Zen Studios, the maker of all things pinball, today announced a unique rhythm game for PlayStation Vita that mixes dancing with kung fu choreography, and looks quiet fun.

KickBeat involves keeping the beat going by tapping the Vita’s face buttons, while your character engages in battle against a throng of opponents. Depending on the direction the enemy is coming from, you’ll have to press different buttons for your fighter to kick or punch in that particular direction. The game’s soundtrack consists of 18 tracks across multiple genres and includes big named artists like Pendulum and Rob Zombie, and you’ll also be able to import your own music collection into the game.

“Kickbeat is a showcase example of passion, risk and creativity. Traditional publishers might shy away from this type of thinking, but we will embrace it.  After all, what’s the point of working in video games if you just keep making the same one?” said Zsolt Kigyossy, Managing Director for Zen Studios.

Just yesterday, Kung Fu Superstar was announced for Kinect, so not only does KickBeat give us another way to experience kung fu action, but it also gives Vita owners another game to look forward to. We’ll let you know what we think of KickBeat when we get to play it at E3.

Atlus and critics alike claim that Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 is “one of the finest games ever made.” The PSP RPG currently has a score of 90 on Metacritic, and to please fans even further, Atlus is releasing the game on PlayStation Vita. This isn’t just another port, however. The game will be truly be “Golden.”

Persona 4: Golden is coming this fall and will include all of the original game’s magic while also incorporating new features to make the most out of the Vita’s capabilities. The graphics have been overhauled, taking advantage of the handheld’s vibrant 5″OLED display, new cutscenes have been included, and voices have been remastered. Players will also be able to collect new Personas, experience new story events, and even explore a new online dungeon with other players.

With the addition of new content and “fan-suggested” tweaks, Atlus is confident Persona 4: Golden is the best way anyone can and should experience this RPG gem.

Last week we brought you news that Sony confirmed Kratos’ return in God of War: Ascension, a prequel to the popular PlayStation exclusive franchise. Now we’re getting our first look at the game’s multiplayer suite — a first for the franchise.

The announcement came earlier today via a live announcement on the PlayStation Blog. Though not many details were made available, it looks like the new modes will be an integral part of the new game.

Look for more info on God of War Ascension during E3, June 5-7 in L.A.

Sony has been teasing fans on Facebook about a big announcement coming on 4/19. It seems that the truth may have come early as a trailer has leaked for a new God of War game. Titled “Ascension,” the PS3 title will tell an origin story of our favorite God slayer. While Sony has not officially commented on the matter, the Amazon listing and official looking trailer seem to seal the deal.

A trusted source has revealed to Kotaku more details about the PlayStation 3′s successor, currently known as Orbis. It uses both an AMD CPU and GPU, and is planned for a holiday 2013 launch.

Whether Orbis is its actual name or just a codename, its Latin name meaning “circle” fits well alongside the Vita, which actually means “life.” This could hint at a unique future relationship between the console and handheld.

Further proof to its name is that the website orbis.scedevnet.com actually links to Sony’s Developer Network. If you swap out the name Orbis for PS4, the link does not work.

Its hardware specs consist of an AMD x64 CPU and AMD Southern Islands GPU capable of showing games at a resolution of 4096×2160. This backs up a previous Forbes report. While the current PS3 can only display 3D games at 720p, the new console will kick it up to 1080p.

“Select” developers have already received dev kits, Kotaku reports, and revised kits were sent out earlier this month around GDC.

Another interesting bit of information is that Orbis won’t be backwards compatible with PS3 games, and it will use the same anti-used game restrictions the new Xbox will have. Kotaku states that games will either be Blu-ray or downloadable. Blu-rays will actually be locked to your console, so if you decide to buy a used game from someone else, you may get a trial version of the game and will need to pay to unlock its full version.

These details are subject to change, of course. Stay tuned for more information as we get closer to E3.

According to sources close to the blog VG247, it appears that Crystal Dynamics is currently working on a reboot to Soul Reaver, the second entry in the Legacy of Kain series.

Soul Reaver first launched on the PlayStation way back in 1999. The vampire themed action-adventure game was such a success that it led to two more entries in the series and appearances on several next-gen consoles.

While there is not a lot of information about the upcoming project, the game is described as being a “full reworking” with a “new art direction.” VG247 also states that while the game was originally set to be announced at E3 this year, “possible new information” might prevent this from happening.

