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MGS: Portable Ops + (plus) trailer, translation required
We have no idea what's being said in this trailer for Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops +, but it's a Saturday, we're sure somebody else has the time to translate. MGS: PO fans can probably deduce what's going on for the most part and we do have some basic information from the original announcement. You know, like we know it comes out on Sept. 20 in Japan, no word beyond that. What we do know is that there are a lot of multiplayer elements added and old Snake from MGS4.Sure it took a few years, but the PSP has become a dandy little handheld with some solid games and some exciting future titles -- despite the anti-homebrew message. Sure, Sony kinda released the PSP-2000 all stealth this week instead of giving it the fanfare it deserved (a point made very clear in our podcast), but we're still hoping the best for the system. Now we just need an English version of this trailer.
A tale of two box arts: Portable Ops Plus
A tale of two box arts. Which will you choose? Pay attention: these two similar, but different, box arts for Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus have a crucial difference awaiting on the inside. One is the "Deluxe Edition" -- can you guess which one?The red cover on the right is for the premium edition, which not only includes a cool box, but also includes both MGS: Portable Ops Plus and the original Portable Ops. You will need the original in order to play the expansion pack, so those that missed the original will certainly want to pick up the combined bundle. The Japanese price for both? A mere $45.No American release has been confirmed, but Amazon has already listed the game for a November release. Hopefully, the US will also receive its own ultra-value "Deluxe Edition."
MGS: Portable Ops Plus spotted on GameFly, amazon
The upcoming Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops expansion pack hasn't been officially announced for US release yet. However, it appears that it won't be too long before we get confirmation that the game is coming to America ... and soon! GameFly is listing a November release date for this MGS sequel (of sorts). In addition, amazon.com is listing a similar release date, and a retail price of $20.It's clear that the retailers know something Konami hasn't officially announced to the general gaming public. Stay tuned ... we know you want some Old Snake action on the go.[Thanks, Random!]
MGS Portable Ops Plus: first trailer
Old Snake??? SNAKE?????!!!We were surprised by Konami's sudden announcement of a brand-new Metal Gear Solid game for PSP. We're not complaining, of course. This revamped Portable Ops includes a plethora of new modes, including Old Snake. Will this reveal secrets of the MGS lore that we've been patiently waiting for? We hope so.
Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops expansion announced
If you're the sort who enjoys snapping unsuspecting necks during the train commute to work, you'd be pleased to learn that the PSP's Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops is due for an expansion -- it should distract your future victims long enough to let you indulge in your disgusting and bizarre habit of killing complete strangers. Announced during the PlayStation Premier event in Tokyo, IGN reports that Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops + will primarily revolve around online play with new characters (including old wrinkly Snake) and stages. The only addition to the single-player aspect comes in the form of a mode called "Infinity Mission."Japan will receive the expansion on September 20th at a price of ¥2,400 yen, along with a ¥4,300 bundle featuring Portable Ops. Keep an eye out for it (and commuting serial killers).[Via PSP Fanboy]
Metal Gear turns 20, gets re-released
In celebration of Metal Gear's 20th anniversary, Konami is planning to release every PlayStation Metal Gear Solid title in presumably new, special packaging, IGN reports. Metal Gear Solid for PlayStation will be priced 1500 yen, Metal Gear Solid 2 Sons of Liberty for PS2 will be 1800 yen, Metal Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater for PS2 will be 2800 yen, and Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops for PSP will be 2800 yen. A package containing all of these hits will also be available for 6900 yen.Unless these re-releases come with some significant additions, we find it unlikely that even hardcore Kojima fans will be throwing down their cash. Hopefully, this isn't the end of the 20th Anniversary announcements ... we're hoping for a Portable Ops sequel (and some more info on the ever-elusive Metal Gear Solid 4 would be nice too).[Update: IGN reports that a limited edition DVD will be packaged with the MGS bundle. Also, a new soundtrack CD will be made available. Check for details on the new official website.]
Compete in the official MGS Portable Ops league
The European division of Konami has launched a new competitive league for Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops. This PSP-exclusive title features extensive multiplayer modes and online options that have earned the title a passionate following amongst the hardcore. English, French, German, Spanish and Italian players will be able to compete against fellow European players in both user-created and official tournaments. Three official tournaments are currently planned to take place between June and October.For those that need a little practice before trying the online battlefield, download the multiplayer demo and play with fellow PSP owners.[Thanks, Joel!]
