Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogobig.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Namco's looking for a few good Katamari cosplayers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/04/namcos-looking-for-a-few-good-katamari-cosplayers/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/04/namcos-looking-for-a-few-good-katamari-cosplayers/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/04/namcos-looking-for-a-few-good-katamari-cosplayers/#commentsFiled under: ,

Did you fly that geek flag of yours proudly the last time Halloween was on by dressing up as the Prince of All Cosmos? Was it even Halloween? Wait, don't answer that. Namco has no problem befriending all you diehard Katamari Damacy followers, however. From today until June 30, Katamari cosplayers can submit their "favorite Katamari-inspired apparel" for a chance to have it posted within the official site's new cosplay gallery. Think of it, all those hours you spent crafting that elongated green headdress and matching skirt could be on display for posterity on the Me & My Katamari website. And your parents told you crafting costumes of video game characters would never get you anywhere!

Prizes like Prince puppets, t-shirts, and autographed copies of the soundtrack will be waiting for those who can come up with the best Katamari-related costumes or apparel (as judged by the brains at Namco Bandai America). Get rolling!

JoystiqNamco's looking for a few good Katamari cosplayers originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 May 2006 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bandaikatamari damacyKatamariDamacyme and my katamarinamconamco bandaipspThu, 04 May 2006 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WTF?! Baito Hell 2000 renamed for US]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/03/wtf-baito-hell-2000-renamed-for-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/03/wtf-baito-hell-2000-renamed-for-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/03/wtf-baito-hell-2000-renamed-for-us/#commentsFiled under: ,

For those individuals who think sailors don't live up to their reputation enough, "WTF" is about as common in their vocabulary as "the". Our less profane readers, however, will find that WTF is finally about as easy to pronounce as "Golly shucks, Grandma! Can I have another piece of apple pie? I love them ever so much!" The mini-game centric title Baito Hell 2000, a game that had originally gotten some flak for looking like a knock-off of WarioWare but evolved into something far more demented, will get a name change when it hits the US this year. Now called Work Time Fun, IGN's preview reveals that the game will feature, in addition to the core set of mini-games, a collection of "tools" (ramen timer, anyone?), more than 40 additional unlockable mini-games, and ad-hoc multiplayer.

The challenge we forsee will be in how the game will be localized to make it palatable to non-Japanese gamers. Then again, it's not like we really care so long as we have a blast, right?

JoystiqWTF?! Baito Hell 2000 renamed for US originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 May 2006 23:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baito hell 2000BaitoHell2000pspwtfWed, 03 May 2006 23:10:00 EST<![CDATA[New Bomberman for PSP this July]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/27/new-bomberman-for-psp-this-july/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/27/new-bomberman-for-psp-this-july/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/27/new-bomberman-for-psp-this-july/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Hudson has announced that a new addition the Bomberman franchise, Bomberman Portable, will be making its way to a PSP near you this July 20. That is, if you live in Japan. This edition will offer a more traditional (if 3D) form of Bomberman action than more recent titles as well as a Classic Mode which will be based on the original Bomberman game for NES. Four-player wireless (we're guessing ad-hoc) play will also be implemented. Another title, Bubble Bobble Evolution, was announced for Europe and Japan, albeit under the more esoteric name Bubble Bobble Magical Tower Daisakusen. There's no information whether the games will make it to the US, but we're going to go out on a limb and guess that they will.

JoystiqNew Bomberman for PSP this July originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Apr 2006 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bombermanbubble bobblepsppuzzle gameThu, 27 Apr 2006 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Firmware 2.7 and Loco Roco in action]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/26/firmware-2-7-and-loco-roco-in-action/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/26/firmware-2-7-and-loco-roco-in-action/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/26/firmware-2-7-and-loco-roco-in-action/#commentsFiled under: ,


Many (including us) have been a bit hesitant about upping our PSP firmware to 2.7 because it would render our homebrew unusable. In addition, Sony also decided to craftily release a demo of the impossibly cute game Loco Roco as a free download, playable so long as you have this latest version. But if you can stand to watch either unfold instead of actually fiddling with the updates or the demo, then check out the video above. The 8-minute or so feature runs through a few of the upgrades included in firmware 2.7 and shows off the Loco Roco demo about halfway.

Take note that the entire thing is done on a Japanese language-enabled PSP, which means that unless you're especially familiar with the PSP's menu layout you probably won't know what's going on right away. It's not difficult at all to follow along however, but you may just want to skip to the middle to get right on the demo since watching someone navigate a menu system is really about as engaging to watch as Tom Cruise demonstrate for the umpteenth time why he'll never be normal in our eyes again.

[Thanks to everyone who sent the demo link in!]

JoystiqFirmware 2.7 and Loco Roco in action originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Apr 2006 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>loco rocoLocoRocopsppsp firmware 2.7sonyWed, 26 Apr 2006 19:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Buena Vista takes over publishing for Lumines 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/26/buena-vista-takes-over-publishing-for-lumines-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/26/buena-vista-takes-over-publishing-for-lumines-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/26/buena-vista-takes-over-publishing-for-lumines-2/#commentsFiled under: ,

A press release issued this morning revealed that Buena Vista Games (which, considering its connections, could possibly be referred to as The Happiest Game Publisher on Earth[TM]) will act as publisher for the upcoming puzzle game Lumines 2. The first Lumines title, created by Tetsuya Mizuguchi and developed by Q Entertainment, was published by Ubisoft and Bandai. BVG will take over the reins for the sequel as well as three other titles from the developer: Every Extend Extra (PSP), Lumines Plus (PS2), and Meteos: Disney Edition (DS). The titles are due to land softly (but will still carry big sticks) on store shelves this Fall.

