With nearly a full year of of game releases ahead, Gamasutra is picking out noteworthy titles due in 2009 for each home and handheld platform. Looking at the PlayStation Portable’s slate, we’ve previewed 15 standout titles, from Japanese RPGs like Phantasy Star Portable to quirky releases such as Prinny: Can I Really Be The Hero?

With nearly a full year of of game releases ahead, Gamasutra is picking out noteworthy titles due in 2009 for each home and handheld platform, this time for Sony’s PlayStation Portable.

Though most developers seem to have shifted their handheld focus to the Nintendo DS (and the iPhone, to some extent) — with some even abandoning PSP development altogether — several major Eastern studios still plan strong support for the system in 2009, most notably Capcom and Square Enix.

We’ve previewed 15 standout titles coming to the PSP in 2009, from an array of Japanese RPGs to returning first-party favorites.

DJ Max Portable Fever | Download
Release Date: January 27th
Developer: Pentavision
Publisher: PM Studios

After several PSP releases restricted to Asia, this Korean rhythm game series will finally debut in the states with five difficulty levels, goal-based challenges, a Network Battle Mode, and over 100 catchy music tracks collected from DJ Max Portable and DJ Max Portable 2.

In this Bemani-style title, players tap their directional pad and buttons in time with falling bricks, each correctly timed tap playing an instrument along with the song. Each track is accompanied by stylish background animations, usually featuring anime characters.

Final Fantasy Agito XIII | Download
Release Date: No date announced for U.S. (2009 in Japan)
Developer: Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix

Originally planned as a mobile title and designed as a handheld supplement to the FFXIII and FF Versus XIII games, Final Fantasy Agito XIII shares the same themes and mythos around which the other FFXIII games are centered.

The RPG follows a group of magic academy students as they defend their kingdom Orience, whose military has been obliterated, against an invading army. Combat in the game uses a modified version of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII’s Active Time Battle system, allowing players to control three characters and summon legendary creatures.

Dissidia: Final Fantasy | Download
Release Date: Mid-year
Developer: Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix

Dissidia collects 22 playable characters from 20 years worth of Final Fantasy games — eleven heroes and just as many villains — and lets them battle it out in the name of either Chaos, the god of discord, or Cosmos, the goddess of harmony.

The 3D fighting game allows popular characters like Cloud Strife and Kefka Palazzo to clash while also gaining XP and Gil, customizing their equipment, summoning over 50 creatures, and advancing Dissidia’s overarching storyline.

Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep | Download
Release Date: No date announced for U.S. (Summer in Japan)
Developer: Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix

Birth By Sleep serves as a prequel to the first Kingdom Hearts game, taking place 10 years beforehand and focusing on Terra, Ventus, and Aqua — three characters who briefly appeared in the Japan-only Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix+.

Each character was once a knight that wielded a Keyblade like series hero Sora, and each will receive their own scenario with different gameplay styles in Birth By Sleep. Of course, the action RPG will feature a gang of Disney characters like King Mickey, Donald Duck, and Snow White.

LocoRoco 2 | Download
Release Date: February 10th
Developer: SCEJ
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

Already out in Japan and Europe, this colorful sequel brings back the smiling jelly-like creatures and the original game’s “tilt and roll” platforming, featuring 25 new stages and six new minigames.

The LocoRocos have also learned several new abilities and can now swim underwater, sing together and collect music notes, swing on vines, and climb into shells to roll and destroy obstacles.

Monster Hunter Freedom Unite | Download
Release Date: Spring 2009
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom

While the Monster Hunter series isn’t that popular in North America yet, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite (or Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G, as it’s known in the East) was not only the top-selling PSP game in Japan during 2008, it was the top-selling title across all platforms in the region, moving over 2.5 million units and even beating out Pokemon Platinum.

This expansion to Monster Hunter Freedom 2 adds new items, monsters, weapon and item improvements, G-Rank missions, and an area called Ocean of Trees. Players also now have the option of recruiting a Felyne Warrior for missions.

