The NBA content is the more appealing of the two, Sony promising "select games" will be made available every week of the season, while the first two rounds of the playoffs will also be covered.

The hockey stuff is a little less current, with twenty "historic" matches going up for sale.

Everything is priced between $2 and $3.

"Leading video games developer and publisher NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., announced today their intent to increase its digital distribution presence."

Boring so far, right? It is! Thing is, it gets better, the company pledging to spend 2010 plumbing the depth's of their back catalogue and releasing them on the 360, PS3 and PSP.

It'll begin with Beautiful Katamari appearing on the 360's Games on Demand service in "Q1 2010", but more encouragingly, will continue with a range of PlayStation One "catalogue classics" throughout the year.

The PSN needs a lot more quality PS1 games. It's nice seeing at least one publisher publicly committing to release more games on it.

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

It's not a Batman-related DLC pack. It's not a Darksiders demo. It's Wing Commander IV. Only downside is that it's obviously the lesser PS1 port, but hey, Wing Commanders can't be choosers.

Not much else of note available this week aside from the MAG open beta and a ton of sale content, but if you'd like to check for yourself, the full update is below.

PSN Game Sale

* Bomberman Ultra – $4.99 (revert to regular price on 1/7/10)
* Worms – $9.99
* Topatoi – $4.99
* Armored Core 3 Portable – $9.99 (revert to regular price on 1/21/10)
* Scrabble – $13.99
* NFS Underground Rivals – $10.49
* NFS Carbon – $13.99
* NFS Most Wanted – $13.99
* NFS ProStreet – $13.99
* GI Joe – $27.99
* Sims 2 – $10.49
* Commander's Challenge – $6.99
* Battlefield 1943 – $10.49
* Hasbro Family Game Night – $29.99
* Burnout Paradise Ultimate Bundle – $20.99
* ZOMBIE TYCOON – $4.99

Downloadable Games

Battle Fantasia ($19.99)
Polar Panic ($9.99)
PixelJunk 3-in-1 Pack (Bundle) ($19.99)

PSOne Classics

Wing Commander IV ($5.99)

Game Demos

MAG Public Beta
LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues Demo
Peggle Demo
Polar Panic Demo

Add-on Game Content

LittleBigPlanet
* LittleBigPlanet Pirates of the Caribbean Will Turner Costume ($1.99)
* LittleBigPlanet Pirates of the Caribbean Tia Dalma Costume ($1.99)
* LittleBigPlanet Pirates of the Caribbean Sack Sparrow Costume ($1.99)
* LittleBigPlanet Pirates of the Caribbean Elizabeth Costume ($1.99)
* LittleBigPlanet Pirates of the Caribbean Davy Jones Costume ($1.99)
* LittleBigPlanet Pirates of the Caribbean Barbossa Costume ($1.99)
* LittleBigPlanet Pirates of the Caribbean Costume Pack ($5.99)
* LittleBigPlanet Pirates of the Caribbean Level Kit ($5.99)

PAIN: Kato-san Character (free)
Dragon Ball: Raging Blast Ginyu Force Pack (free)
Call of Duty: World at War Map Pack Bundle ($24.99)
Guitar Hero 5
* "Our Song" by Taylor Swift ($1.99)
* "New" by No Doubt ($1.99)
* "Harder to Breathe" by Maroon 5 ($1.99)
* Celebrity New Year's Track Pack ($5.49)
* Hark The Herald Angels Sing By Steve Ouimette (free)

Karaoke Revolution 2009
* Me and Bobby McGee
* Pain
* Celebrity
* Goodbye Earl
* Hot Mama
* Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys
* Mud On The Tires
* The Gambler
* What Was I Thinking
* Hungry Like The Wolf

Rock Band
* "Ocean Avenue" - Yellowcard ($1.99)
* "A Lot Like Me" - The Offspring ($1.99)
* "Build a Bridge" - Limp Bizkit ($1.99)
* "Beverly Hills" - Weezer ($1.99)
* "(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To" - Weezer ($1.99)
* "Let it All Hang Out" - Weezer ($1.99)
* Weezer Pack 03 ($5.49)

