Sony PSP June 2006

PSP Third in Growth, First in Gaming Quality

Jason Anderson, an analyst for the International Development Group, made some good points earlier this week at the MI6 Game Marketing Conference regarding marketing growth in various gaming platforms, including the PSP. Anderson's presentation, which was covered by Gamasutra, noted that for the handheld gaming industry in 2006 PSP ownership... [Full Story]

EA's Def Jam: Fight for NY: The Takeover Promising

GameSpot yesterday posted a hands-on with the upcoming PSP fighting game Def Jam: Fight for NY: The Takeover from EA. Scheduled for release next month, GameSpot found the working copy they were playing with "promises to be every bit as enjoyable as its home console counterparts". They also found the... [Full Story]

Elliot Sadler EA's NASCAR 07 Cover Star

Electronic Arts said today (opens as PDF file) NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver Elliott Sadler will grace the cover of the upcoming NASCAR 07 title due out in stores this September for a variety of platforms including the PSP. Sadler thus far in 2006 has amassed three wins, a Gatorade... [Full Story]

Logitech PlayGear Stealth

The Logitech PlayGear Stealth earbuds make use of 9mm neodymium drivers for better audio, three sizes of comfort seal gels for keeping sound in and a small form factor to deliver PSP owners a stylized match to their portable gaming device. The earbuds, which have a two-year limited warranty, have... [Full Story]

New Wipeout PSP Game Coming?

If job ads are to be believed, this new posting from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe drops us a hint about a "future iteration of Wipeout" coming to the PSP. Sony is seeking a senior/lead designer in an urgent way to fill this position - let's hope this person can fill... [Full Story]

PSP Tunneling: Getting Your Favorite Game Online

So you want to play against someone who owns another PSP over the Internet but you have a game that can't be played online. According to 1UP's Jenn Frank, that isn't a problem. She's posted an excellent step by step tutorial for "tunneling" with your PSP via the right hardware... [Full Story]

7,000 PSOne games coming to PSP

If you've ever dreamed of playing classic original Sony PlayStation games on your PSP, you will soon get your chance. Sony is planning a PSOne emulation service, which they announced at this year's E3. The latest issue of UK PSP Magazine reports that although no release dates have been announced,... [Full Story]

Mercury Meltdown Not a Meltdown

IGN has a nice hands-on write up regarding the upcoming PSP puzzle game Mercury Meltdown. The sequel to MacLean's Mercury, Mercury Meltdown, according to IGN, "appears to address every single problem the original title had while expanding the scope of the game itself". Screenshots show what looks to be a... [Full Story]

Ridge Racer 2 Revving Up in Japan

IGN today brought word to Ridge Racer fans (at least in Japan anyhow) that an article in Famitsu contains some of the first details on Ridge Racer 2, set for a 9/14 Japanese release. In the Famitsu article, Namco provides details on features like the return of the nitro system,... [Full Story]

PlayFirst's Diner Dash Dashing to PSP

Eidos Interactive and PlayFirst announced today they are teaming up to bring PlayFirst's Diner Dash game to handheld gaming platforms, including the PSP, in 2007. Diner Dash, considered a casual game, puts players in the role of the female protagonist, Flo, as she attempts to grow her restaurant through a... [Full Story]

Dungeon Siege: Throne of Agony looking good

If you're looking for a few extra details on the upcoming PSP action RPG Dungeon Siege: Throne of Agony, Pocket Gamer has a nice little hands-on piece posted. It gives a few juicy details, including some info on the "hub-style level environment" which makes up part of the game play.... [Full Story]

Sega Going Genesis Retro with PSP

Gaming blog Joystiq has the goods on an upcoming PSP title this Novemeber which will bring back fond memories to older Sega Genesis gamers. Genesis Collection, according to Joystiq, will include 28 games, with memorable titles such Shinobi II, Virtua Fighter 2 and Ecco the Dolphin being included. Sega told... [Full Story]

