The fine folks over at PlayStation University have picked up on a NeoGAF forum poster’s unofficial disclosure regarding the PlayStation Motion Controller’s button-layout.

We all know that Sony’s Motion Controller has undergone something of a face-lift since it first debuted at last year’s E3.  We also know that Capcom modified the Resident Evil 5 input scheme to allow for Motion Controller-use, and added a sixaxis controller to allow for character navigation.  This apparently got Sony thinking, and led to them add a nunchuck to the Motion Controller package, similar to that of Nintendo’s Wii, and most recently, Wii Motion Plus.

There was much speculation regarding the button-layout for the Motion Controller, even before news of the nunchuck hit; but with this new hardware addition, the button-geography speculation is was reaching fever pitch, until now.

It’s a big week for PlayStation gamers with a couple of high-profile retail titles as well as some great DLC content through the PSN.

By now most of our readers are aware of Heavy Rain’s impending release this Tuesday. There’s a lot of hype surrounding the game but no matter where you might fall in the discussion, you can’t deny that Quantic Dreams has offered PS3 owners an entirely unique gaming experience and that, if nothing else, the game sets a new standard for how players can experience story in a video game. If you’re still on the fence, make sure to check out the demo – not to mention our forthcoming review.

It’s also worth mentioning that both Resident Evil 5 and Assassin’s Creed II received large DLC campaign add-ons in this week’s update to the PSN Store. If your a fan of either series, the choice should be pretty simple. That said, even if you’re not a fan, AC2’s “Bonfire of the Vanities” and RE5’s “Lost in Nightmares” both feature high production values and fit into their respective stories – offering several hours of quality gameplay. If you enjoyed either title’s main campaign, these add-ons are definitely worth picking up.

Here is the full list of release information:

Resident Evil veterans Rebecca Chambers and Barry Burton are joining the roster for Mercenaries Mode in Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition and will be made available via DLC for early adopters of the regular edition.

With the addition of Barry and Rebecca, that makes a total of five new characters for the Mercenaries mode. So far, with the new mercenaries characters, costume packs, and two additional chapters (Lost In Nightmares and Desperate Escape) that makes for a total price of $13.96  (or 1120 MSP) for early buyers (like me) to obtain everything that the Gold Edition offers. Pics of Barry and Rebecca in action after the jump.

If you recently became an owner of the Xbox 360 or you are the frugal type, you are in luck. Best Buy is offering a sale that includes some of greatest games to hit this generation.

When you buy two Xbox 360 Platinum Hits titles, you will get a third title of equal or lesser value free. Additionally, you will receive free shipping on all three games! The sale is only available online and is for a undisclosed limited time period, so you will have to act fast to pick up these excellent titles:

As you’ve probably have guessed from seeing the picture above, the new playable character in Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition is the CEO of Tricell, Excella Gionne (Hooty McBoob as I like to call her). Excella will be strapping on the old sports bra and will be a playable character only in the game’s “Mercenaries Reunion” mode. Although she may not look like a fighter, Capcom promises Excella is more than just a pretty face.

Don’t let Excella’s looks deceive you.  Extreme mercilessness contrasts with her beauty.  With a strong fighting instinct backed up by superior martial art skills, Ms. Gionne can hold her own against any Majini attack!

For those of you that don’t know, the Mercenaries mode in Resident Evil 5 was a Survival Mode in which you and a friend could take on a seemingly endless wave of Infected. Mercenaries Reunion will most likely be a revamped version of that mode with new levels, costumes, and playable characters.

One of my favorite games of 2009 finally releases its “Gold Edition” for consumers. Resident Evil 5 brings the fancy back to box covers with this version of RE5. After the jump will be spoilers, so if you haven’t played RE5 yet (and you should), beware.

Major Nelson reported a few days ago on the top titles of 2009 on Xbox Live. His lists included the most played games of the year by connectivity, the most played Xbox Live Arcade titles as well as lists for top Windows games and Top original Xbox titles.

