Black Friday and all its horror will soon be upon us, and the Internet has gotten its talons on GameStop's list of ludicrous offers. The list is absolutely huge, some great bundles such as a PS3 with God of War: Collection and LittleBigPlanet for $299, and tens of dollars to be saved on all sorts of games.

While we're here, how many of you are planning to venture out and brave the crowds of braying imbeciles next week? Is the lure of cheap stuff you've never needed enough to make you part of the dignity-sucking problem, or are you going to be like me and hide under a pile of coats until it all goes away?

While you answer, hit the jump for the list of GameStop chicanery.

The cure for a problematic blank screen, a messy desk, and the urge to answer a phone while it’s ringing is Peggle. I’ve been using it for years to avoid doing what I’m supposed to be doing or to procrastinate even more. It’s not quite bourbon, which does the same job I’ve discovered, but it’s good enough. And as promised, is now available on PSN for the first time ever. Hard to believe it didn’t touch the PS3 beforehand.

In addition to Peggle, the PS Store sees the release of adhocParty, the PSOne Classic Resident Evil 2, Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines, and a price reduction on Uno. It’s not quite a blockbuster week, but it’s not like you’d find the time to play a huge game with Peggle available anyway.

Check below the fold for a short list of the new releases and hit the official PS blog for the descriptions, as well as a list of wallpaper releases and other various loosely game-related things.

Late this afternoon, SCE made it possible to compete in Internet multiplayer matches while on the toilet. And it was as easy as offering US PSP owners a downloadable app that works around ad hoc functionality.

The app is called adhocParty. It may seem fresh, but it isn’t -- it has been available in Japan for some time, allowing the droves of Monster Hunter PSP players to connect without having to be near each other. Regardless of newness, adhocParty has just been released in the US as a free download via the PS Store.

As explained in a PS blog video, a PS3 is needed to make the app clap. The big black system acts as a dongle and also provides the visuals for the hoops (creating lobbies, finding players, etc.) you’ll have to jump through in order to play ad hoc games through the Internet. But before that, you’ll have to register your PSP and download the application as if you were setting up Remote Play again.

Just think of the process like adding a controller, except the PS3 actually does something this time around.

Currently, SCE is making a big deal out of Gran Turismo and Monster Hunter support, but we’re guessing adhocParty also works with other games, so give it a spin and experiment if you care. And speaking of caring, a video walkthrough courtesy of the publisher of the app is available over at the PS blog. Go learn!

Koei Tecmo has today announced Dynasty Warriors Strikeforce 2. The original PSP version is currently in the works for PS3 and Xbox 360, but that hasn't stopped the almighty sequel masters from declaring a brand new one, scheduled for Spring 2010.

Shin Sangoku Musou Multi Raid 2, as it is known in Japan, shall release with an all-new story mode, new characters, a new weapon system and, most importantly, a crucial online mode. The lack of online is what let down the original co-op PSP title, which could have been the best DW game ever were it included.

This is good stuff. Strikeforce was a great shot in the arm of the hack n' slash series, but it really needed to be able to go online. This should lead to a great game, if you like that sort of thing.

[Thanks, Andreas!]

Halbrick isn't just working on Raskulls for Xbox Live Arcade. The Australian developer has also set its sights on the PSP and its new PSP Minis initiative. Despite what you and I may think of the expensive, mostly rubbish service, Halfbrick's Phil Larsen believes the service is impressive, and wants a slice of the action.

"Sony is really impressing everyone right now with the positioning of the PS3 and PSP," explains Larsen. "The gamers are noticing it, and as developers we certainly want to make sure our games have good support. Sony is stepping up to the plate and saying they are open for business, so we want to start off by giving our PSP Minis a try. We have developed several original games which will be perfect for PSP Minis, and two are ready for release - Echoes on November 19th, and Blast Off on November 24th."

Halfbrick has developed games for Xbox Live's Indie Channel, and so I asked if the studio felt other XNA developers would jump on the PSP: "PSP minis is being driven by Sony in every way, and that includes submission and certification through official channels. Anyone who has a creator account can review Indie Games, and it’s largely driven by community developers and hobbyists.

"If those developers want to work with Sony directly and adhere to their guidelines when it comes to game submissions we could see a few titles crossing over. Sony wants to find a middle ground between affordable casual gaming not unlike iPhone and XNA, but they are also after highly polished products. A number of great iPhone games are becoming Minis, and we’re happy that our games have the chops to become available on the PlayStation Network."

Hit the link for more.

A new PSP firmware update is available for download. Get happy, people!

The latest update (v6.20) doesn’t snap neck ligaments with head-turning blockbuster additions, but it does add a hook for a solid new feature: the Digital Comics Reader. Accessed through the Extras panel in the XMB after a short download (of which v6.20 is required), you'll soon be able to download and view digital comic books from the PS Store at your leisure. Toilet PSP time is going to get a billion times better, we reckon.

If comics aren't your thing, perhaps this is: the latest firmware also allows you to export video and photo playlists to your PC. (This can only happen after downloading another update to Media Go, though.) Obviously, this isn't something you can use on the toilet, unlike the Comics Reader. Unless, of course, you have a PC by said toilet. If so, that means there's a chance you could be reading this post in widescreen on a toilet. I feel uneasy all of a sudden.

At least three PSP fans have been impatiently tapping their feet, waiting for news on the PSP Comics service that Sony boasted about ten thousand years ago. Today, we're one step closer to the service becoming real, with word of a Japanese release date.

Of course, it wouldn't be a new service without the system's billionth Firmware update, so Japanese PSP users can look forward to that on November 19, in preparation for a December 12 launch. Once the storefront appears, individual comic issues shall cost ¥50-150 (USD$0.55-$1.70), while full collections will run for ¥420 (USD$4.70).

