My full God-given name is Reynaldo Gutierrez, which sadly isn’t as savvy and feared as your main man in Assassins Creed: Brotherhood, Ezio Auditore da Firenze. If you need a key historical figure taken out, you call for Ezio Auditore — you need a mean Cuban pork sandwich, you call Rey Gutierrez. The third installment in the Assassins Creed franchise arrives on the PS3 this week and the blog boyz are ready to behead and slay some Templars — Cesare Borgia, you’re going down, son.
Igniting mass destruction and triggering powerplays goes portable this week when one my favorite racing games of 2010, Split/Second, comes to the PSP. In other PSP news: A popular but previously delayed minis title has a new date; you’ll be dribbling and shouting “Boom Shakalaka!”; and Criterion and EA are on Hot Pursuit for speed. Finally, your PlayStation.Blog Share request for two specific games are answered — you’ve got yourself to thank. Grab a pillow and blanket and join me in the Animus for this week’s (very deadly and fast) The Drop.
PlayStation 3
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood – The critically acclaimed single-player experience of Assassin’s Creed is back and better than ever as Ezio returns in an epic struggle against the powerful Templar Order. Now a legendary Master Assassin, Ezio must journey into Italy’s greatest city, Rome, center of power, greed and corruption to strike at the heart of the enemy. Defeating the corrupt tyrants entrenched there will require not only strength, but leadership, as Ezio commands an entire Brotherhood that will rally to his side. Only by working together can the Assassins defeat their mortal enemies.
(PS Blog Coverage: Free, PS3-Exclusive DLC Launching with Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood)
Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit – Need for Speed Hot Pursuit brings the franchise back to its roots with intense cops vs. racer chases. The game features Need for Speed Autolog where players compare racing stats and automatically get personalized gameplay recommendations from their friends. Need for Speed Hot Pursuit players can also experience the thrill of the chase and the rush of the escape as they play through full careers as both a cop and a racer – solo or connected.
(PS Blog Coverage: Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit – Social Modes and EA Answers Your Questions)
NBA JAM – NBA Jam will have players spinning with ankle breaking moves to the basket and on the way to high-flying, backboard-smashing dunks. The game delivers vintage NBA Jam gameplay, combined with all-new features that deliver a fresh new take on the classic game.
Dance Dance Revolution – In the debut version of Dance Dance Revolution on PlayStation 3, players will find the game offers much more than following the arrows with their feet. In this iteration of DDR, players will use both their hands and feet simultaneously, via PlayStation Move and controller mat, providing the most rhythmic and realistic dancing yet!
(PS Blog Coverage: DanceDanceRevolution: Comes to PS3 with Move Support – Demo it Today in LA)
EA Create – Create is a game powered by imagination, a title for the whole family that rewards players for being creative. The game presents imaginative gameplay challenges where the solutions are fueled by the creativity of the player. Creativity will be unleashed as players design environments with easy-to-use brushes and tools, including textures, props and animating objects that bring the scene to life.
(PS Blog Coverage: Create Will Move You November 16th)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, players will be on the run, fighting for survival on a desperate and dangerous quest to locate and destroy Voldemort’s Horcruxes, engaging with Death Eaters and Snatchers in epic battle sequences at every turn.
Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet – In Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet, players can “Hero Up” with friends in cooperative play master the unique Factor Power of each of the Marvel heroes in three game modes: Story Mode, Freeplay Mode and Challenge Mode.
Nat Geo Challenge! Wild Life – Nat Geo Challenge! Wild Life allows players to discover the deadliest creatures, astonishing aquatic life, and all the wonders of this amazing planet all through an interactive trivia game that turns learning into adventure!
PlayStation Portable
Split/Second – In Split/Second, players don’t just race to the finish line to beat their opponents, they build up their power meter through deft driving and triggering “power plays,” explosive moments that take out opponents or alter the track. Split/Second for the PSP system includes unique handling and controls designed specifically for Sony’s premier handheld game platform. In addition, the game also includes four-player local multiplayer.
(PS Blog Coverage: Split/Second PSP Hands-on: Feeling the Burn, PSP Challenges detailed)
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Predator – Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Predator offers an exclusive tactical experience for PlayStation Portable gamers, delivering a true Ghost Recon experience with sophisticated technology, weaponry, graphics, and challenging gameplay.
