Posted Jul 5th 2008 10:00PM by Alan Tsang Filed under: News
The last story we posted on, it appeared a PSP lead to a violent crime. We now have a even more violent story coming out of London; however, this time the PSP might have helped catch murderer. The Sun reports that two 23-year old French post-graduate students shown above, Laurent Bonomo and Gabriel Ferez, were "bound, gagged and stabbed to death" in an apartment in London on Sunday night. The police believe they were tortured for the PIN numbers to their ATM cards. Bonomo was stabbed 196 times and Ferez was stabbed 47 times.
Fortunately, the police did have clues. They "established that two Sony PSPs are missing and believe they were taken during the incident on Sunday when the two men were killed." They also released one of the PSP's serial numbers, SO1-0613169-C. Today, a 21-year old man has been arrested in connection with the murders. It is unclear whether the serial number released helped solve the crime, but it is good to hear a culprit has been apprehended in these extremely horrific crimes.
Posted Jul 4th 2008 11:20PM by Alan Tsang Filed under: News
Down over in Jacksonville, Florida, two teenagers were arguing when one decided to shoot the other. This is already tragic enough, but the "center" of this shooting is a PSP. Zachary Robinson, 17, shot another teenager twice before fleeing the scene. Robinson was subsequently captured and is now charged with aggravated battery. Fortunately, even though there was an art fair being set up at the location, no one was hurt.
We love our PSPs, but these kids went way too far. Also, it wasn't specified who originally owned the PSP, but let's not try to shoot each other over one, okay kids?
There is really nothing left to say. We're no longer shocked that the PSP is once again champion. Perhaps, even all of you are getting tired of hearing how great things are over in Japan. So, we'll just use this picture to convey how much the Japanese love the PSP.
Week of June 23-29:
PSP - 58,861 (490)
Nintendo DS - 48,884 (12,285)
Wii - 48,480 (7,443)
PlayStation 3 - 17,973 (2,363)
PlayStation 2 - 7,673 (1,327)
Xbox 360 - 5,104 (2,549)
The PSP still holds tight even with a strong boost to DS sales. The PS3 looks like it's slowly going back to its regular numbers, and the PS2 is still amazingly outselling the Xbox 360.
We've seen Dante sit proudly atop many things; piles of enemies, thrones and building tops, to name a few. Now we can add "Capcom release calanders" to that list, as Devil May Cry for PSP is currently resting at the top of Capcom Japan's recent and future games list. Sure, there's no release date attached and the game was discussed by Capcom way back in June 2005, but we heard a rumor only last September that the game will definitely release at some point.
We're not in the habit of believing every rumor that's thrown at us, so we'll be waiting for E3 to see if anything is mentioned there. The PSP could definitely do with a few new games to flesh out its 2008 release schedule and Devil May Cry would be a perfect fit.
Yeah, this is today's PC Store update post. Basically, there's nothing here but a single theme, entitled "Woodward." We have no idea what that could be referring to. Once the PC Store is updated, we'll be sure to take a look, but until then this is really all we can tell you. Hopefully it's something interesting, but let's be honest here - how much can one theme entertain us? We would've been happier with no store update at all. Perhaps we should be careful what we wish for ...
In Japan, PSP is king. Or, at least is has been so for the majority of this year thus far. Ever since Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G hit stores back in late March, the PSP has dominated the Japanese hardware charts. As a result, the PSP has gone off to sell 1,964,461 units for the first six months of 2008 in Japan alone. That makes the PSP, so far, the most successful system in Japan in terms of volume sales.
Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G has gone to sell 2.3 million units in little over three months. That's quite amazing to say the least. With such successes across the Pacific, we can't help but take notice and reflect upon the current condition of PSP in North America. Where are we going? Hopefully, E3 will provide us all with some answers.
The sharp eyes at Siliconera discovered a new trademark from Sony Computer Entertainment America. Entitled XAM'D: Lost Memories, this mystery title will unlikely be revealed at their E3 conference some time this year. Spencer has a few theories, many of them pointing to RPGs that haven't been localized in the States before. Could it be Rezel Cross? Coded Soul? Or Yuusha no Kuse ni Namaikida? It could be none of these. Only time will tell.