[Thanks John]

JoystiqBuena Vista takes over publishing for Lumines 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Apr 2006 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bandaibuena vista gamesdisneylumineslumines 2pspq entertainmentWed, 26 Apr 2006 18:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Oblivion due on the PSP? Fortify Luck!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/25/oblivion-due-on-the-psp-fortify-luck/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/25/oblivion-due-on-the-psp-fortify-luck/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/25/oblivion-due-on-the-psp-fortify-luck/#commentsFiled under:


Thanks to a leaked release list (shyeah, right), word's gotten out that Bethesda, makers of the fine Elder Scrolls RPG for fans of open-ended exploration, is planning to release a version of their mega-popular Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion title on the PS3 and PSP. A portable version of the hardware-hogging game is targeted for release this November 6, 2006.

The air is already atwitter with speculation of whether Oblivion will be Sony's flagship platform to push their PlayStation Network Platform service. It very well could be since the Xbox Live Marketplace has been a hotbed of downloading lust since Oblivion hit the Xbox 360 last month, and it only stands to reason that Sony will want to test out their shiny new online service with a proven test subject. Also, will both the PS2 and the PSP version of the game allow for intregration like Nintendo did with the Gamecube and the Game Boy SP? Chances are we'll find out more when E3 comes around, so feel free to make wild, outrageous guesses in our comments section until then.

[Via Gamer Andy]

UPDATE: Bethesda says "nuh uh". We never did check if the word "gullible" really wasn't in the dictionary.

JoystiqOblivion due on the PSP? Fortify Luck! originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 Apr 2006 22:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdaE32006oblivionoblivion psppspTue, 25 Apr 2006 22:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Firmware update 2.70 now available]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/25/firmware-update-2-70-now-available/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/25/firmware-update-2-70-now-available/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/25/firmware-update-2-70-now-available/#commentsFiled under: ,

Looks like another upgrade is upon us. Sony today released their latest firmware upgrade for PSPs, which knocks the firmware version up a smidgen to 2.7. The update adds several new features, the most appealing of which is the ability to play Flash content on the device's built-in Internet browser and save RSS feed content to your Memory Stick. Other enhancements include an option to disable the L/R shoulder buttons during UMD playback, an additional file extension to playable AAC formats, and a handful of menu improvements.

There's a good chance that a fix for the GTA hack for Firmware 2.6 is included with the update, so unless you want to be stuck without all your beloved homebrew apps, we'd suggest holding off until someone out there figures out how to make 2.7 do our bidding.

[Via oreillynet; thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

JoystiqFirmware update 2.70 now available originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 Apr 2006 21:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>firmware 2.7firmware updateFirmwareUpdatepsppsp firmwareTue, 25 Apr 2006 21:50:00 EST<![CDATA[GameSpot manhandles Loco Roco, but in a good way]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/24/gamespot-manhandles-loco-roco-but-in-a-good-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/24/gamespot-manhandles-loco-roco-but-in-a-good-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/24/gamespot-manhandles-loco-roco-but-in-a-good-way/#commentsFiled under: ,

Gaming know-it-alls (we mean that nicely, of course) GameSpot got their hands on Loco Roco at a Sony's Pre-E3 press event and they liked what they saw. They've got high hopes for the title given its originality, appealing visuals, and accessible control scheme. A potential snag could be whether a game like this can hold our attention for several hours. Again, and as expected, we won't really know anything until E3, but we're crossing our fingers that this may be the game that'll let us stick it to all those people who told us the PSP had no original games on it. If not, I'll be in my room weeping at what could have been.

UPDATE: You can download a trial version of the game here. Keep in mind that you'll have to upgrade to Firmware version 2.7 for it to work. Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

JoystiqGameSpot manhandles Loco Roco, but in a good way originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Apr 2006 23:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>E32006loco rocoLocoRocopspsonyMon, 24 Apr 2006 23:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Arstechnica pooh-poohs Portable TV]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/21/arstechnica-pooh-poohs-portable-tv/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/21/arstechnica-pooh-poohs-portable-tv/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/21/arstechnica-pooh-poohs-portable-tv/#commentsFiled under:


Tech site Arstechnica took a long hard look at Sony's Portable TV service in Japan and appears to have walked away with a slight case of pinkeye. In their assessment, they didn't warm up to the site's "rather draconian digital rights management scheme" that only let users rent video clips and hold on to them for a set period of time. In addition, the site's offering of clips from genres like drama, sports, comedy, and anime is somewhat limited with prices for videos pegged at somewhere around $1 to $2 (although some are made available for free), but Arstechnica thinks that the meager selection is the least of the service's problems.

Portable TV has shades of Sony's barely-there Connect music download service, which so far has not even come close to competing with services like iTunes. We liked the idea of getting video downloads for our PSPs when we first heard about Portable TV, but we'd rather Sony streamline their system before they start thinking about giving the US or Europe the same offering.

Read up on other reviews of Portable TV here.

[Via 1UP]

JoystiqArstechnica pooh-poohs Portable TV originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Apr 2006 23:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>portable tvPortableTvpspsonyFri, 21 Apr 2006 23:35:00 EST<![CDATA[PlayStation Spot may appear at Sony's presscon in May]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/21/playstation-spot-may-appear-at-sonys-presscon-in-may/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/21/playstation-spot-may-appear-at-sonys-presscon-in-may/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/21/playstation-spot-may-appear-at-sonys-presscon-in-may/#commentsFiled under:

Joystiq reports an interesting tidbit they came across while registering for Sony's Pre-E3 press conference in Culver City, California this May. In the invite, attendees were encouraged to bring along their PSPs "for access to downloadable content". While not explicity said, our fellow bloggers surmise that this will likely happen via a PlayStation Spot kiosk (the very same ones that have already come out in Japan) considering its appearance at this year's Game Developers Conference. This news, of course, means nothing to Joe Everyman unless he or she can score an invite to this exclusive event. Here's hoping Sony decides to have Christmas early by declaring these kioks US-bound.

