The N+ launch trailer

Filed under: N

Download to PSP

If you didn't know, N+ is launching on PSP this week for a budget price of $20. The addictive ninja-inspired platforming game is known for its terrifying difficulty -- will you be up to the challenge? Check out this trailer, and new screens ... and wait for our full review later this week.

Gallery: N+

Pipemania will only be $20, out September 30

Filed under: News

If you've read our hands-on with Pipemania last week, you may have noticed that we had information regarding an exact price and date for the game. While the release date of September 30 was dead on accurate, we were apparently communicated with the wrong pricing.

Chalk it up to a common case of store clerk labeling snafu, mixing up those price tags. Instead of paying $40, you can expect Pipemania to go on sale at $19.99 next month. We're actually quite glad to hear that the numbers were a mistake.

PM Studios: PSP drought will help DJ Max

Filed under: DJ Max

It's undeniable that there's been a serious drought of new PSP software for the past few months. While this may be a deterrent to many publishers and developers, it's actually considered a plus for PM Studios, the publisher behind the upcoming US release of DJ Max Fever. In an interview with Siliconera, Michael Yum of PM Studios noted that "the game should be easy to find. Almost every retailer has made a commitment to the game. The drought of PSP games has really helped us, lol."

That's a great thing to hear, too. We were afraid that this import hit would fall by the wayside. Expect more on the upcoming US release of DJ Max as we get closer to its release.

Is your head getting hot for more? Check out our DJ Max page for all our coverage!

This PSP does a different kind of brew

Filed under: Mods

Stellla Artois, a fancy-schmancy beer originating from Belgium, has devised a clever way to assist their new sales team in Australia. Fifty PSPs customized by the advertising agency Lowe and Rivet were issued to the team, which will be used to present Stella Artois marketing materials, such as short presentations and artwork.

The PSPs are stored in "hand-stitched black velvet drawstring bags and rebranded with Stella Artois logos." Additionally, the devices contain a customized XMB that reflects its status as a Stella Artois sales presenter. Lowe and Rivet also points out that the PSP is Wi-Fi capable, which allows them to "load up new material quicker than new pages can be printed for a loose-leaf folder."

And the results? "... every sales representative who was given a PSP met all their sales targets for the relevant quarter. Anecdotal feedback also confirmed that without exception, the PSP was regarded as the best sales presenter ever received. As a result, Foster's is now reviewing further rollout of the tool." Sounds about right to us -- the PSP's portability, internet and multimedia capabilities makes it an unconventional but ideal tool for just this kind of job.

[Via Gizmodo]

Athlete proves fanboyism, brings PSP to Olympics

Filed under: Fan Stuff

An overenthusiastic tip sent by PSP Fanboy reader David D. shows an athlete carrying his PSP (equipped with Go!Cam) to the Olympic Games in Beijing. Now that's being a real fanboy -- who cares about the giant crowds and heated worldwide competition when you've got PSP with you?

Worldwide PSP releases for the week of August 24

Filed under: Software

Ah, we're back in business. We're no longer manufacturing misery with our weekly dosage of gloomful "no new releases." This week, we actually have games, and look, we technically beat out Asia, too. Here are the releases for the week:

NA Games:

• N+
• Tiger Woods 09

EU Games:

• Tiger Woods 09

Asian Games:

• Fate/Tiger Colosseum Upper [Megamori Box]
• Yuusha no Kuse ni Namaikida (PSP the Best)

Ask PSP Fanboy: Volume 36

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: Have you heard anything about No Gravity lately? I heard August for Europe. Any news for a U.S. release? On his website its clear that he plans a release date for the United states eventually.
A: Yes, according to the developer's site, the release is planned for "Summer 2008," which translates to an August release, pending some sort of delay. There's currently no date set for the United States.

Continue reading Ask PSP Fanboy: Volume 36

Yuusha and Bleach will have simultaneous PSN and UMD release

Filed under: News, Bleach, Video, Yuusha

Download to PSP

When the quirky Japan-only title Yuusha no Kuse ni Namaikida or2 is released later this year, gamers in the land of the rising sun will get the choice between a digital download and a traditional UMD release. Both versions will be released simultaneously on October 16th. However, the PSN download will be 2,800 yen (about $25) while the hard copy will be 3,980 yen (about $36). Check out the latest trailer for Yuusha above, which unveils, amongst other things, a Demon Room mode, where you manage your dungeon without the interruption of pesky heroes.