Next time your teacher tells you to put away your PSP in class, point them to this. In Hong Kong, a program called the "Mobile Learning Platform" takes advantage of various electronic devices (PSP included) and uses them to give students quizzes. According to the PlayStation HK site, "students can use mobile devices including PDA, mobile phones or mobile gaming devices to log in to the mobile learning platform and then test their own knowledge anytime and anywhere."
The program will be used for an "inter-school mobile quiz" contest to be held on July 8th. Eighteen schools will participate in a challenge that tests their knowledge of the Olympics, and other trivia. Sony Computer Entertainment Hong Kong is one of the sponsors.
Y'know, when we were kids in school, we wouldn't be able to use our Game Boys in class. But now, these students can use PSPs and win prizes. You guys have it so good.
Posted Jun 30th 2008 5:00PM by Nick Doerr Filed under: News
While our translation tools are far from perfect, we think we've gotten the gist of what's mentioned on the GameWatch website. This is going to be the biggest Guilty Gear title to-date with 25 characters and what appears to be 3-on-3 battles. Since this is on the PSP, ad-hoc capability is going to get some attention. Playing ranked matches in that mode will net you higher rankings based on if you win or lose a number of times.
There's over 350 scenes and full voice acting for the scenarios, but you can also choose Mission Mode and get some sort of reward for clearing that (an illustration per character?). In addition, there's Survival Mode where you can choose one character and grow them to be pretty much unstoppable there. If any of our translation came out wrong, let us know, but the game's getting a release July 24 ... we're assuming the 2006 we got in our translation is a typo and they mean 2008. Get ready to import! Let's rock!
Posted Jun 29th 2008 9:30AM by Alan Tsang Filed under: News
Twenty-three new screenshots of Macross Ace Frontier have been gathered over at PSPHyper. Some information on the game has been released as well. Contrary to what was reported earlier, the game will allow you to pilot a Variable Fighter from all five works of the Macross series. More than 30 different characters will make an appearance in the game, with each pilot and mech containing their own upgradeable attributes to help you prepare for the 80+ missions planned. A animated gif showcases a "3-Stage Transformation," which will be done with the analog stick. "Characteristics" from the anime will act as aspects in the game, such as "Mechanism," "Love" and "Song." For more details and screenshots, take a look here.
This is classified as a rumor, but it really makes too much sense for it to be false. A collection of four Star Soldier games will be released by Hudson under the banner of PC Engine Best Collection. The collection will include Star Star Soldier, Final Soldier, Soldier Blade and the never-before-released in the US Star Parodier. It will retail for the budget price of 2,940 yen (less than $30) which might translate to even lower if and when it is ever brought over to the US. Some of us here loved the Star Soldier series growing up and would love to relive those memories on the PSP.
Posted Jun 28th 2008 2:32PM by Andrew Yoon Filed under: News
Panajev2001a from the NeoGAF forums has discovered a series of patents that point to a new handheld device from Sony. The patents, filed in January, refer to a "hand-held device with touchscreen and digital tactile pixels." The patent is assigned to Sony Computer Entertainment America, and the inventor is credited to be Phil Harrison, former head of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios.
This patent could describe the next PSP (or PSP Phone). However, it could take years for anything to surface after a patent filing. Some patents (like this one) haven't seen the light of day. With a touch screen and motion sensing capabilities, whatever this new device is will be able to match the functionality of devices like the iPhone. Intriguing. Can't wait to find out more.
Europe has had Go!Explore downloadable maps available on the PSN Store since the end of May, but a lot of countries in the region don't even have the hardware yet. Thankfully that looks like it'll be fixed soon as Play.com has the Go!Explore GPS receiver listed on their website with a July 18th release date. There's no telling just how reliable this date is, but we've emailed SCEE to find out.
The site also lists the product's price at £99.99, which seems a bit steep to us. Play.com seem to have tried their best at offering a discount, knocking it down from it's RRP of £104.99 by a massive £5. Ouch. Again, this info is unconfirmed. Should any new info come our way we'll be sure to forward it on to you.
