PSP News
- Top 12 Games Of Summer
Need a good reason to stay out of the sun this summer? We've got a dozen.
- Game Releases for the Week of July 6, 2008
Highlights this week include Nancy Drew: The Phantom of Venice (PC) Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution (Xbox 360/PS3/Nintendo DS), Unreal Tournament III (Xbox 360), and Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon (Nintendo Wii).
Check out the full list of new video game releases (USA) for the week of July 6, 2008 on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Sony PS2, PSP, Nintendo DS, and PC!
- PSP beats Wii and DS in Japan for June
The game hardware sales data for the June period in Japan (aka the five weeks to June 29) has been released, and Sony's PSP managed to outsell both the Wii and Nintendo DS, with sales of 274,131 units according to Famitsu publisher Enterbrain.
The market research firm said that Nintendo's lead with Wii is fading, as its lead on the PlayStation 3 narrowed to 1.7-to-1 in June, down significantly from its 6-to-1 lead in May. However, the PS3 did see the launch of Konami blockbuster Metal Gear Solid 4 in June, which had a lot to do with the buzz.
Wii managed sales of 235,990 units, PS3 managed 139,494, DS managed 195,714, and as usual, Microsoft's Xbox 360 trailed by a long margin with just 10,964 units.
- Perverts Rejoice: Princess Maker 5 disturbs its way onto the PSP
Destructoid writes: "According to a listing found by PSPHyper on Japanese retail website Rakuten, Princess Maker 5 Portable is set to release in Japan on September 25. Princess Maker 5 Portable is the PSP rendition of the original Princess Maker 5 that hit the PS2 in Japan last year. It may be safe to assume that this PSP title will probably not hit outside of the country after the very understandable issues with the localization of Princess Maker 2.
Princess Maker 5 for the PS2 was a noted adjustment in the series, as it allowed players to finally be able to schedule their women on a weekly timeline, instead of that pesky monthly one. It also featured better options on telling the budding princess what to think and do. If you're a bit lost, don't feel bad. The game really snags on our societal norms. The point of the entire series is to usher a young girl into womanhood by controlling her every behavior. In this regard, it is a bit of a simulator and strategy game.
If there is one thing I have always wanted to do with my new PSP, it's teach a girl how to be a woman. Seriously, what the hell? Judging from the selection of artwork also available from Rakuten, there might be more to this title than meets the eye, and frankly, that scares me."
- Tragic students may have died for games consoles
THE victims of a sadistic double murder might have died for the sake of two hand-held games consoles, police said yesterday. French students Laurent Bonomo and Gabriel Ferez, both 23, were bound, gagged and stabbed to death in a bedsit in south London on Sunday night.
Detectives, who believe the pair may have been the victims of a savage robbery, said two Sony PSP consoles, costing £130 each, were stolen from Mr Bonomo's rented flat.
- IGN E3 countdown
See a LIVE countdown to Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, and E3's press conferences on IGN.com.
- How to play PlayStation 1 games on PSP using Popsloader
A tutorial that tells the reader how to play PlayStation 1 EBOOT games on PSP CFW 3.80 M33+ using Dark Alex's Popsloader plugin.
- Sony has unknowingly created a multi-tiered market for themselves
PS3, PSP, PS2, PS4 co-exist in harmony?
- Capcom.co.jp lists Devil May Cry for PSP
If you look at the top of the list you can see that Devil May Cry is listed for the Sony PSP.
- Mainstream media are getting hipper to gaming world
I don't know whether many of you noticed, although you probably should have, that video games have been getting some interesting mainstream ink lately with perspectives by folks we wouldn't expect to hear on this subject.
- LEGO Batman: Bruce Wayne & Poison Ivy Revealed - Screens
WorthPlaying writes: "The LEGO Batman: The Videogame story unfolds with Batman's greatest foes escaping from Arkham Asylum and creating mayhem throughout Gotham City. Tracking criminals, including The Joker and The Penguin, players will utilize Batman's gadgets as well as build and operate fantastic vehicles in one or two player cooperative gameplay.