JoystiqPlayStation Spot may appear at Sony's presscon in May originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Apr 2006 22:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>E32006joystiqkioskplaystation spot kioskpspFri, 21 Apr 2006 22:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Tekken Dark Resurrection video bonanza]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/21/tekken-dark-resurrection-video-bonanza/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/21/tekken-dark-resurrection-video-bonanza/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/21/tekken-dark-resurrection-video-bonanza/#commentsFiled under: ,


It appears Tekken Dark Resurrection is looking pretty sweet. Sort of early PS2-ish, we'd say.

And no, we're not going to launch into a "looks good for a PSP game" tirade, mostly because it appears the PSP has had a pretty good run so far in the graphics department with titles like Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror and Fight Night Round 3. More eye candy! Yay!

JoystiqTekken Dark Resurrection video bonanza originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Apr 2006 21:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>NamcoTekkenTekken-5-Dark-ResurrectionFri, 21 Apr 2006 21:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Ace Combat X: SOD to take flight this Fall]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/19/ace-combat-x-sod-to-take-flight-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/19/ace-combat-x-sod-to-take-flight-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/19/ace-combat-x-sod-to-take-flight-this-fall/#commentsFiled under: ,

A press release sent out today from Namco Bandai revealed a veritable motherlode of details for their upcoming Ace Combat game for the PSP. Referred to under the working title Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception, the flight sim-ish game will feature wireless ad-hoc multiplayer hookups, an all-new storyline, strategic AI (your actions determine your objectives), and the ability to tune your own planes with parts unlocked during Campaign mode. Aircraft nerds can rejoice in the knowledge that licensed planes like the F-14D and the Tornado F3 will make an appearance in the game when it lands on store shelves this Fall 2006. Check out our brief coverage of the game here.

Continue reading Ace Combat X: SOD to take flight this Fall

JoystiqAce Combat X: SOD to take flight this Fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Apr 2006 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ace Combat xAce combat x skies of deceptionAceCombatXbandainamconamco bandaipspWed, 19 Apr 2006 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Homebrew IRC app in test phase]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/17/homebrew-irc-app-in-test-phase/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/17/homebrew-irc-app-in-test-phase/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/17/homebrew-irc-app-in-test-phase/#commentsFiled under:

Until our fantasy of VoIP for the PSP are realized, owners of Sony's portable whatchamacallit can always turn to the industrious homebrew community for solutions. In this case, Gary13579 has cooked up an IRC client that can be accessed via the PSP's browser feature. According to PSP Hacks, which broke the news today, the app is still demo, which means that only one channel is open at the moment and that bugs could be prevalent. While we're still warming up our thumbs to the idea of chatting using the PSP's cumbersome text input interface, this will at least be free for download and use when development is completed. Then all we have to do is wait for Sony to finally get off their duffs and release a keyboard.

[Update: Grammatical corrections implemented. Blogger made to listen to Barbra Streisand while playing Kabuki Warriors for Xbox as punishment for oversight.]

JoystiqHomebrew IRC app in test phase originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Apr 2006 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ircpspMon, 17 Apr 2006 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft's little, white, Splinter Cell advertisement lie]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/17/ubisofts-little-white-splinter-cell-advertisment-lie/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/17/ubisofts-little-white-splinter-cell-advertisment-lie/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/17/ubisofts-little-white-splinter-cell-advertisment-lie/#commentsFiled under: ,

Everyone knows advertising is biased. If the whole point of creating an advert for a product is to drum up hype (and therefore sales), then chances are companies will try their darndest to make sure their baby's put in the best light possible. There are laws that protect consumers from outright fabrication, but what if the ad is only sort of telling a fib?

Case in point: Ubisoft's Splinter Cell Essentials ad. The advert was called to 1UP's attention, and things at first glance do look dubious indeed. The statement "One of the best games on the PSP" made by GameSpy was culled, they discovered, from a preview the gaming website did months before the game was released. While said preview was indeed hopeful of the game's kick-assery, it instead was given a swift kick in the ass by their later review.

The article states that no response has yet been received from either Ubisoft or GameSpy about the ad. We're guessing this'll be one of those "oops" things; someone'll get smacked on the wrist and the ad will disappear with reputation and advertising relationship intact. What's your take on this? Do you think Ubisoft's gone too far, or do you think what they did is justifiable?

JoystiqUbisoft's little, white, Splinter Cell advertisement lie originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Apr 2006 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pspSplinter CellSplinter Cell essentialsSplinterCellubisoftMon, 17 Apr 2006 21:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Loco Roco director rolls out the details]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/15/loco-roco-designer-rolls-out-the-details/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/15/loco-roco-designer-rolls-out-the-details/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/15/loco-roco-designer-rolls-out-the-details/#commentsFiled under: , ,

1UP sat down with Loco Roco's director Tsutomu Kuono to chat about the behind-the-scenes action of the game and how a perky yellow blob gets cast as the star of a buzz-worthy title. One of the most interesting bits of the video involves Kuono's quick explanation for the game's title, which apparently was inspired by the two primary buttons used in the game, the Left and Right triggers. Like all strange and potentially gimmicky ideas, Kuono initially had a hard time convincing anyone Loco Roco was worth making. Fortunately, this was all a part of the refinement process, and now the game is on the verge of raising everyone's Seratonin levels.

