Yesterday, Nintendo announced they will be drastically cutting the price of the Nintendo 3DS from $249.99 to $169.99 starting in August. This comes as little surprise, considering the 3DS’s already-slow sales, and the PlayStation Vita’s similar price for significantly more hardware. The upcoming price drop, along with the Vita’s rumoured 2011 launch, paint a rosy picture for handheld gamers come this autumn. Some in the industry, though, still wonder if it’s all too little, too late.

Gaming on iOS or Android has taken a good chunk out of the portable market (Nintendo has basically said so itself), and it bears asking if consumers want to carry yet another device around when their phone can already do the job. Why break out the DS and fire up Dragon Quest IX when Cut The Rope is just a few taps away?

Personally, I think they’re apples to oranges, and here’s why.

Let me begin by saying that I quite enjoy mobile gaming on my phone. The Tetris app was one of the first things I bought when I got my Droid 2, and I’ve got through many a waiting room with the help of Peggle. I appreciate the convenience of playing a game when I only have five minutes to spare, and agree with the assessment that the handheld gaming landscape has improved since the iPhone helped usher in a new paradigm of gaming on the go.

That said, I don’t believe that the DS and PSP will fade into obscurity, simply because I can play a few rounds of Angry Birds in the time it takes me to actually start a game on my DSi XL. Whilst less convenient than their phone-based brethren, games on handheld consoles like the DS and PSP still possess several qualities that titles found in the App Store or Android Market do not.

For starters, games found on DS and PSP generally offer meatier, more substantial experiences than phone-based games. True, titles like Infinity Blade and Zenonia 3 push closer to the sort traditional, deeper gameplay found on handheld consoles, but games like that are few and far between, and many of the top-selling titles on the App Store are short, time-killing experiences. By contrast, games like God of War: Ghost of Sparta or Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia provide full gaming experiences whilst still being suited to the portable realm. Though iOS and Android devices offer many options when it comes to gaming, a good deal of them are small, intermittent affairs.

And, really, it’s just as well. Whilst it’s easy to decry iOS and Android games as simplistic and lacking in depth, that fact is that deep, 'full' games like Uncharted or Super Mario World would not fit as well into the phone gaming space, when every level and gameplay moment has the potential to be interrupted by a simple phone call. As nice as it would be to have a multitude of Metroidvania or RPG titles in the phone gaming space, many who play phone games don’t always have the patience or time for a developing experience in the same way as they might on another system.

Then there’s the matter of phone hardware itself. One of my pet peeves about my phone is charging it more than once a day if I’m using it heavily. What with talk time, text messaging and internet browsing, I’m generally lucky if I can make it until the afternoon without plugging in my Droid, and extensive gaming can only further drain the battery. If I’m on a road trip or a plane journey, I generally feel better about using my DS for gaming simply because I know that, when I arrive, I won’t be stranded with a dead mobile phone. Also, whilst companies like Gameloft can do their best to emulate console controls on a touchscreen, 'core' games like shooters or precise platformers generally feel better with buttons; there’s a reason why people are making such a big deal about the Vita’s second analogue stick.

Nowhere is it written that this surge of activity in the phone gaming space will mean the death of Nintendo and Sony’s stake in the portable realm. Rather, it means that gamers have a greater breadth of content to choose from than ever, with room on the market for both the casual experiences on mobile phones and in-depth experiences on DS and PSP.

Labels: 2011, 3DS, Andrew Testerman, DS, Feature, iPhone, Mobile, PlayStation Vita, PSP, Vita

It’s 2000, and I’m driving down the interstate with my mother. Canyons and trees pass my window, and the road rushes beneath us with great speed, but I’m locked in mortal combat with a Club Master in Pokémon Trading Card Game for my Game Boy Color. I’ve been down three prizes the whole match, but I’ve finally managed to turn the tables on this Electric-type-using card shark, defeating him with my Sandslash. Throwing up my hands, I recline in my chair, gazing at the beautiful landscape flying by, relishing my victory.

Portable gaming has been a staple of my virtual diet for nearly fourteen years, and is as dear to me now as when I first picked up my trusty Game Boy at the age of ten. If there’s a time when my love of all things handheld comes to the front, though, it’s during the June-through-August period when the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and it’s too damn hot to go outside. That’s right; summer is my time for gaming on the go, and arguably the best time for anyone with a knack for portable gaming.