No word on a release date for us roundeyes, but don't worry! We'll get to download Firmware 6.20 on the 19th, too! Sony wouldn't want to deprive us of the PSP's fun Firmware game, now would they?

Sony can't get enough of those weird PSP games. Following in the footsteps of such titles as LocoRoco, Patapon and Holy Invasion of Privacy, Badman!, we have a brand new bit of portable weirdness from the PlayStation C.A.M.P development program. This is 100-man Ton no Bara Bara.

Players take on the role of Titori, a man who must protect his town from a series of unmanned airships that descend from the sky to destroy things. Titori will need to latch onto the hull of the ship and tear pieces of it. If he can tear from one end of the ship to the other, a piece will break away. He will have to avoid missiles, robots and other obstacles like indestructible ship parts. He must also rescue prisoners of the ships, and it's hinted that those rescued will join Titori's forces and help take down ships.

The game's due for release in 2010 and looks set to be a cult favorite. Check out the teaser site while you wait!

The VGAs may be looked at with cynicism and contempt by a great many among the gamer community, but there's no denying that it's about as mainstream an award show as we're going to get. With that in mind, the nominations are in, and we now get to see who's vying for the biggest accolades that Spike TV has to offer.

Game of the Year is between Assassin's Creed 2, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Left 4 Dead 2 and Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. Best PS3 game is between inFAMOUS, Killzone 2, Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time and Uncharted 2. Best Xbox 360 game nominees are Arkham Asylum, Halo 3: ODST, Forza Motorsport 3 and Left 4 Dead 2. For the Wii we have New Super Mario Bros. Wii, MadWorld, Punch-Out! and Wii Sports Resort. The PC contenders are Dragon Age: Origins, Left 4 Dead 2, Plants vs. Zombies and The Sims 3.

It's interesting to note that the 360 nominees include multiplatform games, one of which (Arkham) was better on the PS3. 2009 really was the killer year for PS3 exclusives.

On a personal note, I'm asking everyone to vote for Demon's Souls as RPG of the year. The very fact it's a nominee is amazing, but it would be incredible to see the game win. It truly, truly deserves it, even though I know in my hear that Borderlands or Dragon Age will probably beat it.

Anyway, go check out the nominations, vote, and let us know who you're rooting for.

Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep is the latest pretentious-named Kingdom Hearts game to be hitting handheld systems, and Square Enix has revealed a swanky new PSP to commemorate the occasion. Covered in mystical runes, this new PSP-3000 will be bundled with the game on January 9 in Japan.

It's interesting to note that there isn't a special edition PSPgo. It really does seem that publishers have very little interest in having anything to do with that failed experiment. It may also indicate that a PSN version of Birth By Sleep is not on the cards, at least not for the foreseeable future.

Anyway, check out the new PSP. It's new!

Why the hell is Heihachi in space? Is this explained in the console versions of Tekken 6? It's nice to see the game looking so smooth on the PSP, but you can't just throw something as absurd as an old ninja in a space suit into your trailer and not explain it. You hear me, Namco Bandai?

The second trailer below simply shows off more of the fighting action. There's kicking, punching and other such things. The PSP versions will also have some new levels and content for people to enjoy. If you're on the fence about this one check out the videos and then see if you would like to pick it up on November 24 or if you'll just stick with the console version of the game.

Earlier this week, Sony made an announcement that they would be holding another LittleBigPlanet Art Game Jam Session, this time for the PSP. Five teams of students from the School of Game Design from the Academy of Art Institute in San Francisco were challenged to create levels based on iconic elements of the city. They had 24 hours to create something fantastic, with the winning creation available day one for LittleBigPlanet PSP.

So how did they do? Well, given the choices of landmarks, the competition was pretty tough, even for new players to the game. The Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, the Cable Cars of Powell Street, Alcatraz, and the famous Victorian houses in the city were all inspiration for the teams. Moments after starting the 24-hour long design session, I chatted with some of the teams.

Some of the teams focused on telling a story, such as the the Golden Gate team. Member Justin Romprey mentioned that "[We have] A lot of ideas from Donkey Kong", while his teammate Joe Chung wanted to focus on trying to tell a story. Ultimately, while their creation did not win, their design of magnetic electrical taxis across the bridge was lauded.

In the end, it was the Cable Cars of Powell Street team that took home the grand prize of a PSP Go and digital copies of LittleBigPlanet PSP. Their design, which involved controlling a cable car up and over the hills of San Francisco, convinced the judges. While far from a polished masterpiece, the design showed enough promise that it will be available for download next week. Sony, far from leaving the other teams high and dry, gave every contestant a copy of the game. Sweet.

I originally scoffed at the idea of an Uncharted-centric pinball game for PlayStation Portable, so now I feel like a proper jerk. There are four separate tables under the Pinball Heroes moniker that went up on the PSN Store today, each of which is based on a Sony Computer Entertainment property.

The PlayStation Blog has a video of these bite-sized games in action, and you know what? They look surprisingly decent. Possibly even good. Priced at only $3.99 a pop, they could very well be worth your money if pinball on the go is what you're after.

Agree? Disagree? "Meh"?

Konami has finally put a firm date on Silent Hill: Shattered Memories for the Wii -- December 8. How appropriate, considering the game's icy setting. 

If your arms tire out easily, but you still wanted to get your Silent Hill on, you'll have to wait a bit longer. The game is also slated to hit PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable, but those versions won't see release until sometime later. Yes, that's all of the info we have. Konami actually said they will be "following shortly." One week? A month? A year? The term "shortly" is relative. 

While you wait, you can hit the jump to check out character bios for the collection of malcontent weirdos that will appear Shattered Memories, straight from Konami.