Okay, before we take this too literal, Monster Hunter 3G was not the highest selling game for the 3DS. It was the third highest seller.

In the craziest turnaround for a system that had been deemed a ‘failed launch’, the 3DS continued to dominate Media Create’s weekly sales chart since holiday. Last week Nintendo’s handheld was clocked moving 240,819 units, a 20% increase over the week prior.

Monster Hunter 3G, which was released on December 10, 2011, has officially crossed the 1 million units sold mark during that week, making it the third 3DS title to do so. To date, Monster Hunter 3G has sold a total of 1,083,853 units, trailing behind the 1,199,285 of Super Mario 3D Land and the 1,317,357 of Mario Kart 7.

Numbers of Nintendo’s latest iteration of the DS have been on a dramatic upsurge starting at last year’s holiday season when various bundles released worldwide for the 3DS including the Mario Kart and Zelda: Ocarina of Time bundles hit shelves and propelled the 3DS into a favorable position among buyers. The 3DS hadn’t started recovering from low performance numbers following the price drops and Nintendo posted a dire profit and loss report for the first half of 2011. Not making the most stellar of sales numbers since it’s launch led to some major decisions being made within the company (including Nintendo head Satoru Iwata taking a voluntary salary pay cut) and Nintendo scrambling to make the 3DS a viable entry in the market.

Following the release of Monster Hunter 3G in Japan (which also received its own 3DS bundle after launch), things really started to move for the 3DS. As a testament to how successful Capcom’s action-RPG truly is, the Monster Hunter series has always been a force to be reckoned with as 3 previous versions of the game on Sony’s PSP sold over 3.5M units combined in Japan and kept the PSP the #1 selling handheld worldwide for nearly 3 years. A fourth title in the series (Monster Hunter 4) has been announced for 3DS and looks to take the game in a new direction with new play mechanics debuting but now, in an interesting turn of events, Sony’s Vita is setting up to get it’s very own Monster Hunter title by the end of the year.

Not to sound bad about this, but it seems that Capcom can ride in to a very sugary romantic rescue with Monster Hunter at the damnedest of times but you won’t catch any of the fans out there complaining about it. It’s going to be very interesting to see whether the Vita, which is seeing the same bit of mediocre sales numbers following launch as the 3DS had, will see a dramatic turn in sales as well. If history is an indicator, I’d say ‘hell yeah!’

To help out those of you that cannot wait for the February 22nd release of the PlayStation Vita in North America, Play-Asia has you covered.

Today the online import gaming retailer dropped the price of the Vita to a more attractive price of $399 (roughly $100 more than the planned US retail price), bringing it down dramatically from the original $529 import price when the system first launched in Japan. This is probably the sweet spot for importers out there who still wish to purchase a Vita and get it early.

It’s probably a safe bet that with the North American and European releases coming fast, we’ll probably see another price drop on the import system soon.

Rumors and speculation have been coming out for a while now that Sony will be showing up to the E3 2012 party with a shiny new PS4 in hand thanks to videogame website MCV publishing a rumor story that E3 2012 was the magical time.

Today at CES the rumor was put to bed when Sony’s Kaz Hirai answered a question about the PlayStation 4 showing up at this year’s E3. ”Andy [House] is absolutely right in that we are not making any announcements at E3. I’ve always said a 10-year life cycle for PS3, and there is no reason to go away from that.”

The question now is: do you believe this is true?

Since last year’s E3 announcement that Sony and AT&T were partnering up for 3G coverage for the upcoming handheld (and the subsequent deadpan reaction to the news), the two partners had been pretty quiet on dishing out further details. Today, Sony and AT&T announced the structuring of the Vita’s 3G data plans and there’s good news: no contracts.

CES 2012 is underway and Sony revealed today the topic that’s had a lot of people guessing. As the Vita launches in February, consumers can opt to pay $15 or $25 monthly for 3G data on the handheld. $14.99 gets you a 250MB plan while $25 nets you 2GB. Both plans are month-to-month plans and do not require any contractual commitment (no obligation for bills to AT&T). The plans are similar to AT&T data plans offered for smartphones but the specifics don’t go into how billing defers if you go over plan.

With the Vita coming in 2 different models (a WiFi model for $249 and a 3G+WiFi  model for $299), the burning question is whether or not $50 more for the handheld is justified when you look at the expense of having a 3G data plan?

News has popped up that a Monster Hunter title is slated for release in Japan for the PS Vita during the second half of 2012.

