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Analyst Pachter says 'blame Japan' for Sony's PSP mis-management

Analyst Michael Pachter doesn't see a bright future for the PSP. In fact, he believes that we're nearing the end of the syste's run, due to the paltry release lineup for the remainder of the year. The introduction of the PSP Brite is seen as a sign of weakness, suggesting the redesign will confuse and anger more than excite. "Constant tech tweaks and upgrades might work for telephones, but they're not what gamers want ... it creates confusion, and leaves many users with older models feeling inadequate," Pachter told Das Gamer.

Because everyone needs someone to blame, Pachter offers this advice: "Blame Japan," he says. He believes that Sony is being much too ambitious, handling the PS2, PSP and PS3 simultaneously. "[Japan]'s instructing the US to play catch-up with Microsoft on Xbox Live, step up its online game with Home, offer movie downloads and push the Blu-ray home theater initiative just to begin with. Something had to give. The company has been spreading itself too thin."

Ironically, PSP's strongest territory is Japan, where new releases continue to be announced on a regular basis. While we'd disagree that PSP is on a deathbed, it's obvious that drastic work needs to be done to change the current state of the PSP.

[Thanks, Ronnie D.!]

Over 10 million PSP units sold in Japan, top 5 games


Can you believe it? Famitsu reports that according to statistics provided by Enterbrain, ten million units of the PSP have been sold since its introduction to Japan back in the December of 2004. We knew this already, but there is some software news as well. The top game was Monster Hunter 2nd G with almost 2.4 million copies sold. With three games on the top 5, Japan sure loves Monster Hunter.
  1. Monster Hunter 2nd G (release date 03/27/08: 2,396,642 copies sold)
  2. Monster Hunter 2nd (release date 02/22/07: 1,706,387 copies sold)
  3. Crisis Core - Final Fantasy VII (release date 09/13/07: 790,705 copies sold)
  4. Monster Hunter Portable (release date 12/01/05: 668,964 copies sold)
  5. Phantasy Star Portable (release date 07/31/08: 545,242 copies sold)
The PSP has been beaten by the DS in the hardware sales chart during the past two weeks. But with the PSP Brite coming out in October and Dissidia: Final Fantasy coming out in December, we believe the PSP will be back on top in no time.

[Via Kotaku]

Pipemania will only be $20, out September 30

If you've read our hands-on with Pipemania last week, you may have noticed that we had information regarding an exact price and date for the game. While the release date of September 30 was dead on accurate, we were apparently communicated with the wrong pricing.

Chalk it up to a common case of store clerk labeling snafu, mixing up those price tags. Instead of paying $40, you can expect Pipemania to go on sale at $19.99 next month. We're actually quite glad to hear that the numbers were a mistake.

Hideo Kojima: Metal Gear Acid on PSN 'possible'


At LGC, Kojima told Eurogamer that the non-canonical card-based turned-based tactics series Metal Gear Acid could come to PSN. "I'll say yes to that idea, but not because it is already running or anything, I'm just saying yes because it's possible, I think it is possible. Sorry to say we don't have specific plans at the moment, but it is possible, yes."

That's three possibles in one sentence. Oh, Kojima-sama, don't leave us hanging like that! Hopefully we'll hear more concrete news soon.

[Via Joystiq]

Yuusha and Bleach will have simultaneous PSN and UMD release


Download to PSP

When the quirky Japan-only title Yuusha no Kuse ni Namaikida or2 is released later this year, gamers in the land of the rising sun will get the choice between a digital download and a traditional UMD release. Both versions will be released simultaneously on October 16th. However, the PSN download will be 2,800 yen (about $25) while the hard copy will be 3,980 yen (about $36). Check out the latest trailer for Yuusha above, which unveils, amongst other things, a Demon Room mode, where you manage your dungeon without the interruption of pesky heroes.

Bleach Soul Carnival will apparently be receiving the same treatment. 3,800 yen (about $35) for the download and 4,743 yen (about $43) for the UMD, both with a release date of October 23rd. What do you guys think about this? The Japanese have been slow to adopt digital downloads. Are the significantly lower price points for these high-profile releases Sony's incentive for gamers to accept this new distribution method?

This is what Mytran Wars looks like

About a week ago, we brought word of a new turn-based strategy game called Mytran Wars. Back then, we didn't know what the game looked like and our speculations regarding the look and feel of the game could've reached the stars. However, there is absolutely no need to stargaze and wonder any longer because we've got some fresh screenshots right here. It looks like the game will utilize a bit of 3D cel-shading. You can see the rest of the screens in our gallery.

Gallery: Mytran Wars

PSP-3000 screen is berry colorful


Famitsu posted some comparison shots of the new PSP-3000 and the older PSP-2000 series, and this is easily the most interesting one to note. Here, you see how much better images off the new screen hold up in comparison to the old one. Looks like we're going to have to change our PSP nicknaming system:
  • PSP-1000: PSP Phat
  • PSP-2000: PSP Lite PSP Dim
  • PSP-3000: PSP Brite?
Help us brainstorm here, folks.