Bleach Soul Carnival will apparently be receiving the same treatment. 3,800 yen (about $35) for the download and 4,743 yen (about $43) for the UMD, both with a release date of October 23rd. What do you guys think about this? The Japanese have been slow to adopt digital downloads. Are the significantly lower price points for these high-profile releases Sony's incentive for gamers to accept this new distribution method?

Get 25% off used PSP/PS3 games at GameStop

Filed under: Software

Print high resolution image.

It's that time again, folks. GameStop's oh-so-valuable 25% off used game coupon lets you score any used PS3 or PSP game from their retail stores at a pretty significant savings. Some suggestions from us? Why not check out our list of top 20 games under $20 -- if you can find any of these on the store shelves, you'll get them for even cheaper.

[Via CAG]

American PC Store update for August 21st

Filed under: Store

It's a pretty solid content update for this week. It's much better than what we're used to, that's certain for sure. Lap it up folks; grab what you want. Here's the full list:

Playable Content

• Jeanne d'Arc Full Game ($22.99)

Video

• Jeanne d'Arc Trailer (free)
• Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty Trailer (free)
• Yggdra Union Trailer (free)

Wallpapers and Themes

• 2x Hot Shots Golf: OT2 Wallpaper (free)
  
• 3x Yggdra Union Wallpaper (free)
  

PSP-3000 coming to Australia on October 16th

Filed under: News

In case you didn't notice, Sony unveiled the latest PSP model yesterday at LGC. Basically, the PSP-3000 will have a built-in microphone, improved screen with faster response time and better resistance to glare. You can read all about it here and here.

Australia will get getting their PSP-3000s starting on October 16th for AU $299.95. Unfortunately, there will not be any bundles like the North American release, just the stand-alone system.

PSP-3000's LCD screen is twice as fast

Filed under: News

So what exactly are the improvements made to the PSP-3000's newly upgraded LCD screen? According to a report by Engadget Japan, the screen is more colorful, has a stronger contrast ratio, and to the praise of gamers everywhere, has a faster response time. The official stats? Color gamut is twice as wide. The contrast ratio is improved 5 times. The response time has doubled. For gamers that have complained about the PSP-1000 and 2000's slow response time (which creates a ghosting effect in certain games), this is certainly good news.

Star Ocean announced for Europe

Filed under: Star Ocean

Back at E3, Star Ocean: First Departure and Star Ocean: Second Evolution were both announced for North America. Since then, our European readers may have wondered if the titles would see release across the Atlantic. Luckily, Star Ocean actually will be crossing ... an ocean into Europe and releasing this October. However, only First Departure has been announced with a wide open October date. North Americans should still look out for October 21, 2008 for SO1 both titles and January 6, 2009 for SO2.

Gallery: Star Ocean: The First Departure

The 3rd Birthday gameplay and story details

Filed under: News

When it was a cell phone game, no one knew what it was about. Then it became a PSP game, and still no one knew any details about it. Finally, the project director of The 3rd Birthday, Hajime Tabata, has revealed some facts about the third game in the Parasite Eve franchise. Square is cooperating with another development studio on the game, but he refuses to divulge which studio.

Unlike its predecessors, The 3rd Birthday will be a "true third person shooter," but Tabata notes that it will not the same as Dirge (thank you!) of Cerberus: FFVII. Some sort of wireless gameplay may be implemented, but it was not specified whether it will be infrastructure or ad-hoc.

The game's scenario and design are currently almost complete. Our curvy heroine Aya Brea will utilize an ability called overdrive that allows her to "cross time." This power lets her to fight and eliminate the Twisted, who are the new antagonists of the game. No release date is set, but it sounds like we'll see the game over in Japan some time next year.

PSP-3000 North American details

Filed under: News

SCEA just announced the North American details concerning the PSP-3000. The previously announced Ratchet & Clank PSP Entertainment Pack will launch on October 14th for $199.99. It will now include the following:

• Mystic Silver PSP-3000
• Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters
• National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets UMD
• echochrome PSN voucher
• 1GB Memory Stick PRO duo

A second entertainment pack has also been announced called the PSP 4GB Memory Entertainment Pack. The will launch in November for $199.99 as well. It includes:

• Piano Black PSP-3000
• 4GB Memory Stick PRO duo
• Everyday Shooter PSN voucher

The Piano Black PSP-3000 will be sold separately later this year as a PSP Core Pack, which includes only an AC adaptor and battery pack for $169.99.

