At CES, we scored a backstage demo of Table Soccer, one of three augmented reality games that show off PS Vita’s Wide Area Augmented Reality capability.

Today, Sony Santa Monica Sr. Manager Dave Thach returns with two new augmented reality games, Fireworks and Cliff Diving. Both are part of the Augmented Reality Suite coming exclusively to PS Vita on Feb 22nd on PSN for free. Also, packaged with your PS Vita will be six AR cards which will also work with Reality Fighters, and other great AR experiences.

Fireworks transforms the world around you into a firework display where you’ll literally touch the apex of the firework for multipliers, combos and points. Cliff Diving introduces you to diver Dave, where you’ll have him diving off your coffee table into a virtual body of water.

Before you check out this video, make sure you watch our very first tour with Table Soccer which completes the AR Suite on PS Vita.

Instead of telling you more, I’ll let Dave Thach show you!

Twisted Metal is nearly here, and to celebrate the return of our beloved PlayStation franchise, we’ve sweetened up this week’s The Drop with a demo on PSN. Get your skills checked and in-order just in-time for our big Twisted Metal community event on Thursday, February 2nd.

Blu-ray releases make their triumphant return this week with a sequel, to a sequel. Final Fantasy XIII-2 changes things up with an adventure to search for the missing Lightning. New heroes join returning warriors in the fray that is SoulCalibur V. Wield a butterfly design-inspired sword and an arsenal of guns to decimate waves of ungodly enemies in the not-too-distant future in NeverDead.

On the digital front, guide fluid through several booby trapped mazes, in the physics based and puzzle/platform game, Puddle. The full PS3 version of Madden NFL 12, brings all 32 teams, stadiums and all your favorite player in the league to PSN. Join Hiro, the smallest hero on the biggest adventure, as he embarks on an epic and electrifying quest to restore harmony to a world on the brink of chaos with Mini Ninjas. This week’s The Drop brings us pig skins, puddles, medicated psychopath and miniature ninjas. Just another Sunday afternoon at PlayStation.

PlayStation 3

Final Fantasy XIII-2 – Cocoon, a utopia in the sky. Its inhabitants believed their world a paradise. Under the Sanctum’s rule, Cocoon had long known peace and prosperity. Mankind was blessed by its protectors, the benevolent fal’Cie, and believed that tranquil days would continue forever. Their tranquillity was shattered with the discovery of one hostile fal’Cie.

The moment that fal’Cie from Pulse – the feared and detested lowerworld – awoke from its slumber, peace on Cocoon came to an end. Fal’Cie curse humans, turning them into magic-wielding servants. They become l’Cie – chosen of the fal’Cie. Those branded with the mark of a l’Cie carry the burden of either fulfilling their Focus or facing a fate harsher than death itself. A prayer for redemption.

A wish to protect the world. A promise to challenge destiny. After thirteen days of fates intertwined, the battle begins…

Set several years after Lightning and the others saved Cocoon, some survivors have decided to start over by rebuilding on Gran Pulse. Lightning, however, is nowhere to be found and thought dead by many, but Serah believes otherwise. When her town is suddenly overrun by monsters, a mysterious man named Noel appears to save her. Together, the two set off to find Lightning…

SoulCalibur V – SoulCalibur V picks up 17 years after the events of SoulCalibur IV with new heroes and returning warriors clashing in an epic showdown between good and evil. The tale of Patroklos, son of Sophitia Alexandra, unfolds as his family’s destiny intertwines with the Soul swords.

NeverDead – NeverDead is a third-person action game set in a fantasy and horror-influenced universe where supernatural battles between humans and extraordinary creatures blanketa vast city landscape. Gamers wield a butterfly design-inspired sword and an arsenal of guns to decimate waves of ungodly enemies in the not-too-distant future.

The game begins in the waking hours of peace and calm, when the world is under threat of being consumed by a demonic plague. Centuries have passed since the world succumbed to an unforeseen shadow of evil, and a hero was made an immortal by demons. These demons have risen once again in the present day causing unrelenting mayhem reinforced by destructible environments within the game. Now using his immortalic regenerative powers re-assembling his own body to evade death, the hero carries out the only salvation the world will know, for he is Never Dead.

