If you’re a PlayStation gamer you’ve likely heard about PlayStation Plus, the premium subscription service that enhances the PlayStation Network experience.  The service offers quite a bit of value, so if you haven’t explored all the benefits of joining, it’s definitely worth your time having a look. Our team was enthusiastic about PlayStation Plus during its launch in 2010, and with Sony’s strong commitment to continuously adding more features and exclusives in the time since it’s only gotten better.  I’d even go so far as to say that with last year’s addition of the Instant Game Collection, Sony now arguably has the most compelling video game subscription service on the market today.  It’s really that good.  Let’s take a look at what makes PlayStation Plus such as compelling offer.

Sports games have certainly come a long way since the early home console days. There was little in the way of gameplay and the bulk of graphics were really left to the players imagination. These days sports games are almost like being there in the stands, watching your favourite player scoring the winning point in the final seconds. Better yet, watching at home at an amazing play as it replays from every possible angle. Whether playing a friend at home on the couch or halfway across the country, sports games are a huge part of video game culture. Just like any other series of video games, certain titles stand out, be it EA's NHL or NBA2K, and there are definite leaders when it comes to these specific sports. This is where Sony's MLB: The Show series fits in, and this year's entry, MLB 13: The Show, certainly does not disappoint.

Coming off such a blockbuster March gaming line-up, it's a bit of a relief to have a quieter April, especially since I'm sure many of us are still working through the games we picked up last month.  With that said, April has its fair share of notable games, headlined by NetherRealms Studios' much-anticipated DC Universe fighting game Injustice: Gods Among Us. 

We've also got the video game tie-in to the upcoming TV show Defiance (filmed in Toronto by the way), and the brand-new Star Trek video game for consoles (developed in London, ON).   April is also delivering Dead Island: Riptide, the sequel to 2011's surprise hit open world zombie survival game, and PlayStation Vita gets Soul Sacrifice, the new action role-playing game from acclaimed gamer producer Keiji Inafune (best known for co-designing Mega Man).

Let's take a look at the games!

On-site in New York, today, Future Shop discovered the PlayStation 4 is officially coming to Canada this holiday. Sony PlayStation unveiled some of the wonders of its newest console, one we didn't physically see, but we know allows gamers to stream, play and even share video captured content with others. 

The LEGO video game franchise never ceases to entertain me.  It’s one of the few game franchises that delivers consistent quality with every iteration, and while critics often cite the lack of innovation, all you have to do is go back to 2005’s LEGO Star Wars to see just how far this franchise has come.  Lord of the Rings is the latest movie license to get the LEGO treatment, bringing with it all the wit and charm that is synonymous with this franchise.  LEGO Lord of the Rings is the most daring LEGO adventure yet, delivering hours of action and excitement the whole family will enjoy.

Ahh the PlayStation Vita.  Since its release last February this handheld has accumulated a variety of genres ranging from action-adventures, JRPGs, puzzle platformers, fighting and so many more.  Take into account all the downloadable games you can sync from your PS3 and you've already got quite the collection of games.  

In terms of E-Rated and T-Rated games there are lots of quality options, many of which I've put together for you.  This was not an easy list, mind you, considering how many amazing games this handheld has to offer, but it offers just enough variety to suit just about any young gamers needs.  Happy hunting! 

One of the challenges with mobile devices, like smartphones and tablets, is keeping them powered for a longer period of time. Battery life naturally varies between them, but for those moments where you need extra juice and aren’t close to a charger, one of these portable Powerstation chargers from mophie should be just what you’re looking for.

Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation is the most ambitious Assassin’s Creed handheld game ever attempted – and it’s also the best. Fitting a console-quality Assassin’s Creed game into a tiny game cartridge is no easy task, and while Liberation has its faults, the overall package is quite impressive.

Over the last ten months, the PS Vita has been slowly gathering a quality line-up of software titles, and with recent hit games such as LittleBigPlanet and Sound Shapes it might be easy to forget some of the great games that released earlier in the year.  One of my absolute favourites is Gravity Rush, and if you’re a new PS Vita owner, or surprising a loved one with a PS Vita this holiday season, I definitely encourage you take a look at this exceptional title.

Those of you who have a smartphone, tablet, computer, or any combination of the three — as well as a PlayStation Plus subscription — might be interested to know that Sony has is also offering its Music Unlimited music streaming service for just $12 for a full year. That amounts to $1 per month for something that is normally $9.99 per. There’s no word on how long the promotion will last, but it’s there to scoop up on your PlayStation 3.

Whole numbers.  When it comes to PlayStation firmware updates, whole numbers typically signal significant features additions and updates, so when Sony unleashed PS Vita firmware 2.00 last week, expectations were high. I wasn't disappointed, this update delivers a host of new features that add a significant amount of value to the overall PS Vita offering. Let's take a look, shall we?

While LittleBigPlanet PS VIta's heartwarming narrator Stephen Fry uses words like "wonderful" and "magnificent"  with obvious and intentional exaggeration to describe just about everything in Sackboy's latest adventure, he might as well be saying it with a straight face.  Simply put, LittleBigPlanet PS Vita is such a joy to play that it's basically LittleBigPlanet 3 in the palm of your hand.

Originally released way back in 1983, Spy Hunter is one of the oldest and most iconic game franchises. When it first came out it was so distinct and really made its mark on the landscape. Back then it was great to be able to take on the role of the agent behind the seat of the Interceptor as you evaded enemy attacks and hunted down your prey both over road and waterways. Well last week the series got a much-needed reboot on the PlayStation Vita and Nintendo 3DS handheld game systems.

One of the games launching today is a reboot on an old personal favorite of mine; Spy Hunter. To celebrate thirty years since the original game graced our screens Warner Brothers is giving us a fresh take on the classic game. Developed by Tt Fusion this game gives us all the crazy cars and high tech weaponry we’ve come to expect from the franchise.

Today is a big day for all the soccer game lovers out there. FIFA Soccer 13 is now finally available. The demo, released on the eleventh of September, was downloaded a record 1.99 million times in it’s first three days so you can be sure that the release of the full game is going to be pretty popular.