GamerNode: Latest PlayStation Portable News

Sony officially reveals PlayStation Vita

There have been all kinds of rumors regarding Sony's next handheld, and the company finally revealed the next-generation portable during its E3 press conference. Gamers can drop the nickname NGP, because it is now officially called PlayStation Vita.

The new handheld will include two analog sticks, front and rear touch pads, multi-touch capabilities, and dual cameras. There will be a Wi-Fi and a 3G/Wi-Fi model, and Sony is partnering with AT&T for the new portable. This partnership was meant with quite a few boos during the press conference.

In addition, Vita will allow people to chat with each other with a headset or the built-in microphone by using the party system. In addition, a social connection tool called Near will be featured. Near allows you to connect and play with others, compare...

Sony admits PSP's biggest mistake

Shuhei Yoshida, Sony Computer Entertainment's head of worldwide studios says the biggest failing with the PSP was its lack of unique gameplay experience.

In an interview with Gamespot, Yoshida admits that SCE's "biggest mistake... with PSP was [they] were just so happy to provide the PS2 gaming on the go, and... kind of stopped there".

This, Yoshida adds, is not a problem with the NGP. In addition to the expected improvements on the hardware, the company looked to see "what interface we could put in to make the gameplay really stand out." The key here is for Sony to create an experience not just unique to handhelds, but even home consoles too.

The PSP's failings aside, the NGP will look to improve upon existing PSP titles by using smoothing and filtering techniques to enhance graphics and ma...

Potential NGP/Vita/PSP2 lineup exposed

With E3 around the corner, the usual bouts of speculatory news stories are rife. Launch titles are always a fantastic way of generating hype, none so much as the NGP/Vita/PSP2's.

The following list is being marked as "rumour" even though PSPBweber is listing this as "confirmed for release" since it is yet to be verified by Sony.

Add this to the speculation that "Vita" is the new handle for the Sony handheld, and the rumoured hardware trimming to cut costs, it seems as if what we do know for certain is limited at present. Either way, there is a lot to expect from E3.

The launch line up includes many of the titles Sony touted during the NGP reveal in January, as well as some seasonal franchise titles you would expect in a Q4 release. As for the rest, see for yourself below.

Uncharted NGP

Litt...

Xperia Play hitting UK stores this March

According to a recent press release from Sony, the Xperia Play is set to hit UK stores this March.

The phone is set to include all the features of its Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system as well as exclusive access to the PlayStation Suite.

While still under development fans have been promised that the PlayStation Suite will hold "top games" from the moment it's released.

The phone will have a slide-out game controller with a digital D-pad, two analogue touch pads, two shoulder triggers and the four standard PlayStation buttons.

Unfortunately the Xperia Play will not be one of the upcoming dual-core mobile phones. Instead it will be powered by Qualcomm's optimized Snapdragon processor.

Sony Ericsson's Executive Vice President and Chief Creation Officer Rikko Sakaguchi, commented on the ph...

'PlayStation Phone' finally unveiled as Xperia Pla...

In what has been the longest wait for an outed device where the manufacturer still pretended it didn't exist, Sony finally unveiled the previously dubbed "PlayStation Phone." The device is now officially known as the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play.

The Android phone got its reveal last night during the Super Bowl. A commercial depicting the smartphone system's mascot getting human thumbs surgically attached to it in some dreary, backalley location eventually showed the phone with the statement, "Android is ready to play."

Sony Ericsson's Facebook page has a date placed above the phone, February 13, 2011 at 6pm GMT. The device will be one of the first shown at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, where details on just what it is capable of may finally surface.

You can check out the phone's cree...

NGP montage video shows off gameplay

The video above provides the first glimpse at the gameplay capabilities of the NGP showing off games like Killzone, Uncharted, WipeOut, Hot Shots Golf and LittleBigPlanet among many others.

Along with recognizable franchises like the ones listed above, the video also shows off new games like Gravity Daze, Reality Fighters, Hustle Kings, Smart As, Broken and Little Deviants.

Gravity Daze looks like a stylish Japanese action title and Hustle Kings is a pool title. Reality Fighters, Smart As, Broken and Little Deviants all look to take full advantage of the cameras, gyroscope and back touch panel features in interesting ways.

Many of the tiles mentioned above are working titles, and could change befor...

New Tactics Ogre: LUCT trailer released

Square Enix released a new trailer for Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together today that shows off the game's cinematic side.

The game, which is a PSP remake of the 1995 SNES port, tells an intricate story of politics, war and betrayals. The game is well known for its domino-like decision points and its heavy exposition.

