PSP go off to a slow start

According to www.andriasang.com, citing sales figures from Enterbrain, the PSP go only moved around 28,750 units in Japan in its first weekend at retail space.

This is probably the magic number that Sony was hoping for.  Sony and other software makers released select titles for the launch including Persona 3 Portable, Dissidia Final Fantasy and titles like Disgaea Infinite and LocoRoco Midnight Carnival. If anything it proves that Sunday launched are not always a great idea for hardware debuts.

Anyway, hopefully Sony’s go “will go somewhere” by year’s end.

UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves in stores

Sony Computer Entertainment America has released UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves for the PlayStation 3. The sequel to Naughty Dog’s hit Unchartered, UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves blends the art of cinema and action platformer and shooter action in an all new adventure involving Nathan Drake, big explosions, exploration, running and jumping, and good old fashioned spelunking (I might be bending the truth here, but you’ll figure that out after you buy the game, won’t you?). The game promises a story-driven single-player mode and competitive multiplayer and cooperative modes as well.

Be sure to check out Tom Chick’s excellent UNCHARTERED 2: Among Thieves Review for the real skinny on this first party title published by SCEA.

Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier in Nov.

Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier will be coming to the PSP (and no doubt as a download for the PSP go) and PlayStation 2 on Nov. 3, Sony computer Entertainment America announced this week. The Lost Frontier was developed by High Impact Games, best known as the developers of Ratchet & Clank Size Matters and Secret Agent Clank.

This new Jak and Daxter adventure for PSP and PS2 promises the usual amounts of action, platforming and even a little combat racing thrown in for good measure. The game will also feature the new Jax weapon, the gunstaff, which has the ability to transform into a myriad of different weapons. Handy dandy sweet as candy.

Look for the game early next month.

God of War Collection for PS3 announced

Sony Computer Entertainment America is bringing the old God of War games to the PlayStation 3 with the God of War Collection. Scheduled for release this holiday season, God of War Collection promises enhanced versions of both God of War and God of War II on a single Blu-ray Disc at full 1280 x 720 resolution.

Originally developed for the PlayStation 2, the game have been remastered with anti-aliased graphics running at 60 frames per second for a smooth gameplay experience on the PS3 system. This new Blu-ray Disc compilation will also bring PlayStation Network (PSN) trophy support to the franchise for the first time for both games. God of War Collection will retail for $39.99 MSRP.

You can learn more about this compilation pack at www.us.playstation.com.

Two new PSP colors and bundles coming later this year

At GamesCom in Cologne, Germany today Sony Computer Entertainment Europe announced two new colors for the PSP: Turquoise Green and Blossom Pink. These colors will be hitting Europe to join other PSP-3000 models providing a lighter touch of color for PSP owners who don’t enjoy black.

The new colors will be available on their own or packed with a game: Turquoise Green will be bundled with LittleBigPlanet along with more packs due to out later this year. But don’t just settle for two colors. There are more on the way including the DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY with Pearl White PSP bundle in Sept.; the FIFA 10 with Piano Black PSP and Gran Turismo with PSP Gran Turismo Edition bundles in Oct.; the Hannah Montana: Rock Out the Show with Lilac Purple PSP , Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines with Piano Black PSP, InviZimals with Piano Black PSP, and LittleBigPlanet with Turquoise Green PSP bundles in Nov.; and the TEKKEN 6 with Piano Black PSP bundle this winter. All the colors of the freaking rainbow, right?

Check out these full frontal shots of these new colorful PSP’s (click to enlarge):

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PSP to get digital comics reader, content from PlayStation Network

Sony Computer Entertainment announced at the Gamescom event in Cologne, Germany today that the PlayStation Portable will be getting a digital reader that will allow PSP owners to enjoy a huge library of Digital Comics from Comic book companies including Archie, Image and leading comic publisher Marvel Entertainment. The digital reader service will be launched with Digital Comics this December in select countries, the U.S, and regions in Europe with other PAL territories to follow in 2010.

The new Digital Comics service will offer hundreds of classic and new comics from PlayStation Store to your PSP GO!, which can be read page by page or frame by frame. Some of the comics and graphic novels you can expect to see at launch include Marvel Entertainment‘s Spider-Man, X-Men and the Fantastic Four, from IDW: TRANSFORMERS and Star Trek and in partnership with iVerse Media, brands like Archie Comics, and Image Comic’s Proof, while other content will include graphic novels, comics from a variety of local publishers and the latest underground hits. More titles will arrive on PlayStation Store with monthly content updates.

PS3 Slim confirmed, PS3 price cut now

Update:
According to a press release from Sony Computer Entertainment the new PlayStation 3 system will be available in stores beginning September 1, 2009, in North America, Europe/ PAL territories and Asian countries and other regions at a retail price of US$299 and €299, respectively. The system will become available in Japan on September 3, 2009, at a RRP of 29,980 yen (including tax).

The old PS3 system will have its price reduced to USD $299. That price is for the 80GB unit and won’t kick in until August 18 (starting today) in North America and August 19 in Europe. Also in North America, the price of PS3 with 160GB HDD will be reduced to a RRP of US$399 starting August 18.

Original Story:
Today at its press conference at the GamesCom event in Cologne, Germany Sony Computer Entertainment Europe finally admitted two things: the PS3 Slim is real and the long rumored price cut is coming later this week. This slimmer, streamlined SKU will launch in the first week of September on a worldwide basis for 299 Euros in Europe and $299 USD in the States. The announcement was made by Kaz Hirai, CEO and President of SCE.

The PS3 Slim will feature a 120GB hard drive, will consume 34 percent less power than its first-generation sibling and will be 32 percent smaller in size. For once, many of those leaked images of the PS3 slim that were paraded out in hundreds of rumor posts turned out to be real. Go figure. Images of the new PS3 Slim can be found below (click to enlarge):