Which is probably why this week's store update is so thin. Can't very well go licensing and localising content if you're down the pub enjoying a week off, can you?

Wish I had the week off.

PS3 STORE

Additional Special Offers (Until the 7th of January)

* Fat Princess (was – £11.99/€14.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
* WarHawk (was – £14.99/€19.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
* Monster Hunter Freedom Unite (PSP) (was – £23.99/€29.99 now – £16.99/€20.99) (reduced until the 21st of January)
* Resistance: Retribution (PSP) (was – £24.99/€39.99 now – £14.99/€19.99)
* LocoRoco 2 (PSP) (was – £19.99/€29.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
* Numblast (PSP) (was – £3.99/€4.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* Trine (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
* Worms (was – £7.99/€9.99 now – £6.29/€7.99)

Special Offers (Until the 7th of January)

* Gran Turismo 5 Prologue (was – £19.99/€29.99 now – £14.99/€19.99)
* Burn Zombie Burn! (was – £6.29/€7.99 now – £3.19/€3.99)
* Bomberman Ultra (was – £7.99/€9.99 now – £3.99/€4.99)
* Battlefield 1943 (was – £9.99/€12.99 now – £6.29/€7.99)
* Red Alert 3: Commander's Challenge (was – £7.99/€9.99 now – £5.19/€6.49)
* High Velocity Bowling (was – £6.29/€7.99 now – £3.99/€4.99)
* Lemmings (was – £3.99/€4.99 now – £3.19/€3.99)
* 3 on 3 NHL Arcade (was – £6.29/€3.19 now – £3.19/€3.99)
* Burnout Paradise (was – £24.99/€29.99 now – £13.99/€17.99)
* Burnout Paradise – Big Surf Bundle (was – £27.99/€34.99 now – £19.99/€24.99)
* Fight Night Round 4 – Champions Pack (was – £3.99/€4.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* Skate 2 – Maloof Money Cup Pack (was – £1.59/€1.99 now – £1.19/€1.49)
* Skate 2 – Time is Money Pack (was – £3.19/€3.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* Skate 2 – Filmer Pack (was – £4.79/€5.99 now – £3.19/€3.99)
* Skate 2 – Dyrdek's Fantasy Plaza Pack (was – £3.19/€3.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* Skate 2 – San Van Classic Pack (was – £3.19/€3.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* Dead Space – Scorpion Pack (was – £3.19/€3.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* Dead Space – Obsidian Pack (was – £3.19/€3.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* Dead Space – Military Pack (was – £3.19/€3.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* Dead Space – Tank Pack (was – £3.19/€3.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* The Godfather 2 – The Corleone Bundle (was – £7.99/€9.99 now – £4.79/€5.99)
* Burnout Dominator (PSP) (was – £17.99/€24.99 now – £11.99/€19.99)
* Burnout Legends (PSP) (was – £14.99/€19.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)
* Def Jam Fight for New York: The Takeover (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
* EA Replay (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
* Crash Team Racing (PSone Classic) (was – £3.99/€4.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* Kula World (PSone Classic) (was – £3.99/€4.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)

Downloadable Games
Hustle Kings (£6.29/€7.99)

PSone Game
Vagrant Story (£4.79/€5.99)

Demos
Dante's Inferno – Gates of Hell
Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues
MX vs. ATV Reflex

minis
Cubixx (£2.49/€2.99)
International Snooker (£3.99/€4.99)
Tiger Trouble (£2.49/€2.99)

Add-On Game Content

* LittleBigPlanet
o Pirates of the Caribbean Will Turner Costume (£1.59/€1.99)
o Pirates of the Caribbean Tia Dalma Costume (£1.59/€1.99)
o Pirates of the Caribbean Elizabeth Swann Costume (£1.59/€1.99)
o Pirates of the Caribbean Barbossa Costume (£1.59/€1.99)
o Pirates of the Caribbean Davy Jones Costume (£1.59/€1.99)
o Pirates of the Caribbean Sack Sparrow Costume (£1.59/€1.99)
o Pirates of the Caribbean Costume Kit (£4.79/€5.99)
o Pirates of the Caribbean Level Kit (£4.79/€5.99)

* PAIN - Kato-San Character (Free) Rating: PEGI 16
* Dragon Ball Raging Blast – Ginyu Force Pack (free)
* EyePet – Lucky Dip Styling Pack 10 (free) Rating: PEGI 3
* Rock Band
o (If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To by Weezer (£0.99/€1.49)
o Beverly Hills by Weezer (£0.99/€1.49)
o Let It All Hang Out by Weezer (£0.99/€1.49)
o Weezer Pack 03 (Contains the three tracks listed above) (£2.49/€3.99)
o A Lot Like Me by The Offspring (£0.99/€1.49)
o Build A Bridge by Limp Bizkit (£0.99/€1.49)
o Ocean Avenue by Yellowcard (£0.99/€1.49)

