Category: PSP

Coffee Talk #175: Handheld Gaming and You

There are a bunch of you that don’t like playing games on portable systems. I’ve never really understood this position. To me, a great game is a great game — it doesn’t matter if it’s on a PC, home console, or portable console. I’ve spent hundreds of hours on Pokemon games and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII is one of my favorite games this generation. I love that I can play a portable gaming system in bed, on an airplane, in the dentist’s office, etc. I feel like a lot of you are missing out.

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, the Yankees possibly picking up Cliff Lee, Harry Potter vs. Twilight, or the wrath of Dan Gilbert, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

There are a bunch of you that don’t like playing games on portable systems. I’ve never really understood this position. To me, a great game is a great game — it doesn’t matter if it’s on a PC, home console, or portable console. I’ve spent hundreds of hours on Pokemon games and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII is one of my favorite games this generation. I love that I can play a portable gaming system in bed, on an airplane, in the dentist’s office, etc. I feel like a lot of you are missing out.

So explain it to me! Tell me why you love or hate portable gaming. It’s totally cool if you don’t dig it. I’m just trying to understand why. While you’re typing your answers, imagine “Getting to Know You” from The King and I playing in the background. Ha!

Sony Working on an All-in-One Gaming Device with 3G?

According to The Wall Street Journal, Sony is working on a multifaceted device with an integrated mobile chip. The device will combine gaming, e-reader, and portable-computing  functionality. Here’s the skinny:

Sony is developing a portable device that shares characteristics of hand-held game machines, e-book readers and netbook computers, according to people familiar with the matter. Some Sony e-book readers already come with 3G connections but it isn’t clear if a new wireless gadget will use carrier networks.

A lot of people are jumping to the conclusion that this is the PSP2, but the description is vague enough that it could be a different product from Sony Electronics and not necessarily Sony Computer Entertainment. I’m curious to see if the device pans out, but I question the approach. If Sony is throwing everything but the kitchen sink into this device then why not just make it a phone?

What do you think of this rumored device? Do you think it’s real? Do you think it will appear at Tokyo Game Show 2010? Is it the PSP2 or something else entirely?

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(Not a) Review of Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip

Last Saturday I spent two hours downloading Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip for Sony Playstation Portable. I was immensely annoyed that it took so long to download a relatively small amount of data. Five days later, I don’t regret the wait. This game has been a most pleasant surprise. Hot Shots Tennis for PSP is a cute combination of arcade sports and role playing that’s a tremendous value. If you find arcade sports remotely entertaining then I highly recommend this game.

Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip takes Clap Hanz (Hot Shots Golf) art style and combines it with RPG elements that reminded me of Mario Tennis: Power Tour for Game Boy Advance. You start off with a pair of players on a journey to spread joy to the world through the Love Tennis Club. The silly premise is just an excuse to travel to different locations, beat dozens of players, recruit new allies, and add a bit of story to the excellent gameplay.

As you travel from location to location, there are plenty of RPG trappings to enjoy in between matches. You’ll have to talk to different characters to gather information. There are simple fetch quests. There are plenty of hidden objects and characters to find. There are hundreds of rats to kill for experience points (okay, I made that last one up). Naturally, there are “boss fights” at the end of each level. Linking it all is a surprisingly deep and thoroughly fun tennis system.

As someone that has played hundreds of hours of actual tennis, I really appreciated the addictive gameplay and subtle nuances in Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip. The different play styles — baseline, net, and all-around — are distinct. The difference between players is really pronounced. Character stats can be manipulated through the use of different outfits, racquets, and accessories. The art is cute and the RPG elements are fun, but none of it would matter if the gameplay wasn’t any good. The tennis in this game is way more than good. It’s great.

Most of you know that I’m a big RPG fan. Some of you know that I dress far better than most game writers. With all of that in mind, you can understand why I enjoyed the game’s customization system. Some of the outfits are ridiculous — horse heads, stag beetle costumes, bikinis, ninja outfits, etc. While I enjoyed seeing my players look ridiculous on the court, I loved maxing out stats through outfits. I find accessorizing fun. Sue me.

As with any great portable game, Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip is fun for two minutes or two hours. Even though I beat the game’s story mode last night, I know that I’ll be playing it for dozens of hours in the future. Maxing out the various characters, trying out new outfit combinations, and playing multiplayer matches (ad hoc only) with friends will definitely be part of my gaming future.

Best of all, Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip is pretty cheap, with an MSRP of $19.99. Again, if you dig arcade sports titles like Hot Shots Golf and Mario Tennis then I highly recommend this game. It offers a tremendous amount of fun for a relatively low price. Going into the game, I knew I’d like it, but I was surprised that I ended up loving it.

NPD Console Sales Figures Top 10 Games of May 2010

Here are NPD Group’s console software sales figures for May 2010. There were a lot of great releases in May, which is traditionally a slow month for the business. Some of your favorites made the list and there were a few surprises as well. Let’s check out the digits!

  1. Red Dead Redemption (Xbox 360): 945,900
  2. Red Dead Redemption (PS3): 567,100
  3. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii): 563,000
  4. UFC 2010: Undisputed (Xbox 360): 221,100
  5. UFC 2010: Undisputed (PS3): 192,300
  6. Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board (Wii)
  7. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii)
  8. Alan Wake (Xbox 360)
  9. Pokemon SoulSilver (Nintendo DS)
  10. Skate 3 (Xbox 360)

Perhaps it’s just me, but I’m used to seeing more Nintendo games in the top 10. Ha! Obviously Red Dead Redemption was May’s killer title. UFC 2010 did well, which shouldn’t be a surprise. I was happy to see games like Alan Wake and Skate 3 on the list; they didn’t get as much hype and commercial time as some of May’s other titles, but they did well. Naturally, Nintendo continued to do well with Mario and Pokemon.

