VGC Special: Sony PSP Holiday Buyers Guide 2009 - News
by VGChartz Staff , posted on 11 September 2009 / 5,663 Views
Holiday Buyer’s Guide for PSP 2009
The holiday season is fast approaching, which means the videogame release calendar shifts in to high gear. In this, the first installment of our vgchartz holiday guides we focus on the PSP as we tell you everything you need to know about purchasing for your favorite PSP gamer.
Holiday Releases
The PSP has seen something of a rebirth in recent months and that’s not just because of the new PSP Go. Four years into its lifecycle, the high end portable is poised to release it best suite of holiday games to date. So whether you’re interested in fighting games or action adventures, role-playing or racing sims, Sony’s PlayStation Portable has games to suit your on the go gaming needs
Tekken 6
Tekken’s first appearance on the PSP was good, really good . With the long awaited console release of Tekken 6 impending, no one expected the game would be ported once again to handheld. Lo and behold, Namco Bandai promises that all the features of the console version will be replicated for on the go convenience. Gamers can expect a large roster complete with new characters, online multiplayer, and brand new interactive stages to fight on. New game features such as the “rage” and “bound” systems, new weapon based attacks, and the ability to customize your favorite fighters with almost limitless possibilities mean that this game can’t come soon enough for fighting fans.
Gran Turismo
Once expected to launch alongside the portable, Gran Turismo went mysteriously under the radar for four long years. Its surprise reappearance at this year’s E3 blew the lid off all the console-like features that would be racing their way onto the PSP. In addition to 800 cars and 35 courses with 60+ layouts to race on, gamers will be able to trade cars with their friends and rivals, a series first. Rendered at a smooth 60 frames per second, Gran Turismo looks to keep up the high caliber visuals the series is known for. A mission mode will provide single player challenges such as the license tests and multiple racing circuits to clear. Gran Turismo will be available for download and in stores on UMD, this fall.
LittleBigPlanet PSP
Sackboy, fresh from his adventure on the PS3, brings his antics to the PSP. The game’s Play, Create, Share theme and physics based platforming is still intact. There are a few differences though; there is only a single 2D plane to traverse with no background or foreground to speak of. Another, more pressing, absence is the co-operative multiplayer that made the original so fun. There is an upside to the transition to the portable, the easy to use creation tools return and the floaty jumping, that so many found annoying from the first game will be tweaked. Additionally you can upload and download new levels at your leisure. That along, with a unique single player adventure featuring 30 levels will make sure you will want to carry your little Sackperson everywhere you go.
Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier
Daxter proved he could hold his own in his bug exterminating adventure on the PSP, but its high time the platforming duo made their return as a team. Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier takes place after the events of the original trilogy with the planet on the brink of being depleted of Eco. Jak goes in search of the ancient precursor machine to restore the planet’s life force and along the way must battle wicked Sky Pirates and other malicious enemies. Open ended gameplay, complete with vehicle segments, means players can tackle the mission and side objectives in any way they see fit. While wielding the power of both light and dark Eco, Jak will use his brand new Gunstaff, capable of transforming into a variety of different weapons on the fly.
Motorstorm Arctic Edge
Forget the dusty canyons or blistering tropical settings. Motorstorm Arctic Edge is here to make sure you have a very icy holiday season. The signature racing mayhem the series is known for returns with a suite of brutal Alaskan raceways to not only survive but also beat the competition. Not only will there be environmental hazards to contend with, but new snow specific vehicles to race with. The soundtrack will be fully customizable using the music stored on your memory stick. Up to eight players can race one another via ad hoc or online multiplayer. Get ready to get down and dirty in the snow with Motorstorm Arctic Edge looking to keep you chilly all year long.
Star Wars Battlefront Elite Squadron
Gamers may be disappointed that Star Wars Battlefront 3 proper may never see the light of day, but they can look forward to Star Wars Battlefront Elite Squadron on the PSP, which promises the deepest gameplay options available from the series to date. An original storyline spanning the entire Star Wars saga will have players control X2, a clone trooper made from the DNA of a master Jedi. The game features 16 player battles, online and off, featuring multi-level stages that will have them battle on foot and in space in a single fight. A character creation tool will have you personalize your character down to their gender, species, and weaponry. Be ready to blast off and use the force once again to decide the fate of the universe when this game releases.
Assassins Creed Bloodlines
Being an assassin means you have to be able to get around and what better way is there than to sneak your way onto the PSP. Assassins Creed Bloodlines takes place after the original game and bridges the gap between the sequel. This portable exclusive finds Altair in a new land attempting to assassinate the ascending Templars. The trademark free roaming gameplay returns in top form with technology that pushes the capabilities of the PSP. Owning this game will allow you to connect with the PS3 version to unlock exclusive material on both platforms. This game should be perfect for anyone looking to sneak in an assassination or two during their morning train ride.
PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe
The surprise PSN hit, Pixeljunk Monsters, is making its way to the PSP. PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe comes with all the content of the PS3 original with the Encore add on as well. Exclusive to the PSP is a new island complete with 10 new stages to master the same addictive tower defense gameplay that made the original so great. Co-op is available for two players either locally or online. The finishing touch on this PSP remix is original music composed by Kyoto, Japan’s Otograph along with the original soundtrack that so many gamers fell in love with previously.
Socom US Navy Seals Fireteam Bravo 3
They say the third time is the charm, but what does that mean when the two previous entries were already good to begin with? It means that this is the definitive Socom experience available on the PSP. The original campaign mode will have a 4-man team of Seals tracking down an ex-KGB operative with intelligence on an imminent terrorist attack. When playing solo, gamers will be accompanied by three AI squad mates but you can also link up with three friends, locally or online, to play through the story. 16-player online multiplayer complete with voice chat makes this a game that will have you doing victory dances all night long.
Soul Calibur Broken Destiny
Soul Calibur Broken Destiny brings all the weapon based fighting and highly detailed visuals of the console and the arcade to the PSP. This is no mere port, but an original title built from the ground up for the portable. Detailed character creation, new characters, and a multitude of multiplayer options highlight this old world fighter. The best part though is that the special guest character actually makes sense again. The God of War, Kratos himself will see to it that Ivy finally gets what is coming to her this fall.
Grand Theft Auto Chinatown Wars
Grand Theft Auto Chinatown Wars forgoes the 3D gameplay of the previous PSP titles to go back to the series 2D roots. Critically acclaimed on the DS, developer Rockstar Leeds promises enhanced lighting effects and a sharp widescreen presentation. Expect new story missions to accompany the single player that follows Huang Lee after he returns to a life of crime in Liberty City after the death of his father. Chinatown Wars releases on both UMD and on the PSN on October 20.
Pre-Holiday Releases
What’s that you say? You want to find great games to gift but are finding it hard to keep up release dates and such, so you just want a few games you can pick up right now? Fear not! In what has been a quality year for PSP releases here are the games already out(or coming soon), yet still gifting approved.
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona
Disgaea 2 Dark Hero Days
Locoroco 2
Monster Hunter Freedom Unite
Resistance Retribution
Patapon 2
Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero?
Games to Avoid
Ignorance is bliss, just not when it comes to making risky videogame purchases. Sure some title may sport a pretty cover and cool features on the back of the box, but what they really are doing is fooling you into buying the gaming equivalent of a lump of coal. On the other hand, these games are the perfect titles to gift enemies or any naughty PSP gamers out there. Remember when they ask why you punish them you can always plead ignorance.
Dragon Ball Evolution
If the terrible box art, graphics, and subject matter don’t cue you in, , allow me remind to you just how horrible this game is. Bland visuals based on the movie, a loosely constructed story mode, brain dead AI, fighting mechanics shallower than an empty swimming pool, and terrible music combine to make one of (if not) the worse games on the system.
Air Conflicts: Aces of World War II
Do you love long loading times? Bland graphics? And dull gameplay? Then you will absolutely love Air Conflicts: Aces of World War II. You also seem like just the right person to take a landfill full of E.T. cartridges off my hand.
Mana Khemia: Student Alliance
Bad ports, no one likes them. Based on a decent PS2 game, this PSP remake has a terrible addiction to load screens, uneven graphics, and a repetitive mission structure set in a school of alchemy. Even the best alchemists cannot extract a sliver of fun from this huge lump of coal.
Hardware
Sony PSP 3000 Core pack
For those who want a brand new PSP without being tied down to the digital distribution only route, Sony plans to keep the UMD equipped PSP 3000 on store shelves alongside the brand new PSP Go. Sporting a slimmer design than the original PSP, an improved LCD screen, a built in microphone and the ability to play on any TV (output cables sold separately), this Piano Black model may not come with any software but it does have a lower price tag of only $169.99 MSRP.
Bundles Galore!
The PSP 3000 is offered in many software bundles with varying colors giving gamers a choice in just how they wish to hop on the PSP bandwagon. Choice bundles this holiday season include the Dissidia bundle (Mythic Silver), the Hannah Montana bundle (Lilac), the Rock Band Unplugged bundle (Black), the Ratchet and Clank bundle (Silver), and Assassin’s Creed Bloodline (White). All of the above bundles come with differing movie selection in either UMD or downloadable form and assorted memory stick sizes so be sure you know the difference. One thing they all share in common is a $199.99 price.
