Thoroughly confused and unsure exactly what to make of this. So um, yeah, Kratos, chick layer, monster slayer and all around badass looks set to make a cameo appearance in Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds. The whole deal just seems like a bad idea, surely there are other more appropriate cross-game characters, like Clank, or Sackboy or... just about anyone! What's next? Kratos plushies? Babification of well loved characters is never a good thing.

Click on for some embarrassing screens.

PlayStation gamers in North America recently got their weekly fix of downloadable goodies as Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) unveiled its list of new content on the PlayStation Store. This week's PlayStation Store updates include a lot of added game content for Hot Shots Golf, American Idol Encore, Rocketmen, as well as another regular update for Rock Band. PSP users get a treat from the PS store PC too: the free game demo for Secret Agent Clank! Check out the complete list of new downloadable content in our full article.

Heads up, Hot Shots Golf fans! We've got a new update over the Official PlayStation Blog that deals with some new content for Hot Shots Golf 5, specifically some cute women who love playing virtual golf! Learn more about this update after the jump!

Just as always, we're going to have some good gaming this time around with stellar releases such as Team Ninja's Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 (Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3), and Sega Superstars Tennis (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS, Wii). Check out the entire list in the  full article!

What we have here is an interview of Clap Hanz Lead Artist Keisuke Futami for the PlayStation 3 exclusive Hot Shots Golf 5. Futami talked about the many improvements they put in the game, with some focus given to graphics, gameplay, and the online components. You can watch the interview after the jump!

Santa hasn't even loaded-up his sleigh yet but Sony 's already come out with the early release of its game line-up for 2008, specifically targeting the Sony Playstation and Playstation Portable platforms for the coming year. With its solid roster, 2008 already seems to be all aces for all gamers.

More details about the list at the full article.

Golf game fanatics, now's the time to rejoice: Sony Computer Entertainment and Clap Hanz's Hot Shots Golf 5 (known in Japan as Minna no Golf 5) will now be released in North America. Estimated release date and more gameplay details in the full article!

Believe it or not, Japan is crazy over golf games that feature cute characters and a virtual online lobby. We're talking Hot Shots Golf 5 for the PS3, known as Minna no Golf 5 in the land of the rising sun. If spectacular sales haven't been enough to pique your interest, here's an amusing video.

Before turning your back after reading the "golf" part, why not spend a minute to check out this quirky video? You'll see anime-esque avatars cooking up a beat with everything golf - from the sound of juggling a ball with a club to hitting the ground. The idea may sound weird, but it's very entertaining.

Other parts are sure to make you smile, like finding an elephant on the golf course or the poor girl who had to chase after her ball. Here's the video:

Even the hottest games in Japan are not without flaw. Minna no Golf 5, which sold over 100,000 units the day it hit the shelves, is no exception. What we've found are videos that prove how players can exploit some glitches in the online lobby to go through various objects, hide underground, or float in the air.

Glitches aren't very funny and they often ruin the game experience, but it's pretty hard not to be amused by all the naughty kids trying to reach places they aren't welcome to. The golf game has become a realm for jumping avatars trying to squeeze themselves in where they don't belong.

The first video shows an aspiring golfer and his successful attempt at going through walls to go down the floor. On the second video, a group of three were able to get themselves floating. Finally, the third offers more going-through-wall goodness while some play around the counter.

The rest after the jump!

Japanese retailers are experiencing another sales spurt as anticipated titles have launched for just about every platform. Most  launches were successful, while a couple of titles experienced a let-down of sorts. There's no denying, however, that the real face-off is between the Nintendo Wii's Mario Party 8 and the Sony PlayStation 3's Minna no Golf 5 (Hot Shots Golf 5).

Both Mario Party 8 and Hot Shots Golf 5 sold over 100,000 copies on the first day alone. Retailers have ordered a total of 300,000 units for the PS3 golfing game while the Wii board game saw a 500,000-unit shipment.

Site Cube3 compares the performance of these iterations with that of their predecessors and it was revealed that Mario Party 8 has outdone its previous installment with a 200 percent sales increase. On the other hand, Hot Shots Golf 5 sold about half of what Hot Shots Golf 4 sold at its launch.

Over at the Microsoft Xbox 360 side, things went relatively well as Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion sold 35,000 units. Konami's Metal Gear  Anniversary Box, Grand Theft Auto Liberty City Stories, Gundam MS 0079 and Taiko no Tatsujin DS also posted good launch figures.

Sadly, Konami's Dewy's Adventure for the Wii and Guilty Gear XX Ascent Core didn't do so well. Both titles were expected to do well but sold barely 1,000 copies apiece in the country. We'll update you on how these games perform in the succeeding days through future posts.