An Arkham Asylum psychiatrist assigned to treat The Joker; Dr. Harleen Quinzel was instead driven mad by the Clown Prince of Crime. She helped him escape confinement and became Harley Quinn, The Joker's devoted and love struck companion. Nearly as insane as The Joker himself, Harley Quinn is a violent and unpredictable felon who will do anything to prove her love and loyalty to her beloved Joker."
- Official PS Blog: PlayStation Store Update
Grace Chen writes: "Hey, everyone. It's time again for the PLAYSTATION Store weekly update."
Qore Episode 02: July, 2008 ($2.99 Issue, $24.99 Annual Subscription)
Episode 02 of Qore: Presented by the PLAYSTATION Network includes Part one of a three part series following the development of Resistance 2 and the exclusive release of the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm demo.
File size: 1.71 GB
Add-on Game Content
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock July 4th 2008 Holiday Single (free)
FREE "Top Gun Anthem" as performed by Steve Ouimette.
File size: 14.9 MB
Rock Band
Build your Rock Band library by purchasing these song game tracks.
* "Promised Land" - Vesuvius (free)
* "Who's Going Home with You Tonight?" - Trapt ($0.99)
* "Time Is Running Out" - Papa Roach ($0.99)
* "Down at the Whisky" - Motley Crüe ($0.99)
* Crüe Fest Pack 1 ($2.99) - includes "Time Is Running Out" - Papa Roach, "Down at the Whisky" - Motley Crüe, and "Who's Going Home with You Tonight?" - Trapt.
File sizes: 23.3 MB - 30.6 MB (singles), 74.2 MB (track pack)
Game Videos (free)
Killzone 2 Trailer
File size: 33 MB (SD), 66 MB (HD)
Valkyria Chronicles Teaser Trailer
File size: 62 MB (HD)
Battlefield: Bad Company Bad World Trailer
File size: 47 MB (HD)
Battlefield: Bad Company Rainbow Sprinkles Trailer
File size: 62 MB (HD)
Battlefield: Bad Company Snake Eyes Trailer
File size: 53 MB (HD)
Dead Space Animated Comic Issue #2
File size: 269 MB (HD)
Dead Space Animated Comic Issue #3
File size: 368 MB (HD)
Tiger Woods '09 Course Video
File size: 104 MB (HD)
Vampire Rain Altered Species #1
File size: 153 MB (HD)
Vampire Rain Altered Species #2
File size: 116 MB (HD)
Movie and Blu-ray Trailers (free)
Lakeview Terrace
File size: 29 MB (SD), 108 MB (HD), 148 MB (1080)
John Mayer Live In Los Angeles
File size: 134 MB (HD), 178 MB (1080)
Vantage Point
File size: 98 MB (HD), 129 MB (1080)
Persepolis
File size: 76 MB (HD), 99 MB (1080)
PS3 Themes (free)
Woodward Theme
File size: 3.18 MB
Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution Theme
File size: 2.32 MB
PS3 Wallpaper (free)
Top Spin 3 Wallpaper
File sizes: 203K - 883K
PSN Theme
Woodward Theme
- Rockstar Announces Midnight Club: Los Angeles PSP Version
Gamedaily.biz writes; "Rockstar announced Midnight Club: LA Remix for the PSP, which is scheduled for a simultaneous release. This version, however, is being handled by Rockstar London (Manhunt 2) rather than the studio in San Diego."
- 360 Minority Report Interface Drops Sony Capri Clue ???
TVG comes across an interesting Playstation development from the studio reportedly helping out Microsoft...
With recent reports alleging that Microsoft is looking to introduce a motion-sensitive Minority Report eqsue interface to the Xbox 360, TVG today fortuitously stumbled across some interesting information on the company reported to be helping with the task.