Crystal Dynamics is also currently working on Tomb Raider, another reboot to a classic series that was a hit on Sony’s console back in the day and coincidentally inspired part of Soul Reaver’s interface and gameplay. Time will tell how the studio decides to bring new life to this classic vampire series.

Here at Blast, we like PS3 shooter Killzone 3..I mean, really like it. Just read Jason’s review, where he said it was “a superb shooter” and “one of the best action games of the year.” That’s why we’re excited that even more people are going to get the opportunity to play it when a good bulk of the game’s multiplayer suite goes free-to-play on PSN next week.

Players who download the multiplayer game will have access to the entire multiplayer suite, DLC included until they reach the level of Sergeant , upon which they’ll have to pony up $15 to keep playing.

At this year’s E3, we got a lot of new information on Sony’s new handheld, The PS Vita. One thing we didn’t get though was the system’s release date, which we could know now thanks to a UK retailer.

The website Shopto.net is currently taking pre-orders for both the WiFi and 3G enabled versions of the Vita, and they’re both tagged with the release date of November 4. Apparently, the retailer says the information is straight from Sony.

Sony has issued a statement regarding the date, but interestingly enough, they’re not denying it specifically. “No one has communicated any release dates to retail partners,” Sony UK told GameSpot UK. “That date is not official as we haven’t announced anything yet.”

Though these dates are placed by retailers all the time as placeholders, this one seems to have some meat to it, and it makes sense, as November is often a time companies choose to release systems, as it allows the device to be on the shelves for the busy Holiday shopping season.

LOS ANGELES — Blast Gaming Editor Joe Sinicki and Blast Editor John Guilfoil are in The Los Angeles Sports Arena for Sony’s press conference. Stick with us for up to the minute updates.

We open to a rather long video, then Jack Tretton shows up, he’s talking about the PSN hack. He days you’re welcome to the press and thanks well…pretty much everyone.

Consumers are the lifeblood of the company. He apologizes for the hack.

Triton encourages those who left or who are afraid to embrace it as a result of the hack to open up to the brand.

Sony will soon be offering free access to cinema now.

Naughty Dog is now on the stage to talk Uncharted 3. Its new footage not seen anywhere else. A boat level where Drake is constantly swaying and yes, it’s gorgeous.

Water effects are fantastic.

Like previous Uncharted games, the scale on this game is astounding.

As you’d expect, very cinematic, very cool.

Multiplayer beta begins June 28.

New contest will give people first access to entire game.

New level features Drake scaling an airplane as it takes off.

Marcus Smith from Insomniac is up to talk about Resistance 3.

Were seeing new footage from the St. Louis section of the game.

It, like most other games in the lineup is on 3D. Not completely sold on the tech, but it works well here.

Were now talking PlaystAtion move. Were getting a bundle with everything you news for the move, the sharpshooter and r3.

God of war, ice and shadow of colossus are getting 3d treatments.

Two new 3d products, one a 24 inch display. It will be able to let two people see two distinct 3d images. Were also getting a more affordable pair of 3d glasses. There’s also a bundle with the monitor, glasses And resistance for $499.

2k sports is now up to talk NBA 2k12 with the move.

NBA on the move will allow easy play with move controller.

Kobe Bryant is here. He’s going to show how easy it is to play with the move. He doesn’t seem to be doing so well.

Kobe calla the game so realistic it’s frightening. It comes out October 12.

Were now seeing medievmoves, a new move game from the team that made sports champions.

No inventory system, what weapon you use depends on what motions you use.

This reminds me of sorcery from last year. Wonder what happened to it.

It features pretty impressive 1-1 motion.

It’s available this fall.

Were looking at infamous 2. Yeah, we know it comes out tomorrow.

The game gets user created content and move support this fall. Little big planet 2 gets further move support as well.

Starhawk is up next. Great reaction from the crowd.

Jack is now talking about a return, it better be… It is…. Sly Cooper is back!

Sly Cooper: thieves on time coming next year.

Dust 514 only for PS3. Will combine with Eve Online.

The ability to create one persistent world is awesome. Dust looks great too.

Closed beta hits this fall.

Bioshock infinite is shown. Incredible.

Looks so much different than any other game on the series.

Ken Levine talks about the move and his doubts. He talks how Sony has made him a believer by allowing new people to experience his games.

Yes, Bioshock infinite will feature move functionality.

Bioshock is also coming to the NGP.

Saints row 3 will feature brand new ps exclusive content. So will the new Star Trek game.

New phaser peripheral coming.

At an alpha stage. The game looks impressive.

