Persona's

February 4, 2009 - Atlus is going revival-crazy on the psp. The latest issue of Japan's Weekly Famitsu magazine has first details on two classic revivals from the company: Persona and Growlancer. Both are due for the Japanese psp in the coming months.



Persona is a "remake" of the original PlayStation psp games of the same name, and the first entry in a series that has spawned multiple sequels, most recently Persona 4 for the PS2. We put "remake" in quotes here because it's a bit unclear at this point how much of the game has changed from the original. The psp games  version will feature balance changes, including additional save points, an adjusted encounter rate, and the ability to select between beginner, normal, and expert difficulty at the main options screen.



The one thing we are sure is totally new is the game's event scenes. Atlus is using new movies to help tell the story in the PS2 version.



Japan will get the psp games version of Persona on April 29, carrying a full 5,229 yen price point.



The other game is most likely a bit less known in the Western world. Growlanser is a fantasy RPG that features a mix of event sequences and overhead strategic battles. The series is known for its character designs.



The PS2 version is an updated port of the PlayStation original. Updates include higher speed battles and new artwork for event scenes. The game will also feature new scenarios for the more popular of the game's cast, along with at least one new character, the purple-haired Amelia.



Growlanser will follow Persona's release on May 14, priced even higher, at 6,090 yen.



Both titles are currently scheduled for release only in Japan. We'll let you know if Atlus announces either for American release.

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recorded

February 2, 2009 - There's no letting up for Square Enix's Final Fantay crossover fighter! Dissidia has now recorded its second month in a row at the top of Japan's sales charts, according to January sales stats released today by Enterbrain.



Over the period covering December 29 through psp demos January 25, Dissidia sold 186,352 units, bringing its sales total since its December 18 release up to 846,614 units. The title has long since topped Crisis Core as Japan's fourth best selling PS2 title (the top three are all Monster Hunter).



The competition wasn't even close. psp demos Here's the full top ten, with life-to-date sales in parentheses.



1. Dissidia Final Fantasy ( Square Enix , PS2): 186,352 (total 846,614)



2. Rhythm Heaven (Nintendo, DS): 169,567 (total 1,520,238)



3. Wagamama Fashion Girls Mode (Nintendo, DS): 158,103 (total 707,451)



4. Animal Crossing: City Folk (Nintendo, Wii): 148,702 (total 1,044,004)



5. Kirby: Ultra Super Deluxe (Nintendo, DS): 146,700 (total 1,002,127)



6. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G PS2 the Best ( Capcom ,): 143,782 (total 342,899)



7. Wii Fit (Nintendo, Wii): 141,902 (total 3,109,199)



8. Pokemon Platinum (Pokemon, DS): 119,482 (total 2,306,819)



9. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo, Wii): 119,440 (total 2,122,755)



10. White Knight Chronicles (Sony, PS3): 112,904 (total 315,937)

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releases

It's a tough week for gamers, apparently. The vast majority of you cast votes of indifference toward this week's release slate. Granted, this is not a week of triple-A games, although Namco Bandai-developed Afro Samurai is not necessarily small potatoes. It features top notch voice talent from Samuel L. Jackson and art direction that mirrors the stylish animated series it's based upon. But only 14-percent of you placed it as your top "get."



The race for the bottom was won out by Coraline, despite the movie getting tremendous buzz for its pedigree (Neil Gaiman wrote the book and "Nightmare Before Christmas" director Henry Selick directed the movie adaptation). Perhaps it's the family focus of the game that turned so many of you off?

So, are the games themselves keeping you at arm's length? Or are you tightening your budget and being less willing to buy games you are less sure you'll enjoy 100-percent? Hit the comments section and let us know.

February 2, 2009 - With the holiday season not even in the rearview mirror any longer, the Game industry enters a period where triple-A games are doled out with less free psp games frequency. Only one or two major releases often dominate a month -- and that would be free psp games  considered a good month, too. February's headliner is undoubtedly Capcom's Street Fighter IV. But that's still on the horizon. What about the games coming out this week?

We asked which of this week's game releases you were looking forward to most. Just shy of 30,000 readers cast ballots. Here's the breakdown:



 

• Afro Samurai (Multi): 14%
  
   


• MLB Front Office Manager (Multi): 3%
  
   


• DJ Max Fever (free psp games): 2%
  
   


• Nobunaga's Ambition: Iron Triangle (PS2): 1%
  
   


• Coraline (Multi): 1%
  
  
  
  And then...
  
