Filed under: Kingdom Hearts

Birth by Sleep looks good. And, new details and screenshots from Famitsu make it even better. The article highlights two new features of the new PSP Kingdom Hearts game’s battle mode: the Command meter and Fatal Mode. Players are encouraged to battle furiously, as each attack they execute will fill the Command meter. Once the Command meter fills, players will be able to launch a special attack (which can supposedly be custom mapped).

Terra (the guy that looks a bit too much like Zack from Crisis Core) also has an extra mode: Fatal Mode, which unsurprisingly delivers one-hit kills to enemies. Make sure you check out the screenshots by visiting Famitsu.

[Via PSPHyper]

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Filed under: Fan Stuff

Give that annoying person a strong, but harmless shock!!!

This is quite possibly the coolest fake PSP we’ve seen so far. The Shock Pro Game Portable 2 (great name, by the way) is made to fool an unsuspecting dimwit into getting a rather surprising … shock. We don’t know if we want to carry two PSP-shaped objects in our jacket. But, we’re so tempted to pick one up and see if we can actually trick someone.

[Via Kotaku]

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Filed under: Best of 2007

Did you hear the news? Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow won Game of the Year (and reader’s vote) on PSP Fanboy. So, what did other major media outlets pick as their PSP GOTY? We searched the web and found out.

• GameSpot chose Puzzle Quest. “Puzzle Quest’s bizarre (and bizarrely successful) confluence of gameplay mechanics really is precisely what makes it so addicting.”
• GameSpy chose Final Fantasy Tactics. “Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions is arguably one of the best games put forth by Square Enix, with one of the better turn-based strategy gameplay systems yet developed.”
• IGN chose Syphon Filter. “There’s a reason why Logan’s Shadow is the highest rated PSP title on our site: if you own the system, you owe it to yourself to experience one of the best titles ever made for a handheld.”

The winners for PSP awards are different across all the sites — did one of your favorite games take home the gold?

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Filed under: News

There have been stories both heartwarming and stomach wrenching this holiday season. However, even a PS3 phone book isn’t as bad as this latest story.

Late Christmas Eve, Zachary Mann was innocently enjoying his PSP on a street corner in York City, Pennsylvania, minding his own business when an unknown gunman robbed him of his PSP.

Now there are certain things human beings just shouldn’t do on Christmas Eve; one of them is robbing someone of their handheld of choice! Hopefully, police catch the thief and Mann gets his PSP, Memory Stick and game back safe and sound.

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Filed under: Software

We’re not sure how often this has happened, but it seems that no games will be releasing on the PSP across all three major regions.

NA Games

• No new releases

EU Games

• No new releases

Asia Games

• No new releases

Chances are, it’s probably not that big a deal for most of you since you’re all very busy with all the great games you received for Christmas. But if you’re a bit disappointed, rest assured that next week the PSP is definitely getting new games.

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Filed under: Theatre

Gametrailers.com’s Best PSP Game of 2007 (19.1MB)

Also featured: Angry Video Game Nerd’s Christmas Carol part 1 & part 2, Patapon and Yakuza 3.

AVGN Christmas Carol part 1 (37.4MB)


AVGN Christmas Carol part 2 (62.2MB)


Patapon gameplay trailer (13.2MB)


Yakuza 3 gameplay trailer (29.5MB)

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Filed under: Wallpapers

Every week, PSP and PS3 Fanboy will bring you new backgrounds for your Sony consoles, in resolutions up to 1080p. Download them directly to your PS3 by accessing PS3 Fanboy on your system. Download PSP wallpapers directly to your PSP by accessing the site wirelessly at m.pspfanboy.com.

This weekend, we’re focusing on Sony’s upcoming PSN title, echochrome.

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Filed under: News

There is perhaps no other PSP title as innovative and quirky as Zoe Mode’s Crush, a puzzler that successfully implemented 2D and 3D gameplay like we’ve never seen before. And although the game never sold as well as it should have (Boo Sega’s marketing department!), it has received the proper recognition from the critics that it deserves.

