This week's PlayStation Store update from Sony brings more downloadable content than you can shake a stick at and assorted other goodies for the PlayStation 3. Highlights include missions for Valkyria Chronicles, a PixelJunk Eden expansion, Sonic Unleashed levels, F.E.A.R. 2 Toy Soldiers and retro wrestlers for WWE SvR 2009. If you love learning, there are PS3 Themes for the universities of Arkansas and Nebraska.

Add-on Game Content

PixelJunk Eden Encore ($5.99)
PixelJunk Eden Encore is an expansion pack to the popular organic platformer that sees you take control of a little 'grimp', swinging and jumping between tall alien plants, and collecting pollen to grow more life. Lush visuals, slick... Read more

Now available on the Xbox Live Marketplace is a demo for Sonic Unleashed, Sega's recently released platformer. The 181MB demo contains the game's first stage. Sonic Unleashed is also available for PlayStation 3, Wii and PlayStation 2.

That blue hedgehog is at it again in this trailer for Sega's Sonic Unleashed (360, PS3, PS2, Wii). This time it's the locations that are given special attention, as the speedy wonder runs through a huge variety of climates and geographical features as if the Travel Channel were viewed in fast-motion.

Despite Sonic's curious delay in Japan, Unleashed is still on track for release this holiday season in North America.

Please install Flash to view this Shackvideo

Shackvideo users can use the HD Stream.

Following Sonic Unleashed trailer tradition, an additional trailer for the PS2 and Wii version of the game can be seen below... Read more

Sega's Werehog-filled platformer, Sonic Unleashed (360, PS3, PS2, Wii), has been pushed out of 2008 in its home territory of Japan, leaving its North American release date of "holiday 2008" in question.

Sega's Japanese site for Sonic Unleashed--known as Sonic World Adventure on the other side of the ocean--has the news of a delay from the game's intended December 18 Japanese release all the way to a nebulous "spring 2009."

Citing quality concerns, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 editions were held back, while the Wii version is unaffected by the delay. No mention is made of the planned PlayStation 2 version.

Shacknews has contacted Sega of America to find out about changes to the North American release.

Many thanks to Siliconera for pointing the way.

Sega has let the lid off two new trailers from its latest Sonic effort, Sonic Unleashed. As is requisite in a Sonic Unleashed trailer, there is plenty of funky music and Werehog action to be had, but the important thing here is that Sonic is running on water.

Sonic Unleashed speeds onto Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, and Wii later this year.

Please install Flash to view this Shackvideo

Shackvideo users can use the HD Stream.

For some Wii trailer action, look no further than just below... Read more

Those Sonic Unleashed trailers are at it again with the funky music. This time, a rather pretty trailer sprints and slides through the desert air before giving an extended preview of the Werehog, the night-time, Stretch Armstrong-esque incarnation of everyone's favorite blue hedgehog.

In the works for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, and Wii, the 2.5-dimensional Sonic sequel will arrive later this year.

Please install Flash to view this Shackvideo

Shackvideo users can use the HD Stream.

For a waggle-tastic Wii trailer set in the city, look below... Read more

Sega has let loose with a piano-music-filled trailer for Sonic Team's Sonic Unleashed, the newest incarnation of the speedy blue hedgehog's 2.5-dimensional platformer. Here, a bit more of Sonic the Werehog--a nighttime, Hulk-like Sonic with stretchy arms--is seen in action.

Sonic Unleashed will hit the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, and Wii later this year.

Please install Flash to view this Shackvideo

Shackvideo users can use the HD Stream.

Sega of America VP of marketing Sean Ratcliffe acknowledged that criticism directed towards recent Sonic the Hedgehog titles is not without merit, following the lukewarm reception of recent Sonic Team efforts.

"Some of that criticism is probably warranted," Ratcliffe admitted to GameDaily. "We definitely recognize that a franchise that has been going as long as Sonic, you really have to put a huge amount of effort in to make sure that you maintain that quality, and arguably a disproportionate amount of effort."