  
  
  I don't want any of them: 80%

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comments

February 2, 2009 - In a press release posted on the ESA's website today, it was noted that publisher Activision -- having not participated at last year's E3 -- is now confirmed as one of the exhibitors for this year's show. The press release lists a good number of other major players as  free psp game well, most of which come as no surprise. Capcom, Konami, Midway, SEGA, Sony and THQ are all called out on the included list.



CEO of the ESA Michael D. Gallagher comments: "the 2009 E3 Expo will be the preeminent North American computer and video free psp Game event. With robust exhibitor sales, high attendee interest, and strong commitments from multiple industry sectors, we are going to ensure the full excitement and energy of this industry is on display."



For a full list of E3 2009's exhibitors, head to the E3 Expo site here.

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February 6, 2009

Come here often?

This one's for my brother...

Coming out on the catwalk triggers some bad guys below, a few more Chimera came around a corner after I slid down a ladder, and then I got ambushed from behind when I climbed up the ladder on the other side of the blown to bit section of catwalk. Getting past this point came down to remembering how to effectively use health packs (the current generation's reliance on regenerative health has ruined me) and discovering the combination of weapons I liked the best. Sure my machine gun was great for picking off the bad guys below me, but I needed something to kill a little bit faster on the second leg -- thankfully, the Auger Rifle can see through the metal column the Chimera were primarily using for cover.



Experimenting like this with the shields, alternate fire, and other touches in Resistance: Retribution is fun, and it's about time I had some of that on my PSP.

My hands-on time tonight reunited Grayson with Cartwright, his former commanding officer in the Marines. When the two meet up in a cutscene, Cartwright gives Grayson hell for abandoning the squad, but there are bigger fish to fry because the final bastion of humanity in Europe -- we're talking about Luxemburg -- is falling to the Chimera and our duo's got to get Dr. Bouchard out of there and to safety.



The first step in this journey took me into the bunkers beneath the city -- dusty tunnels protected by thick metal doors that you probably caught a glimpse of in Fall of Man. Anyway, Cartwright and I started making our way down the tunnel when a bunch of Chimera and one surly Brute advanced on the front door that two grunts couldn't keep closed. With bad guys filling the shaft, I ran over to a box and let the game move me to cover. When the Brute turned the corner, I popped up with my grenade launcher and fired off several rounds before dropping back to safety. The explosives damaged the big guy, but his smaller minions took the brunt of the damage. The leviathan kept advancing, and when he got close to me, I popped up with my shotgun and began blasting.



The final shell dropped the enemy. He would've easily killed me if my shot hadn't ended him.



Continuing on, Cartwright and I split up so that he could manage the front while I secure the generators in back. I walked onto a catwalk suspended above a factory floor, and the Chimera started coming. This is one of those points where I was able to relish Retribution. See, when I came in, the game marked a checkpoint. I didn't know this, but as I went on to get killed several times and restart there in the next few minutes, I quickly became aware of the impromptu save. Obviously dying and having to play the same portion of a level over and over again can be a chore, but it worked here for a few reasons -- one of them was that this wasn't that hard. I was just screwing it up.

February 6, 2009 - I have no doubt that Resistance: Retribution is going to be good. Yeah, taking a first-person shooter and turning it into a third-person shooter with an aim assist and a heavy emphasis on cover is a pretty big change, but the fact remains that every time I have sat down to play this title, I've had a blast.



Tonight was no different -- and I even got to try a level no one else has.



If you're just dusting off your PSP and coming back to all things portable from Sony, I'll bring you up to speed. Acting as a bridge between Resistance: Fall of Man and Resistance 2, Retribution puts you in the shoes of James Grayson, a former British Marine who abandoned his squad to go after Chimeran conversion centers after the death of his brother. The game is being made by Sony Bend and has that PSP Syphon Filter feel to it, although the team's added an automatic cover option and hit box for easy aiming.

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December 8, 2008

December 8, 2008 - If you're a huge Super Stardust HD fan, chances are you've tried out Super Stardust Portable for the PSP in hopes of getting your arcade shooter fix on the road. We've been playing through the Game and we noticed a problem that perhaps caught your eye as well.



Currently on the PS3 PlayStation Store, the game page lists the following under Key Features: "Game Modes Galore -- plenty of modes to satisfy your trigger finger needs, including Arcade Mode, Planet Mode, Endless Mode, Bomber Mode and more." Portable's Game Statistics option also names these modes, along with Survival. The real surprise is that these modes are not in fact in the game -- they'll be arriving in an expansion pack sometime in the near future.



