A Look Ahead: Upcoming PSP Titles for 2010 - News
by VGChartz Staff , posted on 21 January 2010 / 16,670 Views
Every year, rumors fly around proclaiming it to finally be the year of the PSP. 2010 brings some major franchises as well as big-name exclusives to Sony's little console. While I won't make some bold declaration of the year of the PSP, 2010 looks to be a great year to take Sony on the road.
Namco Bandai's venerable flight-combat simulation game comes to the PSP with advanced, player-adapting AI, new "Enhanced Combat View" mode, and a multitude of online modes through PSP's ad hoc function. Play four-player co-op or four versus four from distant locations with 40 different licensed aircraft.
BlazBlue gave Street Fighter IV a run for its money on Playstation 3 and Arc System Works isn't satisfied simply porting the surprise hit to the PSP. The new portable version will feature a new shop, the new "Legion" game mode, and more powerful "Unlimited" versions of all the characters. They're also promising a faithful BlazBlue experience, preserving combat timing and hit boxes to ensure you can carry your mad BlazBlue combo skills with you.
I can feel my childhood rushing back to me. NBA Jam is returning and Blood Bowl sounds oddly like the much loved and much missed Mutant League Football. EA won't let anybody else make a NFL game, so Cyanide has made an adaptation of the classic strategy board game of Warhammer-esque creatures playing American football. Unlike Madden, you don't have to have the highest score to win. You can just kill off your opposition until there's no one left.
Call it a copy-cat, call it the God of War-killer. Either way, it'll be called fun. Dante's Inferno puts you in the shoes of Dante Aligheiri as a badass crusader wielding Death's scythe in a game very (very, very) loosely based on the first book of The Divine Comedy: Inferno. Unlike the timid man of the poem, you'll go slashing your way through the circles of hell, laughing all the way down.
The classic side-scrolling shooter comes to the PSP with blistering graphics, great Japanese character animations, and classic side-scrolling action in Taito's Darius Burst. This PSP release looks like a great update to the franchise with loads of power-ups and some monstrous boss battles.
Duke Nukem Trilogy: Critical Mass
Critical Mass is the first game expected in the Duke Nukem Trilogy, starting in the future, then working back to World War II as the trilogy progresses. Not your standard Duke Nukem, the Trilogy will feature "multi-mode" gameplay shifting between first-person, third-person, isometric, and side-scrolling views. Rest assured, these changes won't come at the cost of classic Duke Nukem action.
Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce 2
Koei brings us another...yawn...Dynasty Warriors. Why should you care? For the first time on PSP, you can take the classic hack and slash online to battle your friends or complete strangers. I know. Now you care.
In the spirit of the original PSP and PSN title echochrome, echoshift is a 2D puzzle game featuring the familiar stick figure, but this time the puzzles are based on using ghost data. That is, your first, second, third, and so fourth runs at a puzzle will all interact with each other to complete the objective. If it sounds confusing, then it must be in the spirit of echochrome.
Capture the flag with a cake-filled twist goes portable. This hit PSN title comes to the PSP with 50% more content including more single and multiplayer maps and even a new class. The entirety of the PS3 game is here and more, so fatten up that princess in the palm of your hand.
Originally slated as a mobile phone game, Square Enix wisely decided to put this portion of the Fabula Nova Crystallis: Final Fantasy XIII on the PSP, yielding up beefier graphics and better gameplay in the process. The game is reported to be "massive" and brings active-time battle back to PSP. Let's face it, it's Final Fantasy. That alone makes it a must-have.
Little Japanese people with enormous weapons taking on gigantic enemies. What's not to like? God Eater pits four players, either cooperatively or with 3 NPC characters, against god-like bosses in this action adventure title that tastes vaguely of JRPG. Grab your BFG, your BFS, and get hungry.
.hack is an action-RPG franchise that wore out its welcome on the PS2 and will finally make its PSP debut sometime this year. Fortunately, the story will be based on .hack//link: Knights of Twilight, a completely different story from the previous iterations and set 10 years after the original .hack games. Perhaps a fresh start on a new console is just what this JRPG needs.
Atlus on the PSP? Well that pretty much guarantees a quarter million in sales, doesn't it? Known for their JRPG's, Sony exclusives, brutal difficulty and loyal fanbase, Atlus is bringing this great JRPG to the PSP where characters wield the powers of the gods and ultimately decide the fate of the world.