Gallery: PSP-3000 series

Buzz! returns to PSP in Brain Bender

Filed under: Buzz

European games just can't get enough Buzz! A brand new Buzz! trivia game is coming to PSP later this year in Europe, entitled Buzz! Brain Bender. There are sixteen mini-games to find in this latest iteration of the popular trivia franchise. Eight have been revealed so far:

• Analysis Games:
  Path Finder: A maze game where players have to quickly decide what path leads to the centre.
  Power Struggle: A decision game based on who can win "tugs of wars" battles between different vehicles

• Observation Games:
  Match Up: Can you tell how many pairs of contestants there are in a puzzle?
  Pattern Match: A puzzle style game where players need to identify the correct shapes to fit into a missing grid.

• Memory Games:
  Take Away: A card game where players need to identify the missing cards from a series.
  Sound Bites: A game based on sounds made by animals or objects. Players have to correctly recall the order they were played out.

• Calculation Games:
  Blot Swot: Can you still solve maths puzzles when they're full of missing numbers?
  Sliced Up: A game where the player must decide what portion of the food on display hasn't been eaten.

In a Brain Age twist, the upcoming game will also add a Test mode, which will track your progress and determine your brain power. Stay tuned for more.

Gallery: Buzz! Brain Bender

PSP-3000 features enhanced screen & built-in microphone

Filed under: News

Sony just announced at their Leipzig press conference the PSP-3000 series. It will look exactly the same as the current PSP-2000 (Slim & Light) model, but will add a built-in microphone and enhanced screen. Apparently, the screen will work better outdoors, being able to resist glare. The built-in microphone will be a huge plus for regular Skype users, and those that take their PSP online via Infrastructure.

Video-Out has also been enhanced, with the system now able to interlace for televisions that don't support a progressive output (that means non-HDTVs).

The PSP-3000 series will be available on October 15th in Europe and will retail for €199. There will be 8 bundles, each adding one game to the package.

LocoRoco 2 trailer is predictably adorable

Filed under: Video, Loco Roco

Download to PSP

This new LocoRoco 2 "special movie" found on the official Japanese website shows us just how cute things on the PSP can be. The art direction looks about the same in this highly-anticipated sequel, along with some kawaii music that can get a little annoying if you listen to it more than once. The cute little blobs demonstrates some of their new skills here, such as swimming and biting. Stay for the end, which makes us wish there was a LocoRoco TV show.

[Via NeoGAF]

Top 20 PSP games for under $20

Filed under: Software

Love your PSP but you are on a tight budget? Worry not, for we have compiled a selection of twenty PSP games that will satisfy your hunger for quality gaming without breaking the bank. Seven of them are under $10 and five of them are between $10 and $15. We've listed our recommendations along with its lowest price from a reputable retailer. ProTip: If you shop from GameStop, use coupon code CAG16 and SAVER to get 16% off the used game price and free shipping. [Via CAG]

Check it out here.

PSP Fanboy hands-on: Yggdra Union

Filed under: Yggdra Union

Wow, Yggdra Union is tough. That's probably the first thing you'll say after getting through a few matches of Atlus' upcoming PSP SRPG. It'll take a few battles to wrap your head around the unique mechanics of the card game, and although the game does an excellent job of holding your hand, don't expect an easy romp, even in the second battle in the game.

Yggdra Union is a tactical card RPG that will test your tactical capabilities through and through -- there's no grinding here to be found. Battles are typically multi-tiered: just when you think you're done with a level, a new set of increasingly difficult reinforcements appear. However, because your character's morale (essentially, their HP) carries over from battle to battle, across every level, each battle is decisive. If you make too many mistakes with one character, you'll notice that they'll be at a serious disadvantage in upcoming battles. And don't think about grinding to level up your characters: you can't. The story moves at such a brisk pace that your success depends solely on your ability to choose the right cards, and decide exactly how to move your characters through the map.

The basics of battle are easy to explain, but the full ramifications won't truly make sense until you get the game in your hands. Before each conflict, players can choose a certain number of cards. Cards will grant players special abilities, but also have important stats like number of spaces players can move, card strength and weapon affinity. Quite possibly the most important thing to pay attention to is the weapon affinity: certain weapons are stronger than others, and these will be one of the primary factors of a battle's success. For example, swords are stronger than axes, but axes are stronger than spears. Spears, on the other hand, are stronger than swords. This circle gets more complicated with the introduction of magic users and archers.