Street Fighter Alpha: The Movie comes to UMD

Capcom today is making available on the UMD format the animation movie Street Fighter Alpha: The Movie, according to XGP Gaming. The movie, a sequel to the Street Fighter II: V Series, is being distributed in partnership with Manga Entertainment. It is 100 minutes long and will cost $19.99.... [Full Story]

PSP Game Releases for the Week of June 26, 2006

We hope you have your pennies saved up and your PSP battery charged because a slew of new games are coming to Sony's portable gaming platform this week. These include the card game Stacked with Daniel Negreanu, Micro Machines V4 from Codemasters, MTX: Mototrax from Activision, Buena Vista Games' Pirates... [Full Story]

UMD Movie Releases for the Week of June 26, 2006

MovieWeb reports that for the week of June 26 new UMD movie releases include Ultraviolet, Independence Day and Initial D/House of Fury.... [Full Story]

Tomb Raider Legend

It's probably fair to state that the Tomb Raider series of games are some of the most influential computer/console games of all time. I say ‘some’, as after the first two outings the series lost its way a little. Whether this was allowing a little too much exploration or the... [Full Story]

Sega Brings Sonic The Hedgehog to PSP

Sega is celebrating Sonic The Hedgehog's 15th birthday in a big way as they announced Friday a variety of new titles for different gaming platforms. For the PSP, the title due out this fall is called Sonic Rivals. While many details were not mentioned about it in Sega’s press release,... [Full Story]

Dumb People & PSPs: A Bad Combo

So you think you've done stupid pet tricks with your PSP? You probably have done nothing as stupid as what is on a new list over at PSP Nation, which in turn makes mention of users posting their stupid PSP moves in Sony’s own PSP forum. Among the more laughable... [Full Story]

Field Commander

Developed and published by Sony Online Entertainment, Field Commander is a new military action strategy game that offers a number of multiplayer and online options, including a robust website with leader boards, map sharing and more. Players will take the role of a field commander working for an independent organization,... [Full Story]

Pirates of the Caribbean sets sail for PSP

Buena Vista Games has announced that Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest has begun shipping to retail stores. The game allows players to take control of Captain Jack Sparrow in hand-to-hand combat and use strength, speed, and "dirty" attacks to take down enemies. The PSP version of the game... [Full Story]

Tivo Desktop 2.3 Plus adds automatic PSP conversion

TiVo has released an upgrade to its TiVo Desktop 2.3 software, called Tivo Desktop 2.3 Plus. The new software adds automatic conversion of TiVoToGo programs into MPEG-4 or H.264 video, making the video compatible with a number of portable devices including the PSP, iPod, Palm Treo, and others. The software... [Full Story]

ESRB and retailers unveil 'Commitment to Parents'

Several major retailers, accounting for nearly 80% of computer and video game sales, have joined with the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) to announce a new 'Commitment to Parents' in stores nationwide that aims to enhance compliance with enforcement policies regarding the sale of Mature-rated video games, provide parents with... [Full Story]

Asterix and Obelix XXL 2 PSP bound

Atari have announced that Asterix and Obelix XXL 2 is currently in development for Sony PSP by Tate Interactive. An enhanced version of the PlayStation 2 and PC game of the same name, Asterix and Obelix XXL 2 for the PSP will take advantage of the unique capabilities of the... [Full Story]

Exit

Puzzle games are no stranger to consoles. Arguably it was the original Tetris that brought the GameBoy Classic to such a wide audience. Its success spawned a succession of clones all of which were a variation on a theme and almost all of which followed the same pattern where the... [Full Story]

Eidos confirms '10th Anniversary Edition' of Tomb Raider

Even though the US is yet to get the 1st Tomb Raider outing on the Sony PSP, Eidos has confirmed that it is developing a special ‘10th Anniversary Edition’ of Tomb Raider which will once again be coded by Crystal Dynamics. “Our ‘10th Anniversary Edition’ of Tomb Raider, is a... [Full Story]

