Portable Gaming Revolution

Gamecloud is reporting that Totally Games will be making an untitled PSP game.

The newly signed PSP(TM) (PlayStation(R)Portable) system project features state of the art 3D graphics in a run and gun blast-a-thon for the PSP system, drawing its inspiration from such timeless arcade classics as Robotron and Smash TV. Players must navigate through expansive and exotic environments while blasting their way through hordes of rampaging monsters. This game will challenge players’ reflexes and concentration like no other product on the PSP system.

Totally Games has been fairly quiet lately but in the past they released a number of well-known and loved games including X-Wing series, Secret Weapons Over Normandy and Star Trek Bridge Commander. Usually they are partnered with Lucas Arts and Activision but this time they have a deal with Sega which could prove interesting.

PSP Magazines has released a 2006 Maxim Calendar formatted for the PSP.

This is a compilation of some of the best MAXIM photos of 2005 preformatted for the PSP as a 2006 PSP Calendar. All the images are in horizontal format so that you can set them as PSP wallpapers for each month of the new year. This first MAXIM PSP calendar includes photos of April Scott, Bobbi Sue Luther, Brittany lee, Brook Burns, Carmen Electra, Donna Feldman, Michele Merkin, Sarah Foster, Bali Rodriguez, Angela Marcello and finally Vanessa Marcil! Enjoy…

The calendar can be downloaded here or viewed online here

PSP Fanboy reports that Koei’s naval combat game series Daikoukai Jidai (Uncharted Waters) will be coming to the PSP as well as the earlier announced DS as Daikoukai Jidai IV: Rota Nova.

Not much information has been released and it is unknown at this time if it will even make it overseas. The Official Site does not have much save for a bit of artwork.

Uncharted Waters has been released and re-released on many consoles from NES to Playstation. The games have generally been Uncharted Waters and Uncharted Waters: New Horizons. I personally never really enjoyed this series on any platform, but it does have a die-hard fan base so perhaps Koei will bring it to North America as well.

1up.com has posted a preview of the remake of the original NES Mega Man for the PSP titled Mega Man: Powered Up.

The preview version is missing the ability to create and trade custom-designed levels, but overall they were very pleased with the results. They talk about the two different modes: Old-style and New-style.

Old-style is an attempt to reproduce the dynamics of the NES game with Powered Up’s new graphical appearance. Based on the single available stage (Cutman), the level design is taken directly from the original: Every jump, hazard and enemy is carried over. Even the music is a perfect reproduction of the NES tune that played during Cutman’s stage.

The real challenge is to be found in the New-style game, which has three difficulty levels… and the Hard game is really hard. Enemies move much more quickly and attack with greater ferocity. And Cutman has been granted a new ability in addition to his normal scissor toss; he can fling his blades in a spinning boomerang attack that’s difficult to dodge and inflicts serious damage on poor Mega Man.

Overall the game is apparently shaping up nicely. I personally love the new anime style (which seems to be the biggest criticism) and even though Mega Man 2 is my personal favorite in the series, Mega Man is not that far behind. It seems that for those old-school players like me who have fond memories of Mega Man before they trashed it, this looks to be a definite pick up.

The current release date is Mar 24, 2006

PSP World reports that Nyko has added three new accessories to their PSP line.

The Movie Stand provides an ideal viewing angle for UMD movies and stored videos and acts as a charging stand for the PSP and has the following features:

Power pass through port
Angled stand
Compact design
Stylish black finish
Cut away access to headphone jack

The Charger Grips provide an additional 1.5x more play time for all your favorite PSP games and provide a better, more familiar grip to ease strain on the hands and has the following features:

Rechargeable Battery
Ergonomic Design
Clip-on Installation
Lightweight
Uses standard PSP AC cord

Finally, the Tech Armour’s metal casing and form fitting design provides heavy duty protection against scratches, dirt and drops without adding excess bulk.

Durable metal case
Neoprene lining
Locking latch
Skin-tight design
Matches PSP décor

At this time, no prices have been announced. I personally dig on the movie stand and might pick it up depending on the price.

IGN has released some screenshots of the English version of Generation of Chaos.

Generation of Chaos is based on the PS2 version of Generation of Chaos IV, but with a new storyline. You will attempt to dominate the land of Duke by building up your kingdom from humble beginnings. The game features massive battles between armies of up to 30 units, and customizable troops and commanders.

