PS2 - Timeline
Saturday12th Jan 2013
Feature Castlevania's Gory PlayStation Bloodline
We take a look back at the Sony history of Konami's famous franchise
Konami’s Castlevania series may have established its reputation on Nintendo consoles, but in recent years it has branched out to find commercial and critical success on other systems, most notably the PlayStation line of consoles. With Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 looming...
Thursday10th Jan 2013
News Siren Sets Its Sights on the North American PlayStation Store
No looking back
You’ll be able to see the world from a new perspective next week, when Studio Japan’s punishing PlayStation 2 survival horror Siren spooks the North American PlayStation Store. The brutal stealth title – which was actually remade for the PS3 in 2008 – finds you stranded in a remote village named Hanuda, which is infested by...
Wednesday9th Jan 2013
Store Update 8th January 2013 (North America)
Back in business
As the first proper update of 2013, this week’s North American PlayStation Store refresh is understandably quiet. The biggest new addition is Earth Defense Force 2017 Portable for the PlayStation Vita, though there is also the arrival of the digital version of Demon’s Souls to consume your attention (and patience). Shall we get...
Friday4th Jan 2013
News Fall of the Artificer Was a Third-Person Steampunk Platformer for PS2
Dead and buried
The cancelled PlayStation 2 title Fall of the Artificer was not in production at defunct WipEout developer Studio Liverpool. Former concept artist Mathew Cooling has revealed that the scrapped project was actually the brainchild of Psygnosis Camden, the team behind the forgotten PSone platformer Kingsley’s Adventure. But what was...
Wednesday2nd Jan 2013
News The Box Art for the PlayStation 2's Last Ever Game Is a Bit Plain
Scribble time
It looks like an infant armed with a tub of crayons designed the cover for Final Fantasy XI: Seekers of Adoulin. The title – which could well be the last PlayStation 2 game ever released – is due out on 27th March in Japan. It’s the fifth expansion for Square Enix’s popular online adventure, and marks the MMO’s tenth...
News Take a Look at the Studio Liverpool Game That Never Was
Crossed off
Defunct developer Studio Liverpool may be best known for its work on the WipEout series, but the legendary outfit had aspirations beyond just racing games. According to the webpage of former artist Mathew Cooling, the team was working on a steampunk PlayStation 2 adventure named Fall of the Artificer back in 2000 and 2001. Sadly, very...
Friday28th Dec 2012
News Sony Ceases PlayStation 2 Shipments in Japan
End of an era
It’s the beginning of the end – but not in the way that the Mayans predicted. After almost 13 years on the market, the iconic PlayStation 2 is finally starting its transition into the console retirement home. Reports coming out of Famitsu magazine suggest that Sony has ceased shipping the system to Japanese retailers today, meaning...
Wednesday19th Dec 2012
Store Update 19th December 2012 (Europe)
It's full of stars
There’s a lot to get through in this week’s European PlayStation Store update, so we’re not even going to waste our time on witty quips and puns. Highlights include: Fuel Overdose, Knytt Underground, Labyrinth Legends, and many more. It’s perhaps worth noting that a handful of the new arrivals won't actually release until...
Store Update 18th December 2012 (North America)
Festive favourites
Remember when we hinted that Bully was coming to the PlayStation 3? Well, it’s here already. Publisher Rockstar Games has unceremoniously dropped a trio of PS2 Classics onto the North American PlayStation Store overnight, with Red Dead Revolver, Midnight Club 3 DUB Edition Remix, and the aforementioned high school adventure all...
Tuesday18th Dec 2012
News Rockstar Games' Bully Is Picking a Fight with PlayStation 3
Existentialism on prom night
If the recent release of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for the PlayStation Network wasn’t enough to quench your thirst for classic Rockstar Games titles, then you’re probably already salivating over the prospect of Bully coming to the PlayStation 3 as a PS2 Classic. During their daily ESRB watch, the eagle-eyed...
Wednesday12th Dec 2012
Store Update 11th December 2012 (North America)
Slowing down
After a barrage of beefy North American PlayStation Store updates, we’re sure you’ll appreciate some quiet time. This week’s refresh is headlined by the appearance of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, but there’s also the arrival of Big Sky Infinity and Black Knight Sword to occupy your time. As always, let us know what you’re...
Monday10th Dec 2012
News Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Hits the PSN This Week
Carl's comeback
Popular PlayStation 2 title Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas will hit the North American PlayStation Store this week. The release date for the open world crime drama was first spotted on the Hong Kong arm of PlayStation.com, before being confirmed for the West via the PlayStation Blog. The game’s arrival will come as no surprise to...
Wednesday5th Dec 2012
Store Update 4th December 2012 (North America)
Top trumps
We hope you weren’t expecting a slow week on the North American PlayStation Store, because December’s inaugural update is brimming with tasty treats. Highlights include Far Cry 3, former Xbox 360 exclusive Mass Effect, and card-game spin-off Uncharted: Fight for Fortune. As always, let us know what you’re buying in the comments...
Tuesday20th Nov 2012
News Bonkers Kissing Simulator Chulip Puckers Up for PS3
Mwah
Utterly insane PlayStation 2 snogging simulator Chulip is set to get a re-release, if an ESRB rating is to be believed. The loopy love ‘em up originally released in North America back in 2007 – almost five years after it first debuted in Japan. The adventure game – which was eventually brought overseas by Natsume – sees you stomping...
Wednesday14th Nov 2012
News Katamari Damacy Is Rolling onto the Japanese PSN Soon
The King of All Cosmos
Namco Bandai’s oddball PlayStation 2 title Katamari Damacy is rolling onto the Japanese PlayStation Network next week, the publisher has announced. The game – which sees you collecting objects by piloting an ever-expanding ball across a slew of different environments – will be available from 21st November in the land of...