PlayStation Network

Madden NFL 12 (Full PS3 Game) – Madden NFL 12 continues the rich tradition of the storied franchise by bringing fans closer to the NFL than ever before. Featuring all 32 teams, stadiums, and all your favorite players in the league, Madden NFL 12 is True to the Game. All-new collision system, advanced defensive A.I. enhancements highlight the 2012 edition’s improved feature set, with Custom Playbooks also added provide a more authentic gameplay experience. Franchise mode includes more than 100 new features and enhancements, while Superstar mode now allows fans to control the growth of their superstar with an all-new progression system. Dynamic Player Performance creates unprecedented realism as a player’s skills and confidence will rise and fall based on his performance throughout a game or in Franchise mode, just like the real NFL.

Puddle (Demo Available) – Experience a brilliantly designed physics-based puzzle/platform game where you must guide a puddle of fluid to its target destination, not by moving the fluid, but by tilting the game world. The player must work with friction, momentum, and the unique properties of each type of fluid and environment to send as much of each puddle past fires, rifts, potential spills and more. But watch out: the fluid motion is realistic! Tilt too quickly and you will lose control.

Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days (Full PS3 Game) – Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days is a raw and brutal crime shooter designed to take players on an even more intense story experience, following two of gaming’s most disturbed criminals, through the gritty Shanghai underworld. Introducing a new visual experience, Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days is inspired by documentary filmmakers and the user-generated era. Every aspect of the game has been designed to deliver a fresh perspective to the words ‘intensity’ and ‘realism’ in videogames.

Kane & Lynch: Dead Men (Full PS3 Game) – Kane & Lynch: Dead Men is a violent and chaotic journey of two men – a flawed mercenary and a medicated psychopath – and their brutal attitude towards right and wrong. Now, they must partner up as a mess of cash makes for hell on Earth in this co-op action game.   

Mini Ninjas (Full PS3 Game) – Prepare yourself for a Ninja adventure like you have never seen before! Use your skills and mighty Ninja training to battle a magical army of evil Samurai. Harness the power of your Kuji magic and utilise the special skills of your Mini Ninja friends as you travel through a perilous world to reach the final confrontation with the Evil Samurai Warlord in his Fortress of Doom.

Demos

• Twisted Metal
• Syndicate

PlayStation Portable

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Impact (PSN Download) – Featuring large-scale battles against massive groups of enemies, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Impact puts players in the middle of epic fights as their favorite Naruto Shippuden characters through electrifying single-player and multiplayer modes. Deliver an action-packed and dynamic fighting experience, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Impact lets players unleash their honed Jutsu skills through exciting single-player and multiplayer modes. Story Battle lets fans become part of explosive Naruto Shippuden fights straight from the anime with more events and battle sequences than ever before on the PSP.

[Editor’s Note: The following dates are subject to change. Game details are gathered from Press Releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]

Twisted Metal is nearly here, and to celebrate the return of our beloved PlayStation franchise, we’ve sweetened up this week’s The Drop with a demo on PSN. Get your skills checked and in-order just in-time for our big Twisted Metal community event on Thursday, Febuary 2nd.

Blu-ray releases make their triumphant return this week with a sequel, to a sequel. Final Fantasy XIII-3 changes things up with an adventure to search for the missing Lighting. New heroes join returning warriors in the fray that is SoulCalibur V. Wield a butterfly design-inspired sword and an arsenal of guns to decimate waves of ungodly enemies in the not-too-distant future in NeverDead.

On the digital front, guide fluid through several booby trapped mazes, in the physics based and puzzle/platform game, Puddle. The full PS3 version of Madden NFL 12, brings all 32 teams, stadiums and all your favorite player in the league to PSN. Join Hiro, the smallest hero on the biggest adventure, as he embarks on an epic and electrifying quest to restore harmony to a world on the brink of chaos with Mini Ninjas. This week’s The Drop brings us pig skins, puddles, medicated psychopath and miniature ninjas. Just another Sunday afternoon at PlayStation.

PlayStation 3

Final Fantasy XIII-3 – Cocoon, a utopia in the sky. Its inhabitants believed their world a paradise. Under the Sanctum’s rule, Cocoon had long known peace and prosperity. Mankind was blessed by its protectors, the benevolent fal’Cie, and believed that tranquil days would continue forever. Their tranquillity was shattered with the discovery of one hostile fal’Cie.

The moment that fal’Cie from Pulse – the feared and detested lowerworld – awoke from its slumber, peace on Cocoon came to an end. Fal’Cie curse humans, turning them into magic-wielding servants. They become l’Cie – chosen of the fal’Cie. Those branded with the mark of a l’Cie carry the burden of either fulfilling their Focus or facing a fate harsher than death itself. A prayer for redemption.

