Valhalla Knights 2 finally has a solid North American release date now that the game has gone gold. October 1 is the day to mark on your calendar for this Norse-flavored RPG from XSEED. The game features six-member party battles as well as ad hoc co-op and versus battles. With a story "penned by the scenario writer of Final Fantasy XII" and a $30 price tag, we'd say there seems to be a whole lot of value in the second Valhalla Knights title.

Wallpapers! You like them? Good, because that's all your getting in your PC Store update today. Not just one, not just two, not just (ok, that's enough - Ed). Nine entire wallpapers are now available, for your downloading pleasure. That's nine whole images, that Sony has uploaded to the store. How's that for a quality update?

• Valhalla Knights 2 wallpaper (x4)
• Hot Shots Golf Open Tee 2 wallpaper (x2)
• PSP Wallpapers Series #2 (x3)

Why can't robots get along? The various pilots of the dozens of Gundam series seem to be enraged -- they're all fighting each other! We have to join together and tell Namco Bandai that we won't stand up for this. This robot-on-robot bloodshed needs to stop! Wait, Gundam 00 is also in this collection? Where do we sign up?

[Via PSPHyper]

Don't get too excited. There's nothing of any real interest in today's PC Store update. That is, unless you're into managing your PSP's content via a handy PC application. The Media Manager (version 2.5, no less) is now available for free on the European PC Store and lets you drag and drop content from your PC to your PSP, previewing as you go. Oh, there's also the next episode of Movement. Here's the info in handy list form:

• Media Manager 2.5 (free)
• Movement episode 5, part 2 -- "London" (free, includes 8 videos)

Many hardcore PSP fans love being able to launch games off the Memory Stick, instead of UMD. Not only does it mean we can carry multiple games on our system, without having to carry around an extra pouch for games, but games stored on Memory Stick typically load faster as well. In spite of that, many casual users of PSP may not know about the PLAYSTATION Store. Sony Europe's solution? To bring downloadable games out on UMD.

The PLAYSTATION®Network Collection - Power pack will arrive in Europe next month, and it will house three very different downloadable games: beats, a music game which lets you use your own MP3 collection, Syphon Filter: Combat Ops, a third-person multiplayer shooter based on the Syphon Filter universe, and flOw, a relaxing adventure where players grow and evolve creatures.

The PLAYSTATION®Network Collection - Puzzle pack will feature three other download games: Lemmings, Go! Sudoku! and Go! Puzzle. This collection will also be available next month.

[Via Siliconera]

Download to PSP

With Dissidia, Square Enix's upcoming PSP-exclusive brawler, coming by year's end in Japan, the company has been quick to release tons of new videos for Final Fantasy fans everywhere. This new trailer shows a lot more CG, a lot more action, and even highlights Final Fantasy VI's Kefka -- a favorite character for many fans of the franchise.

[Thanks, Morty!]

Download to PSP

Here's another game for Japan which has the inklings of becoming an import hit. Project Diva has you starring as an adorable big-eyed anime girl wooing her way to stardom. Sing well and you'll find your room growing with tons of decorative items.

It seems like Sony crammed a bit more magic juice into the upcoming PSP Brite (PSP-3000). Before, they claimed that the upcoming hardware revision would have a slightly shortened battery life. However, a new post on the PlayStation.blog says otherwise. John Koller admits that the "screen of the new PSP draws a little more power" but he claims that "our engineers in Japan worked to reduce the power consumption of the overall system including its components." As such, final battery life on the Brite series will be nearly identical to that of the previous model: "about 4 to 6 hours for games and about 4 to 5 hours for UMD videos," says the post.

The previously announced European PSP-3000 bundles might not see their way across the English channel. According to GamesIndustry.biz, The bundles for the silver PSP-Brite with Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters and the black PSP-Brite with a 4GB Memory Stick remain a continental affair that might not be seen in the UK at all. That leaves Britons with future packs for Go! communication, FIFA, Harry Potter, and Buzz! Master Quiz.

In addition to this, Sony corrected previously known information regarding British prices and dates, saying that the £149.99 price tag and October 17 date are set for a bundle yet to be revealed. A stand-alone system will be released in the UK sometime after the launch of the new bundles.

As for the rest of Europe, you should not worry. You're still getting all eight promised bundles with the R&C pack hitting the market first on October 15 for €199.99 as previously announced. The 4GB Memory pack will release across the European continent in "early November."