Anything on May’s list surprise you?

NPD Hardware Sales Figures for May 2010

NPD Group released its console sales data for May 2010. The gaming industry is still in a year-over-year decline, but will May’s console hardware sales help the business bust out of the slump? Let’s check out the numbers:

  • Nintendo DS: 383,700
  • Nintendo Wii: 334,800
  • Xbox 360: 194,600
  • PlayStation 3: 154,500
  • PlayStation Portable: 59,400

The Wii and Xbox 360 are up from April, but the rest of the systems are down. For the Nintendo DS, the difference isn’t that big of a deal since it’s trouncing the competition and continues to sell extremely well. Sony was slightly down and put up decent numbers, but not enough to compete with the Xbox 360. With a lot of gamers excited about the 360 hardware refresh, I’d be surprised if the gap didn’t widen in May.

Any thoughts on these lovely numbers? Uh…fore?!? Ha!

Coffee Talk #168: Your Console and Electronics Updating Patterns

Yesterday I updated the software for my HTC Evo 4G and PlayStation 3. Both had updates that were released yesterday. I was actually surprised that I updated so soon. Usually I wait a few days to see if there are any bugs or annoying quirks caused by the new software. For various reasons (okay, it was cloudy…and updating firmware makes me happy), I jumped the gun and didn’t following my usual updating pattern.

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, Roger Federer’s upset at Wimbledon, red pandas, or Stumptown’s Costa Rica Brumas Del Zurqui, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Yesterday I updated the software for my HTC Evo 4G and PlayStation 3. Both had updates that were released yesterday. I was actually surprised that I updated so soon. Usually I wait a few days to see if there are any bugs or annoying quirks caused by the new software. For various reasons (okay, it was cloudy…and updating firmware makes me happy), I jumped the gun and didn’t following my usual updating pattern.

How do you handle updates for your consoles, mobile phones, etc.? Do you update straight away, like I did yesterday? Do you wait a few days to make sure everything is kosher? Perhaps you only update when it’s absolutely necessary, like when a certain game require a newer firmware version. Kindly share your console and consumer electronics updating patterns in the comments section.

Tetsuya Nomura Talks The 3rd Birthday

I am incredibly psyched for Square Enix’s The 3rd Birthday, the not-quite-a-sequel to Parasite Eve. I was big fan of the first Parasite Eve game, but was disappointed in the second. I’m hoping director Tetsuya Nomura can bring the magic back for the series’ third chapter. In a recent interview with Famitsu, Nomura said:

The plan for this game was written many years back. We felt that we’d need a system that would show a uniqueness from the TPS (third person shooter) games that were being released in abundance overseas, and we came up with the Overdive system. But now a variety of TPS games are coming out. We felt that we’d need something more unique for this title, and we recently decided to add [the clothing system]. It’s something that could not be done with a rugged main character — something that would only work with Aya.

There are many who call it Parasite Eve 3. However, it’s not a sequel in the Parasite Eve series but a new piece of content called The 3rd Birthday. The tense battles that have a horror-action style, the event scenes which aim to be the highest level on PSP, the cut-ins that are made with overseas movies in mind — we believe you’ll be able to enjoy a somewhat adult world.

As much as I respect Nomura and love his games, I’m ignoring his statement that this isn’t a sequel. I don’t see how anyone can think this isn’t Parasite Eve 3. That aside, I can’t wait for this game! Anyone with me?

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This Week’s Videogame Releases

There are oodles of interesting games out this week — a perfect way to add some sizzle to your summer. On the multiplatform front, you have LEGO Harry Potter and Singularity. There are also several interesting exclusives out for all three major platforms: PlayStation 3 has Trinity Universe, Xbox 360 has Ninety-Nine Nights II, and Wii has Sin & Punishment: Star Successor (Treasure rules!!!).

As much as I can’t wait to play Sin & Punishment, my recommendation for the week is Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip for PlayStation Portable. It’s super fun in that Mario Tennis (the handheld versions) way. A (not a) review of this fine game is on the way.

Are any of you picking up new games this week? Let me know what’s on your wishlist (please)!

DC Comics Hit PlayStation Portable

Sony Computer Entertainment America has announced that a selection of DC Comics titles are now available on PlayStation Network for the PlayStation Portable handheld system. Here’s a snippet from the press release:

An initial selection of over 80 DC titles can be downloaded from PlayStation Store immediately priced from $0.99 to $2.99 per issue that include Batman: Hush, Green Lantern: Rebirth, Fables: Legends in Exiles and Planetary: All Over the World and Other Stories, as well as comics that are exclusive to PlayStation Network such as Free Realms, God of War, Resistance, and Superman/Batman. Lastly, DC Comics is offering users a free 10-page preview of the 700th issue of Superman available on the PlayStation Network digital comics.

While I don’t dig comics for the PSP or digital comics in general, I’m psyched to see DC Comics entering the fray. Don’t get me wrong — I love several Marvel books too, but my recent favorites have been DC titles. Green Lantern, Green Lantern Corps, The Flash, and Rise of Arsenal have been fantastic lately.

While I’m at it…Lobo vs. Silver Surfer. Who wins?!?