* Guitar Hero 5
o Harder To Breathe By Maroon 5 (£1.59/€1.99)
o Hark The Herald Angels Sing By Steve Ouimette (£1.59/€1.99)
o New By No Doubt (£1.59/€1.99)
o Our Song By Taylor Swift (£1.59/€1.99)
o Celebrity New Years Rock Track Pack (£4.39/€5.49)

Adhoc Party Application

Premium Avatars
* LittleBigPlanet – (£0.20/€0.25 each)
o Sackboy Avatar
o Craft Earth Avatar
o My Moon Avatar
o Sky Avatar
o Arrr! Avatar
o Marvin Avatar
o Gloria Avatar
o Great Blue Avatar
o Frost-E Avatar
o Hugo Avatar
o Lily Pad Avatar
o Christmas Tree Avatar
o Santa Avatar
o Giftboy Avatar

Videos

* Digger HD Trailer
* Savage Moon: The Hera Campaign Trailer
* James Cameron's Avatar: The Game Launch Trailer
* Hustle Kings Trailer
* PixelJunk Shooter Trailer

Themes
* Gravity Crash Theme
* Mushroom Wars Theme
* Disruptive Theme – Tropical Paradise Theme (£1.19/€1.49)

Wallpapers
* Gravity Crash Wallpaper
* Gravity Crash Sun Wallpaper
* Gravity Crash Planet Wallpaper
* Gravity Crash Space Wallpaper

PSP STORE

Additional Special Offers (Until the 7th of January)

* Monster Hunter Freedom Unite (PSP) (was – £23.99/€29.99 now – £16.99/€20.99) (reduced until the 21st of January)
* Resistance: Retribution (PSP) (was – £24.99/€39.99 now – £14.99/€19.99)
* LocoRoco 2 (PSP) (was – £19.99/€29.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
* Numblast (PSP) (was – £3.99/€4.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* Burnout Dominator (PSP) (was – £17.99/€24.99 now – £11.99/€19.99)
* Burnout Legends (PSP) (was – £14.99/€19.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)
* Def Jam Fight for New York: The Takeover (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
* EA Replay (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
* Crash Team Racing (PSone Classic) (was – £3.99/€4.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* Kula World (PSone Classic) (was – £3.99/€4.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)

Downloadable Games
* Savage Moon: The Hera Campaign (£6.29/€7.99)
* Thrillville: Off The Rails (£7.99/€9.99) Rating: PEGI 7

See, in the US, it was released in convenient, standalone form. But the only way PAL customers will be able to get their hands on a copy is if they grab the European version of the God of War III Ultimate Edition, as it'll be included within, along with a ton of other stuff.

Who knows, there might still be a chance the collection will be released individually early next year, but with the God of War franchise not as big in Europe as it is in the US (hence the fact the collection hasn't yet been released), I wouldn't hold my breath.

Yes, in addition to the endless list of discounted games and DLC, there are GT5 demos both for those countries eligible for the GT Academy and those that aren't, and a PSP demo for Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker should keep Kojima's acolytes busy over the run-in to Christmas.

Oh, and no, your eyes do not deceive you; that's Braid, finally available on the PAL PSN after an inexcusably lengthy delay.

PS3 STORE

Special Offers (Until the 7th of January)
* Gran Turismo 5 Prologue (was – £19.99/€29.99 now – £14.99/€19.99)
* Burn Zombie Burn! (was – £6.29/€7.99 now – £3.19/€3.99)
* Bomberman Ultra (was – £7.99/€9.99 now – £3.99/€4.99)
* Battlefield 1943 (was – £9.99/€12.99 now – £6.29/€7.99)
* Red Alert 3: Commander's Challenge (was – £7.99/€9.99 now – £5.19/€6.49)
* High Velocity Bowling (was – £6.29/€7.99 now – £3.99/€4.99)
* Lemmings (was – £3.99/€7.99 now – £3.19/€3.99)
* 3 on 3 NHL Arcade (was – £6.29/€7.99 now – £3.19/€3.99)
* Burnout Paradise (was – £24.99/€29.99 now – £13.99/€17.99)
* Burnout Paradise – Big Surf Bundle (was – £27.99/€34.99 now – £19.99/€24.99)
* Fight Night Round 4 – Champions Pack (was – £3.99/€4.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* Skate 2 – Maloof Money Cup Pack (was – £1.59/€1.99 now – £1.19/€1.49)
* Skate 2 – Time is Money Pack (was – £3.19/€3.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* Skate 2 – Filmer Pack (was – £4.79/€5.99 now – £3.19/€3.99)
* Skate 2 – Dyrdek's Fantasy Plaza Pack (was – £3.19/€3.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* Skate 2 – San Van Classic Pack (was – £3.19/€3.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* Dead Space – Scorpion Pack (was – £3.19/€3.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* Dead Space – Obsidian Pack (was – £3.19/€3.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* Dead Space – Military Pack (was – £3.19/€3.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* Dead Space – Tank Pack (was – £3.19/€3.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* The Godfather 2 – The Corleone Bundle (was – £7.99/€9.99 now – £4.79/€5.99)
* Burnout Dominator (PSP) (was – £17.99/€24.99 now – £11.99/€19.99)
* Burnout Legends (PSP) (was – £14.99/€19.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)
* Def Jam Fight for New York: The Takeover (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
* EA Replay (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
* Crash Team Racing (PSone Classic) (was – £3.99/€4.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* Kula World (PSone Classic) (was – £3.99/€4.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)