While we're glad to see Final Fantasy Agito XIII head to PSP, we're saddened to hear that this online-enabled RPG may only arrive in the distant future. According to an interview with Tetsuya Nomura (translated by FinalFantasyXIII.net), the PSP addition to the Final Fantasy XIII universe will arrive after the two other PS3 games: Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII. The reason for this? According to Nomura, there's simply too much content in the game. The "lengthy story" and "large amount of characters" makes it one of PSP's most ambitious titles yet.

Final Fantasy XIII will not debut until 2009 -- and who knows when Versus XIII will release? It looks like for the time being, Agito won't be on our radar until well beyond 2009, into at least 2010. Ouch.

SCEJ just dropped a ton of information concerning several major PSP titles for the remainder of 2008. Three huge games are now officially slated for this holiday season in Japan, and two of them are certainly games you probably won't want to miss importing. Dissidia: Final Fantasy is now set for a December 18 release, while Patapon 2 Donchaka and Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Gundam will both be out November 27 and 20, respectively.

All three games will be sold alongside bundled packs that include the new bright-screened PSP-3000. Patapon 2 Donchaka not only dons a new subtitle, but will also be available as a PS Store download for those who want to save a couple of bucks over the UMD version. This is a similar strategy as seen by Yuusha no Kuse ni Namaikida or2 and Bleach Soul Carnival. Tax-inclusive prices for games and bundles are after the break ... just in case you wanted to know how much money will be leaving your wallet this holiday season.

[Via press release]

Wondering what's taking Monster Hunter so long to make its way from Japan to other countries? The multi-million selling Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G perhaps won't sell as many copies elsewhere, but it'd be easy money for Capcom to take advantage of. Well, the announcement of a new Infrastructure mode for the game (enabled via PS3) has us thinking the game is finally getting prepared for a wide release around the world.

A survey was released on the Capcom-Unity site, one which specifically mentions the Link functionality. Link would allow players "to play with other players across the world via a PS3 connected to the internet." Sounds just like the newly announced feature, no?

And the title of the game featured in the survey? Monster Hunter Unite. While Capcom reps refuse to comment on Monster Hunter Unite at the time, we think our guess that it's a localized version of 2G is a solid one -- guess we'll have to wait to find out more.

[Thanks, Yuri!]

Download to PSP

LucasArts has always been a strong supporter of the PSP, and the effort they're placing into the upcoming PSP version really shows. Anyone who's played the PS3 demo will find this level awfully familiar: it looks like the PSP version makes no significant sacrifices. Physics, destructible environments, and large hordes of enemies are all present in the PSP version. In fact, there's exclusive content on the PSP version you won't even find on the consoles. How's that for love?

Finally! Sony has announced that the long-awaited PSP Wi-Fi Store, which allows players to purchase and download content directly on the PSP (without the need for a PC or PS3), will be available this Fall in Japan. Most likely, this will be global simultaneous launch. To commemorate the opening of the new Store, a free downloadable game, Mainichi Issyo Portable, will be available to all.

In addition, Sony has announced that a new feature will allow players to connect their PSP to their PS3 systems and enable a new Infrastructure mode for certain games. For example, Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G will be online-enabled through the PS3. In addition, players will be able to add text and voice chatting capabilities through this service. Additional details will be revealed at a later date.

It looks like Sony isn't falling asleep with the PSP. Let's hope concrete release dates for these services will be available soon.

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: Do you know if, when connected to a standard definition TV (like an old Trinitron, to keep it in the family), will games still show up within a black letterbox frame? You know, on all four sides, not just top and bottom. I think standard def TV is 640x480, so that would mean the PSP's 480x272 resolution wouldn't fill it up, but a guy can dream can't he?
A: Unfortunately, you will see those letterbox bars when playing through a TV that does not support the local resolution. There are some video settings you can play around with on your PSP, but generally the black bars will be present. Sorry!

Q: Is there a way to download items from the PLAYSTATION Store over again?
A: Once you've logged into the PC PLAYSTATION Store, you should see a link in the top-right corner that will allow you to "View downloads." From there you'll have access to any content you've already downloaded, and can therefore re-download anything lost.

Q: How can I quickly turn off the PSPs screen, without shutting the whole thing off?
A: While you can simply flick the power button up to put your unit to sleep, I believe you're looking to keep the handheld running, which can best be done by holding down the video button. It's the same button you'd use to adjust your brightness, near the "start" and "select" buttons. Additionally, holding down the music button will mute your PSP.