14 DAY TRIAL // Sony Computer Entertainment didn't have any big announcements for the 2009 Tokyo Games Show. But Sony Europe did have some big news for the UK market, in the form of the three 250GB bundles and the UK exclusive PSP Go Rewards free-game download program. CEO Kaz Hirai couldn't be outshined by the colonials, so he took a step forward and decided to make some announcements oh his own. These came in the form of the Final Fantasy XIII PS3 bundle.
Final Fantasy XIII Lightning Edition is the new release for the PlayStation 3, and will be composed of a 250GB ceramic-white PS3 with a graphical depiction of the main character. It will also include a copy of the game that gave the Bundle its name. The pack is priced at ¥41,600, or about $462 and will share the release date of December 17 with the Japan launch of FFXIII. The PS3 will get even more pallet variation with the DualShock 3. Besides the already made available satin silver, black and ceramic white they will also release metallic blue and deep red color versions. The new releases will be made available in Japan for ¥5,500 or $61.05 and will be available come October 29.
The special content for the launch of the PSP Go! is also being prepared. The TGS also saw the unveiling of the RooM, an online community being formed for the PSP. The network will come online after a winter update, when PSP owners will get a "RooM for PlayStation Portable" icon on their menus that will offer the new online free service. The network offers support for 3D avatar and individual “rooms” where users can post blogs and create albums to communicate with other RooM members. The closed beta had a start date of September 24.
Sony is also stocking up on the PSP and PS3 games that will be made available through the PlayStation Store. The new titles, which surpass the 300 mark, will include games such as the Harry Potter series releases and Terminator: Salvation. Other titles still await to be announced but include games from companies such as Warner Entertainment Japan, Aniplex, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Bandai Visual. Videos from Label Gate Co. will also join the list. As announced at GamesCom in August, digital comics will also come to the PSP, through the PlayStation Store. Major publishers such as Shonen Jump's Shueisha, Shonen Sunday's Shogakukan and Shonen Magazine's Kodansha will take part in the lineup, with comics such as Luck Star, Bleach, One Piece, Naruto, Death Note, Fullmetal Alchemist, Soul Eater and Neon Genesis Evangelion.