SSX will feature exclusive content, as will need for speed: the run.

Battlefield 3 on PS3 will include bartledie 1943 on ps3 only.

Kazuo Hirai is up to talk about NGP.

Playstation suite will allow ps content to be available on android smart phones and tablets.

It’s official. It’s PlayStation Vita. It’ll be working with AT&T for 3G versions. The crowd laughed and booed at that.

Near is a streetpass like system for vita.

Uncharted Golden Abyss is being demonstrated.

So wait, is there only touch controls for combat?

The game is very heavy on touch control.

Next were talking about Ruin, a social action rpg compatible with the vita and ps3. So far…kind of underwhelming.

Saves will work on PS3 via cloud tech.

Mod Nation Racers is coming to Vita.

Where is Kevin Butler?

Mod Nation Vita will feature a cool track editor that you can trace with your fingers. Even the lighting can be changed.

PS3 tracks will work with Vita Mod Nation Racers.

Little Big Planet Vita is coming. Will revolutionize portable gaming. Rather cool ways that the features work with already in game mechanics. It will allow you to use textures from pictures as well as the PS3 game.

Sf x Tekken is coming to Vita.

Cole from Infamous joins the game.

Vita will be available this holiday. Wifi only retails for $249. The 3G model goes for $299.

For those unlucky enough to have a Sony Playstation 3, at the moment, then you know that as of today, that things are not good for the company. Or the users.

For the past week and half, the Playstation Network (its online services such as online play, Netflix, etc.) has been experiencing issues, but without any ETA provided by the company as to when it will be fixed when the issues first issued.

This is not good news by any means, and the blog goes more into detail about what can be done. The good thing is that with this announcement today, they have also given an ETA as to when the Network will be up and running, which should be within the week, but is too little late

More and more of Sony’s big franchises have been adapting the company’s motion device, The Move, but perhaps its biggest won’t be.

In the latest issue of Edge Magazine, Christophe Balestra, Co-President at Naughty Dog confirms that the long awaited sequel will not use the peripheral. ” A Great Move game is a game made around Move and we started Uncharted long before that. It would be very difficult for us to adjust it. We tried a couple of things but it wasn’t making a lot of sense.”

While the Move has been ruled out, expect the Uncharted 3 to support the company’s other big initiative, full 3D gaming when it’s released November 1 of this year.

By now you’ve probably seen the Uncharted 3 teaser, and the Spike TV reveal trailer, heck you’ve probably even seen Jimmy Fallon fumble through the game’s controls in the first live gamplay demonstration last week. Now though, we present Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception in glorious non-moving pictures.

In reality, the screenshots are quite impressive and feature some amazing environmental effects and impressive lighting.

Uncharted 3 releases for the Playstation 3 on November 1 of next year.

We’ve been hearing rumors about Uncharted 3 for quite some time now, but this morning, Entertainment Weekly broke the news — the game is real and it looks awesome.

As rumored, Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deceit takes place in the Arabian Peninsula and the vast wasteland of the Rub’ al Khali Desert and has Drake looking for a legendary lost city. According to the reveal, the game focuses highly on the theme of deceit and explores the relationship between Drake and father figure and mentor Sullivan (note — not his fortune seeking family.)

Though concrete details and release info is yet to be revealed, it’s expected to see release at the end of the year. Hungry for more Uncharted 3 details? Check out the first teaser, and screens below and be sure to catch the Spike TV Video Game Awards when it airs this Saturday for the first trailer. Want real gameplay? Tune in to Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Monday Night to see the Naughty Dog Team debut the game.

When Sony and Microsoft announced the Move and Kinect, Ubisoft was quick to announce their support for both platforms, perhaps because the studio’s CEO Yves Guillemot sees it as an integral part of gaming’s future.

“It’s not just an investment in this generation, it’s building the next one too,” Guillemot says in a recent interview with MCV. “The next generation of console will automatically use all of these motion-sensing innovations and so a lot more people will be able to play with the next generation of consoles.”

Perhaps playing it safe, Guillemot isn’t ready to declare a winner in the upcoming motion war, claiming instead that both systems are sure to have success in their own rights.

“I think it will be very interesting to see what happens in the US and Europe,” he told MCV. “I don’t like to say who will win, but I think one will win in one territory and one in the other.” It’s likely that Guillemot was speaking of the Move’s more recent success in Europe than stateside.

Blast reviewed Sony’s Move when it launched last month, and will do the same for Microsoft’s Kinect when it launches November 4.