This seems like a terrible deal for free psp gamess owners. The PSN clearly states that those modes are playable even though they're not included. Furthermore, Super Stardust Portable hit the PlayStation Store last week, which is quite a while after Super Stardust HD and its subsequent expansions were publically available. You'd think that this content would have been available from the start for the  free psp gamess, but it's not -- you'll have to pay extra for it.



We'll have more on the aforementioned expansion pack when further details are made available.

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December 22, 2008

December 22, 2008 - FOSTER CITY, Calif., December 22, 2008 - Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) announced today the North American release of MLB 09 The Show™ available for PLAYSTATION?3 (PS3™), free psp games? (PlayStation?Portable), and PlayStation?2. MLB 09 The Show will arrive in stores in time for Spring Training as the longest running, officially licensed baseball title, delivering true-to-life Gameplay, deeper franchise and season modes, and incredible detail not found in any other title.



"The MLB franchise has been recognized as the industry leader in terms of realism and overall gameplay and we're looking to stay at the forefront by taking it to another level with MLB 09 The Show," said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President, Product Marketing, SCEA. "With enhanced gameplay features and more attention to detail than ever before, MLB 09 The Show is prepared to deliver an unsurpassed next-gen baseball experience."



MLB 09 The Show continues to set itself apart from the other MLB games on the market with its attention to detail and unparalleled gameplay. Looking to build on that reputation, the game has added several new features and subtleties that play a huge role in bringing the baseball experience to life. Incredible stadium detail and signage, wear and tear on the field, dusk to night lighting transitions, and stadium JumboTron animations help immerse users in the ultimate baseball experience.



The popular "Road to the Show" feature returns, giving fans the chance to play offense and defense and truly immerse themselves in gameplay from a custom-created player's perspective. This year, Road to the Show includes interactive training and coaching as users navigate through a career that culminates with a shot at the big leagues. "Online Season Leagues" are also newly available, allowing fully functional drafts and providing players with a flex calendar to play games ahead in the schedule. Also back for PS3 and PlayStation 2 is "Franchise Mode," complete with the long anticipated 40-man roster. In Franchise Mode, fans must think and act like an owner while dealing with issues such as salary arbitration, waiver transActions, and September call-ups along the way. However winning games isn't the only thing that matters, as users must deal with clubhouse chemistry, roster management, and other issues that arise over the course of a season.



MLB 09 The Show brings back the ability to create custom music tracks using the "My MLB Music" feature. However for this year, players will be able to edit music tracks to assign batter walk-up tunes using the "Custom Music" feature. Additionally, fans can record their own customized chants and yells and integrate them seamlessly into the ambient crowd noise to create an even more personalized rivalry.



The popular "Pitcher/Batter Analysis" feature returns on MLB 09 The Show for PS3 and free psp games, detailing the breakdown of how a batter has performed based on pitch type and result. The game offers up 17 different pitch types for players to master and MLB 09 The Show details the different pitch grips and arm angles that hitters must address. Players can also hone their skills using a wide variety of "Training/Practice" drills, with each set of drills focusing on a different area of the game. Utilizing the "Progressive Batting Performance" feature, players are rewarded for superior skills at the plate but are also penalized for hitting slumps.



Once users master the basics and create highlights of their own, they can save each dazzling play to the PS3 hard drive with the "Replay Vault" feature, where every key play in the field and clutch at-bat can be replayed at any time. Also new to the highlight system is "End of Game Replays" where users are given an instant post-game summary of the most exciting and important plays of the game.



For fans who want to take their game on the road, MLB 09 The Show for free psp games delivers big baseball action in the palm of your hand by utilizing core gameplay features found on the PS3 version. Unique to , MLB 09 The Show will feature "SportsConnect News2Go" which offers fans the ability to go online to select and save the latest news feeds to their Memory Stick Duo and review at their leisure.



Exclusive for PlayStation 2 is the unrivaled "Player Creator", providing users with endless possibilities for creating players, including everything down to their player's face with EyeToy?. Users can also adjust their personal rituals, swings, and even emotions as they create and place themselves in the heat of a pennant race.



About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.



Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation? and PS one? game console, the PlayStation?2 computer entertainment system, the  (PlayStation?Portable) handheld entertainment system, the ground-breaking PLAYSTATION?3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system and its online and network services the PlayStation?Network and PlayStation?Store.



Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets, and distributes software for the PS one, PlayStation 2, PS3 for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

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