PSone
Latest
Atlus goes dungeon crawling for the Wii, PS2
When the chips are down and creativity's glass feels half empty, we know we can always look to the mavericks at Atlus to come up with something just a hair shy of normal for an experience that is, if anything, unique. With surgery sim Trauma Center: New Blood's release sewn up and a pair of Japanese-style strategy RPGs for the Xbox 360 on the way, Atlus is one of the last remaining 'garage bands' of video game publishing. Now the company has announced its next project, namely a dungeon crawl-style action RPG called Baroque, describing the game as "hardcore" and "a pure RPG experience" for both the mini-game addled Wii and aging PS2. With an art style that is all its own, Baroque is set for release on both consoles in February, and is a remake of Japanese dev Sting's Saturn/PlayStation original, no doubt throwing yet another log on the fire for those weary of the Wii's growing catalog of last-gen ports. For us, we're just more interested in finding out what a trek through a post-apocalyptic dungeon has to do with excessively intricate art. Color us intrigued.
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.
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.
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]
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.
SNK dominates latest PS1 update in Japan
The Japanese PS Store has updated far more frequently than America's. Their selection of downloadable PS1 titles (which still requires a PS3 system) has expanded yet again, with a strong emphasis on SNK's classic fighters:Guilty GearKing of Fighters '95King of Fighters '96King of Fighters '97Little Princess: Maru Oukoku no Ningyou Hime 2Real Bout Garou Densetsu Special: Dominated MindSamurai Spirits: Kenkaku Yubinan PackSeptentrionSpectral Force 2Spectral TowerSuna no EmbraceThere's also a free offering on the Store, a demo of XI, also known as Devil Dice. While Japanese gamers are enjoying frequent updates to the retro catalog, American gamers haven't had anything new since the release of Wipeout in March. Of course, that's far better than the sparse availability of titles for Europeans: zero. Hopefully, with the new PSP store arriving this Fall, we'll have better access to these PlayStation classics.[Via Siliconera]
Sony's 1.80 PS3 firmware enables 1080p upscaling for games and movies
Hot on the heels of an 80GB Korean-bound (and US, too?) PlayStation 3 comes news that Sony is planning on seriously upping the abilities of the PS3 with a forthcoming firmware update. Compared to minor changes that have occurred in the past, this one looks to be fairly substantial, so we'll cut to the chase and give you the skinny. First off, firmware v1.80 will enable "upscaling of PlayStation / PlayStation 2 games and DVD movies up to a full 1080p when viewed on a compatible HDTV set." Of course, that "up to" bit frightens us a bit, but we'll take any progress we can get. Moving on, PSP users will enjoy Remote Play on their PSP across the internet, which will allow them to "access their PS3 anywhere in the world where a broadband internet connection is available." Additionally, owners can now view multimedia stored on a DLNA-enabled media center PC "seamlessly," and there will even be an option to print images stored on the console's HDD or inserted media to a "selection of Epson printers." The tough news, however, is that this attractive update won't be available until May 24th, so go dig up that original Twisted Metal disc in the meantime so you're ready to rock when the time comes.[Via PS3Fanboy]
Sony to offer pre-paid PSN vouchers in Japan
Those dying to download Marl Oukoku no Ningyou Hime (and who isn't?) from the Japanese PlayStation Network will now find another payment option nestled in the aisles of the nearest convenience store. IGN reports that PlayStation Network Tickets will soon be procurable from convenience stores and post office ATMs across Japan, allowing those without a means of direct electronic payment to enjoy and more importantly, pay for the wares of the PS3's virtual marketplace. The tickets will function in a similar fashion to Nintendo Wii Point cards and Xbox Live MS Point vouchers, with the exception that they'll be grouped in a non-bogus currency. Available in units of ¥1,000, ¥3,000, ¥5,000 and ¥10,000, the cards will contain a 12-digit code recognized by the PSN as a command to fill up your virtual wallet with the corresponding amount. As for the possibility of PSN Tickets becoming available elsewhere, Sony offers, "We have no announcement regarding any changes to the electronic payment options on the PlayStation Store in North America at this time."
Sony says PS3 now supports downloaded PSOne games (again)
Sony first touted PS3 support of previously-downloaded PSOne titles when it rolled out its latest firmware update last month, but as many of you are no doubt aware, that desirable feature didn't exactly work as promised. Well, it looks like Sony has finally managed to get all the kinks worked out, and is now telling folks that the PSOne game they've already downloaded for their PSP will, in fact, work on their PS3 as well. The only catch is that you'll have to re-download them on your PlayStation 3, although Sony thankfully won't charge you again for that additional hassle. As our pals at Joystiq point out, however, the real PSOne-related feature we're waiting for is downloads straight to the PSP (or even by way of a PC), but there's still no word from Sony on that possibility.
PSone titles now working on PlayStation 3 and PSP
If you've been hankering to play those classic PSone games on something besides your PSP (or your, uh, PSone ...), then your reception of Sony's recent 1.7 PS3 firmware update was likely something of a mixed bag. On the one hand, news that the PSone emulation software was enabled, allowing you to play the games you've already been rocking on your handheld, was great; however, the revelation that the functionality would not work until May probably left you a little frustrated.Well, it's May and Sony has announced that the PSone format software available from the PlayStation Store will now be operable on both the PS3 and PSP systems. If you've already purchased any titles, you'll be able to re-download them to your PS3 at no additional charge. We'll give our copy of Crash Bandicoot a spin on the PS3 later today and report back on how it goes. Now, if we could only skip the PS3 entirely and download straight to the PSP ...
Look out PS3, it's raining ... PS1?