This is currently big news for owners of Sony’s newest handheld following troubling news that the next title in the series (Monster Hunter 4) was reported to be a 3DS exclusive as sales of previous Monster Hunter games have made the PlayStation Portable as smash success in Japan. Reports claim that the series will arrive on the handheld but no word has been made if this will be a port of current Monster Hunter Portable 3rd (which was demoed on the Vita) or a remixed version of Monster Hunter 4 (which is supposed to be exclusive to Nintendo’s handheld).

With a Monster Hunter title on the horizon for PS Vita, this could also be the proverbial “booster shot to the arm” needed to pull up the system’s reportedly weak sales.

PlayStation Vita releases in February for the US. As more information comes up (particularly on any US release plans for the series) we’ll keep you posted.

In an interesting move of turnabout, Sony has gone the same direction as both Microsoft and the Business Software Alliance (early on supporters of the act) and have removed themselves from the list of supporters. We’re not 100% sure, but maybe the message from Anonymous shook them up?

Nonetheless, Sony isn’t the only one to bow out of their support for an act that has the entire internet mad. Nintendo and EA have also jumped off the bandwagon now after more and more fallout (and possible future spotlight from the hacker group) ensues over the proposal.

For some more clarification, SOPA, along with the PROTECT IP act in the Senate, give content-producing companies the right to order a take down for a website that they believe is infringing on a copyright. If you even host links to content that infringes on a copyright, you have to take it down. Or the law gets involved.

Joystiq managed to get a comment from EA stating that ”EA never expressed a position for or against SOPA.” Sony and Nintendo had yet to respond.

At the moment, not all of Sony’s miscellaneous branches have rescinded their support, as Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Sony Music Entertainment and Sony Music Nashville still appear on the list. Time will tell how long it is before the company has a complete withdrawal, but one message is clear: When stockholders fear for their money, they pay attention to their consumers.

Announcing their intentions to come after Sony once again over Sony’s support of the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA). What’s funny about this latest announcement (decried via YouTube) is that they solely target Sony even though companies just as big and influential as Sony (Microsoft, and Nintendo to name a couple) have also loaned their support to SOPA. Other names were named in their message against SOPA including Kim Kardashian and Lady Gaga, who are all named as supporters of SOPA but the message was really angled against Sony.

I’m not going to preach the legalese involved in what SOPA means, but technically it’s online censorship that threatens to take people offline. You can get a full view of what it’s about on Wikipedia including a list of its supporters (politically and fiscally).

Following all of the developments since the October 25th launch of Battlefield 3, EA has confirmed it will give PS3 Battlefield 3 customers the promised copy of Battlefield 1943 after all and has conveyed their thoughts over the “misunderstandings around Battlefield 1943 and Battlefield 3” on a webpage that explains how to get your free copy of the game.

Over on the webpage, a timeline has been given for when the content is going live. Be sure to follow the instructions!

Things just got a little more interesting in the Battlefield 1943 debacle surrounding the PS3 version of Battlefield 3.

Going back to this summer’s Sony Press Conference at E3, it was announced by SCEA President Jack Tretton that through partnership with EA, Battlefield 3 would include exclusive content only available for the PlayStation 3 version — a free copy of Battlefield 1943. Battlefield 3 was one of 3 different EA titles that was announced to be coming with exclusive content only for PS3. The announcement was well received and was probably the greatest catalyst for purchases of DICE’s hit title on the PS3. Tretton stated that through the use of the extra storage space on Blu-ray discs, one of the most popular PSN games would be bundled with BF3. Sadly, when October 25th came, there was no free game included.

Edelson McGuire, LLC (a legal firm focusing on consumer class actions, political and legal consulting, and entertainment law) has filed a class-action lawsuit against EA on behalf of the consumers who purchased the PS3 for the free copy of Battlefield 1943 because, let’s just face it, it was a real incentive to purchase the PS3 version of Battlefield 3.

The lawsuit states the chief complaint is not about the renege on the offer for the free game to PS3 owners, but ultimately that the offer had been reneged after consumers already made purchases of BF3 with the expectation of receiving BF1943. While customers were scratching their heads and trying to get answers about the missing content from their purchases, EA announced the change to the deal on Twitter instead of a formal venue — a move that resulted in a large group of consumers not even aware an announcement was made.

The suit also explains that the replacement deal of handing out BF3 expansions “early to PS3 customers” as pacifier does not compensate with the loss of a full video game. Furthermore, the suit practically spells out that the BF1943 offer enticed thousands of consumers to purchase the PS3 version over a PC or 360 copy and EA “misled and profited from thousands of their customers by making a promise that they could not, and never intended, to keep.”

