Sony conducting MAG beta, you'll never get in

With the grand scope of the battles featured in Zipper Interactive's MAG, you'd think it'd require a hefty, server-straining beta test. For now, though, it seems Sony's keeping it small -- a few people have seen their PSN friends participating in a MAG beta (as evidenced by the image above). All of these friends have something in common -- they're all on Sony's payroll.

Sony confirmed to CVG that an internal MAG beta is being conducted. Sure, this news has no bearing on you (unless Kaz Hirai signs your paychecks) -- still, it looks like we're that much closer to getting to play the game ourselves.

PSN Thursday: Fat Princess gains weight, Joystiq loses writer

Just another American PSN update today. A little better than normal updates perhaps, thanks to the inclusion of Fat Princess, but it's also a red letter day. As I'll be moving on next week, it's the last time this blogger will be handling the weekly PSN updates -- both American and European -- after over two years. Wow, updates were different back then.

Don't worry, though, you'll be in the safe hands of Alexander Sliwinski, who I took over this very post from back when Joystiq underwent restructuring in January. Anyway, what are you still doing here? You've got weighty princesses to rescue!

Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:

(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)

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TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled gets re-priced to 800 MS points

Cowabunga! Bodacious! Other TMNT saying! Pardon the hoopla, but Ubisoft has confirmed to Joystiq that next week's XBLA "Summer of Arcade" release, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled, will debut at 800 ($10), 400 ($5) less than the originally announced 1200 ($15) price.

"We wanted to give something to the loyal TMNT fans in honor of the 25th anniversary," Ubisoft responded when asked about the last-minute change. Then again, dare we really question the generosity of a mega-publisher when it actually want us to shell out less for its games? (Oh, and for those eyeing the 800 [$10] rebate from MS for buying everything in the Summer of Arcade lineup? Well, it just got $5 cheaper to buy "everything.")

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Fat Princess Home space arrives tomorrow, Trophy list arrives now

Tomorrow, Fat Princess begins its invading spree. First it'll invade the PlayStation Store, then it'll invade PlayStation Home and then, finally, the game will invade our hearts. The European Home Events space will be decked out with Fat Princess characters and you will be tasked with answering eight questions about the game in order to win slices of cake. Obtaining all eight slices will net you a Princess Throne for your Home apartment.

We're not sure whether this space will be available in the US version of Home too, but don't worry Americans, we've got something for you here, too. The Trophy list for Fat Princess has been handed to us on a crumb-littered silver platter, and you can check out some of the hilarious names the devs have dreamt up right now. Our favorite? "The Cake Is Not A Lie," obviously!

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EA confirms first three fighters on EA Sports MMA roster

UFC president Dana White may be concerned about EA trying to poach his talent for EA Sports MMA, but the first three mixed martial artists announced for the game aren't on his payroll -- although one of them was, before being unceremoniously ejected from the promotion.

The just-announced lineup is led by World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts (WAMMA) heavyweight champion, Fedor Emelianenko. The Russian-born fighter has fought around the world for promotions including Pride and, most recently, Affliction. EA hasn't said if Emelianenko will be on the game's cover, but it could do far worse than the man universally recognized as the world's top MMA athlete.

Former K-1 fighter Gegard Mousasi joins Emelianenko, as dose the man he's scheduled to fight August 15 for the Strikeforce light heavyweight title, Renato Sobral. Sobral, a former UFC fighter, was let go by Dana White after he ignored the referee's orders and choked his opponent out during UFC 74. The unsporting conduct drew boos from the crowd, cost him half of his $50,000 fight purse and lead to White calling his actions "completely unacceptable" -- just as they're likely to be in EA's MMA title.

LittleBigPlanet PSP to 'Cross-Talk' with PS3, unlock bonus content

When LittleBigPlanet PSP was first announced, we instinctively guessed there would be connectivity with the PS3 game. Looks like we were right. Players that own the original game will be able to unlock bonus content through a feature Sony is calling "Cross-Talk." No details on what the bonuses will entail, but we wouldn't be surprised if owners of both are treated to some exclusive costumes.

In addition to confirming PS3 connectivity, a leaked retail sellsheet notes that Sony will be planning a "multi-million dollar marketing push" for the game -- makes sense, when you consider the PSP Go is launching this year. Finally, Sony also confirmed plans for a PlayStation Network demo of the game. For the millions of PSP owners that don't have a PS3, this will undoubtedly the very first taste they get of LBP's "Play, Create, Share" motto.

[Thanks, Stephen H.!]

Gallery: LittleBigPlanet (PSP)

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PS3's EyePet Hits This Holiday, We Take It For a Virtual Walk

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Here, in the dulcet tones of our very own Stephen Totilo, is a narrated glimpse at the EyePet, the Playstation 3's camera-based augmented reality... pet?