New movies released on UMD this week

Several movies will be released in UMD format for the PSP this week. Among the new titles are: Anger Management, Die Hard, Die Hard 2: Die Harder, Last Exile: Volume 1 - First Move, The Pink Panther, The Princess Bride, and Metal Gear Solid: Interactive Comic.... [Full Story]

Energizer unveils Energi To Go PSP power packs

Energizer today announced its new line of Energi To Go battery-powered portable power packs. In addition to Energi To Go models for cell phones, the Energi To Go Gaming Power Pack will be available to provide portable power to PSPs. The Power Pack will include the reusable charger, a smart... [Full Story]

Sony to sell PSPs in 'robotic stores'

Sony is currently testing plans to sell PSP handhelds, along with other Sony portable electronics, at vending machines, or as Sony calls them "robotic stores" placed in strategic high-traffic areas such as malls and airports. Current test systems can be found in Santa Rosa, Ca., Atlanta and Boulder, Colorado. The... [Full Story]

Mark/Space intros The Missing Sync for PSP

Mark/Space, known for its software for Pocket PCs and Palm handhelds, has introduced The Missing Sync for Sony PSP. The Mac-only software, available now, features Intel-native video encoding, offline web browsing, packaging of contacts, calendars, tasks, notes and Safari bookmarks into stylized web pages and integration with iPhoto and iTunes.... [Full Story]

Tomb Raider: Legend coming to PSP June 21

The highly-anticipated PSP version of Tomb Raider: Legend will hit North American stores June 21. The game, a port of the PS2 version, will feature three PSP-specific Wi-fi multiplayer modes including "multiplayer racing, fast-paced head-to-head treasure hunts, and extreme obstacle courses." The PSP version will also see new skins, soundtrack... [Full Story]

TVersity announces support for PSP

TVersity has announced home media support for mobile devices including the PSP, PDAs and Cell phones. The Sony PSP is an ideal device to benefit from the unique capabilities of TVersity," said Ronen Mizrahi, President of TVersity. "Lacking a hard drive but supporting WiFi, the PSP is capable of accessing... [Full Story]

Rockstar reveals second PSP title for '06

In its financial earnings report posted yesterday, Take-Two said that its Rockstar Games division has a second PSP title planned for a 2006 release, based on a pre-existing brand. At this point there has been no indication as to what this mystery title might be.... [Full Story]

Talkman for PSP

Talkman is a monaural USB microphone attachment for PSP. When used in conjunction with the Talkman translation software, it can help you interact with people in foreign lands. The software can translate between English, Japanese, Mandarine Chinese, and Korean.... [Full Story]

Legend of Heroes II for PSP goes gold

Namco Bandai has announced that The Legend of Heroes II: Prophecy of the Moonlight Witch for the PSP has gone gold. With accessible gameplay and enhanced enemy A.I., this visually dazzling game unfurls a coming-of-age tale of two heroes who must combine courage and strength to save their world. Part... [Full Story]

Gradius Collection

Gradius Collection is a compilation of five games in the Gradius series available for the first time on the PSP system. Spanning more than 20 years, the five games Gradius, Gradius II, Gradius III, Gradius IV, and the previously unreleased Gradius Gaiden, deliver classic 2D shooting action on the go.... [Full Story]

This week's new PSP game releases

To coincide with the theatrical release of the movie, this week sees the release of THQ's Cars, brings back some retro titles with Gradius Collection — which includes the first-ever North American release of the long-awaited Gradius Gaiden — and Race Driver 2006, which features street racing, super truck racing,... [Full Story]

Sony facing adversity with Connect service

Sony is not going ahead with the revamp of their Connect download service as they had indicated, according to reports from MP3.com and C-Net. The relaunch was widely regarded as a necessary move on Sony's part to compete with Apple's iTunes and other download services. Sony Corporation of America CTO... [Full Story]

Sony releases PSP firmware v2.71

Sony today released the latest version of the PSPs firmware, v2.71. The update brings several updates and improvements to the Location Free Player and RSS Channel options, expanded AAC audio support and more. The biggest feature of the new firmware, however, is the ability to download playable demos directly from... [Full Story]