Portable Gaming Revolution

PSP’s launch was kind of weak… admit it. But what it DID have was a little gem, now found for twenty bucks, called “Wipeout Pure”. I think everyone and their mom’s owned this one but me, and the kicker was that there was no online play. Slick visuals, disgusting speeds, and gorgeous art style just didn’t cut it for me. I’m not huge on racers. However!

Take a look here… It’s got a touch of info on Wipeout’s new title “Pulse” which should be headed our way right away here.

Custom soundtracks? In-Game screenshot taking?

Looks like I’ll be taking a lot of screenshots online of “MITCHYD LAST PLACE!” I hope you’ll all be there for me on the track.

Check out this blurb, then hit the link for more info and links.

• Pulse will feature 24 new tracks.
• Licensed music from Mason, Loco Dice and Stanton Warriors.
• Multiplayer via Ad-Hoc and Infrastructure
• Eight new teams, including “EG-X”.
• New “Mag-strip” feature allows ships to magnetically stick to tracks. This will allow certain tracks to feature loops, 90 degree plummets, and other mind-destroying tricks.
• Custom soundtracks allow playback of MP3s stored on Memory Stick.
• Photo Mode captures in-game screenshots.
• Like Wipeout Pure, the game will feature downloadable content, such as new tracks and songs, immediately after release.

With the release of the new 3.30 firmware, full screen video support has finally become feasible and the developers of PSP Video 9, Red Kawa, are all over it. In less than twenty-four hours, they put together a version of PSP Video 9, albeit very beta, capable of encoding at 480×272 and 720×480 resolution. There are only two encoding profiles to choose from, but you can’t complain considering how fast they released this puppy. This new version features a redesigned user interface. However, only 3.30 users will be able to get anything out of it because this version is only for PSP users of firmware 3.30 only. PSP users with firmware lower than 3.30 should use the most current non-beta version (1.94).

Head on over to Red Kawa for more information and download links.

Heads up everyone, firmware update 3.30 is out and available for download! What happened to 3.20? Nobody knows, but who cares? This update brings a few features, one of which many people will be excited to hear: full screen video support. That’s right, Sony has finally lifted the shackles and is allowing users to play their own full screen videos, a long over due feature but nice to see none the less.

New features:

• Support for PLAYSTATION®Network titles has been expanded.
• Support for thumbnail images of items has been added under [RSS Channel].
• Support for thumbnail images of videos that are stored in the "VIDEO" folder of Memory Stick Duo™ media has been added.
• The following types of files can now be played in the "VIDEO" folder.
  – MPEG-4/H.264 AVC Main Profile (AVC CABAC) video files of the following sizes:
  720 X 480, 352 X 480, or 480 X 272
  * Depending on the data type, some files cannot be played.
• [Use Wireless Hotspot] has been added as a feature under [Network Settings].

Check out the trailer on YouTube here… Being on Youtube, I’m not too sure how reliable it is, but there’s definitely some new footage in there.

Thanks PSP Fanboy for the heads up.

Anyone have a word on where the original source is?

[Update] Gamevideos has a trailer as well which you can view on their site. 

Turns out you might just have a reason to dust off the ol’ GBA, flip out that crusty SP, or simply remove your GBA cover on the DS… Why? Ninja Turtles, baby. As the biggest TMNT fan here (who wasn’t around for it in the 80’s) I’m really excited about it. I got it for the 360, and I’m just happy as can be with it. Looking at the DS and PSP versions makes me tingle too, but seeing the boys on the cover of a GBA package made me laugh.

Looks like Ubi got the last laugh.

IGN gave it an 8.5/10… That’s high folks. Why so high? Take a look at some of the videos… The fighting system looks AWESOME. The visuals and animation are top notch! I hate watermarks in my images but scope this out, for real…

It’s old school that’s for sure. It really reminds me of TMNT II on the NES and Arcade, as well as River City Ransom (the greatest NES game of all time) There is no doubt that I’ll be buying this version over both the PSP and DS versions. I was a fool to think otherwise. Check out the link above for more info… Trust me. This is a rare IGN plug.

Aye, Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2 for the PSP has been delayed past its expected March 30th launch date in place of a June release. That hurts.