Tactics Ogre: LUCT is set to come out on February 15 (though the trailer says February 25). Fans of the 15-year-old classic will notice some memorable moments.

Check out it below:

[SquareEnix]

Sony plans PSP re-releases for NGP

Sony's follow up to the PSP, codenamed NGP, was officially revealed last week. But unlike the company's original handheld, the NGP will have no UMD drive at all.

A large portion of the PSP's library of games are UMD-only, meaning the NGP would be unable to play those titles. But Sony is working on a solution to the problem.

The handheld manufacturer has stated that it is currently working with third parties to re-release past PSP games on the PlayStation Store. In addition to the downloadable front there are plans to also re-release some PSP games on the NGP's new card-based format.

The company did add that not all PSP titles will be getting the update though due to rights issues.

The PSP Go does not contain a UMD drive either, so this isn't entirely new territory for Sony. They have re-rel...

Sony unveils the PSP2

Sony has finally lifted the veil on the PSP2, and many of the rumors circulating on the internet have turned out to be absolutely true.

The device is currently being called the NGP, which as an acronym for Next Generation Portable. As you can see above, the device now has two analog sticks.

UMDs are no longer the preferred format. In fact, the system doesn't run UMDs at all.

Games will come on small flash based memory cards, or can be downloaded. All current downloadable PSP games will be playable on the NGP.

The system has a 5 inch OLED screen, and two built in cameras. One facing forward, and one facing backwards.

It will will also have SIXAXIS capabilities similar to those of the PlayStation 3 controller. Both the screen of the NGP and the back of the system are touch sensitive, confirming ...

Dissidia 012[duodecim] NA release date announced

Square Enix announced today that Dissidia 012[duodecim] Final Fantasy will be coming to North America on March 22, 2011.

The game is a sequel to 2009's Dissidia Final Fantasy, a fighting game featuring the franchise's key heroes and villains. The sequel, coming to the PSP, will add several new characters to the game including Kain (FFIV), Tifa (FFVII), and Lightning (FFXIII). According to the press release, the game will also feature new game modes, costumes and updated battle mechanics.

To get a full roster and more information on the game, check out its website.

[PRNewswire]

Final Fantasy Agito XIII renamed Type-0

A few weeks ago, Square Enix filed a trademark for Final Fantasy Type-0, leading many to wonder if the company was starting another FF series. Turns out they were just renaming one of their previously announced titles, but a new series hasn't been ruled out.

Final Fantasy Agito XIII is now Final Fantasy Type-0, a PSP installement in the "Fabula Nova Crystallis" series that revovles around the world of Cocoon. The game was originally going to be a spin-off of Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII, but now it might grow into something more.

Two days ago, Square Enix also filed trademarks for Final Fantasy Type-1, Type-2 and Type-3 and today they announced that Type-0 will no longer be affiliated with FFXIII. It seems it's branching off.

The game will be coming out Summer 2011 on tw...

PlayStation Phone reported to release in spring 20...

Sony's PlayStation Phone has been running through the rumor mills for months with leaked photos like the one above and videos of the device despite no official announcement from Sony that it exists. However, it appears that it will soon be arriving for Europe and North America starting in the spring of 2011, according to a report from Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun.

The report states that the device is modeled after the PSPGo, which was not even close to being a commercial success, and will have controls familiar to the PSP. It is being developed by Sony Erickson.

As usual, Sony is denying any announcement regarding the PlayStation Phone or a release date.

"The report isn't based on anything that we have announced," Sony spokeswoman Ayano Higuchi told Yahoo! News. "We do not comment on rumo...

NEOGEO HEROES-Ultimate Shooting available today

For fans of all things NEOGEO, there is finally a game that takes all your favorite characters and places them into a genre pretty much none of them are familiar with, in the form of a shoot 'em up. NEOGEO HEROES-Ultimate Shooting for the PSP is strange in it's execution, but not necessarily in it's concept. Take a whole bunch of recognizable characters from games like Metal Slug and Samurai Showdown, and put them in the same game. Usually these sorts of mash-up games involve punching and kicking in order to figure out who would be beat who in a series of fanboy dream-come-true fight scenarios, but this one is a little different.

Straight from the press release:

"10 great SNK heroes and heroines have left their worlds to answer Dr. Brown Sugar's 'call for peace'."

Dr. Brown Sugar doesn't ri...

Analyst: PSP2 "Dead on Arrival"

Sony still has yet to officially announce a PSP2, but according to leaked information and screenshots the handheld is indeed in development and could possibly see a late 2011 release. Rumored features include a larger, HD capable screen and touch controls. But that doesn't have everyone convinced the new handheld will be a success.