Posted Jun 27th 2008 3:45PM by Majed Athab Filed under: News
Yes folks, PSP is again number one in Japan. After being knocked out of the top slot last week to second place by big brother PS3, the PSP climbs back to the top with 59,351 units sold. Despite a drop of 5,000 units from last week's 64K total, the PSP is still amazingly way ahead of its competition. Now, how did last week's top draw, PS3, do this week? It shot down to fourth place. It is, however, quite a success in that it's pulling 20K; usually the PS3 generates sales similar to PS2's current numbers. PSP - 59,351 Wii - 41,037 Nintendo DS - 36,599 PlayStation 3 - 20,336 PlayStation 2 - 6,346 Xbox 360 - 2,555
Posted Jun 26th 2008 2:00PM by Alan Tsang Filed under: News
The new PSP game Super Robot Wars A Portable has reached the top of the sales chart in Japan with 102,000 units sold, dethroning the previous champion Metal Gear Solid 4 to second place with 68,000 units sold. Two other PSP games on the chart are Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G andPowerful Pro Portable Baseball 3, with 21,000 and 19,000 units sold, respectively. There is even a PS2 game on the charts -- the dating-sim/hybrid targeted at women called Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 4 in fourth place with 55,000 units sold.Only in Japan, huh?
1. Super Robot Wars A Portable (PSP) - 102,000 2. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3) - 68,000 3. Super Mario Stadium: Family Baseball (Wii) - 58,000 4. Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 4 (PS2) - 55,000 5. Mario Kart Wii (Wii) - 33,000 6. Wii Fit (Wii) - 32,000 7. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G (PSP) - 21,000 8.Powerful Pro Portable Baseball 3(PSP) - 19,000 9. DS Calligraphy Training (DS) - 18,000 10.Pro Yakyuu Team o Tsukurou (DS) - 11,000
Down over in Jacksonville, Florida, two teenagers were arguing when one decided to shoot the other. This is already tragic enough, but the "center" of this shooting is a PSP. Zachary Robinson, 17, shot another teenager twice before fleeing the scene. Robinson was subsequently captured and is now charged with aggravated battery. Fortunately, even though there was an art fair being set up at the location, no one was hurt.
There is really nothing left to say. We're no longer shocked that the PSP is once again champion. Perhaps, even all of you are getting tired of hearing how great things are over in Japan. So, we'll just use this picture to convey how much the Japanese love the PSP.
490) 
12,285)
The sharp eyes at Siliconera discovered a new trademark from Sony Computer Entertainment America. Entitled XAM'D: Lost Memories, this mystery title will unlikely be revealed at their E3 conference some time this year. Spencer has a few theories, many of them pointing to RPGs that haven't been localized in the States before. Could it be Rezel Cross? Coded Soul? Or Yuusha no Kuse ni Namaikida? It could be none of these. Only time will tell.
Next time your teacher tells you to put away your PSP in class, point them to this. In Hong Kong, a program called the "Mobile Learning Platform" takes advantage of various electronic devices (PSP included) and uses them to give students quizzes. According to the PlayStation HK site, "students can use mobile devices including PDA, mobile phones or mobile gaming devices to log in to the mobile learning platform and then test their own knowledge anytime and anywhere."
Panajev2001a from the NeoGAF forums has discovered a series of patents that point to a new handheld device from Sony. The patents, filed in January, refer to a "hand-held device with touchscreen and digital tactile pixels." The patent is assigned to Sony Computer Entertainment America, and the inventor is credited to be Phil Harrison, former head of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios.
Yes folks, PSP is again number one in Japan. After being knocked out of the top slot last week to second place by big brother PS3, the PSP climbs back to the top with 59,351 units sold. Despite a drop of 5,000 units from last week's 64K total, the PSP is still amazingly way ahead of its competition. Now, how did last week's top draw, PS3, do this week? It shot down to fourth place. It is, however, quite a success in that it's pulling 20K; usually the PS3 generates sales similar to PS2's current numbers.