"I wanted to make a crazy, stupid game!" Said Kuono. Dang, that makes me want this game even more.

JoystiqLoco Roco director rolls out the details originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 15 Apr 2006 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>loco rocoLocoRocopspSat, 15 Apr 2006 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gitaroo-Man set to rock the PSP]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/14/gitaroo-man-set-to-rock-the-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/14/gitaroo-man-set-to-rock-the-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/14/gitaroo-man-set-to-rock-the-psp/#commentsFiled under: ,

Speculation of Gitaroo-Man making the trip to the PSP were confirmed yesterday when a listing on Sony Japan's retail site noted the rhythm-based title, called Gitaroo-Man Live!, would be released on the 25th of May. While there still is no official word from the title's developer, Koei, the rumors that have been circulating about the game appearing on the PSP suggest that Koei's announcement may be little more than a formality. There's also no news if the game will ever be released outside of Japan. However, if Gitaroo-Man on the PS2 was any indication, there's always a chance it could see some action on US soil.

Strange as the game may be, it does have its share of fans, all of whom we're guessing are already drooling at the thought of taking their Gitaroo on the road. Yeah, we always assume that gamers are that desperate. We're mean that way.

JoystiqGitaroo-Man set to rock the PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Apr 2006 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gitaroo manGitarooMankoeimusic gamepsprhythm-based gamesFri, 14 Apr 2006 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Dave Mirra BMX Challenge announced for PSP]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/13/dave-mirra-bmx-challenge-announced-for-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/13/dave-mirra-bmx-challenge-announced-for-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/13/dave-mirra-bmx-challenge-announced-for-psp/#commentsFiled under: ,

Despite being sort of associated with 2002's dismal BMX XXX (a game he later refused to endorse, possibly due to the attention it received for its wonderfully wholesome content), Dave Mirra just might be in a position to put himself back into the sports gaming spotlight thanks to the just announced Dave Mirra BMX Challenge for the PSP from Crave Entertainment.

The game will feature 17 levels of play, 9 environments, 9 bike types, and customizable player models. Four-player ad-hoc play will also be supported. BMX Challenge should arrive, tires screeching, in stores around October and will retail for 30 smackers. There was no mention made of whether strippers would be unlockable characters.

JoystiqDave Mirra BMX Challenge announced for PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Apr 2006 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmxDave MirraDaveMirraextreme sportspspxtremeThu, 13 Apr 2006 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Online ghost play for Dark Resurrection]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/12/online-ghost-play-for-dark-resurrection/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/12/online-ghost-play-for-dark-resurrection/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/12/online-ghost-play-for-dark-resurrection/#commentsFiled under: ,

Famitsu, the Japanese publication that trumps all those other gaming magazines in Zimbabwe (and then some), has revealed that while Tekken Dark Resurrection will likely not see any infrastructure online play when it hits stores in the US on June 26, it just might be getting some multiplayer action from the spiritual front. Players will be able to download ghosts of selected world-class players that you can save to your Memory Stick, either via the PSP or PC. The arcade version of Dark Resurrection already sports this feature, says the article, which means absolutely nothing to me because I live nowhere near a reasonably stocked arcade. Boo-erns!

JoystiqOnline ghost play for Dark Resurrection originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Apr 2006 23:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>NamcoTekkenTekken-5-Dark-ResurrectionWed, 12 Apr 2006 23:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Ace Combat X screenies online]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/12/ace-combat-x-screenies-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/12/ace-combat-x-screenies-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/12/ace-combat-x-screenies-online/#commentsFiled under: ,


Jonesing for some portable flight sim-esque portable action? Curious what magazine scans look like when they're done really badly? Then get your fill of these screens from Famitsu for the upcoming title Ace Combat X on PSP. Eye-catching!

[Thanks, Miyamoto]

JoystiqAce Combat X screenies online originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Apr 2006 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ace combat xAceCombatXflight simulatorpspWed, 12 Apr 2006 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ingratiate yourself and win a Neuros Recorder]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/12/ingratiate-yourself-and-win-a-neuros-recorder/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/12/ingratiate-yourself-and-win-a-neuros-recorder/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/12/ingratiate-yourself-and-win-a-neuros-recorder/#commentsFiled under:

Just think, you could win a Neuros Recorder 2 for PSP this very day. And all you have to do is tell someone just how great they are. Should be easy, right? MaxConsole has announced that they're giving one Neuros Recorder 2 away and all you, the reader, has to do is answer a few simple questions. Here's a sampling of what you'll have to give your two-bits for:

1.) What qualities does the Neuros stand for?
2.) If you don't win a Neuros, do you plan on buying one in the future?

I found the second question to be a particularly slick survey query. Nice going.

Either way, it's not rocket science; entry submission should be relatively quick and painless. This undoubtedly proves, however, that there's nothing quite like the joy of bending over, puckering up, and kissing the funded posterior of a well-oiled marketing department by telling them just how great their product is and how much you'd like to buy it.

[Thanks MaxConsole]

JoystiqIngratiate yourself and win a Neuros Recorder originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Apr 2006 23:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>neurosneuros recorderpsprecorderWed, 12 Apr 2006 23:10:00 EST<![CDATA[The PrayStation Portable]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/10/the-praystation-portable/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/10/the-praystation-portable/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/10/the-praystation-portable/#commentsFiled under: ,


Save us Jebus: Gaming takes a backseat to religion in this PSP commercial spoof. The question is, if we do decide bow down to the almighty PrayStation Portable, does that make us Unitarians?