The notable call-outs include Halo 3 taking top honors as having the most unique users play the game over Live throughout the year. Following this, we have the latest three Call of Duty games and Gears of War 2. On the Arcade side of things, Battlefield 1943 and the still-awesome Castle Crashers took the number one and two spots respectively.

Check out the lists below.

In a recent interview with G4, Evan Wells, co-president of Naughty Dog, offered his opinion on the potential implementation of Sony’s upcoming “Motion Controller” in future Uncharted franchise titles.

In his response, Wells asserts that if Naughty Dog were to enter the motion control market, they’d more likely create a new gameplay franchise built around the capabilities of motion controls than simply add the controls to future installments of already-existing franchises such as Uncharted:

Not too long ago, we announced the first of two new Resident Evil 5 campaigns: Lost in Nightmares. Now we’ve finally received details on the second RE5 campaign titled Desperate Escape. Desperate Escape has you playing Jill Valentine and BSAA Agent Josh Stone as they escape from the Tricell facility after Chris and Sheva go on to pursue Wesker.

The second costume pack will also be released the same day as Desperate Escape featuring a new Heavy Metal costume for Chris and a Business costume for Sheva. These new costumed versions of Chris and Sheva will be playable in The Mercenaries Reunion along with Josh Stone. With the other two revealed costumes (Warrior Chris and Fairy-Tale Sheva) also being available in The Mercenaries Reunion that brings the total number of announced new characters for The Mercenaries Reunion to 5 with another 3 still a mystery.

Every year, publishers push to get their high-profile titles into gamers’ hands before Black Friday, leaving a quality-title dead zone until the beginning of Quarter 1. The end of release season also signals the official beginning of Game of the Year speculation. Every big-budget, large-scale, game is now available on store shelves which means players should have a pretty good idea about which 2009 title they enjoyed the most – unless you are holding your breath for James Cameron’s Avatar: The Game, which most of us aren’t.

Instead of relying on the outcome of the upcoming Spike VGAs, which in 2005 nominated 50 Cent: Bulletproof and Peter Jackson’s King Kong: The Official Game for awards, Game Rant has decided to put together a list of our nominations, along with a bit of commentary, for our Game of the Year choices. As usual, we’re interested to hear what our readers think, so make sure to vote in the poll on the home page, as well as sound off in the comments.

In the interest of avoiding favoritism, our nominees are listed in alphabetical order:

A few weeks back, Game Rant covered the announcement of Resident Evil 5 DLC for the Xbox 360 and PS3 consoles. Now, Capcom has provided more details of the upcoming update to the Resident Evil 5 package, when to expect the first round of content, as well as an official statement that the PC is being sidelined – at least for the moment.

In a recent post on the official Capcom Unity blog, the publisher announced that two new playable campaign episodes will be made available for download through the PSN and Xbox Live, the first of which, Lost in Nightmares will arrive on February 17th and 18th, for Xbox 360 and PSN, respectively.

If you happen to be a fan of Resident Evil 5 and you also happen to be eagerly anticipating the release of Lost Planet 2 - then your in luck! Albert Wesker has been confirmed as a playable character (along with his signature huge ass pistol) for anybody who preorders Lost Planet 2 at their local GameStop.

If Albert Wesker is a sign of things to come then maybe we could still see Megaman in Lost Planet 2 as well? Nobody knows except for Capcom, but be sure that if Game Rant hears anything, we’ll be sure to let you know!

According to Capcom Unity, the new content being included in the Resident Evil 5 Alternative Edition will be made available as downloadable content for Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network.

Capcom is being a little hush hush about what the content will entail, but they did reveal there would be some new adventures as well as other features they’re not ready to reveal yet. The Alternative Edition will support the PS3’s motion controller, while options are being evaluated for Xbox 360 players. You’ll need the RE5 disc to take advantage of the content so make sure you hold onto it instead of trading it in or giving it to your best friend. As if you would! Expect the additional content to be available Spring 2010.