The PlayStation Recap — Prelude to a Gamescom Edition

Tomorrow, Jeff and I hop on a plane and make for Cologne, Germany, the site of Gamescom 2012, the largest and most celebrated European gaming event. Though Gamescom is often considered the European equivalent of E3, there’s sure to be news that will interest North American gamers. Fortunately, we’re working out the logistics for hosting a livestream of the PlayStation Gamescom press conference right here on PlayStation.Blog starting Tuesday morning. Set your calendar reminders for 8am Pacific Time Tuesday, just to be safe. We’ll see you right here!

Looking back, this was a big, big week for PlayStation news. LittleBigPlanet Karting confirmed a November 6th release date with a new trailer, The Walking Dead – Episode Two soared to the top of PSN’s July 2012 sales charts, Starhawk released a massive new update featuring two new maps set on the lush planet of Cypress, the much-discussed musical platformer Sound Shapes hit PS3 and PS Vita with a dazzling launch trailer in tow, the creator of PSN’s exclusive Retro/Grade explained how to play a reverse shooter (with a guitar controller, no less), Zen Studios confirmed a September 4th release for Zen Pinball 2 on PS3 and PS Vita, Papo & Yo released a live-action launch trailer, gorgeous 2D fighter Persona 4 Arena landed on PS3, fan-favorite PSN shooter Super Stardust HD celebrated a five-year anniversary with a money-saving discount, PlayStation Home revealed its latest and greatest content lineup, Sports Champions 2 released in-depth details on its much-evolved Archery mode, and PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale launched a strategy series detailing the finer points of Kratos, Sweet Tooth, Parappa, Fat Princess, and Sly Cooper.

What are you playing this weekend?

I’m playing: Sound Shapes, Gotham City Impostors, Batman Arkham City

I’m watching: Drive, Breaking Bad: Season 5

I’m reading: @MarsCuriosity

I’m listening to: PlayStation Blogcast 037: Shapin’ Sounds All Around

Most-Watched Video of the Week: PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale – PaRappa Strategies

The 10 Most-Viewed Posts of the Week

Never Stop Playing With PlayStation Collections — God of War, inFAMOUS, and Ratchet & Clank get value-priced PS3 collections this fall with a host of extra content.

UNCHARTED 3 Version 1.13 is Naughty Dog’s Biggest Patch Ever — A mammoth update brings new content galore: Costumes, taunts, tournaments, new multiplayer Labs and much more.

Ragnarok Odyssey on PS Vita is a Giant-Smashing Good Time — Get early details on this upcoming multiplayer action-RPG that pits you against an army of angry giants.

Scourge: Outbreak Infecting PSN Soon — This upcoming third-person shooter focuses on co-op action and a multi-part story.

DUST 514 Update Adds EVE Online Integration, Keyboard and Mouse Controls, And More — The “Precursor” beta update comes August 21st, bringing EVE Online orbital strikes, new environments, improved graphics and much more.

Mass Effect 3: Leviathan DLC Expands Reaper Mythology — Sherpard must track down an ancient being reputed to possess the power to defeat the Reapers in a new story-based chapter.

PlayStation All-Stars: Kratos and Radec Strategy Videos — The best special moves, Supers, and strategies in this new video series for PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale.

Get The Walking Dead Episodes 1 and 2 Free With PlayStation Plus — PlayStation Plus continues to pay off. Did you download The Walking Dead for free?

Sack it to Me: LittleBigProgressive Create Contest Begins Tomorrow — A new way to win, plus the best user-created content for LittleBigPlanet.

Hands on with Persona 4 Golden on PS Vita — Jeff tried out Atlus USA’s much-anticipated PS Vita RPG…and he hasn’t stopped talking about it since!