These two videos show the beta version of the game which is being shown off today in New York. The game is set for a holiday release, Sony Computer Entertainment told Kotaku. The game will be sold both as a bundle with the camera and on its own. Both versions will come with a card used to interact with the virtual pet.

Check back later in the week for Totilo's hands-on preview or right now for our E3 take on the virtual pet. Below is a second video showing off the cool x-ray feature.

NBA 2K10 Draft Combine coming to PSN and XBLA in September

It seems our tipster was on the level -- 2K Sports is, in fact, releasing an early NBA 2K10 character creation feature and stat-building minigames as an XBLA and PSN download titled NBA 2K10 Draft Combine, due out this September for 400 ($5). Players will be able to customize a basketballer, then run them through a number of drills and scenarios in order to boost their stats, which can then be carried over to the core game when it drops in October.

We're curious to know what you guys think of 2K's recently announced side-project -- do you think it's an interesting teaser for the main course? Or a minigame that was removed from 2K10 and shamelessly sold separately? We've embedded an easy-to-understand poll after the break to gauge your reaction.

Gallery: NBA 2K10 Draft Combine (PSN, XBLA)

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How not to pitch Halo 3: ODST

Listen, we're sure Halo 3: ODST is going to be a fine game, but Bungie's got to get a better pitchman than developer Lars Bakken. When asked by The Guardian about additions to the game, Bakken explained, "Obviously the things that have been brought over would be the weapons, the enemy types – those kinds of things haven't changed. Everything else is completely new: your character's health model, the fact that he doesn't have a motion tracker, he can't dual-wield, he takes damage when he falls off high surfaces, his health doesn't regenerate. All those things were not in Halo 3. That's very different."

... So. It's like the Halo everybody loves, except with the addition of taking things away. It's a shame Bungie's done with Halo after Reach -- we'd love to see them add things to Halo until it's basically just a guy in football pads with a potato gun going against the Covenant.

How not to pitch Halo 3: ODST

Listen, we're sure Halo 3: ODST is going to be a fine game, but Bungie's got to get a better pitchman than developer Lars Bakken. When asked by The Guardian about additions to the game, Bakken explained, "Obviously the things that have been brought over would be the weapons, the enemy types – those kinds of things haven't changed. Everything else is completely new: your character's health model, the fact that he doesn't have a motion tracker, he can't dual-wield, he takes damage when he falls off high surfaces, his health doesn't regenerate. All those things were not in Halo 3. That's very different."

... So. It's like the Halo everybody loves, except with the addition of taking things away. It's a shame Bungie's done with Halo after Reach -- we'd love to see them add things to Halo until it's basically just a guy in football pads with a potato gun going against the Covenant.

Sony confirms EyePet US release this holiday

Sony has confirmed to us at a holiday showcase event in New York City tonight that the PlayStation Eye game, EyePet, will definitely be heading to the US in time for the holidays. Our roving reporter, Andrew Yoon, says that the game will be available standalone as well as bundled with the PlayStation Eye camera.

Previously, the game was only announced for a European release after it was first revealed at Leipzig GC last year. We're happy to see the adorable simian-dog-thing will be making the jump across the Atlantic and won't be suffering from the chronic case of Q1-2010 flu that's making the rounds.

If you're hungry for more, check out Engadget's video from today's event, or our impressions from E3.

King of Fighters XII patch to address online play

Lag can be a real buzzkill when you're trying to maintain million-punch combos -- unfortunately, those who got their hands on early copies of SNK Playmore's King of Fighters XII reported some "minor performance issues" during online matches. Fret not, fighting fanatics -- according to a recent email from SNK, the game is receiving a patch today on the PS3 (and " very soon" on the 360) which "should help improve the overall quality and stability of online play."

Day-one patches are usually frowned upon, but hey -- at least you won't have to suffer "issues" during your online bouts. Unless you're playing on 360, that is -- you lot will still have to wait for the patch to clear Microsoft's intimidating Certification Gauntlet of Death.

DualShock 3 controllers in red, blue this October

With the white DualShock 3 already available, it's time to show true American patriotism with the purchase (consumerism!) of the red and blue DualShock 3s being released this October. The same show of pride also applies to the French, British, and Russians. Just want two controllers? Well, that's fine if you're Canadian or Argentinian. Either way, our point is the same: controllers are all

Resident Evil 4 now available for iPhone, $8

Remember that super-polished version of Resident Evil 4 we saw strutting its stuff on iPhone? Well, it's available right now for purchase in the App Store -- and suspiciously squashed down to 37.3 MB. While the game sits on the pricier side of the app spectrum (and is missing elements from the console versions), anything called "Resident Evil 4" is almost impossible for us to resist. Almost.

