69w ago - Today Jawad Ashraf of the PlayStation Store Team has posted up this weeks European PSN updates below, as follows:

Hello again gamers! As I'm sure some of you will be busy with your new PlayStation Vitas, you may have forgotten about the usual update. No matter, I hope this serves as a good reminder to you.

The Starhawk Beta, previously a PS Plus member's exclusive, is now available for all to take part in.

Word of warning the beta is only up until March 7th so be sure to at least give it a try before you regret it, because we've all fallen into that "I'll check it later" scenario.

SSX also gets a demo heading onto the PS Store. Also of note, this too is only available for a limited time. Looks like time must be spent wisely this week. The demo includes online play and a new feature dubbed RiderNet.

With a handful of modes to check out, player's ghosts of race times and scores will be uploaded to the SSX server. RiderNet will recommend challenges as players take on their friends' ghosts or let their own ghosts chalk up wins and losses, even while they're away from their console. Some of the features to look out for include;

• JT2, a race event in the Rockies and Bulldog, a night time trick event in New Zealand
• You'll...

69w ago - Today Naughty Dog have outlined on what's included for the Uncharted 3 PS3 Patch Update 1.05 that is incoming, alongside sharing details on the Uncharted 3 Flashback Map Pack 2 below.

To quote: The Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception 1.05 patch has been pushed and should be rolling out globally over the next 24 hours. The patch notes to update 1.05 are as follows:

Available: February 21, 2012

• [Integrated bandwidth testing for hosts, so only hosts with optimum connections will be permitted to become game hosts (will help improve gameplay experience for everyone)
  
• Fixed an issue in which, under some circumstances, some players of a party would be left in the lobby while others went into Matchmaking and played matches
  
• Medal fixes for Fort - Adventure Mode specific medals; all medal icons now show up appropriately and medals can be obtained in-game.
  

Additionally, Patch 1.05 contains the necessary technical hooks for Flashback Map Pack #2, available on the PlayStation store starting today.

Please note: Patch 1.05 must be downloaded in order to play the upcoming DLC via online or on LAN Party.

69w ago - PlayStation Store Director Grace Chen is here with this weeks US PS3, PS Vita and PSN updates today as follows:

With the official launch of PS Vita at hand, we're augmenting last week's PS Store launch on PS Vita with another stellar update as well as some new PS3 Full Games, world class demos and one pre-order opportunity you won't want to miss.

To start, one of the biggest games of the year is coming straight to PSN, the same day it's available at retail. Mass Effect 3 will be available to download on March 6th and to celebrate, we've partnered with EA to bring you a special pre-order on the PlayStation Store.

Pre-order on the PlayStation Store now and get the M-55 Argus Assault Rifle and the Mass Effect 3 - Take Earth Back Theme.

PS Vita games are also easy to look to as the star of the show this week. Games like TALES FROM SPACE: MUTANT BLOBS ATTACK, Touch My Katamari and Plants Vs Zombies pepper the PlayStation Store with some great gaming experiences. There's even a new PS minis triple pack from Grip Games with 3 of their best hits, playable on PS Vita.

But don't miss out on the other Vita-only experiences like the AR (Augmented Reality) games Cliff Diving, Table Soccer and Fireworks. You'll also be excited to see the first wave of apps...

69w ago - Today Jawad Ashraf of the PlayStation Store Team has posted up this weeks European SEN updates just in time for the upcoming PS Vita launch, as follows below:

Tomorrow, PlayStation Vita launches across the PAL regions and here is the full list of what will be available to download when PlayStation Store is live on the system later this evening.

We believe that the PS Vita launch line-up is the strongest in PlayStation history and this list of games and other content, some of which is completely free, is testament to that.

Don't forget that if you already own Hustle Kings, Top Darts or Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom DLC on PS3, you can also use it on your PS Vita at no extra charge.

Have a blast and look forward to the PS3 store update coming soon. See you (or the digital formations of you) there.

PlayStation Vita Games

Everybody's Golf (£29.99/€34.99)
Rating: PEGI 3
Availability: All Locales

Little Deviants Trial & Unlock (£19.99/€24.99)
Rating: PEGI 7
Availability: All Locales

Modnation Racers: Road Trip (£29.99/€34.99)
Rating: PEGI 7
Availability: All Locales

Reality Fighters (£19.99/€24.99)
Rating: PEGI 12
Availability: All Locales

69w ago - Following up on the previous update, today Sony Network Entertainment VP Eric Lempel has announced that PS Vita System Software update v1.61 is incoming with details below on it, as follows:

Download: PS Vita 1.61 Firmware Update (USA) / PS Vita v1.61 Recovery System Data (USA) / PS Vita v1.61 Recovery PreInstall Data (USA) / PS Vita 1.61 Firmware Update (JPN)

According to teck4, PS Vita Firmware 1.61 doesn't patch the current PlayStation Vita exploit which is indeed still alive and good news for homebrew fans.

To quote: Now that some of you early adopters have PlayStation...