Gallery: Yggdra Union

Continue reading PSP Fanboy hands-on: Yggdra Union

Sony attempts to release at least 5 UMD movies each quarter, for less than $15 each

Filed under: News

Wait, Sony. Didn't we come to an agreement? We'd stop buying UMD movies and you'd stop making them. We thought that the introduction of the PSP Video Store at E3 would signal the final "official" death of UMD -- but in a showcase of true unyielding corporate stubborness, Sony still plans on continuing its support for the failed proprietary movie format. According to a report by Video Business, Sony plans on releasing 5-7 movies from various studios each quarter. Each movie would be $10-15, a significantly lower price than when UMD movies first launched on the system years ago.

"We want to provide a legal offering from the studios, ... and it's an easier conversation to have with them now," said John Koller, director of hardware marketing at Sony Computer Entertainment America. According to Koller, "there's a lot of positive momentum with the PSP." But, will plans to continue UMD really meet any success? Only time will tell.

[Via Sony Insider]

Dungeon Maker II: The Hidden War reveals US release

Filed under: News

The first Dungeon Maker game didn't make too big a splash here in the States, but that's not stopping UFO Interactive from releasing its sequel here in the States. As always, this sequel is bigger, better and more badass with over 700 items, 90 quests, and 150 different monsters.

The Dungeon Maker series is rather unique as it has players create their own dungeons ... and then fight in them. This time around, you can even swap dungeons with a friend. However, we're more curious about the story: will it be as ridiculous as the first iteration's?

[Thanks, R.H.!]

American PC Store update for August 14th

Filed under: Store

Street Fighter Alpha is the gem at the top of today's rather pathetic pile of treasure. Unless you're a fan of themes and wallpapers, that's actually all that will interest you. It could definitely be worse though; of all the PS1 games that could've been chosen, Street Fighter Alpha's definitely not one to moan about. Here's the full release list:

• Street Fighter Alpha PS1 game ($5.99)
• Bionic Commando Rearmed theme (free)
• 2x Hot Shots Golf Open Tee 2 wallpapers (free)
• 2x Madden 09 wallpapers (free)

Download this Favre-Jets cover for Madden 09

Filed under: Downloads, Madden

Yeah, we all know the story -- Brett Favre pulling a fast one out of retirement and signing up with the Jets. While football fans may have been ecstatic over the news, it was a move that left Maddenites with an outdated cover for Madden NFL 09. However, not wanting fans to remain disappointed, EA has a backup play to counter Favre's surprise blitz.

If you head on over to EA's website, you can download a free, brand new cover for Madden 09 which features Favre sporting a Jets uniform. The covers are high quality PDFs, so you just have to make sure you have a good printer and some glossy paper to make the cover look legit. Might want to stop by Kinkos for that. Download the cover and replace it with the old one if you so desire.

[Thanks WhiteSpy!]

Oh look, we're unboxing the new blue PSP

Filed under: Fan Stuff

Hey, did you know? Those new blue slims are now out in the wild. We had previously said we were going to pick one up and that's exactly what we did. In fact, we've already opened up the box, scoped out all the goodies, and started playing with our new toy. Want to see what's inside the box with us? Then check out our unboxing gallery by clicking on the link below.

Click here to head over to our unboxing gallery!

Ask PSP Fanboy returns

Filed under: Ask PSP Fanboy

It took some time off, but fear not, Ask PSP Fanboy is here to stay. Got a question about Remote Play functionality? Looking to setup Skype so you can chat with your friends over Wi-Fi? Or perhaps you're split between two titles as your next gaming purchase? Look no further, as Ask PSP Fanboy aims to be your one-stop source for Playstation Portable answers.

Throughout each week we'll be collecting 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." The first batch of responses will be posted next weekend. We look forward to reading your questions!

Deal: Hot Shots Golf PS3 for $26, PSP for $20

Filed under: Hot Shots Golf

Who doesn't love Hot Shots Golf? The answer is: nobody. While we're not enthusiastic fans of the sport on television, we do love picking up the virtual golf club and playing a few rounds of Hot Shots Golf with a few friends. Today's amazon.com Deal of the Day is all about Sony's famed golf franchise.

The PS3 version of the franchise, Out of Bounds can be picked up for only $26 -- that's more than half off! The latest PSP game, Open Tee 2 can be picked up for $20. Both feature robust online multiplayer, and a plethora of content that'll have you swinging for hours. Either way, you win.

[Via CAG]