Our grand opening of our first Vita Hill Social Club was an overwhemling success! It was a pleasure to meet the PlayStation community in the Bay Area, and give you a personal introduction to PS Vita. Check out the PlayStation facebook for photos! Stay tuned, we’ll be opening more Social Clubs in more cities soon. Listen to the PlayStation.Blogcast for a hint!

The Drop this week brings Dragon Age II, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit and Final Fantasy VI to PSN.

PlayStation 3

Just Dance 3 (PlayStation Move Support)– Just Dance 3 gives a new twist to the already spontaneous and outrageous dance game. The game kick-starts the party with over 40 tracks that span all kinds of musical genres and include popular artists like “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO, “California Gurls” by Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg, and “Forget You” by Cee Lo Green. Also included are legendary favorites like “I Was Made For Lovin’ You” by Kiss. With a variety of all-new gameplay modes, tracks that allow up to four dancers to uniquely shine, and innovative cardio training options, Just Dance 3 was made to bring the party and keep America dancing!

The Adventures of Tintin – An action-packed adventure that takes gamers on a nonstop journey through the world of Tintin; the hero and intrepid reporter from Herge’s original comic books. Players will rediscover the movie’s enchanting environs including Captain Archibald Haddock’s ship the Karaboudjan, Omar Ben Salaad’s Palace and the exotic city of Bagghar and experience many of Tintin’s exciting adventures.

PlayStation Network

Dragon Age II – Dragon Age II thrusts players into the role of Hawke, a penniless refugee who rises to power to become the single most important character in the world of Dragon Age. Known to be a survivor of the Blight and the Champion of Kirkwall, the legend around Hawke’s rise to power is shrouded in myth and rumor. Featuring an all-new story spanning 10 years, players will help tell that tale by making tough moral choices, gathering the deadliest of allies, amassing fame and fortune, and sealing their place in history. The way you play will write the story of how the world is changed forever.

Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit – The game features Need for Speed Autolog where players compare racing stats and automatically get personalized gameplay recommendations from their friends. Need for Speed Hot Pursuit players can also experience the thrill of the chase and the rush of the escape as they play through full careers as both a cop and a racer – solo or connected. The high speed busts and heart-stopping getaways are all connected via Need for Speed Autolog.

Wanted Corp. – Traversing dangerous terrain through four different campaigns, players wield a variety of weapons and kinetic powers – machine guns, grenades, telekinesis, protective shields and lightning – to eliminate or arrest more than 26 various kinds of enemies including fierce bosses, sentry robots and mechanical spiders. Environments also pose challenges as shooters must navigate obstacles while battling opponents in diverse settings such as hostile jungles, murky swamps and a secret, underground base.

Demos

• Goldeneye 007: Reloaded
• Rage
• Burgertime: World Tour

PSone Classics

Final Fantasy VI – Ages ago, evil beings created powerful creatures called Espers and unleashed them against each other. The resulting battles turned their world into smoldering rubble. Legend has it that the Espers destroyed themselves and most of humanity. Magic disappeared forever.

Centuries have passed, and a rational world now exists with Espers living only in myths. Suddenly, after an ancient frozen Esper is unearthed, there are reports of magic attacks on civilians. Imperial Commandos launch raids using magic-powered MagiTek weapons. Magic is obviously alive, and the world is in danger again. Who or what is behind the rediscovery and redeployment of this legendary power? What chaotic plans will wreak havoc on this orderly world?

[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.]

What better way to celebrate the arrival of PlayStation’s most anticipated game of the year than with a blowout review? PTOM’s holiday issue cover feature breaks down the highs (many) and the lows (not many) of UNCHARTED 3: Drake’s Deception. Yes, it’s bigger and better than its predecessor in nearly every expected way, but even we were surprised by what emerged as the game’s defining trait.

The holiday season always means a deluge of games to review, but the quality of titles available this year is unprecedented. Check out our verdicts on Batman: Arkham City, Saints Row: The Third, and Rayman Origins and you may come to same conclusion we have: Our friends and family had better be generous this year ’cause we can’t afford all this gaming goodness.

But if your thoughts run more toward giving than getting (sucker), PTOM’s annual Holiday Gift Guide offers up the best gamer loot..er, presents of the season. The PTOM staff even makes personal appearances in the feature and share their most precious memories of Christmas’ past for your mocking pleasure.

Previews? You want previews? How about our first play impressions of Rockstar’s Max Payne 3? We also go hands-on with Final Fantasy XIII-2, Mass Effect 3, and Syndicate, along with extended play sessions on a bevy of PS Vita titles including Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Resistance: Burning Skies, and up-and-comer Gravity Rush. The Vita preview barrage continues with 10 reasons why RPG fans should love the new portable system.

But we’ve saved the best for last…the last page of the magazine, that is. PTOM has been smitten with the holiday spirit and we’ve teamed with Mad Catz to give away three spectacular prize bundles. Flip to page 96 of PTOM’s Holiday issue, available on newsstands November 22, for entry details. Oh, and Happy Holidays everyone!

Two of the biggest award-winning franchises return to the PS3 this week with The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. Quantic Dream’s cinematic thriller Heavy Rain receives a Director’s Cut loaded with DLC, the complete soundtrack, and bonus making-of features (my favorite!). Fans of Metal Gear Solid can look forward to playing MGS2: Sons of Liberty, MGS3: Snake Eater and MGS: Peace Walker with the Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection on Blu-ray.

