PixelJunk Monsters is certainly not the first tower defense game, but it's the game that popularized the genre on consoles. When it debuted on PlayStation Network last year, it became an instant hit. The game was easy to understand, but deceptively challenging, encouraging players to master each level to get that all-elusive rainbow.

The original PS3 game actually was playable on the PSP via Remote Play. However, Q Games is now making a proper PSP version that's optimized for the small screen. For example, the camera is now zoomed in closer to the character. While this means less of the map can be seen at once, it makes seeing the towers and choosing the right ones much easier. It may take some time for PixelJunk vets to get used to, especially when the screen scrolls trying to follow you.

The amount of content being offered in Deluxe is almost absurd, making it the most complete version of Monsters to date. Not only does the PSP game feature allt he content of the original PixelJunk Monsters, it also adds the Encore island and a brand new island exclusive to PSP. Ten new stages are added, in addition to new enemy types and towers.

After opening up naming duties to fans, the next PixelJunk game (formerly PixelJunk 1-4) has officially been named PixelJunk Shooter. According to the PlayStation Blog announcement, 10,000 suggestions were submitted for the contest, which was ultimately won by Canadian Mario Paquet. For (somehow) dreaming up the name, Paquet will be included in the game's credits and receive a t-shirt with the game's logo.

After selecting the official name, runner-up winners were selected by the scientific method of placing various names into a hat. Runner-up winners (and future t-shirt recipients) included PixelJunk Depths, S.O.S!, Blaster, Caves and Atlantis.

According to Q-Games' Dylan Cuthbert, one of the most popular suggestions for the game was PixelJunk Elements, but the name failed to capture the "shooting side of the game well enough." We don't think the name they ultimately selected will pose the same issue.

PixelJunk Monsters is coming to PSP and, as promised, features a ton of new content not found in the PS3 version. The handheld version of the tower defense game will include all the content of PixelJunk Monsters, Encore, and a bit more. Deluxe will add a new island with ten new stages, new enemies and new music tracks. Two new towers will be introduced into the game, which players can utilize in the classic stages and Q-Games will also challenge the PJM hardcore with a brand new boss as well.

Although PSP isn't getting Trophy support yet, Monsters Deluxe will feature a "Medal Challenge" mode that replicates the achievement system used on the console. In addition, unlocking Medals will give players access to unlockables, such as videos, artwork and more.

Finally, PixelJunk Monsters wouldn't be complete without a co-op mode. You'll be able to go online in both Ad-Hoc and Infrastructure modes. Nice!

Right about now you're probably thinking, "Cool, a compilation of the first four PixelJunk games!" followed by, "Wait a second ... there have only been three PixelJunk games." This is true. As you can no doubt tell from the above screenshot, PixelJunk 1-4 is an entirely new downloadable PS3 title from Kyoto-based Q-Games. It just doesn't have a final name yet.

We can think of some adjectives to describe this summer release based on our first hands-on. "Fun" comes to mind, as does "simple." Two staples of the PixelJunk franchise, when you think about it. Oh, and "really cool fluid dynamics." Wassat? Let us explain after the break.

The next game in the PixelJunk series is looking to potentially be the best yet, though it is lacking something. A name. Since it was announced, the game has been referred to simply as PixelJunk 1-4 -- the fourth game in the first series. The assumption was that the name was such a giveaway to the game's style and / or gameplay that it was being kept under wraps. Now it turns out that Q-Games just hasn't decided on one yet. In fact, they're leaving it up to you.

Check out the official naming contest website for some inspiration in the form of not only full screenshots of the game, but also a video of it in action (also seen above). You have until May 11 to submit your name idea on the website and the winner will not only have the satisfaction of knowing that they named the game, but they will also be featured in the game's credits and, along with five runners up, receive a PixelJunk _____ t-shirt.

Judging by the previous PixelJunk titles, the name will need to be short and snappy, yet encapsulate the style of the game. Not an easy job. Be sure to check back here at noon EST for even more inspiration in the form of our hands-on impressions of the game. Good luck to all who enter!

We're approaching the end of what could ostensibly be called "Early 2009," the tentative launch window for the fourth installment in Q-Games' aesthetically pleasing PixelJunk series, and details about said installment are slim. However, we were recently enlightened to the identity of the upcoming title -- albeit from an unconventional source. A recently added Facebook fan page allows you to throw your digital endorsement behind PixelJunk 1-4, which has yet to receive a catchier title.

The page includes a link to an event titled "PixelJunk 1-4 sells one million units at launch," as well as a few hilariously tiny pieces of artwork from the title, which Q-Games president Dylan Cuthbert promises to release more of as the group's membership grows. No details about the gameplay, release date or explanations of the curious moniker are included on the fan page, but now that the Pixel-ated cat's out of the bag, we expect to hear more soon.

Update: A new trailer has been released! Check it out after the break.

The Encore expansion pack to PixelJunk Eden is coming this week. The upcoming DLC will add 5 new stages to the game, new Trophies, and will cost $5.99. According to the official site, this is a worldwide release, so everyone will be able to enjoy the game at the same time.

[Thanks, iddy!]