PSN Avatars

* LittleBigPlanet Sackboy PSN Avatar ($0.49)
* LittleBigPlanet MyMoon PSN Avatar ($0.49)
* LittleBigPlanet Craft Earth PSN Avatar ($0.49)
* LittleBigPlanet Xmas Tree PSN Avatar ($0.49)
* LittleBigPlanet Santa PSN Avatar ($0.49)
* LittleBigPlanet Giftboy PSN Avatar ($0.49)
* LittleBigPlanet "Sky" Sackgirl PSN Avatar ($0.49)
* LittleBigPlanet "Marvin" Sackboy PSN Avatar ($0.49)
* LittleBigPlanet "Gloria" Sackgirl PSN Avatar ($0.49)
* LittleBigPlanet "Arr!!!" Sackboy PSN Avatar ($0.49)
* LittleBigPlanet "Lily Pad" PSN Avatar ($0.49)
* LittleBigPlanet "Hugo" PSN Avatar ($0.49)
* LittleBigPlanet "Great Blue" PSN Avatar ($0.49)
* LittleBigPlanet "Frost-E" PSN Avatar ($0.49)
* LittleBigPlanet Planets PSN Avatar Bundle ($0.99)
* LittleBigPlanet Festive PSN Avatar Bundle ($0.99)
* LittleBigPlanet Characters 1 PSN Avatar Bundle ($1.25)
* LittleBigPlanet Animals PSN Avatar Bundle ($1.25)

Game Videos

Pulse 12/22 Edition
Assassin's Creed II Launch Trailer
Ratchet & Clank Future: ACIT – My Blaster Runs Hot Video
PixelJunk Shooter Trailer
Trine Trailer
Chaotic Shadow Warriors Trailer
Digger HD Trailer

Themes

Heavy Rain Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
PSN Holiday Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Gravity Crash Theme (free)
World's End Theme ($1.49)
Sorority Winter Break Theme ($1.99)
STAR TREK Theme ($1.99)
DarkMatter: RedShift Theme (Dark & Alloy Edition) ($1.99)
Analog Scream Theme ($1.49)

Wallpaper (free)

Gravity Crash Space Wallpaper
Gravity Crash Planet Wallpaper

PlayStation Store for PSP

Savage Moon: The Hera Campaign ($9.99)
Aedis Eclipse ($9.99)
Me & My Katamari ($19.99)
Football Manager Handheld 2010 ($23.99)

PSP Minis

Bowling 3D ($4.99)

Game Demos (free)

Holy Invasion of Privacy Badman! 2 Demo
Army of Two: The 40th Day Demo

Add-on Game Content

LocoRoco Midnight Carnival Level Pack ($2.99)

Game Videos (also available from PS3 storefront)

Savage Moon: The Hera Campaign Trailer

The Eye of Judgment Legends (don't-call-it-a-port) version will also drop one more physical object: the UMD. Legends will hit the PlayStation Store in North America as a digital download sometime in (wait for it) spring of 2010, packing in some 300 digital cards, 30 of which are unique to the PSP version.

Sony will also offer wireless card trading, a story mode and downloadable booster packs—at some point—with the PSP version of Eye of Judgment.

Coming to PSP: THE EYE OF JUDGMENT LEGENDS [PlayStation.blog]

The first of four avatar packs, each featuring three or four LittleBigPlanet-themed icons that can represent you on the PlayStation 3 cross media bar and friends list, are going for $8.00 HK in Hong Kong, which translates to about $1.00 USD. In Europe, individual premium avatars are priced at £0.20/€0.25 each. Not a bad deal, should you have a dollar or two rotting in your Wallet.

On the other hand, it's a formerly free thing now monetized, something Sony seems more and more interested in doing lately. Good for business, bad for people who want things given to them gratis.

