THIS BLOG IS MOVING!

DUE to the overwhelming success of my PlayStation 3 blog, I am now expanding to cover ALL the latest games consoles - at my new home echogamingguide.blogspot.com.
I will bring you the latest news, previews and reviews, as well as top tips and insights into what gamers really want to hear.
So, thanks for your support, please visit my new website - and bookmark it for future use!

Flashing yellow light of death!

AS A former Xbox 360 owner, who finally gave up the ghost with the console after suffering 4 red rings of death, I turned to the PS3 as my salvation.
But now I have suffered the Sony equivalent - the yellow flashing light of death.
My 60gb console just stopped working, I repeatedly tried to start it up, to no avail, but luckily I was covered by warranty and have now said goodbye to my 60gb model - along with 4 usb ports, ps2 compatibility and card reader - and had it replaced with a slimline 250gb model, which is quieter, less obtrusive and still quite stylish.
But as this could happen to anyone, here are a couple of tips to follow in case the worst happens:
* Regularly back up your saved game files - if your console goes wrong, chances are you won't be able to boot it back up, along with all your saved games
* Take your discs out - again, if it won't start, you're disc will be stuck inside and if it is under warranty, it may still takes weeks for the game to be recovered and returned
* Change your password - if it is repaired or not, when you get a replacement console, it is best for security's sake just to change your password on your account, so there is no concern over the login details being copied.

250Gb PS3 is too late for me!

SONY has finally confirmed the rumours are true about a 250Gb PS3 - but that won't really affect me, as I've just upgraded my original 60Gb version to a 250Gb!

Sony said: “Following the great success of the new, smaller, 120GB PS3, which sold over one million units in its first three weeks on sale, the 250GB model has the same hardware specifications as the current model, but with greater storage space, to offer consumers even more choice.”

From October 1, fans can spend £284.99 for a bundle containing a choice of two Platinum Hits or a copy of the PS3 exclusive superhero outing, inFamous. T
But from October 16, the bundle initiative will be expanded to include Naughty Dog’s hotly anticipated sequel, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.

As a long-time PS3 user, I would certainly recommend that the bigger the hard drive, the better. That's why I upgraded my 60Gb version (something that was easier than I thought it would be), as you soon use up space.

I was down to my last gig and a half, so the upgrade was worth it!

Rock on with Brutal Legends

ACCORDING to VG247, BRUTAL LEGENDS will be making its demo debut on PSN this week.

BRUTAL LEGENDS is in development by Double Fine Production with developer Tim Schafer at the helm. BRUTAL LEGENDS has been in development for quite a while but is now getting ready to rock the gaming world.

Starring Jack Black as Eddie Riggs, a legendary roadie summoned to a heavy metal world where he must fight for the liberation of humanity from the demon Emperor Doviculus. It has been said that once the demo has been completed, millions of gamers worldwide will experience what is known as face-melting from so much ROCK! Yes literally.

PS3 sales go through the roof

GREAT News for PS3 sales - they are rocketing!

I picked this bit of news from Playstation ThEvolution website, which will be great for everyone who wants to see the PS3 finally catch up the Xbox 36o and Wii:

"According to Gameindustry.biz, since the release of the PS3 Slim, sales have skyrocketed to over 1000%, no we did not make a mistake and add an extra zero, you read that correctly.


Not only has Sony been moving PS3’s at a frantic pace, PS3 software sales have also experienced a boost. Software sales have increased by 17 per cent and this is evident with the recent release of BATMAN: Arkham Asylum which shows the PS3 versions edging out it Xbox 360 counterpart in total units sold.


Despite the recent Xbox 360 price drop of the Elite model which has experienced sales to increase by 43%, Sony’s PS3 has still managed to outsell the Xbox 360 and also Nintendo’s Wii and DS units by approximately 3:1.


“I think what I’ve heard anecdotally is that this is the point people were waiting for - a redesigned model and, in Euros, a significant price reduction,” said Andrew House, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. “That’s people’s cue to jump into the business.”


These current sales numbers bold well for Sony going into the holiday months. With the upcoming release of exclusive titles in the form of UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves, DEMONS SOUL’S, GRAN TURISMO 5 and the re-release of GOD OF WAR 1 & 2 on Blu-ray for the PS3, not to mention the highly anticipated multiplatform shooter MODERN WARFARE 2, the holiday are looking very exciting on the PS3 front."

Fantastic!

System Update tomorrow.....

SO, IT'S the big system update tomorrow - let's hope it is as good as we are all hoping it will be.....

