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ESRB: Street Fighter Alpha coming soon to PSP/PS3
According to the ESRB, retro fighting fans are in for a treat. Street Fighter Alpha is returning as a downloadable title for both PSP and PS3. The ESRB has consistently been an early source for upcoming games, and we're glad to see yet another fighter make its way onto the Network.PSP and PS3 fighters are few and far apart. Tekken Dark Resurrection stands as one of the few fighters available on (ironically) both platforms. The upcoming addition of Alpha should be a nice way of passing the time until Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, no?[Via Filefront]
Retro Review: Wild Arms
Wild ArmsPrice: $5.99Original Release Date: April 30, 1997Recommended. Is there any better deal on the PS Store at the moment? Probably not. Wild Arms is an excellent RPG that was overlooked by many, mostly due to the monstrous release of Final Fantasy VII on the original PS1. With fans eager anticipating Squaresoft's legendary RPG, many never took a chance with Wild Arms. Now, you can correct that mistake and download it to your PS3/PSP.Unsurprisingly, the game is filled with genre conventions, archetypes and stereotypes. That's expected of a game that's as old as this one. But, color us surprised at how wonderfully the storyline is executed, with its multiple narratives following different characters. You play through three paths: one of a child "dreamer" (that triggers the game's focal adventure), an Indiana Jones-like adventurer, and a magician that hears the voices of spirits. All three stories feel completely different from each other, and feature different challenges to get through. The way the story ultimately merges is well-executed -- modern games can learn a lot from Wild Arms!The battle mechanics have a surprising amount of depth to them as well. Enemy encounters are typical turn-based affairs, but a surprisingly deep magic and "force" system make things far more involving. Battles may be fun, but the dungeons themselves are even more so, with devilish puzzles challenging players every step of the way. The use of "tools" for each character in the game field is nice. We also love the "Auto Equip" feature that's rare to find in RPGs as aged as this one.The 2D graphics really shine on the PSP's small screen. Although the 3D sequences haven't aged well, the game still manages to look sharp, while maintaining a smooth framerate. A lengthy adventure awaits those that invest in Wild Arms, and at $6, it's a terrific value. Save points may not be as frequent as we'd like (this is a console game, after all). But, we have to bestow upon Wild Arms our highest recommendation. Buy it.Retro Review: 8.0
Japanese PS Store updated with Biohazard 2
The Japanese PS Store keeps on getting more and more PS1 classics to play. Classics like Biohazard 2 (aka Resident Evil 2) can be found in today's update to the Japanese Store: Biohazard 2 Popolocrois II Marie no Atelier Plus Robin Lloyd no Bouken BAROQUE I.Q Intelligent Qube Crime Crackers 2 Magical Drop Tantei Jinguji Saburo - Early Collection. Once again, many of these games will be unfamiliar to non Japanese gamers. Hopefully, it won't be too long until we get our hands on a zombie-infested adventure.[Via PSPHyper]
New firmware enables PS1 games on PSP through Remote Play
DivX for the PS3 and internet radio for the PSP weren't the only treats buried in this morning's latest Sony firmware updates. Nope, they've got a little something special for those of you rocking both of Sony's latest consoles: PS1 games are now playable via Remote Play. What does that mean to you, Joe Gamer? You can download PS1 games on your PS3 through the PSN Store but, instead of swapping games on and off your no doubt ballooning Memory Stick, you can stream them straight from the PS3. You can also leave your favorite PS1 game in the drive and Remote Play that, if digitally distributed media ain't your thing. Coupled with the PS3's recently acquired Remote Start capability and the PSP's internet-enabled Remote Play functionality, you can tap into that library of PS1 games at home from anywhere in the world. That's a pretty exciting feature ... but, there is one shortcoming: when's that library of PS1 games coming?[Via PS3F]
Play all PS1 games on your PSP ... through Remote Play
Users have been reporting that Remote Play has been secretly updated in the last firmware revision. With PS3 2.10, PS3 owners that have a Remote Play-ready system will be able to play any PS1 game on their handheld. Yes, that includes both games downloaded from the Store and PS1 game discs. We've personally tried Wild Arms (the downloadable version) and confirmed that it will play via Remote Play. Our tipster tried playing Metal Gear Solid (on disc) and also found that it works. Happy news!We find ourselves using Remote Play more and more with the inclusion of DivX and WMV playback. Now, PS1 support will increase our time spent with this feature.[Thanks, Nick C.!]
Play all your PS1 games on your PSP ... through Remote Play
Users have been reporting that Remote Play has been secretly updated in the last firmware revision. With PS3 2.10, PS3 owners that have a Remote Play-ready system will be able to play any PS1 game on their handheld. Yes, that includes both games downloaded from the Store and PS1 game discs. We've personally tried Wild Arms (the downloadable version) and confirmed that it will play via Remote Play. Our tipster tried playing Metal Gear Solid (on disc) and also found that it works. Happy news!We find ourselves using Remote Play more and more with the inclusion of DivX and WMV playback. Now, PS1 support will increase our time spent with this feature.[Thanks, Nick C.!]
iPhone PS1 emulator nears beta phase
Sometimes emulation is less about functionality and more about 'look at me -- look what I did!' PlayStation emulation on iPhone falls into the latter category. While the excitement of booting up Snake's first solid adventure on your iPhone can't be denied, actually setting your thumbs upon the screen to control 18 distinct commands (8 directions, 4 face buttons, 4 shoulder buttons, start, and select) is gonna be a chore -- good luck even getting a glimpse of the action. Nevertheless, ZodTTD, the developer behind the 'gpSPhone' GameBoy Advance emulator for iPhone/iPod touch, is hard at work on the 'psx4iphone' emulator. While there's still much work to be done, as current pre-beta screens attest (see above), Zod claims a beta could be rolled out in a matter of days depending on demand ... and donations, no doubt.The target is to have psx4iphone compatible with 75% of the PS1 catalog, which "may not include your favorite game." So would it be asking too much to request DualShock support? [Via Engadget]
Warhawk for PSP discovered on ESRB site
Search for Warhawk on the ESRB website and you'll discover an interesting listing for a PSP/PS3 game ... that's rated E. Before you get your panties all bunched up thinking it's a PSP port of the incredible PSN game (too late?), remember that this is most certainly a retro revival for the PLAYSTATION Store. Yes, the classic Warhawk from the PS1 era is coming back.[Via NeoGAF]
Japan gets budget PS1 downloads
The Japanese Store has updated once again with a bevy of new classics. Here's the translated list (via IGN). Seireiki Live Red (Winky Soft) Poitter's Point (Konami) SuperLite Fishing: Port no Tsuri-hen (Success) SuperLite Fishing: Bouhatei no Tsuri-hen (Success) SuperLite Fishing: Hama no Tsuri-hen (Success) Wild Arms 2nd Ignition (SCEJ) MediEvil (SCEJ, PSP-only) Arcade Hits Frisky Tom (Hamster) Formation Soccer '98 (Hamster) Armored Core Master of Arena (From, PS3-only) More noteworthy is that some of these titles are only 300 yen each -- that's less than $3! Sure, the budget titles involve the word "Fishing" in some way, but it's great to see even cheaper content make its way to the PS Store. Hopefully, with the US Store up and running, it won't be too long before we see new (and cheap) content.
Japan gets more PS1 games (again)
One of these days, we're going to write an article about America or Europe getting more downloadable games. Maybe. Some day. Sigh. Hope you like Pachinko, as the Japanese Store has been updated once again with a few more PS1 games:Sanyo Pachinko Paradise 3Sanyo Pachinko Paradise 4Velldeselba Senki: Tsubasa no KunshouArcade Hits: Moon CrestaBlue Breaker BurstArc the Lad IIWhy can't other territories have regularly updated releases?
Retro Review: Twisted Metal 2
Twisted Metal 2Price: $5.99Original Release Date: October 31, 1996Recommended. Once again, another stellar retro classic hits the PS Store, for play on both PSP and PS3. Twisted Metal 2 is an improved sequel of the most definitive car combat game of all time. There's a reason why Twisted Metal was so beloved: it had a lot of personality, with its apocalyptic levels and crazed vehicle designs. The relentless difficulty of the game and simplistic presentation take a lot away from this re-release, but at $6, it's still a fairly solid retread to invest in, especially for portable gamers.Once again, the simple controls work well on the PSP (using control type 2). The cars are incredibly responsive, and can make unrealistically sharp turns at a moment's notice. It felt weird using Square to accelerate (instead of X), but there are very few surprises in the controls. Weapons are easy to switch between, and they're easy to use as well. It can become problematic to find enemies in the game's relatively large levels, but when competition is near, it's fast and furious.Overall, what hurts this retro game is how difficult it is. There's multiple choices, but it's not easy to take down a racer, and health upgrades are few and far apart. It'll take a lot of luck and skill to survive the game's championship mode. Thankfully, the ability to play individual tracks will help you discover the locations of secrets, giving you a much-needed edge in a rather unfair fight.Retro Review: 6.0
Retro Review: Wipeout
WipeoutPrice: $5.99Original Release Date: November 21, 1995Recommended. There's very little reason to pick up Wipeout from the PS Store, especially with Wipeout Pure already available on the console (at a budget price as well!). Regardless, the original PlayStation Wipeout still manages to entertain, withstanding the test of time. The presentation is certainly not as sleek as that found in Pure, but the easy-to-navigate menus and brisk load times (when disc acceleration is used) are quite appreciated. The game has aged well visually: the framerate is smooth and the art style does a lot to compensate for the lack of polygons. The draw distance might not be what players expect from a modern game, and in a game that moves this quickly, that can be a problem. On both the PSP and PS3, the game still looks quite nice, with the PS3's upscaling doing a miraculous job.The controls are a bit too loose in this first iteration of the franchise, and hitting walls is unforgiving. However, with a pretty undemanding AI to compete against, the only racer you should really consider is yourself. That's a shame, considering it makes the plethora of weapons rather useless.Ultimately, the game's true shortcoming is well ... how short it is. With so few tracks and ships to choose from, one can't help but think that $6 is the absolute most you should pay for this trip down memory lane. A solid game -- but there's far better options (at least for PSP owners).Retro Review: 6.5
Japan now getting two PS1 updates a month - where's ours?
Another Japanese PSN update consisting of PS1 games occurred today. While we don't normally report on this, some interesting/annoying/enviable news has also slipped out alongside it. Since the PS3's launch the Japanese PSN Store has been updated once a month with large additions of PS1 games playable on both the PS3 and the PSP. From now on, however, the PS1 updates will be coming twice a month. So where's ours? The EU and US PSN Stores have had very few PS1 game releases. Europe got a few more games added a couple of months ago, but most of those were taken down due to glaring glitches and errors. If the recent list of rumored PSN releases is to believed, then we've got a few more to look forward to this week. Even so, the Japan store has many times more than Europe and the US added together. When is Sony going to realize we want to pay money for old games we never bought the first time around? Seriously Sony, you're missing out on free money here.
Wild Arms joins new 14 new downloadable PS1 titles
Fourteen new PS1 games are downloadable on the PlayStation Store. Amongst the new games is Wild Arms, a fairly popular RPG series. Here's the entire list:Boxer's RoadChippoke Ralph no Daibouken: The Adventure of Little RalphSuperLite 1500 Series Chiki Chiki RakinMemorial * Series: Sunsoft Vol.1Tiny BulletsTwisted Metal EXDestruction DerbyBealpharethRobbit Mon DieuWild ARMsAI Shogi SelectionFamires The: Shijou Saikyou no MenuArmored CoreKing's FieldVampir: Kyuuketsuki DensetsuThe American store, unfortunately, did not update. As usual, you'll need a PS3 to download these archived games.[Via Siliconera]
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night now downloadable
PS3 owners can now download the PS1 classic, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night from the PlayStation Store for only $10. The downloadable game will play on both PS3 and PSP systems. For those without PS3 systems, players can find a version of Symphony of the Night included in the upcoming Dracula X Chronicles.See also:Our most wanted PS1 games
Japanese PSN receives a treasure trove of PS1 games
The Japanese PSN has had a veritable explosion of PS1 titles added to its collection. This puts the total number available on the Japanese Store up to twelve million or so now, we think. Hopefully we'll be seeing some more being released onto the US and EU stores in the near future. The full list of titles made available today are as follows. AI Mah Jong Selection (hamster) DEPTH (Sony computer Entertainment) Gussun Paradise (IREM software) Jet Moto (Sony computer Entertainment) Jumping Flash! 2 (Sony computer Entertainment) Major Wave Series: Puzzle Mania 2 (hamsters) Major Wave Series: Zipangu Jima: Unmei wa Saikoro ga Kimeru!? (Hamsters) Metal Slug (SNK Playmore) Oasis Road (Idea Factory) Panekit (Sony computer Entertainment) Samurai Spirits III: Zankuro Musouken (SNK Playmore) Samurai Spirits IV: Amakusa Kourin Special (SNK Playmore) Spectral Tower 2 (Idea Factory) SuperLite 1500 Series Cotton original (Success) SuperLite 1500 Series Sanvein (Success) The King OF Fighters '98 (SNK Playmore) The King OF Fighters '99 (SNK Playmore) The King OF Fighters Kyo (SNK Playmore) XI [sai] (Sony computer Entertainment) There are a total of two games in that list that, if made available, we would download. Perhaps it's best to stick with the quality-over-quantity philosophy that SCEA and SCEE have for the PS1 releases. Though having said that, perhaps there's a happy medium between the two that means we can actually get some new games at some point. [Via PSP Fanboy]
Nineteen more PS1 titles hit Japan
Okay, we understand Sony. You love Japan more than the rest of us. American gamers haven't had their hands on any new (or shall we say old?) PS1 releases for PSP play for months. Europe has a paltry five releases available. Japan, on the other hand, gets frequent, massive updates. Today's update is no different, as nineteen PS1 games were added to the archives: AI Mah Jong Selection (hamster) DEPTH (Sony computer Entertainment) Gussun Paradise (IREM software) Jet Moto (Sony computer Entertainment) Jumping Flash! 2 (Sony computer Entertainment) Major Wave Series: Puzzle Mania 2 (hamsters) Major Wave Series: Zipangu Jima: Unmei wa Saikoro ga Kimeru!? (Hamsters) Metal Slug (SNK Playmore) Oasis Road (Idea Factory) Panekit (Sony computer Entertainment) Samurai Spirits III: Zankuro Musouken (SNK Playmore) Samurai Spirits IV: Amakusa Kourin Special (SNK Playmore) Spectral Tower 2 (Idea Factory) SuperLite 1500 Series Cotton original (Success) SuperLite 1500 Series Sanvein (Success) The King OF Fighters '98 (SNK Playmore) The King OF Fighters '99 (SNK Playmore) The King OF Fighters Kyo (SNK Playmore) XI [sai] (Sony computer Entertainment) The US Store will update today ... any chance we'll see at least one new PS1 game?[Thanks, Joe! Via Gamers-Creed]
MotorStorm update, PS1 games added to PlayStation Store
It's just as well that there isn't some sort of Time Attack mode for programmers and engineers, as the fellows working on MotorStorm's latest update have encountered a few setbacks since its original May release target. Those have since been overcome, however, and the PlayStation 3's unashamedly grimy racer can now enjoy the Time Attack mode (oddly absent from the original release) complete with online leader boards and shareable ghosts. If you're keen on sending ethereal vehicles to your mates, update the game to version 1.2 (this is important!), log onto the PlayStation Store and download the update. It's free, you know.Other additions to the online store come in the form of two PlayStation games which you may have seen before they were spirited away -- Hot Shots Golf 2 and Cool Boarders. They're available now for $5.99 each and are playable on both the PS3 and PSP. If you purchased them back when they only worked on the PSP, you can re-download them at no extra cost.
PS1 games return in this week's Store update
The Motorstorm update isn't the only thing available in today's PS Store update. Two new PS1 classics are returning to the PS3. Check out this week's update: Motorstorm Time Attack (free): Remember to update your game to version 1.2 before downloading this free expansion! Hot Shots Golf 2 ($5.99) Coolboarders ($5.99) The Heartbreak Kid movie trailer (free) Both Hot Shots Golf 2 and Coolboarders were previously available on the Store, until they mysteriously disappeared. Now, these games will be playable on both your PS3 and PSP systems. PSP Fanboy reviewed the games: Hot Shots Golf 2 came recommended, but Coolboarders did not, earning a dismal 3/10 score.
Europe finally gets PS1 downloads
After months-long delay, Europe is finally getting a chance to download and play PS1 classics on their PSP and PS3 systems. Although there's no way to directly download games to the PSP yet, those fortunate enough to have both Sony machines will be able to access the following content next week, according to Three Speech: Crash Bandicoot Wipeout Medievil Jumping Flash Syphon Filter Of these titles, we recommend Crash Bandicoot and Jumping Flash the most. These games will be available in the European PS Store on 6/22.