Richard Marx, designer of the PlayStation Move

This fall, both Sony and Microsoft are releasing motion-based add-ons to the PS3 and Xbox 360 respectively.  Did you really think they’d be civil?

In a recent interview with the UK’s Edge Magazine, Dr. Richard Marx, the designer of the PlayStation move was asked what he thinks about Microsoft’s Kinect and its controller free approach to gaming. As you could expect, the results were less than flattering.

“I don’t think that point of view is quite right. When we did EyeToy we wanted to create a new way to play games but we didn’t want to replace the existing way. I think that you can do some things really well with just a camera, or just a 3D camera, but there’s just some stuff you can’t do as well,” said Marx. “There’s a bunch of experiences you could never do as well. I think our system is really flexible because we still have a camera — we could still do all the stuff EyeToy did and more — but we also have this more high-fidelity controller which you hold in your hand and is tracked really accurately, and you have the buttons.”

Echoing the sentiment of every piece of Sony marketing from Kevin Butler to the silly Yaybuttons.com , Marx went on to talk about how he thought buttons were an integral part of any gaming experience. ” Buttons are irreplaceable as an input device. Too many buttons are overwhelming, but one single action button is very powerful feeling. For core games you really do need a set of buttons to quickly choose things. Trying to replace buttons with gestures doesn’t work very well.”

The PlayStation Move launched this past week, we gave it B- rating. Kinect launches November 4, expect a full review.

Tonight at the 2010 Game Developers Conference in, Sony Computer Entertainment of America finally named and dated its motion controller, “PlayStation Move.”

Peter Dille of Sony recognized Nintendo’s Wii as a great casual gaming experience and said PlayStation Movie is “A step ahead of anything available on the market today” and that it’s “the next generation of motion-gaming.”

PlayStation Move will be due out this Fall.  It will come in three different forms. Move controller alone (for those who already have the PlayStation Eye), Move Controller and PlayStation Eye, and a PlayStation 3 console, Move controller and PlayStation Eye.

What’s more, Dille said (besides the under PS3 console bundle), Move will cost less than $100.

Fighting games, all sorts of mini games, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 and various family games were demoed at the press event.

Anyone excited for this? The controllers look so wacky, there’s two, and the Wii did it 4 years ago.

Sony announced today that the latest update to the PlayStation 3 hangout, Sony’s Home, hits tomorrow, October 1 and brings “universal game launching” to the social space.

Version 1.3, as it’s being called, allows you to launch whatever game you have queued up either in the disc-tray or on your hard-drive for instant access, without having to back out to the main screen and load the game.

But there’s more. Sony also revealed that new clothing categories, emotes, and items will show up in Home Version 1.3, as well as the ability to try on and see your mini-me in desired clothing in real-time.

Maybe now Home can be the space we all imagined it once could be. Tomorrow’s update will at least be a step in the right direction if nothing else.

Full story at PlayStation Blog

The other day, I was talking on AIM to a dashing man who may or may not determine the writing assignments here for Blast, and my calling him “dashing” is in no way an attempt to curry favor.‚  Anyway, the subject of RPGs came up, and since it is my favorite genre, I had plenty to say.‚  The query posed was a seemingly simple one: What were my 10 favorite RPGs, any system, from any time?

I actually found it pretty hard to limit myself, and eventually spit out about 15 different ones. ‚ The subject is so complex and the games so great (in my mind) that I could probably do a post on each game on my list.‚  I mean, just yesterday Marc did an entire post on Final Fantasy VII, which definitely makes my list of best RPGs and probably my Top Five of all-time.

Therefore, in an attempt to edit myself prematurely, I’m going to focus on the inverse today “" The five WORST role-playing games I’ve played.‚  (Note that I did qualify the preceding statement with “I’ve played” so fortunately or unfortunately, depending on your viewpoint, most of the SaGa and Tales games are safe.)‚  I did not include old NES games that were meant primarily as action-adventure games with some role-playing elements (so you’re safe, Deadly Towers and Hydlide) or games that weren’t “officially” released in the United States (Final Fantasy 2j or Earthbound Zero, although that’s a decent game anyway).‚  The list, in no particular order:

I just loved when Frodo killed wolves in the book.

- The Lord of the Rings: Volume 1, SNES.‚  Much like Peter Jackson’s trilogy stands as the definitive work that the bad, 1980s animated films pale against, so goes the SNES version vs. the modern games.‚  The action-adventure-RPG fails in every aspect.