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops multiplayer demo
Hope you have friends with PSPs. Now, you and all your friends can join in on Ad-Hoc Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops multiplayer ... for free! This downloadable demo is multiplayer only, so make sure you grab your friends and get ready to play.1. Download the demo zip file.2. Extract the contents of the zip file.3. Connect your PSP to your computer using a USB cable. 4. Go to the PSP/GAME folder.5. Copy ULED90040 folder into the GAME directory. Check out our new demos site:demos.pspfanboy.com
D'oh! MGS: Portable Ops pulled, missing UK rating on UMD
Originally scheduled to go on sale last Friday, the European release of portable neck-breaking simulator Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops has been delayed due to a rather unfortunate oversight: the omission of the BBFC stamp (think ESRB rating, but with an accent) from the UMD. Apparently, the box proudly displays the appropriate stamp, but the disc packaged inside went out stampless. Retailers were forced to return all copies of the game while (we imagine) the bean counters at Konami snuck up behind the forgetful graphic designer, broke their neck, and shoved 'em in a locker. [Via PSP Fanboy]
Whoops! Metal Gear Solid forgets rating; no longer on sale
Months after the US and Japanese release, Europeans were supposed to enjoy Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops today. To make up for the excruciating delay, the PAL version will feature new content not available in the other releases, such as new characters, maps and missions. However, it appears Europeans will have to wait a little bit longer, as the game has been delayed yet again. Why? According to Pocket Gamer, it appears that the box art artist forgot to include the BBFC (the UK equivalent of the ESRB) rating for the game.Without a rating on the box UMD, the game will not be sold at retailers. Whoops! This is a strange mishap, to say the least. It looks like European gamers will have to wait just a little bit longer as Konami fixes this mistake--but you guys are used to waiting, right?
Metal Gear Solid wins Best Portable Game award from Famitsu
What? A PSP game that isn't called LocoRoco finally wins an award? Japan's most popular gaming magazine, Famitsu, recently unveiled their Famitsu Awards winners. PSP earned a valuable nod by stealing the "Best Portable Game" award with Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops. Kojima's latest adventure certainly earns the award, with some spectacular graphics and a deep single and multiplayer gaming experience.While PSP fans can celebrate this victory, it should be noted that Final Fantasy XII (PS2) and Pokemon Diamond & Pearl (DS) both won Game of the Year.[Via Gamasutra]
Watch the Metal Gear Solid tournament ... now
Did you enter GameSpot's Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops tournament? 48 players will face off against each other in Hideo Kojima's latest addition to the MGS franchise. The GameSpot editors will provide commentary and will also provide prizes during the halftime show.The "Snake Wars" begin today at 4PM PST.
Win up to $600 at Gamespot's MGS tournament
Think you're the best Snake on the web? Prove it. Gamespot is hosting Snake Wars: an exclusive subscriber-only tournament that allows you to compete for Best Buy gift certificates, valued up to $600. That could buy you a PS3!Gamespot subscribers can head over to the registration page to have a chance to enter. But, you'll have to hurry: only 48 players will be allowed to participate in this deathmatch royale.
Konami apologizes for MGS shortage
Japan loves monsters and they love spies. The PSP-exclusive Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops is sold out everywhere in Japan and Konami is struggling to get copies to stores. Will the upcoming enhanced European release meet the same success? Or will it stay on store shelves as in America?[Via The Magic Box]
See where MGS soldiers are hiding
As you can see from the map above, Hideo Kojima's plan to launch a secret army in Japan is working quite well. A new service uses Google Maps to show you the points of interest you'll want to hit in order to recruit new characters via Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops' unique and innovative GPS mode. Although an English language version of this service is supposedly "coming soon," I wouldn't be surprised if it never saw the light of day: certainly, it would be a far more demanding undertaking to travel across the entirity of America in order to unlock as many characters as possible.Of course, the true Metal Gear fans have already started their cross-country trek.[Via Pocket Gamer]See also:Unlock all of MGS:PO's unique characters
Euro Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops gets extras [update 1]
How's it go? Good things come to those who wait? In April, when Konami releases the European version of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, the wait will be rewarded with new content. Here's a breakdown of the extras (via NeoGAF): New "Boss Battle" mode allows players to unlock additional (unconfirmed) characters for recruitment At least 12 new characters will reportedly be added Existing characters will get expanded careers, which now focus on key attributes Two new multiplayer maps will be added It's possible that a patch could be released to update the Japanese and US versions of Portable Ops; but if not, PSP's region freedom ensures that diehards will be able to enjoy the new content no matter where their locations. Would you buy this game twice?Update: changed "PAL" qualifiers to "European."