A wish to protect the world. A promise to challenge destiny. After thirteen days of fates intertwined, the battle begins…

Set several years after Lightning and the others saved Cocoon, some survivors have decided to start over by rebuilding on Gran Pulse. Lightning, however, is nowhere to be found and thought dead by many, but Serah believes otherwise. When her town is suddenly overrun by monsters, a mysterious man named Noel appears to save her. Together, the two set off to find Lightning…

SoulCalibur V – SoulCalibur V picks up 17 years after the events of SoulCalibur IV with new heroes and returning warriors clashing in an epic showdown between good and evil. The tale of Patroklos, son of Sophitia Alexandra, unfolds as his family’s destiny intertwines with the Soul swords.

NeverDead – NeverDead is a third-person action game set in a fantasy and horror-influenced universe where supernatural battles between humans and extraordinary creatures blanketa vast city landscape. Gamers wield a butterfly design-inspired sword and an arsenal of guns to decimate waves of ungodly enemies in the not-too-distant future.

The game begins in the waking hours of peace and calm, when the world is under threat of being consumed by a demonic plague. Centuries have passed since the world succumbed to an unforeseen shadow of evil, and a hero was made an immortal by demons. These demons have risen once again in the present day causing unrelenting mayhem reinforced by destructible environments within the game. Now using his immortalic regenerative powers re-assembling his own body to evade death, the hero carries out the only salvation the world will know, for he is Never Dead.

PlayStation Network

Madden NFL 12 (Full PS3 Game) – Madden NFL 12 continues the rich tradition of the storied franchise by bringing fans closer to the NFL than ever before. Featuring all 32 teams, stadiums, and all your favorite players in the league, Madden NFL 12 is True to the Game. All-new collision system, advanced defensive A.I. enhancements highlight the 2012 edition’s improved feature set, with Custom Playbooks also added provide a more authentic gameplay experience. Franchise mode includes more than 100 new features and enhancements, while Superstar mode now allows fans to control the growth of their superstar with an all-new progression system. Dynamic Player Performance creates unprecedented realism as a player’s skills and confidence will rise and fall based on his performance throughout a game or in Franchise mode, just like the real NFL.

Puddle (Demo Available) – Experience a brilliantly designed physics-based puzzle/platform game where you must guide a puddle of fluid to its target destination, not by moving the fluid, but by tilting the game world. The player must work with friction, momentum, and the unique properties of each type of fluid and environment to send as much of each puddle past fires, rifts, potential spills and more. But watch out: the fluid motion is realistic! Tilt too quickly and you will lose control.

Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days (Full PS3 Game) – Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days is a raw and brutal crime shooter designed to take players on an even more intense story experience, following two of gaming’s most disturbed criminals, through the gritty Shanghai underworld. Introducing a new visual experience, Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days is inspired by documentary filmmakers and the user-generated era. Every aspect of the game has been designed to deliver a fresh perspective to the words ‘intensity’ and ‘realism’ in videogames.

Kane & Lynch: Dead Men (Full PS3 Game) – Kane & Lynch: Dead Men is a violent and chaotic journey of two men – a flawed mercenary and a medicated psychopath – and their brutal attitude towards right and wrong. Now, they must partner up as a mess of cash makes for hell on Earth in this co-op action game.   

Mini Ninjas (Full PS3 Game) – Prepare yourself for a Ninja adventure like you have never seen before! Use your skills and mighty Ninja training to battle a magical army of evil Samurai. Harness the power of your Kuji magic and utilise the special skills of your Mini Ninja friends as you travel through a perilous world to reach the final confrontation with the Evil Samurai Warlord in his Fortress of Doom.

Demos

• Twisted Metal
• Syndicate

PlayStation Portable

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Impact (PSN Download) – Featuring large-scale battles against massive groups of enemies, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Impact puts players in the middle of epic fights as their favorite Naruto Shippuden characters through electrifying single-player and multiplayer modes. Deliver an action-packed and dynamic fighting experience, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Impact lets players unleash their honed Jutsu skills through exciting single-player and multiplayer modes. Story Battle lets fans become part of explosive Naruto Shippuden fights straight from the anime with more events and battle sequences than ever before on the PSP.

[Editor’s Note: The following dates are subject to change. Game details are gathered from Press Releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]

Demos for The Darkness II (my favorite debut at PAX East 2011) and UFC Undisputed 3 headline this week’s The Drop with enough doses of awesome to quench your thirst until their full upcoming releases. PixelJunk Shooter receives the demo treatment as well, giving you absolutely no reason not to play another PixelJunk gem!

Full PS3 downloads of Duke Nukem: Forever and Mortal Kombat (also confirmed for PS Vita) bring your favorite badass kicking and bubble-gum chewing franchises to the digital era on PSN.