European PlayStation Store update August 27

WELL, it looks like they sorted the problems yesterday, here is the latest update:

Price Reduction


Crash Commando (£3.99/€4.99)
In celebration of all the extra Crash Commando goodness released this week, you can take advantage of this reduced price for the full game until the 10th of September.
PEGI 12+


Downloadable Games


Smash Cars (£11.99/€14.99)
PEGI 3+


Battle Tanks (£7.99/€9.99)
PEGI 7+


Topatoi – (AU$15.95, $18.90 NZD) Has been added to the Australian and New Zealand Stores.
OFLAC 3


Demos (free)


NHL 10
PEGI 3+


F.E.A.R. 2: Reborn
PEGI 18+


Add-On Game Content


Fight Night Round 4

* Champions Pack (£3.99/€4.99)
* Content Pack 1 (free)

PEGI 16+


Batman: Arkham Asylum – Play As Joker (free)
PEGI 16+


Crash Commando


* Combo Pack (this combines the four packs below) (£3.99/€4.99)
* Heist Map Pack (£2.39/€2.99)
* Colonel Chaos and Army Chick Pack (£1.19/€1.49)
* Gangsta Rapper and Reggae Rasta Pack (£1.19/€1.49)
* Nukem Ninja and Maid Mayhem Pack (£1.19/€1.49)

PEGI 12+


Disgaea 3


* Action Prinny (£1.59/€1.99)
* Adell (£1.59/€1.99)
* Class World Command Attack (£3.19/€3.99)
* Curtis (£1.59/€1.99)
* Defender of Earth Set (£4.79/€5.99)
* Demon & Detective Set (£3.19/€3.99)
* Disgaea 2 Sacrebleu Set (£4.79/€5.99)
* Disgaea 2 Main Character Set (£3.99/€4.99)
* Dragon (£0.79/€0.99)
* Fake Heroes Set (£3.99/€3.19)
* Gig (£1.59/€1.99)
* Gordon (£1.59/€1.99)
* Hanako (£1.59/€1.99)
* Item World Command Attack Mode (£3.19/€3.99)
* Item World Survival Attack (£3.19/€3.99)
* Jennifer (£1.59/€1.99)
* Kogure (£1.59/€1.99)
* Makai Kingdom Main Character Package (£3.19/€3.99)
* Marjoly (£1.59/€1.99)
* Mid-Boss (£1.59/€1.99)
* Nekomata (£1.59/€1.99)
* Pram (£1.59/€1.99)
* Pierre (£1.59/€1.99)
* Prinny Curtis (£1.59/€1.99)
* Raspberyl Chapter 1 (£2.39/€2.99)
* Raspberyl Chapter 2 (£2.39/€2.99)
* Raspberyl Chapter 3 (£2.39/€2.99)
* Raspberyl Chapter 4 (£2.39/€2.99)
* Raspberyl Chapters 1-4 (£8.99/€11.25)
* Revya (£1.59/€1.99)
* Rozalin (£1.59/€1.99)
* Soul Nomad Set (£3.19/€3.99)
* Taro (£1.59/€1.99)
* Thursday (£1.59/€1.99)
* Tink (£1.59/€1.99)
* Yukimaru (£1.59/€1.99)
* Zetta (£1.59/€1.99)

PEGI 12+


Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen – Character and Map Pack (£6.29/€7.99)
PEGI 12+


Star Wars: The Force Unleashed – Tatooine Mission Pack (£7.99/€9.99)
PEGI 16+


Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 – Wolf Creek Course (£3.19/€3.99 – Introductory price for one week only)
PEGI 3+


LittleBigPlanet – VeraBee Original Sticker Pack (£1.59/€1.99)
PEGI 7+


Rock Band


* Don’t Stop by Fleetwood Mac (£0.99/€1.49)
* I Won’t Back Down by Tom Petty (£0.99/€1.49)
* Mony Mony by Billy Idol (£0.99/€1.49)
* Rebel Yell by Billy Idol (£0.99/€1.49)
* Runnin’ Down A Dream by Tom Petty (£0.99/€1.49)
* She’s A Genius by Jet (£0.99/€1.49)
* World Turning by Fleetwood Mac (£0.99/€1.49)

PEGI 12+


Videos (free)


* Batman: Arkham Asylum Villains Trailer
* IL2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey Launch Trailer
* Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Gamescom 2009 Trailer
* Mini Ninjas Futo Vignette
* Mini Ninjas Shun Vignette
* Mini Ninjas Suzume Vignette
* Mini Ninjas Tora Vignette
* Crash Commando Characters Trailer
* Crash Commando Heist Map Pack Trailer


PlayStation Store via PSP and Media Go
Downloadable Games


* Dynasty Warriors (£13.99/€17.99)

PEGI 12+


Add-On Game Content (also available via the PS3 store)


Rock Band Unplugged


* Black Sunshine by White Zombie (£0.99/€1.49)
* She’s Not There by The Zombies (£0.99/€1.49)

PEGI 12+


Themes (free)


* Dissidia Final Fantasy Theme 12