Category archives: ps vita

 

 

PS Vita gets (another) firmware update, free-to-play Montezuma Blitz available now

It’s been barely a week since the last one , but Sony’s now begun rolling out firmware version 1.67. It’s another meaty download, weighing in at just under 100MB, although there’s no detail on what it changes — we’re still exploring the update. Following the refresh, you can also pick up the PS Vita’s latest free game, Montezuma Blitz , a Bejewelled -style puzzle game. However, it’s not the first game to be offered up free on the Vita and some pesky in-game purchases taint that freebie status a little. Both the update and game are available to download on your Vita now. PS Vita gets (another) firmware update, free-to-play Montezuma Blitz available now originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 03:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink The Verge | PlayStation blog | Email this | Comments

 

Nintendo 3DS outselling four Sony devices in Japan, now has 65 percent of the market

The latest figures from Japan’s Media Create are in, showing that last year’s trend has been fully reversed. Now the consumers are hungry for Nintendo’s 3DS , given that it shipped 121,921 units in the week ending April 1st. That put it comfortably ahead of the PlayStation 3 (23,771), PSP (18,356) and PS Vita’s (12,105) sales combined . The stats reveal that the 3DS is now accounting for 65 percent of all hardware sales in the country, a marked turnaround from when the console’s future looked gloomy. Meanwhile, the biggest selling game was Kingdom Hearts 3D for Nintendo’s newest handheld, which managed to shift over 200,000 units in just seven days. Nintendo 3DS outselling four Sony devices in Japan, now has 65 percent of the market originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 13:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink Gamesindustry | Andriasang | Email this | Comments

 

PlayStation Vita 1.66 firmware update rolling out now, minor UI tweaks in tow

Shortly after unleashing (and quickly pulling back) the PS Vita’s v1.65 firmware update, Sony’s rapidly rolling out a followup release. Version 1.66 brings with it a few UI tweaks, including tidbits such as the addition of a progress bar during app installs, notification alerts now only popping up for three seconds, plus the option to tap Retry / Cancel when running into troubles during location search. Games like Unit 13 and Gravity Daze will also see “functional improvements,” while the Near app is getting a direct link to the PlayStation Store , making it easier to grab apps that other folks are toying with. The refresh is up for grabs now, so be sure to hit that System Software on your quad-core beast, or head over to the source below if you’re in need of some guidance. PlayStation Vita 1.66 firmware update rolling out now, minor UI tweaks in tow originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink The Sixth Axis | PlayStation Blog Europe | Email this | Comments

 

Music Unlimited app arrives on PlayStation Vita, Android version gets offline play

Listening to music isn’t the best reason to take the plunge with the PS Vita . However, a new feature’s a new feature, and Sony’s very happy to tell you that its own subscription-based Music Unlimited service has arrived on UK devices, courtesy of its own dedicated app. Now you’ve had your fill of the games, Twitter and Facebook apps, it must be time to integrate with Sony’s verticals and hand over more cash. The Android app has also been updated to include offline playback to songs added to your playlists — like another certain streaming music service. You can grab the latest version at the source below. Music Unlimited app arrives on PlayStation Vita, Android version gets offline play originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink PushSquare , Sony Entertainment Network | PlayStation Access (Twitter) , Music Unlimited (Google Play) | Email this | Comments

 

Sony partners with Scion, makes MotorStorm RC free for PS Vita

Getting set up with Sony’s latest handheld can be an incredible drain on the wallet, what with the cost of pricey, proprietary memory cards and actual games to play . Consider this then the company’s way of tossing early adopters a bone, because for a limited time US-based Vita owners can download MotorStorm RC gratis on the PlayStation Store starting today. Don’t send those imaginary thank you cards to the electronics giant just yet; this special promo comes courtesy of a partnership with Scion (Toyota’s Gen Y offshoot) and, as such, is pre-loaded with an exclusive, playable version of its subcompact iQ . Yes, you’re being pandered to, but who cares? It’s free, it’s fun and it’ll give your thumbs and Nathan Drake a mini-break. Sony partners with Scion, makes MotorStorm RC free for PS Vita originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 07:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink GameInformer | PlayStation blog | Email this | Comments

 

PSA: PlayStation Network goes down for maintenance tomorrow, will last around 15 hours

We know that it’s become all too easy to assume that the PlayStation Network is getting hacked again whenever it goes down. That said, consider this another heads-up in long line of previous friendly reminders: Since being postponed last Thursday, Sony’s announced that the PSN will go down for “significant maintenance” tomorrow, March 4th starting at 2 3 PM EST until approx 5 AM on Monday, March 5th. Unlike February’s fixin’ , you’ll still be booted offline even if you’ve logged-in with your SEN ID prior to the scheduled maintenance window. This means you won’t be able to hop into a game of Domination on MW3 , along with being restricted from accessing your account, the PlayStation Store, Home etc., as per usual. You can stay glued to PlayStation on twitter to get the official word on when everything’s back up, but may we suggest it could be a good chance for a lazy Sunday stroll? Hey, consider it an excuse to try out Near if you were one of the 1.2 million to snag yourself a PS Vita — oh wait, that requires being logged into the PSN, too. Sigh. PSA: PlayStation Network goes down for maintenance tomorrow, will last around 15 hours originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 03 Mar 2012 20:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink | PlayStation.Blog (US) | Email this | Comments

