After getting its spot blown up, EA was forced to come clean about Sony-exclusive Burnout Dominator. As previously divulged, the game will be released for PlayStation 2 and PSP (a separate Burnout is in development for PS3 and Xbox 360). Criterion refers to Dominator as a celebration of the franchise's roots, as it debuted on PS2 five years ago -- in other words, there's still a huge install base to reap profits from.

It seems that Dominator will be an inelaborate installment, as neither version features online play (excluding ad hoc support for PSP); and Criterion hasn't bothered with snazzy 'CrossTalk' bonuses. Instead, the developer will include a series of skill-based challenges that highlight the addictive elements of the series.

It's the same ol' crack, but there are still plenty of us smoking. Dominator is due early next year.

Koei is bringing Gitaroo Man to North America again, with a remake of the acclaimed, but obscure 2002 PlayStation 2 title for PSP. Gitaroo Man Lives! is essentially a port of the original rhythm game (Gitaroo Man) with the new (ad hoc) Duet Mode included. Gitaroo Man Lives! will ship to North American retailers on November 14.

While the remake will no doubt please some gamers who missed Gitaroo Man's first tour, we can't help but feel a bit slighted by the release. Coupled with news that a PaRappa the Rapper port (with some bonus features) is also headed to PSP, it's become glaringly obvious that many publishers are using the PSP as a sloppy seconds machine. Instead of producing new content, companies are dusting off old titles, applying a little gloss -- and maybe tacking on ad hoc multiplayer -- and shipping these "remakes" off to retail.

What's even more disappointing is that these ports, as well as the downgraded PSP versions of multiplatform releases and franchise spin-offs, are consistently earning higher critical marks than the PSP's original content. Gangs of London? Bounty Hounds? Rengoku 2? Are these games even on your radar? Why is it so frickin' hard to make exceptional PSP games that can't be played on any other platform? LocoRoco? Is that all we've got?

[Via press release]