Hacking the PSP Blog

Manga Fans, Nana Is Coming to the PSP (Kotaku)

According to Konami’s Nana website, the PS2 game will appear on the PSP this year. No further details have been announced. The PS2 game is based on the hit manga of the same name, which has also spanned a movie with sickeningly cute Aoi Miyazaki and waffish Mika Nakashima. There’s a tribute album. Yes, a tribute album for a comic book. It’s that popular.

Watch the Preview Here [Apple]
Info Here [Konami]

Source: Kotaku

MGS digitally stripped for PSP (GameSpot)

Konami brings interactive comic featuring Solid Snake and Metal Gear characters to Sony's handheld.

SAN FRANCISCO--The 2006 Konami Gamers' Day in San Francisco had more than just games on display today. Wilson Cheng, product manager at Konami Digitial Entertainment, said, "I am very happy to announce that Konami will be introducing a new type of genre that combines different types of media onto one UMD disc."

Thankfully for longtime Konami fans, the subject of the "new genre" is something gamers will be very familiar with. It also appears to answer questions raised by legendary designer Hideo Kojima, who recently told Famitsu that he was working on a non-game project for the PSP called Metal Gear Solid BD.

Metal Gear Solid Digital Comic (working title) is an interactive comic book-style story from franchise creator Hideo Kojima and producer Noriaki Okamura. Artwork will be provided by Australian comic book artist Ashley Wood, who fans may know from his work on Todd McFarlane's Spawn and the Metal Gear Solid comic books.

"MGS Digital Comic goes way beyond just clicking through scanned comic book pages," said Ryan Payton, international manager of Kojima Productions. "It provides an involved interactive experience as players must investigate the MGS story, link together plot points, and complete the puzzle of the Metal Gear narrative through multiple play throughs."

It's unclear just how interactive the comic will actually be, but a trailer shown at the event certainly confirmed it will be animated. Voice bubbles appear in sequence with the game's audio, and static images slide across the screen as comic-style effects like "Bang!" or "Pow!" appear onscreen when characters fire bullets.

Konami has not announced a release date or price for Metal Gear Solid Digital Comic.

Source: GameSpot

Game Review: Street Supremacy Hands-On (GameSpot)

Silent Hill PSP and Others Make Konami’s '06 List

Wow, Konami just dropped an enormous list of game titles hitting this year in my mailbox. Some on the list include a Rumble Roses for the Xbox 360, a Silent Hill for the PSP and of course, the 3D glasses-enabled Metal Gear Acid2.

beatmania
Release date: Spring 2006
Genre: Music
Platform: PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system
beatmania is a revolutionary new interactive DJ simulation game for the PlayStation 2, which combines high-energy pulsating music with cutting-edge videos. Utilizing a specially designed DJ controller and featuring more than 50 tracks, beatmania lets gamers feel the vibe, drop the beats and create the pulsing energy of a club in their own homes.

CMT Presents: Karaoke Revolution® Country
Release date: Spring 2006
Genre: Music
Platform: PlayStation 2
Saddle up with the hottest new addition to the Karaoke Revolution series. Karaoke Revolution Country marks the first branch out to a dedicated genre for the popular franchise. Officially licensed by CMT (Country Music Television), America’s most popular country music network, Karaoke Revolution Country features 35 all-new chart topping songs made popular by the hottest names in country music!

Gradius Collection
Release date: Spring 2006
Genre: Shooting
Platform: PSP system
Gradius Collection is a compilation of five beloved Gradius titles in one exciting game. Spanning more than 20 years of exciting releases, the titles include Gradius, Gradius II, Gradius III, Gradius IV, and the never-before-released in the United States, Gradius Gaiden.

Konami All-In Poker
Release date: Spring 2006
Genre: Card Game
Platform: Xbox video game and entertainment system from Microsoft
Shuffle up and deal in the most exciting card game on the planet. This no-nonsense poker game lets new players learn the ropes and allows experienced poker players to get right into the action. Players choose from one of five classic games including Texas Hold ‘em, Omaha and 7 Card Stud. In-game tutorials teach players the basic strategies, and Xbox Live online game service component lets players compete online for exciting multiplayer action.

Konami’s Chess Battle (working title)
Release date: Fall 2006
Genre: Strategy
Platform: PSP system
Konami’s Chess Battle combines intense 3D graphics and storytelling with a variety of single and multiplayer game modes for the ultimate chess experience. Set in a time prior to the age of man, players determine the fate of the world in a great battle. Players can choose to battle as one of five fully interactive 3D chess sets, including magicians, an aquatic civilization, cybernetic beings, forest-dwelling spirits and servants of chaos — or have the option to play using a classic 3D or 2D chess set.

