Tag: PSP

NPD Console Hardware Sales Figures for July 2010

July’s NPD numbers are the most interesting console sales figures in a long, long time. For the first time in three years (I think), a Nintendo console is not on top of the list! The quote Brian Fellow from Brian Fellow’s Safari Planet, “That’s crazy!!!” Let’s check out the numbers:

  • Xbox 360: 443,500
  • Nintendo DS: 398,400
  • Nintendo Wii: 253,900
  • PlayStation 3: 214,500
  • PlayStation Portable 84,000

Even though Nintendo sold a lot of hardware in July, it just feels weird that the company didn’t top the charts. It’s like when Hulk Hogan turned heel or seeing Joe Torre in a Dodgers’ uniform — it’s just doesn’t feel right.

Is this the start of Nintendo’s decline (until the 3DS takes over the world)? Can Microsoft sustain the momentum it generated with the Xbox 360 Slim SeXbox 360? Look at those lowly PSP numbers? Is there anything Sony can do to kickstart its handheld system? Or should Sony focus its portable efforts on the PSP2? Answer and discuss (please)!

“PSP Phone” Running Google Android 3.0 Coming Soon?

Engadget delivered a hot, Hot, HOT scoop on a Sony Ericcson “PSP” phone running Google Android 3.0 (Gingerbread). The device is currently under the SE’s Xperia brand, but will likely have PlayStation branding too. Here’s a chunk of details from the site:

The device is described as cross between the Samsung Captivate and the PSP Go — in other words, it’s a landscape slider with game controls in place of the typical QWERTY keyboard. The D-pad is here, but instead of the small joystick, the device will have what was described as a “long touch pad” for analog controls, along with standard PSP buttons and shoulder buttons. The phone has a large display, described as being between 3.7 and 4.1 inches with WVGA or better resolution, a 5 megapixel camera that we’re told might not be final, and it’ll likely have a 1GHz Snapdragon CPU on board.

Games will be graphically in the range of PSX or PSP games, meaning true 3D gaming is headed to Android. Titles currently being shown off seem to be focused around some older PSX as well as new PSP offerings, with God of War, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, and LittleBigPlanet possibly on tap, and future plans for titles which incorporate augmented reality features.

I encourage you to pay Engadget a visit to get more information on this rumored phone. The site has more details and its writers should be rewarded with traffic for getting such a huge story.

After you’ve digested some details and given it some thought, please let me know what you think of the whole deal. You interested? Do you think it can compete with the Apple iPhone? Will it help Sony compete better with Nintendo in the handheld space? An excellent PSP platform running on a phone has all sorts of interesting implications and could change the mobile games market in a huge way. I’m hoping this all pans out, just to watch the awesome disruption.

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This Week’s Videogame Releases (Hint: Madden NFL 11)

There’s sweet FA coming out this week…except for Madden NFL 11. Anyone picking it up (or any oldies) this week? Any of you interested in starting an online league? I probably wouldn’t be able to practice and participate due to travel, but who knows what can happen if enough of you are interested. The power is yours!

Sony Announces PlayStation Network Summer Sale

Sony has announced its PlayStation Network Summer Sale. There are a bunch of discounted goodies in the mix. Check out the list and let me know if you plan on picking anything up. Perhaps one of the games can be designated for an RPad.tv Invitational if enough of us buy it. Remember, the prices are good until August 9, 2010.

PS3
Fat Princess – $7.49 sale; $14.99 reg.
PixelJunk Shooter – $4.99 sale; $9.99 reg.
Groovin’ Blocks – $4.99 sale; $9.99 reg.
Madden NFL Arcade – $7.49 sale; $14.99 reg.
Wakeboarding HD – $7.49 sale; $14.99 reg.

PSP
The Eye of Judgment Legends – $14.99 sale; $29.99 reg.
echoshift – $7.49 sale; $14.99 reg.
Patchwork Heroes – $4.99 sale; $9.99 reg.
Grand Theft Auto Chinatown Wars – $14.99 sale; $29.99 reg.
Lunar Silver Star Harmony – $14.99 sale; $29.99 reg.

minis
Tetris – $4.99 sale; $9.99 reg.
Dracula Undead Awakenings – $2.49 sale; $4.99 reg.
Monsters Probably Stole My Princess – $2.49 sale; $4.99 reg.
Zombie Tycoon – $2.49 sale; $4.99 reg.
Bloons – $1.49 sale; $2.99 reg.

