At last, the PSP version of Sony's Escher-esque puzzler,
Echochrome, is no longer
"up in the air" for the North American market. When it comes down to earth, however, it'll strictly be in the form of a digital download.
Newsweek's N'Gai Croal confirms that the game will only be available through the
PlayStation Network store, thereby ruling out a retail-bound UMD like that released in Japan. The PSP version will come with 56 unique levels, a number roughly in line with the (PSN-only) PlayStation 3 version.
So, what about those 100 levels on the Japanese Echochrome UMD? For now, it looks like they'll only be obtainable if you import the game. Echochrome is out in North America
this May.
{ Apr 3rd 2008 at 3:45PM } 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
grex9101 @ Apr 3rd 2008 3:57PM
once again the non-japs get shafted. nice one sony!
KiraXD @ Apr 3rd 2008 6:02PM
wow.. racist much?
Bluebrake @ Apr 3rd 2008 6:13PM
Considering they apparently paid $40 for the game and we'll pay $10, I really don't mind much.
Jack (SFC: 4983 4617 3409) @ Apr 3rd 2008 6:58PM
I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you weren't being racist. But just so you know, its not the best first comment ever to make. Let me help you out:
grex9101: I'm so frustrated about everyone outside of Japan not getting all the extras that the Japanese are afforded!!
Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Apr 3rd 2008 7:28PM
I'm with bluebrake here.... how can this possibly be a bad thing? Japan paid $40 for 52 levels, US will pay $10 for 52 levels. They got the UMD, we save $30.... sounds like a more than fair trade off.
grex9101 @ Apr 3rd 2008 7:57PM
not racist, not racist at all...
Lars @ Apr 3rd 2008 8:17PM
Normally I'd agree with grex, but as long as the game is cheap and a small size then I welcome it in download form.
StrangeBum @ Apr 3rd 2008 4:02PM
Sweet! I will have to make a special trip to my buddies house PSP in hand and pick this up.
Sadly, I haven't made the leap yet in purchasing a PSTres for myself. I'm holding out for the MGS4 bundle. I can't wait for that to come out.
Mills and Boom @ Apr 3rd 2008 4:05PM
You need to work on your long exposure technique.
JakubK666 (Ninja Defence Force) @ Apr 3rd 2008 5:55PM
Don't listen to Sony's BS, MGS4 will be out on 360!
Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Apr 3rd 2008 10:09PM
Wouldn't that be Kojima, Konami, and Kojima Productions BS as well? Keep the hope alive, brother!
drdre74 @ Apr 3rd 2008 4:13PM
just get the import if you want all the levels. I have it and its in english. Even the voice over is in english. I've had it for about 2 weeks now.
Jay @ Apr 3rd 2008 4:19PM
PlayAsia has two versions, do I get the one for "Japan" or for "Asia" to get the English voiceovers? Thanks.
Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Apr 3rd 2008 7:31PM
Japan's version is packaged up just for Japan. Asia version is usually the same as Japan but since it's for distribution outside of Japan, it often comes with a card or a manual translation in 2-3 different languages, English included.
Hope that clears it up.
GameStache!! @ Apr 3rd 2008 4:15PM
What a bummer. I usually prefer to rent new games first. I wonder how much it'll cost? Has that been said?
Kodros @ Apr 3rd 2008 5:09PM
$10
creid @ Apr 3rd 2008 4:21PM
Since when was the UMD version to have 100+ levels? Last I heard, even the UMD version was going to have 50 something levels.
I think I'm out of room on my memory stick, so looks like it's PS3 only for me.
PSN: KillaKornbread (the shirt is a lie!) @ Apr 3rd 2008 5:19PM
yea cause read only memory sticks suck right?
/sarcasm
seriously though, you couldnt just delete something?