Along with GRAW’s delay is the millionth delay of Rainbow Six Vegas for the PSP, slated now for “Spring”. I don’t think we’ll ever quite see it… :(

In the mean time, check out some info and vids on the second GRAW title to tide you over…

[source] 

Hey, maybe this image that popped in my email will help Nintendo take off with the online! :)

It’s obvious that it’s a DS (wannabe?) Screen because of the two seperate screens, and the less detailed visuals… Kind of a neat little thing. Anybody know anything about this? It’d be great to have some “MY SIMS” connection with the Wii and DS, huh? I’d love to take my Mii’s from my Wii and play with them on a DS Cart too.

Also, who knows Japanese and can read what it says underneath?

[Update 1] DS Fanboy does it again… More info, and eerie translation…

Thanks DS Fanboy for the heads up on this one. Check the link for more, and scope out this hilarious pic!

Awesomely cute. Check out Play Asia after the break for some ten dollar bundles of joy :)

Here’s Play Asia’s Features:

• Official Super Mario Bros. Plush Doll
• Dimension: 110 (W) × 90 (D) × 140 (H) mm
• Limited availability

You know what that means! Act fast, or else! I love the Luigi Dealer. :D

Super Mushroom Plushie
Mario Plushie
Luigi Plushie
Toad Plushie
Boo Plushie

After a slip up earlier this week at 1up and an even more clear picture seen at IGN its is now more than safe to say we’ll be seeing a God of War title on the PSP, courtesy of our friends at Ready at Dawn, the dudes who brought us the delightful Daxter. The “COMING SOON” mystery is pretty much solved now over at their site, and it’s a wonder they’ve yet to update it… Especially since Corey Barlog (God of War II director) mentioned this at GDC:

“It is its own story that connects to the overall story. God of War, God of War 2, and then if all the stars align God of War 3 will be the telling of a trilogy. This PSP story will be a further fleshing out.”

Also,

The developers are not sure what’s going to happen to the roll that was previously on the right analog stick yet — various ideas like a toggle are being thrown around, but we don’t know any more than that. “There are plusses and minuses to all of it,” says Barlog.

Sounds awesome, and I can’t wait to see how it connects the (possibly) three titles. I really hope we see some kind of multiplayer finally too :)

Read on for more on God of War PSP, and God of War III

Circuit City has some badass deals on UMD flicks this week if you’re in to that whole legal film business. Sixteen movies are available at ten bucks… And in a buy one get one free bargain! From Spidey, to Big Daddy, to Black Hawk Down, there is actually some decent cinematic adventures for super cheap. Rock on. Check it out.

Sony sent out an e-mail to a select few of its Playstation Underground members informing them of the upcoming Killzone: Liberation beta patch! If you’re a UK member, perhaps this is old news, but to us Canadian and American gamers, this is NEWS!

Sony’s letter read as such:

Prepare for battle:
Beta test the KILLZONEâ„¢: Liberation patch

Dear PlayStation® Underground™ member,

In KILLZONEâ„¢: Liberation, the war for Vekta rages on. Choose your side and take it online as the ISA forces battle the last remnants of the Helghast invaders over Southern Vekta.

With the new online patch, you can help repel the invaders, taking back what was lost. Or, play as the marauding Helghast, claiming the land in the name of Emperor Visari.

We want a few good soldiers to beta test the patch before its official release. All you need is a PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, access to a wireless connection, a memory stick with at least 10MB of free space and a copy of KILLZONE: Liberation. Choose a side, take up arms and take Liberation online!

Please note: signing up for the beta test does not guarantee participation. We’ll send you a follow-up email if you are selected. Good luck!

To sign up, just follow these simple steps:

1) Upgrade your PSP® system Firmware to 3.11*

2) From your PSP® system Internet browser go to www.*********.com
(We will only accept registrations that are completed on the PSP® system browser.)

3) Follow the onscreen instructions to complete your registration.

_____________________________________________________________

Let it be known folks, updating your PSP to firmware version 3.11 will eliminate all homebrew capabilities… I updated mostly for this. I hope to see you all online very, very soon.