Thursday8th Nov 2012
Store Update 6th November 2012 (North America)
Jammin'
There may well be heavy hitters such as LittleBigPlanet Karting and When Vikings Attack arriving as part of this week's North American PlayStation Store update – but the undisputed best new addition is ToeJam & Earl. The original SEGA Mega Drive title jives in this week alongside its side-scrolling sequel. Both titles will include...
Thursday1st Nov 2012
News Sony Reports PlayStation Sales Decrease, Lowers Vita Forecast
But overall losses reduce
Sony has revised its annual sales forecast for the PlayStation Vita and PSP for the second time this year. Speaking during its quarterly financial briefing, the company explained that it now expects the handheld systems to sell a combined total of 10 million units by 31st March, 2013. It had previously predicted a tally of...
Monday29th Oct 2012
News Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Prepares to Hijack the PS3
Hit the gym
Put your anticipation for Grand Theft Auto V on hold, because it looks like PS2 classic Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is coming to the PlayStation 3. The eagle-eyed editors over at Gematsu spotted an updated ESRB rating for the open world adventure, essentially confirming the title’s eventual arrival on the PlayStation Store. Similar...
Wednesday10th Oct 2012
News Japanese Sales Charts: PlayStation 3 Sales Surge
Like a disease
A cavalcade of anticipated software – combined with the release of the new Super Slim hardware model – pushed the PlayStation 3's sales over 42k units in Japan this week. The bump still wasn’t enough to topple the unstoppable Nintendo 3DS, but it came within striking distance. Resident Evil 6 was the platform’s biggest new...
Monday24th Sep 2012
News Grand Theft Auto III Jumps the North American PSN This Week
Wayback machine
Once upon a time there was a PlayStation 2 title that pretty much changed the state of gaming forever. Its name was Grand Theft Auto III, and you’ll be able to play it in its original guise via the North American PlayStation Network this week. This is the second time the open world classic’s been given a release date, so take...
Tuesday18th Sep 2012
News Grand Theft Auto III Hijacking Hong Kong PSN Next Week
Land of liberty
According to PlayStation’s Hong Kong website, Grand Theft Auto III is set to hit the PSN on 25th September. The title was originally set to launch in North America way back in July, but was delayed due to copyright issues. Digital release dates in Hong Kong typically match their Western counterparts, so we wouldn’t be surprised...
Tuesday28th Aug 2012
News PES 2013 Scores Champions League Themed Metallic Cover
Prestigious
Pre-orders of PES 2013 in North America will come with a UEFA Champions League metallic cover, publisher Konami has revealed. We suppose it’s a bit strange for Europe’s premier club competition to be featured on the front of a US release, but we suspect that anyone buying PES in North America will be familiar with the competition. If...
Friday24th Aug 2012
News PES 2013 Secures Licensed Brazilian Teams
Hooray?
Who cares about the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A when you’ve got 20 officially licensed Brazilian teams? That’s the positive attitude Konami’s being forced to adopt for PES 2013, noting that the addition of teams like Corinthians and São Paulo helps to create “the most authentic soccer experience available on the market”...
News Psychonauts Launches on PSN Next Week
Naut but good news
Double Fine’s memorable PlayStation 2 adventure Psychonauts is coming to the North American PlayStation Store on 28th August, platform holder Sony has announced. The unhinged adventure will launch as a bog-standard PS2 Classic, so don’t expect any fancy visual upgrades or Trophy support. There’s no word on a price tag just...
Wednesday22nd Aug 2012
Store Update 22nd August 2012 (Europe)
Counter strike?
This week’s European PlayStation Store update is actually a humdinger, but it’s offset by the unfortunate absence of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Still, there’s plenty of other content to look forward to, including Deep Black, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure HD and Retro/Grade. Let’s get sweaty. PS3 Games:
Tuesday21st Aug 2012
News Sony Adds New Deals to European Summer Sale
Counting the pennies
With the school holidays coming to an unfortunate close, Sony has announced the final batch of offers being added to its expansive European Summer Sale. Discounted titles include Alice: Madness Returns, GoldenEye 007: Reloaded and many more. Feel free to peruse the full list of promotions in the space below. And, as always, let...
Tuesday31st Jul 2012
News Shuhei Yoshida: SOCOM Franchise Is Not Done
Just on hiatus
Given the tepid critical response to SOCOM 4 and the closure of developer Zipper Interactive, many assumed that it was game over for Sony's tactical shooter series – but Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida has adopted a “never say never” mentality to the future of the franchise. “It's not done. We never definitely...
Wednesday25th Jul 2012
News Japanese Sales Charts: PSP Hits a Home Run
Out of the park
There are eight PSP titles on this week’s Japanese sales chart. The ageing handheld proved that there's still life in its elderly legs by outpacing the Vita by a few thousand units. We’re not sure whether that’s a sign of the PSP’s continued relevance, or the dismal state of Sony's latest platform. Still, despite the sheer...
News Classic Horror Title Haunting Ground Stalks PS3
Brace yourself
Looks like Capcom’s classic survival horror title Haunting Ground is sneaking onto PlayStation 3. The eagle-eyed folks over at Siliconera spotted an ESRB rating for the fearsome favourite, indicating its imminent arrival on Sony's home console. The title follows the escapades of Fiona and her dog Hewie, but instead of going on a...
Wednesday11th Jul 2012
News Japanese Sales Charts: Vita Struggles Once Again
Treading water
The PlayStation Vita sold just 11k units in Japan last week, despite a minor resurgence the period prior. The release of the crystal white hardware variation had catapulted the relatively new system beyond recent disappointment, but with no new notable titles on the horizon, the portable plummeted back towards below-par pastures. To...