Finally, make sure to wrap up your week in gaming with the 9th episode of the PlayStation Blogcast (miss me?) Enjoy this week’s The Drop.

PlayStation Network

Duke Nukem: Forever – Put on your sunglasses and prepare to step into the boots of Duke Nukem, whose legend has reached epic proportions in the years since his last adventure. The alien hordes are back and only Duke can save the world, again. Pig cops, alien shrink rays and enormous alien bosses won’t stop our hero from accomplishing his one and only goal: to save the world, save the babes and to be a bad-ass while doing it.

ScaryGirl (Demo Available) – Based on Nathan Jurevicius’ Scarygirl graphic novel — winner of the 2009 Aurealis Award for Best Illustrated Book/Graphic novel — Scarygirl presents a wondrous adventure into a distinctive and beautifully bizarre world. The main character Scarygirl is an abandoned child with a tentacle arm who dresses like a pirate, and is haunted by a strange man in her dreams. She sets out into the world to discover the meaning behind her bad dreams, but Scarygirl is hardly helpless, as she has a tentacle-powered arsenal up her sleeve.

Mortal Kombat – Driven by an all new graphics engine, the fan favorite series is back and presented in more gory detail than ever before. Mortal Kombat (known as Mortal Kombat 9 by the fans) introduces a number of game-play features including tag team and the deepest story mode of any fighting game. Players can choose from an extensive lineup of the game’s iconic warriors and challenge their friends in traditional 1 vs. 1 matches, or take on several new game modes.

Demos

• PixelJunk SideScroller
• The Darkness II
• UFC Undisputed 3

minis

• Bermuda Triangle
• Gold Medalist
• Stick Man Rescue

[Editor’s Note: The following dates are subject to change. Game details are gathered from Press Releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]

PlayStation Network

Shadow of the Colossus – Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment’s team behind the critically acclaimed ICO. Players take the role of a young man seeking the truth of an ancient tale of power hidden in a mystical land. Shadow of the Colossus is a majestic journey through ancient lands to seek out and destroy gigantic mythical beasts. With a trusty horse at your side, players explore the spacious lands and unearth each towering Colossus creature. The uneasy task of defeating a Colossus relies on intelligent puzzle solving and action oriented gameplay. Armed with strong wits, a mystical sword and a sturdy bow, players use cunning and strategy to topple each behemoth. This re-release of the classic adventure game Shadow of the Colossus has been remastered for HD resolution and 3D displays, and also offers full PlayStation Network Trophy support.

ICO – In Sony Computer Entertainment’s exclusive adventure ICO, a young boy with horns is born in every generation to be traditionally sacrificed in order to cleanse the local community of evil spirits. This generation’s boy (and title character), however, tries to change his fate completely by fleeing from his would-be executioners and joining up with a captured princess to escape a gigantic castle. During his quest for survival ICO will have to make his way through vast environments overrun by challenging puzzles (including brainteasers and mazes) as he battles against an army of evil apparitions while leading his princess through the secluded fortress. This re-release of the classic adventure game ICO has been remastered for HD resolution and 3D displays, and also offers full PlayStation Network Trophy support.

Amy – From the original creator of Flashback, Amy is an innovative survival horror title. The cooperative gameplay featured in Amy is a deep and unique system that requires players to strategize in order to protect Amy and keep both characters alive. Unlike other games with a secondary character, Amy is neither a super warrior, nor a docile character that follows along. Players must use Amy’s size and special abilities to their advantage by keeping her close in order to ward off the virus, and having her complete tasks that Lana can’t. For both to survive, Lana must stop at nothing to keep Amy safe.

Zack Zero (PSN Exclusive) – Help Zack Zero save his beloved Marlene using the power of fire, ice and rock. Embark on an action-packed platform adventure that combines crisp 3D graphics with classic 2D platform action. Master 10 unique skills as you defeat enemies with a variety of creative attacks to reach Zack’s maximum power. Rise to the top of the online leader boards via PlayStation Network.

Cars 2: The Video Game – Cars 2: The Video Game brings players inside the international training center CHROME (Command Headquarters for Recon Operations and Motorized Espionage), where they choose from more than 20 different characters and train to become world class spies. As part of their international training, they will participate in simulated hazardous missions using high-tech gadgets to evade and slow down adversaries.