Permanent Price Cuts
* Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords ROTPL (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
* Puzzle Quest Galactix (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
* Texas Cheat'em Poker (was – £9.99/€12.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
* The Cube (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* Dead Head Fred (PSP) (was – £14.99/€19.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* Practical IQ (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £4.79/€5.99)
* Super Pocket Tennis (PSP) (was – £7.99/€9.99 now – £4.79/€5.99)

Downloadable Games
* Blue Toad Murder Files™ Episode 1 (£6.29/€7.99)
* Blue Toad Murder Files™ Bundle (Episodes 1 & 2) (£9.99/€12.99)
* Braid (£7.99/€9.99)
* Star Trek D-A-C (£6.29/€7.99)

Demos
* Army Of Two: The 40th Day Demo
* Gran Turismo® 5 Time Trial Challenge
* GT Academy 2010 Time Trial

PSP minis
* Pachisi (£2.49/€2.99)
* Route 66 (£3.49/€3.95)

Add-On Game Content
* Blue Toad Murder Files™ Episode 2 (£6.29/€7.99)
* Brutal Legend – Hammer of Infinite Fate Pack (£3.99/€4.99)
* NBA Live 10 – Holiday Shoe Update (Free)
* PAIN – Kato-San Character (Free)
* Red Jimmy Character (£0.79/€0.99)
* Buzz! – US Sports Quiz (£3.99/€4.99)
* EyePet – Lucky Dip Styling Pack 9 (free)
* Rock Band
o Christian's Inferno by Green Day(£0.99/€1.49)
o Last Of The American Girls by Green Day (£0.99/€1.49)
o Viva La Gloria by Green Day (£0.99/€1.49)
o Green Day Pack 02 (includes the three tracks above) (£2.49/€3.99)
o Gives You Hell by All-American Rejects (£0.99/€1.49)
o Kings And Queens by 30 Seconds To Mars (£0.99/€1.49)
o This Is War by 30 Seconds To Mars (£0.99/€1.49)

* Rock Band: The Beatles
o Girl (£0.99/€1.49)
o In My Life (£0.99/€1.49)
o Michelle (£0.99/€1.49)
o Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (£0.99/€1.49)
o Nowhere Man (£0.99/€1.49)
o Run For Your Life (£0.99/€1.49)
o The Word (£0.99/€1.49)
o Think For Yourself (£0.99/€1.49)
o Wait (£0.99/€1.49)
o What Goes On (£0.99/€1.49)
o You Won't See Me (£0.99/€1.49)
o Rubber Soul (Album) (£9.19/€11.25)

* Guitar Hero 5
o Cut Your Hair By Pavement (£1.59/€1.99)
o Hi-Speed Soul By Nada Surf (£1.59/€1.99)
o Sister Jack by Spoon (£1.59/€1.99)
o Indie Rock Track Pack (includes the three tracks above) (£4.39/€5.49)

Applications

* SingStar – Media Viewer (Free)

Videos
* Aliens vs Predator Alien Reveal Trailer
* Aliens vs Predator Marine Reveal Trailer
* Assassin's Creed 2 Short Movie 02
* Assassin's Creed 2 Short Movie 03
* Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Limited Edition Trailer
* Blue Toad Murder Files Launch Trailer
* Blue Toad Murder Files Teaser Trailer 2
* Dante's Inferno Heresy Trailer
* Inferno Pool Endurance Trailer
* Inferno Pool Nominations Trailer
* Inferno Pool Skill Shots Trailer
* Inferno Pool Swerve Tutorial
* Polar Panic Features Trailer
* Polar Panic Gameplay Trailer
* Hustle Kings Trailer
* PixelJunk Shooter Trailer
* Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time Time Trailer
* Just Cause 2 No Ordinary Mission Trailer
* Just Cause 2 The Grapple Mini Documentary
* R.U.S.E. Pump Fake Strategy Trailer

Themes
* Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Theme
* Digger Theme

Wallpapers
* Dante's Inferno Heresy Wallpaper

PSP STORE

Special Offers (Until the 7th of January)
* Burnout Dominator (PSP) (was – £17.99/€24.99 now – £11.99/€19.99)
* Burnout Legends (PSP) (was – £14.99/€19.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)
* Def Jam Fight for New York: The Takeover (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
* EA Replay (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
* Crash Team Racing (PSone Classic) (was – £3.99/€4.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* Kula World (PSone Classic) (was – £3.99/€4.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)