Spoilers: MGS cutscenes available for download
Want to check out most of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops' animated cutscenes? Well, you can! Metal Gear Solid: The Unofficial Site has 19 videos to download, many of them revealing some quite juicy spoilers. If you've been on the fence about the game, or just can't wait to see its story in action, this is what you've been waiting for.
Gasp: MGS Portable Ops may see sequel
The effects of Konami's most recent stealth adventure, Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, have been frightening to say the least. A simple "hello" to one of the bloggers currently playing it is often unreturned, met only with a vacant stare at the greeter's neck and a forlorn sigh. It is with great, neck-preserving displeasure then, that we report on the status of a sequel to Snake's card-free PSP outing. In a recent (ish) PSM podcast, Ryan Payton, the assistant producer for Kojima Productions, underlines the strong possibility of a sequel. "If it's successful on the retail level there will definitely be a sequel." It's quite simple. If you desire said sequel, you'd best go buy the game ... and possibly discover that you don't really want a sequel after all.[Via Eurogamer]Listen -- PSM Podcast (15:50)
MGS Portable Ops destroys Japan
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops currently stands as the best PSP game of the year, at least according to PSP Fanboy readers. So, it should come as no surprise that this fully-featured PSP-exclusive sequel is selling well. In fact, according to Jeux France, it appears as if Kojima's latest has sold 100,000 copies in Japan... in day one alone. (Cue lame joke from a DS fanboy: "there are that many PSPs in Japan?!")There's no doubt that the US version is also selling quite briskly. Hopefully, these sales are good enough to warrant a sequel, as previous promised. The game's now available for US blokes, and is coming next year for the European territories.
What end of year awards did PSP earn?
Every major video game site loves to do an end-of-year "Best of" awards feature (something we'll undoubtedly lash out at you, PSP Fanboy reader). Contrary to popular belief, the PSP has done quite well for itself, and some of the awards its received may surprise you. Here's a run-down of everything I've seen across the Internet:GamespotBest Platformer: DaxterDaxter beat out three Nintendo DS games, including New Super Mario Bros, thanks to its incredible technology, great personality and fantastic gameplay. "The gorgeous visuals and sound are wrapped in gameplay that is as polished and enjoyable as any full-fledged PlayStation 2 game. While not wholly original, Daxter sacrifices nothing and is simply an all-around amazing game."Best PSP Game: Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops"Portable Ops not only delivers some of the best presentation quality to date on the PSP, but makes some meaningful, interesting changes to the MGS formula. The resulting game is very well suited to playing on the go and also achieves a better balance of gameplay and storytelling than previous Metal Gear Solid games."IGNPSP Game of the Year: Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror"What's most impressive is the depth of the action -- no second analog stick required! The control scheme enables you to do everything from operate a set of gadgets and diffuse bombs to snipe enemies and sift through different enemy types, all without slowing down the pace of the action."Games RadarWTF Award: LocoRocoGames Radar certainly took a non-traditional approach to awards this year. "We also loved that you couldn't play this game without cracking a smile - the nonsense songs were insanely catchy, the bright colors and curvy shapes were captivating and the overall theme was almost relentlessly happy and fun. By forcing our jaded, stone-like faces to grin once again, LocoRoco earns its Platinum Chalice like few other games on this list."The "It Doesn't Actually Suck" Award: PSPGames Radar understands what we've known all the time: PSP is a great system. The plethora of excellent exclusive titles and fantastic PS2 ports has Games Radar and PSP fanboys everywhere asking "this is a bad system?"Next Generation23rd Best Game: LocoRocoIn its top 50 list, LocoRoco managed to break into 23rd place. "Eminently cute and weird as a $3 bill, LocoRoco had players controlling a world and tilting it in order for a smiling blobbish thing to collect goodies, get fatter, and eventually roll or drop past a finishing point. It was as if someone's strange drug-induced hallucination had come to life on the PSP, complete with a dandy soundtrack and a punishing difficulty factor."