[Via App Advice]

Resident Evil 4 (Capcom, $7.99):

Fat Princess waddling onto PSN worldwide this week

The release date for Fat Princess -- which has been nebulous for a while now -- has finally been nailed down. You'll be playing some class-based cartoony multiplayer (with a dash of bloody ultraviolence) this Thursday, July 30. This is a simultaneous release for American, European and Asian regions -- though a Japanese release date has yet to be confirmed.

While the adorable cartoon protagonists will be losing arms and legs liberally, you'll be able to keep yours firmly attached thanks to a reasonable asking price of $15. No doubt European and Asian prices will be announced soon. Make sure you check out the PlayStation Blog for a PlayStation Eye interview with the developers from Titan Studios.

Gears of War 2 'All Fronts' and 'Dark Corners' DLC available now

Attention, COG lovers and Locust loathers, the new Gears of War 2 DLC is now available for download on Xbox Live Marketplace. For the truly hardcore Marcus fans out there -- the ones who have already bought all the previous multiplayer maps -- you'll want to look for the Dark Corners Multiplayer Map Pack. It contains seven new multiplayer maps and the single-player level "Road to Ruin" and will set you back 1200 ($15).

For those who are new to Gears of War 2 -- or those who have avoided all the DLC thus far -- you'll be better served by the All Fronts Collection, which contains every single multiplayer map released and "Road to Ruin" for 1600 ($20).

For a detailed look at all the new multiplayer maps, check out our video walkthrough above. Find our take on "Road to Ruin" after the break.

Add Dark Corners to your Xbox 360 download queue
Add All Fronts to your Xbox 360 download queue

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Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 slices and dices North America this September

You read that right, folks. The co-op compatible, new and improved Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 will (Izuna) drop into stores on September 29th. Arriving just in time for the busy holiday rush, this updated version of the 2008 Xbox 360 exclusive features two three extra playable characters, along with a puzzling reduction in violent displays.

Gallery: Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2

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Street Fighter IV, FEAR 2, MadWorld, more for $20 at GameStop

Sometimes it's better not to ask questions, which is the approach we're taking with GameStop's sale on several solid titles for $20 new -- and not GameStop's definition of "new," but actually new. The sale started today, for both online and stores, and goes until August 2. Highlights include:

• Street Fighter IV (Xbox 360 and PS3)
• FEAR 2: Project Origin (Xbox 360 and PS3)
• Silent Hill Homecoming (Xbox 360)
• MadWorld (Wii)
• Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (Wii)

The full list and more nitpicking details about the sale can be found over at CAG. Although many of the titles make sense as part of the sale (Lair), the big question is: Why Street Fighter IV? Is Capcom planning to announce a Turbo Hyper Fighting Alpha Remix Championship Beefcake Easy-Bake Snuggie Edition?

THQ triumphant in WWE / JAKKS Pacific dispute

You may not know this, but THQ and JAKKS Pacific have been locked in a vicious courtroom tussle over payment for work on some of THQ's WWE titles. See, THQ and JAKKS had a deal wherein THQ was to pay JAKKS 10% of money accrued from the sale of the JAKKS-developed WWE games; however, the two ALL CAPS companies were set to renegotiate that deal when JAKKS jumped the gun, signing a new contract without THQ's consent. And, as you've probably guessed, that's when THQ sicked the lawyers on 'em. Today, the result of this ongoing cage match are in and THQ managed to pin JAKKS for the 1-2-3.

In the end, THQ was able to get that 10% figure lowered to only 6%, which will save the company "approximately" $23 million. JAKKS is surely upset: before the suit, the company was set to receive $57 million for its efforts in developing WWE titles; now that figure is a much lower $34 million. And what have we learned here? In the fantastical world of WWE, signing important documents without the consent of your business partner might make for great television but ... wait, we need to rethink this lesson ...

Source - THQ Prevails in JAKKS Pacific Arbitration Dispute
Source - JAKKS Pacific Announces Result in THQ Arbitration

This Wednesday: Marvel vs. Capcom 2 takes XBLA for a ride

It's our pleasure this week to remind fighting game fans that their spirits can, finally, find some modicum of peace. At long last, their beloved Marvel vs. Capcom 2 will appear on XBLA this Wednesday, for 1200 (that's $15 for those of you who don't speak Microsoft-ese).

So, with which pairing will you make the worlds collide first? We'd suggest Mega Man vs. Dr. Doom, if only because we love pretending they're battling for control of the robot race. Yes, we know Dr. Doom isn't a robot. Shut up.

Gallery: Marvel vs Capcom 2

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