Sony gives away first 3D PS3 games as Bravia HX803 hits shops

Sony is offering the first 3D games for free to PlayStation 3 owners buying a Bravia HX803 3D TV when it hits shops on Friday

Richard Trenholm Former Movie and TV Senior Editor

Richard Trenholm was CNET's film and TV editor, covering the big screen, small screen and streaming. A member of the Film Critic's Circle, he's covered technology and culture from London's tech scene to Europe's refugee camps to the Sundance film festival.

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Richard Trenholm

Sept. 23, 2010 1:44 a.m. PT

2 min read

The first 3D games hit 3D TVs tomorrow as Sony launches its first 3D television. The Bravia HX803 hits shops on Friday 11 June, and PlayStation 3 owners will be able to download four free titles to add an extra dimension to their gaming.

The 1080p LED-backlit HX803 goes on sale on Friday, and Sony has revealed the films, games and music you'll be able to watch in glorious tri-D in coming weeks and months. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballswill be bundled with the BDV-E370 Blu-ray player, and films including G Force and Open Season will be available in depth-o-vision. Looking to next year and beyond, Sony's Hollywood blockbusters The Green Hornet and Men in Black III will hit cinemas in 3D, as well as the planned Spiderman reboot.

The PS3 requires a simple firmware upgrade to support 3D. The gaming upgrade has already been pushed out, with a film update to follow soon. The Stereoscopic 3D game collection will be available for download tomorrow, containing the wholesome family entertainment titles WipEout HD, SuperStardust HD, MotorStorm Pacific Rift and Pain, where you torture a ragdoll character by firing it out of a catapult. They're free to download for anyone buying an HX803, or £24 for anyone else.

3D is many things but one thing it ain't is cheap: the HX803 starts at £1,800. As well as your active-shutter 3D glasses, you also get MotionFlow Pro motion enhancement, Freeview HD and freesat tuners, the Bravia Internet portal, DLNA networking and four HDMI connections.

Other three-dimensional highlights this week include a gig by Australian quirk-popster Sia -- you may remember her Breathe Me, the song that closed Six Feet Under -- and 3D-ified archive footage of Jimi Hendrix. The official World Cup song, Waka Waka by Shakira, is backed by a specially-shot 3D promo video -- watch below for the closing moments when the cameraman decides to see what Shakira's small and humble waka wakas look like in 3D...