Sony: PS3 will remain most expensive console

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Business

Unless you resort to more unconventional methods of console acquisition, the PlayStation 3 is going to run you a bit more than the 360 and Wii. It's always been that way -- and according to Sony Computer Entertainment Europe head David Reeves, it's going to remain that way for some time to come. His reasoning? The only way for Sony to weather the current financial squall is to protect themselves -- "It's like being an armadillo," Reeves said, in our favorite simile of 2009 thus far.

Reeves told Eurogamer that Sony isn't denying the possibility of a PS3 price cut, stating, "It is possible that as the cost [of manufacturing] comes down, we will be able to do it," though there are no explicit plans to do so. For the time being, the PS3 will remain on top of the price point totem pole -- unless Nintendo decides to double the price of the Wii, which due to the grim forces of supply and demand, it could ostensibly get away with.

Sony: PS3 will remain most expensive console originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Guitar Hero World Tour standalone drums arrive Feb. 15, priced at $100

Attention virtual rockers, Neversoft has announced that the Guitar Hero World Tour drum set will finally be available as a standalone product beginning February 15. The drums will come at a price of $100 -- $10 more than the Rock Band 2 drums -- and will be available at Best Buy and GameStop. Unfortunately, this only applies to North America, as Neversoft notes the drums will arrive in Europe and Australia "at a later date."

While the World Tour drums are more expensive than the base Rock Band 2 set, it's worth noting that adding the cymbal expansions to Rock Band 2's set makes them slightly more expensive. Taking a look at Amazon (with prices lower than retail), the Rock Band 2 set with a two-cymbal expansion amounts to $107.92.

Be sure to check out Joystiq's Instrument Compatibility Matrix if you plan to pick up a set.

Guitar Hero World Tour standalone drums arrive Feb. 15, priced at $100 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Buzz! Brain of the UK coming to PS3, PSP and PS2 in March

Buzz! is coming to the UK and he's taking no prisoners. Whether you're a PS3, PSP or PS2 owner, you'll be able to get your hands on the latest Buzz! title, Buzz! Brain of the UK. Due out in March, Brain of the UK's questions will focus on UK culture, including "bands, cities, sports personalities, television favourites, wildlife, food and more."

The PS3 version will feature over 4000 questions and, just like Buzz! Quiz TV, a national leaderboard as well as MyBuzzQuiz.com and premium question pack support. The PSP version will feature 6-player multiplayer on a single console as well as a single player mode with collectible medals and awards. The PS2 version will support "thousands" of questions, which is apparently enough to keep you "buzzing for hours."

No word on the price or exact release date for any version of Brain of the UK yet, but we should hear something more concrete before its release in March. We've contacted Sony to ask whether the PS3 version will support currently available Buzz! question packs.

[UPDATE] Sony has confirmed that Buzz! quiz packs will work with "every iteration on the PS3."

Gallery: Buzz! Brain of the UK

Buzz! Brain of the UK coming to PS3, PSP and PS2 in March originally appeared on Joystiq Playstation on Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Yuusha 30: Meet the 30sec squad

In Yuusha 30 -- a.k.a. Hero for 30sec -- players take on the role of four heroes, each with their own minigame based on distinctive genres: role-playing, action, shooting and real-time strategy. Developer Marvelous Entertainment hopes to pull players into the experience with short bursts of 30-second gaming.

Beyond the description in an old issue of Famitsu and this teaser trailer, the rest of Hero for 30sec is a mystery. But we should expect to see more of this PSP title soon, as it hits stores in Japan this May. Meet the squad after the break.

Continue reading Yuusha 30: Meet the 30sec squad

Yuusha 30: Meet the 30sec squad originally appeared on Joystiq Playstation on Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Manga characters meet in new Konami PSP brawler

How well would Inuyasha fare in a fight against Project Arms' Ryo Takatsuki? Will Samurai Deeper Kyo be able to handle GetBackers' Ban Mido? Who's more of a punk, Air Gear's Ikki or Cromartie High School's Shinichi? You'll be able to find out in a brand new manga mash-up fighter, reminiscent of DS's Jump Ultimate Stars. Konami's fighter, called Sunday x Magazine: Taisen Action, brings characters from two different Shonen anthologies: Shonen Sunday and Weekly Shonen.

Considering the wide variety of licenses required for a project like this, it's unlikely this game will ever see a stateside release. You can check Siliconera for a full listing of characters.

Manga characters meet in new Konami PSP brawler originally appeared on Joystiq Playstation on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.