JoystiqThe PrayStation Portable originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Apr 2006 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pspspoofMon, 10 Apr 2006 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Capcom Classics reloads on the PSP]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/10/capcom-classics-reloads-on-the-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/10/capcom-classics-reloads-on-the-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/10/capcom-classics-reloads-on-the-psp/#commentsFiled under: ,


Looks like somebody's on a classic kick: Last Friday, Capcom announced that they would be continuing the nostalgia fest started by Capcom Classics Collection Remix with the coming release of Capcom Classics Collection Reloaded for the PSP. The new title will feature 15 old-school titles, some of which are listed below:
  • Commando
  • Eco Fighters
  • Ghouls n' Ghosts
  • King of Dragons
  • Knights of the Round
  • Street Fighter II
Features for the title include customizable controls, classic or widescreen presentation, game-sharing, and wireless play over Ad-hoc. Unlockable items will also be in plentiful supply via a Capcom-themed slot machine where you can swap game credits for stuff like tips, artwork, and secret codes.

[Image via System16]

JoystiqCapcom Classics reloads on the PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Apr 2006 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Capcomclassic gamingold-school gamingpspstreet fighterMon, 10 Apr 2006 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision shoots out more Gun info]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/10/activision-shoots-out-more-gun-info/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/10/activision-shoots-out-more-gun-info/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/10/activision-shoots-out-more-gun-info/#commentsFiled under:

Die-hard Gun fans with itchy trigger fingers can scratch their worries away now that Activision's revealed more information on the game's release on PSP. The first-person shooter, which should trot into stores this fall, will be developed by Neversoft and UK-based Rebellion Studios and will feature PSP-exclusive features like extra missions, a quick play mode, and multiplayer modes (although we're unsure if GameSpot implied "modes" to mean both Ad-hoc and Infrastructure).

Gun didn't fire off blanks when it debuted last year on all major consoles and PC, but as with all ports, we're still hoping that the retooled control scheme and graphical scale-back don't cripple this pony on the PSP.

JoystiqActivision shoots out more Gun info originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Apr 2006 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisiongunneversoftpsprebellion studioswesternMon, 10 Apr 2006 21:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Fix your PSP by mail]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/07/fix-your-psp-by-mail/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/07/fix-your-psp-by-mail/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/07/fix-your-psp-by-mail/#commentsFiled under:

So your PSP's shot, you've got the equivalent of the gaming munchies, and your local game store has disavowed all awareness of you since you broke their 360 display the week before. What's a desparate gamer to do? Get help from people who've never seen you before and don't really care how destructive you are. TechRestore offers a mail-in PSP repair service that they claim will fix your broken PSP overnight (we're really guessing three days, but we'll bite). Service prices start at $29, which will undoubtedly go higher depending on the state of your unit.

I obviously can't vouch for TechRestore since I've never used the service myself, but if there's anyone out there who has, let us know what you thought.

[Via PSPworld]

JoystiqFix your PSP by mail originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Apr 2006 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pspPSP repairPspRepairtechrestoreFri, 07 Apr 2006 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS vs. the PSP: The debate continues]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/07/ds-vs-the-psp-the-debate-continues/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/07/ds-vs-the-psp-the-debate-continues/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/07/ds-vs-the-psp-the-debate-continues/#commentsFiled under:

It doesn't take a fanboy to know that the DS and the PSP have had a bit of a row in terms of which one is better: admirers of the DS say they have better games, while PSP owners make the argument that multifunctionality and graphics quality can't be ignored. But who really has it on straight?

Robert Workman from GameDaily sifted through the facts and found (drum roll please) that both have their own advantages and disadvantages. Tell us something we don't know, right? However, he does bring up some interesting points on how both Sony and Nintendo should use their strengths. Nintendo, he says, should consider creating a download service of classic Nintendo games (he suggests competitive Ice Climber) for the DS, a feature which could also potentially integrate with the Revolution's Virtual Console service.

As far as Sony's next move, Workman recommends that they should focus on creating a more robust online networking service, a centralized gaming hub similar to Xbox Live. He's happy that they're already working on emulating PSOne games on the PSP, although he'd like to see Sony put emphasis on creating smaller versions of these older titles to save space on uber-expensive memory cards. While more efficient downloadable files would be nice, we'd rather Sony offer some kind of significant rebate on their larger 4GB and 8GB Memory Sticks. Help out your constituents; that's all we're asking for, Sony. And could you throw in some different colors while you're at it?

JoystiqDS vs. the PSP: The debate continues originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Apr 2006 20:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsds versus pspds vs pspDsVersusPspnintendopspsonyFri, 07 Apr 2006 20:10:00 EST<![CDATA[PSOne emulator pics surface]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/06/psone-emulator-pics-surface/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/06/psone-emulator-pics-surface/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/06/psone-emulator-pics-surface/#commentsFiled under:


As mysterious as Old Nessie herself, a handful of photos surfaced that appear to reveal the interface for Sony's previously announced PSOne game emulation system for the PSP. And like any old report on the Loch Ness monster, we're downright suspicious. PSPUpdates broke the news yesterday but are equally skeptical at the legitimacy of the images.

Here's a quote from the guy who spilled the beans: "My friend who is a designer at sony gave me these pics, he said that this is what the psone emulator for psp will look like. he said that the games will be downloaded by a program shown in the screenshots and will be played under 'game'. I think this is true because he showed them to me from his camera which doesn't show ANY edited images."

Um, yeah.

But okay, we do still admit that this is pretty convincing stuff. Leaks are nothing new, and it isn't unheard of for companies to resort to viral marketing to drum up hype around their product. However, we'll hold off on believing third-hand information until Sony gives the official heads-up.