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The 3rd Birthday Official Site Launches…in Japan

Square Enix Japan has launched the official site for The 3rd Birthday. A not-a-sequel (but totally a sequel) to Parasite Eve, the game continues the story of super-powered babe Aya Brea. Last month designer Tetsuya Nomura dropped details on the game that shall not be called Parasite Eve 3. I have really high hopes for The 3rd Birthday and hope that some of you are psyched for it too. Check out the official site when you have a chance and let me know what you think (please).

Man, between The 3rd Birthday and Tactics Ogre, I’m going to be all about my PSP! I’m pretty sure Square Enix doesn’t want me to leave my bed.

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Completely Psyched for the Tactics Ogre Remake for PSP

Square Enix has officially announced that Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together is headed for the PlayStation Portable. This strategy RPG is a re-imagining of the classic Super Famicom game. The original team is getting back together for the remake, including designer Yasumi Matsuno, music composers Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata, and character designer Akihiko Yoshida. You’re probably familiar with the team’s more recent games like Final Fantasy Tactics and Vagrant Story.

I’m psyched for this game for multiple reasons. I love tactical RPGs. Whether it’s FF Tactics, Disgaea, or Jeanne d’Arc, I can’t get enough grid-tacular gameplay. Secondly, I’m a mark for Matsuno, Sakimoto, and Iwata. As many of you know, FF Tactics is my all-time favorite. Matsuno’s games are awesome and I was totally bummed that things didn’t work out for him in Final Fantasy XII. I hope the kids will give him more love for Tactics Ogre. Iwata and Sakimoto are brilliant composers. The soundtrack for FF Tactics is also my all-time favorite. I completely expect these guys to create more magic with this Tactics Ogre remake.

Anyway, I’m ready for this game to rock the world! Check out some more screen shots and art. Also, let me know if you’re excited for this game. If you’re not, I might stop liking you.

NPD Console Sales Figures Top 10 Games of June 2010

Here are NPD Group’s console software sales figures for June 2010. There are a lot of repeats on June’s list, with Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption leading the way. There’s also one omission that annoyed me. And the the top ten are….

  1. Red Dead Redemption (Xbox 360): 582,900
  2. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii): 548,400
  3. Red Dead Redemption (PS3): 380,300
  4. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii): 200,900
  5. Just Dance (Wii): 174,800
  6. Wii Fit Plus (Wii)
  7. Toy Story 3 (Nintendo DS)
  8. UFC 2010: Undisputed (Xbox 360)
  9. LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (Wii)
  10. UFC 2010: Undisputed (PS3)

Ugh. Just Dance is back on the list and Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver didn’t make it?!? Come on people!!! Oh well, as a Harry Potter nerd at least I can be happy about the number nine spot. Expelliarmus bitches!

What did you think of June’s top ten? You surprised that Red Dead is still dominating? Wasn’t it interesting that the only version of Toy Story 3 that made it on the list was the handheld one?

NPD Hardware Sales Figures for June 2010

NPD Group released its console sales data for June 2010. It was an unusual and exciting month for console hardware. Microsoft did very well thanks to the Xbox 360 “slim”. I know it’s crazy, but it’s true. When you get caught between the moon and New York City. Let’s look at the numbers:

  • Nintendo DS: 510, 700
  • Xbox 360: 451,700
  • Nintendo Wii: 422,500
  • PlayStation 3: 304,800
  • PlayStation Portable: 121,000

Nobody should be surprised that the Xbox 360 beat the Wii in June. Hardcore gamers bought the new version of the console while bargain hunters snatched up the older model at marked down prices. Sony recently claimed that its inventory problem will no longer be an issue, so it will be interesting to see how the PS3 does for the rest of the year. As for Nintendo…it keeps putting up excellent numbers.

Nintendo reminds me a bit of the Boston Celtics’ Robert Parish; every year sports writers predicted a decline in his stats, but dude put up the same numbers for like 20 years. Some analysts and a lot of enthusiast gamers keep saying, “This is the month Nintendo will decline,” and the company keeps posting excellent sales figures.

Anyway, let me know what you think of NPD Group’s June 2010 console sales figures. Were you surprised that Microsoft did so well? Or was that what you expected from its console refresh?

This Week’s Videogame Releases

There are pretty two games coming out this week. First up is NCAA Football 11 on multiple platforms. More importantly, Dragon Quest IX for Nintendo DS is here! I’m super looking forward to playing this. While Dragon Quest isn’t as popular in America as its sister franchise, Final Fantasy, it has a huge following in Japan. Sure, it doesn’t have Reona Rewis, but I’m expecting to dig this game as much or more than Final Fantasy XIII.

Any of you planning to pick up new games this week? List ’em (please)!

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!