Released by Interplay in 1994, The Lord of the Rings’ programmers somehow decided that Tolkien’s original work, which is admittedly dry in some spots, would be better if it was simplified.‚  Unfortunately, their judgment was pretty piss-poor in terms of what they chose to remove.‚  For example, gone is Bilbo’s somewhat terrifying reluctance to part with the ring at the start of the tale, and in its place is a simple sentence about how “it’s hard to give up.”‚  Sigh.

Stealing a page from the book of the Angry Video Game Nerd (NSFW), remember how awesome it was when Frodo fought a shitload of wolves in the Shire?‚  Oh, you don’t remember how awesome it is because that never happened?‚  Yeah, me either.‚  But like the video game version of Back to the Future, which has you dodging bees and garbage cans and plate glass windows, Lord of the Rings SNES has little to do with its literary or film counterparts.‚  As the full name implies, it covers the first third of the trilogy, but because of dismal sales, I imagine the other installments were never made.

I could overlook this aspect, except that the rest of the game is a steaming pile as well.‚  You only control Frodo, but all of the other characters of the fellowship join you.‚  How can that be?‚  Well, while you walk around, they’re given free reign.‚  Unlike, say, Secret of Mana, there is nothing stopping Gimli and Legolas from wandering off-screen and getting killed by a goblin or troll.‚  And this will happen constantly, because the AI is ridiculous.‚  You can hold the L-button to “control” your other characters, but this prevents Frodo from walking, and it controls all of them at once.‚  This is an issue when you have as many as eight or nine people in your party.

By the way, death is permanent in The Lord of the Rings.‚  In the words of Ivan Drago, if Pippin dies, then he dies.‚  There is no way to revive him.‚  Combine this with the idiotic AI, and it’s impossible to make it through the entire game with all of the fellowship intact without some serious luck.

There are plenty of other “fail” aspects to The Lord of the Rings.‚  Even though it is a SNES game and thus a cartridge, there are long pauses when switching areas and accessing the menu.‚  You can’t chose who equips what; if you acquire a new piece of equipment, the most “important” character (in the order of Aragorn, Frodo, Gandalf, Gimli, Legolas, Sam, Pippin and Merry, roughly) inherits it.‚  All of the character sprites are tiny, and it would be impossible to tell the hobbits apart, except that they wear different colors.‚  You do a bunch of crap “" exploring caves near the Shire and Bree for stones to open up the way in the Mines of Moria “" that isn’t in the book or the movies.‚  Even if you let everyone else die, Frodo and/or Aragorn can easily power their way through the computer’s also stupid AI.‚  The last battle is against the Balrog, but you can kill it if Gandalf dies.

There are two reasons to play The Lord of the Rings.‚  One, the sound is pretty good.‚  And two, Tom Bombadil is still the man.‚  He is the only character who doesn’t lose a god damn thing from book to game.‚  He still is a merry fellow, bright blue his jacket is, and his boots are yellow; none have ever caught him yet, for Tom, he is the master, and his songs are stronger songs, and his feet are faster.

- Beyond the Beyond, PSX.‚  According to Wikipedia, this game now has attained a sort of cult following, although I don’t know why.‚  It bears the distinction of being the first RPG released for the PSX, but this doesn’t excuse its inferior quality.‚  The game is actually OK in the graphics and sound department, as it looks like it belongs in Sega’s Shining series.

Unfortunately, this is where the similarities end.‚  The gameplay is plodding, with the double whammy of a high encounter rate and long, meandering dungeons.‚  Enemy magicians are especially overpowering, as group-effecting spells can wipe you out in a single round.‚  Your own magicians aren’t as lucky, because there isn’t a ton of MP to go around, and you often have to save it up for healing and fighting boss characters.‚  Nothing comes easy, and all of these gameplay and battle system issues have nothing to do with its debut status.

Also, as I mentioned in my review of Black Sigil last week (yay for self-pimping!), one of Beyond the Beyond’s major characters is cursed for a good portion of the game.‚  It is as if you have a confused character in your party the entire time. There is a one-in-three chance that he attacks, freezes up or takes damage each time he does something.‚  The whole “cursed” thing is the insult-to-injury, pointy stick rammed into the eye socket aspect of Beyond the Beyond that pushes it from below average to cringeworthy.

This skull randomly tells you things in The Black Gate. It is cheesier than you imagine.