Shmil (Brawl Code 2621-2310-1994) @ Apr 3rd 2008 4:22PM
how do you come up with these wonderful puns
i guess you'll be more like samfish and never reveal your secret
dabamf @ Apr 3rd 2008 4:22PM
I'm happy about this. I love not having to switch out UMD's. I currently own Hot Shots Golf and Wipeout Pure.
superbagman @ Apr 3rd 2008 4:24PM
If it's going to be download only, why the hell would they make two separate versions for PS3 and PSP...
I mean, you can presumably play the PS3 version through the PSP with the wireless connection, so why wouldn't Sony just make one version that could be used on either platform?
Curmeo @ Apr 3rd 2008 4:32PM
because you cant always be near your PS3 or a wifi spot, dumbass.
PSN: KillaKornbread (the shirt is a lie!) @ Apr 3rd 2008 5:21PM
or maybe they split up the 100 levels featured on the JP PSP UMD version to make 2 games with around 50 levels for PSP and PS3 in NA?
(this is all said without knowing if there is a PS3 version in Japan or not)
superbagman @ Apr 3rd 2008 6:32PM
Curmeo, why don't you think about what I said before you call me a dumbass.
If you have to use a PS3 to download the PSP version anyways, Sony could just as easily make one version of Echochrome that works on EITHER PLATFORM. If you want it on your PSP, move the file to your PSP. And if you want to play it on the PS3 move the file back.
Your argument that someone isn't always around a wifi spot or their PS3 is broken because if you want to play EITHER version you need access to your PS3 OR wifi.
Christ, read before you troll...
Thr3e2wenty8 @ Apr 3rd 2008 4:58PM
Everytime I think about Endochrome I think of the M.C. Escher jokes on Family guy.. LOL, that show is all that keeps me watching TV.
zuburi @ Apr 4th 2008 1:26AM
Oh no, did that hit Crazy Stairs?
PojoMofo @ Apr 3rd 2008 5:02PM
So there is one DL version for PS3 and one tottally seperate download for PSP??? why does this make sense??
I think it would be great to have one version that works with both, I guess I want to see the difference between the 2. It does blow that a bunch of puzzles are missing.
Kodros @ Apr 3rd 2008 5:10PM
The PSP version will have different puzzles then the PS3 version.
PSN: KillaKornbread (the shirt is a lie!) @ Apr 3rd 2008 5:26PM
yea it is kinda ridiculous but at least both versions will be about $10 which will equal $20 total for about 100 levels (granted you own both a PSP and PS3). the Japanese version on Play-Asia.com is like $40 for 100 levels (dont know the actual retail price for it in JP) so it seems like an ok deal in some aspects at least (again, provided you have both a PSP and PS3).
syco @ Apr 3rd 2008 5:50PM
In before PS2 port.
KiraXD @ Apr 3rd 2008 6:01PM
wow... racist much?
KiraXD @ Apr 3rd 2008 6:02PM
doh.. this was reply to grex up top...
Matt @ Apr 3rd 2008 7:02PM
You haven't needed a PS3 to download games to the PSP for months now.
Besides, the PSP version is designed for tiny screens. The PS3 version is designed for HD screens, and allows much larger gameplay levels.
Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Apr 3rd 2008 7:30PM
Japan's version is packaged up just for Japan. Asia version is usually the same as Japan but since it's for distribution outside of Japan, it often comes with a card or a manual translation in 2-3 different languages, English included.
Hope that clears it up.
Lard @ Apr 3rd 2008 10:48PM
This is fucking bullshit.
Until Sony gets its head out of its ass and realises some people want a *physical* product, they will continue to deprive themeselves of sales.
I hope Echochrome bombs - just to teach them a lesson.
FUCK DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION.
Bender @ Apr 4th 2008 12:59AM
I think this download-only approach is a bad idea, from a business perspective anyway.
This is quite a unique puzzle title, with some great potential. I can't help but think that if this was a Nintendo release, they'd release it on a DS cart and charge the regular price for it... they'd probably do some fancy marketing to get it in the faces of the non-gamers out there and make a killing.
For the gamer who has meddled with download-only titles, this will work out well, but I do think they're missing out on a greater opportunity and ignoring the market trends.