To add one more accolade to the list, Playboy has chosen Crush as one of its runners-up for 2007’s most innovative game. Being included among such wonderful games as Rock Band, Portal, Super Mario Galaxy and Assassin’s Creed is no joke … well, maybe the joke is that Assassin’s Creed actually made the list in the first place. Nevertheless, it’s great to see one of our favorite PSP titles getting a little more love.

If you still have yet to play Crush, then shame on you. However, there’s still time to rectify this gross oversight by picking it up today and experiencing one of the most original games ever to grace a handheld.

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Filed under: Ratchet and Clank

After previously updating its site with a page for the rumored PS2 port of the PSP’s Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters, Gamestop has just posted what could be the game’s boxart.

Furthermore, Gamestop has a ship date of Feb. 12 for the semi-budget price of $30. While we previously classified this story as a rumor, it’s probably fair to say the probability of this former exclusive PSP title being ported to the PS2.

Sure, some PSP owners might be upset that their handheld is losing one of its better exclusive titles, but we’re just happy more people will have the opportunity to play this wonderful game.

[Via Siliconera]

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Filed under: Best of 2007

The votes have been tabulated. It’s time to find out which PSP games reigned supreme in a year where even DS fanboys couldn’t doubt the awesome potential of the system. With a redesigned system, Sony recaptured the hearts of many with their portable, and there were tons of games to go along with the system refresh. Check out what the writers and readers of PSP Fanboy thought were the best games of the year.

Game of the Year
Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow

Does any game really harnass the power of the PSP as much as Logan’s Shadow? The stellar graphics are accentuated by an interesting plot and some truly incredible music. What sells the game are the controls. They may appears overly complex at first, but the team at Sony Bend has somehow managed to create an experience that really works well on the PSP. You’ll be performing head shots in no time.

The underwater battles of Logan’s Shadow need special commendation. Why? They work so incredibly well, and we can’t think of any game (portable or console) that does it as well as this one. Add the return of a fantastic multiplayer component, and you have a game that’ll have you coming back for more.

Logan’s Shadow took PSP Fanboy readers, held them at gunpoint, and made them love the game. The incredible variety in the game is quite impressive: not only will you be using a terrific cover system — you’ll be able to snap people’s necks, stab them in the back and shoot explosive darts from your sniper rifle. It really is a lot of fun. Jeanne D’Arc takes second place in a year of many strong contenders.
Runner-up: Jeanne D’Arc (13%)

Best Graphics
SOCOM Tactical Strike

SOCOM Tactical Strike is the kind of game that puts most PS2 games to shame. The jungle scenes are among the most realistic environments we’ve seen in a PSP game. Massive cityscapes stretch for miles, and the PSP manages to let you run around freely in both outdoor and indoor environments without a single framerate drop. Slant Six conjured some kind of demon to squeeze so much tech into this game.

Did you see the water of Syphon Filter? It made us thirsty, and PSP Fanboy readers agreed. Our favorite moment in the game is when you’re in a sinking sub — water comes rushing in, and you see steam shooting everywhere. Absolutely gorgeous. Konami’s Silent Hill Origins took second place, thanks to its impressive lighting engine.
Runner-up: Silent Hill Origins (15%)

Best Multiplayer
Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron

We describe it to our PS3 fans as PSP’s version of Warhawk. If you love driving, flying and shooting, then chances are you fell in love with Renegade Squadron. Yes, the framerate is a bit questionable — but the massive battlefields push the PSP system to its limits. The controls work incredibly well on the handheld, making it our pick for best multiplayer game on the PSP.

PSP Fanboy readers agree that Battlefront is a lot of fun. But, let’s give a shout out to the fantastic Metal Gear community, which supported Konami’s Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus to a near-win second place. As the only way to play Metal Gear online right now, we understand the love for this PSP-exclusive.
Runner-up: Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus (19%)

You know you have something special when you throw in the UMD and hear Logan’s Shadow’s theme play for the first time. Then, you’ll be surprised by the ethnic influences of the orchestral score from the very first level. The game plays like a big-budget action movie … and sounds like one too. Grab some headphones, because no other portable gaming system is be able to deliver a soundtrack with this kind of fidelity.