Permanent Price Cuts
* The Cube (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* Dead Head Fred (PSP) (was – £14.99/€19.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* Practical IQ (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £4.79/€5.99)
* Super Pocket Tennis (PSP) (was – £7.99/€9.99 now – £4.79/€5.99)

Downloadable Games
* Buzz! Quiz World (£16.99/€26.99)
* The Sims 2 (£15.99/€19.99)
* Warriors Orochi 2 (£23.99/€29.99)
* MAWASKES (£15.99/€19.99)

Demos
• Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Having been the #1 publisher in the world's second-biggest market for years, EA were displaced in 2008 by Nintendo, but have regained top spot this year off the strong performance of titles such as EA Sports Active, Dragon Age, Need For Speed: Shift and The Sims 3.

Oh, and FIFA 10, which EA's Jens Uwe Intat says controls "75 per cent of the football market". Which in Europe, equals mega-bucks.

EA reclaims top spot in ‘disappointing' Euro market [MCV]

And that date is Tuesday, December 22, which we guess must also be the day Europe's PlayStation Store is update next week (it normally takes place on a Friday, but next Friday is Christmas day). As for price, it'll sell for €6 (USD$8.50), which really, is a steal.

Still no word on an American release, but seeing as Australia's store is tied to the European outlet, this may not bother me as much as it will bother some of you.

Gunbird 2 Remix is a remake of the original arcade shooter with all new 2D/3D hybrid graphics. All of the outrageous humor of the original game remains intact, with six playable characters with unique storylines and endings across the board. The game will be hitting the PlayStation Network in North America and Europe in February.

Gunbird 2 is one of PM Studios' first European releases, along with a retooled (read fixed) version of DJ Max Fever hitting the PlayStation Network in Europe and the U.S. in January alongside the European release of Strikers 1945 Plus.

Gunbird is nice, but I've been going through some serious DJ Max withdrawal since I "upgraded" to a PSPgo. Thank goodness the PSN release is only a month away.

Check out the six playable Gunbird 2 Remix characters in wallpaper form, courtesy of PM Studios!

According to the Italian-language Console Planet, these are the features of the Death Edition:

• Exclusive costume for a playable character in-game: Isaac Clarke from Dead Space!
• Making-of documentary with the game (Italian subtitles)
• Documentary "Dante in History" (subtitled in English)
• Soundtrack full game
• Documentary on the creation of music and audio (Italian subtitles)
• Digital Artbook edited by visual designer Wayne Barlowe (subtitled in English)
• Over 10 minutes of scenes from the soul "Dante's Inferno An Animated Epic" (subtitled in English)
• Digital reprint of the poem Complete (in English)

Ohhhhh kay.

Death Edition for Dante's Inferno [Console Planet (translated) via Joystiq]

Mamba Games have picked up the publishing rights to the adventure game, and will release Machinarium to stores next March in the UK and Europe.

As an incentive to opt for the boxed copy, the retail Machinarium will ship with a walkthrough, A3 poster, art book and a copy of the game's excellent soundtrack, composed by Tomas Dvorak (which you can sample here).

It's obviously aimed at capturing new customers, but with a nice box and some enticing goodies, I'm sure a few people who already own - and love - the game will pony up again for a piece of it they can touch.

"We had this whole market in the US that thought the tone was cool, but in Europe everyone thought it was ridiculous and tasteless and a bunch of frat guys running around", EA Montreal's Reid Schneider told GI.biz.

Their solution? Let players tailor the tone of the sequel to the way they're playing it. "One of the things we learned was that we're never going to be able to please both. So the way you interact with your partner and decisions you make – if you're doing a lot of fist bumps – these influence the tone and the dialogue of your character. If your taking it on a more serious level then the game reacts seriously."

As neither an American nor a European, I feel I'm qualified to say that if you're skimping on the fist bumps, you're missing the point.

EA Montreal's Reid Schneider [GI.biz]

Sega has been teasing us. Ryū ga Gotoku 3, the third game in Sega's Yakuza series, has sold half a million copies in Japan since its release in February of last year. Despite strong sales and the clamoring of the franchises' fanbase, the developer has remind quiet about a Western release - until now. In a post on the European PlayStation Blog, Sega announces the impending U.S., European, and Australian release, with words from SOE's European Marketing Director, Gary Knight.

"Yakuza 3 was one of the most requested titles for localisation by our European SEGA community, so we are delighted to be able to fulfil their wishes with this announcement. As well as delving even further into the rich narrative of the Yakuza universe, the development team have pushed the PlayStation 3 hardware to the limits to produce a beautiful and startlingly realistic depiction of the Japanese underworld."