While browsing Schematic's website TVG came across an interesting link to the company's work with Sony Computer Entertainment. According to their website, Schematic were enlisted by Sony Computer Entertainment "...to explore how to expand their proprietary "Cross Media Bar" interface for richer and more complex media navigation... to create a forward-thinking prototype."
The work is listed under the 'Mobile Devices' heading suggesting a PSP update, or possibly something to do with the much rumoured PSP phone perhaps?
- Dark_Alex Releases PspStates Experiment version 2
Developer Dark AleX has announced the release of version 2 of his PspStates homebrew plugin for the PSP Slim.
In case you weren't around during our earlier report, this homebrew plugin will enable you to create savestates while playing games on your handheld. As for the changes that are implemented with this new build (quoting the readme):
* Fixed important bug in inter-thread code (semaphore wasn't waiting due to interrupts disabled), that caused the load state to not be completely read in some cases. This caused black screen after state load (unless you just saved that state, in this case state was still in ram), or even worse, game not working properly due to partial load.
* Added states per game basis. The controls are slightly different: old controls now do a local savestate/loadstate of the game, while pressing additionally select button will save/load a global state. See instructions for more info.
* Fixed bug that caused normal sleep mode waking up immediately.
* UMD discs and isos in normal UMD mode are now supported. However, they require to nullify umdcache, by flashing one file, read the instructions in the readme.
More at the source.
- Strategy Informer: Why EA needs to re-think its Design
From Strategy Informer: "In the US, there are cheers from around the country. The latest Madden has been released. If American Football games aren't your cup of tea, then maybe it's the latest edition of NASCAR. Often that results in a disinterested grudge from us Brits. The last US-sport game I played was Madden on the Mega Drive. It kept me interested, but purely because pocket money was short and review samples a distant dream. With a copy of NASCAR 09 to review, tentative steps were taken. Those apprehensions were not unfounded."
- Worldwide Hardware and Software Chart for Week Ending June 27th, 2008
VGChartz reports that their estimated worldwide hardware and software chart for week ending June 27th, 2008 is as follows:
Hardware Totals: [Last Week #]
Wii: 502,764 (+47%) [342,103]
DSL: 419,009 (-1%) [424,588]
PSP: 198,617 (-4%) [207,524]
PS3: 158,971 (-6%) [169,094]
360: 130,926 (+5%) [124,253]
PS2: 100,514 (0%) [100,064 ]
Top 10 Software Worldwide:
1 Super Smash Bros Brawl (Wii) 477,134 5,963,306
2 Wii Sports (Wii) 454,272 25,183,415
3 Battlefield: Bad Company (360) 332,108 332,108
4 Wii Fit (Wii) 273,475 5,226,326
5 Guitar Hero: On Tour (DS) 208,027 208,027 [NEW]
6 Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3) 185,818 2,064,591
7 Wii Play (Wii) 178,228 13,244,292
8 Mario Kart Wii (Wii) 172,632 6,019,683
9 Derby Stallion DS (DS) 172,224 172,224 [NEW]
10 Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World (Wii) 164,210 164,210 [NEW]
Other New Releases:
11 Battlefield: Bad Company (PS3) 145,565 145,565 [NEW]
12 Rock Band (Wii) 131,480 131,480 [NEW]
13 Daigasso! Band Brothers DX (DS) 116,172 116,172 [NEW]
15 Big Beach Sports (Wii) 73,305 73,305 [NEW]
27 Pachislot Series Vol 12: CR Neon Geneses Evangelion (PS2) 49,225 49,225 [NEW]
36 Higurashi no Nakukoru ni Kizuna: Dai-Ichi-Kan - Tatari (DS) 42,804 42,804 [NEW]
40 My Weight Loss Coach (DS) 36,607 36,607 [NEW]
45 Beijing 2008 (PS3) 32,504 32,504 [NEW]
47 Ken to Mahou to Gakuen Mono (PSP) 31,818 31,818 [NEW]
Software Totals: [Last Week #]
Wii: 2,957,295 (+59%) [1,855,951] Tie Ratio: 4.93
DSL: 2,459,361 (+33%) [1,848,866] Tie Ratio: 3.50
360: 1,545,390 (+25%) [1,235,643] Tie Ratio: 6.75
PS3: 1,151,709 (-11%) [1,301,139] Tie Ratio: 4.44
PS2: 595,325 (+1%) [590,226] Tie Ratio: n/a
PSP: 450,756 (-16%) [539,645] Tie Ratio: 2.07
- 50 Surprise Sequels for E3 - Part I
This extensive gameplayer article tackles the sequels that should be announced at E3 2008.