The most obvious reason why consoles like the DS and PSP see more play from me during summer is because, historically, people tend to travel more during the summer months. Whether it’s a flight to see distant relatives, or merely a long car trip to see the Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota, portable games play an invaluable role in staving off boredom during extended periods of travel or sitting around. In some cases, they even add to memories of the trip; I find myself looking back on vacations past and remembering how much fun I had with certain games in certain places.

It’s 2003, and I’m dockside at Lindbergh Lake. My parents are vacation, so I’m staying with my grandma in their absence, and we’re spending the day at the family cabin. The Ataris’ 'So Long Astoria' blares from my Discman, and the orange early-evening light tells me the sun is just starting to descend towards the mountains. I pull my sunglasses back down my face and get back to my game, Super Mario Advance 2: Super Mario World for the Game Boy Advance. I look around at the many trees surrounding the lake, and back at the Game Boy screen, where I start a level in the Forest of Illusion. I smile to myself as I imagine what sorts of adventures I would have if our trees were teaming with Goombas and Piranha Plants.

Depending on the game I’m playing, I’ve even found aspects of my vacations are affected by what I’ve been rocking on my DS or PSP. If I’m playing a JRPG like Legend of Heroes or Pokémon, unfamiliar locales become strange and foreign lands to explore, where - in the right mindset - something as mundane as a trip to the grocery store can take on a quest-y aspect. If I’m playing a fighting game, new city streets and clearings become potential grounds for my character to lay some smack down. If I’m playing a platformer, you’d better believe I’m spending my time looking for those nooks and crannies where hidden collectables are sure to be found. Perhaps it sounds a bit mental, but a little imagination helps keep my vacation time fresh, and I channel my games for inspiration.

It’s 2006, and I’ve just woken up in my family’s hotel room. I can’t believe how lucky I am at having the chance to holiday in Italy for my stepdad’s family reunion, but the airline misplaced our luggage, and now we don’t have the requisite plug adaptors needed for our electronics. After dressing, I switch on my DS as I wait for the elevator. I take in the cool, mocha-colored tiles and spindly metals of the elevator shaft before starting the only game I know I can enjoy while conserving battery life: Brain Age, which I bought at the behest of the many gaming publications I follow. As I tap the large, disembodied face of Dr. Ryuta Kawashima, I groggily reflect that it may even help to wake me from my tired torpor before the day begins.

Portable games can also be similar to summer books. By now, umpteen “Summer Reading” lists have made their way onto various news sites and blogs, suggesting several books for vacation-goers to chew through during their leisure period; books of epic tales, true stories, pulpy thrills and new ideas. As gamers, we too have access to rich narratives, escapist pleasures and enjoyable time-wasters, all accessible from the palm of our hands. Perhaps gaming publications should put out a “Summer Playing” list, for gamers looking to kick it by the pool or camp out under the stars.

Then again, a summer playing list could come in handy for any gamer for one simple reason: the drought. Whilst movie studios treat the summer season as an excuse to through summer tentpole after summer tentpole at filmgoers, game publishers have historically been tepid about releasing their precious triple-A franchises outside of the holiday season, leaving the June-through-August season barren and empty, with only a few notable exceptions. During this time of seldom releases, players can catch up on notable handheld games they may have missed whilst on holiday (and this year, we’ve had some good ones).

It’s 2007, and I’m sitting in car with my best friend. After eight hours of driving and rest stops, we’ve finally reached Salt Lake City, and are setting up our tents at the KOA ground we rented. Dilated Peoples are pumping out of the stereo as everyone takes a break, tired from the trip but excited for our day at the Warped Tour the next morning. I’m finding my Zen place, unwinding with my copy of Planet Puzzle League for the DS. Dragging and shifting differently-coloured blocks around, I feel myself becoming aware of my friends outside, the rhythm of the music, and the camaraderie we’re all sharing in the calm before the oncoming storm. The blocks reach the top of the screen, and I close my DS and move towards the campsite, ready to sleep and meet the Warped Tour madness in full effect tomorrow.

