PSP Fanboy

PSP Brite preview reveals battery life and details on firmware 4.20

Posted Oct 6th 2008 10:30AM by Alan Tsang
Filed under: News

Eurogamer got some hands-on time with the PSP Brite (PSP-3000) and spilled some details on the upcoming piece of hardware as well as the firmware installed on it, version 4.20.

In terms of the hardware, they noticed that the screen was significantly brighter; the PSP Brite's highest brightness setting not plugged in to an outlet is noticeably brighter than the PSP Slim & Lite's brightest setting with the PSP plugged in. Unfortunately, they did not test the PSP Brite's performance in the sun, which was something we were looking forward to finding out. The battery life was then tested, and they clocked the PSP Brite's battery life at 5 and a half hours -- exactly the same as its predecessor.

The PSP also came equipped with the latest firmware. Firmware 4.20 appears to bring only minor updates -- there is a new "USB Auto-Connect" feature, which will allow the PSP to automatically enter USB mode at any time (except during gameplay) when it becomes connected. They also noticed a "Flicker Reduction" option, but nothing else noteworthy. For their full preview of the PSP Brite, check out Eurogamer.

[Thanks, Zach M.!]

PSP Brite boxart shows direct PSP Store

Posted Oct 5th 2008 8:00PM by Jem Alexander
Filed under: News

This is the boxart for the PSP Brite Limited Edition 4GB memory stick pack. Notice anything interesting? PS3 owners among you might recognise two things. Firstly, the PSN logo, which the PSP has previously not been associated with. Secondly, the screen shows the PSN Store. The actual PSN store, not the PC-based website. Interesting. That means we should be seeing the direct PSP store before this bundle releases on November 30th. Will we be hearing an announcement regarding the exact release date for the WI-FI based store directly on the PSP soon? With the Tokyo Game Show just around the corner, it's a strong possibility.

Worldwide PSP releases for the week of October 5

Posted Oct 5th 2008 8:00AM by Majed Athab
Filed under: Software

Four straight weeks with games all across the board -- it looks like that summer drought is officially over. The fall season is packed and it seems everyone wants to get in on the holiday shopping spree. Phew! We were a little worried there for a moment.

NA Games:

EU Games:

Asian Games:

Vitality has been pumped back into the PSP, we can officially say.

Ask PSP Fanboy: Volume 42

Posted Oct 4th 2008 3:00PM by Justin Eaton
Filed under: Ask PSP Fanboy

It's the end of the week, which calls for a new volume of Ask PSP Fanboy! Each week we'll collect your questions, and each weekend a new volume of Ask PSP Fanboy will appear on the front page. If you've got a question, send an email to justin.eaton @ weblogsinc .com with the subject "Ask PSP Fanboy."

Q. I heard that Mega Man 9 isn't playable on the PSP. Why would it not be?
A. Mega Man 9 was developed for PS3, Wii, and XBLA. I'm not sure that there are technical limitations in the game, I believe it's just a matter of which platforms they felt would benefit most. I would love to see Mega Man on the PSP, but that's up to the developers. Considering PSP's ability to play downloadable games, this seems like a no-brainer.

Q. Do you think SCEI will release a "PSP-4000" model? If so, what do hope they will change?
A. With the PSP-3000 just around the corner, I'd like to think we have some time before another model. With that said, I would like to see some internal flash memory.

Q. With the PSP 3000 launching next month, do you think many retail outlets will clearance out their stocks of the PSP 2000s?
A. We might see a few sales here and there, but they'll likely be online, or on an individual basis. Sony hasn't announced any plans to discount them before the PSP-3000 launch.

Continue reading Ask PSP Fanboy: Volume 42

Tenchu 4 to hit PSP, not Wii exclusive after all?

Posted Oct 4th 2008 12:00PM by Majed Athab
Filed under: News

There isn't enough ninja on PSP. There aren't enough pirates either, but Tenchu 4 can't solve that. It can, however, save us from a current lack of stealth kills and rooftop trespasses. Speaking to a Tenchu 4 rep, Siliconera got word that the famed neck-snapper would be going to PSP.

Later, they found out that the game was also listed on the OFLC (Australia) as a multiplatform release. Is this all just coincidence or an early leak? We guess the one place to find out would be at TGS starting next week.

It's not your tran, it's Mytran Wars for PSP

Posted Oct 3rd 2008 9:05PM by Andrew Yoon
Filed under: Video

Perhaps they should reconsider that title ...

Mytran Wars is a PSP-exclusive cel-shaded strategy game from Budapest-based developer Stormregion. It's classic strategy fare set in the 23rd century, with humans and aliens at war over resources. It actually looks very good, and should (shock!) actually make it's way to the US.

Gallery: Mytran Wars

Star Ocean for Europe out October 24

Posted Oct 3rd 2008 2:10PM by Majed Athab
Filed under: Star Ocean

Star Ocean: First Departure was first announced for Europe in late August, though a specific date was yet to be determined. However now, we now know that the tri-Ace space voyager will be releasing in Europe on October 24 -- three days behind the North American date.

That's good to know for all you RPG fanatics that live over yonder. In celebration of this news, we've got ten new screenshots in our gallery for you to enjoy.