Consumer analyst Michael Pachter recently had some harsh words for the PSP2 and handhelds in general. "We are approaching saturation on the handheld market," explained Pachter. "The ubiquity of the iPod touch is cutting into the handheld market - I think the PSP was dead on arrival and I think the PSP2 is going to be dead on arrival."

He then went on to elaborate his thoughts on the current state of handhelds. "It looks to me like young kids are just as happy play...

PSPgo getting a price drop

Sony has announced that the PSPgo will be getting a price drop this month in both the United States and Japan. The price in the U.S. will be cut down $50 to $199, and it will be 16,800 yen ($207) in Japan compared to its current price of 26,800 yen.

To date Sony has sold approximately 61 million total PSP units (all models) since its 2004 launch. With Nintendo's 3DS not coming out until next year and the well received God of War: Ghost of Sparta on the horizon it looks like Sony is making a holiday push for the PSP.

[Reuters]

New God of War: Ghost of Sparta pre-order incentiv...

Sony has been encouraging fans to pre-order God of War: Ghost of Sparta by listing the best reasons in the form of pre-order bonuses.

Reason #5 is a God of War III theme for your PlayStation 3. The post explains:

"Using the Palace of Hades from God of War III as the main inspiration, this exclusive PS3 Dynamic Theme captures the grand vista moment of Kratos as he is betrayed by Gaia at the top of Mount Olympus and ripped of his godly powers. It is at this moment where he obtains the Blades of Exile from Athena and seeks out to destroy all of Olympus and the mighty Zeus himself."

Sounds like a pretty awesome theme, and it will be exclusive to pre-orders. God of War: Ghost of Sparta is set to come out for the PSP on November 2nd.

[PlayStation Blog]

Hideo Kojima in the US and UK for Peacewalker sign...

In case you were late on the news, Hideo Kojima popped his head in stateside today in New York's UNIQLO store to sign copies of his latest creation for the PSP, Metal Gear Solid: Peacewalker. If you managed to miss him and you still want in on the action, he will also be making an appearance at Gamestop, Los Angeles - details below.

Los Angeles - Sunday June 13thGameStop from 11am-1pm1000 Universal Studios Blvd.Universal City, CA 91608

If you live in the UK, don't despair, as your turn is coming! To coincide with the British launch of the game, you can rub shoulders with him at the following places and times.

HMV - June 18th - 360 Oxford Street, London, 4 - 6pm.UNIQlO store - June 19th - 331 Oxford Street, London 11am - 1pm

According to a source, Kojima and Shinkawa will be signing both copies...

Square Enix "small surprise" revealed and Konami c...

Konami just held their press event for their upcoming title Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker for the PSP, and some surprising collaborations were revealed.  A tweet from Square Enix producer Shinji Hashimoto earlier this week hinted at a "small surprise" later in the week, and it appears the surprise is this collaboration with Konami to make the official figures for MGS:PW.  Certainly not the surprise gamers were hoping for, but an interesting partnership nonetheless.

At the event, Konami also showed off a number of product placement instances that MGS:PW will feature.  While the MGS series is no stranger to product placement, it looks like this title will be overloaded with logos and products.  According to Gamasutra, the game will feature "product placements from Doritos, Pepsi, Mountain De...

Kojima promises Peace Walker announcement Wednesda...

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is finished and Konami will having a ceremony celebrating the completion this Wednesday. But Hideo Kojima promises that it won't just be any ceremony, as he will provide a "big" announcement regarding the upcoming PSP title during a press conference that day.

"On Wednesday, there will be a big Peace Walker announcement," stated Kojima via Twitter. "I don't think you can understand the enjoyment of Peace Walker until you've played it, but I believe you'll feel a hint of sorts about 'where is it a new Metal?'."

Kojima also released photos of the location of the event, like the one featured above.

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker will hit the US on June 8 and the UK on June 18.

[Twitter - Japanese]

[Andriasang]

Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep coming to North Ame...

Square-Enix announced the North America arrival window for the latest game in the Kingdom Hearts series. Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep, which has been out in Japan since January 9, will be coming the region this summer.

The PSP prequel to the original Kingdom Hearts follows three main characters - Terra, Ventus, and Aqua - as they train and learn from Master Eraqus how to become Keyblade Masters. The trio get whisked away into a crisis involving several worlds when Keyblade Master Xehanort goes missing.

Square-Enix has announced that the game will have players controlling and following all three main protagonists and will feature four multiplayer modes. The modes are titled Arena, Versus, Command Board, and Rumble Racing.

Also announced was that the worlds of Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella w...