PSP Go
The PSP Go is the first fully digital handheld videogame unit. For those looking to leave their UMD collection behind and go anywhere will find 16 gigabytes of built-in memory to download all their favorite games and movies directly from the PlayStation Store. A new crisp 3.8” LCD screen, built in Bluetooth support, and a new sliding design all make this the smallest and sleekest addition to the PlayStation family. Sony promises to have a wide and continuously expanding selection of the PSP library ready to download at the push of a button. The PSP Go comes in Pearl White and Black for the hefty price of $249.99.
Remember the Memory Sticks
Gamers ready to embrace Sony’s new downloadable approach to PSP content. but not ready to embrace the high cost of a fancy new PSP Go, should know they have the option of expanding the memory of their old PSP with memory sticks. The capacity of available memory stick Pro Duo SKUs range from 1 GB to 32 GB, with sizes always increasing and prices continually falling. Do not be afraid to shop around, especially online where you can snag some jaw dropping deals, saving cash and your game files.
Stay tuned for more VgChartz holiday guides in the coming weeks.
Other Holiday Guides:
VGC Special: Sony PSP Holiday Buyers Guide 2009
PS3 Holiday Buyer's Guide for 2009
VGC Special: Holiday Buyers Guide PC Software 2009
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Maximum size of the Memory stick is 32 GB, not 16. The 32 GB is kinda expensive, and probably hardest to find... It should become easier to find next year, but, it does in fact exist. But, again, good luck getting a hold of one.
I'll settle for a 16 GB if I can't get the 32 GB... it is ONLY the PSP, after all, how much stuff do you plan to put on it at a single time...
I've got a 1GB, and I'm making it work.. I've got around 300 songs on it (only the stuff I actually listen to) and photos. But, I want to be able to back up things on my computer and PS3.
wow....had a psp from day one-and i bought the 3000...you go sony...i won't buy the go tho.. :( i actually like umd's and with no extended battery life i can wait till they improve both the memory capacity and increase the battery life. A price drop wouldn't hurt either.
O.O woah...
I havent played my PSP for 2 years due to lack of games. Looks like that problem has been remedied.
@Vivalavida
who cares if they don't get published in Europe. Just import them. Have never met a game which was region locked.
Everybody: Go and buy Persona!!! Let's cross our fingers that Persona 3 gets localized!
LBP, SW:BF and Resistant R for me!!
WOW, decisions, decisions! I'm thinking Gran Turismo, Assasins Creed and FF: Dissidia. I want to get Tekken 6 but I think I'll get the PS3 version first.
Yeah !! nice article !but you forget talking about Dissdia Final Fantasy & Crisis core FF7, Dracula X, Silent Hill, Metal gear solid ops
wheres god of war and crisis core lol
okay review anyway.
Can't wait for the guides for all the other platforms so tha tI know what 2 tell my HD -console-owning friends what to buy & let me play!And in case the wii(& hopefully I'll get a DS by December) and DS have some hidden gems that I haven't heard about for some reason.Unfortunately,my PSP spoilt and I wanna get a DS-i b4 replacing the PSP.
Awesome line up!! I'm a very proud PSP owner!
Nice, I'll be putting my PSP 2000 to good use.
sony actually has a reall good line-up for the PSP this year! arleady have dissidia but I will be getting:
AC: bloodline
Persona
Socom FTB 3
Motoerstorm: Artic edge
GT
2009 might be the year for Sony again!
im getting GTP , jak & daxter and gta 4 sure
GTP comes first for me
Great list great guide, good stuff.
Awesome line-up, and an even better guide. Kudos.
Wow... this looks soooooo much better then last year :-)
awesome lineup...gran turismo!!
I was thinking about getting the RockBand bundle, but not anymore since its confirmed Sony does not like Canadians. For the School of Rock movie, we cant get it because we dont have a video store. So instead of us even getting a UMD or a replacment item, they just take it away.
Shame on sony
anyways if sony wasnt trying to rip canadians off there are so many good games there. PSP is acctually doing really good now.
GT
MS rctic Edge
Assassins Creed
and a few others there id probably get
Out of those games I will be getting:
Gran Turismo
Jak and Daxter
Monster Hunter Freedom Unite
Resistance Retribution.
And I might consider GTA Chinatown Wars and Socom.
Add in Rock Band: Unplugged.
That's quite a list! What a line-up. AC: Bloodlines looks amazing.
Dragon Ball Evolution
First you would need to find it.
No Beaterator?!?
That by far is the number 1 reason for me to get a PSP.
I'm only interested in Disgaea 2 and Persona PSP, but those won't be released in Europe. YAY!
