Sony has been quite busy lately, detailing XMB access in-game and now Trophies coming in PS3 firmware update v2.40 due out on the 2nd of July.

Firmware v2.40 Walkthrough Part 2 takes a closer look at the Trophy system. Head over to SCEA’s PlayStation blog to watch the video demo.

As previously reported Sony confirmed that Super Stardust HD will be the first game to make use of the Trophy system. If you purchase the game for the first time the trophy support will be available soon after v2.40 is released but if have already downloaded the game you will have to install a free patch.

Sony promised more games including Trophy support “through 2008 and beyond.” Until then the list of first party games that are scheduled to include Trophy support include BUZZ! Quiz TV, LittleBigPlanet, MotorStorm Pacific Rift, NBA 09 - PS3, PAIN, PixelJunk Eden, Resistance 2, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation and Warhawk.

Firmware update v2.40 also adds a mini-control panel that gamers can use while playing music as well as a Google internet search feature enabling gamers to start a search directly from the XMB (similar to the recent PSP update).

The time and date will be displayed in the top right hand corner when gamers are using the XMB or accessing the XMB from in-game. Sony also promised a “few minor enhancements” that will be revealed once the update is live.

Sony has announced that PS3 firmware update version 2.40 will be available on the 2nd of July.

PS3 firmware update v2.40 will deliver XMB access in-game as well as trophies, two of the most requested features by gamers.

XMB (XrossMediaBar) access in-game means that PS3 gamers can access the PS3 menu at any time while playing most games. Simply press the PlayStation button on your controller to access it.

V2.40 also allows gamers to check if their friends are online, read and send messages, change some games’ settings – all without quitting the game you are playing. You cannot pause an online multiplayer game that involves other people but you can rejoin at any time. The latest update will also double the Friends list capacity to 100 Friends.

Trophies will recognise gamers’ achievements in the online area and be displayed on the XMB. According to Sony many online games will have gold, silver and bronze trophies as well as platinum for gamers who get all three.

Super Stardust HD will be the first game to use the Trophies system, offering a variety of trophies. Here is a list of first party games that are scheduled to offer Trophy support:

• BUZZ! Quiz TV
• LittleBigPlanet
• MotorStorm Pacific Rift
• NBA 09 - PS3
• PAIN
• PixelJunk Eden
• Resistance 2
• SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation
• Warhawk

Firmware update v2.40 also adds a mini-control panel that gamers can use while playing music as well as a Google internet search feature enabling gamers to start a search directly from the XMB (similar to the recent PSP update).

The time and date will be displayed in the top right hand corner when gamers are using the XMB or accessing the XMB from in-game. Sony also promised a “few minor enhancements” that will be revealed once the update is live.

Ubisoft has taken the wraps off Prince of Persia: The Fallen King which will be available exclusively for the Nintendo DS this holiday season.

Developed by Ubisoft’s Casablanca studio, Prince of Persia: The Fallen King will feature an independent storyline (but it does coincide with the console editions of the game) with players controlling acrobatic combat action with the stylus.

The Fallen King sees the Prince fleeing to a deserted kingdom in search of sanctuary. However, the kingdom has been corrupted already and the Prince must now try to stop the evil force known as the Corruption before it spreads. A partially infected creature promises salvation but can he trust this creature? The Prince has no choice and must ally with it to save the Persian kingdom from corruption.

The game features a new art design and allows gamers to explore over 50 maps including deserted cities, labyrinths and jungles. Players will also be able to step into the shoes of a new character known as the Magus. Switch between the Prince and the Magus to fight, solve puzzles and make use of his magical powers.

Harmonix and MTV Games will be releasing a special CrüeFest downloadable pack for Rock Band to celebrate CrüeFest.

The pack includes songs from Mötley Crüe (“Down At The Whisky”), Papa Roach (“Time Is Running Out”) and Trapt (“Who’s Going Home With You Tonight”).

The CrüeFest songs will be available from the 1st of July for a limited time at a special price of $0.99 per track or 80 Microsoft Points from Xbox Live Marketplace. The entire collection of tracks will set you back $2.99. The tracks will be hit the PlayStation Store on the 3rd of July.

Rock Band fans will also be able to download “Promised Land” from Vesuvius for free. Vesuvius is a fictictious band that is featured in the upcoming comedy The Rocker in case you were wondering.

Ignition has announced that Metal Slug 7 will be released on the Nintendo DS this autumn.

Developed by SNK Playmore, Metal Slug 7 promises to deliver “high-energy and frantic, fast-paced 2-D shooting action” that has become synonymous with the franchise since it was first released in 1996.

The game will feature seven new and fully detailed missions as well as six playable characters, new weapons and bosses. Players can also look forward to new Slugs to pilot and new game play modes.

Join Marco, Tarma, Eri, Fiolina, Clark and Ralph as they take on Modern’s Forces across various locations including Garbage Island and the Fortress of Ruins.

“Truth be told, I have a pink DS and was embarrassed to play it in public. Now with Metal Slug 7 loaded, I have no qualms,” said Ajay Chadha, President of Ignition Entertainment.

“Needless to say, and in all seriousness, we are very excited to announce our partnership with SNK Playmore USA to give both core and casual gamers a whole new insight into the unique, all-action, eye-popping world that is Metal Slug.”

I think this is one of my favourite quotes to date, and that’s not just because I have a pink DS.

Sony has thoughtfully popped a video demo of how the next PS3 firmware update will work on to SCEA’s PlayStation blog.

In case you missed Sony’s recent big announcement, the next PS3 firmware update v2.40 will include the long awaited XMB access in-game as well as Trophy support.

Firmware v2.40 Walkthrough Part 1 details the XMB while a second video outlining the Trophy feature in action was promised shortly.