Patapon 2 | Download
Release Date: No date announced for U.S. (Already available in Japan)
Developer: Pyramid/Interlink
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

The stylish 2D rhythm/real-time strategy game returns, but adds several new tribe units for players to control while tapping out drum beat commands, including a flying, spear-throwing bird, and a wizard that can bless your group or cast attack spells on enemies.

This follow-up also features a four-player cooperative mode in which players work together to fight off monsters while transporting a giant egg, eventually completing drumming challenges to crack the egg open and fetch the magical mask hidden inside.

Phantasy Star Portable | Download
Release Date: March
Developer: Sonic Team, Alfa System
Publisher: Sega

Based on Phantasy Star Universe and its Ambition of the Illuminus expansion, this hack-and-slash RPG allows players to form an adventuring party with AI characters — or three other nearby friends — to complete missions and raids.

Phantasy Star Portable also adds a new story mode, new characters, and over 150 weapons and items exclusive to the PSP version.

PixelJunk Monsters (also available for PS3) | Download
Release Date: January 24th
Developer: Q-Games
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

Though PlayStation 3 owners can already play this addictive Tower Defense game on their PSPs via Remote Play, Q-Games recently revealed that lots of requests and fan mail compelled the studio to release PixelJunk Monsters and its unique, hand-drawn 2d visuals as a PSP-native title.

Not much has been disclosed about the handheld version, but the studio says that it won’t be just a direct port, and will include new content.

Prinny: Can I Really Be The Hero? | Download
Release Date: February 17th
Developer: Nippon Ichi Software
Publisher: Nippon Ichi

The Disgaea series’ lovable, exploding penguin mascot gets its own title in the form of a 2.5D-ish sidescroller. Naturally, Can I Really Be The Hero? will feature cameos from various popular Disgaea characters.

This gorgeous looking game has the beaked critter slashing at ninjas and executing mid-air range attacks in which the perspective slightly tilts to better show the mayhem.

Star Ocean: Second Evolution | Download
Release Date: January 20th
Developer: TOSE
Publisher: Square Enix

Essentially a remake of Star Ocean: The Second Story from the PlayStation, Second Evolution includes new playable characters, artwork, animated cutscenes, fully voiced dialogue, and more.

As with the original classic sci-fi RPG, players follow a young Federation officer transported to the world of Expel, where he is championed as the prophesied Hero of Light and is on a quest to find a way back home.

Resistance: Retribution | Download
Release Date: February
Developer: Sony Bend
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

Insomniac’s PlayStation 3 series goes portable with his third-person shooter, featuring online multiplayer for up to eight players, with modes like Deathmatch, Containment, Capture The Flag, and Assimilation.

Retribution will also include PSP Plus, a new technology enabling users to play the games on their televisions with a wireless PlayStation 3 controller, so long as they also have a copy of Resistance 2 in their PS3.

mTenchu: Shadow Assassins (also coming to the Wii) | Download
Release Date: No date announced for U.S. (February in Japan)
Developer: Acquire
Publisher: From Software (Ubisoft will publish the Wii version in North America)

Though the PSP version of this stealth action game won’t feature the motion controls of its Wii counterpart, some would count that as a plus!

Players can pick from two different ninjas, Rikimaru and Ayame, to sneak and assassinate their way through more than 10 missions and 50 side quests. Players will have the usual ninja tools like shuriken and caltrops at their disposal, as well as a ninja cat that can be used to distract guards and scout areas.

Undead Knights | Download
Release Date: Late 2009
Developer: Tecmo
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

Undead Knights has players leading a horde of zombies, killing then adding their enemies to their armies. Different enemy types will retain their abilities in their undead forms - for example, archers will join you as zombie archers.

Players can also organize their brain-hungry troops to form themselves into ladders to scale walls, or battering rams to break down doors. The game will offer a local ad-hoc multiplayer mode for up to four players, with options for both competitive and cooperative play.