Even for players who don’t normally play DS or PSP, summer provides ample opportunity to experience the joys of gaming on the go. Whether it’s exploring new lands whilst lying on the beach, going for a high score during family downtime, or simply trying to get through six hours of extended air travel, portable games are at their best during the season of high temperatures and vacation time, and summer simply wouldn’t be the same without them.

It’s 2010, and I’m back at the lake. The weather has been unseasonably rainy for the past two days, and my family is huddled by the fireplace. It’s dark outside, and there’s mist over the mountains, giving the warm interior of the cabin a cozy feeling. My mom is reading a Dan Brown novel, my friend flips through an old Carl Barks Donald Duck comic book, and I’m wrapped in a blanket by the window, playing Lumines for the PSP. The bright colours and hypnotic pulse of the music provide a cheerful distraction to the grey exterior as everyone finds their own ways to entertain themselves. I glance out at the water one more time, reflecting on how fortunate I’ve been to have such amazing experiences with my family and friends, and thankful for all of the fond memories I’ve experienced with the help of portable gaming.

Labels: 2011, Andrew Testerman, DS, Feature, Gameboy, Portable, PSP

Hands up who has a PSP? Okay, so not too many. Those people who put their hands up: do you have more than 5 games that you think are pretty awesome? Hmm. Everyone with a PSP has God of War: Chains of Olympus though, right? Ah, I thought so.

I have a PSP, I have only ever bought about 6 games and, in all honesty, the only game I would consider as a real 'system seller' or 'killer-app' is God of War: Chains of Olympus. The PSP is a great device but not many outside Ready At Dawn Studios (who also developed the excellent Daxter) has really unleashed the potential of Sony's little machine. As I said, there's only one game that is really, totally, exceptional.

Erm, yeah, make that two - Kratos is back for another round.

The first thing that will come to a lot of people's minds when they think about the God of War series is the word 'epic', and this new PSP instalment throws a tonne of epicness at you right from the start of the demo and doesn't really let up at all. You start off on a ship in the middle of a storm, on the way to Atlantis, and you're being attacked by a giant sea creature called the Scylla - it's kind of a cross between a Kraken and an ogre, massive and easily one of the biggest bosses outside God of War III. It attacks your ship with its massive tentacles, and also sends a few waves of little sea-urchin-esque drones that grab you by the chest, forcing you to perform a few quick mashes of the L and R buttons to escape.

When Kratos reaches Atlantis, I'm pretty sure you'll be amazed at how good the environment looks. This is a portable outing, let us not forget, and it looks vastly superior to Chains of Olympus - and that was a damn good-looking game. I'd go as far to say as this new one looks better than God of War II, and easily surpasses a heck of a lot of Wii games out there. The textures are detailed, the animation is smooth and the sheer scale is incredible. It's helped by some terrific effects, with rain pouring down constantly and the whole city cascading with water. It's a really impressive sight on the PSP's lovely widescreen display.

The rest of the level saw some fairly standard God of War combat, a few smaller bosses and a couple of occasions in which the Scylla made a reappearance, only for the demo to end just as Kratos launches himself towards it.

The gameplay is classic God of War, but Kratos comes armed with a few new moves, magic abilities and weapons which are available in the demo. Kratos has access to a move called the Hyperion Charge, which enables him to grab an enemy, tackle him, throw him at other enemies or smash him into the ground. The new magic spell in the demo is called the Eye of Atlantis, which is a cool and powerful lightning attack. Finally, the new weapon you get a look at is a spear-and-shield combo which allows Kratos to block attacks from close- and long-range, and also enables a short-armed thrust with the spear whilst you stay protected by the shield.

There's also a glimpse of platforming and puzzles, but it's nothing we haven't seen before.

From my 20 minutes with the demo it's clear that Ready At Dawn knows what the fans want. God of War: Ghost of Sparta is shaping up to be just as violent, exciting, finely tuned, graphically stunning and epic as any God of War before it.

It's time to dust off that PSP.

Labels: Demo Impressions, God of War: Ghost of Sparta, PSP, Tom Acres

One of the biggest criticisms thrown at Sony's portable system, the PSP, has always been its lack of quality games (or of games in general). Sony seems to have taken the criticism to heart, and in the coming months a bevy of grade-A titles are set to hit the PSP. There are quite a few games I'm looking forward to, and I've decided to share a portion of my most wanted list with you guys.


