Weekend Essentials - Issue 38

Share the latest PlayStation news on Facebook, explore a crazy universe with Earthworm Jim, the best Depeche Mode SongPack to hit the SingStore and more, in this edition of Weekend Essentials.

PlayStation Australia on Facebook

The PlayStation Australia Fan Page is now up and running on Facebook and features tonnes of PS3, PSP and PSN entertainment for you to peruse. 'Like' the page and you'll hear about the latest announcements, mini-games and apps, plus exclusive downloads and competitions for our Facebook friends.

Check out the Official PlayStation Australia Fan Page on Facebook.

Start spreading the news

Want to share the latest PlayStation news with your friends? Want to recommend your favourite PlayStation titles to others? You can now share your favourite PlayStation products and content on au.playstation.com using your Facebook account details.

If you see some breaking news or a competition that you think the world should know about, simply select Recommend on the page, and it will appear in your friends' newsfeed on Facebook. You can also let your friends know which games are the pick of your crop by clicking Like on the game page.

Don't forget that you can also show off your hard-earned trophies on your Facebook profile. Simply link your Facebook account to your PlayStation Network ID and install the PSN application to your Facebook profile. You'll be able to check out your PSN friends list, look at their PSN status to see if they're online, view their trophy collection and invite Facebook friends to become PSN friends.

Log in to your Facebook account now and start sharing your news, games and triumphs with friends.

Downloads and demos

This week Earthworm Jim HD launched on PlayStation Store. Join him on his quest to rescue Princess What's-Her-Name across a weird and wacky galaxy of surprises.

Also available on PlayStation Store this week is a brand new demo for Madden NFL 11. Keeping with the sporting theme, there are now downloads available for Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11. Get your hands on some fantastic new courses, from the notoriously challenging Pebble Beach, Florida, to a fantasy, vine-covered course set in an exotic Mexican jungle.

Also in store, minis titles Brick Breaker, Labyrinth and Tetraminos, a demo for the critically acclaimed PSN exclusive title Flower, a Map and Characters pack for Transformers: War For Cybertron, and the original, massively popular PONG available now to download for PS3 and PSP, plus heaps more!

Head over to PlayStation Store now to check out the latest downloads.

Just Can't Get Enough... SingStar?

We've been hanging for the latest SingStore update which includes yet another Depeche Mode SongPack - this time featuring Everything Counts, I Feel You, Personal Jesus, Precious and Shake The Disease. The latest update also includes The Mighty Mighty Bosstones hit The Impression That I Get, the classic tune Tempted by English band Squeeze, The Beach Boys classic God Only Knows, and everyone's favourite, U2, with Pride (In The Name Of Love).

A new chapter in fighting game history

This week saw both Capcom and NAMCO BANDAI announce that development is underway on two brand new fighting games, one to be developed by each company, featuring characters from both companies' flagship fighting franchises, Street Fighter and TEKKEN.

Street Fighter X TEKKEN, to be developed by Capcom for PlayStation®3, will feature TEKKEN characters making their debut in the Street Fighter world. Meanwhile, NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.'s TEKKEN X Street Fighter will feature Street Fighter characters bringing the fight to the TEKKEN universe. This collaboration is one fighting games fans have been dreaming of.

PlayStation.Blog just keeps getting better

Over at PlayStation.Blog, a few changes have been made to make your blog experience even more involving. You can now watch videos from the blog on the PS3 browser so you are always up to date with the latest news, as well as share any blog posts that take your fancy with your Facebook friends.

Watch out for more new features coming to PlayStation.Blog soon.

Keep an eye on PlayStation Blog at blog.au.playstation.com for the latest PlayStation news as it happens.

Be sure to opt in to receive PlayStation emails when you sign up for a PlayStation Network account. If you already have an account, sign in to your PlayStation Network account settings at au.playstation.com/registration or via the XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) and opt in. That way, you can keep bang up to date and receive the latest PlayStation news direct to your inbox.