Portable Gaming Revolution

Gamespot has posted the first official trailer for the upcoming Def Jam Fight for NY: The Takeover for the PSP.

This is essentially a port of Def Jam: Fight for NY which was released in 2004 on the PlayStation 2, the Xbox, and the GameCube. While this version still has a focus on the single-player mode that was in Def Jam: Fight for NY, the storyline this time around is different and is supposedly a prequel.

Takeover has a tentative release date of June 20, 2006 in the US.

In an official Press Release at the Japanese Playstation website, Sony has announced that PSP firmware version 2.70 will be available tomorrow (April 25th) in Japan. There is no word on a release in the US at this time.

The official update page has the details on what is being added with this new firmware.

Network
* “Internet Browser” now supports the playback of Macromedia Flash contents. *To play these contents, the feature must be activated in the PSP “System Settings.” *Macromedia Flash Player 6 is featured.
* Added “Connection Settings” to “Settings” in “Internet Browser.”
* Audio contents registered under “RSS Channels” can now be saved to a “Memory Stick Duo.”
* Added “Automatic” to “Rate Change” of the “LocationFree Player.”

Music
* Added AAC to the supported listed of file extensions for playback.

Settings
* Added “Activate Macromedia Flash Player” to “System Settings.”
* Added Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese to “Display Language” in “System Settings.”
* Added “RSS Channel Settings.”
* Added “UMD Video L and R Buttons” to “Video Settings.”

Other
* Resolved issues when using “Memory Stick PRO Duo” with over 2GB of free space. *As of 4/24, the issues do not arise when using “Memory Stick PRO Duo” from Japan.

As you can see, the big addition this time around is the Macromedia Flash Player. It appears to be a pretty decent update this time around and not just some security patch as some of them turn out to be.

Again, there is no word on a US release date for this firmware but rest assured, it is coming.

(Via PSP-Vault)

Flagon over at the DSWifi forums has created a homebrew application that allows a Nintendo DS to play against a Sony PSP in a game of Tic-Tac-Toe.

HI

I just somewhat finished my first DS app. Thanks to El_Hobito’s PA_Lib Wifi Setup App, I was able to quickly code something up..

I had to do this for a school project, and I got enough done for that.. The code is really messy, and all IPs are hardcoded.. I am not sure when or if I’ll actually finish it, but it does work..

So you can check it out, and play tic tac toe using WIFI. On my site I also posted the PSP code too, so you can play a game against someone with a psp!

The homepage for this application is here.

Looks pretty interesting. Unfortunately, I do not know anyone with a DS so I couldn’t test it out myself. As you can see above, Flagon admits that the code is messy and he may not even finish it. Either way, this is still an awesome development!

(Via Digg)

PSP Updates (via XPBargins) has posted some steps in getting 3 1GB Sandisk (The only ones worth buying) Memory Sticks for around $110.

It requires the use of some online coupons but isn’t a bad deal. I would also recommend reading the comments in that same post for some additional deals that readers have posted.

Here are the UMD and PSP Game releases for the week of April 23rd – April 29th

Games
Outrun 2006: Coast 2 Coast

Movies
Stripes
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children

This is a big week in the UMD department as it is the long awaited release of Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children. I can personally tell you the movie is amazing as I have had the import version for some time. I am still purchasing the US release as I want the English version.

PSP Updates (via NeoGAF) reports that Europe has a new bundle for the PSP.

The new value pack now includes the PSP game Daxter for a price of 249 Euros. Additionally, the price of the GigaPack has been dropped to 249 Euros as well. Additionally mentioned is the fact that the original value pack w/o Daxter is being discontinued.

Not a bad deal considering Daxter is getting great reviews critically.

IGN has posted a first look at the upcoming NCAA Football PSP by EA and Tiburon.

They indicate that the gameplay is very smooth with crisp animations and the unlockables are actually pretty good. Also mentioned is the fact that there is Wi-Fi multiplayer in which you will be able to challenge people online and utilize full-scale stat tracking while at the same time staying up to date on the real-life scores.

Check out the preview for the full scoop on gameplay, PSP exclusives and screenshots. NCAA Football PSP is due out July 2006 in the US.

1up.com has posted a preview of the PSP version of the abysmal 50 Cent: Bulletproof. The good news is that the PSP version is not a port of the console version. The PSP version is actually a top down hack-n-slash in the vein of Untold Legends as opposed to a 3D Shooter.

The game supports Ad-Hoc multiplayer with 6 players over 5 game types. The modes are Capture The Flag, Deathmatch, Deathmatch to pick up loot, King of the Hill, and a form of Assault where one team has to protect their cars from an opposing team intent on vehicular destruction.

Their conclusion is that this one may actually be worth playing when it is released this Winter, but read the full preview for more information.

Both Gamespot and IGN have posted some videos of the upcoming Tekken: Dark Resurrection.

The game looks really nice and it appears that it should be a great port of the arcade version. Considering the fact that Tekken is my personal favorite fighting series, I cannot wait to find out. Too bad I and everyone else will have to wait until June 26.

GameSpot has a first look preview of Ratchet and Clank’s PSP debut at the E3 2006 Preshow. If you have a PS2, chances are that you’ve played or at least heard of Ratchet and his robot buddy Clank. The game is very similar to the Jak and Daxter series and many have argued over which is better. In my opinion, they’re both excellent games.

The core gameplay has been ported over to the PSP intact for the most part. Except for remapping the controls, it looks like pretty much the same as its console cousin. The only real difference I can tell is the graphics which have been geared down to accomodate the PSP’s hardware capabilities. I would say Daxter looks a little bit better. Overall, Ratchet and Clank’s first appearance on the PSP looks like its going to be a good one.

Read GameSpot’s full preview

IGN reports that Game Republic (Genji) will be handling the previously announced Brave Story for the PSP.

The PSP version of Brave Story, fully titled Brave Story: Aratanaru Tabijin (New Traveler), takes the form of an RPG, unlike the PS2 version, which is an action adventure. You take on the role of an original main character and work through a story featuring Wataru, Meena and the rest of the original’s cast.

The game’s turn-based battle system focuses on three concepts from the original story: bravery, growth and friends. As you attack your enemies, you build up a Brave Power meter, which indicates your courage. Once maxed out, you can perform a special attack. You build up your weapons by collecting gems and can even perform combination attacks with your two battle companions.

The game will be released in Japan on July 8th to coincide with the release of the film by the same name. The film follows the story of Wataru after his father abandons him and his mother attempts suicide. In an attempt to change the course of his life, Wataru decides to look into the advice of a new kid named Mitsuru and head to the “Door at the top of the stairs of the haunted building” to see if fate can truly be changed and his wish can be granted.

IGN is reporting that Namco Bandai announced that The Legend of Heroes II: Prophecy of the Moonlight Witch will be coming to the PSP this summer. This is a sequel to The Legend of Heroes: A Tear of Vermillion which came out last year.

Prophecy of the Moonlight Witch is a turn-based RPG which boasts an “epic coming-of-age story.” Travel along with long-time chums Jurio and Chris on a pilgrimage to five shrines surrounding their village. Of course, along their mission they stumble upon adventure which leads to saving their world from an evil Queen. There are also prophecies and mysteries involved.

This title brings back the “pet system” which allows players fuzzy creatures as companions that aid them in their epic coming-of-age.

While I personally enjoyed the first Legend of the Heroes, I admittedly did have a number of problems with it. Things such as grammatical/spelling errors and the fact that it was far too easy among the most noticeable. Hopefully the second one will fix all of the problems I have and deliver a great RPG for the PSP.