- The SNES Ultima games.‚  Yeah, I’m just doing a group entry for them, but if I have to mention one, let’s go with The Black Gate, the seventh installment.‚  It features a top-down, three-fourths perspective that makes me somewhat sick to my stomach while playing.‚  The font used by the game doesn’t help matters either, as its slightly-cursive tint, small size and prodigious length makes it hard to read.‚  The other SNES Ultimas at least have a legible font, although they all seem to use the horrible perspective.

The Black Gate is the usual non-linear sort of game primarily featured in the Ultima series, but the dizzying perspective and better alternatives on the SNES “" like a decent port of Might and Magic III “" allow it to earn its place on this list.‚  Besides, being non-linear isn’t the problem, as Quest for the Avatar is an underrated gem for the NES, and very first, plain old Ultima is serviceable.

- Legend of Mana, PSX.‚  Here is the secret to beating Legend of Mana: Have a pulse.‚  If your lungs work, then you should be able to stream roll your way through the game.‚  Even if you are a corpse, or some sort of ethereal being that only has limited possession skills, you should still be able to handle it.

Basically, the only requirement to beating Legend of Mana is having a working thumb with which to press the attack button.‚  (In fact, by reading the preceding paragraph the game might have rewarded you with an extra level or two.)‚  It bears little in common with the great Secret of Mana, and nothing in common with the quirky, comical and underrated Secret of Evermore.

"And then I had to go allllll the way uphill to the market..."

- Lagoon, SNES.‚  If you’re wondering why there are so many SNES games between this list and the section below, it’s because the success of some legitimately great games “" Final Fantasy 2 and 3, Chrono Trigger, Soul Blazer, Illusion of Gaia, Dragon Quest 5 and 6 in Japan “" caused some developers to just dump mediocre games on the market.

The people behind 1991′s Lagoon probably noted (or bet on) the success A Link to the Past to propel their paltry title to some increased sales.‚  Lagoon is an adventure-RPG; Zelda with hit points and equipment, or a more RPG-ish version of the PSX and DS Castlevania games.‚  Like Beyond the Beyond, it was one of the first titles for console, but this doesn’t excuse its sins; Final Fantasy 2 came out in the same year and that’s still great.

No, Lagoon would still suck if it came out in 1791, although the villagers of Salem would get some sick enjoyment out of screaming “Witch!” at its strange, rectangular form before burning it atop a stack of actual witches.‚  Your character can only move in the four compass directions, which is a problem when you’re trying to dodge fireballs and other attacks from the game’s later bosses.

In addition to the lethargic movement, combat is hurt by the minuscule attack range of your character.‚  A swing from your sword has enough range to disturb some flies in your general area, and not much else.‚  The hit detection is generally poor, and makes Lagoon frustratingly hard.

As suggested by my picture selection, the dialogue is nothing to write home about either.‚  Most villagers will prattle on about any old thing.‚  And yes, your character is called Nasir.‚  Hot, I know.‚  The only names of major characters I like less in the various RPGs I’ve played are Ashley from Vagrant Story and Poo from Earthbound.‚  (Maybe that list can be next.‚  A man can dream…)

- Also at least considered, seriously or fleetingly, for this list: 7th Saga, Black Sigil: Blade of the Exiled, Brain Lord (since Enix somehow got that stateside instead of Dragon Warrior 5 or 6), Brandish, Breath of Fire 2 (the SNES version with the high encounter rate, minimal experience gains and low gold drops), Chrono Cross, Drakkhen, Final Fantasy (yes, seriously), Final Fantasy Legend 1 and 2, Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest, Final Fantasy X-2, Grandia Xtreme, Harvest Moon, The Legend of Dragoon, Lufia and the Fortress of Doom, Lufia: The Ruins of Lore, Magna Carta, Ogre Battle, Paladin’s Quest, Pinball Quest, Romancing SaGa 3, Shadow Hearts 3: From the New World, Spell Craft, the numerous bad Star Trek games, Suikoden IV, Uncharted Waters, Vagrant Story and Valkyrie Profile.

This review originally appeared on Reviewcenter.com in 1999.

Although 989 Studio’s Cool Boarders 3 is a very good snowboarding game with great graphics and outstanding sound quality, it didn’t quite live up to its anticipations or expectations. After Cool Boarders 1 and 2 paved the road people were expecting more out of the third component of this trilogy. It’s fun to play, but unfortunately it’s also a letdown.

The improvement of graphics are what save CB3. No other snowboarding game can even be compared to Cool Boarders 3 without looking like a NES game. The tricks looked very realistic as well as the hills and the scenery.

Another great aspect of Cool Boarders 3 is the many modes available on the game, like downhill, half-pipe and slope style.

