We know that the PSP is powerful. But how powerful is it compared to handhelds before it? A lot more, as seen by Pocket Gamer's recent analysis of handheld systems. PSP's 333MHz of processing power knocks makes the rest of the chart seem miniscule in comparison.

Pocket Gamer's feature is certainly an eye-opener. Of particular note is a fascinating diagram of screen sizes, overlaying each other. The PSP's wide screen LCD far exceeds the size of its nearest competitor, the Nomad. Even with such impressive statistics, the system remains one of the lightest handhelds created, and doesn't stand out as disproportionately larger than the others. This is a must-read feature for any PSP fan.

People like to say the PSP is a failure. That would be incorrect. Calling the first N-Gage a failure, on the other hand, is quite apt. We reported back in November that Nokia was interested in making a comeback into the games arena with yet another N-Gage. In the era of the iPhone, a $600 convergence machine that can make calls and play games doesn't seem so outrageous. Does Nokia have what it takes to pull it off?

If Pocket Gamer is to be believed, it appears many top-name publishers are interested in Nokia's latest device. Supposedly, Nokia held a "top secret" two-day event, which was attended by big-name publishers, such as Sega, Square Enix, Capcom, THQ, EA, Tecmo, Namco, Vivendi ... and Sony. What? If this "top secret" meeting didn't seem fishy enough, Sony's presence makes it even more obvious that Pocket Gamer's reporting is downright inaccurate. Why would Sony want to work on a platform that directly competes against the PSP? (Of course, history buffs will remember that Sony did go on to make at least one game for a Nintendo platform.)

If by some chance this mysterious Nokia meeting did happen, and Sony happened to be there, we'd like to think they're simply trying to get ideas for the rumored PSP phone. The validity of Pocket Gamer's claim will be tested next week, during a new conference that will supposedly happen in Madrid.

[Via Joystiq]

"The consumer will have to make a decision: does he want a standalone gaming device with a limited browsing capability or a phone with an MP3 player, a camera and a bloody good games platform? I think consumers will be prepared to spend £300 on a phone that offers all those different things rather than £100 to £150 for a standalone games machine."

Martin O'Driscoll, the new head of Nokia's games division, is getting ready for a fight, according to Mobile Entertainment. After the colossal failure called the "N-Gage," Nokia is ready to go back into the portable games market, reinvigorated. As previously reported, it appears that Nokia will attempt to one-up Sony's strategy with the PSP, by offering even more functionality than Sony's portable. However, one should make note that more features doesn't necessarily equate to more sales, as the DS has proven in the handheld wars.

Will Nokia be able to survive a battle against Sony and Nintendo? Maybe, maybe not. However, if gaming cell phones catch on, Sony's sure to have backup ready.

[Via Esato]

Arguably the greatest tennis franchise ever made is set to make its reappearance on the PSP as Sega announced it's developing Virtua Tennis 3, which will be released spring 2007.

Here are some of the new additions Sega has announced for the sequel:

• An all-new World Tour Mode that has 10 new mini-games;
• Court Games enables you to play Virtua Tennis' great mini-games via multi-player against up to three other people;
• Five set matches are now available;
• A new roster of athletes:
  
• Women: Amelie Mauresmo, Maria Sharapova (Yes!!!), Venus Williams, Martina Hingas, Nicole Vaidisova, Lindsay Davenport and Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova.
• Men: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Tim Henman, Lleyton Hewitt, James Blake, Mario Ancic, Gael Monfils, Taylor Dent, David Nalbandian, Sebastien Grosjean, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Tommy Haas.

Aside from Virtua Tennis on the N-Gage, every version I've played has been surprisingly fun and addictive. I don't think there was a lot to fix with the game's predecessor, Virtua Tennis World Tour, but it's nice to see Sega add in new features like Court Games.

(Via UK IGN)