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Sony Gamer's Day reveals new PSP-PS3 details
Sony's Gamer's Day has just wrapped up, and we're learning new details from around the web. Unfortunately, details of new firmware didn't seem to be revealed. Highlights from the event include: Demonstration of Remote Play at work: the PS3 started playing the trailer to the upcoming Bond flick Casino Royale. Then, the video was interrupted and then resumed on the PSP. It sounds exactly how it should've worked. John Smedley from Sony Online Entertainment demonstrated PSone download functionality (pictured). The games, as expected, can be transferred to your PSP. Mr. Smedley hinted at future PSone emulation on the PLAYSTATION 3 console. Downloadable games will $14.99 or less. To compare, N64 Virtual Console games on the Wii will cost about $10, so we're hoping Sony prices the games a little bit lower to be a little bit more competitive. That seems to be it for now. Stay tuned to Joystiq to see all the PLAYSTATION 3 news from the event.[Via 1UP]
TGS 06: PaRappa hands-on
Ross "I got to go TGS, so I'm better than you" Miller posted up some new impressions of PaRappa the Rapper on Joystiq. Here's what he had to say:"The graphics have been cleaned up and the audio is a bit crisper than the original, but our lovable rhymester still stutters his words even when we hit the buttons perfectly. None of the new features have been revealed, including the promised multiplayer mode. We recommend dusting off the original game for now, and wait to see if the extra features / multiplayer warrant a new purchase."It's sad to see that the game is only a port, and not a true sequel. Considering how it's a PS1 game, wouldn't it be better off as a download for emulation? Silly Sony.
Homebrew PlayStation emulator reaches beta
PS1 emulation is one of the most anticipated features for the PSP at the moment. You'll be able to download Riiiiidge Racer, and other PS1 classics to your PSP and play them on the go. Sony has been taking their time, and we've been waiting for any new information on things like price, available games, and interface. It appears that the homebrew community is sick of waiting-- it has just released its own emulator. Yoshihiro's PSX-P emulator will let you play bootleg PS1 games on the go, although the code is somewhat rough at the moment. To run it, you'll need an eLoader, which now supports firmware as high as 2.71.While we don't support downloading illegal games, hopefully this new revelation will make Sony wake up and get the PS1 emulation to us now. I really want to get my hands on Castlevania: Symphony of the Night some time soon, damn it![Via DCemu]
Sony opts for beefier PSP bundle over holiday price slash [update 1]
Next Generation reports Sony is busy preparing a holiday PSP bundle that will feature a 1GB memory stick, ATV Offroad Fury: Blazin' Trails, and Lords of Dogtown (UMD movie) -- all for $249.99.Anyone who's caught the latest PSP advert (embedded at end of post) is aware that Sony's pushing the portable's 'extra-gaming' features. And while tossing a mediocre 1st generation title into the new bundle certainly drives that point home, wouldn't including Media Manager and a download voucher for Sony Connect, or better, PlayStation games -- 'cause the service is allegedly coming in November -- be a better value?Update: added price; clarified UMD title.
PaRappa the Rapper to spit hot fire on PSP [Update 2]
Good news, my fellow PSP fanboys. I bring you tidings of yet another great franchise making its way to our beloved handheld. According to a German gaming site, Famitsu is reporting PaRappa the Rapper will be released for the PSP sometime in the future.No other details have been released, but I'm hoping for an all-new title. Possibly PaRappa 3?In the game, players must copy amazingly catchy raps by pressing the right buttons at a specific time and in correct order. Sounds kinda lame, but if you've ever played the game, you're probably like me and immediately fell in love with it. Just the thought of playing this amazing franchise on the go has me as giddy as a Japanese school girl.[Thanks Daniel][Update 1: Fixed the school-girl link so no one will get fired.][Update 2: There will be 4 player multiplayer in this "updated" port.]
Kaz Hirai talks PSP, denies redesign
Nintendo fans have Reggie. We have Kaz. There's no real new info in his interview with Gamespot, but it's always interesting when a Sony exec goes on the record about the system. Here are some bullet points summarizing what he said: Sony is still "hard at work" on Connect. (Note: It was originally supposed to come out in March.) PSone downloads will come "close" to the PS3 launch. "Obviously, we certainly are not going to have 1,200 titles come out at once. You also need to realize that some of the games just don't translate well onto a PSP environment, games that require the use of the two analog sticks, for example." No plans for a PSP price drop OR redesign. Sony is "happy" with PSP; it is their "fastest-growing product."
