HD release adds PlayStation leaderboards and trophies

December 21^st, Brisbane, Australia – Halfbrick, creators of the worldwide phenomenon Fruit Ninja, today announced the launch of its smash-hit title Jetpack Joyride on PS3 and PlayStation Vita, developed by fellow Aussie studio Big Ant.

The fan-favorite flyer will be available as a free download on the Sony Entertainment Network from Friday December 21st in Europe and Monday December 31st in North America. This HD release will also include leaderboards and unlockable trophies, allowing players to battle it out with friends and compete for ultimate glory and bragging rights.

“Jetpack Joyride has come a long way in 2012, and we’re thrilled to bring it to PS3 and Vita,” said Phil Larsen, CMO at Halfbrick. “With the expertise of Big Ant and the huge player base on the Sony Entertainment Network, Barry Steakfries is reaching bigger heights and caps off the year in fine form.”

Down on his luck as a struggling gramophone salesman, Barry comes across the “secret” laboratory of Legitimate Research, a corporation dedicated to developing crazy new technologies. Seizing the chance to become a hero, Barry begins his ride after commandeering a jetpack and making good his escape, where the player jumps in and guides his adventure with accessible one-button gameplay.

Along the way, players must avoid lasers, missiles and electro zappers, all the while grabbing coins and trying out even more ridiculous vehicles – Lil’ Stomper, Profit Bird and the robot dragon himself, Mr. Cuddles! Supporting the action is a robust Stash system, where everyone can track their progress, upgrade their gear and buy new gadgets for Barry. Grab one of many jetpacks including the classic Machine Gun Jetpack or the colorful Rainbow, suit up in a vast wardrobe of unique costumes and make sure Barry’s best friend Flash comes along for the ride!

For more information about Halfbrick please visit:

http://www.halfbrick.com

For more information about Big Ant, please visit:

http://www.bigant.com

The Innovative New Pokémon Adventure Comes To Australia and New Zealand on 10th January, bundled With The Nintendo Wireless Keyboard

21st December 2012 – Those looking for a fun yet challenging way to practise their typing skills will love Learn With Pokémon: Typing Adventure for Nintendo DS, coming to Australia and New Zealand on 10th January 2013 bundled with the Nintendo Wireless Keyboard. Research over 400 Pokémon – including Legendary Pokémon – in this unique, typing-based game.
As you take on the role of the latest member of the Elite Typists’ Club, your typing skills will gradually be tested to the limit as you attempt to accurately type the names of any Pokémon you come across on your journey to help Professor Quentin Werty and his assistant Paige Down with their research.

Fun for beginners and typing pros alike, Learn With Pokémon: Typing Adventure starts you off gently, with early levels only asking you to type the first letter of a Pokémon’s name before moving you on to much more complicated exercises as your typing skills develop.
By typing the name correctly, you will capture each Pokémon in your Typing Ball, allowing your team to research it.

As you progress, you will encounter increasingly rare Pokémon, including the likes of Legendary Pokémon Reshiram and Zekrom from Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version.
The game offers lessons on finger placement as well as other tips to improve the accuracy and speed of your typing. Successfully tackle both aspects to build up combos and earn high scores that will improve your overall typist rank. As you progress, you will be able to unlock up to 60 different, challenging levels, go in search of rarer Pokémon to study, and collect up to 180 medals.
Learn With Pokémon: Typing Adventure comes with a special Nintendo Wireless Keyboard
featuring the standard English language key layout, which has been made to work with this game but may also work with other Bluetooth-compatible products. The package also includes the Nintendo DS Compact Stand that can be used to position your Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi, Nintendo DSi XL, Nintendo 3DS or Nintendo 3DS XL system as your hands use the keyboard.
Perfect for those looking to improve their typing and for fans of Pokémon adventures, Learn With Pokémon: Typing Adventure will launch for the Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS family of consoles on 10th January. For more information, please visit www.pokemon.com.au.
About Pokémon
The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing, marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world. For more information, visit www.pokemon.com.
Contact:
Jamie Wilson
PR & Product Representative
Australia and New Zealand
wilsonj@nal.nintendo.com.au
+61 3 9730 9900 +61 438 180 485
Note to editors: Nintendo press materials and images are available at http://images.nintendo.com.au
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PlayStation^®Plus celebrates the start of 2013 with an outstanding collection of new games including the highly anticipated sequel Bioshock 2

SYDNEY, 20^th December 2012 – Sony Computer Entertainment Australia (SCE Aust.) has today confirmed the hot January 2013 line-up for PlayStation^®Plus (PS Plus) including the critically acclaimed sequel to Bioshock, Bioshock 2. The new titles will be available starting from 3^rd January and from today fans can enjoy a 25% discount off the 1 year Plus membership* from the 20^th December 2012 to the 10^th January 2013!  Fans who are already PS Plus subscribers can also take advantage of the discount by extending their current membership.

Step back into the unforgettable world of Rapture in the next installment of the game that has won more than 50 Game of the year awards and sold more than 2.5 million units worldwide. BioShock 2 provides players with the perfect blend of explosive first person shooter combat, compelling storytelling and intense multiplayer.

On top of BioShock 2, PS Plus subscribers can also look forward to the arrival of Guardians of Middle Earth, from the creators of the greatest fantasy epics of all time Lord of the Rings.  If that wasn’t enough, PS Plus members can dive into the colorful follow-up to the platformer-slash-game design engine Knytt Stories, Knytt Underground, which will be available to subscribers from the 22^nd December to the 23^rd January 2013. Alternatively from the 17^th January, PlayStation®Vita (PS Vita) owners can express their artistic skills by tagging their way around Tokyo in the hit game Jet Set Radio. And,  lastly, Pinball Arcade will be available for PS Vita users to try out from the 24^th January as part of their PS Plus membership. PS Plus users will be able to download these blockbuster titles along with other great releases, directly from their PlayStation^®3 (PS3) and PS Vita system.

PS Plus guarantees members access to a constant library of 14 games and at least five new games a month, which means over 65 games a year for PS3 and PS Vita. Gamers also have access to great PlayStation®Store discounts as part of their subscription package.

PS Plus subscribers receive an array of exclusive features and access, including 2GB cloud storage (1GB for PS3 & 1GB for PS Vita) for game saves which will be welcomed by members keen to take advantage of the Instant Game Collection. Automatic update and beta access, as well as a huge collection of exclusive dynamic themes and PlayStation®Network avatars, makes PS Plus the place to be in 2013.

PS Plus is now available on PS Vita, extending the service to two platforms for a single price of AUD$69.95 (standard, non-discounted price) for a one-year subscription or AUD$19.95 for a 90 day subscription will give users the same fantastic features including exclusive access, special features and huge discounts.