Ushiro | Download
Release Date: No date announced for U.S. (2009 in Japan)
Developer: Level-5
Publisher: Level-5

Translated as “Back,” Ushiro is a horror RPG in which players take the role of a grim reaper-like shinigami from Japanese mythology.

Players prevent different characters from committing crimes or even suicide by listening to their problems, possessing and taking control of them, and fighting “Form” demons with the help of summons and spells.

Game developer Insomniac has released a number of new screenshots for their upcoming game, Resistance Retribution for the PSP. There are also arts for us to view; hopefully this will be enough to keep your game juices going until the game is launched.

Resistance Retribution for the PSP takes place between the first and second PS3 version of the game, and features a new main character. The aiming perspective of the game is a third-person over-the-shoulder view. The game also has a unique control scheme.

PSP’s Resistance Retribution release dates various by region. US: February 24, 2009, Japan: March 12, 2009, Europe: Q2 2009 and finally Australia: Q2 2009. To view these latest screenshots and art, just visit Game Watch.

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Slitherine Software is a tiny development studio from Britain, but the owner of the company told gaming journalists recently that the PSP is actually the most profitable platform for their games. There is a good chance that you have never played one of Slitherine’s educational titles, but they have sold enough copies of their software on the handheld platform to make it a viable business model. What’s more, we are told that we can expect future PSP strategy/simulation titles from Slitherine, as they seek to capitalize on their experience developing for the system.

Slitherine’s recent title Great Battles of Rome, sold more units on the PSP than on any other game platform including the PC. The title as effectively marketed in conjunction with the History Channel and appealed to a core segment of gamers.

“To be honest, the PC version of the History Channel game was the least-performing one, because we already had our core audience from previous games, and if I look now at the success of the game itself, the PSP version gave us the best results. That’s why we really keep pushing the PSP now, it’s perfect for us, for our strategy of history and strategy… Nobody’s looking at the PSP as a huge opportunity at the moment, and I really think there is a huge opportunity there. I’ve seen sales charts for some territories now and a top ten PSP game sells more than a top ten Nintendo DS game. ”

Marketing manager Marco Minoli doesn’t want to call his company’s games “edutainment”. Instead, he said that Slitherine’s goal is to make gamers “learn by stealth” while delivering an entertaining package.

He also said that the company is working on a tactical WWII game for the PSP which will launch later in 2009. We look forward to seeing what Slitherine has cooking for the PSP, as it remains one of the few Western development houses still actively promoting that platform.

Great Battles of Rome walks players through famous historical battles on the PSP.

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It’s already 2009 and I am still wading through the Item World in Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness. Yeah, it’s a bit sad, but at least I have something to do while waiting for Makai Senki Disgaea 2 Portable.

Speaking of Disgaea 2 Portable, PSPHyper has put up a bunch of screens and info on the game. Here’s a list of the new stuff we’ve learned about so far:

• A new scenario for Akutare (Axel in the US version), similar to the Etna Mode in Afternoon of Darkness. Some new stages will be exclusive to this scenario.
  
• New generic characters: Samurai (Female) and Death Saber. You’ll need previous save data to unlock the Samurai.
  
• New party members: Zeta, Overlord Prier, and Mid-Boss.
  
• New weapon mastery skills for bows and spears
  
• New magic spell: Peta Cool
  
• Options to speed up character movement
  
• Character sorting
  
• Friendlier camera and magic menu
  
• Item World commands can be used in the Warehouse
  

And now it’s time for screenshots! If the ones below aren’t enough, you can find more at the source link. So far, Makai Senki Disgaea 2 Portable hasn’t been confirmed for a US or European release, but I’m definitely hoping that NIS America comes through for us on this one.

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PSP Games - Sega Genesis Collection

Product Description
28 CLASSIC GAMES - Golden Axe, Shadow Dancer; The Secret Of Shinobi, Virtual Fighter 2, Sonic The Hedgehog, Comix Zone, Columns, Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle, Bonanza Bros, kid Chameleon, Flicky, Gain Ground, Phantasy Star II, III and IV, Super Thunder Blade, Sword of Vermilion, VectorMan I and II, And many more! 