The localization of the game will feature full Japanese voice acting with English subtitles, as it should be. Best of all, the PlayStation 3 exclusive is due out in March. That's only three months or so of waiting. Perhaps Sega was wise to tease us until now.

Our long struggle is over. Time for a nap.

East Meets West – Yakuza 3 Coming In 2010 [PlayStation Blog Europe]

It's a big download (for a demo), but if you're a fan of bright things that kick a lot, it'll be worth it.

PS3 STORE

Special Offers
* Killzone 2 – Flash and Thunder Pack (was – £4.79/€5.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* Killzone 2 – Map Pack Bundle (was – £9.99/€12.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
* SOCOM Confrontation (was – £19.99/€29.99 now – £14.99/€19.99)
* The Last Guy (was – £6.29/€7.99 now – £3.99/€4.99)
* Dark Mist (was – £6.29/€7.99 now – £3.99/€4.99)
* Killzone Liberation (PSP) (was – £14.99/€19.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
* MediEvil Resurrection (PSP) (was – £14.99/€19.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
* Gangs of London (PSP) (was – £14.99/€19.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
* Need for Speed: Most Wanted 5-1-0 (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)
* Need for Speed: ProStreet (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)

Demos
* Bayonetta Demo
* Topatoi Demo

PSone Classics
* Peter Pan: Adventures in Neverland (£3.99/€4.99)

Add-On Content
* Fight Night Round 4
o Champions Pack II – Bernard Hopkins (£1.59/€1.99)
o Champions Pack II – Evander Holyfield (£1.59/€1.99)
o Champions Pack II – Sonny Liston (£1.59/€1.99)
o Champions Pack II – Old School Rules (£3.19/€3.99)
o Champions Pack II – Ring Rivalries (£1.59/€1.99)
o Champions Pack II Bundle (contains all packs above) (£7.99/€9.99)

* Operation Flashpoint – Dragon Rising Skirmish Pack (£3.19/€3.99)
* Need for Speed: Shift – Team Racing (free)
* LittleBigPlanet
o Assassin's Creed® II Ezio Auditore Costume (£1.59/€1.99)
o Santa Hat and Beard Costume (free)
o Santa Coat and Boots Costume (free)
o Festive Goodies Level Kit (£2.39/€2.99)

* Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 – Juggernaut Playable Character Teaser (compatibility pack) (free)
* Buzz! – Rock Idols Pack (£6.29/€7.99)
* EyePet
o Christmas Styling Pack (free)
o Emergency Styling Pack (£2.39/€2.99)
o Lucky Dip Styling Pack 6 (free)

Rock Band
o Come As You Are (Live From MTV Unplugged) by Nirvana (£0.99/€1.49)
o Lithium (Live At Reading) by Nirvana (£0.99/€1.49)
o Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana (£0.99/€1.49)
o Nirvana Pack 02 (includes the three tracks above) (£2.49/€3.99)
o (You Can Still) Rock In America ‘09 by Night Ranger (£0.99/€1.49)
o Don't Tell Me You Love Me ‘09 by Night Ranger (£0.99/€1.49)
o You're Gonna Hear From Me by Night Ranger (£0.99/€1.49
o Night Ranger Pack 01 (includes the three tracks above) (£2.49/€3.99)
o A Thing About You (Live) by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (£0.99/€1.49)
o American Girl (Live) by (£0.99/€1.49) Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (£0.99/€1.49)
o Even The Losers (Live) by (£0.99/€1.49) Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (£0.99/€1.49)
o Here Comes My Girl (Live) by (£0.99/€1.49) Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (£0.99/€1.49)
o Mary Janes Last Dance (Live) by (£0.99/€1.49) Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (£0.99/€1.49)
o Refugee (Live) by (£0.99/€1.49) Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (£0.99/€1.49)
o Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Live Anthology Pack 01 (includes the six tracks above) (£4.99/€7.99)
o New Fang by Them Crooked Vultures (£0.99/€1.49)
o Miss Independent by Kelly Clarkson (£0.99/€1.49)
o Our Lips Are Sealed by The Go-Go's (£0.99/€1.49)
o Who Knew by P!nk (£0.99/€1.49)

* Guitar Hero 5
o A Classic Case of Transference by Fall of Troy (£1.59/€1.99)
o Panic Attack By Fall of Troy (£1.59/€1.99)
o Single By Fall of Troy (£1.59/€1.99)
o Fall of Troy Track Pack (includes the three tracks above) (£4.39/€5.49)

Motion Comics

* Uncharted 2 – The Eye of Indra Episode 3 (£0.79/€0.99)
* Uncharted 2 - The Eye of Indra Episode 4 (£0.79/€0.99)

Videos
* GT Academy 2010 Trailer
* Blue Toad Murder Files Teaser Trailer
* Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time Construction Weapons Trailer
* Fairytale Fights Gameplay Trailers
* Fairytale Fights Gamescom Trailer
* Fairytale Fights Launch Trailer
* Fairytale Fights Retail Trailers
* Fairytale Fights Teaser Trailers
* Bruno Blu-Ray Trailer