Downhill is a regular race down a hill that takes into account time and points. The half-pipe, which was drastically improved from Cool Boarders 2, is a great test of your ability to pull of crazy tricks and stunts. Slope style is basically a snowboarding park with many apparatuses filling the slope. All can be used to help perform massive trick combos and to get maximum air time.

There are only five hills to share over the three game modes, however.

There is also an avalanche mode that is probably the most unique part of the game. A helicopter drops you onto a hill, seconds before an enormous avalanche. Your goal is to get to the bottom of the hill without being flattened by boulders of snow.

Another unfortunate change from CB2 is that you can’t pick the background music. The same ol’ song plays through all the modes, on all the hills.

All and all, Cool Boarders 3 is a pretty cool game. The graphics are higher quality than most sports games and it is extraordinarily realistic. Cool Boarders 3 is a great game but I recommend buying it used or waiting until the price comes down — $50 is a little too much.

Blast is liveblogging the Sony E3 press conference, so don’t go anywhere!

The Sony setup at the Shrine Auditorium is very impressive. They have more than 60 big widescreen displays set up. They decided to run their operation from a few miles away from the conference center.

12:00: Resistance 2 looks very good. They showed a trailer and demoed gameplay. The trailer was all from actual gameplay — very good detail and a hell of a story.

12:04: Madden, Tiger Woods, bunch of other games still being made for PS2.

12:08: Sony seemed to have accepting that PS2 and PS3 both exist. They’re adopting a “we have three successful platforms” model.

Buzz quiz game coming to PSP and PS3. Singstar has sold 15 million units, plus 1.9 million songs download.

Nine years into the PlayStation 2 lifecycle, they’re unveiling a new Lego Batman bundle for $149, including the game and a Justice League animated DVD.

12:10: A new Ratchet & Clank game is coming to the PlayStation network. Ratchet and Clank Future: Quest for Booty will be available this summer for $14.99

12:20: Sony is pushing Gran Turismo TV, coming to the Gran Turismo 5 Prologue game on the PlayStation Network August 1 — promosing to bring full HD automotive and racing events and programming from all over the world. Not sure how successful this will be.

12:22: Sony, like Microsoft, like Nintendo, like EA, is pushing the social component of games — playing multiplayer, getting new gaming trophies and showing off your high scores. PlayStation Home, in a wicked short video, is Sony’s entrance into the age of the “video game console avatar.”

12:23: Rental and electronic download of movies and shows from Lionsgate, Fox, Sony Pictures, MGM, Paramount, Funimation, etc. The line between PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 is blurring. One advantage: Sony owners can port their downloaded content from PS3 to PSP and take it with you.

This video service will start TODAY.

12:30: Time to talk about PSP.

Thirteen million units sold in North America. New entertainment packs coming, Madden and family-friendly Ratchet & Clank with a silver PSP and National Treasure 2 on UMD for $199.

12:35: New PSP title coming, Resistance: Retribution, takes the alien battle to Europe.

Also, look for Patapon 2 and Midnight Club Remix

12:40: Finally talking about PS3.

“Life with PlayStation” will be a news, live webcam, and weather channel available at the end of July. This is pretty cool.

12:41: Sony Online Entertainment is involved in the fold now — Jim lee, executive creative director of the upcoming DC Universe Online is talking about the game, showing a brand new trailer abut the game.

12:50: M.A.G. — The Massive Action Game will pit up to 256 players against each other at once online in eight man squads led by a player who has proved himself as a good leader. Even Sony admits this will push PS3 to its limits.

Due out July 15, EA Sports’ NCAA Football 09 will feature Cal’s DeSean Jackson and West Virginia’s Owen Schmitt on the covers. Jackson will appear on the PlayStation 2 version, while Schmitt will be featured on the cover of the PSP game.

Jackson was drafted in the second round by the Philadelphia Eagles. Schmitt was tagged by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth.

In a move that shocked the video game world, Sony announced this week that Phil Harrison would resign from his post as President of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios. With more than 16 years behind him at Sony, Harrison has been a key figure behind the highly successful PlayStation brand.

“The past 15 years at Sony Computer Entertainment has been the defining journey of my life so far,” said Harrison. “I am grateful to all the PlayStation family for their incredible support, guidance and friendship. It has been a privilege to serve as part of the team and be inspired by them on a daily basis. I am so proud of everything PlayStation has achieved and will continue to support its future in every way I can.”