Best Story
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions

Final Fantasy Tactics weaves a complex tale of political intrigue. Newcomers will be taken aback by the surprising maturity of the narrative, while seasoned vets will appreciate the Shakespearean remastering of the script. The new translation stands out as one of the most compelling pieces of game literature we’ve read this year — on any platform.

Yes, it’s a shooter — but it’s also a great stealth game. Logan has a number of fantastic tools at his disposal, and going for the more elegant approach makes Logan’s Shadow that much more exciting. The variety of visors and rifles makes this that much more fun for the thinking man.

Best Shooter
Medal of Honor Heroes 2

The PSP isn’t ideally suited for FPS controls, but EA Canada did a stellar job with Heroes 2. We were surprised by how intelligently paced this PSP FPS is, and how intuitive the controls are. In no time, you’ll be ducking, peeking, shooting and throwing grenades, just like in any other modern FPS game.

Best Downloadable Game
Beats

The surprise release of Beats on the PS Store caught us off-guard. But, boy — do we love this surprise. At only $5, this stylish downloadable has redefined the PSP experience for us. We’re storing a lot more music on our Memory Sticks these days, just to play more Beats.

Best Driving Game
Burnout Dominator

It may be missing a few features, but Dominator successfully recreates the Burnout experience. With great graphics, even better controls, and downloadable content, Dominator really delivered a top-notch racing experience for handheld owners.

Best Fighting Game
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes

It may have won by default, but it deserves it nonetheless. Naruto not only looks sharp, it plays sharp as well. The lack of a worthwhile story mode makes this Heroes game fall short of its console brethren, but the Game Sharing feature is a nice addition that more PSP games should include in the future.

Best Puzzle Game
Crush

The only thing harder than Crush’s final stages is finding the game. Sega did an awful job of promoting the game, but that doesn’t change the fact that Crush is one of the most innovative titles of the year. Fantastic graphics and presentation only help cement the game’s well-executed premise. Crushing two dimensions to three (and back again) changed the way we looked at the world for a very long time. Do not miss this game.

Why play other people’s music when you can jam on your own? This novel concept works beautifully on the PSP — and with sexy skins and a fun music creation mode, Beats delivers a lot of game for very little money.

Best RPG
Brave Story: New Traveler

Once again, another great PSP game simply didn’t get the attention it deserved. XSEED’s fantastic RPG brings a traditional console-like role playing experience and makes it accessible to handheld gamers. A solid story with fantastic presentation makes this game a must for any fan of the genre.

If you don’t think this game should win, it’s probably because you haven’t played it. SOCOM fans were shocked to see their beloved franchise so radically transformed and chose to ignore this iteration of the series. That’s too bad. Each level requires true strategic thinking, where one wrong move can spell doom for your squad. Easily the most intense game on the platform, Tactical Strike will make you gain a newfound respect for the armed forces, and the tactics they must employ in the field. With over 20 hours of gameplay, the best graphics on the system, and knuckle-biting gameplay, this is one of the best games of the year.

We love Final Fantasy Tactics. Heck, it even won an award from us today. So, why does it get Disappointment of the Year? Because we wanted so much more from it. The game receives so many accolades for the quality of its gameplay — that’s undeniable. However, purely technical issues hinder the experience so much so that we’ve seen many people simply give up on the game. A game as great as FFT needed to be handled with a bit more love and care. We love the new translation and the new cutscenes — but we’re really disappointed by the lackluster framerate. Thankfully, Square Enix will make it all up to us with Crisis Core in March. Right?

And so concludes PSP Fanboy’s Best of awards for 2007. And remember this: if you disagree with our choices, it’s probably because there were too many games this year. Hopefully, this feature has reminded us, at the very least, that the “PSP has no games” argument is totally baseless. See you in the comments section!

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