Kotaku spoke with lawyers of the firm that reports that those they represent are only after “compensatory relief”. Translation: they only want their copy of Battlefield 1943 as was originally intended.

We’ll keep you posted as more developments take place.

During the maintenance, users will be unable to access the PS Store, PSN account management and registration services, nor the network from PlayStation.com. PS3 owners will still be able to play online during the maintenance and continue to collect in-game Trophies, which will be posted to profiles once PSN is back up.

A word of advice, if there’s anything you want from PSN, you better grab it now because the PlayStation Blog details that players will be unable to access services from 8.00am until 10.00pm PST — a whopping 14 hours!

Sony Computer Entertainment Japan announced today that the UMD Passport will be rolling out for the PSP Vita. The UMD Passport Program will allow PSP owners the ablility to bring most of their catalog to Vita for a discounted price.

To take advantage of the program, all that’s needed is a download of a program for PSP (available December 6), as well as the UMD of the game you’re looking to push onto Vita. After the UMD is loaded, register the game and you’ll be able to download it for Vita at a discount.

Some of the titles part of the scheme include Persona 3 and Gran Turismo, with third-party publishers including Square Enix, Sega, Capcom and Konami onboard.

Vita launches in Japan on December 17. It comes to Europe and the US in February.

Get your affairs in order because February 22, 2012 is about to be a big day for you. At the Web 2.0 Summit Jack Tretton (SCEA President) made the announcement today and Twitter came to life afterwards. The PlayStation Vita officially drops for North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Australia the last week of February 2012!

The Vita will release with two separate models with different prices. The stock (wifi only model) will sell for $249.99 while the 3G model is set at $299.99.

Naughty Dog’s Eric Monacelli revealed that Uncharted 3 has gone gold and there’s going to be a special treat for anyone that purchases the further adventures of Nathan Drake and company.

Purchasers of Uncharted 3 will receive a pass for early access to the Starhawk online beta. Starhawk is a follow-up to the Warhawk series which touts futuristic space warfare. Planned for early 2012, the war game received rave reviews following it’s unveiling at this year’s E3 and purchasers of Uncharted 3 are guaranteed to get a taste of the multiplayer game early.

While Uncharted 3 hits shelves November 1, 2011, there’s no word on when the multiplayer beta for Starhawk will be starting.

Sony’s Chief Information Security Officer, Philip Reitinger explained that login and password information used was obtained from “one or more compromised lists from other companies, sites or other sources.” Reitinger also assured customers that credit card numbers are not at risk. Sony has temporarily locked those approximate across 93,000 PlayStation Network and Sony Online Entertainment accounts and sent e-mail notifications to the account holders requiring them to reset their passwords.

You can read the full statement in a post on the EU PlayStation blog.

It’s that time of year again where a new Madden game brings us a new bundle for the Sony PSP. On August 30th, the Madden 12 & Need For Speed: SHIFT PSP Entertainment Pack will be in stores for the price of $159.99. The pack will feature a black PSP-3000, 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo, and both Madden NFL 12 and Need for Speed: SHIFT on UMD.

Sports fans be ready, the latest Madden game continues the rich tradition of the storied Madden franchise featuring all 32 teams, stadiums, and players. The top features of the game include Superstar and Franchise modes and the opportunity to create your own plays in game. Need for Speed: SHIFT simulates the feeling of driving high-end performance cars and combines a fast-paced racing experience, competitive racing AI, and dynamic crashes across a wide range of technically challenging race tracks

FOSTER CITY, Calif., Aug. 2, 2011 – Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) announced today that leading game developer and long-time partner Sucker Punch Productions, creators of the top-selling Sly Cooper and inFamous franchises, joins the global development operation of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios (SCE WWS). The addition of Sucker Punch Productions furthers SCE’s long-term commitment to creative excellence in game development exclusively on PlayStation® platforms and marks the sixteenth studio to join the SCE WWS family.

“We’ve enjoyed an incredible relationship with Sony that has allowed us to combine our creative design capabilities with their guidance to make some of the best franchises to hit the PlayStation platforms. Equally important, the relationship with SCE has provided us the flexibility and trust to take creative risks and invent new properties,” said Brian Fleming, managing partner, Sucker Punch Productions. “As a part of the Sony Computer Entertainment group we look forward to introducing more innovative content and providing consumers with exciting, new interactive experiences.