Kazuo Hirai, President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc will take over for the departing Harrison, as well as keeping his additional duties.

“As one of the founding members of SCE, Phil played a key role in the development and growth of the PlayStation business and our industry,” Hirai said. “It is sad to see him departing from SCE, but I wish to express my gratitude for his many invaluable contributions and also wish Phil the very best of luck in his future endeavors.”

Sony Computer Entertainment America would not comment on Harrison’s departure.

No reason was given for Harrison’s departure, but that hasn’t stopped the internet rumor mill from turning. One theory is that Harrison had become frustrated when Sony Japan became unwilling to change their business strategy and adopt a more “casual gamer” approach.

It is also being reported by Gameindustry.biz that Harrison is leaving Sony for a job with the Infogrames American brand, Atari — which is undergoing a major restructuring to try to return to glory.

This article originally appeared on Reviewcenter.com in 1998.

Konami’s Metal Gear Solid is the most intense stealth game for any system. Not only has it completely revolutionized stealth/action games, but it has raised the expectations of all games. In other words, this could be the best Playstation game ever!

As one of the first full length stealth games, Metal Gear Solid provides an exciting adventure through a nuclear warhead disposal site in Alaska. Along the way you sneak around with your character, Solid Snake, fighting only when necessary. This may sound boring, but your heart races throughout the entire game. Your ultimate goal is to destroy a top-secret weapon named Metal Gear. But before you can do that, you must fight a series of bosses — maybe even some family members.

Metal Gear is a nice change up from the typical 3rd person shooter games. The view in Metal Gear is normally an overview, however, pressing “triangle” makes you see in the first person.

Throughout the game, you encounter different kinds of fighting and torture. Two examples are a fight with a sniper rifle and resisting death on a torture machine!

When you are hooked-up to the torture machine, the enemy tells you press “O” repeatedly to regain your strength. Konami should have found a more tasteful way to relay a message to the player.

For an early PlayStation game, Metal Gear Solid has outstanding graphics and sound quality. Some of the movies are so realistic its like you’re watching television! I strongly recommend buying this game. You’ll begin to love the complicated twists-and-turns of the intricate plot as well as the intense and invigorating game play.

Quick hits:

Publisher: Konami
Developer: KCEJ (Konami Japan)
Platform: PlayStation
Genre: Action/Adventure
Players: 1
Launch Date: September 30, 1998

Playability: 5 out of 5 stars
User friendly: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Sound: 5 out of 5 stars
Graphics: 5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
Ratings were determined in 1998

One of the biggest new games for the PlayStation 3, Heavenly Sword tells the story of Nariko who is supposed to inherit the protection of a special sword kept in their clan. The sword is powerful, but it takes the life of the owner.

The clan believes that a male will be born to wield the sword, but Nariko is born, to the disappointment of her father. The story starts with Nariko fighting the final battle with the Heavenly Sword. She is defeating all the enemies when the sword overtakes her, and the game stars with her recalling the previous five days.

Nariko’s clan is being assaulted by King Bohan’s armies, who seek Heavenly Sword themselves. The game switches between melee style and ranged attacks after that. When your in ranged attacks, you can use a system called “afterthought” to guide the projectile. This uses the motion sensor of the Sixaxis controller. The afterthought is often necessary to hit a particular target. The game doesn’t let you zoom in on targets, so you shoot in the general direction, and the afterthought does the rest.

When in afterthought mode, you are looking at the world from the view of the projectile, so just guide it to where you want to hit. It isn’t perfect control — it seems more like nudging the projectile in the direction you want to go in. It is continuous control though, so if you push it too high, just push it back down. Once you get used to it, the game allows great precision for hitting the target.

The melee part of the game is a hack and slash where you just need to kill all the enemy’s coming at you. There are combos that can be used, and many enemies will come at you at once.

The graphics in the game are phenomenal. It feels like watching a movie. The sound effects are also top notch making the realism of the game great.

Overall the game is very flashy, it looks really good. I’d say it was only about average playability though. It looks great, but the shooting parts are annoying, and the fighting parts get boring. It’s also a very short game. Heavenly Sword is one of the best-looking and best-sounding PlayStation 3 games, but it’s still not IT.

Quick hits:

Publisher: Sony
Developer: Ninja Theory
Platform: PlayStation 3
Genre: Action/Adventure
Players: 1

Playability: 3 out of 5 stars
Learning Curve: 4 out of 5 stars
Sound: 5 out of 5 stars
Graphics: 5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Launch Date: September 12, 2007