BANKAI!!! Heat the Soul 5, the latest addition to the PSP-exclusive Bleach fighting series, is available for trial in this downloadable demo. None of the Heat the Soul games have been announced for US release, so this is the only way to try the game before importing it.
1. Download the demo zip file. 2. Extract the contents of the zip file. 3. Connect your PSP to your computer using a USB cable. 4. Go to the PSP/GAME folder. 5. Copy NPJG90020 folder into the GAME directory. Make sure there are no sub-directories in this folder.
We love Japanese game trailers. Especially anime ones. This overly enthusiastic commercial includes one of the most energetic Ichigo performances we've ever heard. Maybe he's really psyched about this upcoming PSP brawler? Heat the Soul 5 somehow manages to extend the series to its fifth iteration (in the course of three years!) -- introducing new characters and fighting elements to the mix. With the current popularity of Bleach in the States, you'd think at least one of these PSP-exclusive fighting games would cross the Pacific. Right?
Some fantastic screenshots of the upcoming Bleach: Heat the Soul 5 have wound up on the interwebs today, courtesy of Game Watch. The freshly picked screenies depict the all new two-on-two tag gameplay at work.
It looks like the tag action will be the core of the gameplay as choosing the right type of tag team will determine special moves and the like. There are three different styles of tag teams: offensive, defensive, and technical. So far only 30 characters have been revealed out of a planned 42. A bit of a step down from Bleach 4's 51-strong roster, but who knows if any more hidden characters will pop up.
Currently, Bleach: Heat the Soul 5 is set for release in Japan on May 15th. Bleach 5 looks to be the biggest Heat the Soul title so far. Could it be the first one to cross over the Pacific and into North America?
The Heat the Soul series continues to expand, as the cast of the popular Bleach series grows. The latest iteration of this PSP-exclusive (and currently import-only) brawler adds a few more familiar faces for series' fans. Hollow Ichigo (pictured, right) as does Renji, Ishida and a few more faces. To check out the recent additions to the line-up, visit the Japanese official page now.
Strangely, America has yet to experience the popular PSP-exclusive Bleach brawler, Heat the Soul. The franchise is already getting its fifth iteration in Japan, promising even more characters and gameplay modes than ever before. The site includes a few images from the game, and reveals the very first characters that'll join this latest outing. Unsurprisingly, Ichigo, Rukia, and Hitsugaya are confirmed characters. However, Cifer also joins the ranks in this new adventure. We can't wait to see what other characters are added to this please-bring-it-to-America fighting game.
Sony's semi-annual update of the PSP-exclusive Heat the Soul series continues as they've announced Heat the Soul 5. We're huge Bleach fans (don't look for my cosplay of Ichigo, please), but even we think it's a bit much to announce five games from one franchise in such little time. Supposedly, this iteration will feature the most updates, but the games are pretty good as-is ... what else can they possibly add? A better question to ask may also be: when will a Bleach PSP game arrive to the States?
Every week, PSP Fanboy brings you new backgrounds to rejuvenate the look of your PSP. Remember, you can save these images directly to your PSP by accessing the site wireless at m.pspfanboy.com. We're finally caught up on our background requests, so if you want a background, now is the time to request it. If you already requested a background and it hasn't appeared, check the archive. It may have been created previously. Keep reading to see what backgrounds hit this week.
Backgrounds after the jump ...
New for PSP: Get selected wallpapers delivered automatically to your PSP via our new RSS feed.
Every Saturday, PSP Fanboy will answer your burning questions. If you have a question for the team, send an e-mail to andrew @ pspfanboy.com with the subject "Ask PSP Fanboy."
Q: Are there any PSP websites that let you download movies onto the PSP that you don't have to pay for? A: Have you checked out PSP Fanboy Theatre? The newest edition features "Night of the Living Dead," a film that is now part of the license-free public domain. Check out the Internet Archive and download films from there. If you're asking for something more illegal than that, sorry -- we can't help you.
Q: Is Bleach 4 coming out outside of Japan for PSP? A: The Heat the Soul series has been quite popular in Japan. However, there are no plans to release it outside of Japan. The original PSP games are published by Sony, but the series is owned by Viz. So, if it ever does leave the country, will it be published by Sony? Or by Viz? Or by Namco Bandai, who traditionally publishes anime-based titles, such as Naruto? There are a lot of complications to deal with in regards to licensing, but we're confident that as the series continues to get more popular, an American release will not be far off (and then a European release to follow afterwards).
We get a few emails once in a while asking us if Bleach: Heat the Soul is coming out to American or Europe. Unfortunately folks, it doesn't look to be happening yet. While Japan enjoys the fourth Heat the Soul game, we're left empty-handed. It took a couple of years for the manga to cross over, and then a few more for the anime series to make it big. Now that the franchise is finally carrying some serious clout, we're hopeful that the games will make their inevitable way to the States. Until then, let's just watch this footage of Heat the Soul 4. Impatient gamers, of course, will be tempted to simply import the title.
Another week, and luckily another set of game releases. Every Sunday we give you the 411 on what's coming out for the PSP worldwide. If a game is listed as coming out in a different country from where you live, don't worry. Your PSP can play games from any region. That gives every game on this list the potential to be in your future game library. We have some interesting choices this week, so read on!
Release dates may always change, so you may want to call before heading to your local game shop. I totally want Bleach, but do any of these games interest our readers?
The PSP sure has had a lot of Bleach. Not that we're complaining. We haven't been following the series too closely recently, making all the new characters in the latest game unfamiliar to us. With over 37 playable characters and 22 partner characters in the game (so far), we're expecting this latest PSP effort to take Japan by storm.
Expect more as we inch towards the import release in May.
You've played the demo: now you can buy this import racer for cheap at Play-Asia. While we didn't think too highly of the game (too slow for our tastes), there aren't really any other monkey-themed kart-style racers on our system. So, if you have the itch for a Mario Kart-styled game, at least it won't cost you a pretty penny.
Honestly, we recommend picking up Bleach: Heat the Soul 2 instead. As a CAG forum user pointed out, it's only $25. The Bleach games don't differ too much from each other, so you won't feel like you're missing out too much compared to Heat the Soul 4.
Every week we give you new backgrounds for your PSP. If your a background groupie or haven't changed your background in a while, that's why we're here. This week we have backgrounds based on Final Fantasy, a PS1 series I want a new game from and of course a background based on another anime I love.
If you've never imported one of the Bleach fighting games you're missing out one of the best fighters on the PSP. Being a fan of both the anime and the game series, I was happy to see that more info has come out about Bleach: Heat the Soul 4 from the official site. Finally there will be playable Vizards. The battle system is upgraded and supposed to have a new component called 'Soul Blaze'. The creators say the game is based on the manga, not the anime which may explain some of the visual choices. Lastly, here are the confirmed characters so far:
You've seen the top ten girls of Hooters. You've perused the top ten women of tennis. You may even have seen the top ten girls of gaming, but you haven't yet seen the top ten girls of PSP. Until now that is! The requirements are simple, to qualify she has to be a girl and has to be in a PSP game. But enough with the procrastinating, on with the ceremony!
Every week, PSP Fanboy brings you new 
You've seen the top ten girls of Hooters. You've perused the top ten women of tennis. You may even have seen the top ten girls of gaming, but you haven't yet seen the top ten girls of PSP. Until now that is! The requirements are simple, to qualify she has to be a girl and has to be in a PSP game. But enough with the procrastinating, on with the ceremony!
