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Game show contestant nun knows GTA better than Ms. Pac-man
The new NBC game show 1 vs. 100 makes a big deal of featuring contestants from many different walks of life in their 100 person "mobs" of contestants. So it wasn't that surprising when Sister Rose showed up as a contestant playing for charity on Friday's show. What was more surprising was the nun's response to two of the show's game-related questions..When Rose was asked, "What crime shares its name with the world's best selling video game series," the sister correctly picked Grand Theft Auto from the multiple choice answers, as did all the 68 remaining members of the mob. Later in the show, though, the sister was one of five members of a new, 100-person mob who could not identify "which of the seven deadly sins is video game character Ms. Pac-man most guilty of?" When asked by host Bob Saget about her response, the nun explained "I know the seven deadly sins, but I don't know Pac-man."We've included a clip of the sister's interesting performance below to document both the ubiquity of Grand Theft Auto in popular culture and the surprising dearth of classic arcade knowledge among one of our country's religious leaders.
Liberty City Stories now a Greatest Hit
It appears that the first GTA PSP game is now a budget Greatest Hits title. Best Buy lists the game with a $20 price tag and the trademark red banner on top. At this price, the PSP version now competes with the PlayStation 2 version of the game, and still retains PSP-exclusive features like multiplayer. Liberty City Stories may feature slightly worse graphics than the Vice City follow-up, but with a better storyline and funnier missions, this might be the game to pick up for GTA newbies, especially at such a bargain price.[Via CAG]
GTA:VCS debuts at 6th in UK game charts
Take-Two, the parent company of Rockstar Games, needed some financial help. They looked to the PSP as a source for the big bucks, and it looks like they're making a healthy return. Within one week of sales, the PSP-exclusive Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories debuted at number 6 in the UK game charts, making it the top-selling handheld game for the week. With Bully also ranking high, and nary a DS game in sight, it appears that both Take-Two and PSP can breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy their success.[Via Gamespot]
Playing and cheating Vice City Stories through DevHook
The excellent CheatDevice is back. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories became a wonderous playground with the device, letting you do some truly crazy stuff. Mere days after its release, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories has a CheatDevice of its own. Edison Carter has crafted a tool that will let you get Infinite Health & Armor (helpful) and the Video Recorder (more helpful), which lets you capture footage directly from the game. You'll need to be running DevHook on a homebrew-enabled PSP. If you're homebrew-ready, head over to Edison's website to download the device. Remember: we don't support piracy here at PSP Fanboy. Please buy all your games! [Via PSP Hacks]
Metacritic: Grand Theft Auto Vice City Stories
It'll be out on store shelves soon: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories. You've seen all our coverage of the game so far. Does the game live up to the incredible hype? Let's find out what some of the critics have to say about this hotly anticipated entry into the GTA series: IGN (90/100) thinks the game falls in very familiar, but high-quality, territory: "It's still largely the same game that we first saw with Grand Theft Auto III. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as Vice City Stories is still easily one of the best games on the system, but if you've began to grow tired of the franchise's mechanics, mission structure or overall feel, this likely won't renew your love of the series.". 1UP (90/100) is still shocked that Rockstar squeezed so much into this portable game: "Like LCS before it, Vice City Stories impresses like few games have managed to do on the system. The fact that the PSP pulls off everything in here with minimal loading screens is amazing. And the sheer amount of variety the game offers -- from side missions to the empire building to the story to the clever collectibles (red balloons, 99 of 'em) to the best sandbox-style, "mess with the world as you'd like" action out there -- will easily keep you entertained on cross-country flights a few times over (though it sucks down battery life at a startling rate).". GamePro (75/100) thinks the story's poor execution hurts the game: "So it's a big shame that lot of that personality has gone missing in Vice City Stories. Maybe it was the jump to a smaller stage that did them in but the characters and dialogue don't have the same snap nor does the game exhibit the same goofy and utterly loveable 80's style. Instead, the game is gritty and dull to a fault and it doesn't have the same sense of humor that made the past titles so entertaining." Unsurprisingly, the game is more of the same. It seems like for many of us, that's perfectly fine: we need our GTA fix. However, for those of you that never got into the formula, or have become tired of the franchise, Vice City Stories won't do anything to really bring you back. The game is now available in stores.
PSP wins best handheld game award; DS gets family nod
The 24th annual Golden Joysticks awards were awarded on Friday. Unlike many other awards, the Golden Joysticks are voted for by the fans. Nintendo DS fans will be comforted to know their handheld took the "Family Game of the Year" and "Girl's Choice" awards with their pet simulator Nintendogs. However, PSP fanboys will be glad to know that we got... well, an award that really matters: the "Handheld Game of the Year." It was awarded to the impressive Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (whose sequel is coming out in just a few days).The "Game of the Year" award went to a non-PSP game, Oblivion. But wait, we're getting that too. I guess Nintendo fans can just enjoy yet another version of Nintendogs.[Via DS Fanboy]
Multiplayer modes aplenty in new GTA
The official Vice City Strories website has been updated with tons of new info about the game's ambitious multiplayer. We stole the details, and made like a bandit. Here are our spoils: Empire TakedownYour team will try to obtain a cache of explosives hidden in the middle of the map. Once you discover the bomb, your team will try to destroy your opponent's team's base. They will, obviously, be trying to do the same to you. VIP RIPThe VIP is protected by bodyguards and must grab five briefcases scattered throughout the city. Play as the VIP, or try to kill him before he succeeds. Might of the HunterIt's a race to get to the helicopter. Once a player commands the mechanized the terror, it's his duty to try and mow down as many opponents as possible. Everyone will try to blow the copter up, or snipe the pilot. Tanks for the MemoriesIt's similar to Might of the Hunter, only with a tank. The player driving the tank must try to reach the target time. All other players can damage the tank, and whoever deals the most damage to the vehicle gets to drive it next. Vice City SurvivorThis is the classic deathmatch mode, available in single and team modes. Protection RacketDestroy your opponents' limosines, while protecting your own. Taken for a RideSteal your opponents' car, and drive back to your own base. It's like Capture the Flag: whoever holds possession of both cars wins. The HitlistIf you're the marked man, everyone's out to get you. Try to survive as long as you can. Whoever survives the longest as the marked man wins. Street RageThe ultimate race, spanning air, land and sea. Grand Theft AutoThe titular multiplayer game. Players must steal certain cars and deliver them to shipping crates. Players that take the most cars, in the best condition, win. Whoa... that was a lot of multiplayer. I loved Liberty City Stories' multiplayer modes, and it looks like Vice City Stories will up the ante quite considerably, featuring 4 more modes than the previous handheld game. The more you hear about the game, the more you want it, huh? Don't fret, though: it comes out in just a few more days.[Thanks, ZENegade!]
Everything I need to know, I learned from GTA
Joystiq's Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is upon us, and we need YOU to rock the vote, GTA-style. Somehow, VG Cats and Penny Arcade always win. But, how about this entry from Dueling Analogs. Any comic that's presented in a faux-PSP has to be good. Especially when it's about GTA.My favorite part? "Only black people can swim."[Via Joystiq]
Partial songlist revealed for Vice City Stories
Man, the 80s were great, and Rockstar's doing a great job of bringing back the classics (again) in Vice City Stories. 1UP has unearthed a partial songlist from the game, and it includes Phil Collins (of course), and a few other classics: Philip Bailey - Easy Lover Alan Parsons Project - Games People Play Pat Benatar - Love is a Battlefield Jonzun Crew - Pack Jam Run DMC - It's Like That Whodini - Freaks Come Out At Night Dio - Holy Diver Dokken - Breaking the Chains Ratt - Round and Round Exodus - Together Forever Class Action - Weekend Sister Sledge - Lost in Music Bobby Valentin - Mi Ritmo Es Bueno Hector Lavoe - Mi Gente Willie Colon - El Malo Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing Earth Wind & Fire - Fantasy Keni Burke - Keep Rising to the Top Foreigner - I Want to Know What Love Is The Assembly - Never Never Pat Benatar - We Belong Human League - Love Action Japan - Quiet Life Yaz - Don't Go Wow... this is quite a star-studded cast of artists. I can't wait to run over some prostitutes while having Sexual Healing blasting out of my radio. Hot.
Phil Collins + GTA = win [Update 1]
Philip David Charles Collins (born January 30, 1951 in Chiswick, London) is an English rock and pop musician. He is sometimes known as the lead singer and drummer of progressive rock group Genesis and as a Grammy and Academy Award-winning solo artist. He also commonly goes by the nickname "Philly Cheesteaks." However, Phil "The Man" Collins is best known for his role in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories for the PSP. He can be seen in a new trailer on IGN, singing smooth melodies in the violence-stricken Vice City. His affiliation with organized crime is unknown at this time, but may be revealed when the game hits retailers in one week. [Update 1: Phil Collins IS PLAYABLE!!! "You can also take Mr. Collins into the deathmatch arena and kick some arse Genesis-style. Source: CVG]
Pre-order GTA IV for $44.95
Normally, we look down on pre-ordering games, but plunking down $44.95 for Grand Theft Auto IV a year in advance doesn't seem like such a bad move. Even if you blow your every last dime on hookers and crystal meth over the next 365 days, you'll still have something to look forward to come October '07.[Thanks Gregory]
Australian PSP software chart, Oct. 2-8: They like violence
Unfortunately, my beloved Aussies let me down this week by not buying enough PSP games like they did last week; none made it into the top 10. However, they still bought enough to have a top-10 PSP list. 1. Tekken: Dark Resurrection 2. GTA: Liberty Cities 3. Gangs of London 4. Star Wars: Battlefront II 5. Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror 6. Daxter 7. WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 8. NBA Live 2006 9. NFS: Most Wanted 10. Burnout LegendsWell, it seems like the Aussies love their violence as the top-five games are all about hunting down and killing your opponent in violent fashion. You gotta love it!
Inconceivable: PS3 to get its own "exclusive" GTA IV episodes
Exclusive. The gaming industry keeps using that word. We do not think it means what they think it means. Or perhaps they do -- only the meaning changes from press release to press release, requiring a keen knowledge of context and PR deciphering techniques in order to obtain it. Eurogamer today reports that a source within Rockstar North (probably an exclusive source) indicates that, like the Xbox 360 version, the PS3's Grand Theft Auto IV will receive downloadable and undoubtedly "epic" episodes of an exclusive nature. Surely this renders Microsoft's previous claims to exclusivity invalid? Actually, no. At this year's X06 event, the Redmond giant touted "exclusive access to two downloadable, epic episodes of GTA IV via Xbox Live, each with hours of entirely new gameplay and available only on Xbox 360 just months after the release of the title." As we suggested before, barring the case of Rockstar releasing only two episodes in the game's lifetime, such wording does not rule out different episodes for the PS3.Exclusives and tired movie references aside, perhaps our concern should first switch over to the actual game (releasing in October 2007) before discussing the status of microtransacted add-on episodes. Is doubting GTA IV's quality ... inconceivable?[Thanks, Meh and Ethan.]
The big guns of Vice City Stories
Is that Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories in your pants, or are you just happy to see me? IGN has written up yet another hype promotional news post on some of the weapons of this highly anticipated PSP sequel. The Vulcan Mini-Gun (pictured) can shoot 4000 rounds a minute, which should have Jack Thompson creaming his pants. Other instruments of death featured at IGN include the RPG, AK47, Python, and M16. Surely, these weapons will be used for good when you start playing VCS in two weeks. Oh, shnap!
Metareview - Scarface: The World is Yours
It's been over twenty years since Al Pacino, Oliver Stone, and Brian DePalma gave us one of Hollywood's classic crime lords (and set the benchmark for f-bomb usage in a film). Given Rockstar's success with Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, it's not surprising that someone decided to cash in on the original coked out vision of 80s Miami. Enter Sierra and Radical Entertainment's Scarface: The World is Yours, an extension of the movie that finds Tony Montana very much alive and out for revenge on the cock-a-roaches who destroyed his drug empire. Reviews suggest that the amount of enjoyment you get out of this game will depend on your patience with its mission structure. Tony doesn't break his balls for anyone, but some of the side missions in Scarface just might break yours. IGN (87/100) thought Tony's rage mode was the balls: "By performing a number of 'ballsy' moves, you'll fill the Balls meter. Targeting certain body parts (kidney, head, arms, groin, etc.) will earn you Balls, and taunting someone after you kill them will earn you even more. It's a great system that works almost flawlessly." Game Informer (85/100) felt immersed in the power struggles of a drug kingpin: "Unlike Grand Theft Auto, in which you're frequently at the mercy of powers much greater than yourself, Scarface allows you to blaze your own path to greatness. The epic scope and the sheer amount of money at stake give Scarface a sense of urgency that few games in this genre have achieved." GameSpot (64/100) was looking for more freedom of movement: "The developers accomplished the task of bringing Tony Montana back to life. But by taking the focus off of the gameplay elements that you'd want in an open-city game and putting it more on the game's bland mission design and all the dull side tasks you'll have to do to earn a reputation, Scarface doesn't play to its potential strengths."
Vice City's watery playground
It's common knowledge that you'll now be able to play in the water in the PSP's Vice City Stories. Although swimming was introduced in the PS2's San Andreas, this handheld iteration of the popular series will feature the most complex water-based gameplay in the franchise's history, according to IGN. Each vehicle in the game will respond to the game's new water physics model: they'll bob in the water, be affected by currents and be slowed down by drag. (It's like you're buying GTA and getting Wave Race for free.) Using the jet-ski, you'll be able to do drive-by shootings on the water, terrifying rich boat owners. The APV sounds exciting, as you'll be able to drive it around and enter the water when you really need to make a dramatic getaway.With speedboats, yachts, sailboats, zodiacs, airboats, and more, Vice City Stories "might have the largest collection of sea-based vehicles in gaming history," which is especially impressive when you consider the platform's diminuitive size. By making the waterways important to gameplay, gamers can expect tons of mini-games: swimming events, boat and jet ski races. Heck, if you feel like being a good guy and wash your hands of all the sin you're committing, there's no better way than to partake in a water rescue mission. Is anyone else concerned that this game might feature too much content?Vice City Stories hits stores at the end of this month.
Vice City Stories: 1 page, 11 movies
GameVideos has made gamers' lives easier by finding every single video of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories they could. We're making gamers' lives even easier by placing those videos in one place. You just have to go past the break and you'll have eleven somewhat random GTA videos at your disposal (some are new, some are old... depending on how much you've been following the game). The game will hit PSPs on October 31st.
Vice City Stories: flying, driving and more
The folks over at IGN got a chance to play with the upcoming Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories. We're expecting great things from it, and it looks like we won't be disappointed. The preview goes over the handling of vehicles, and surprisingly: they all work quite well. Riding a helicopter seems to run without a hitch, which is quite a technical marvel, considering how the game must render all of Vice City while you're in the sky. The ATV controls seem to be realistic and based on physics. It's a little difficult to get used to, but as IGN notes: "this is exactly how it should be."The missions of Vice City Stories will be a bit more complex than the simple quests provided by Liberty City Stories. Missions will have you traveling across all kinds of environments: you may be in a car chase, then go on the ground, only to get inside a helicopter, and end in a race on the ocean. The potential depth of these missions is really exciting, especially when you consider the game has very short load times. It looks like Rockstar has created yet another technical benchmark for the PSP, and I can't wait for the game's release on October 31st.[Thanks, steve!]
Dissecting Rockstar's formula: Joystiq previews Vice City Stories (PSP) & Bully (PS2)
The headquarters of Rockstar Games, a thin 6-story building squeezed between Best Buy and Adidas, stands just north of where Broadway cuts through Houston Street flowing downward into a mecca of trend -- or shopping for trends -- known as SoHo. A few blocks away Sony has erected one of the world's largest PSP displays (seen here), which towers over the intersection of Lafayette and Houston. But it's not just neighboring downtown-Manhattan real estate that connects Rockstar and Sony.
Free t-shirt with Vice City pre-order
You probably don't need any more motivation than awesome graphics and gameplay in order to pick up Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories. Or maybe you do. That's where free t-shirts come in. According to janamil of the PlayStation.com forums, EBGames is offering a free t-shirt for pre-ordering the game. Not too shabby. So, if you've run out of things to wear, head over to GameSpot/EBGames and give them your money. (While you're there, don't forget to ask for a few free demo UMDs that they're sure to be hoarding!)