[Thanks, Zach M.!]

Look at the characters of Neverland Card Battles


Click for high-resolution image.
Can you say no to a face like that? Of course not! Yukes' upcoming Neverland Card Battles for PSP is (surprise, surprise) a card-based SRPG coming out in October. Once again, these anime heroes will have to embark on a journey with magical cards in hand to save Neverland from impending doom (insert dramatic music here, please).

Check out the characters in our updated gallery:

Gallery: Neverland Card Battles

PSP-3000 coming to Australia on October 16th

In case you didn't notice, Sony unveiled the latest PSP model yesterday at LGC. Basically, the PSP-3000 will have a built-in microphone, improved screen with faster response time and better resistance to glare. You can read all about it here and here.

Australia will get getting their PSP-3000s starting on October 16th for AU $299.95. Unfortunately, there will not be any bundles like the North American release, just the stand-alone system.

PSP-3000's LCD screen is twice as fast


So what exactly are the improvements made to the PSP-3000's newly upgraded LCD screen? According to a report by Engadget Japan, the screen is more colorful, has a stronger contrast ratio, and to the praise of gamers everywhere, has a faster response time. The official stats? Color gamut is twice as wide. The contrast ratio is improved 5 times. The response time has doubled. For gamers that have complained about the PSP-1000 and 2000's slow response time (which creates a ghosting effect in certain games), this is certainly good news.

The 3rd Birthday gameplay and story details


When it was a cell phone game, no one knew what it was about. Then it became a PSP game, and still no one knew any details about it. Finally, the project director of The 3rd Birthday, Hajime Tabata, has revealed some facts about the third game in the Parasite Eve franchise. Square is cooperating with another development studio on the game, but he refuses to divulge which studio.

Unlike its predecessors, The 3rd Birthday will be a "true third person shooter," but Tabata notes that it will not the same as Dirge (thank you!) of Cerberus: FFVII. Some sort of wireless gameplay may be implemented, but it was not specified whether it will be infrastructure or ad-hoc.

The game's scenario and design are currently almost complete. Our curvy heroine Aya Brea will utilize an ability called overdrive that allows her to "cross time." This power lets her to fight and eliminate the Twisted, who are the new antagonists of the game. No release date is set, but it sounds like we'll see the game over in Japan some time next year.

Everyday Shooter coming to PSP


Everyday Shooter has just been announced for the PSP. The original game debuted on PC and PS3, and was praised by critics for its innovative combination of music and shooting. No separate release date is available at this time, but it will be included in the PSP 4GB Memory Entertainment Pack, which will launch in November. The bundle will include a voucher which allows you to download the game from the PS Store.

To find out more about this innovative shooter, check out PS3 Fanboy's coverage.

PSP-3000 North American details


SCEA just announced the North American details concerning the PSP-3000. The previously announced Ratchet & Clank PSP Entertainment Pack will launch on October 14th for $199.99. It will now include the following:

  • Mystic Silver PSP-3000
  • Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters
  • National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets UMD
  • echochrome PSN voucher
  • 1GB Memory Stick PRO duo
A second entertainment pack has also been announced called the PSP 4GB Memory Entertainment Pack. The will launch in November for $199.99 as well. It includes:
  • Piano Black PSP-3000
  • 4GB Memory Stick PRO duo
  • Everyday Shooter PSN voucher
The Piano Black PSP-3000 will be sold separately later this year as a PSP Core Pack, which includes only an AC adaptor and battery pack for $169.99.

Gallery: PSP-3000 series

PSP-3000 features enhanced screen & built-in microphone


Sony just announced at their Leipzig press conference the PSP-3000 series. It will look exactly the same as the current PSP-2000 (Slim & Light) model, but will add a built-in microphone and enhanced screen. Apparently, the screen will work better outdoors, being able to resist glare. The built-in microphone will be a huge plus for regular Skype users, and those that take their PSP online via Infrastructure.

Video-Out has also been enhanced, with the system now able to interlace for televisions that don't support a progressive output (that means non-HDTVs).

The PSP-3000 series will be available on October 15th in Europe and will retail for €199. There will be 8 bundles, each adding one game to the package.

Fading Shadows lurks into retailers this week


Click for high resolution image.
Whoops, looks like our weekly release calendar for this week was wrong. Fading Shadows, a PSP-exclusive puzzle game, is sneaking into retail stores this week. The surprise announcement doesn't bode well for those that want to actually find and purchase the game -- expect this to be quite the niche title. Also, Gamestop's listing for the game calls it an "exclusive" for the chain, meaning you'll most likely be unable to find it anywhere other than Gamestop. Good luck trying to find it -- it's a charming game, but we wonder if you'll even be able to get your hands on it.

Also read: Fading Shadows hands-on impressions

Gallery: Fading Shadows

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