Metal Gear Acid2
Release date: March 2006
Genre: Strategy
Platform: PSP system
Following the deep tactical strategy from the previous Metal Gear Acid game, Metal Gear Acid 2 features an improved card-based strategic gameplay system with card weapon upgrades and over 500 cards to use. The title delivers enhanced tactical gameplay and new visual effects, including an innovative 3-D mode packed with exciting gameplay and trailers that are viewed with special 3-D glasses. As the role of top-secret agent, Solid Snake, players will make calculated decisions to plan out their infiltration strategy and accomplish the mission in a turn-based game.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence
Release date: March 2006
Genre: Action
Platform: PlayStation 2
Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence is the newest game in the highly-acclaimed Metal Gear Solid series, created by the world-renowned Hideo Kojima. It features the complete smash-hit action game Metal Gear Solid3: Snake Eater, as well as all-new game modes such as robust online multiplayer gameplay, different camera perspectives, new duel mode, a demo theater mode, additional Snake vs. Monkey stages and the original Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake games that were previously released only in Japan.

Rumble Roses XX
Release date: Spring 2006
Genre: Sports/Wrestling
Platform: Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft
The follow-up to last year’s smash hit all-female wrestling video game and the first wrestling game for Xbox 360, Rumble Roses XX will feature a full lineup of incredible looking wrestlers along with all-new moves, gameplay modes, tag team action and online play. Set to be the “best-looking” game for the new console, Rumble Roses XX features more than 20 playable characters, including all the popular ladies from the original Rumble Roses such as Reiko and Dixie. Each wrestler will also have a variety of costume changes, new moves, different crowd reactions and attitudes depending on their persona.

Silent Hill Experience (working title)
Release date: Spring 2006
Genre: Multimedia
Platform: PSP system
Unique among all PSP system products available on the market, The Silent Hill Experience combines a variety of media – comics, music and movies – to deliver a complete behind-the-scenes look at the popular Silent Hill franchise. Using an intuitive 3D interface, Silent Hill fans will be able to view all-new digital interactive comics, listen to music from the long-running series of Silent Hill video games, and watch exclusive video content, including an interview with the director of the highly-anticipated Silent Hill motion picture.

Steel Horizon (working title)
Release date: Fall 2006
Genre: Strategy
Platform: PSP system, Nintendo DS
Steel Horizon combines turn-based strategy with intense action to deliver an exciting game play experience to players of all ages. Players will be able to build and command a powerful WW2 naval fleet, comprised of battleships, submarines and aircraft carriers. By combining the best of turn-based strategy and real-time action, players will strategically position their fleets and engage in real-time 3D combat.

Street Supremacy
Release date: Spring 2006
Genre: Racing
Platform: PSP system
Experience the super-charged world of street racing as a member of a team out for supremacy. Face off against rivals as you race through Tokyo’s traffic-filled streets. Stay in front of your opponents, dominate the competition and rule the highway! Featuring unique RPG-style racing gameplay, single and multiplayer modes and numerous licensed vehicles, Street Supremacy is must-have for the PSP system.

Suikoden V
Release date: Spring 2006
Genre: Role-playing
Platform: PlayStation 2
Continuing the series’ legacy, this newest installment will take fans on an all-new epic adventure through never-before-seen continents located within the immense and exciting Suikoden universe. Suikoden V, like its predecessors, offers unparalleled in-depth gameplay, 3-D environments, a riveting storyline as well as the series’ trademark 108 Stars of Destiny. The game features significant enhancements from all the previous installments in the series, including 6-member battle parties, multiple mini-games, the homebase system, and many other new features which create a unique gameplay experience like no other.

Tao’s Adventure: Curse of the Demon Seal (working title)
Release date: Spring 2006
Genre: Role-playing
Platform: Nintendo DS
In this exciting, action-packed RPG, players take on the role of Tao, a young magic student living on Bente Island, who must travel on an incredible journey to save his family and fellow village people from an evil monster curse that has turned everyone into stone. During this mystical quest, players will embark on an epic voyage packed with many traps and tricks, multitudes of monsters, 40 floors of thrilling battle adventure at the Monster Tower, and an endearing storyline which RPG fans will love.

World Soccer Winning Eleven 9
Release date: Early 2006
Genre: Sports/Soccer
Platform: PlayStation 2, Xbox, PSP system, PC CD-ROM
Winning Eleven 9 shoots and scores with the best soccer experience in the industry. This new edition combines the attention to detail that has been the series’ hallmark along with new formations, Master League enhancements and – for the first time ever – online play. Winning Eleven 9 features real players, a large variety of licensed teams, photo-realistic graphics, and a huge variety of stadiums, helping players re-create the same excitement that surrounds the world’s most popular sport.

