themselves from possible attacks that could come from any direction. Full Spectrum Warrior puts you in the dirt with your men, where danger lurks around every corner.

[Editor’s Note: The following dates are subject to change. Game details are gathered from Press Releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]

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298 Comments

12 Author Replies

  • SSX ,Hell yeah baby, looking foward to this awesome game. A must buy for sure and that’s a fact! As for new York I’m gonna try and stop by if I don’t get stuck at work.

  • Will the update this week add a Vita section to the store for specific Vita games and etc. so we don’t have to keep searching manually?

  • Any chances of getting Max payne 1 and 2 as PS2 classics on PSN? That would be awesome, just to get back in before max 3. Thanks

  • guys, pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease make a ratchet and clank collection. PLEASE!!! oh yea plus im so psyced for the vita im getting it on wednesday but i picked up my starter kit and uncharted golden abyss and modnation racers roadtrip and hot shots golf world invitational today. also im gonna get super stardust delta and ninja gaiden sigma plus on wednesday.

  • Go my Vita today!!! won it from taco bell,havent stopped playing it all day!!

  • Thank you rey

  • So recently I heard that sony actually owns rights to the Dark Cloud Series, can you confirm this true or false. Also I was looking at the Banners on the Vita and to surprise me with the small list of non vita games to show Dark Cloud 2 (my all time favourite game and actually still own) had a banner and I wanted to know. What is Sony doing, Dark Cloud 2 was amazing and needs to be put on the Vita, since it’s layout is perfect for it, since you can save almost any time. Please put a port to vita or something.
    As well as Dark Cloud 1 and Rouge Galaxy :). Promise you won’t regret it

  • Ohh where is Dark Cloud 3? We need that, whether Vita or PS3, I’ve waited almost 10 years

  • @49 Buddah969

    It’s a simple answer to your question Buddah.
    SquareEnix obviously hates your money.
    At least thats one of the many logical reasons to delay re-release of some of their classic titles such as the kingdom hearts series. As for FFX(its pronounced ten) they apparently got an hd remake on its way sometime in the next year or so.
    Financially though SE is on a general pattern when it comes to releases. Release one or two PS1 classics per three months to please their shareholders. That’s the simple answer, to make sure they got their money on a cosistant basis. The fact that the Japanese Yen is doing so well would also encourage a company to wait until there is a time in which they could make the most off of a title. So until the USD gets back up on its feet, you might not see some more demanded titles get re-released. This isn’t even counting the titles that have issues with the engine they use to emulate them. Tomba was one of the first titles SCEE tried to get working and it still isn’t out yet.

  • Teflon02, I’m quite sure Sony does own the rights to the Dark cloud games(and who doesn’t love the second).

    They could be waiting for the approval of Level 5 or for the engine to work with the games before releasing them. Since the Dev team is already hard at work on their varied series doing bug checks becomes hard because rather then fix them in game, its all about getting the engine to run them right. Hence why there are so many blehish titles in the classics. Some work right off the bat because they don’t push the hardware too far while others work despite the little tweeks the game engine had.

  • Asura’s Wrath. Oh man I played the demo for that, it has my style and taste, hoping to get it when I get the chance.

  • Great Drop, I will only ask for these :D
    -King’s Field series
    -Megaman X
    -Rock of Ages

    -Error605 :3

  • any news on malicious for NA region?

  • Here is a heads up for people buying retail version of PS Vita games (Us Only): If you buy 2 Vita games at Target, you get 1 game equal or lesser value for FREE!

  • Nothing for PS+ members this week?

  • This is random but i wish that psn would lets us change our name once and pay extra fees to change it more than once

  • No PSN games for the PS3?
    I guess it doesn’t matter to me I’m saving my money for something for the Vita. I was finally able to pre-order a Vita, and now I’m pretty excited for it.

    Rey, do you know if the Vita store will be viewable on the PS3 this week?
    Also, any idea how long it’s going to be before Vita is PS1 Classic compatible?

  • @63 There’s several things for PS+ this week. It was all announced at the end of January I think.

