Mainichi Issho - PS3

Mainichi Issho has been running on the PS3 since the system launched, delivering daily and weekly news to PS3 owners in Japan. Toro and Kuro argue and bicker their way through promotional slots and occasionally give out presents to the player in the shape of items and posters. Along with advertising Japanese events such as museum openings and local restaurants, the duo also publicise the latest games on PS3.

I've not had a look at Mainichi Issho for ages, but I found some snaps on my hard drive which I've taken over the last few years, so I thought I would share them.

What a pity we don't have something similar on the European store.

Everybody's Putter Golf with Toro - PS3

Although I enjoy sports games, I never have the time to play through an entire season. NHL 09, MLB 08: The Show and Madden 09 are prime examples. However, I love the Everybody's Golf series, especially the PS3 version World Tour and the latest PSP version. They are perfect to dip in and out of and are extremely addictive.

So I was delighted to find that Everybody's Putter Golf with Toro has been released on the Japanese and Hong Kong PlayStation stores.

Toro the cat is Sony's mascot in the far east, and along with Jasmine from the EG series, he stars in this simple nine-hole putting game.

There are two control methods. The first is the traditional click bar, which has always been used in the Everybody's Golf series. The second makes use of the Sixaxis' motion-sensor. Holding the pad like a club, you have to mimic a real golf swing. It's tricky at first, as it's very easy to be over eager and put too much power behind your shot, but practice makes perfect.

The game's options are a little on the sparse side, but as the game costs less than a fiver, what's on offer is more than adequate.

Single Play is just you against the nine holes, Multi-Play lets two people go head to head, Versus Jasmine pits you against the Everybody's Golf favourite, while Practice gives you unlimited attempts to perfect your approach to the nine holes.

While the holes are pretty straightforward, they are well designed, with the last couple being particularly fiendish. Both feature traps which can see you dropping multiple shots.

The game also has full trophy support, with ten cups to collect. I've only grabbed a handful so far, and they've been dished out for getting holes in one and achieving a high ranking.

I would be very surprised if this made its way to the west, as Toro isn't exactly well known over here. However, if you are thinking of picking this up, get it from the Hong Kong store, as everything is in full English.

I also hope that Sony and Clap Hanz keep adding to this solid base. There's plenty of scope to create all manner of weird and wonderful mini-golf courses, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Shiki-tei - new content

Good news, virtual gardening nuts, the first downloadable content was released this morning for Shiki-tei on the Japanese PSN store. For 300 yen you can have new things for your garden, including a black cat, ducks who walk about your perfectly manicured lawn, new birds and, most importantly, a Toro the cat statue.

There's also a Shiki-tei PS3 theme going for free, so get downloading.
Here's Toro in my garden: