Sony PSP April 2005

Fox, Universal, Paramount eye UMD releases

Fox, Universal Studios and Paramount's home entertainment divisions are all discussing the release of their studio's films for the PSP's UMD format, Now Video Business Online reports. Fox is said to be closest to inking a deal, with an opening release that could include Dodgeball, Napoleon Dynamite, I Robot, Super... [Full Story]

TV/DVD to PSP Memory Stick converter coming

Rockridge Sound Japan is bringing out the VRX-02, a video recorder that creates MPEG-4 files on Memory Stick Duo cards from TV and DVD. The upside to this is that it makes it super easy to get shows and movies onto your memory stick. The downside is that it only... [Full Story]

PSP Web Browser brings Contacts, Calendar, more to PSP

PSP Web Browser.com recently launched, bringing PDA functionality to the PSP. Through the Wipeout Pure browser you can access several tools, including PSP Memo Pad, PSP Contacts, PSP Calendar, PSP Calculator, and more. Also offered through the portal site is MSN and AOL Instant Messaging and E-mail access. Instructions for... [Full Story]

Bonus Points: Sims 2, Wi-Fi, Star Charts, Comics, Twelve

French site Play France has some screens of the upcoming EA title The Sims 2.Sony is hoping to soon have free Wi-Fi hot spots in place for PSP owners.A set of star charts resized for PSP veiwing have been posted on flickr.Variance Press has released some free comics for the... [Full Story]

Brando announces more PSP accessories

Brando Workshop today announced several new additions to its PSP offerings. The Official Sony PSP Battery Pack ($48) has been added along with the PSP AC Adapter ($13). The PSP Crystal Cover II ($12) has been introduced, this time without the D-pad and button covers. Also added were two UMD... [Full Story]

Rengoku: The Tower of Purgatory for PSP ships

Konami is now shipping Rengoku: The Tower of Purgatory for the PSP. The sci-fi action game is priced at $39.99 and should be in stores this week. "The second original PSP game by Konami, Rengoku features an imaginative science-fiction setting with breathtaking graphics and dark, gritty foreboding art created by... [Full Story]

Bonus Points: UMD Rentals, Pimp My PSP, PSP Cradle, Podcatching

Movies for Me recently announced that they plan to rent every UMD movie available.PSP owner Espo has managed to get his own images into his Logitech PlayGear Pocket case.The PSP Cradle has made its debut, complete with audio out and in-cradle charging.Engadget has posted a new How-To on Podcatching and... [Full Story]

PSP to launch in Europe on September 1st

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today announced that the PSP will be released in Europe on September 1, 2005 for €249 (£179). The European PSP will be offered in a Value Pack nearly identical to the one sold in the US and Japan, except PSP owners will have to register... [Full Story]

Battlefield 2 coming to the PSP

EA's Great Britian studio announced today that they have aquired the rights to bring Battlefield 2 Modern Combat to the PSP from Digital Illusions. The game is scheduled to be released during the first quarter of 2006. Digital Illusions will be paid royalties for the first edition of Battlefield 2... [Full Story]

Brando adds to PSP accessory line-up

Brando Workshop this weekend announced three new additions to its line of PSP accessories. The PSP UMD Case completely covers the UMD for maximum protection. It comes in packs of five different colored cases: red, yellow, blue, green, and brown and sells for $10. The PSP Light Magnifier sits atop... [Full Story]

EA ships NBA Street Showdown, FIFA Soccer for PSP

Electronic Arts said today that it's now shipping NBA Street Showdown and FIFA Soccer for the PSP. Both of the games, which retail for $49.99, should hit stores this week. "Developed specifically for the new PSP platform, NBA Street Showdown and FIFA Soccer are full of exciting and original game... [Full Story]

BVHE bringing more movies to UMD

Buena Vista Home Entertainment has announced the release dates for six more UMD movies. "King Arthur: Extended Unrated Director's Cut," "Tron," "Hostage," and "Cursed" will be released on June 21, while "Kill Bill: Vol. 2," "Armageddon," "Gone in 60 Seconds: Unrated Director's Cut," and "From Dusk Till Dawn" will hit... [Full Story]

Bonus Points: Atom Films, PSP Magazines, Engadget PSP hacks

Atom Films now has a page dedicated to PSP formatted vidoes. PSPMagazines.com provides free magazine snippets to load on your PSP. Engadget has posted three excellent how-to articles this week: "Controlling your home with your PSP," "Controlling iTunes with your PSP," and "How to set up your own PSP... [Full Story]

Sony Online President talks of PSP-PS3 compatability

Yesterday at the Games & Mobile Forum, John Smedley, President of Sony Online Entertainment, gave a keynote address that included a look at possible interaction and character inter-operability between the PSP and the forthcoming PS3 console. "Smedley then described a future where you could play an online game via your... [Full Story]

Slew of new UMD movies coming soon

Sony Pictures' DVD & Video site has serveral new UMD movies listed, as does Amazon. Among the new movies listed on Sony's site are: "Are We There Yet?", "Charlie's Angels," "The Grudge," "Hollow Man," "Hitch," and "You Got Served". Amazon now has listed "Terminator 2," "National Lampoon's Van Wilder," "The... [Full Story]

Javoedge announces charger, protector for PSP

Javoedge today introduced JAVOCharger, a wall travel charger for the PSP, and JAVOScreen 2.0 Ultra Clear Screen Protector for PSP. The wall travel charger is a small horizontally-plugged unit with a 6 ft. cable. The JAVOScreen Ultra Clear protectors offers "99 percent visual transparency" and now covers approximately "90 percent"... [Full Story]

Grand Theft Auto for PSP not until December?

The forthcoming Grand Theft Auto PSP game won't see the light of day for several months if Amazon.com is correct. The online retailer says the game is scheduled to be released on December 15, 2005 for $49.99. Rockstar Games said in a financial report last month that the PSP version... [Full Story]

Spider-Man 2

Based on the summer blockbuster from Marvel and Sony Pictures, Spider-Man 2 allows players to become the friendly neighborhood webslinger in order to save Manhattan. As players progress through the game, they get to do battle with such nefarious villians as Doc Ock and Mysterio. Game: Spider-Man 2 Publisher: Activision... [Full Story]

Brando announces PSP Charging Cradle

Brando Workshop today added its new PSP Charging Cradle to its line of PSP accessories. The cradle offers a secure fit for the PSP as well and can serve as a stand for watching movies or playing music. The PSP Charging Cradle is available immediately for $12.... [Full Story]

Playboy Station Portable: Nude photos, videos for PSP

Playboy is now offering a number of photos and videos formatted specifically for the PSP. "Always trying to stay ahead of the high-tech curve, we were thrilled when we received our cool, new Sony PSP and found the screen to be bigger and the resolution higher than any portable device... [Full Story]

Namco Museum Battle Collection for PSP announced

Namco today announced Namco Museum Battle Collection for the PSP. Offering new and original versions of some of Namco's arcade classics including "Galaga," "Pac-Man" and "Dig Dug," the game will be released with U.S. exclusive titles this summer. Originally released earlier this year in Japan, the U.S. version will include... [Full Story]

Brando intros PSP Crystal Hard Cover

Brando Workshop today added its new PSP Crystal Hard Cover to its line of PSP accessories. The cover offers screen protection and proposes "more easy control" via a larger, raised set of buttons and a large, analog-like nub that covers the D-pad. The PSP Crystal Hard Cover is immediately available... [Full Story]

Fantastic: Mad Catz signs deal with Marvel

Mad Catz announced today it has signed a license agreement with Marvel to produce specialty video game accessories based on Marvel's "Fantastic Four" super hero franchise for the Sony PSP. The company said it will launch "Fantastic Four" video game accessories to coincide with the Marvel Studios and 20th Century... [Full Story]

The Sims 2 to live on PSP this Fall

Electronic Arts today announced that The Sims 2 is in development for all of the major consoles and hanhelds, including the PSP. The Sims 2 — the fastest selling game of all time and the No. 1 PC game of 2004 — is scheduled to ship in the Fall of... [Full Story]

Pelican PSP Power Brick

As every owner most likely realizes by now, the PSP's battery is not its most robust component. Delivering approximately between 3-9 hours of power depending on the activity, the PSP battery pack is adequate for most folks, if not exactly overwhelming. For those out there who plan on playing the... [Full Story]

Bonus Points: GameStop/EB, POP Station, PSP icon, Home control

GameStop has acquired rival Electronics Boutique in a cash and stock deal worth about $1.44 billion. A PSP rip-off called the POP Station has been released. Want to change the default removable disk icon to an icon of the PSP? Here's how. One PSP hacker claims to have programmed... [Full Story]

Pirates of the Caribbean PSP game announced

Buena Vista Games today announced that it will release a new PSP game based on the upcoming film, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," scheduled for release in Summer 2006. "In BVG's upcoming 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest' video games, consumers will be able to play as... [Full Story]

Logic 3 announces new line of PSP accessories

Logic 3 today announced a new line of PSP accessories, including the PSP Sound System and portable Solar Charger. The PSP Sound System features a docking system that can run off a cord or batteries, recharging the console while it plays movies or music. The PSP Start Pack includes a... [Full Story]

PSP Underclocked?

An article at Consoul Games includes details from an SCEA presentation at this year's Game Developers Conference, in which Mark DeLoura, SCEA's manager of developer relations, revealed that the PSP is capped by software at 222MHz. This means that the PSPs we are now playing are running below their potential... [Full Story]

PSP price drops at Lik-Sang

For all of our European readers out there patiently waiting for an official launch date, Lik-Sang has just dropped their prices on import PSPs. Standard Pack PSPs can be had for as low as EUR 195 / GBP 135, and the Value Pack now comes in at EUR 219 /... [Full Story]

Bonus Points: Memory Sticks, AIBO Hoax, ESRB, Halo 2

PSP owners are causing shortages of Memory Stick Duo cards.Apparently, the "Control AIBO via PSP" article from Japan was in fact a hoax perpetuated by gaming magazine Famitsu.Paul Hyman writes about how video games avoid the "M" for Mature rating.TalkXbox has created a PSP-formatted video strategy guide for Bungie's hit... [Full Story]

PSPWare 2.0 update released

Nullriver Software has announced the release of PSPWare 2.0, a new version of its software that allows you to sync your music, movies and photos from your Mac to your PSP. PSPWare 2.0 adds a number of new features, improvements, bug fixes and tweaks, all of which are available after... [Full Story]

Dead To Rights: Reckoning confirmed for PSP

Confirming our earlier report, Namco yesterday officially announced Dead To Rights: Reckoning for the PSP. Pricing has not been announced, but according to a Namco producer the game will be available in May. "Dead to Rights: Reckoning accurately translates the adrenaline-soaked combat of best-selling action series, and adds several new... [Full Story]

Jak's sidekick gets starring role in new PSP game

New game developer Ready At Dawn has confirmed that it is working on a PSP title featuring Daxter from the best selling Jak & Daxter franchise. Little is known about the title expect that it is "an action/adventure game." The Daxter PSP game will offer the opportunity to share content... [Full Story]

Bonus Points: Antenna, Cake, Car mount, Fairy Tale, Atari 2600

Seth Fogie has added an external WiFi antenna to his PSP. Mmm... A PSP Cake. One clever PSP owner made a car mount with the Intec desktop stand. Sony's Korean website for the PSP features unsual photos fairy tale photos. Turn an Atari 2600 joystick into a PSP battery... [Full Story]

Miyavix PDAir PSP Leather Case

As the new market of PSP accessories expands, it seems it only gets harder to find that perfect mix of style and practicality in a case. Although not the most protective case we've reviewed, the PDAir PSP Leather Case might just be the best mix we've seen yet. Visually, the... [Full Story]

PSP can control Sony Aibo robot

You can apparently use your PSP to teach an old dog new tricks. Sony's Aibo robot dog features built-in support that allows it to be controlled with your PSP. No hacks are needed to use the PSP to make Aibo do tricks wirelessly, according to Wireless Watch Japan. "Sony's PSP... [Full Story]