[Via press release]

Gallery: Star Ocean: The First Departure

Enkaku Sousa and Diamond Gunshot websites open

Posted Oct 3rd 2008 10:35AM by Majed Athab
Filed under: Imports

Yup, those two modern day, Dick Tracy-like games now have official sites. Now that the print mags have let the cat out of the bag on Sony's first party PSP games to be shown at TGS, the internet is getting a treat. If you're interested in getting a better look at either of these titles, you can check out the Enkaku Sousa website here or the Diamond and the Sound of a Gunshot one right here.

This blogger recommends checking out the Enkaku Sousa website purely to listen to the background music. That, and the fact that there's some footage on the game you can watch. Diamond Gunshot's website on the other hand, has less to offer, but drop by if you're interested.

American PC Store update for October 2nd

Posted Oct 2nd 2008 6:30PM by Jem Alexander
Filed under: Store

A decent update! Who'd've thunk it? Today Sony has unveiled a full set of releases for your downloading pleasure. You'll find full games, trailers and themes/wallpapers. All in one update. That's something that hasn't happened for a while. If you enjoyed last week's release of Untold Legends for download, then you'll be happy to hear the sequel is now available too. Oh, and if you're wondering what happened to the European PC Store update post, there wasn't any new content. Sorry. Here's the full release list:

Untold Legends: The Warrior's Code full game ($14.99)
Work Time Fun full game ($9.99)
Bluetooth headset trailer
PipeMania trailer
NBA 09 PSP theme
5x Midnight Club LA Remix wallpapers
PipeMania wallpaper

PSP is number 1 in Japan the first half of 2008

Posted Oct 2nd 2008 5:00PM by Alan Tsang
Filed under: News

During the past few weeks the PSP's sales have been less than ideal, but Sony's portable is still on top in Japan for 2008 ... so far. According the Enterbrain, the PSP has sold 1,583,731 units the first half of the year in the land of the rising sun. The PSP's main competitor, Nintendo's DS, sold 1,314,919 units during that same period. Nintendo's portable is still way ahead of the PSP in terms of lifetime sales though -- 23,484,680 units of the DS were sold versus the PSP's 10,157,757 units sold.

In the software arena, Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G is in second place with 1,602,386 copies sold. It was beaten by yet another Nintendo product, Mario Kart Wii, which sold 1,744,387 copies.

With the PSP Brite launching in about two weeks and DSi launching in a month, the two handhelds' struggle for dominance in Japan will truly begin. Now we gotta ask: who are you rooting for?

Two out of three SCEI TGS games revealed, Irem brings Disaster Report to PSP

Posted Oct 2nd 2008 2:30PM by Majed Athab
Filed under: News

Here's another three new titles set to be shown at this year's Tokyo Game Show. Let's start first with two out of the three unannounced SCEI games, shall we? Both games are adventure, investigation-type games according to PSPHyper. They're called Enkaku Sousa and Diamond and the Sound of a Gun Shot. The third mystery Sony title is apparently Resistance: Retribution, which is something we've known about since E3. Not really much mystery there.

The last title we'll mention in this article is Irem's Disaster Report game for PSP. The company is bringing the series of survival adventure games over to the PSP with Zettai Zetsumei Toshi 3. The series has come over Stateside before, so this one might turn out to be a title that could make its way over here.

Source 1 - PSP Hyper
Source 2 - PSP Hyper

Deal: Syphon Filter: Logan's shadow for $10

Posted Oct 2nd 2008 11:56AM by Alan Tsang
Filed under: Syphon Filter

[Update -- Apparently, Amazon can run out of stock, but they replenish throughout the day. Keep checking back a little later if you don't see the $9.99 deal!]

The winner of last year's PSP Fanboy's Game of the Year award was Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow. The game still goes for almost $40 in most places, but now Amazon has copies of them on sale for $9.99. The complex storyline, orchestral soundtrack, excellent controls and lush graphics made it an instant classic on the PSP. At this price, you can't afford not to give it a try. Take advantage of this deal here.

How the PSP sizes up to the DSi, iPhone

Posted Oct 2nd 2008 3:00AM by Ross Miller

Note: Relative sizes approximate

Learning the art of "never sleeping," Joystiq has gone ahead and created a comparison chart of the new Nintendo DSi, comparing it to the PSP-3000 and Apple's iPod Touch and iPhone (by tech specs, not games library). Check it out.

Deal: Disgaea or Dragoneer's Aria for $18 each

Posted Oct 1st 2008 3:00PM by Alan Tsang
Filed under: Disgaea, Deals and Bargains

The critically-acclaimed strategy RPG Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness is going for $14.90 + $3.40 = $18.30 over at Play-Asia.com. Most places still have the game for $29.99. Be aware that while this is not the US version of the title, this Asia version has English text and menus and otherwise identical to the US release. Take advantage of this deal here.

Another RPG from NIS, Dragoneer's Aria, is also $18.30. The game was released last year in the US and received average to negative reviews, so we might want to skip this one unless you really love RPGs. The Asia version (which is again, identical to the US version) is finally coming out October 2nd of this year, and you can preorder it here.

[Via PSPHyper]

Tecmo unveils new PSP title: Undead Knights

Posted Oct 1st 2008 10:00AM by Majed Athab
Filed under: News

Good morning fellow PSP gamers, there's a new game to read about this morning. It comes from Tecmo -- who haven't released a game on PSP since Tokobot in 2005. The company's new title is called Undead Knights, as revealed in this week's issue of Famitsu. Scheduled for release next year, this survival horror title will focus on fighting "hordes of zombies" and -- like most developers working on new PSP titles -- it will include 4-player ad hoc.

[Via GameKyo]

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