You know how Nintendo's Virtual Console Monday has become like this totally reliable weekly retro-release date? Well, apparently Sony's keen on catching up. Tomorrow, the Japanese division will release a PS1 title for every week PlayStation 3's been on the market, and then some; 25 games in all. While the list is cluttered with oldies you've never heard of -- Marl Oukoku no Ningyou Hime, Yaku Tsu Noroi no Game, etc. -- the massive outpouring is perhaps a sign that Sony's ready to settle into an e-Distribution rhythm. (Hopefully one not marked by random bursts of content.)It's possible that Sony sat on this stockpile in anticipation of PS3's firmware 1.7, which unlocks the system's "virtual console." But then, only 11 of the releases are actually compatible with PS3. Seemingly odd, until you consider that maybe Sony really has locked these downloads away for tomorrow's discharge; that is, perhaps the 14 games only playable on PSP are of the old, profoundly incompatible sort that will be straightened out by May. One thing's certain, working on PS3 or not, all 'Game Archive' titles are now subject to a new tax-inclusive price, bringing the cost per download up from ¥525 to ¥600 (about a 63-cent hike).[Via PSP Fanboy]
Japan gets 25 new downloadable PS1 games
Japan is receiving a huge selection of PS1 games to download on the PLAYSTATION Store, starting 4/26. The following games will be playable both on PSP and PS3 systems equipped with firmware 1.7: Spectral Force (Idea Factory) R-Types (Irem) A.IV. Evolution Global (Artdink) Resident Evil Directors Edition (Capcom) Bishibashi Special (Konami) Arc the Land (Sony) Ore no Shi wo Koete Yuke (Sony) Gunners Heaven (Sony) Ganbare Morikawa-kun Ni-go (Sony) Marl Oukoku no Ningyou Hime (Nippon Ichi) Tekken 2 (Bandai Namco) But, that's not all.
Current PlayStation classics to be PS3 compatible in May
Sony has confirmed with IGN what Joystiq and the Fanboy sites discovered last night: current downloaded PlayStation Classic titles do not work on the PS3, despite its firmware upgrade.The problem is that two files -- the ROM and its certification key -- are needed for the PS One titles to work on the PSP, but that "such a system is not needed on the PlayStation 3," according to the article. We're not sure how this explains the console's inability to play the titles, but rest assured SCEA manager Al de Leon told IGN that, "we'll be replacing the older PS1 games with fixed versions sometime in May" and you will then be able to download the games directly to your hard drive.Sony did not comment on whether or not previously-disabled multiplayer modes would be reinstated upon the May update.
Sony ups PlayStation 3 firmware to v1.7, PSOne titles not faring so well
Another PlayStation 3 firmware update, another list of issues. Unfortunately, this seems to be somewhat of a recurring theme, and while users may not have found issues with last month's refresh, the v1.7 isn't as kind. Reportedly, the latest update enables the PS3 "to play PSOne titles that are already saved on your PSP," but numerous sources are suggesting that the feature, um, doesn't work. On a lighter note, PSOne and PS2 dual shock controllers will now shake, rattle, 'n rumble when connected to your PS3, and those with PSPs sitting around can also hit up v3.4 (required for the PSP-to-PS3 playback) on their handheld machine. So, dearest readers, we'll point the question at you: is your recently update PS3 playing nice with those PSOne selections?[Via Joystiq, thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Accelerated PS1 loading not unique to OE firmware
Some homebrew users are getting excited at the possibility of running accelerated PS1 games on the upcoming 3.30 OE firmware. The option allows users to decrease the load times of their favorite PS1 classics. However, this is not a feature unique to custom firmware: it's available to all users of 3.30, official and otherwise. To enable it, start a PS1 game. Then, hit Home. Go to Settings, and you'll see "Disc-Load Speed."The results will vary greatly, with some games not taking advantage of the feature at all. According to the PSP, "Depending on the software in use, the effect of this feature may not be noticeable or the software may not support fast disc-load speed." For example, we tested the feature using the PLAYSTATION Store's latest offering, Wipeout. In Normal mode, it took 10.3 seconds to load the menu and 18.5 seconds to load a track. However, in Fast mode, it took 9.9 seconds to load the menu and 18.4 seconds to load a track. Perennial favorite Destruction Derby took 14.2 seconds to load the game in Normal mode and 14.1 seconds in Fast mode. There are probably other games that will utilize the feature more efficiently, but the negligible differences we've seen so far have proven this is not cause for great celebration.
Japan gets five more PS1 games
American gamers haven't enjoyed an update since Wipeout, and European gamers don't have any PS1 games available on the PLAYSTATION Store yet. That hasn't stopped Sony from updating their archive of PS1 titles in Japan. The newest update brings 5 more games, bringing the total number of downloadable titles to 36: Gunners Heaven (SCEJ) Galaxy Fight (Sun Denshi) Hard Edge (Sun Denshi) Arcade Hits Raiden (Hamster) Tall Unlimited (Hamster) As usual, PSP owners must have a PS3 in order to access the PLAYSTATION Store. When Sony will choose to fix this flaw?See also:Retro Reviews[Via IGN]
UK gamers left waiting for PSone game downloads
I've complained from time to time about the selection of downloadable PSone games for PSP in the US, but right now the UK has it much worse. At launch of the PS3, there are zero PSone games on the PlayStation Store for download to PSP. Sony hasn't made any statement as to when they'll show up, but the US had to wait a little while for this feature. Still, since the UK launch was much later than in Japan and the US, one would think Sony would have titles lined up for day one. In any case, let's hope for the sake of UK PS3 owners that the wait isn't too long. [Via Games Radar]