Holy Invasion of Privacy, Badman! 2
The original HIoPB was a cult hit on the PSP and the sequel will add way more monsters, stages, and heroes in the quest to defend your demon lord. The sequel also brings some new features like Mutation and the Overlord's Chamber. Best of all, it will be available on UMD, not just through download.
Clap Hanz returns to the PSP with another in their top-selling Hot Shots series. Easy to pick up, hard to master, Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip will give tennis game fans the famous Hot Shots visuals, fast-paced gameplay and multiple new game modes to tuck away in their pockets.
While Invizimals may sport Yugioh-flavored visuals and Pokemon-inspired gameplay, it comes in on the bleeding edge of gaming with what is being dubbed "augmented reality." Instead of capturing creatures in the game, Invizimals includes a bundled camera to capture animals in the real world. You'll be snooping and sneaking around Walmart, coffee shops, and your friends' living rooms looking for that next powerful creature sometime this year.
Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep
Just around the corner is the next installment of the hit Square Enix/Disney team-up, Kingdom Hearts. Birth by Sleep is a prequel to the original Kingdom Hearts, taking place ten years before and with completely different characters. It also features an overhauled battle system that doesn't involve cards, a delight to any fan of this action RPG franchise.
For those who love JRPGs, PSP is getting a load of them in 2010, and one of the best looking is Last Ranker. Follow Zig as he rises through the ranks in a grand tournament. While this may sound more like Mortal Kombat than a JRPG, the focus on alliances, rivals, and relationships as much as combat adds the RPG elements to it.
Quite honestly, I'm surprised this didn't happen before Lego Indiana Jones. Beginning with Lego Star Wars, these great pairings of Legos with big name franchises have proven to be bankable mash-ups of cuteness with great gameplay. Lego Harry Potter should bring the biggest variation of abilities thus far with the vast Harry Potter spellbook available.
A whole new generation can get into Lunar with Silver Star Harmony. This is an enhanced remake of the original masterpiece featuring new graphics, a re-mastered soundtrack, and some great new gameplay elements. Whether you're a longtime Lunar fan or completely new to the series, this looks to be a great way to jump into the Lunar universe.
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
Probably the single biggest PSP game of 2010, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is the first MGS game for PSP directed by mastermind Hideo Kojima. The game focuses on Naked Snake (AKA Big Boss) back in the 1970s and promises intense gameplay features and a focus on cooperative play in missions. As with any Kojima MGS game, you're guaranteed great stealth action that never takes itself too seriously.
Metal Slug has been bringing chaotic gameplay with unlimited ammunition for years and this larger-than-life remake of Metal Slug 7 should be no exception. In addition to the classic 2D arcade action, XX is bringing a load of minigames and multiplayer support along with nice graphics upgrades.
Already played Lunar 16 times? Looking for something new? Mimana Iyar Chronicles comes from the same storytellers as the Lunar series and Tales of Destiny 2, promising classic RPG elements mixed with real-time combat in a quasi-3D environment. This blend will bring a feel more akin to .hack or Dark Cloud rather than Lunar, where you battle in real-time and command your allies to victory.
The Show - Sony's exclusive MLB licensed game - has quickly gained notoriety as the premiere big-league baseball game. 2010 will get you slugging in the new home run derby, minor league all-stars, and replay editing. If you can't get out to the ballpark, the ballpark can come with you.
The 3rd Birthday (Parasite Eve)
The first game was a cinematic PS1 RPG. The second game was a top-down survival horror game. Now 10 years later, The 3rd Birthday changes the format yet again into a third-person shooter. Based on a popular Japanese novel and featuring Aya Brea from the original games, this spin-off finally givesParasite Eve fans a much-desired sequel.
Atlus knocked it out of the park with Persona 3, challenging Final Fantasy XII for RPG of the year when it debuted. Now they're porting their most popular game in years to the PSP. While much of the gameplay remains the same, the PSP version also adds the ability to play as a new female lead, additions to the story and soundtrack, plus a new PSP interface.
The original Phantasy Star Portable was a big-budget handheld RPG that made an equally big splash. The sequel is promising to up the ante on story, gameplay, and graphics. The big new: it's finally introducing what the fans have really been asking for: online play.
Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands
Despite the upcoming Prince of Persia movie, this game is not licensed to the movie. Forgotten Sands takes place between Sands of Time and Warrior Within, harkening back to that classic gameplay. This Prince will have powers over both time and nature in addition to his prodigious physical skills and great story. The question is: who should voice the Prince? Jake Gyllenhaal or Nolan North?