Product Description
The Sega Genesis Collection is a comprehensive collection of the very best games for the Sega Genesis. All the must-have games from this calssic system have been put together on a single disc. Now you can have all the fun and excitement the Genesis had to offer, anywhere you travel! It includes hits like Golden Axe I-III, the original Sonic The Hedgehog, Phantasy Star II, Shinobi: Return of the Ninja Master, Ecco the Dolphin, and much more. The collection also includes glimpses into next-generation titles yet to come from Sega — plus bonus content like unlockable arcade titles and interviews with original Sega Genesis developers. Multiplayer action via wireless connectivity on the PSP. Games list includes: Decap Attack starring Chuck D. Head Ecco the Dolphin Ecco II - The Tides of Time Ecco Jr. Kid Chameleon Flicky Gain Ground Golden Axe I Golden Axe II Golden Axe III Phantasy Star II Phantasy Star III - Generations of Doom Phantasy Star IV - The End of the Millenium Ristar Shadow Dancer - The Secret of Shinobi Shinobi III - Return of the Ninja Master Sonic the Hedgehog Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Super Thunder Blade Sword of Vermilion Vectorman Vectorman 2 Virtua Fighter 2

Download “Sega Genesis Collection” Free

Gamestop employees were probably feeling perplexed all around the country this weekend as would-be hackers descended on their stores looking for copies of an old PSP game called GripShift. The auto-racing puzzle-platformer developed exclusively for the PSP won acclaim for its creative mash-up of different genres, but never sold in large quantities. Now, a hacker by the name of MaTiAz has discovered that the game can be exploited to potentially hack the PSP 3000.

Some readers will remember that software exploits such as the one contained in Liberty City Stories helped hackers crack the original PSP 1000 before the creation of the Pandora Battery. Copies of GTA sold for ridiculously high amounts on ebay until alternative methods of hacking the console were discovered.

The way that the exploit works is by causing the game to crash through a hacked save file. By causing such a “buffer overflow”, hackers can potentially access parts of the PSP kernal memory and do things like dump copies of encrypted firmware to memory stick. This in turn opens up the possiblity of reverse-engineering the system to run unauthorized programs.

Below, you will find a video of MaTiAz demonstrating the exploit at work. Right now there isn’t much to see, but we imagine that somebody will get a “Hello World” or similar demonstration running soon.

Click here to Download PSP Wallpapers for Free

Looking back on the year that just was, it is somewhat difficult to choose a list of the year’s best PSP games. Not because there were so many titles to pick from mind you, but because there were too few. Although Sony did experience a slowdown in sales of PSP software during 2008, the year was filled with some very high-profile quality releases. Grab a cup of egg nog, strap on the yuletide cheer, and get ready as we count down the best 10 PSP games of 2008:

10. Secret Agent Clank (June)
Following along the theme of mascots that have to save their bigger and more renowned partners, Secret Agent Clank was the 2008 answer to Daxter. Secret Agent Clank played differently than earler entries in the series, however, by mixing up the gameplay with action, shooting, stealth and quick-time button pressing. For those who love 3D adventure games, this might be worth a look.

9. Wipeout Pulse (February)
The original Wipeout Pure on PSP got everything right. Sublime graphics, lightning fast action, and impressive downloadable content features really showed the world what the platform was capable of. We had to wait until 2008 for a sequel, but boy did Studio Liverpool deliver. Any fan of racing games owes it to themselves to check this game out immediately. The rest of us Wipeout fanatics have already played it.

8. Star Ocean: First Departure (October)
Quite possibly the standout RPG of 2008. This handheld conversion satisfied fans of the series and newcomers alike with its memorable characters, fun but complex battle system, and crisp graphics. Lovers of retro RPGs always have something to play on the PSP, and 2008 was no exception.

Beautiful anime cutscenes helped carry along the story in Star Ocean: First Departure.