[Thanks, dan and phil]

JoystiqPSOne emulator pics surface originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Apr 2006 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>emulationemulatorsPSonePSPretro gamingThu, 06 Apr 2006 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSPKick v.3 out now]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/04/pspkick-v-3-out-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/04/pspkick-v-3-out-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/04/pspkick-v-3-out-now/#commentsFiled under:

Mixing music is an art. It's also a hobby that could cost you an arm and a leg. Thank the Powers That Be then that people like Noah Vawter and Nathan Wray come up with freebie goodies like PSPKick, the music mixing homebrew app now in its third iteration. This new release features a host of improvements, a few of which include the ability to create melodies out of music samples and to tweak the pitch and volume of individual notes.

Now that the PSP can function like a regular instrument, I can just imagine a world where everyone creates new and fascinating tunes that'll test the boundaries of musical convention. That is unless you're tone deaf, in which case you should stay as far away from this app as possible.

[Thanks, clay]

JoystiqPSPKick v.3 out now originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Apr 2006 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>homebrewpspPSPkickTue, 04 Apr 2006 23:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars FPS mod for Iris]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/04/star-wars-fps-mod-for-iris/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/04/star-wars-fps-mod-for-iris/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/04/star-wars-fps-mod-for-iris/#commentsFiled under: ,

The news of Halo appearing on the PSP (the Iris mod, not the April Fools Day joke) was pretty significant on its own, but what if you pay your dues to the official Luke Skywalker Fan Club and not to Master Chief's Mercenary Squad, Newark chapter? A Star Wars mod for Iris has officially surfaced on the venerable Internets, which means that not only will SW fans be able to get their fix on the PSP (yay!), but we just might have yet another opportunity to blow the crap out of Jar-Jar Binks (double yay!).

[Thanks, craig]

JoystiqStar Wars FPS mod for Iris originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Apr 2006 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iris modiris pspPSPStar WarsStar Wars modStarWarsTue, 04 Apr 2006 22:15:00 EST<![CDATA[PlayStation Pilferable]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/03/playstation-pilferable/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/03/playstation-pilferable/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/03/playstation-pilferable/#commentsFiled under:

Hot on the heels of last year's observed rise of iPod theft in the UK, it seems apparent that the next gadget of choice for mugging could be the PSP. A 12-year old boy was badly injured last Friday when two teenagers grabbed his PSP right as he was leaving school. The robbery happened in Downage, a borough of Barnet in London. The boy was hospitalized following the incident and was treated for a concussion, a hand injury, and various cuts and bruises. Local authorities called the violence used in the attack "unnecessary and gratuitous".

Unfortunately, there aren't that many hard and fast rules when it comes to taking your expensive portables out in public areas. Just try to keep in mind that what you're lugging around isn't cheap, and chances are if you lose your PSP your mommy and daddy aren't going to buy you a new one. That is, unless you're spoiled rotten, in which case you can also tack on that burgeoning feeling that you're willingly setting yourself up for disappointment when you finally rejoin the real world.

[Via Hacking the PSP]

JoystiqPlayStation Pilferable originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Apr 2006 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimelarcenylondon crimePSPPSP theftPspTheftrobberythiefMon, 03 Apr 2006 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fanboys to PSP: We still love you]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/03/fanboys-to-psp-we-still-love-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/03/fanboys-to-psp-we-still-love-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/03/fanboys-to-psp-we-still-love-you/#commentsFiled under:

And we thought chivalry was dead: Joseph Szadkowski of The Washington Times last week wrote a veritable love letter to the PSP wherein he refreshes our memory of why we first picked up our PSPs: top-tier games and video playback. The release of well-reviewed titles like Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror, Daxter, and Exit have no doubt boosted all our confidence in Sony's sleek handheld, although recent news of the impending death of movies on UMD may have dampened our spirits just a tad.

A fair bit of warning: the article reads a bit like a promotional piece--despite its complaints of "flip-flopping aspect ratios"--so we'd have to take the serenade with a smidgen of rudimentary caution. However, we like the fact that 2006 is shaping up to be a great year for the PSP. Considering many of us were close to throwing in the towel from a debut year of minor disappointments, it's nice to finally get some payback.

JoystiqFanboys to PSP: We still love you originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Apr 2006 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>PSPPSP newsUMDMon, 03 Apr 2006 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[White PSP in yellow packaging]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/03/white-psp-in-yellow-packaging/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/03/white-psp-in-yellow-packaging/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/03/white-psp-in-yellow-packaging/#commentsFiled under:

The last time I heard about anything white coming in encased in yellow, it was my dentist telling me to hold off on the Marlboros. Ha ha.

SCE president Ken Kutaragi announced at a recent press event that the ceramic white PSP would reemerge in a hardware-only pack in Japan on April 20 for 20,790 Yen, a little over seven months from the initial release of the white PSP. The shiny black PSP had no comment at press time at the notion of being pushed to oft-neglected second child status.

JoystiqWhite PSP in yellow packaging originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Apr 2006 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceramic white pspCeramicWhitePsppspretailvalue pack pspvideo gameswhite pspMon, 03 Apr 2006 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Old Radiation King-style PSP design]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/31/old-radiation-king-style-psp-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/31/old-radiation-king-style-psp-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/31/old-radiation-king-style-psp-design/#commentsFiled under:


This old-school PSP look may not exist in real life (it's from Worth1000, a Photoshop design contest site), but we like the idea of easily interchangeable face plates on PSPs. Maybe for the next version of the PSP, perhaps? How would you deck out your PSP?