Ys: The Ark of Napishtim
Release date: Spring 2006
Genre: Role-playing
Platform: PSP system
The Ys series is one of the most beloved RPG franchises of all time. Now on the PSP system, gamers-on-the-go can experience the beautifully rendered environments, distinct storytelling, exciting plot twists and unique characters that set Ys apart from other action RPGs. Additionally, players can unlock new mini-games and databases revealing the secrets of Ys, as well as listen to the game’s complete soundtrack as well as view movies and trailers in the Ys Media Player.

AMUSEMENT

Dance Dance Revolution SuperNOVA
Release date: Spring 2006
Genre: Music
Platform: Arcade
The hottest revolution and bestselling video game in the music game category returns to its arcade roots with Dance Dance Revolution SuperNOVA. The first arcade version to be released in North America in 6 years, Dance Dance Revolution SuperNOVA features over 300 songs, all-new game modes, vibrant graphics and more than 2000 dance step patterns.

FUTURE PRODUCTS

Yu-Gi-Oh! USB Duelpass Key
Release date: Spring 2006
Platform: PC
By plugging the Yu-Gi-Oh! USB Duelpass Key into a computer, the user is automatically launched to a unique Yu-Gi-Oh! Online.net login page, where they can duel with other Yu-Gi-Oh! gamers anywhere in the world. The user is credited with 90 duel points and receives 3 virtual cards, one of the cards is exclusive to the product.

MOBILE

Blockshot
Release date: Winter 2006
Genre: Mobile/Action Puzzle
Based on the popular Quarth arcade game, Blockshot combines elements of both shooting and puzzle games. Shoot carefully to make a solid block and clear them from the screen. Keep an eye on the big picture and work as efficiently as possibly.

Cubic
Release date: Winter 2006
Genre: Mobile/3D Puzzle
Cubic is a puzzle game played over all sides of a 3D polygon cube. Choose the color and go! Reverse pieces are made by sandwiching in the opponent vertically, horizontally or diagonally. The player who has the most pieces wins!

Dance Dance Revolution
Release date: Spring 2006
Genre: Mobile/Dance
The hip tunes and party atmosphere of the arcade version go mobile! Players use their fingers to “step” on the arrows right, left, front, back on your phone. Use some tricky finger work to get the high score.

Push-It!
Release date: Winter 2006
Genre: Mobile/3D Puzzle
Push It! is a sliding box game which challenges players to create a safe course by sliding boxes into open areas in the path. Be careful not to disturb certain objects along the way. Caution: highly addicting!

Tamakoro 3D
Release date: Spring 2006
Genre: Mobile/3D Action
Keep the ball rolling without falling over the edge and avoiding the traps. It doesn’t matter which path the players uses, so find a shortcut or detour to shorten the time score! Net ranking and new road course downloads will be available.

Sony Preps Playstation Portable Puzzlers (Siliconera)

There’s little doubt that Nintendo DS as revived a couple of gaming genres, including puzzle games. Polarium, Meteos and even the Brain Training series are all part of the puzzle genre. Coincidentally, all of these games are also hot sellers on the DS. Not to be out done Sony decided to dust off a couple of PSP classics for re-release this March. You’ll be able to get a copy of XI Coliseum (Devil Dice in the USA) a remake of the brain bending dice rotating puzzle game, Bomberman: Bakafuu Sentai Bomberman with wireless action and I.Q. Mania a remix of Intelligent Qube with even more puzzles than the original.

All of these games all you to play with ad-hoc (i.e. people next to each other PSPs in hand) wireless, but you don’t need to have the same game to play over Wifi. So if you have a copy of Bomberman and someone else has I.Q. Mania both of you can play Bomberman. Each game also comes packaged with a couple of mini games like Mahjong and Bowling. Could these games attract the same “non gamer” audience that the DS is going for?

SIG Analysts Examine PSP Profit Margins (Gamasutra)

The Susquehanna Interest Group's latest Video Game Journal, produced by financial analysts looking at the video game market includes an analysis of the PlayStation Portable, in terms of expectations of its future growth as well as the possibility of offsetting next-generation development costs by taking advantage of the PSP's potential margins.

The report compares the margin of high-end PSP games, which retail for a $50 price point, to those on the PlayStation 2, whose games carry a similar price point. Looking at sales for November 2004, which are more established than 2005's holiday season, gives the SIG analysts figures of average revenue of $17.5 million and average profit of $7.1 million for PlayStation 2 titles released in that month.

