Finally, more information on Phantasy Star Portable has surfaced. The biggest reveal involves the ability to import characters from Phantasy Star Universe -- the console game that PSP is based on. Players of the PS2 and PC versions of Phantasy Star Universe may import their characters and carry over their character's name and personal data as well as currently equipped cloths and parts. Level, however, will be capped at level 20 and spare equipment, special items, etc. will not be carried over. Those with a 360 PSU will not be able to import any data at all.
Also, the game has an all-new story mode with new missions. A four player co-op mode through an ad hoc connection will also be included. Phantasy Star Portable is currently set for release in Japan on July 31. A North American release has yet to be announced.
There is perhaps no other PSP title as innovative and quirky as Zoe Mode's Crush, a puzzler that successfully implemented 2D and 3D gameplay like we've never seen before. And although the game never sold as well as it should have (Boo Sega's marketing department!), it has received the proper recognition from the critics that it deserves.
To add one more accolade to the list, Playboy has chosenCrush as one of its runners-up for 2007's most innovative game. Being included among such wonderful games as Rock Band, Portal, Super Mario Galaxy and Assassin's Creed is no joke ... well, maybe the joke is that Assassin's Creed actually made the list in the first place. Nevertheless, it's great to see one of our favorite PSP titles getting a little more love.
If you still have yet to play Crush, then shame on you. However, there's still time to rectify this gross oversight by picking it up today and experiencing one of the most original games ever to grace a handheld.
Abbreviated PSP, Sega's upcoming PSP port of Phantasy Star Universe is set to enthrall the audiences that snagged a PSP to play Monster Hunter. Just like Capcom's RPG, PSP will allow collaborative RPG play with other players ... provided you're all in the same room. At least the style and graphical flair of the Phantasy Star world have come through successfully in these first screenshots of the game.
It's time to get up to speed with the blue blur that is Sonic the Hedgehog. Besides the fact that's a very strange animal to choose as a mascot, the other characters don't exactly get such identifying monikers. Oh well. We've got quite a few videos for you to check out in addition to the one above, so take the plunge and watch the others after the jump.
Video game trends are fairly commonplace in the industry. For example, cel shading was the "it" thing to do a few years ago. Now, it's button mashing a la Resident Evil 4 and God of War. PSP games are not immune to this increasingly tiresome gimmick -- even Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow (somewhat unnecessarily) featured the gameplay device.
Sonic Rivals 2 is proudly featuring the gameplay mechanic in its latest trailer, and we have to admit, it's probably for the best. Races will become interesting as there's more interactivity to each level. Instead of simply blindly moving forward from point A to B, the required button presses will add a bit more depth (or so we hope).
Every week, PSP and PS3 Fanboy will bring you new backgrounds for your Sony consoles, in resolutions up to 1080p. Download them directly to your PS3 by accessing PS3 Fanboy on your system. Download PSP wallpapers directly to your PSP by accessing the site wirelessly at m.pspfanboy.com.
This weekend, we're focusing on Sega's upcoming PS3 title Viking: Battle for Asgard.
It's pretty hard to describe, this video. While we understand the concepts of "King of the Hill", the video really confuses us as to how it'll all play out in the end. No matter, we're more interested in Tag Mode -- something that seems a natural fit for the Sonic universe. The mode plays exactly as it sounds: you tag an opposing player, giving them the "bomb" and they chase someone else down to tag them. Since Sonic games are always built on speed, we expect that mode to have a little more playability than sitting on the top of a hill. Seriously, Sonic doesn't like standing still. He taps his feet and glares angrily at you.
Yet another video of Sonic Rivals 2's battle modes have been revealed. This time, see a Chao get kidnapped in this brand new mode. Remember, Rivals 2 will support Game Sharing, so we're expecting many (if not all) of these features to be available over one UMD.
Compared to the first gameplay video from a few weeks ago, does this video look ... smoother? Either Sega is trying to make their dashing hedgehog look marginally better, or we're imagining things. At least this title is still staying true to its 2D roots. We wouldn't want our Sonic any other way -- too bad the gameplay still looks identical to the previous Sonic Rivals in every way.
No, you're not looking at footage of the original Sonic Rivals. This is the sequel -- and it looks exactly like its predecessor. Distressingly, the framerate of this video is choppy, and the gameplay seems even more barren than before. Maybe it was too early to show this, but our confidence in Sonic Rivals 2 has taken a huge hit.
Crazy Taxi: Fare Wars is coming to PSP in just a few weeks: August 14th, to be precise. Sega recently sent us some screenshots showcasing some of the crazier environments you'll be driving in the upcoming PSP revival. We won't comment on the graphics this time around -- we'll leave that up to you. At the very least, we hope the game will maintain the same fun and charm of the Dreamcast originals.
A leaked retail release calendar accidentally revealed Sonic Rivals 2 a little too early. However, Sega has officially announced the title today. This PSP-exclusive sequel will feature a revamped rival "jostling" gameplay system for tighter head-to-head competition. (One of the problems of the first title was how limited conflicts were between the racers.) A brand new Battle mode allows two players to jump into six different multiplayer challenges. With Game Sharing, players will be able to partake in the challenges with just one UMD. Power-ups have been improved for the sequel, giving gamers a fairer chance at competing.
In addition, Miles "Tails" Prower and other new characters have been added to the playable roster. A new single-player Free play mode will allow characters to explore each level at their own pace. Just as before, each character in the game will also have their own unique signature moves.
Finally, card collection returns in Sonic Rivals 2: it now features more than 150 collectable cards, which will enable players to customize characters with new track suits, unlock PSP backgrounds, and unlock Cup Circuits. Sonic Rivals 2 is currently scheduled for a Fall release. Check out the first images of the game in our new gallery.
Sega is continuing its (questionable) love of PSP with the newly announced SEGA Rally. Like Full Auto 2 before it, the game will be built from scratch for the handheld, instead of being a watered-down port of the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions. Bugbear Entertainment will be responsible for the PSP duties. An especially exciting feature of the PSP version is its Infrastructure mode, which allows players to compete over the internet against players around the world. From the press release:
"The original SEGA Rally is heralded as one of the all time great video games and this new installment on the PSP is a great example of updating a classic perfectly for today's machines," said Guy Wilday, Studio Director, SEGA Racing Studio. "With the addition of multiplayer Wi-Fi and online multiplayer, there's scope for players to show off their skills against their friends, whilst the excellent PSP screen exudes all the visual qualities expected of SEGA Rally".
The keen eyes at The Sonic Stadium have noticed mention of Sonic Rivals 2 on various websites. Considering how the first was exclusive to PSP, we shouldn't be afraid to think that the sequel will also be heading to the handheld. Game Informer Online features a mysterious listing and a leaked retail release calendar shows the title releasing some time in November.
The first game wasn't too shabby -- although the execution was weak at times, the concept of turning Sonic into a racer was novel. Rivals, at the very least, included some fast and pretty visuals (albeit a sluggish framerate). Let's hope this potential sequel fixes the issues found in the first game.
Crush is already being enjoyed by the lucky Europeans that received the game a week earlier than the rest of us. While Jem is already prepping his review of the game, we wanted to take one more look at Sega's innovative dimension-twisting puzzle game. Check out this new trailer, and some new images in our updated gallery.
There is perhaps no other PSP title as innovative and quirky as Zoe Mode's Crush, a puzzler that successfully implemented 2D and 3D gameplay like we've never seen before. And although the game never sold as well as it should have (Boo Sega's marketing department!), it has received the proper recognition from the critics that it deserves.