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire coming to PSP

EA and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today announced the Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire videogame for the PSP, which along with the Warner Bros. Pictures film, is based on J.K. Rowling's fourth book. In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry is mysteriously selected as the fourth... [Full Story]

Bonus Points: Lumines, Advent Children, Bomberman, PSP knock-off

Find out what's in Lumines creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi's bag.Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children will be available in two versions.The Japanese version of the upcoming Bomberman game will be called Bomberman Panic Bomber and will be released in Japan on June 23.A PSP knock-off called the GameKing II has been released.... [Full Story]

Spider-Man animated series being released on UMD

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced that "Spider-Man: The New Animated Series" will be released on UMD on June 14 for $19.95. The animated show aired in 2003 on MTV. "Peter Parker is attending Empire State University, where he struggles to balance his new responsibilities as Spider-Man with the problems... [Full Story]

Most Wanted: EA announces the next Need For Speed

Confirming our report from Sunday, EA announced today that Need for Speed Most Wanted is currently under development at EA Canada. The game will combine the street racing and customization the franchise is known for with strategic police pursuits. As players progress through the game, they build up their Rap... [Full Story]

Toys 'R' Us reveals future PSP games

Toys 'R' Us has inadvertently leaked details of several upcoming PSP games on its Amazon-hosted online store. The new games include: Marvel Clash of the Superheroes - October 15, 2005 James Bond 007: Part IV - November 15, 2005 World Poker Tour - September 15, 2005 PoPoLo Crois - December... [Full Story]

PS Pictogram Series X Porter bags for PSP available

Sony Japan is offering a new line of fashion bags for carrying around your PSP and other items. Made by Yoshida & Company, the PS Pictogram Series X Porter bags feature a PlayStation/PSP button pattern (triangle, circle, square, and X) and green lining. The black nylon bags have a pocket... [Full Story]

Bonus Points: Hitch, Beer, Brain patent, GT PSP, Namco Museum

Sony will release "Hitch" (staring Will Smith and Kevin James) on June 16 on both DVD and UMD.Boulder Weekly has an amusing column about beer and gaming.Sony has been granted a patent for beaming sensory information directly into the brain, which could one day be used to create vide... [Full Story]

NFL Street 2 Unleashed

NFL Street 2 Unleashed is the first football game for the PSP, and is the third installment in EA Sports BIG's lineup of "Street" NFL games. Featuring seven-on-seven games of real NFL players, the game allows you to create your own player in order to "Own The Streets." Other game... [Full Story]

500,000 PSPs sold in first two days; $150 million in first week sales

Following several days of analyst predictions, Sony today announced that more than 500,000 PSP Value Packs were sold in the first two days the device was available last month. The company also said that the first week sales of the PSP generated more than $150 million at North American retailers.... [Full Story]

Viewtiful Joe coming to PSP

In the latest Famitsu magazine, Capcom announced a forthcoming Viewtiful Joe game for PSP, titled Viewtiful Joe: VFX Battle. The game will feature familiar characters from previous series installment as well as characters from the current Japanese TV anime series. No release date or pricing has been announced.... [Full Story]

Streamload to offer service for PSP

Streamload announced today it will be expanding support for mobile devices to include the PSP. Streamload's service allows users to transfer and stockpile their personal entertainment files, including TiVo, digital video recordings, MP3 and photo collections, into a centralized library, and access files everywhere there is an Internet connection. Streamload... [Full Story]

BoxWave announces FlexiSkin for Sony PSP

BoxWave recently announced its FlexiSkin soft case for the PSP. The form-fitting case features an anti-slip surface and full sound output through a protective layer. The case is washable and tear-resistant. FlexiSkin for the PSP is available now, in Frosted Clear only, and sells for $24.95. The case is also... [Full Story]

Dead To Rights coming to PSP

Electronics Boutique's online store has been updated with a new Dead To Rights game for the PSP. Called Dead To Rights: Reckoning, the title is priced at $39.99 and will apparently ship on May 1, 2005. There has been no official announcement from Namco regarding a PSP version of Dead... [Full Story]