The upcoming Encore expansion to PixelJunk Eden looks to be quite massive ... and quite fun. The Trophy list has been updated for the upcoming add-on, and the 11 new Trophies reveal some new details about the devilish new levels being added to the game. One Trophy requires a death-defying jump to get two Spectra in one go, while another asks players to open ten seeds without ever touching a plant. Ouch! We can't wait to see the new content later this month.

See the additional Trophies after the break.

[Thanks to everyone that sent this in!]

Q Games president Dylan Cuthbert tells G4 he's done with the StarFox franchise for now. Cuthbert lead development of the original SNES game as its unreleased sequel, and his company created StarFox Command for DS. It won't likely be involved in any eventual Wii installment in the franchise.

Cuthbert says he might be up for another StarFox "maybe in another 10 years," saying that a Wii version would "be a big project, like 100 people on the staff. It's just not something we really want to do. I'm sure someone will make it. Maybe [Nintendo] will go back to Namco." Remember StarFox: Assault? We try not to.

In a slight jab at Shigeru Miyamoto, Cuthbert told G4 that the legendary designer probably won't listen to "core" gamers' wants for a new StarFox, saying, "Miyamoto doesn't really care about that. He wants to make what he wants to make, so he just goes ahead and gets it done." Was that a snap we just heard?

You might not have the free time to make a trip to Japan and visit the PixelJunk overlords at Q-Games' Kyoto office, but you can do the next best thing: take a guided video tour with Dylan Cuthbert. In the video posted after the break, Q-Games president Dylan Cuthbert shows us all around the dev studio, meeting the people behind the games and explaining why they all work barefoot (or in slippers -- they have a choice!).

With that in mind, Q-Games seems to have a rather quiet and relaxing work atmosphere. It could use a little spice, though, say, giant PixelJunk Monster statues at the entrance or Eden flower pots by the windows. Maybe they'll have those installed before the next tour.

Publishers looking for a quick buck don't need to focus their efforts solely on the iPhone. Sony's Susan Panico touted the values of PSN development by providing a case study on PixelJunk Eden, Q-Games' third PSN-exclusive title. Panico told the GamesBeat audience that "PixelJunk Eden made its return on investment within 24 hours." Sales after that period become pure profit.

Of course, the success of Eden is a little unsurprising, considering the popularity of PixelJunk Monsters. Regardless, it's impressive that a small independent studio was able to create a trusted franchise exclusively through the PlayStation Network. With so much green made off of Eden, it's no wonder Q-Games is working on an expansion for the game. Eden Encore will be available in April.

One of the PS3 highlights of last year's GDC for PS3 was the unveiling of the third PixelJunk title, PixelJunk Eden, during Dylan Cuthbert's post-mortem of the first two games in the series. This year Cuthbert is set to return and unveil the latest PixelJunk project, according to a press invitation to the PlayStation Blog Lounge. Not only that but there will be hands-on time for those who attend.

We know that the fourth game in the series won't be PixelJunk Dungeons, which was also vaguely mentioned back at GDC 2008, as it requires more development time. At this point we really have no idea what PixelJunk 4 could be but, after our experiences with Monsters and Eden, we can't wait to find out next Thursday.

[UPDATE] Dylan Cuthbert has let the cat out of the bag via his Twitter feed. PixelJunk 4 will not be shown at GDC next week, instead we'll get the first look on the expansion for the third game in the series, PixelJunk Eden Encore.

People just can't get enough PixelJunk Monsters. PS3 fans fell in love with this charming tower defense game, leading to the release of the Encore expansion pack and subsequent Trophy patch. PSP owners are in for a treat as they'll be receiving their own version of the game later this year.

What will Monsters PSP feature? We're expecting the same content featured in the PS3 games, but Dylan Cuthbert promises there will be even more stuff in the PSP game. In an interview with Core Gamers, he reveals the team is currently "adding 50% more content or more" to the game. Those that have played both Monsters and Encore know well that this is a massive amount of content. How will we possibly get rainbows on all of these levels?

When asked if PixelJunk Eden, the third of Q-Games' downloadable games on PS3, would also receive PSP treatment, Cuthbert seemed doubtful. Eden is a far more complex, processor-intense game. "Never say never of course, but it would be quite a challenge and a number of things might have to be changed."

A PixelJunk Eden patch will be ready to pollinate PSN this Thursday, January 15th, according to PlayStation Blog. The patch will add a number of user-requested tweaks, including a new (optional) control scheme, an improved multiplayer camera, a continue system, more time on the clock -- and, if that's not enough, the game's large crystals will now replenish a full one-half of the oscillator meter instead of just a third, Q-Games' Dylan Cuthbert recently confirmed. Essentially, the patch fixes the major qualms frustrated Grimps had with the game. The developer also took the opportunity to announce an "Encore" expansion for Eden, but details will be forthcoming over "the next couple of months."

Despite Eden's charm and "casual" appearance, much like PixelJunk Monsters, the difficulty ramped up like a sheer cliff in later levels (yeah, looking at you Garden 7) -- especially when playing with a non-gamer partner. The patch should make the game friendlier (read: easier), and, personally, we're most curious to try out the new control system. We've asked Sony if the new scheme alters having to shake the controller to "insta-drop," because that could definitely be a blessing.