Sony seems to have missed a big feature of the recent PlayStation 3 Firmware update (v2.50). The recovery menu can be loaded by holding down the power button, while the PS3 is switched off, for 10 seconds until you hear three beeps. The recovery menu allows you to perform various operations on the console to fix any problems you may have, this includes performing firmware updates, restoring default settings and restoring the file system. We have included a video of the features below.

PS3 Recovery menu features:

1. Restart system
2. Restore default settings
3. Restore file system
4. Rebuild database
5. Restore PS3 system
6. System update

The recovery menu is useful if you have happened to brick your PS3, though you can only use it if you have installed firmware v2.50.

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SCEE has released a statement to announce that the release of LittleBigPlanet has been worldwide, and not just in Europe as some sites have been reporting. The official statement says that the delay is due to a licensed track in the game which contains expressions that can be found in the Qur’an. MediaMolecule have taken immediate action to rectify the problem and as a result, the release date has been pushed back to October 31st.

Official Statement:

"During the review process prior to the release of LittleBigPlanet, it has been brought to our attention that one of the background music tracks licensed from a record label for use in the game contains two expressions that can be found in the Qur’an. We have taken immediate action to rectify this and we sincerely apologise for any offence that this may have caused.

We will confirm the new launch date shortly."

[Via: ThreeSpeech]

Those enjoying the PlayStation Home Closed Beta will be glad to hear that another game space is now available for you to visit. This time it’s for Far Cry 2. The space lets players to dig deeper into the game’s vast African landscape. Users have the opportunity to investigate in-game environments, including a bombed-out train station that has been converted into the ad hoc office of Reuben Oluwagembi, a journalist caught in the middle of the propaganda conflict between the warring UFLL and APR factions.

Last week, the Uncharted Game Space was launched, adding various game related areas to PlayStation Home. If you are taking part in the beta, open up your World Map and click on the Far Cry 2 icon to see the areas you can visit.

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SOCOM: Confrontation is now available to purchase but for you "trophy whores" out there, you will be disappointed. The game does not feature trophies as originally suggested, rather according to Jeff Rubenstein, trophies will be added to the game "via a patch, within the next couple of weeks." The SOCOM team have confirmed that trophies will be coming soon, but no release date has been given.

There was also no mention if the trophy system will be retroactive. Any criteria you may have already achieved to unlock a trophy will need to be done again once the trophy update goes live. The official comment from Rubenstein follows:

"We’ve noticed a couple of comments today on the blog from gamers who purchased SOCOM Confrontation; you’ve been asking ‘Where are the trophies?’

Well, I just wrapped up a conversation with the SOCOM team, where they’ve confirmed the fact that trophies *will* be coming, via a patch, within the next couple of weeks."

High Velocity Bowling is to get a free patch today adding lots of new features and improvements. Among the new features is trophy support, with 12 trophies to unlock. The update also adds voice chat to online head-to-head games, weekly leaderboards, in-game music playback, more trick shots, new ball bags and more. Check out the trophy list below.

Trophies:

• Bronze:
  • Score 180 or higher in an online game.
  • Achieve an online rating of 1600 or more.
  • Knock down a total of 500 pins in online games.
  • Get 10 strikes in online games.
  • Get 15 spares in online games.
  • Win an online game.
  • Play 3 online games.
• Silver:
  • Score 250 or higher in an online game.
  • Knock down a total of 5000 pins in online games.
  • Get 25 wins in online games.
  • Get 75 strikes in online games.
• Gold:
  • Get 150 strikes in online games.

Head-to-head play, voice chat communication, and weekly online leaderboard:

Voice communication, friend list support and online leaderboards will be added in the new update. You will now be able to play with your friends online AND be able to chat with them using a PS3 headset or microphone. Feel free to chat and talk smack after comparing your stats and rankings on the online leaderboards that will be updated weekly.

Playlist with improved audio:

You can access the XMB while in-game for your own custom soundtracks, with support for playlists. Now with the new XMB custom music feature, you can bowl while listening to a mix of Beethoven, Frank Zappa, Britney Spears, Weird Al Yankovic, Gregorian Chants and Nirvana! And with the improved audio options, you?ll be able to crank up your tunes, character voices, and ambient sounds, OR turn them off altogether!

More trick shots:

The update adds two new challenges, and additional trick shots will be created for download in the future. These challenges will not only help you earn patches that you missed out on during your normal gameplay, but get you more stars for the leaderboards!

New ball bags:

There is a new and more realistic Ball Bag system in HVB. You can only bring four balls with you onto the lane in each bag, so you?ll have to choose wisely. You can name and save up to 24 different ball bags so you don?t have to individually choose four balls every time that you want to play. Be sure to mix and match so that there are some good hooking balls and some good straight rollers in your bag. This way, you?ll be prepared for any oil pattern or pin leave!

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