Konami is billing Puzzle Chronicles as a Puzzle Combat RPG. What does that mean? You'll find yourself exploring dungeons for better equipment, but when it's time to throw down, you'll get your puzzle on. Exploration will help you earn hidden treasures and equipment to aid your puzzle combat and RPG strategy factors into this puzzle game as well. Play alone or with friends both local and online.
It's not a port or remake of any other Resident Evil game. That - by itself - is a major selling point for Resident Evil Portable. Little else is known about the title thus far except it's being designed with the PSP Go in mind. Does that mean it's downloadable only? Only time will tell.
This PS2 murder mystery was a cult hit mostly because of the unique concept. You're travelling through time - solving puzzles and interacting with a multitude of characters - to solve and prevent your own murder. This time-traveling mechanic resulted in very different games every time you played if you made different choices, including varying endings.
SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALS Fireteam Bravo 3
The portable SOCOM USNSFB series has always put you in the shoes of a still-green SEALS member, taking orders every step of the way. Bravo 3 is changing that. You'll play as an experienced team member named Wraith who runs the team, issuing orders as you see fit. So you can hang back and bark orders or get wet with 70 weapons and a load of attachments and equipment to annihilate those silly former Soviet extremists.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II
It's Star Wars. It's the sequel to the fastest-selling Star Wars game of all time. The guy has two blue lightsabers. That's all we know other than "Unleashed 2010" is on the website. Nevertheless, we are excited.
Card? CARDS? We don't need no stinkin' cards! While the original PS3 Eye of Judgment was innovative, it just didn't catch on as well as SCEA would have hoped. Maybe the needs for cards were the problem and Legends is remedying that by making the cards digital. This download-only game lands this spring allowing players to trade and battle locally or online.
The real-time strategy RPG for the PS3 - Valkyria Chronicles - was a runaway hit with fans and critics alike. Taking place two years later, the sequel is coming exclusively to the PSP. The BLiTZ battle system is redesigned to allow real-time attacking as you move around the map and the unique CANVAS engine look is being preserved for the portable version. Any fan of the original can't pass up Valkyria Chronicles 2.
And there you have it, 35 games you should keep your eye on in 2010. I realize that some of these might not make it out in 2010, but I tried to only include games that had a good chance of releasing this year and not something without a chance. Good luck affording all this gaming goodness.
Check out our other articles here:
A Look Ahead: Upcoming Xbox 360 Titles of 2010
A Look Ahead: Upcoming PS3 Titles of 2010
A Look Ahead: Upcoming PSP Titles for 2010
A Look Ahead: Upcoming Wii Titles for 2010
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i hope in resident evil portable is leon s. kennedy,because without him it isn't a resident evil game for me =D
great year for the psp, glad I got one a few months ago
What a huge year.
these all look pretty awesome :] too bad I don't have a PSP :/
I count more than 10 titles worth keeping an eye on, and most of them are sure gets. Awesome year
Better than DS. Great lineup!
Yep.. it has a great lienup... I wonder if any surprise announcement will come from e3 :-D
You make it sound like PSP never had an Ace Combat title before...
You should have added only games confirmed to come to America and Europe because some of them look Japan Only and other look like 2011 titles.
Parasite Eve games on PS are awesome, so i can't wait for 3rd Birthday.
MGS: PW is my 2nd most wanted game. FF 13 Agito and Valkyria Chronicles 2 will just add to the awesome lineup PSP has next year.
Just got myself a PSP, mainly for the Monster Hunter games, but outside that I'm not too sure of what the PSP has in terms of games, so this list is useful. I will be picking up Phatntasy Star Portable 2, Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep, MLB The Show 2010, and maybe FFXIII Agito.
The PSP has a great year, then terrible year, then average year, then a great year.
I don't get it, I'll give it's a stubborn little system.
Holy crap, I just saw like 10 games I want for my PSP. Why can't I sit down and play it, is beyond me. Maybe one of these games will make me.
This titles can be really good titles and awesome games, but I can't see none of them having much success on PSP or even bumping some hardware (out side of Japan)
2010 will be the year the PSP will sink a little more in my opinion. Since 2008 it is like that...
I'm waiting for A Look Ahead: Upcoming Nintendo DS Titles of 2010.
I think I've only bought 2 psp games in the last year, but there's like 5 in here I'd like to get. Why won't you just die, PSP? I only have so much time and money!
alot of good PSP ip coming out this year..
too bad hardware sales aren't too good in the west