If you're a fighting game fan you likely are familiar, or at least aware of, the Soul Calibur franchise. A weapon based fighting game developed by Namco (the nice folks who brought you Tekken), the Soul Calibur games consistently provide a high quality fighting game experience to fans of the series.

Namco has decided to let PSP owners in on the fun with Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny. The title borrows heavily from Soul Calibur 4 (released last year on the PS3 on Xbox 360), with most characters and locales being directly imported from said game. However, new stages have been developed for the PSP game, and two new characters are featured in the games roster, including none other than Kratos, from God of War. As for the graphics, well, if videos and screens released so far are any indication, Namco is set on outdoing itself once again.

Soul Calibur Broken Destiny is set to be released on September 1st, 2009.



Ok, so not everyone was on board when Sqaure Enix (known as Squaresoft at the time) announced that it would be developing an action RPG game which fused together the worlds of Disney Animation and Final Fantasy... a kid that looks like Cloud riding on Dumbo...seriously? Years later we are all well aware that the Kingdom Hearts saga is simply awesome, delivering high action and intense gameplay, with a deep story and involving characters (not to mention a badass Mickey Mouse).

Set ten years prior to the main Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep is a prequel to the main series and will tell the tale of Aqua, Ventus and Terra, three Keyblade weilders. Little else has been revealed about the story of the game, and details on the gameplay are also scarce, although it will follow in the vein of previous Kingdom Hearts games, so combat promises to be quick and eye catching.

No official release date yet, but make sure you keep your eyes open for this one.



Perhaps its because I love Marvel Comics to death... or perhaps its the fact that I'm very immature for my age...maybe it's a little bit of both. Well, regardless of the reason, I am very excited about Marvel Super Hero Squad, and hell, I think GGTLers such as yourself should be excited too.

A kid friendly game with graphics aimed towards a five year old audience, Marvel Super Hero Squad is a brawler which lets you take control of over 20 marvel characters, and set them loose in a mission mode (think lego games) taking on waves of bad guys, and in a battle mode, taking on three other heroes or villains in an all out brawl (think a watered down version of Smash Brothers).

With simple graphics, simple controls and game mechanics, Marvel Super Hero Squad promises to be a whole lot of fun for any marvel fan...well either that or a complete mess. The game is set for release in the fourth quarter of 2009.



If you've been paying attention to recent posts you'll know just how excited I am about Dissidia: Final Fantasy, the PSP game which puts you in control of your favorite Final Fantasy heroes and villains. Rather than bore you with details about the game, i'll just refer you to my impressions of the PSN demo, which you can check out here. Dissidia is set to hit stores on August 25th, 2009.

Well there you have it, Part 1 of GGTL's PSP wishlist. There are plenty of other high profile games coming out on the PSP soon, for now I've mostly concentrated on PSP exclusives (all of the above except for Marvel Super Hero Squad will appear only on your PSP). Stay tuned for Part 2 of the list, for info on PSP versions of the hottest games coming out this fall and winter.

Labels: Dissidia Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy, Joey Núñez, Kingdom Hearts, Marvel, PSP, Soul Calibur

Despite disappointing sales in the western gaming market, the original Valkyria Chronicles was welcomed with excellent review scores and was a very popular SJRPG - that's Strategy Japanese Role Playing Game, for anyone less accustomed to these ridiculous acronyms - among its relatively small fan base.

However, fans of the title may be less than impressed to hear that "Valkyria Chronicles 2: Gallian Royal Officer Academy" is going to be a PSP exclusive this time round, as revealed in the Valkyria Chronicles blog. Set two years after the first game, "Valkyria Chronicles 2" will feature a "new story", "new setting" and "new characters", although SEGA have made it clear that the gameplay from the original will remain intact, as the "BLiTZ" combat system remains. VC2 will also offer greater means of customisation available for infantry and tanks.

The characters are a group of students this time around who, "When not in battle" are "normal students who take classes, play, and fall in love", so they already sound more productive than today's students. The protagonist, the catchily named Aban Hadens, is a young scholar who enrols in the Royal Military after the death of an older brother, and will envitably fall in love with a reckless but lovable female ally in traditional JRPG fashion. Expect an array of impractical hairstyles for a warzone too.