Wallpapers
* Assassin's Creed II Wallpaper 2
* VidZone Groove Armada Wallpaper

PSP STORE

Special Offers
* Killzone Liberation (PSP) (was – £14.99/€19.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
* MediEvil Resurrection (PSP) (was – £14.99/€19.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
* Gangs of London (PSP) (was – £14.99/€19.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
* Need for Speed Most Wanted 5-1-0: (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)
* Need for Speed: ProStreet (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)

Downloadable Games
* Elemental Monster TD Portable (£6.29/€7.99)
* Capcom Classics Collection (£15.99/€19.99)

Demo
o LittleBigPlanet Demo (free)

minis
o Stand O'Food (£3.99/€4.99)

Videos
o Beaterator Full Intro Trailer
o Beaterator Timbaland Sessions
o Elemental Monster TD Portable Trailer

Between now and January 10th, European PSPgo owners both new and old can download a special free PSPgo Promotion Theme to their handheld, which will trigger an email voucher good for full versions of one of three popular PSP titles - Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines, Gran Turismo, or MotorStorm Arctic Edge. The offer is good only for the PSPgo, and the theme must be downloaded directly to the handheld via wireless internet in order to trigger the voucher.

This promotion is on top of the free copy of Gran Turismo handed out to European PSPgo buyers in early October and the three free titles offered to folks that upgraded from the original PSP.

I picked up a PSPgo this weekend on a whim, and received a lovely five-song demo of Rock Band Unplugged. Hooray.

PSPgo game offer (selected titles only) [PlayStation UK via Videogamer]

This is an image I would have sworn was fake prior to July of 2008, when Microsoft and Square Enix outed Final Fantasy XIII for the Xbox 360. It was one of the most exciting E3 announcements I've been present for, and I distinctly remember my fingers shaking as I typed up the news.

Now it's only four months away, and here we have a glimpse of what Final Fantasy XIII on the Xbox 360 will look like, at least for Europe. It's still a bit unsettling, but exciting nonetheless.

For those of you who can't handle the strangeness, I've also included the PlayStation 3 packshot. Rest assured, one of these boxes will be much lighter than the other.

It says it'll be out in March 2010, will cost €63 (USD$94) and...says nothing else.

So far, so good! Remember, though, this is still a retail listing, Amazon Germany or not, and retail listings can often be things of pure fantasy. EB Games in Australia, for example once had Halo on PS2 available for pre-order. For years.

Another couple of things counting against it: Sega are listed as publishers, when we'd heard someone else would be distributing the game in Europe, and the game apparently earned an 18 rating from the USK, even though the USK's records say nothing of the sort.

Ah well. Like we said: dare to dream!

There are add-ons for nine games, ranging from the usual suspects (Rock Band, Fallout 3) to Borderlands to Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 to Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2.

There is one game available, but since it's Madden Arcade, its allure for the European market won't be quite what it is in the US.

PS3 STORE

Downloadable Games
Madden NFL Arcade (£9.99/€12.99)
Lilo and Stitch: Trouble in Paradise (£3.99/€4.99) (PS1 Classic)

Demos
Comet Crash
Mushroom Wars

Game Add-Ons
Fallout 3
o Broken Steel (€7.99)
o Operation Anchorage (€7.99)
o The Pitt (€7.99)
o Point Lookout (€7.99)
o Mothership Zeta (€7.99)

Borderlands – Zombie Island (£6.29/€7.99)
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 – Character and Mission Pack (£7.99/€9.99)
Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 – Costume Pack (£3.19/€3.99)
Dragon Ball Raging Blast – Warriors on Earth Pack (free)
EyePet – Lucky Dip Styling Pack 6 (free)
LittleBigPlanet – Limited Edition LBP for PSP T-Shirt (£3.99/€4.99)

Rock Band
o Beautiful Thieves by AFI (£0.99/€1.49)
o End Transmission by AFI (£0.99/€1.49)
o Love Like Winter by AFI (£0.99/€1.49)
o Medicated by AFI (£0.99/€1.49)
o The Leaving Song. Pt 2 by AFI (£0.99/€1.49)
o Walk Like An Egyptian by The Bangles (£0.99/€1.49)

Guitar Hero 5 – Neversoft Thanks the Fans Pack (free) Rating: PEGI 12+

Videos
Uncharted 2 Eye of Indra Part 1 (Motion Comic) (free)
Uncharted 2 Eye of Indra Part 2 (Motion Comic) (£0.79/€0.99)
The Last Guardian Trailer
Battlefield Bad Company 2 Beta Anouncement
Assassin's Creed II Gameplay Vignette 1
Assassin's Creed II Gameplay Vignette 2
Assassin's Creed II Gamescom Trailer
Assassin's Creed II TGS Trailer
Gravity Crash Crash Creator's Tutorial
Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time Replay Trailer
DC Universe San Diego Comic-Con 2009 Vlog
Polar Panic Story Trailer