(PS Blog Coverage: Ghost Recon Predator Coming to PSP)
PlayStation Network
Crazy Taxi – This downloadable game brings the Director’s Cut of the arcade classic Crazy Taxi to PlayStation 3. Buckle up — it’s sheer asphalt anarchy! Crazy Taxi screeches offers one wild and hilarious joy-riding jaunt. As a fearless cabbie with attitude, you’re driven by a single goal: to rack up the mega-bucks in fares and tips before your shift ends.
(You Wanted! You Got It! – PS Blog Share: Dreamcast games on PSN store)
Peggle (PSP) – Wield mystifying Magic Powers, rack up huge bonus points and make shots you’ll smile about for weeks. Amidst all this fevered action, only one question remains: Can you become a Peggle Master?
(You Wanted! You Got It! – PS Blog Share: Peggle on the PSP)
Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 (PSP) – Pro Evolution Soccer 2011reinvigorates the series with the most advanced set of improved gameplay additions, control options and to catch up with the evolution of the real-life soccer.
3D Ultra MiniGolf Adventures 2 – In 3D Ultra MiniGolf Adventures 2, players are challenged to navigate their ball beyond obstacles using the help of secret shortcuts, game-changing power-ups and traps to sabotage the competition. Putt through over 50 fun-filled holes in diverse locations, such as a Haunted Manor, a Manic Museum and a Winter Wonderland.
Sky Fighters (Demo Available) – This is an action game in which players pilot small planes through combat objectives in a World War II-like setting. Players travel through a 2D game world and complete various missions. Players use bombs, missiles, and machine guns to destroy targets (e.g., planes, tanks, trucks, buildings).
(PS Blog Coverage: SkyFighter Comes to the PSN Next Week!)
PSone Imports
Sonic Wings Special – A compilation of all three popular top-down strafing shooters from Video System. Each games features 2-player simultaneous play, multiple playable jet fighters (each with its own anime-styled pilot, special attacks, and — in SW3 — a unique storyline path through the game’s various stages), and a massive amount of destructible scenery that yielded money for powering up your fighter.
Money Idol Exchanger – Money Idol Exchanger is a stacking game similar to the Magical Drop, Astro Pop, and Puzzle Bobble series whereby players race to prevent a perpetually falling array of coins in different values from filling up the screen.
PlayStation minis
Who’s That Flying?! – Who’s That Flying!? is a wildly different kind of shooter from the creators of Monsters (Probably) Stole My Princess. In it, you are the mysterious and powerful creature known only as the “Guardian of Earth.” Your steely eye and Hyper-Powered Laser Arm have kept the citizens of Earth safe for generations (as well as proving a hit with the ladies). Now, you must not only defend your cities from the ravenous hordes of Doom Beasts, you must defend yourself against accusations of gross incompetence from the Galactic Council of Justice!
(PS Blog Coverage: Coming Soon to PSN: Who’s That Flying?! for PSP and PS3)
DynoGems – DynoGems is an addictive and challenging puzzle game! Grab and group four or more diamonds of the same color to eliminate them from the screen, until you fill the level bar.
Jewel Keepers: Easter Island – One day Professor “H”, the world-class expert on Easter Island, received a strange letter from its capital Hanga Roa. It was a cry for help from somebody unknown. It said that something bad was going on the island. Without any hesitation, Professor, together with his assistant Joel and his granddaughter Ivie, rushed to the island, where the puzzles, mysteries and quests awaited them. Can you help him to reveal the biggest secret of Easter Island?
(PS EU Coverage: Introducing Jewel Keepers: Easter Island)
[Editor’s Note: The following dates are subject to change. Game details are gathered from Press Releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]
NO DEAD NATION AGAIN!!? WAT THE GOODNESS!?
maybe Dead Nation is pushed into 2011 ??? o_O
Deadnation surely wouldn’t be pushed into 2010. Looking at the BETA, it was pretty much done except for the online co-op. It should be out soon.
If I can’t find anything to buy in this weeks drop, I’ll likely be getting the new God of War for PSP.
i am pretty much done buying games for the year; a quick look at all thats coming out for all systems and it looks like i have untill january 11th to knock out my backlog
Not that anyone will actually listen, but don’t support Ubisoft. Wait until AC:B is on the cheap used if you really want the game. They have the absolute worst customer service on their website. You can’t access it unless you’re logged in, which means you’re screwed if a bug on the site prevents you from doing anything after you have logged in.