 

PS Vita homebrew loader arrives today, but only if you have this hard-to-get game (video)

…And here’s the catch: the game you need is Motorstorm Arctic Edge (or ‘Raging Ice’ in Japan), and it appears to have already been pulled from the PS Store. Besides, it was never compatible with US-registered Vitas in the first place. Nevertheless, if you happen to have bought this old PSP title for your Vita already, then this may just work. Hacker Wololo claims that later today he’ll release Vita Half Byte Loader files, which will give you a “limited PSP homebrew experience” on your lovely new handheld — and indeed we’ve already seen it playing Sega Genesis titles. The hack supposedly uses an exploit in this particular Motorstorm title — but since Sony is already on VHBL’s tracks, who knows if it’ll really work or how long it’ll last? Video evidence after the break. [Thanks, Patrick] Continue reading PS Vita homebrew loader arrives today, but only if you have this hard-to-get game (video) PS Vita homebrew loader arrives today, but only if you have this hard-to-get game (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Mar 2012 04:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink | Wololo (1) , (2) | Email this | Comments

 

PS Vita Facebook app officially resurfaces, available for download (again)

If you were lucky enough to snag the free Facebook app for the PS Vita last week while it was briefly available , you probably found its performance balky, at best. Shortly thereafter, Sony unsurprisingly pulled it from the PlayStation Store , noting issues stemming from Facebook’s side of town. Well, good news just came in from Sony’s PlayStation Twitter account — Zuckerberg’s app is “fully restored” and ready for your downloading pleasure. Facebook’s relationship with Vita OS will, hopefully, be less “complicated” this time around, but let us know how it’s working for you in the comments. PS Vita Facebook app officially resurfaces, available for download (again) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 21:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink | PlayStation (Twitter) | Email this | Comments

 

Foursquare PS Vita app hits US PlayStation Store, gives you another reason to consider 3G

Good news for all you socially connected (and hip) regulars of local retail establishments — who have PS Vitas, of course. Sony’s just announced that the free Foursquare app has officially landed at the PlayStation Store (US), and it can be yours for a paltry 4.5MBs of space on your precious proprietary memory card . The app works over WiFi, however, the fine print advises that users may want to use 3G for the best results to help alongside the Vita’s GPS. Notably, the rear touchpad and cameras are listed as being compatible with the app, as well. We’ve poked around the app for a few minutes, and it does feel peppy compared to what we experienced with Facebook (while it was available , anyway) — the only oddity that’s arisen lies with the map functionality, which opens a Google Maps page within the Vita’s browser rather than its Maps app. Now that we can watch Netflix over WiFi , and view our Flickr albums along with Tweeting and “Checking In” between our ModNation racing tours, how’s about finally letting us get our Skype on? (P.S. We’d really like Facebook back in the store, too!) Gallery: Foursquare PS Vita app (screen shots) Foursquare PS Vita app hits US PlayStation Store, gives you another reason to consider 3G originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 21:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink | PlayStation.Blog (US) | Email this | Comments

 

Sony updates PS Vita sales figures: 'over 1.2 million units worldwide', 2 million in software

As of recently, the PS Vita has become available in the locales of America, Europe and PAL territories, and now Sony’s updated sales figures are in. How does “over 1.2 million units worldwide” sound? Because that’s how many systems were purchased as of February 26th. If you’ll recall, just two days after its December 19th arrival in Japan, the Vita rushed out of the gate, with Sony citing 321,000 units sold . Sales quickly slowed, however, despite the system making its way across Asia, as that number only rose to 500,000 by the time CES hit in January. Considering that means an additional 700K+ units were moved in less than two months, it seems that Sony’s latest handheld isn’t doing too shabby. Furthermore, it looks like a healthy amount of early adopters stocked up on games, as Sony also noted that more than two million pieces of software have been sold (out of 25 currently available titles) via retail and the PlayStation Store — that said, there’s no telling how popular those slightly cheaper digital editions have proved. Hit up the press release after the break for all the details, courtesy of the House of Kevin Butler Kaz Hirai. Continue reading Sony updates PS Vita sales figures: ‘over 1.2 million units worldwide’, 2 million in software Sony updates PS Vita sales figures: ‘over 1.2 million units worldwide’, 2 million in software originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink Joystiq | | Email this | Comments