Enhanced PLAYSTATION®Store Launches on 15th April

Redesigned with Improved Interface for Easier Navigation New Content Available — Metal Gear Solid Online Beta Trial Launches

On 15th April, the new look PLAYSTATION®Store, the online content store on PLAYSTATION®Network launches; bring with it improved navigation, more functionality and a whole raft of new content.

The revamp comes in response to a survey last year which showed that many PLAYSTATION Store users wanted a better interface and easier navigation. The new design will deliver a hugely improved navigation system, much greater scope for categorisation and a dynamic new user interface.

To accompany the launch, the PLAYSTATION Store will see an exciting selection of content available from 17th April, consisting of the launch of the Metal Gear Online Premiere Beta, building up to the launch of the next chapter in one of PlayStation’s most loved franchises, Metal gear Solid: Guns of the Patriots. Also available will be Warhawk™: Operation Broken Mirror, a great new addition to the hugely popular Warhawk experience and Lair™: Diabolical Dragons Pack and Skyguard Upgrade pack, offering new and exciting features and functions. There will also be a collection of trailers including the latest for GTA IV, as well as a Sega Superstars tennis demo.

The PLAYSTATION Store revamp will not affect PLAYSTATION Network accounts or the virtual wallet system.

Wii can but dream of Saturn NiGHTS

After installing and setting up my wireless network at home. I took the Wii online and, two automatic software updates later, was happily perusing the Virtual Console!

Virtual Console, as I've mentioned in the past, is a cornucopia of classic console thrills. And Nintendo has announced that alongside NES, Super NES, N64, Sega Mega Drive (Genesis) and TurboGrafx-16, that NEO-GEO and MSX are to arrive in a spring update.

At present this NEO-GEO and MSX update appears to be destined for Japan-only. However, I'd be very surprised if both platforms don't appear for the rest of us! It's not as though King of Fighters and Metal Gear failed to capture Western gamers imaginations! Incidentally, there has been some very interesting online speculation concerning Sega's Dreamcast titles appearing on the Wii's Virtual Console! Data storage aside, there's no reason to conclude that the likes of Crazy Taxi, Shenmue and Phantasy Star Online won't appear sometime in the future. Come to think of it, the much-maligned Sega Saturn might benefit from Virtual Console. Daytona USA, NiGHTS into Dreams and Panzer Dragoon would be terrific additions.

Unlike Apple Inc's current policy regarding downloaded songs on iTunes. Nintendo allows users to download a game, which may have been deleted, again at no additional cost. This also applies to any software updates (patches). For example if and when Nintendo includes Rumble Pak emulation for its N64 titles. However, the game is restricted to one Wii! In the event that the Wii malfunctions and has to be replaced, Nintendo will provide support. Big N should be lauded for that!

My Wii Console Code is 4054 9122 2571 1110

I'm off to play Mario Kart 64 and R-Type...