Through some ass-backwards way, you can find your way to a different contact, a company that they’re affiliated with named Trymedia Games. I figured I’d give them a shot, and instead of being helpful, they gave me a generic response that had nothing to do with my issue at all. On top of that, it wasn’t even an automated response; it had some customer service rep’s name at the bottom of the email. So this real person didn’t bother reading my detailed description of what was wrong, and instead told me to take it up with my retailer, who obviously can’t fix Ubisoft’s website.
Long story short: boycott Ubisoft and this company named Trymedia Games. Boycott Ubisoft because they can’t be bothered to build a functioning website. Boycott Trymedia Games because their customer service is loathsomely worthless.
GREAT UPDATE…..THX SONY,,,IM LUVIN IT….LOL
if you want to platinum a game AC 2 is a fairly easy game to plat. Just a little time consuming.
This may be off topic, but where are the DCUO beta keys?!?
AC: Brotherhood is mine! Also Skyfighters looks interesting, glad there’s a demo.
This week releases are awesome, getting Assassins Creed Brotherhood & Need for Speed Hot Pursuit! :)
Are any NEOGEO or PCEngine games coming out on the US PSP store?
When will “Auditorium” Release ?
Going to have to pass on DDR for once because of the durned Move controller.
The Drop next week…GT5!!! (unless there is another delay)
You guys linked to the wrong version of NBA Jam; it shows the PS2 version released by Akklaim in 2003. Don’t want anyone to see that looking for the new game in stores & be disappointed! ;)
Hi Mr. Rey Gutierrez
T tried to find a way to send you a private message but failed, its about a user on PS HOME, i tried to report him but failed because there were to nearly same IDs, he was lagging on and off in plaza (dance floor) he’s id was like: llllllllll , lot of L, said was lagging on and off, and actually started slowing and freezing when he said, it was not only me watching that and getting it frozen, other users asked him if he’s a hacker or what when it happened, which made me sure it was not something only on my ps3, then tried to report, but got two Ids suggestions that looked same, couldn’t know which one… using female gender avatar, I don’t know if you can do something or not, I just froze after tying report, as i closed my report menu, that person said , well try… then my Home froze.
Please tell concerned about it if you’re not, thank you.
More & more “The Drop” is turning into “Dropped the Ball”
Who’s That Flying mini game looks good, too.
Are Custom Soundtracks featured in Crazy Taxi? 99% chance the answer is no…….
also there are no “the offspring” songs in crazy taxi for psn. But i’d like to know if custom soundtracks feature is available.
too many great games coming out… not enough money for all them. i feel bad for NFS Hot Pursuit–I was thinking of getting it, but with GT5 finally coming out next week im not sure i’ll be getting it at all. the list for me goes pretty much like this:
AC Brotherhood
GT5
NBA Jam
Brothehrood will own everything this week hahaha!
Sadly I ownt be playing Brotherhood until possibly in the weekend, but im picking up a Collectors Ed. of Brothehrood where im going =D
Sigh, can we get an answer as to WHY the US store does not have Vagrant story or Front Mission 3 yet?
Vagrant Story came out in DECEMBER 2009 in europe, and Front Mission 3 in AUGUST!!!!
as much as I appreciate the PS1 Imports, there’s NO EXCUSES for not getting those 2. Why are you people doing the deaf on valid queries about this, can you please answer this?
Heck, I remember back in July a comment from the staff saying the Xenogear was in testing process…. so, why isn’t that one released yet?
Is it so hard to give answers to completely valid questions that have been asked literally WEEKLY for the past year by several persons dammit?
Great post Rey
Just out of interest, will you have some information on a possible zombie mode for GT5 in next week’s Drop? ;)
@57: Sly 1 is actually very easy to platinum. I currently have four platinums.
Its off topic but I would like to tell this to the one that is reponsible for the Marketing for Gran Turismi 5:
“Went to Game earlier today and asked about GT5……they said the game was not releasing this year. I’m amazed by how poor the communication between Sony and retailers has been with this game, for goodness sake it’s the biggest game Sony has! These retailers should know by now,”
FFS SONY…..get better relations whit the retailers! I have heard the same thing from people in US when they call best buy or any other giant store…
Is there gonna be a multiplayer on ACB?
Rey Gutierrez, when will the PlayStation Store in the US be updated with the new content today? 8 PM EST? That’s when it usually is…
Prince of Persia PS2 REMAKE (the 1st one…. sands of time?) Comes out on the PSN this week…. AKA TODAY.
With the head of Gamestop saying basically that the PSP was a big disappointment (as far as new content this year)… what is Sony going to do about this? I love my PSP and would like to see more titles made available for it. NDS has a lot of titles released every month and the DS sucks.