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PlayStation TV launches stateside with last-minute compatibility changes
The PlayStation TV launches today in North America boasting compatibility with a large number of PSP, PS Vita, and PS minis games, but users at NeoGAF point out that a last-minute compatibility update renders several major titles unplayable on Sony's new hardware. Just prior to the system's stateside launch, Sony updated its PlayStation TV compatibility list, removing entries for notable PSP games like Twisted Metal: Head-On, Valkyria Chronicles 2, and WipeOut Pure. Several Konami-published PSone games are also no longer compatible with the PlayStation TV, including Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, and Suikoden. The lack of omitted games that begin with the letters A through L suggests that Sony may be sorting out cross-platform rights issues alphabetically. While SNK-published PS minis games like Time Soldiers and Vanguard didn't make the cut, fellow SNK Arcade Classics 0 ports like Athena and Guerrilla War remain listed, hinting that further compatibility updates may be in store. Positioned as a non-portable alternative to Sony's PS Vita system, the PlayStation TV plugs into any HDMI-equipped television and plays games and movies downloaded from the PlayStation Network. The system is available today as a $99.99 standalone package and bundled with a DualShock 3 controller and memory card for $139.99. [Video: Sony]
PS Minis developer Futurlab inks deal with Sony to fund new Vita IP
Futurlab, the developer of PlayStation Minis and Mobile games Velocity, Surge and Fuel Tiracas, has acquired funding from Sony to develop titles for the PlayStation Vita. The deal also includes the added bonus that allows Futurlab to retain control of its intellectual property."We're incredibly excited to be working closely with PlayStation over the next year, bringing our particular brand of twitchy fun to the PS Vita," Futurlab Managing Director James Marsden says. "Sony has provided a great package that means we retain full control of our IP, which is a perfect deal for us."It's kind of like mommy giving you the credit card and telling you to only buy stuff for yourself. The website for Futurlab's next project is titled "Fan Powered Flight" and currently has a countdown clock with two days remaining, along with the text, "You asked for it," across the top. You're right, Futurlab, we did ask for a penguin with the capability of flight, and we can't wait to see what you've genetically engineered. You're so sweet.
Jetpack Joyride lands on PlayStation Network
After going free-to-play on iOS and Android (and undergoing a subsequent Facebook port), Halfbrick's Jetpack Joyride has made its way to PlayStation Network today. Jetpack Joyride is available for $3.99 on Sony platforms right now under the Minis section, making it compatible with PSP, PlayStation Vita and PS3.Jetpack Joyride features the most recent version of the game, replete with waves of nigh-unending challenges, a store full of unlockable jetpacks, outfits and other virtual goods. Plus: lasers. There are so many lasers in this game.Jetpack Joyride on PSN also includes gadgets, like coin magnets and gravity belts, which were introduced in the 1.3 update.
Canabalt makes the jump to PlayStation Minis
Canabalt, the deceptively addictive single-button platformer from Adam Saltsman, is available for PS3, Vita and PSP as a PlayStation Mini in Europe right now, and is set to hit next week in the US. Canabalt costs £1.74/€1.99/AU $3.45.Canabalt has already made its run as a free Flash game and an iOS title, and Saltsman (or Mr. Atomic, as we assume he sometimes prefers) is hard at work on the official iOS movie tie-in game, The Hunger Games: Girl on Fire.
Here are the PSP games that will work on Vita at launch [update: more compatible games spotted]
Sony has posted a how-to guide on downloading PSP titles to the PlayStation Vita and, along with it, a list of the 275 PSP titles and Minis that will be compatible with the Vita at launch. Obviously, it's a pretty hefty lineup, though some favorites are certainly missing, including Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, Valkyria Chronicles 2, Lumines and others.That said, Sony promises more titles will be added in "the coming weeks." Head over to the US PlayStation Blog for the current list. And, before you ask, yes, of course Dragon's Lair is compatible.Update: A couple of industry tweets reveal that some games not mentioned on the official list are already compatible with the Vita, notably Valkyria Chronicles 2 and PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe. It would appear that Sony's official list may not be entirely comprehensive. Then again, the public won't actually get its hands on the Vita for another week, so maybe there's still some tweaking going on.
PlayStation Mini Arcade Essentials gives us wicked deja vu
We've got a strong feeling that we've seen all of the games featured in the PlayStation Mini Arcade Essentials somewhere before ... But hey, that Qix knockoff looks fantastic! Arcade Essentials arrives on PSN today.%Gallery-109455%
You can name Futurlab's upcoming Minis space shooter
Coconut Dodge developer Futurlab is working on yet another game for the PlayStation Minis platform -- this time a space shooter. The studio already has a concept: mixing classic vertical shooting with a new teleporting gimmick; and it already has some music. What it needs now is a name. This is where you come in. Like PixelJunk Shooter, the developer is asking for your suggestions, awarding prizes for the best name ideas. Of course, it's hard to name a game without knowing more about it. "In our shooter, there is a reason the world scrolls vertically, and a reason that you can't turn around," explains Futurlab, "everything is being sucked into a giant black hole!" Additionally, you'll be able to "save other people that are being sucked into the black hole" via your ship's unique teleporting ability. And ... well, that's all we know. Hopefully, you can come up with something a bit more fitting than our suggestion -- COOKIESz.
Review: Young Thor
We've never reviewed PlayStation Minis here at Joystiq, but we're branching out for Young Thor, an impressive game that's one of the best values $5 can get you on the PlayStation Network. A side-scrolling brawler, Young Thor is instantly accessible, but with enough depth to avoid making the experience too repetitive. While it's tempting to simply mash the Square button, developer Frima has done a good job of scaling the experience, introducing new enemies that demand new strategies. My own play style evolved as I learned to add more jumps and dodges while chaining Thor's lightning magic into combat. There's also a rudimentary XP system that boosts Thor's basic stats. However, don't expect to use your XP in any novel way. You can't customize your character, nor do you learn any new moves. The leveling seems to exist for the sole purpose of encouraging replays. Somebody out there will want to achieve a level 100 character, right? %Gallery-96998%
Coconut Dodge bounces to PSN May 19 in Europe, 'soon' in US
Coconut Dodge, the first PlayStation Mini game from Flash developer Futurlab, is coming to Europe on May 19 and "as soon as possible" in the US, according to a recent developer tweet. It's a rather simple game, where you must do exactly as the title suggests: dodge coconuts. There is some depth, though, as evidenced by the addition of hard-to-reach silver treasures and a bouncing ball, which players must balance to receive various bonuses. Coconut Dodge will debut with a limited promotional price of £1.99 on the EU PlayStation Store (until July).
