The New PS3 Slim

Whether or not this leak is genuine is unclear, but if it is, then Unoffical Final Fantasy Site has noticed (via CVG) that the box claims no hard drive install at all (optional or mandatory) and a positively miniscule 500kb save game size.

Also revealed is that the PS3 version will feature LPCM 5.1 audio and that the CGI sequences will be in full 1080p. Blimey. The game itself will still run in 720p, however.

Final Fantasy XIII, being a Final Fantasy title, will be one of next year’s biggest games. It was recently dated for a simultaneous launch on 9 March in both Europe and North America.

The holiday season is always critical for video game manufacturers and most agreed that Sony had the definite edge heading into Black Friday. Well, so far, things are going quite well.

In looking around the Internet, one can see the PlayStation 3 is a hot-ticket item for holiday shoppers. As compiled by PS3Center, best seller lists for major retailers prove that consumers have responded to the top-notch games and those “It Only Does Everything” commercials. The 120GB PS3 bundle Amazon had, featuring inFamous and Killzone 2, used to be higher than #10 on Amazon’s top seller list but it has dropped because they’re now sold out. There are two Xbox 360 games in the top 10 for Amazon - Halo 3: ODST andLeft 4 Dead 2 – but the console barely cracks the top 100, which signifies that the games aren’t system sellers; those who already have the 360 are buying those two titles, that’s all. As for PS3 games, even last year’s Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is in the top 25, which is more proof that we’re seeing a lot of new PS3 owners; what would you buy if you just got the console? Uncharted 2: Among Thieves will take a prominent place on that list throughout the holiday season, too.

Oh, and the PS3 is also the more popular selection at both Best Buy and Wal-Mart right now (even though the Wii still has a slight lead at the latter retailer), while the 360 isn’t really even close. So thus far, Sony should be pleased with the PS3’s showing…now, it just needs to carry this popularity on through December.

A old classic is finally on Blu-ray, Gremlins. I always liked those movies as a kid. I watched them again a few years ago and they are still fun. The latest Terminator was pretty decent too. Anything for you this week?

Here are the Blu-ray titles for this week. Highlights are: Terminator Salvation (Director’s Cut), Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, Snatch, The Green Mile, Gremlins, Legend of Zorro & Mask of Zorro

Edge magazine has taken a look back at Gran Turismo for the PSOne discussing whether the first title deserved its 10/10 score back in 1997. This quote, for me, aptly describes the impact the title had;

The Real Driving Simulator redefined the console racing game, ripping it from its arcade roots, and set a new standard for the breadth, fidelity and flexibility of game software that would – and still does – cause ripples way beyond its genre.

The article explores every facet of the game from the way it changed console racers to its RPG approach and the implementation of the Dual Shock controller. Gran Tursimo 1 was huge in my life (It was also the only GT game that I ever fully completed) and I remember everyone at school discussing what cars they had bought/races completed. So there’s no doubt in my mind it deserved a 10/10 but feel free to dispute or agree in the comments below.

You can read the full article here.

If you buy a qualifying PS3 game at Amazon, they will give you a $20 PSN Credit. The list of choices is actually pretty good.

Add another MMORPG to the PS3 list thanks to Koei. During a press conference held yesterday in Tokyo, Koei announced that Nobunaga’s Ambition Online will be heading to the PS3 next year. Nobunaga’s Ambition is currently available only in Japan for the PS2 and PC. Good news but I doubt this game will be released overseas. Source