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Tomb Raider Anniversary on PSP looks just like the PS2 game
After weeks of perpetual delay, Tomb Raider Anniversary is finally out for PSP. Eidos was strangely suspicious about the PSP version, refusing to release video of the handheld edition. Thankfully, it appears that the PSP version looks a lot like the PS2 version. Check out this new video from PSP GadgetZ to see for yourself.With the game readily available, we want to know what you think about the game. Certainly, this game doesn't deserve to go without notice, does it?
An honest look at TraxxPad
Many of our readers have expressed interest in the new music creation program, TraxxPad. However, footage of the game is hard to come by ... how does the system control? How does it work. Thankfully, PSP GadgetZ has provided an incredibly honest look at the game's operation. It's ten minutes of raw, unedited footage, with load screens and menus. What do you think about TraxxPad? Is it still worth looking into? [Update: Official launch trailer is embedded, after the cut.]
Free Running, where are you?
The team at Rebellion have released Free Running, based loosely on the principles of a French alternasport "Parkour," that Wikipedia defines as, "movement from point A to point B, as efficiently and quickly as possible, using principally the abilities of the human body." For local advocates, community fan sites like Urbanfreeflow.com are great resources for finding the latest, up-to-date Parkour activities in your hometown.Free Running garnered a decent review, but a release date is now strangely absent for fellow gamers across the pond in North America. Attempts to locate a U.S. release date on major retailers like GameStop, Amazon and GameFly, all bring up blank pages, whereas earlier reports showed a similar March release date. With a lack of alternative sports tittles currently available on the system, PSP owners in North America may feel the sting of drought for awhile longer.Japanese fan site PSP GadgetZ has been obsessing over the title, capturing more than half a dozen videos of the game. Watch for yourself and tell us if you think this violence-free Prince of Persia-styled game sparks your fancy.
Adorable PSP-shaped battery charger
If you're always on the go, chances are you have a spare PSP battery. But how does one keep it charged? An external battery charger, like the PS-P Battery Charger (pictured above), should do the trick. PSP GadgetZ has taken some pictures of this interesting peripheral--quite possibly one of the cutest we've seen yet! Although this mini-PSP can't play games, browse the web, or play music, it can charge your PSP batteries. And that's all we want it to do.Unfortunately, we've been unable to find a way to purchase this accessory. amazon.com carries a not-as-cute official Sony battery charger for a pricey $30.
Girls, watch out! Pink headphones don't work
The Pink PSP is all the rage (everywhere but America). But, the Pink PSP headphones are not as nice. At least, according to PSP GadgetZ. The man that buys everything PSP-related was surprised to see that although his new black headphones worked fine, these pink official earbuds do nothing at all. Is it just a one-time defect, or is the entire line-up of pink headphones from Sony busted up? I'd like to think the former, but just in case, you may want to avoid this import.[Via PSP-Vault]
Four magnetic arms in MadCatz's cool UMD case
MadCatz's 4x UMD Magazine is certainly one of the sexier UMD cases I've seen so far. It has a brilliant, compact shape that features four magnetic arms: these arms allow you to easily store your discs, and they're strong enough to resist shaking. PSP GadgetZ went hands-on with the device, and even recorded a very telling YouTube video of the device in action. It's a unique design that can must be seen to understand completely.
Sun defeated by Glare Shield
Pfft... the sun. It's so overrated. Sure, it gives us the heat the planet needs in order to sustain life, but dammit... it gets in the way of some fine outdoor gaming sessions. Thankfully, the Glare Shield will help get rid of the problems caused by that pesky source of vitamin D.Not only will the Glare Shield protect the screen from the harmful rays of the sun, it'll give you the privacy you want in a much less... conspicuous way.[Via PSP GadgetZ]
GPS biking in Japan
PSP GadgetZ is up to it again: they took a "Ram Mount," attached it to a GPS-enabled PSP, and then grafted it to a bike, and rode away in style. If that isn't pure dedication to the system, nothing is. Hopefully, this intrepid blogger won't watch movies while riding... I'm sure that's a lethal combination.See a video of the "Ram Mount" in action, after the cut.
Up close and personal with the camo PSP
The Japanese release of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops was met with quite some fanfare... and new hardware. The camo PSP, included in the MGS bundle, has infiltrated Japan and the blogger of PSP GadgetZ has captured one for himself. He's taken some beautiful, almost pornographic, pictures of the unit from all sorts of naughty angles. Interested importers can check out Play-Asia for this unique, but pricey, system.
Big Brother GPS is watching you
One of the cooler, and scarier, things you can do with the PSP's GPS accessory is keep track of everywhere you've been while the GPS is on. PSP GadgetZ discovered that by downloading Kashmir 3D and placing a GPSLOG.DAT file in the Memory Stick, the PSP will see where you go, and even trace your elevation. Certainly, Hansel & Gretel would have loved to have this.[Via PSP-Vault]
Insanely expensive PSP case to deflect bullets
The good folks at PSP GadgetZ have found yet another quirky, insanely expensive PSP accessory that's (thankfully?) only available in Japan. For only 59,000 yen (about $500), you can get this impressive metallic case from Halliburton that should deflect bullets, especially at that price. If you're the kind of gamer that literally lives in Vice City, this might be for you.Available in black and silver.See also:Signature series expands: new cases for people with too much money
PSone games feature tricky L2 and R2 controls
Slowly, but surely, more details about the PSone emulation service are popping up on the internet. The service just recently launched in Japan, and PSP GadgetZ had an opportunity to play. There are a few interesting points to note: Tekken 2 clocked in at 542MB, and took over an hour to copy to the Memory Stick. (Joystiq has all the file sizes of the games available.) L2 and R2 and mapped to the analog stick. "Left = L2, Right = R2, L2+R2 = UP. Sounds awful. There is a long lag time when switching between Normal, Original and Full video modes. At least load times in the games have become considerably better.
Chotto Shot pictures, videos & impressions [m]
The PSP camera, with Chotto Shot, is now available in Japan, and for import buyers. PSP GadgetZ has some really great pictures of the camera, packaging, and more importantly, pictures taken with the peripheral. According to a translation by PSP-Vault, "He says that the diagonal lines are pretty bad, and that at low light levels, there is a lot of noise in the images. He's also a bit annoyed that you need to remove the camera to transfer data to your PC." The image quality is apparently not too great, but I guess that's expected from a device that costs $50, and not hundreds.Read on to read more about the PSP's new camera accessory.