Much like The Dark Knight Rises, yesterday saw the interwebs all abuzz when a bootlegged version of the Amazing Spider-Man trailer leaked online. Now there’s been a slightly more official (or less unofficial) release, giving us a clear view of the trailer for the film, which stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Martin Sheen, Sally Fields, and Dennis Leary. A full-on reboot of the Spider-Man franchise, the Mark Webb-directed film once again shows us Peter Parker’s journey from nerdy high shcooler to web-slinging superhero.

I’m still on the fence with this film. I can understand reboots like Batman Begins or X-Men: First Class, where we’re seeing origins that were never covered in previous films, but that isn’t the case here. It just feels a bit too repetitive right now.

If you caught Sony’s E3 show last month, you already know that the upcoming Street Fighter X Tekken is one title Capcom is working on for the Vita. Capcom even added Cole McGrath from Sony’s successful inFamous series to both the Vita and PS3 versions of the game as part of the partnership with Sony.

Reeves didn’t mention names of any other titles that are on the way for Sony’s next generation handheld but was gracious enough to say that the company is preparing one game for launch and teased that another release will be based off a popular IP in Japan.

“…There will be one launch title for Vita. I am not actually sure if it’s been mentioned, so I am not going to, but there will be a launch title for the platform. And then we will do Street Fighter X Tekken, and at least two others. I am sure you can guess what one of them has to be, considering the success in Japan.”

While there isn’t much else to go off of, the popular IP in Japan that Capcom is known for could point directly to the Monster Hunter series. The current PSP title, Monster Hunter Portable 3rd, has shipped over 4.5M copies in the last fiscal year and was even demoed earlier this year on PS Vita (to demonstrate the machine’s backwards compatibility). Capcom also showed off a demo of Lost Planet 2 running on the Vita in order to show the handheld’s ability to handle the MT Framework engine.

The possibilities exist for Sony’s powerhouse of a handheld! Which titles do you think could make the jump onto the platform?

The director of Limitless and The Illusionist, Neil Burger, has signed on to write and direct Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune. After news that David O. Russell had left production of the upcoming movie adaptation, there was a lot of speculation that the movie was sunk. David O. Russell left the project in May after creative differences with Sony (who voiced concerns that the movie adaptation veered too far away from the established franchise) and a lot of fans have cried foul on some of the decisions that O. Russell had made about casting and story. Burger landed the offer after the studio and producers Avi Arad, Ari Arad, Charles Roven and Alex Gartner sparked to his new take on the pic — one that’s more closely tied to the game.

As of now, there’s no word as to whether or not Mark Walberg will stay on the project to play Drake. Given that he and O. Russell have worked together on previous projects including The Fighter, likelihood of him staying is pretty low. There may still be opportunity for Nathan Fillion (Castle, Serenity) to star in the movie if he can find time to film between his own work schedule — and fanboys sign enough petitions. Bradley Cooper who starred in Limitless under Burger’s direction could be a good candidate as well for the lead role.

Sony is high on “Uncharted,” eyeing a film adaptation of the Naughty Dog-produced property as the potential launch of its own “Indiana Jones”-like franchise after the first two games turned into a standout hit exclusive to the PlayStation division. The Uncharted series has released 2 games for the PS3 system with a third installment on the way November 11th and a new story (Uncharted: Golden Abyss) set to release following the launch of Sony’s next handheld console, PlayStation VITA. As more news happens on this hot title movie we’ll keep you posted.

Sony and The PlayStation Network (along with other online platforms affiliated with the media giant) have been through a lot over the past month following a cyber attack that effectively shut down the PSN as well as other services offered online by Sony. As of right now, the PSN still isn’t back 100%. Sony made an announcement over the weekend that a full restoration was to be put out by the end of this week and just like that, suddenly the internet exploded with new reports that more hacks were on the way.

I’ve been paying attention to it all as PSN both went down and limped back from the ashes and my question for everyone is this: How long before we just start calling shenanigans?

If you look closely, there’s been at least 5 separate incidents where someone (you know who you are) has proclaimed that a new attack was on the way for the PSN. In all seriousness, it’s really just a grand case of simple internet terror tactics — at least from where I stand. The internet trolls say’ “We’re coming for you, once more!” In traditional response, the masses go, “Oh no!!”

Sony has been diligently working hard to rebuild the trust with their customers following class action lawsuits, a Congressional inquiry and most importantly, a loss of serious financial capital. In the ‘Age of The Interwebs’ we have to come to grips and realize that there’s simply enough people who fearmonger enough to cause drama and overall hate and discontent.

Bottom line, the statement “Believe only half of what you see, and none of what you hear” sums it all up. What are your overall thoughts on this? Is PSN poised for another attack, or are people cowering in their parents basements just looking for newer ways to yank chains?