In newly released artwork for the PlayStation 3 game, the Fat Princess cast is now playing with a full hand, each class sporting five fingers instead of the previous four. While not officially blamed for the game's release, a four-fingered hand is often linked to referencing yakuza culture, the Burakamin Japanese social minority group and the the numeral four as an unlucky number.

The old Fat Princess artwork for Japan, for comparison sake, is below.

Pocchari Princess [PlayStation.jp via Andriasang / Hatchimaki]

MAG has gone gold, and all is on course for its January 26th North American release. Now all Zipper Interactive and Sony have to do is make sure the game doesn't explode on launch day, so they're holding an open beta for the game between January 4th and January 10th. When they say open, they mean extremely open. If you are in a territory with the PlayStation Network, then you're in. Simply log into the PlayStation Network tomorrow, download the MAG open beta demo, start it up, and wait for it to download upwards of 2.3GB of data. You'll want to do this as early as possible, to make sure you aren't stuck waiting when the 4th rolls around.

Consider it Zipper Interactive's way of saying Happy Holidays, please buy our game next month.

MAG is Gold, Beta for Everyone Soon [PlayStation Blog]

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

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.

I suppose it's up to you to decide whether the Army of Two: The 40th Day demo takes precedent over downloading Pavement's "Cut Your Hair," but now PlayStation 3 owners can do both. The good news for PSP owners is that a ton of UMDs have made the jump to digital download, including a trio of Metal Gear Solid titles.

Even better are new deals on games like GTA: Chinatown Wars and Holy Invasion of Privacy, Badman! What Did I Do To Deserve This? All of these things can be pondered while scanning the list below.

Games & Demos For PlayStation 3
Puzzlegeddon ($9.99)
PSone Classics: Final Fantasy VIII ($9.99)
Gran Turismo 5 Time Trial Challenge
Army of Two: The 40th Day demo
TV Show King demo
Guitar Hero Van Halen demo
Diner Dash demo
Puzzlegeddon demo

Games & Demos For PSP
BUZZ! Quiz World ($19.99)
Sega Rally Revo ($15.99)
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus ($9.99)
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops ($14.99)
Metal Gear Solid Digital Graphic Novel ($9.99)
F1 2009 ($39.99)
Ridge Racer ($14.99)
PSP minis: Heracles Chariot Racing ($4.99)
PSP minis: Spot the Differences! ($2.99)

Expansions & Add-ons
PAIN Red Jimmy Character ($0.99)
SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation Cold Front ($9.99)
Brutal Legend Hammer Of Infinite Fate ($4.99)
NBA 10 Holiday Shoe Pack (free)

Guitar Hero 5 tracks

• "Hi-Speed Soul" by Nada Surf ($1.99)
• "Sister Jack" by Spoon ($1.99)
• "Cut Your Hair" by Pavement ($1.99)
• Indie Rock Track Pack ($5.49) – "Hi-Speed Soul" by Nada Surf, "Cut Your Hair" by Pavement, and "Sister Jack" by Spoon

Rock Band tracks

• "Gives You Hell" by All-American Rejects ($1.99)
• "This is War" by 30 Seconds to Mars ($1.99)
• "Kings and Queens" by 30 Seconds to Mars ($1.99)
• "Christian's Inferno" by Green Day ($1.99)
• "Last of the American Girls" by Green Day ($1.99)
• "¡Viva la Gloria!" by Green Day ($1.99)
• Green Day Pack 2 ($5.49) - "Christian's Inferno," "Last of the American Girls," and "¡Viva la Gloria!" by Green Day.