7. Patapon (February)
Quirky and addictive, patapon is another unique PSP title that defies explanation. Half rhythm game, half strategy game, Patapon re-launched the PSP as a casual platform in Japan. Both Patapon and Loco Roco sold enough copies worldwide to warrant sequels, so we will be hearing from this game well into 2009.

6. Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law (January)
Everyone´s favorite talking lawyer bird from the PS2 and Wii made an appearance on the PSP early in 2008. The game was short but sweet, much in the way that Parappa the Rapper still managed to charm us after all these years. Unfortunately the DS seems to be attracting more of the adventure/novel style of game, so PSP owners are hungry for more. We miss these kinds of games, and we hope that developers see fit to release more of them in 2009.

5. Midnight Club LA Remix (November)
This open world racing game gives players a real-life version of Los Angeles to tear up with their customized rides. Even more amazing is that the PSP delivers all of this in the palm of your hand. An amazing game in terms of graphics, scope, polish and execution. Any street racing fan with a PSP needs this game, now. Read our review of Midnight Club LA PSP.

4. R-Type Command (May)
Like a number of other PSP titles, this game takes and established franchise in a totally new direction by veering into turn-based strategy for the first time. This move might have been a disappointment given the lack of solid space shooters on the PSP. On the other hand, no-one can accuse Irem of releasing an uninspired or unoriginal game, since R-Type Command is unlike anything we’ve seen before. Turn based strategy combat on a 2D horizontal battle screen. Seriously, check this game out if you enjoy the strategy genre.

3. Echochrome (May)
You know those M.C. Escher paintings that go all twisty and give you a headache? Well Echochrome is basically a game where you are trapped in crazy perspective world from one of those images. This puzzler delighted fans of the genre on PSP, before moving to the PS3 as a downloadable title. Another interesting thing about this game is the distribution model – in North America, Echochrome was sold via download on the Playstation Store, leading the way toward a digital download service on the PSP.

2. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (March)
Another amazing PSP game that landed in March. Crisis Core almost needs no introduction at this point, but suffice to say that Square Enix did the franchise proud with this competent spinoff. It ties up loose story elements and reunites most of the beloved cast of the original game. The title is more than just fan service, however – there is also a fun and innovative (if a little bit too random) combat system in Crisis Core. Like other quality releases this year, Crisis Core sets new standards for future handheld games. If Agito XIII is anything like this, we will be very pleased.

PSP World Game of the Year 2008:

God of War Chains of Olympus (March)

God of War PSP was an outstanding project for a number of reasons. First of all, it is one of the very best handheld versions of a console game to date. Daxter is another example of a successful console-to-psp translation but God of War really stands on its own. The graphics, animations, and mature storyline all set new standards for quality in handheld action games. Chains of Olympus wins our game of the year award because it points the way forward as a shining example of what a blockbuster game should be on the PSP.

Click here to download all these PSP games for free.

Animal rights lobby group PETA has turned to video games to get its message out to an increasingly wired public. The People for Ethical Treatment of Animals is against all forms of animal cruelty including, but not limited to: eating them, riding them, locking them up for our own amusement in zoos, and making clothing out of them. Well, we are definitely guilty of a few of those things here at the GameFlavor Network, and PETA has put together a useful interactive video game to show us where we went wrong.

Political games are nothing new, of course, and this one is fairly benign as far as they go. We did think that the part where we were asked to “send Charlton Heston back to the grave” was a little bit in poor taste, though. PETA is not known for its subtlety: its last game, entitled Cooking Mama: Mama Kills Animals was a gruesome parody that hit all the wrong notes and left many with a bad taste in their mouth.

In Holiday Snowball Fight, gamers mush chuck icy balls of justice at famous people to make them stop hurting the poor animals. Targets of the group’s game include Madonna, the Olson Twins, and Sarah Palin. Despite the heavy-handed political message, any game that lets us pelt the Olson Twins with snowballs has to be worth something, right?

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