Crysis 2 – Whether played in 3D or standard 2D, Crysis 2 drops players into a devastated New York in the midst of an attack by a frightening alien species. The alien enemies are armed with deadly weaponry and exceptional sensory abilities that test players’ skill and push them to the limit. These terrifying invaders stalk the streets of New York, leaving the streets in chaos and the skyline in flaming ruin.

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Vegas – The stakes are high when the world’s most elite counter-terrorism unit enters Las Vegas, where over 36.7 million men, women and children visit each year. “Sin City,” the home of the famous Las Vegas Strip, flashy hotels, high-rolling casinos and world-famous celebrities, becomes the setting for a terrorist threat of global proportions. What happens when one of the world’s most famous cities is held hostage by terrorists?

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Double Agent – Veteran agent Sam Fisher is back. But he’s never faced an enemy like this before. To stop a devastating terrorist attack, he must infiltrate a vicious terrorist group and destroy it from within. For the first time ever, experience the relentless tension and gut-wrenching dilemmas of life as a double agent. As you infiltrate a terrorist organization in its American headquarters, you must carefully weigh the consequences of your actions. Kill too many criminals and you’ll blow your cover. Hesitate too long and millions will die. Do whatever it takes to complete your mission, but get out alive.

Demos

• Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning
• Castlevania: Harmony of Despair

[Editor’s Note: The following dates are subject to change. Game details are gathered from Press Releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]

Welcome back and happy new year, to what will surely be an amazing and ambitious year for the PS3 and the long awaited PS Vita.

The Drop returns this new year with Final Fantasy Origins on PSone Classics. Sports Champions, the must have PS Move game for all fans of precision motion controlling is a full digital download on PSN. Inspired by Asian mythology and fused with science fiction, Asura’s Wrath awaits your button mashing skills with a downloadable demo. Also, you heard it on the sixth episode of PlayStation BlogCast first, Final Fantasy XIII-2 gets its own demo as well! Enjoy this week’s The Drop.

PlayStation Network

Sports Champions (PS Move Compatible) – Reign supreme as the ultimate sports champion as you crush, spike and smoke the competition in this ultimate sports showdown. Sports Champions introduces players to six sports challenges that leverage the PlayStation Move’s precise gameplay and 1-to-1 control. So whether you’re tossing a disc toward a target, spiking a ball, or perfecting your serve, Sports Champions precisely simulates your exact movement, delivering a realistic and ultra-sensory experience. Casual gamers will enjoy Sports Champions’ intuitive pick-up and play gameplay, while core gamers will find the game’s precision and accuracy challenging as they strive to perfect their athletic techniques and take home the win.

Toy Story 3: The Video Game (PS Move Compatible) – The PlayStation 3 version of Toy Story 3 gives gamers even more excitement with exclusively feature content and gameplay. Emperor Zurg, one of the most beloved villains of the Toy Story franchise, is a playable character here in the game’s Toy Box mode. As the sworn enemy of the Galactic Alliance, Emperor Zurg enters the video game’s Toy Box mode complete with his sphere-shooting cannon and speed on wheels to unleash mayhem on Woody’s Western Town.

In addition, Toy Story 3: The Video Game is designed to be one of the first games to market featuring gameplay compatible with the PlayStation Move motion controller. Following the game’s launch, PS3 players can download mini-games that become playable with the PlayStation Move once players have this motion controller technology in their hands.

Crazy Machines Elements (Demo Available) – In grand Crazy Machines tradition, players must create wacky chain reactions using different parts and accomplish the tasks set out in their mission, from knocking vases over to blowing out candles. Players can also use lots of new parts besides the elements, including cloud machines, pinwheels and flamethrowers.

Choplifter HD – Choplifter returns with 21st century graphics and a new twist on classic game play, allowing you to take control of a variety of different helicopters on over 20 missions. Bank, hover and sidestep around danger to drop down and rescue innocent lives.

Demos

• Asura’s Wrath
• Grand Slam Tennis 2
• Final Fantasy XIII-2
• Wanted Corp

minis

• Mecho Wars

PSone Classic

Final Fantasy: Origins – The two-game collection that almost completely remakes the original Final Fantasy, and the formerly Japan-only release Final Fantasy II, Final Fantasy Origins adds revamped graphics and new event scenes that further engross the player in the emotional storyline.

Saving is no longer restricted to certain locations with the addition of the Memo File function. Multiple gameplay modes allow players to customize game difficulty when beginning a new quest. CG movies and stills have been added throughout the game, taking the story to new cinematic heights. Improved sound quality, new opening themes, and an added art gallery deepen the game experience.

[Editor’s Note: The following dates are subject to change. Game details are gathered from Press Releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]