Premium Themes
Chinese Fighting Dragons Theme (£1.19/€1.49)
Deep Space Theme (£1.19/€1.49)
Hell's Head Theme (£1.19/€1.49)
Mans Best Friend Theme (£1.19/€1.49)

PSP STORE

Downloadable Games
Breath of Fire 3 (£13.99/€17.99)
Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures (£15.99/€19.99)
Obscure the Aftermath (£23.99/€29.99)
Power Stone Collection (£13.99/€17.99)
Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron (£15.99/€19.99)
Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes (£31.99/€39.99)
NBA 2K10 (£15.99/€19.99)

minis
Blast Off (£2.49/€2.99)
Dracula – Undead Awakening (£3.99/€4.99)

Videos
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars Official Trailer

Yes, better late than never, we know. Still, earlier is better than late.

Also of note this week is the release of the addictive/adorable Critter Crunch, LittleBigPlanet's digital release on PSP, some other great PSP releases (Disgaea, some Darkstalkers) and some Dragon Age DLC.

PS3 STORE

Special Offers
(from 19th November until the 3rd of December)
Buzz! Brain Bender (PSP) (was – £19.99/€29.99 now – £9.99/€14.99)
EA Replay (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)
Medal of Honor Heroes (PSP) (was – £9.99/€14.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
Medal of Honor Heroes 2 (PSP) (was – £14.99/€19.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)
Def Jam Fight for NY: The Takeover (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)

Downloadable Game
Invincible Tiger: The Legend of Han Tao (£9.99/€12.99) Rating: PEGI 12+
Gravity Crash Released on Tuesday the 24th of November Rating: PEGI 7+(£6.29/€7.99)

PSone Classic
Metal Gear Solid (£7.99/€9.99) Rating: PEGI 18+

Trial & Unlock Key
Critter Crunch (Trial free, Unlock Key £4.49/€5.49) Rating: PEGI 7+

Demo
Smash Cars Demo Rating: PEGI 3+

Add-On Game Content
Dragon Age:Origins
o Warden's Keep (£5.49/€6.99)
o The Stone Prisoner (£11.99/€14.99)

LittleBigPlanet
o Assassin's Creed II Ezio Auditore Costume Released on Tuesday the 24th of November (£1.59/€1.99)
o Thanksgiving Costume (only available for one week) (free)

Pain
o Flavor Flav Pack (£1.19/€1.49)Rating: PEGI 16+

EyePet
o Medieval Styling Pack (£2.39/€2.99)
o Lucky Dip Styling Pack 4 (free)

High Velocity Bowling
o Psychedelic 60's Ball Pack (£0.79/€0.99)
o Techno Modern Ball Pack (£0.79/€0.99)

Beatles: Rock Band
o A Day in the Life (£0.99/€1.49)
o Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite (£0.99/€1.49)
o Fixing a Hole (£0.99/€1.49)
o Lovely Rita (£0.99/€1.49)
o Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise) (£0.99/€1.49)
o She's Leaving Home (£0.99/€1.49)
o When I'm Sixty-Four (£0.99/€1.49)
o Within You Without You (£0.99/€1.49)
o Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Album) (this pack contains the all tracks listed above) (£7.49/€8.99)

Guitar Hero 5
o I Was Made For Loving You by KISS (£1.59/€1.99)
o Lick by KISS (£1.59/€1.99)
o Modern Day Delilah by KISS (£1.59/€1.99)
o KISS Track Pack (£4.39/€5.49)

Videos
Final Fantasy XIII Announcement Trailer
DC Universe Brian Stevens Interview
Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time Space Trailer
Army of Two: 40th Day Sniper Trailer
Dante's Inferno Greed Dev Trailer

Premium Themes
Wise Father Theme (£1.19/€1.49)
Yuefeng Theme (£1.19/€1.49)
King Zumo Theme (£1.19/€1.49)
Cavalier Warrior Theme (£1.19/€1.49)

PSP STORE

Special Offers
Buzz! Brain Bender (PSP) (was – £19.99/€29.99 now – £9.99/€14.99)
EA Replay (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)
Medal of Honor Heroes (PSP) (was – £9.99/€14.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
Medal of Honor Heroes 2 (PSP) (was – £14.99/€19.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)
Def Jam Fight for NY: The Takeover (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)