The Beatles: Rock Band tracks

• "Girl" by The Beatles ($1.99)
• "In My Life" by The Beatles ($1.99)
• "Michelle" by The Beatles ($1.99)
• "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" by The Beatles ($1.99)
• "Nowhere Man" by The Beatles ($1.99)
• "Run For Your Life" by The Beatles ($1.99)
• "The Word" by The Beatles ($1.99)
• "Think For Yourself" by The Beatles ($1.99)
• "Wait" by The Beatles ($1.99)
• "What Goes On" by The Beatles ($1.99)
• "You Won't See Me" by The Beatles ($1.99)
• Rubber Soul Album ($17.99)

Game Videos
ModNation Racers "Express Yourself" Trailer
SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3 Dev Diary #1
Critter Crunch "A Barf in the Night" Trailer
Mushroom Wars Trailer 2
High Velocity Bowling Jarvis & Ginger Trailer
Red Dead Redemption Trailer 2
Planet 51 Launch Trailer
NBA Unrivaled Trailer

Themes & Wallpapers
Smash Cars Theme (free)
Digger HD Theme (free)
Mushroom Wars Theme (free)
Smash Cars B&W Theme (free)
Guitar Hero Van Halen Theme (free)
Legion Theme (free)
Assassin's Creed II Ezio Theme ($0.99)
Bianca Premium Plus Theme ($1.99)
Lindsay Kaye Theme ($1.99)
The Hangover Theme ($1.99)
Transformers 2 Theme ($1.99)
Star Trek: TOS Dynamic Theme Dual Pack $4.99
Star Trek: TOS Blue Edition Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Star Trek: TOS Red Edition Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Gaze Theme ($1.99)
Tropical Paradise Theme ($1.49)
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Wallpaper 3
Gravity Crash Sun Wallpaper

Price Drops & Sales
Beaterator Price Drop (was $39.99; now $19.99)
Grand Theft Auto Chinatown Wars Price Drop (was $39.99; now $29.99)
Holy Invasion of Privacy Badman Price Drop (was $19.99; now $9.99)
Brain Challenge Price Drop (was $9.99; now $4.99)
Unbound Saga Sale (regular price $9.99; sale price $4.99)
Tetris Sale (regular price $9.99; sale price $6.99)
Burn Zombie Burn (regular price $9.99; sale price $4.99)

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!

It's an early Christmas present for MGS fans from Konami! Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker: Demo-Ops is hitting the PlayStation Store later today, giving fans a taste of four different mission types with content previously playable at the Tokyo Game Show and "more." Ooo, more. I like more. I don't know what "more" entails, but I know what I like.

The free demo will be available later today on PSN, with several other gaming sites hosting it as well, in case you are allergic to the PlayStation Store or something. The full game drops May 25th, so hopefully they've got enough gameplay in there to keep fans satiated for another five months.

While Mega Man games can be notoriously hard, Mega Man 10 will have an all new Easy Mode.

In an email sent out to PlayStation email subscribers, Sony announce in the "coming soon" section that Final Fantasy VIII will be turning up on the PlayStation Store.

I'm interested to see how it holds up after all these years, both because it's my favourite Final Fantasy game, and because last time I played it I remember it holding up much better than Final Fantasy VII does these days.

Some highlights or lowlights - really, you should go see the whole thing - Marvel vs. Capcom 2 bottomed out after releasing to Xbox Live Arcade and PSN this year. After reaching highs of $109.99 (PlayStation 2) and $91.99 (Xbox), they slumped to $43 and $30 respectively after the title went out online. Ouch.

The games get a dead-cat bounce but prospects for a recovery beyond that aren't good, if Castlevania is any indication. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night in its PSOne form hit $50.75 in December 2006. The next year, the game was released on XBLA and PSN, dropping the hard copy value to $19.99. It's recovered slightly to $27.12, but that's just a little over half its pre-re-release (say that three times fast) high.

MTV Multiplayer did its analysis according to VideoGamePriceCharts.com. Really, though, take a look for yourself. They covered much more than those two titles above, and offer tips for the safest investments unlikely to be undercut by re-releases.

Video Game Collectors Feeling the Pain of Re-Releases [MTV Multiplayer]

Okay, maybe not a glass. PixelJunk Shooter is a game about saving miners and scientists trapped beneath the surface of a strange planet, but it's also a game about using opposing forces of nature in order to make your way through a twisted series of underground caverns. You can douse lava with water to create land, ignite pockets of gas with molten rock to unleash destructive explosions; over the course of the game you'll discover new tools to help you harness the elements, all the while using your weapons to take out the various mysterious enemies lurking beneath the planet's crust.