JoystiqOld Radiation King-style PSP design originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 31 Mar 2006 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ModPSPPSP ModFri, 31 Mar 2006 21:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Modded black and red PSP for the inconsolably angsty]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/30/modded-black-and-red-psp-for-the-inconsolably-angsty/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/30/modded-black-and-red-psp-for-the-inconsolably-angsty/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/30/modded-black-and-red-psp-for-the-inconsolably-angsty/#commentsFiled under:

Okay, you don't have to be tragic to derive pleasure from this mod, although you will need about $52. The brains at [H] Console have put together a veritable "For Dummies" guide to changing your PSPs faceplate, which may or may not come in handy depending on how greasy a gamer you are. The faceplate and replacement buttons are your choice however, so feel free to skip over their unabashed plugging of the specific brand used in the guide (it is, nonetheless, a very nice faceplate). Keep in mind--as you should in all matters concerning altering your PSP--that this will void your warranty, which means that if your PSP goes bye-bye there's no way the folks over at Garry's Gaming Gondola will heed your tears and cries of penance.

[Thanks, Steve]

JoystiqModded black and red PSP for the inconsolably angsty originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Mar 2006 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ModsPSPPSP modsThu, 30 Mar 2006 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Movies on UMD to receive final curtain call?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/30/movies-on-umd-to-receive-final-curtain-call/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/30/movies-on-umd-to-receive-final-curtain-call/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/30/movies-on-umd-to-receive-final-curtain-call/#commentsFiled under: ,

It was revealed early today that movies on Universal Media Discs--the oft-referred to bane of the PSPs existence--would probably not last much longer on the open market. While popular at its debut last year, subsequently weak UMD sales since then have forced many movie studios to cut back if not eliminate the availability of their films on the format.

While it's still strictly hearsay at the moment, Reuters reports that one of the country's biggest retailers, Wal-Mart, often considered the ultimate big honking pinnacle of retail sales, might wipe UMD movies off their shelves altogether.

Sony's previous announcement of a first-party PSP-to-TV adapter may have initially signaled a move towards increasing the adaptability of movie UMDs, however everything up to this point regarding the success or failure of the format have been little more than wild speculation and fanboy/fangirl chatter. There's no telling if Sony's late attention to the playability of UMDs on living room sets will help boost the popularity of UMDs, but until we find out we're keeping our eyes open for any crazy sales. $3 a disc, perhaps? Hey, we can dream.

[Via PSP Home. Thanks, Luke]

JoystiqMovies on UMD to receive final curtain call? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Mar 2006 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>PSPUMDUMD moviesThu, 30 Mar 2006 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[B-Boy to P-Play on the P-PSP]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/29/b-boy-to-p-play-on-the-p-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/29/b-boy-to-p-play-on-the-p-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/29/b-boy-to-p-play-on-the-p-psp/#commentsFiled under: ,


One surefire way, according to popular marketing belief, to make your product look edgy is to grab content from the vastly colorful underground culture. Granted, it doesn't always work, so while news about SCEE creating a new battle game patterned after b-boys made us go "Watchu talkin' about, bra?" (yes, we talk like this all the time), we still had to give the game a chance, mostly out of genuine curiosity, but also because we like the thought of getting in on the opening moments of a potential train wreck.

Here's a clip from the press release: "B-Boy uses a dynamically controlled fighting system to help you battle the best b-boys on the planet. Over the course of an in-depth 'B-Boy Life' mode, players build up a crew and battle against real-life superstar b-boys including in-game host Crazy Legs, the legendary and original b-boy, who worked closely with the development team to ensure the game's authenticity."

While we may sound glib about the probable worth of this game (somehow it just reminded of the travesty that is Lowrider), we really can't rule out the chance that B-Boy just may turn out to be one of the most original titles ever seen on the PSP. I'm sure many were skeptical about games like Gitaroo Man, Mr. Mosquito, and Katamari Damacy before they came out and entranced the market, so we'll have presuppose that Sony could very well deliver a pulsating, magically-enhanced B-Boy to a waiting crowd of enthusiastic PSP gamers.

JoystiqB-Boy to P-Play on the P-PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Mar 2006 23:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>B-BoybreakdancingPSPWed, 29 Mar 2006 23:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Designer cases to prettify PSPs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/29/designer-cases-to-prettify-psps/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/29/designer-cases-to-prettify-psps/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/29/designer-cases-to-prettify-psps/#commentsFiled under:

Let's face it: the PSP looks a little geeky. Yes, we agree it's sleek and sexy and shiny and Paris Hilton undoubtedly got one in her grab bag at last year's Sundance so it must be hip, but until portable media players really hit mainstream, our nifty little young'un must endure ridicule from people who still have no idea how to program their VCRs.

Enter three new designer PSP cases courtesy of PS Pictogram. Designed by three different design houses (Kuntzel Deygas of Paris, Surface to Air from New York, and Hideki Inaba from Tokyo), the swanky sheaths (which would look cooler if they didn't cost $116 each) will most certainly turn your talented little social reject into the talk of the town. If the town was populated by shallow, self-absorbed rich girls, that is.

[Via GameSpot]

JoystiqDesigner cases to prettify PSPs originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Mar 2006 22:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>designerdesigner casehedeki inabakuntzel and deygasPSPPSP casePspCasesurface to airWed, 29 Mar 2006 22:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Korean Rain falls on the PSP]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/29/korean-rain-falls-on-the-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/29/korean-rain-falls-on-the-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/29/korean-rain-falls-on-the-psp/#commentsFiled under:

All things considered, there's a marked dearth of pretty boy singers on the PSP, which is why we all should really drop what we're doing and take note of the arrival of Korean pop sensation Rain on Japanese PSPs from Bandai Namco.