The transposition to PSP may seem odd, but we are affirmed that the series is looking to branch out to a wider variety of users. Gameplay looks set to be consistent with the original and controls shouldn't prove too difficult to adapt, but the much praised graphics from Valkyria Chronicles make the sequel's look like a large step backwards, and the screenshots leave a lot to be desired. AD-HOC play between PSP systems has room for potential, but having never played AD-HOC on any PSP title to date I won't be holding my breath on this one

Check out the Valkyria Chronicles blog for more (although you may need a translator handy) at http://blog.valkyria.jp/ Updates on the title to come

Conor

Labels: Conor, PSP, Valkyria Chronicles 2

We've had a Chimeran invasion of Britain. It didn't work, fortunately for us. Another invasion took place in the United States, which also failed miserably. So why, oh why, do those pesky converted-human Chimera want to try another invasion?

The answer - they haven't failed in America. Well, not yet anyway. Enter Resistance Retribution. Set in the time between the end of Fall of Man and the beginning of Resistance 2, Retribution follows the storyline of fomer British Royal Marine, James Grayson in the weeks following the destruction of the Chimeran tower in London. After being forced to kill his brother inside a Chimeran conversion tower, James suffers a nervous breakdown and is imprisoned for desertion. However, the European resistance - the Maquis - enlist Grayson's help, and soon he is fighting against the Chimera in Europe.

Developed by Sony Bend, Resistance Retribution was first revealed at E3 2008, and since has enjoyed both it's own hype whilst also bathing in the hype of Resistance 2. And Bend have certainly gone to great lengths to make sure the first PSP incarnation of the Resistance series is a gaming experience to remember.

Retribution features some fantastic and innovative new features, the likes of which have never been seen on the PSP before. 'Infection' mode allows players with a copy of Resistance Retribution and Resistance 2 to connect their games and 'infect' their PSP, changing the game mode and giving new features such as a new player costume and look, new weapons and health regeneration. Retribution will also be one of the first games to feature a form of cross-platform processor sharing; players will be able to hook their PSP-2000 or -3000 up to a PS3 and use the Dualshock 3 to play their copy of Retribution on a big screen.

Graphically, Retribution impresses. For a PSP game the graphics are very good, and from the in-game visuals that I've seen, the game is unlikely to disappoint. Also, the graphics do not lose quality when played on a big screen, so players wishing to play at home on their 40" plasma will get just as much out of Retribution as on-the-road gamers will on the PSP's display.

Gameplay looks excellent, especially for a PSP shooter. Sony Bend have learnt from the mistakes of shooters which have gone before, and as such have not attempted to make a game with an advanced, home-console thesis. In fact, Bend have developed a game which is designed for PSP through-and-through - this is evident from the new 'aim assist' option, which counters the problem of not having two analog sticks on the PSP whilst making gameplay more fluid.

Retribution is the first Resistance game to feature a common shooter concept - a cover system. Players will be able to take cover automatically when they are near it, making for a (hopefully) much more tactical feel to the game. In addition to the non-replenishing life bar the game will feature, Retribution is sure to have a less run-and-gun feel that it's PSP brothers.

Resistance Retribution is due for release in North America on 17 March, and whilst Europe is still waiting for a release date, if you really want this game you can pre-order from Amazon, Gamestop or any other good retailer.

Linford

Labels: Hype Train, PSP, Resistance Retribution

It's amazing the things you learn on forums. According to many sources - not all unheard of - the latest addition to the PlayStation family's functionality may be the addition of processor sharing. Sony are attempting to extend the PS3 and PSP relationship further than it's current affair in the coming months, the sources hint.

Processor sharing will allow PS3 games to be played via Remote Play on a PSP system; while the PS3 runs the game and handles the data on it's internal processors, the video and audio will be streamed via the internet to your PSP system. This also works the other way round, so soon you'll be playing your PSP faves on your HDTV.

Whether this is the truth or another wild rumour, we're yet to find out. If all goes well, however, you could be playing LittleBigPlanet on your PSP by the end of the year.

Linford

Labels: Handheld, Hardware, PS3, PSP