Water and fire are two of nature's most destructive forces, and many have lost their lives trying to harness them. How'd Q-Games do?

Loved
Troubleshooting: PixelJunk Shooter is a puzzle game disguised as a shooter. While there are times when your main focus will be on firing your weapons at enemies to survive, the main focus of the game is using the elements against your environment and each other in order to save miners stranded deep underground. It's this clashing of elements, water and lava, that forms the foundation for the gameplay. Lava cools heats you up, water cools you down, and when the two meet, destructible earth is formed. As the game progresses the difficulty ramps and new tools are introduced, but the relationship between the two is always paramount. It's a simple concept brought to life, and it's a wonderful life.

Bring A Friend: PixelJunk Shooter is a game that begs to be played with a friend. In a world where one stray bullet can mean the difference between freeing a trapped miner and being engulfed by lava, adding an unpredictable human element to the mix can be entertaining, to say the least, and raises all sorts of new questions as you play. Do you take turns saving miners, or is this a competition? Who gets to wear the water suit and who wears the lava suit? Will the player wearing the lava suit bury the other in a cascade of deadly molten rock? Most likely, but all will be forgiven once you realize how helpful it is to have another set of guns during the game's rare but entertaining massive boss fights.

Hated
A Candle In The Wind: Ah, PixelJunk Shooter, you had only just begun when you ended. Three different worlds with five levels each split into multiple stages seems like a great deal, but it's over in a flash. All things considered, four hours for a $9.99 game isn't bad, and multiplayer extends the game's life considerably, but it feels as if there could have been so much more.

Like PixelJunk Eden, the third game in the PixelJunk series, Shooter takes a simple concept and creates a complex, entertaining gameplay experience from it. With Eden it was the pollination of plants, and with Shooter it's the relationship between two opposing elements. Like water and magma crashing together to create rock, Q-Games has married this natural relationship with puzzle and shooting mechanics to create something more enjoyably substantial than its parts.

PixelJunk Shooter was developed by Q-Games and published in North America by Sony Computer Entertainment America for the PlayStation Network. Retails for $9.99 USD. A download code for the game was given to us by the publisher for reviewing purposes. Played through the entire game solo and multiple levels in two player mode.

Confused by our reviews? Read our review FAQ.

Last month during a Sony investor presentation, the company made mention of a potential subscription service for the PlayStation Network. While there's still nothing to announce on that front, Chatani once again brings up the possibility of monthly fees while discussing the cost of maintaining the PlayStation Network.

Servers and the like have running costs, and we would face difficulties if our business depended solely on the sell-and-forget model. After we sell the hardware, though, we continue to sell products such as content and services. We expect to see considerable growth in digital content, such as game download services, avatar items and the like. We can also accept payment in a growing number of ways. In addition to single-payment packaged software, there are also schemes like monthly fees or per-item charges. I think this variety of payment methods will bring about a diverse range of playing methods, too.

It doesn't sound to me like Sony would be charging for the PlayStation Network as much as they would be offering additional services and content on top of what players already get for free on PSN. Of course that's merely speculation.

Would you be open to paying a small monthly fee for easy access to downloadable content and items, or would you prefer to pay as you go?

PS3, PSP Made Smaller, Lighter to Capture New Customer Segments [Tech-On]

"There are IP clearances and rights we no longer have (particularly pertaining to voicework/soundtrack I believe) so our IP management group has told us it can't be re-released," Svensson said. "I'm sorry as it's one of the ones I really wanted to see be put back up.

"So if you still have that PS1 Rival Schools disc in your collection, it's unfortunately going to be the only way that gets played for the forseeable future."

This does not apply only to the PSN, but all platforms, it seems. Bummer.

No Rival Schools on PSN now, no Rival Schools on PSN ever [Dtoid]

While Sony is saying this is a Dead Space 2 miner outfit, it does look very much like the Dead Space 1 duds.

Twitter / Dead Space: Own a PlayStation 3? Like ... [Twitter]