As I have stated before, I generally do not dig on SRPG’s but there have been expections (Final Fantasy Tactics), and based on everything I have heard, this one might be another one I enjoy.

IGN has released some screenshots for the PSP version of the bond game From Russia With Love.

From Russia With Love is the first game to put players in the classic James Bond films as this is set in the original 60′s Bond era as the original bond himself – Sean Connery.

The PS2 version didn’t get great reviews but they were not overly bad either. It apparently takes some liberties with the film it is based on like changing the name of the terrorist group to Octopus (from SPECTRE), the first and final levels have nothing to do with the film whatsoever and some of the key action sequences were removed. All in all though, it seems to be a good game for fans of the series.

The PSP version is due out Mar 14, 2006

Edison Carter has released his newest version of his popular GTA:LCS CheatDevice. The biggest change being it now works on Firmware 2.61!

v0.4 release notes:

Your Car Is Indestructible makes any car you get in indestructible, even after you get out. If flipped over, it’ll stay that way like a turtle on its back and not catch fire. You can flip it back over with grenades. This effect does not last through a garage save, and cars can still get visible damage as usual.

Your Car Is Always On Fire makes your car stay on fire all the time without exploding. Once you get off, the clock starts ticking, so get away or get back in fast!

No Reload works for handguns, smg’s, assault rifles, sniper rifles, and rocket launchers. The rocket launcher has the added bonus that if you keep holding the trigger, you can keep firing after you run out of rockets.

You can the download US/Canada version here and the UK/EU version here.

Neo Flash has released the Neo Mini PSP Converter 4GB for the PSP.

The Neo 2 in 1 Mini-converter for PSP is a perfect add-on to your PSP for user that require memory space Use multiple cheap memory source like CF card, Microdrive or Micro HD via this converter on your PSP!

Product specifications:
* Acts as a CF card, Microdrive and Micro HD converter all-in-one. You can use any type of card/drive just like you will use a standard Memory Stick!
* CF/MicroDrive/MicroHD/Memory Stick auto detect and auto run: Plug and play! – Support up to 4GB memory size on PSP. * Built-in PSP Ready/Busy/NULL, 3 states status indication. – The 2in1 Mini-converter can exchange data between PC and PSP through any standard PSP USB cable. It supports direct CF/MicroDrive/MicroHD/MS formatting on PSP.

Operating instructions:
[1] plug the soft cable into your PSP;
[2] Plug one SD or Mini-SD or MMC or RS-MMC or CF or MicroDrive or Micro HD or Memory Stick to the corresponding slot; [3] Turn on PSP and play!

It runs about $169.00 and can be purchased here.

Maybe it is just me, but this thing does not like at all appealing and completely ruins the purpose of the PSP. While the Datel HD is admittedly large, it is still portable, but this? Perhaps it could be useful, but I personally have no desire for it.

Some new screenshots of the upcoming MX v ATV Unleashed: On the Edge.

Lik-Sang has an in-depth review of the TV Adapter Kit from Blaze.

The two major draws of this new Adapter is that there is no need to modify your PSP (ala the PSP TV Adapter) and it runs about half the price of similar products at $59.90

So for those two lazy to read the article, what is their conclusion?

At the end, the picture quality is alright, the price is affordable (at last), and the installation is a piece of cake… but… one still has to wonder what exactly is the point. It’s probably the TV Adapter Kit for PSP that makes the most sense so far but it doesn’t transform the PlayStation Portable into a PlayStation 2. Mankind just can’t fight fate or change destiny I guess

I am sorry but this is just ugly and as said above, what is really the point? Well if you are looking for one of these, this is apparently the one to get.

IGN is reporting that the anime franchise Eye Shield 21 will not only be coming to PS2 and Nintendo DS, but also to the PSP. Konami will be releasing the Eye Shield 21 Portable Edition in Japan on 3/2/2006 with no word on a North American release at this time.

Eye Shield 21 follows Kobayakawa Sena who a high school freshman. Sena seems doomed to live life as a whipping boy, but his life unexpectedly changes when Hiruma, the most feared person in his school and president of the American Football Club, forces him to join the Team. Sena now takes on the persona of Eye Shield 21, a lighting fast running back.