Downloadable Games
LittleBigPlanet (£21.99/€36.99) Rating: PEGI 7+
Assassin's Creed Bloodlines (£23.99/€29.99) Rating: PEGI 16+
Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier (£21.99/€36.99) Rating: PEGI 12+
The Warriors (£9.99/€12.99) Rating: PEGI 18+
Star Wars Battlefront II (£15.99/€19.99) Rating: PEGI 12+
NBA 2K10 (£15.99/€19.99) Rating: PEGI 3+
Mercury Meltdown (£4.79/€5.99) Rating: PEGI 3+
Megaman Maverick Hunter X (£13.99/€17.99) Rating: PEGI 3+
Capcom Puzzle World (£13.99/€17.99) Rating: PEGI 3+
Darkstalkers Chronicle: The Chaos Tower (£13.99/€17.99) Rating: PEGI 12+
Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness (£11.99/€14.99) Rating: PEGI 12+
Mana Khemia: Student Alliance (£19.99/€24.99) Rating: PEGI 12+
Williams Pinball Classics (£11.99/€14.99) Rating: PEGI 3+

minis
Echoes (£2.49/€2.99) Rating: PEGI 3+
Pinball Dreams (£3.99/€4.99) Rating: PEGI 7+

Demo
MotorStorm: Arctic Edge Demo (free) Rating: PEGI 12+
PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe Demo (free) Rating: PEGI 3+

Add-On Game Content
Rock Band Unplugged
o California Über Alles by Dead Kennedys (£0.99/€1.49)
o You're No Rock and Roll Fun by Sleater-Kinney (£0.99/€1.49)

Neil Thompson, the U.K.chief, told GamesIndustry.biz that "We're still very much in the baking on Natal and there's a lot of things to get decided on it." That goes for word that the unit would be either £50 (about $80) or even as low as £30 ($50), with as many as 14 titles available at launch and 5 million units shipped. In the face of such specifics, which were said to come from Microsoft visits with developers, Thompson basically offered a general, "nuh-uh."

"No. They weren't accurate, they were rumours," Thompson said of MCV's report. "I've got nothing more to say about it. We're still very much in the baking on Natal and there's a lot of things to get decided on it."

GamesIndustry.biz says it will later have further in-depth interviews with both Thompson and Microsoft Europe boss Chris Lewis, but it doesn't sound like either are going much further on this subject.

Microsoft Dismisses Natal Launch Rumours [GamesIndustry.biz via GamersReports]

While earlier developments had led to a degree of pessimism on the part of European fans (well deserved considering Square Enix's previous localisation efforts), this morning it was revealed that the game will be out in Europe on the same day it's out in North America.

March 9.

Which, when you think about the way the world spins, means Europe gets a Final Fantasy game before the US. Crazy.

"I know lately we've had a bit of a lull in the updates", SCEE's Mike Kebby writes on the European PlayStation blog, "and whilst they may not have been massive, we have been adding steadily to the store (for you PSP users especially), but next week, there should be a nice stream of content released, and I'm hopeful that some of you will be pleased once you see what's coming".

"There will always be dips in the release schedule, that's just the way it goes at times, but we always come out the other side smiling don't we?" he continues. "Seriously though, we'll be doing our best to make sure these lulls become less and less frequent, because we do want our community to be happy smiley folk after all".

Amazing what a little explanation can do for bad news, no? Unless you were really looking forward to Braid. In which case, I can't help you.

PS3 STORE

Add-On Game Content
Fallout 3
o Broken Steel
o Operation Anchorage
o The Pitt
o Point Lookout
o Mothership Zeta

Burnout Paradise - Big Surf Bundle
Buzz! – Euro Sports Quiz
Pain
o Fat Princess Pack
o Speed Oocher Pack

EyePet – Lucky Dip Styling Pack 4
Rag Doll Kung Fu: Fists of Plastic -
o Mistress of Mime
o Shaolin Scarecrow

Guitar Hero 5
o Fly Away by Lenny Kravitz
o Lady by Lenny Kravitz
o Let Love Rule by Lenny Kravitz
o Lenny Kravitz Track Pack

Rock Band
o A Day Like This – SpongeBob SquarePants
o Club Foot by Kasabian
o Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground by White Stripes
o Employee of the Month – SpongeBob SquarePants
o Girl, You Have No Faith in Medicine by White Stripes
o Icky Thump by White Stripes
o Ridin' the Hook – SpongeBob SquarePants
o Smash It Up (Part II) by The Damned
o White Stripes Pack 01

Videos
Avatar Dev Diary 2
Dante's Inferno Anger Dev Diary
Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time Launch Trailer
Just Cause 2 Island of Panua Mini Doc 2

Premium Themes
Wise Father Theme
Yuefeng Theme
King Zumo Theme
Cavalier Warrior Theme

PSP STORE

Downloadable Games
Street Fighter Alpha Max 3
Major League Baseball 2K9
Mana Khemia: Student Alliance

minis
Circles Circles Circles
D-Cube Planet
Bubble Trubble

Demo
Jax and Daxter: The Lost Frontier Demo

Add-On Game Content
Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce – Additional Quests 7
Rock Band Unplugged
o Excuse Me Mr. by No Doubt
o I'm Shipping Up To Boston by Dropkick Murphys

[via PlayStation Blog]