Io the digital storefront, digital versions of EA’s Fight Night Champion and Dead Space 2 arrive on PSN ready to download this Tuesday. Also on PSN, classics return this week with Chrono Cross for PSone and two new PS2 classics. The PS3 brings yet another fantastic week of blockbusters on this week’s The Drop.

PlayStation 3

Heavy Rain: Director’s Cut (PlayStation Move Support) – Heavy Rain is a cinematic and evolving thriller from Quantic Dream, the developer behind the critically acclaimed Fahrenheit (released as Indigo Prophecy in the US). Dealing with a range of adult themes, the game revolves around a sophisticated plot and strong narrative threads that explore a complex moral proposition. You assume the role of multiple characters, with very different backgrounds, motivations and skills, in a world shaped by Bending Storylines – a dynamic narrative design where your actions and decisions will shape your story. The Director’s Cut includes the original game, Heavy Rain Chronicles: Episode 1 – The Taxidermist DLC, a series of eight “making of” bonus videos, the game’s soundtrack, three dynamic themes and more.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 – War comes home in the explosive third chapter of the blockbuster first-person action series set in near-future combat scenarios.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – The Empire of Tamriel is on the edge. The High King of Skyrim has been murdered. Alliances form as claims to the throne are made. In the midst of this conflict, a far more dangerous, ancient evil is awakened. Dragons, long lost to the passages of the Elder Scrolls, have returned to Tamriel. The future of Skyrim, even the Empire itself, hangs in the balance as they wait for the prophesized Dragonborn to come; a hero born with the power of The Voice, and the only one who can stand amongst the dragons.

Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection – Accept the mission and play three great chapters in the Metal Gear franchise with the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection. Included are Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. All three games are rendered in high-definition for the first time!

LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 (Also on PSP) – LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 builds upon the magical gameplay, lessons and potion-making skills learned in LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 to equip gamers with the tools necessary to challenge a host of new foes and some familiar ones. The game is action-packed from start to finish, including loads of new lessons, spells, and bonus content for hours of family friendly gaming.

Happy Feet Two: The Videogame – Happy Feet Two is a 3D musical adventure game for the entire family inspired by the whimsical Antarctic world of the animated film. In the game, new dangers are threatening the penguin nation, and it’s going to take everyone working — and dancing — together to save them from extinction. Players use dance moves to recruit penguins with unique abilities that help advance the adventure, stun opponents and enemies, as well as manipulate the environment around them to solve co-operative puzzles.

PlayStation Network

Fight Night Champion – Step into the ring for this 2011 entry in the knockout king boxing franchise. Fight Night Champion sets out to define a new standard in sports videogames by delivering the most dynamic simulation fighting experience to date, pushing visual boundaries and redefining the single player journey for the category.

Dead Space 2 – In Dead Space 2, Isaac brings the terror to space. Players will take on bigger, scarier and more epic battles that will keep them on the edge of their seats. Delivering a sensory overload of sound, visuals and action sequences, Dead Space 2 will bring the psychological thrills of deep space to a terrifying new level.

Monopoly Streets – Monopoly Streets has everything you love about the board game, presented as a street level tour of Mr. Monopoly’s fully animated world. Players can experience Monopoly, one of the world’s favorite family game brands, as a fully dynamic, living, 3D world that continuously evolves with the videogame action.

Demos

• Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One
• Disney Universe
• Rayman Origins
• Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7

PSone Classics

CHRONO CROSS – The sequel to CHRONO TRIGGER, is one of the most ambitious role-playing games ever made. There are over 40 playable characters, each with their back-story, special moves, abilities, and weapons. The story spans two discs and follows the story of Serge, a young man who is able to cross dimensions. Suddenly he is pulled between worlds, trying to figure out his own past at the same time. The graphics are bright and beautiful, utilizing the PlayStation’s capabilities to the fullest. The polygonal character models are huge and detailed, and the pre-rendered backgrounds are immaculately detailed. The music is composed and arranged by Yasunori Mitsuda, and features very realistic-sounding synthesizers.

PS2 Classics

Full Spectrum Warrior – Full Spectrum Warrior is based on a real-time squad-based strategy game commissioned by the U.S. Army to train light Infantry troops in urban combat situations. Soldiers are placed in a tense, hostile, and claustrophobic environment where they must complete a variety of military objectives. Players act as the Squad Leader, providing direction to Alpha and Bravo fire teams. The successful Squad Leader effectively uses cover in the environment and moves his fire teams in a coordinated fashion so they can protect themselves from possible attacks that could come from any direction. Full Spectrum Warrior puts you in the dirt with your men, where danger lurks around every corner.

Stuntman Ignition – Developed by Paradigm Studios and published by THQ, Stuntman Ignition puts you in the driver’s seat as you create spectacular Hollywood moments such as monstrous jumps, fantastic explosions and large-scale crashes. In this second entry entry into the popular series, you’ll live the life of a famous Hollywood stuntman, building your career from the ground up and taking death defying stunts to a whole new level.

PlayStation Portable

Cars 2: The Video Game – Jump into the Cars 2 universe with some of your favorite Cars personalities such as Mater, Lightning McQueen, Holley Shiftwell, and even Finn McMissile in exotic locations around the globe.

[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.]