Check out the first of a two-part SSX video, presented by producer Todd Batty, showing off Explore and RiderNet.

It’s pretty much the SSX version of Autolog in Need for Speed.

EA Sports SSX reboots the series February 28 and March 2 in the UK for PS3 and 360.

Mac Fraser’s ‘Walking the Dog’ in this trailer for SSX.

EA Sports SSX reboots the series February 28 for PS3 and 360.

The PlayStation Vita has a growing lineup of fighting games and another high profile title hits the list with Mortal Kombat.

Developers NetherRealm Studios have assured us that this is more than just a simple port of MK9 from PS3 and 360 and the game will come sporting some brand new features and gameplay tweaks designed for “on the go” competition.

DLC characters such as Skarlet and Freddy Krueger are confirmed and the Vita version will be running at 60 frames per second (like it’s PS3 big brother). Recognizing the Challenge Tower as being a good match for handheld gaming, the team decided to add a second one. This new one has 150 challenges, some of which make full use of the Vita hardware.

Mortal Kombat head honcho Ed Boon also let loose that while the game won’t be touch screen-heavy, the game will let you perform fatalities with the front touch screen for increased accessibility.

No date has been announced yet for Mortal Kombat for the Vita, but we’ll keep you posted as we get more news.

The Klei action sequel, Shank 2 has been announced for release February 7th from EA. Continuing the story of Shank from the first game, Shank 2 will keep delviering the comic book style visuals and expands on the original game’s amazing combat system to redefine the 2D side-scrolling brawler.

A new survival mode will also be included to allow a friend, either online or split-screen, to co-op with you.

Shank 2 will put you back $9.99 on PSN and 800 Microsoft Points on XBLA.

Capcom has announced today that Resident Evil 6 is in full development and scheduled for release on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on November 20, 2012 with a Windows PC version to follow.

It has been ten years since the Raccoon City incident and the President of the United States has decided to reveal the truth behind what took place in the belief that it will curb the current resurgence in bioterrorist activity. Due to be by the President’s side is his personal friend and Raccoon City survivor, Leon S. Kennedy, but when the venue suffers a bioterrorist attack, Leon is forced to face a President transformed beyond recognition and make his hardest ever decision. At the same time, Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance member Chris Redfield arrives in China, itself under threat of a bioterrorist attack.  With no country safe from these attacks and the ensuing outbreaks, the entire world’s population is united by a common fear that there is no hope left.

In a first for the franchise, Resident Evil 6 sees series favorites Leon and Chris come together to face this unprecedented threat. They will be joined by new characters, each with their own unique perspective and involvement, in this relentless dramatic horror experience enacted on a global scale.

The retail pre-order campaign for Resident Evil 6 also kicks off today. GameStop, Best Buy and Amazon.com will each get an exclusive map that will function with various modes in the game. Further details on the maps and modes will be revealed at a later date. For details on how to pre-order, visit the Resident Evil 6 facebook page.

PlayStation Blog: PlayStation Network will be offline for routine scheduled maintenance on Thursday, January 19th from approximately 8am until 9pm PST (11am – 12am EST).

During the maintenance, you will be unable to access the following services:

• PlayStation Store on PS3, PSP and Media Go
• PlayStation Network Account Management
• PlayStation Network Account Registration
• PlayStation Home
• Music Unlimited and Video Unlimited Services

In addition, you will not be able to sign in to PlayStation Network from us.playstation.com.

Capcom’s Resident Evil: Revelations steps up to the plate tomorrow as the demo makes its way to Nintendo’s eShop.

The highly anticipated new story (though not next chapter) in Capcom’s survival horror series has had many gamers everywhere clutching their 3DS systems waiting patiently and Thursday the demo comes free to all. Resident Evil: Revelations will feature a return to classic Resident Evil survival horror gameplay, replete with limited ammo and more scares than were present in some of the more current outings of the series. RAID mode missions are also planned for the release along with StreetPass functionality in a 3D package is hands-down the most anticipated title for the 3DS to date.

Along with Resident Evil: Revelations demo, demos for Cooking Mama 4, Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D, Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games and Rhythm Thief & The Emperor’s Treasure hit the eShop tomorrow.

Resident Evil:  Revelations releases February 7. Happy gaming.

The SOPA blackout has started today. Basically, for the duration of today, a lot of websites you frequent may greet you with messages saying how they are taking a stance against a proposed bill from Congress that will essentially halt progression of the internet and most likely put us into a technological (and informational) Dark Ages.

We at PopCultureShock oppose the Stop Online Piracy Act. In its present form, it gives control of the whole Internet to the same entertainment companies who frequently send erroneous DMCA complaints and takedown notices. The implications are unimaginable as the bill itself is dangerous and overreaching. Piracy is a problem (of course), but so is censorship — and that’s precisely what SOPA is. From where we’re looking at this current moment, there’s no safe bet that SOPA itself would have any effect on piracy. Have you paid attention to piracy? Pirates are resourceful enough to get around it. Censorship has nothing to do with that and censorship would be what we’re stuck with in the aftermath thanks to some political yahoo shooting their wad in a half-assed attempt to keep money in a few pockets.

In the last few days the SOPA bill has been weakened largely due to courageous and vocal efforts by countless voices on the Internet, but its supporters are still fighting for it and PIPA (The Senate’s version) still poses a threat to the web as we know it. The fight is far from over, and we will lose no passion or resolve until it is dead and buried. The reality is that SOPA supporters far are better funded than we are, so the onus is on us, the people, to be louder and more passionate than these clowns can ever hope to be.

As journalists, we can’t stop bringing news to you and we feel that we owe you the service of keeping on top of all things entertainment and newsworthy. The internet helps us do that so don’t let them take it away from you.

PopCultureShock will continue to keep you informed. We may be a music, movies, comics and video game blog, but we are plugged into life (and lifestyles) so political issues like these do impact our way of life.

As internet users, if you’re as concerned about this as we are, we urge you to contact Congress. If you’re outside of the US, this affects you too, as the bill is targeted in part at “foreign sites.” You can get in contact with the US State Department. For more information on how SOPA is, our friends at CNET have provided an FAQ and we urge you to give it a read and get educated on this. The Stop American Censorship website will get you started.

When your kids say, “Where were you when the government made the internet lame?” you’ll hopefully respond with unflinching certainty: “Raising hell!”

Capcom is showing fighting fans some true love today with a brand new cinematic trailer for Street Fighter X Tekken which finally delivers the one and only M. Bison. In this newest anime style we see Jin Kazama and Ling Xiaoyu squaring off against Juri and the big boss of Shadaloo and there’s a heavy serving of fan service this time around.

Street Fighter X Tekken is scheduled to hit PS3 and 360 March 6, 2012 and TBA later for Vita and PC.

Rockstar Games put out the official press release today that the next game in the Max Payne series has an official release date.

The highly-anticipated dark and gritty action experience known as Max Payne 3 continues the tale of former New York City detective Max Payne. For Max, the tragedies that took his loved ones years ago are wounds that refuse to heal. No longer a cop, close to washed up and addicted to pain killers, he takes a job in São Paulo, Brazil, protecting the family of wealthy real estate mogul Rodrigo Branco, in an effort to finally escape his troubled past. But as events spiral out of his control, Max Payne finds himself alone on the streets of an unfamiliar city, desperately searching for the truth and fighting for a way out.

Max Payne 3 is scheduled for release for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on May 15, 2012 in North America and May 18, 2012 in Europe, with the PC version launching on May 29th, 2012 in North America and June 1st, 2012 in Europe.

To get more information on Max Payne 3 head over to the Rockstar Games website.