Comparatively, the average PSP game released in March 2005, the month of the system's launch, had an average revenue of $8.6 million and average profit of $5.7 million. "While PSP titles produce less absolute gross profits," said the journal, "the titles have a much higher margin since they require lower development costs and lower royalties to Sony."

Furthermore, according to the report, "We acknowledge that longer development cycles result in higher development costs, which are reflected in the development costs of console titles. However, development costs do not fully account for the opportunity cost in committing to a longer development cycle. If a console title takes two years to develop, and a PSP title takes one year to develop, a publisher could theoretically create two PSP games and generate greater profit in the time it takes to create one console game."

The report concludes by suggesting that in order to make up lost revenue during the transition between console generations, publishers rely on higher margins of PSP development and "port most of their PS2 titles onto the PSP platform."

SCEA Acquires Zipper Interactive (PSPUpdates)

Sony Computer Entertainment announced today its acquisition of long-time development partner, Zipper Interactive.

Noted for their prolific military shooter franchise "SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs," Zipper joins the newly formed SCE Worldwide Studios. Its second studio purchase in as many months, Sony recently acquired Guerilla B.V. in December of 2005.

Zipper Interactive is headquartered in Redmond, Washington and develops award-winning titles for the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable entertainment systems. Seeking an exclusive lock on the SOCOM franchise, the two comapnies entered into an exclusive development contract this month.

While the financial terms of the agreement went undisclosed, Zipper Interactive CEO commented on the Sony deal:

"We were first drawn to Sony Computer Entertainment by their vision for growing the videogame industry," said Jim Bosler, president and CEO, Zipper Interactive. "We've enjoyed an incredible relationship with SCE for more than six years. This has allowed us to combine our cutting edge technical and design capabilities with SCE's creative insights and extraordinary support to become the leader in the online console multiplayer field. As a part of the Sony Computer Entertainment group we can look forward to introducing innovative titles that push online functionality and community experiences even further."

Karaoke Rocks PSP (PSPUpdates)

Portable TV website has launched its Karaoke download service for the PSP with the support from Taito and Yamaha.

You will be able to download Karaoke songs into your PSP and then play them. The 2 services launched by the 2 companies are with different features.

- Taito Karaoke

Price: 105 JPY per song ($0.90 USD)
Access period: 15 days
Main genre: J-Pop

- Personal Karahodai (Yamaha)

Price: 158 JPY per song ($1.35 USD)
Access period: 30 days
Main genre: Pop

You will need to update your PSP System Software to the latest version (currently 2.60) to download from P-TV website.

Homebrew: 2ch Browser v20060125 for PSP

Japanese author Mr. 44 has released a new version of his homebrew "2ch Browser", version 20060125, codename “2006 browser”. 2ch Browser is a homebrew browser for viewing the 2ch forum, the largest forum in Japan. The changes of this version are:

• Bug fix (partially)
• Keyword search in thread list (Start + Select + R)

Download it here.

Official PSP 2.0 Browser Special Website Update - January (PSPUpdates)

Japanese Playstation official website has announced the monthly update of the PSP special website for 2.0 browser.

The events for January are:

– New Wallpapers for Download

The wallpapers of January are up for download now. Only the wallpaper of “Fukufuku’s Island” is available for download with PC. You need to get other wallpapers using the PSP.

 

– Cool Present Campaign – Round 4

Campaign period: December 20, 2005 – January 26, 2006.
Present: 3 “Stealth” T-shirts (M-size)
Qualification Requirement: Users with Playstation.com Japan login ID.

- How to View the Webpage on PSP
Open the default bookmark "PSP(TM)" using the web browser. Select "Japan Menu" -> "PSP Site List" -> "Playstation.com Japan".

Sony Memory Stick PRO DUO Suffer From Free Space Issue (PSPUpdates)

Playstation.com Japan has released an announcement on a free space issue of Sony’s Memory Stick PRO DUO. This issue affects model MSX-M1GST, MSX-M2GS and PSP-MP1G.

The problem happens when you format your memory stick to initialize it. The free space might be less than the designed value. In this situation, you will not be able to save as much data as the designed volume.

To resolve this problem, you need to re-format you memory stick once more. Please note all the data stored on the memory stick will be lost when you perform formatting. Make sure you backup all the useful data from your memory stick before formatting.

Design Volume of the Memory Stick PRO DUO:

MSX-M1GST: 940MB or more
MSX-M2GS: 1850MB or more
PSP-MP1G: 940MB or more

If you are unable to fix this issue by yourself, please contact Sony Tech Support.