Still no word on a release date for v2.40 but apparently it is ‘coming soon.’

A demo for LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures has arrived on Xbox Live Marketplace.

If you have read our review of LEGO Indiana Jones you will know that the game follows the adventures of Indy in The Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Temple of Doom and The Last Crusade. It includes well thought out puzzles, will have you in stitches and features great two player co-operative play.

Well worth downloading the demo to give it a go in my opinion.

Capcom has revealed that Street Fighter IV cabinets will be shipping out to Japanese arcades on the 18th of July.

Non-Japanese gamers will get a chance to try out the machines at Comic-Con which runs from the 24th to the 27th of July in San Diego or at the EVO Finals from the 8th to the 10th of August in Las Vegas.

Sony of Europe today announced that the Dualshock 3 Wireless Controller will be available across Europe on the 2nd of July.

The DualShock 3 Wireless Controller includes the highly anticipated rumble feature which gamers will be able to use on past, present and future PS3 titles which support the vibration functionality. The controller is also said to retain the “high-precision, high-response motion-sensitive aspects that have made SIXAXIS so popular” and is the only Bluetooth controller that combines the vibration function and Sixaxis features.

Sony also announced that “almost all future PS3 releases will support DualShock 3.” Gamers will be able to play many existing PS3 titles (including Resistance: Fall of Man; Gran Turismo 5: Prologue and Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune) with the DualShock 3 as long as the PS3 is updated with firmware upgrade 1.94.

According to Sony, over 28 million DualShock controllers have been sold since the first DualShock was released for PlayStation in 1998.

David Reeves, President and CEO, SCEE, commented, “We are delighted to confirm that DUALSHOCK 3 will be released in SCEE territories in early July. We hope this will add to the intense gaming experience for our fans, as we continue to evolve PS3, its software and its peripherals.”

Since I am a fan both of the Lego series and of Indiana Jones I was looking forward to combining the two, I mean its Lego and its Indiana Jones, how could it not be fun.

The game follows the adventures of Indy as he faces dangers and obstacles in The Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Temple of Doom and The Last Crusade. As such if you have watched the first three Indiana Jones movies you will recognise many scenes made famous by the movies whereas if you are new to the series you will wonder why it has taken you so long to indulge in a little adventure or two.

Continue reading El33tonline’s review of LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures.

Thanks to Megarom for kindly sponsoring the review copy of the game and look out for details of our LEGO Indiana Jones competition soon.

Sony’s reign on top of the Japanese hardware chart with the PS3 was short lived but its no hard feelings as its handheld shoots back to the number 1 spot.

Last week the PS3 was the best selling console in Japan with 75 311 units shifted thanks to first week sales of Konami’s Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriot which shifted 465 000 copies. This week the PS3 plummets down the chart to its usual fourth place although it still records above normal sales of 20 336 units.

The PSP settles back into the top spot with 59 351 units, slightly down from last week’s 64 675, but still well ahead of the Wii in second place with 41 037 units (also down from last week’s 45 564). The Nintendo DS is next with 36 599 units, down from last week’s 39 201 units.

The PS2 sold 6 346 units and the Xbox 360 trailed with 2 555 units, both marginally higher than last week’s 7 297 and 2163 units respectively.

If you missed it head over to last week’s hardware chart and software chart, or you can read all about this week’s software chart.

Source: Media Create

Atari and Eden Games have announced that action survival game Alone in the Dark has topped the Xbox 360 sales charts across Europe.

Since its release on the 20th of June, Alone in the Dark has secured the number one spot in the UK and Germany, which according to Chart Track and Media Control are two of the largest Xbox 360 markets in Europe. After a seven year hiatus the title debuted at number 3 on the UK’s All Formats Chart.

Alone in the Dark is now available across Europe for the Xbox 360, PC, Wii and PS2. The PS3 version is scheduled to ship later in the year.

Activision and Blizzard have teamed up to organise a free downloadable World of Warcraft track for Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.

‘I am Murloc’ is a thrash metal-style song that made its debut at the BlizzCon 2005 gaming convention. It is described as a “tongue-in-cheek tribute to the beloved race of fish-people by Blizzard Entertainment’s house band, Level 70 Elite Tauren Chieftain.”

Guitar Hero fans can download ‘I am Murloc’ on Xbox Live Marketplace for the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation Store for the PS3 on the 26th of June in advance of this weekend’s Blizzard Worldwide Invitational event in Paris.

Yesterday Capcom launched the Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix Beta on Xbox Live Arcade. Since then the forums have been abuzz with reports of freezing problems.

Capcom has announced that it will not be issuing a patch for the beta. Christian Svensson, Capcom’s Corporate Officer and Vice President of Strategic Planning and Business Development, responded to the complaints on the Capcom forum, “We will not be patching the beta… resubmissions would cost a fortune and not go live for weeks even if we had (MS would have to reapprove every submission).”

“This isn’t like the PC where a developer can make changes daily (for good or ill). All feedback and bugs will be factored into the final code.”

As previously reported, the Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix Beta is now available on Xbox Live Arcade. You will only be able to download the Beta if you purchased Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 on XBLA (which is available for 800 Microsoft Points).

If you are a Samba de Amigo fan, make sure you don’t miss the latest cinematic trailer which MTV scored as an exclusive.

Although there is no game play in the trailer you get an idea of which friends will be joining Samba and the music is really catchy too.

Last year Sega announced that it would be bringing the popular Dreamcast classic Samba de Amigo to the Wii. Get ready to shake the Wii Remote and Nunchuck like maracas in time to the visual beats of samba tunes on-screen as the sombrero-topped monkey Amigo.

Developed by Gearbox Software, Samba de Amigo will be available exclusively for the Wii this spring.

Head over to our previous coverage for another trailer.