  • A quick question: The PSN/Gamecard information beside some vita titles, does the PSN mean it will be available on PSN to buy and also play on the PS3 without having a Vita or does it mean it just has PSN features such as DLC, Online Play, Etc.

  • would anyone be upset if i said the most anticipated game/demo on this list for me is Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm – Generations?

  • Hopefully no one buys Plants vs Zombies, OVERPRICED!!! It’s a damn old port and they want us to pay $14.99 for it?

  • Hey! im just wounder do you guys know when ridge racer for vita is coming out? some places are saying its coming this week but some saying next month. I really want this game for my vita so it be nice to know the right answer. thanks

  • Hey Rey, will all 6 announced AR Games be on the PS Store, or just the 3 free ones?

  • Will the PS Vita store be available for international US PSN users? As of now, US PSN users overseas can not see the PS Vita store on PSN through their PS3. We still have to manually search for Vita content. It does not even show up under new releases.

  • @ Rey

    I had no idea that we could customize our Vita id panel. I’m glad you posted that info in your response to another user. I’m very pleased at the wide and varied selection of graphic panels. I’m currently using the retro 8-bit adventure character strip that is at the top right. My thanks to the people who put this selection together.

    Cheers!

  • Any word on a north American release date for Motorstorm RC? That is my most anticipated Vita title…

  • The PS2 classics are too few right now. I’d REALLY like to see the following on the store:

    – The Warriors
    – Baldur’s Gate Dark Alliance 1 & 2
    – Red Dead Revolver
    – Katamari Damacy
    – We Love Katamari

    …and a lot more.

  • Any word on when Twisted Metal(PS1) will be released on PSN? I know it was rated by the ESRB a few years and has yet to show up on PSN.

  • Wasn’t Deus Ex: Human Revolution supposed to get a full game trial this week?

  • this week is gonna be historical for me …. but because of all the transfer and deleting im gonna have to do on my 4GB memory card :P

  • My brother is thinking about gettina a Vita.

  • I have a question. Are you done with bringing any more of the SNK games to the PS3?

  • I can see myself grabbing a Vita later on this year, but theres nothing that has caught my eye yet. I’ve got to try it out and I have to say its pretty cool bit there aren’t any (enough) games appealing enough for me to go buy one. For now, I have my sights set in Asuras Wrath.

  • Cool SSX, I hope the Vita sales well but I’m in no hurry to by one. To rich for my blood and I haven’t even Seen one yet in stores. yes word has good no where in my town..

  • I want to play PS2 classics on my Vita!!

  • i can’t wait to try out ssx , unit 13 and a lot more games on the psn store. vita for life and will the facebook twitter ps1 classics and netflix be avablive when the vita comes out this wensday

  • I’m dying to know if GTA III, Vice City and San Andreas will indeed come to the PSN (or PS3) in any way, shape or form. I hope the rumor is true!

  • ……….although the rumor didn’t include San Andreas.

  • When are we getting Marvel vs Capcom 3 as a PSN download? I was expecting it since Ultimate version was launched

  • you have a very good selection of ps2 classics in psn europe, i hope one day to see those games in psn usa too.

  • Meh, Amazon was selling The Force Unleashed II last week for less than $13. Such a disappointing game…

  • No Phantasy Star Portable 2 and it’s been essentially confirmed it will never work for Vita. So I guess the $14.99 I spent on it was wasted. *sigh*

  • Aww! no PS Vita apps or AR Play?

  • Super excited to play the naruto demo in english! And I guess ssx too…and rey, any notice on when we get the gravity rush demo? hong kong has an english version and so does gamestop! Let us all play it!

  • How can you tell what Dlc will be released this week?

  • @ShinunoKage: Yeah your right! I would love to try Gravity Rush on my own Vita. I keep hearing the demo Vita’s at Gamestop have no sound : ( Gamestop also has a Wipeout 2048 and Escape plan Demo. Would also like to download those.

  • anything you can tell me about the legend of the dragoon coming to the store????

  • YES!!! FINALLY AN SSX DEMO!!!!!!

  • Army Corps of Hell and Touch My Katamari were at my local Best buy on friday. I got Katamari and it’s pretty good. You gotta love stores putting out games early.

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