"Sometimes the game industry seems so submerged in established franchises and straight-off-the-conveyor-belt sequels it seems impossible that any new IP has a chance of being noticed. But for every twenty Christmas cash cows that infest store shelves with their mediocrity, there is that one sequel we deeply yearn for ? that great game that demands another shot at the big time but is bewilderingly ignored. Maybe it has merely become lost in the forgotten back catalogue of a now defunct publisher or perhaps it has been buried beneath the egotistical loggerheads of past-it developers, given up on and stuck in developmental hell. Unable to find the light as fans yell from their couches? encore! Encore! Encore!"
- Japanese Hardware and Software Chart for Week Ending June 28th, 2008
VGChartz reports that their estimated numbers for Japanese hardware and software chart for week ending June 21st, 2008 was as follows:
Total Hardware: [Last Week #]
PSP: 60,410 (+4%) [58,203]
Wii: 59,994 (+41%) [42,643]
DSL: 51,920 (+40%) [37,032]
PS3: 18,483 (-20%) [23,037]
PS2: 8,148 (+21%) [6,730]
360: 3,530 (+53%) [2,313]
Top 10 Software:
1 Derby Stallion DS (DS) 172,224 172,224 [NEW]
2 Teiruzu obu Shinfonia-Ratatosuku no Kishi (Wii) 164,210 164,210 [NEW]
3 Daigasso! Band Brothers DX (DS) 116,172 116,172 [NEW]
4 Pachislot Series Vol 12: CR Neon Geneses Evangelion (PS2) 49,225 49,225 [NEW]
5 Higurashi no Nakukoru ni Kizuna: Dai-Ichi-Kan - Tatari (DS) 42,804 42,804 [NEW]
6 Ken to Mahou to Gakuen Mono (PSP) 31,818 31,818 [NEW]
7 Wii Fit (Wii) 30,491 2,286,066
8 Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3) 28,420 573,334
9 Mobile Suit Gundam: Operation: Troy (360) 27,940 27,940 [NEW]
10 Mario Super Sluggers (Wii) 27,482 86,313
Other New Releases:
12 Devil Kings X (PS2) 25,166 25,166 [NEW]
13 Bleach: The 3rd Phantom (DS) 25,053 25,053 [NEW]
14 Spice and Wolf (DS) 19,373 19,373 [NEW]
19 Disgaea: Prince of the Demon World and the Red Moon (DS) 17,343 17,343 [NEW]
20 The King of Fighters 98 Ultimate Match (PS2) 16,728 16,728 [NEW]
Software Totals: [Last Week #]
DSL: 589,365 (+154%) [231,940] Tie Ratio: 4.34
Wii: 308,240 (+73%) [177,735] Tie Ratio: 3.48
PS2: 130,269 (+61%) [80,920] Tie Ratio: 5.66
PSP: 116,181 (-30%) [167,071] Tie Ratio: 1.94
360: 48,988 (+445%) [8,985] Tie Ratio: 4.64
PS3: 47,888 (-47%) [89,926] Tie Ratio: 2.70
- Crisis Core Dominates Sales Charts in UK
European gamers had to wait for the blockbuster Square Enix title to arrive on their shores, but once it arrived, fans enthusiastically snapped up copies of the game.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII pushed Lego Indiana Jones down from the top spot for the week ended June 26. God of War: Chains of Olympus remains popular in the #3 position.
