What's the plan, gang? Got any good gaming planned for the weekend? To the comments, if so!

The $7.99 downloadable title is, first and foremost, one of the better games to be released on the PlayStation Network service and a fabulous arcade entry. While it may not immediately show its gameplay strengths based on its first planet, the game's frenetic pace and strategy in later levels show what Super Stardust HD is capable of.

What separates SSDHD from the game it willy surely be measured against is the game's weapon system. You'll face three elements in the game, as rock, gold and ice hurtle toward each planet, awaiting your total destruction. Fortunately, you have three upgradeable weapons—the Rock Crusher, Gold Melter and Ice Breaker—each best suited for eliminating a type of asteroid.

Glowing green cores within asteroid pieces will drop tokens that will grant you extra ships, shields, weapon upgrades or points. The Rock Crusher, for example, will upgrade first to fire faster, then fire a double spread, then faster, then a triple spread, then faster, then... you get the idea. Each time you pick up a weapon upgrade token, you'll see, on a percentage basis, how powerful your weapon is.

You're also outfitted with screen clearing bombs and a boost function, assigned to the R2 and L2 buttons, respectively. While bombs are expendable, requiring bomb tokens to refill your compliment, the boost simply refills on its own. In a tight spot? Boost out of there safely, destroying whatever is in your path.

At the end of the planet's five-round cycle, you'll take on an end-of-level boss, usually a spaceship out to destroy you. They're challenging, adding an extra element of danger as you dodge their fire while avoiding the dozens of pieces of floating debris.

Graphically, the game is a rich, spark-filled treat. It explodes with colored lighting effects but runs at a smooth clip no matter how many objects are thrown at you. Occasionally, this intense action can obscure enemies behind showers of particle effects, resulting in the odd unforeseen death and the occasional surprise kill.

The only initial complaint I have about the game is in its default view mode. I would suggest changing the camera to "far" to get a better view of the battlefield when on the run from asteroids.

Otherwise, if you're looking for a good shooter that features solid single player and two player co-op, one that evokes gameplay feelings of Asteroids, Smash TV, Raiden or Geometry Wars, Super Stardust HD is a fairly safe bet at a decent price.

I downloaded Super Stardust HD from the PlayStation Store last night, impressions of which will follow later in the day. Following a discussion with N'Gai Croal of Level Up fame over drinks and Madden NFL 08, I have a renewed interest in revisiting Manhunt. Yes, I may have been in my cups at the time, perhaps too deep, but I'm pretty sure I told Croal that I considered the Rockstar Games splatterfest one of the most important console games of the previous generation. I should reevaluate that with a bit more playtime, me thinks.

And you? What are you playing this weekend? Anyone got E3 Fever yet?

There are even a handful of Hollywood movie trailers, including Superbad, I Know Who Killed Me, The Invasion and License to Wed, just for shits and giggles. The only thing missing from this week's updates are the complaints. Michael McWhertor

Super Stardust HD, which is naturally in 1080p, is an asteroid-blasting action game that also touts 2-player co-op. Familiar-looking, but also pretty in its own way.

Now, Snakeball, on the other hand, stands out a bit more. Based on the description—"the funkiest online sport ever created"—and the fact that you'll ride a "bizarre hoversnake" across a "dazzling disco floor" it warrants at least some attention. Also cool? Eye support for customized hoversnake riders.

You know what that means. Lots of hi-res butt shots coming your way soon. Michael McWhertor

SUPER STARDUST HD AND SNAKEBALL TO LAUNCH ON PSN [Three Speech]