Ratcliffe added that upcoming Sonic titles reflect the first steps in ensuring quality installments of Sega's flagship franchise, citing BioWare's development of the upcoming Nintendo DS RPG Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood as an example.

"We can't just stand still with Sonic; we've got to be looking at different ways to develop the character, different genres, and so on... If you're going to put Sonic... Read more

When day turns to night in Sonic Unleashed, Sonic naturally becomes unhinged, a werewolf curse devised by Eggman transforming him into a stretchy-armed beast. The game then switches to an Incredible Hulk-style brawler, with jazzy nighttime background tunes.

While the attacks are standard combo affairs, Sonic the Werehog's stretchy arms give him the ability to grasp far-away ledges. As a result, the levels will often be vertically oriented.

Sonic Unleashed is set for release later this year on Xbox, 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, and Wii. Shackvideo users can use the HD Stream.

Currently making their way online are screenshots from upcoming Sega games. We have images from Alpha Protocol, Empire: Total War, Golden Axe: Beast Rider, Madworld, Samba de Amigo, Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood, Sonic Unleashed, Space Siege, Stormrise and Valkyria Chronicles.

Alpha Protocol (PC, PS3, X360) Empire: Total War (PC) Golden Axe: Beast Rider (PS3, X360)... Read more

Sega has sent along a new trailer of Sonic Team's Sonic Unleashed (PS2, PS3, Wii, 360), offering a glimpse at the game's mix of 2D gameplay with speedy 3D graphics.

For more on Sonic Unleashed, check out our preview. Registered users can use the HD Stream.

Sonic Unleashed is a return to concept for Sonic Team. The plan is to get the hedgehog back to his fast, level-based platforming roots. Less awkward adventure, more speedy action.

To that end, this is a Sonic-focused game. Other unspecified characters will be present, but you will only assume control of them for short periods of time.

Of course, after berating a Sega representative, it was revealed that there will still be a Sonic Adventure-esque town area. Players will be talking to other characters, and getting through some kind of story. Sega stressed repeatedly that this portion of the game will be entirely optional, with a portal transporting players to the stage sections.

There will also be nighttime levels, separate from the daytime excursions. These will be focused on combat over platforming, presumably where... Read more

Accompanying the official announcement of Sonic Unleashed, Sega released a trailer that showcases the game's mix of 2D run-and-jump gameplay. Sadly, the footage does not offer a glimpse of Sonic's periodic werewolf-like transformation.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Registered users can use the HD Stream.

Slated to release on PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii, Unleashed is being developed by Sonic Team and is due out later this year.

Following the game's unofficial revelation earlier this month, publisher Sega has announced Sonic Unleashed, the latest entry in its long-running Sonic the Hedgehog series, and released the first two official screens.

Slated to release on PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii, Unleashed is being developed by Sonic Team and is due out later this year.

Unleashed will mix the series' classic 2D run-and-jump gameplay with the 3D stylings of more recent Sonic titles. According to Sega, the game's "Hedgehog Engine" technology, which has been in development for three years, allows "seamless 3D to classic 2D camera transitions" and an "expansive world with multiple paths."

Going by the leaked assets and vague hints within today's announcements, it appears that Sonic will transform into a werewolf-like beast when night falls within the game.

"When darkness sets in Sonic Unleashed players will be able to experience a completely new way to play as Sonic," explained Sega Europe marketing director Gary Knight, "making this his most exciting adventure yet!”

An abundance of supposed media from the next Sonic the Hedgehog game appeared online across the weekend, giving gamers what many believe to be the first look at the blue speedster's next adventure.

While Sega has yet to officially announce the game or comment on the media, the title is rumored to be known as Sonic Unleashed, with the resolution of the screenshots suggesting it is being developed for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. According to the rumors, the title is expected to release later this year.

In all, the materials included a whopping 82 screenshots--70 in-game, 12 cutscene stills--along with a short gameplay video, which is viewable below.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.