The upcoming PSP game is predictably light on details (after all, elements like game play, depth, and quality of graphics aren't really that important in the grand scope of video games), but what is somewhat revealed is that players will be allowed to shop, listen to music, watch videos, play a quiz, and read their "Dairy Horoscope"; and this all with the impressively coiffed Rain at their side.

The game is slated to arrive in two versions: a standard package at about 50 USD and a limited edition pack at around $85. Considering how abundantly confident we are that Rain will make a similar splash here in the US, it's probably prudent to advise that you import your copy of the game early so you can show your friends how truly trendy you are.

JoystiqKorean Rain falls on the PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Mar 2006 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Korean poppop starPSPRainWed, 29 Mar 2006 22:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Say hello to PS3 Fanboy!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/29/say-hello-to-ps3-fanboy/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/29/say-hello-to-ps3-fanboy/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/29/say-hello-to-ps3-fanboy/#commentsFiled under:


It came, it saw, and since the Xbox 360 debuted last year the PS3 has been trying to take a dump all over J. Allard's shoes. But now you can keep track of all of the soon-to-be-released console's sweet updates and shenanigans via PS3 Fanboy, the place where you can keep track of all...well, you know. Welcome, brother!

And with that we'd like to give blogging alums Adams Briscoe and Dan Choi a nice big hug and a hearty prod forward to come up with the best PS3 blog this side of Ralphie May. And guys, if your wallets go missing after that hug, remember it wasn't us.

JoystiqSay hello to PS3 Fanboy! originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Mar 2006 20:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>PS3PS3 FanboyWeblogWed, 29 Mar 2006 20:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Metareview - Worms: Open Warfare]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/28/metareview-worms-open-warfare/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/28/metareview-worms-open-warfare/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/28/metareview-worms-open-warfare/#commentsFiled under: ,

Among the myriad of multiplayer games ever made, Worms has stood out as one of the most enjoyable. The game play isn't absolutely unique (gorillas with exploding bananas were causing havoc even back as far as BASIC), but considering that the barebones core was already vastly enjoyable, the series' marked improvements on the base essentially guaranteed an equally enriching experience. In other words, it was already freakin' fun to start with, and the addition of armed militant invertebrates to the mix made it even better.

Worms: Open Warfare for the PSP is more of the same, which is all right if you liked the games to begin with. The lack of a substantial single player experience and some wonky AI won't attract new converts to the fold, however. Multiplayer is capable but cumbersome thanks to its lack of a game-swapping feature (it has hot-swap instead), but otherwise everything goes according to the typical Worms formula.

So should we get ourselves some Worms then? That would all depend on what kind of medical coverage you have (drum roll).
  • GameSpy (3.5 / 5) - "Worms: Open Warfare marks the first time the franchise has hit Sony's popular handheld, and the results are actually somewhat impressive... [It] isn't quite perfect though. Although the single-player portion of the game is a lot of fun to play, the AI can prove to be a little frustrating."
  • Yahoo! Games (3.5 / 5) - "Despite the fact that Worms fanatics have been clamoring for a return to the 2D world for a while now, Open Warfare isn't the perfect comeback. If you want a killer single-player experience, this game is definitely not for you. But there's plenty of mobile multiplayer mayhem to be had, even if the execution is a little flawed."
  • IGN (7.0 / 10) - "Worms: Open Warfare is a decent game that doesn't offer much in terms of new content. It's great for fans who want a faithful iteration of the series on the PSP. It's also a good game to play in quick 10-minute bursts. But if you find yourself bored with strategic silliness, or if you never liked Worms to begin with, there's not much here to love."

JoystiqMetareview - Worms: Open Warfare originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Mar 2006 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Team17Team17-SoftwareTHQWormsWorms-Open-WarfareTue, 28 Mar 2006 22:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Metareview - Metal Gear Acid 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/26/metareview-metal-gear-acid-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/26/metareview-metal-gear-acid-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/26/metareview-metal-gear-acid-2/#commentsFiled under: ,

Lots of Metal Gear Solid fans freaked out when they found out that the PSP-exclusive rendition of their favorite series was turned into a strategic, card-based game more similar to Pokemon than Splinter Cell. Fortunately, the game was received somewhat well by the general gaming population, and undoubtedly led to the creation of a sequel, Metal Gear Acid 2, less than a year later. But is the follow-up still worth looking into? Most everyone says, "Uh, I guess so."

Metal Gear Acid 2 features a gaggle of new cards as well as smoother, more refined game play. Although if you never took a shine to Metal Gear Acid's style of play, it's safe to say that its sequel won't impress you much either. The addition of the gimmicky but workable Solid Eye peripheral may sway a few skeptics out there, however we really can't imagine anyone would feel particularly enthused about the game based solely on the add-on's inclusion. But hey, if you love Snake's mullet enough, half a day staring at a screen smooshed a few inches from your face may be an endeavor not too difficult to manage.
  • 1UP (9.0 / 10) - "It still won't be everyone's cup of tea, but if strategy, gambling, comic books, and espionage are high on your gaming wish list, this might be the perfect portable title for your needs."
  • GamePro (4.0 / 5) - "With all the improvements and tweaks to the gameplay system, it's hard to really find anything really drastically wrong with the game other than personal taste. If you have the patients [sic] to play a methodical strategy game wrapped around an action game facade then Acid 2 is for you."
  • GameSpy (4.0 / 5) - "Metal Gear Acid 2 shows that the switch to turn-based play was a sound one, after ironing out the wrinkles in the first game. This time around, you'll play MGA 2 not for the name on the box, but for the content inside -- and you'll leave much happier."

JoystiqMetareview - Metal Gear Acid 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 26 Mar 2006 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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