Results: What would enhance the PSP the most?
About a week ago, PSP Fanboy asked you what would enhance the PSP system the most. It was a pretty obvious win: the ability to play PSone games on the PSP. For some reason, Sony believes that the number one most-wanted feature for the system is the ability to connect to a PS3, but as can be seen by our not-scientific poll, it's one of the least desirable functions, barely beating out Text Messaging. But in all seriousness, who would really want to use the PSP "keyboard" to text message anyone? People also seem to want a hard drive, but for some reason that's one of the main functions that Sony's not planning to implement... for now, at least. Here are some memorable comments from the Fanboys: "How about if it were made by Nintendo. And oh yeah, games worth buying." - mitch "I would so love to not have to name files with that useless naming convention." - PodMonkeys (wish granted!) "I would really like it if the PSP came with a touch screen. Or a keyboard. It could be like the SideKick." - Hans "What about the ability to pull pornography out of thin air?" - Player1 " A decent way to type, like a Virtual QWERTY keyboard" - MacFanBoy "The greatest enhancement would be the ability to download and play iTunes and Videos from iTunes." - MM "Real Bluetooth (data and A2DP) support would be nice. Then with a few software updates we could use bluetooth keyboards, bluetooth mice, bluetooth GPS devices, bluetooth stereo audio, etc. etc. the list goes on and on." - Ixalon
Up to 7,000 PSOne-to-PSP titles by 2007, reports UK PSP Magazine
"Riiiiiidge Raaaaacer!" Kaz Hirai's famous declaration at Sony's E3 media breifing might not have garnered much applause, but, according to UK PSP Magazine, there are plenty of other emulated PlayStation titles (for the PSP) that will. These five AAA titles should be available when the emulation service launches: Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Final Fantasy VII Final Fantasy VIII Silent Hill Tomb Raider In addition, UK PSP Magazine reports that up to 7,000 PlayStation titles will be available for download by the end of 2007. Say what?! 7,000! Yes folks, it's possible -- Wikipedia: "As of March 2005, there were 7,743 software titles available (this figure counts games released in multiple regions as separate titles)."Forget PSOne, the PSP has officially become the first, truly portable PlayStation. We knew the thing would find its calling sooner or later...
Plug pulled on PSone production
Sony has stopped all production of its original PlayStation console, turning towards the future and the PlayStation 3. Last September, the PlayStation (and the PSone redesign, pictured above) surpassed 100 million units sold and continues to be a popular item around the world. While, the PlayStation's 11-year-plus production run was impressive, the Atari 2600 topped that marked, as it was released in 1977 and not pulled out of production until 1991.
Shots of Sony's PSP accessories: EyeToy, GPS, PSone support
Gamespot has some slides from Wednesday's PlayStation Business Briefing showing off the announced PSP peripherals, like the USB EyeToy, the PSP-290 GPS receiver, and the Memory Stick you're gonna load up classic PSone games on to. Alright, that last one doesn't really look that cool in the picture but trust us, it's pretty cool!The EyeToy is due in September and the GPS receiver in October, so it would really have a nice ring to it if the PSone emulator and download service dropped in November. An even better release date would be "now" so we can play something besides ScummVM and GTA. See also:SCEA: PSP price drop to $199 on March 22nd; EyeToy, GPS, and PSone game-download support coming laterPS3 worldwide in November[Via Engadget]
PlayStation 3 could feature downloadable PSone, PS2 games
GamesIndustry.biz reports that Sony is considering a digital distribution service that would bring popular PSone and PS2 titles to the PS3, rivaling Nintendo's downloadable back-catalogue plans for the Revolution. Unnamed sources claim that Sony has been discussing the technical requirements needed to provide this service, and in turn, investigating the possibility of remastering select PS2 games so that latter parts of a game can be streamed over a network while earlier segments are being played. It comes as little surprise that Sony is interested in jumping on the digital distribution bandwagon, but the company will have to overcome some hurdles if the effort is to come to fruition.It should also be noted that plans to introduce a digital distribution service that supports downloadable PSone titles on the PS2 have also been tossed around.[Thanks, steve]
