Longtime PSP Fanboy readers know that we love Lumines II. For the unacquainted, this puzzler from game guru Mizuguchi combines music and highly addictive gameplay for a truly mesmerizing experience. Try this new demo, fresh from the game's Japanese website.

1. Download the demo EBOOT file.
2. Connect your PSP to your computer using a USB cable.
3. Go to the PSP/GAME folder.
4. Create ULJM05232 folder.
5. Copy EBOOT file into the ULJM05232 directory.

Check out our new demos site:
demos.pspfanboy.com

Did you miss out on Lumines II? Most likely. Although we praised the video-enhanced puzzler, the game didn't seem to be different enough from the first Lumines to warrant a purchase for many. However, those of you that missed out on this great game now have no excuse: Lumines II is only $20 at Best Buy.

From our review: "Although the core mechanics of the game remain unchanged, the new skins, and sleeker presentation make it more than a worthwhile purchase, even for people that played the original extensively. However, with no infrastructure option, and some puzzling user interface issues, it's sad to see that Lumines Ii isn't as perfect as it could have, should have, been."

[Via CAG]

We've all been saying "just wait until later in the year when the really good games start coming out for the PSP. Yeah, maybe then the PSP will kick the DS in the nuts."

Well, IGN has done us all a great service and compiled all the best upcoming games set to be released this fall.

Here's a list (in alphabetical order) of the games:

• Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception
• ATV Offroad Fury Pro
• Bounty Hounds
• Death Jr. 2: Root of All Evil
• EA Replay
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
• Justice League Heroes
• Killzone: Liberation
• LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy
• LocoRoco
• Lumines II
• Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
• Medal of Honor Heroes
• Mercury Meltdown
• Metal Slug Anthology
• Scarface: Money.Power.Respect
• WTF: Work Time Fun
• WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2007

Wow, that is some list, eh? While there are more than a couple games on the list I know I won't be interested in, there are just way too many good games to ignore. Later this year, the PSP will finally be making some noise again.

(Via IGN)

The original Lumines combined block-dropping puzzle fun with psychadelic images and cool grooves. It was a mesmerizing experience that placed it as one of the top 10 games to play when you're stoned. Even without the influence of illegal drugs, many could appreciate Lumines and its excellent soundtrack. Although the original's song list was excellent, it didn't really have too many high-profile artists, except for Mondo Grosso, the artist behind the addictive "Shinin"'.

Speaking at the Develop conference in Europe, Tetsuya Mitzuguchi revealed that the PSP-bound Lumines sequel will feature some "pretty famous artists". Who could these artists be? I'll guess that they'll be Japanese. Maybe we'll see some Orange Range or nobodyknows+ like in a certain DS music game? Personally, I'd kill for some UVERworld. While we won't know for a few weeks, it sure is fun to make a few guesses. Read the full story on GamesIndustry.biz for more details on Mizuguchi's other projects.

[Update 1: According to Siliconera, BoA and Mondo Grosso are confirmed for Lumines II. That, to me, is hot.]