The Latest PSP Games Reviewed

I’m sure a lot of you are already familiar with the Sony Playstation Portable, or PSP. It was first introduced into the market back in 2005 and has changed very little since. I think that the true test of a gadget’s greatness is its staying power. And if that’s the case, then the PSP is surely a winner.

What makes the PSP a great gaming device is its massive and diverse gaming library. Whether you’re a girl or a boy, a kid or a grown-up, a stay-at-home mom or a high-school student, there’s a PSP game that will surely entertain you. After all, a portable gaming console is just a fancy brick without awesome games. So, for this issue of Gizmo, I will focus on the latest games being offered for the PSP.

God of War: Chains of Olympus

Unleash the power of the Gods and embark on a merciless quest as Kratos, an ex-Spartan warrior driven to destroy Ares, the God of War. Armed with lethal double chainblades, Kratos must carve through mythology's darkest creatures including Medusa, Cyclops, the Hydra and more, while solving intricate puzzles in breathtaking environments… This is arguably the best title for the PSP out there. Its excellent gameplay, engaging storyline, awesome graphics and great soundtrack make it a top pick for the PSP. But because of the graphic violence in the game, this is not for little children. It is appropriately rated M (mature) by the ESRB.

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII

Set seven years prior to the events of the first Final Fantasy VII, a large number of SOLDIER members, led by 1st Class operative Genesis, go missing. The severity of the situation prompts Shinra executives to deploy more SOLDIER operatives. The ones assigned to the mission are Zack, Angeal, and the 1st Class hero who is known the world over as Sephiroth… As a prequel to the very successful Final Fantasy VII, this game stands alone on its own merits while adding considerable substance and context to the original. Despite the technical limitations of the PSP, this game still manages to push the envelope with its great graphics and animations. If you’re a fan of the Final Fantasy franchise, you won’t be disappointed with this installment.

Patapon

Behind the Patapons' cute exterior, lies a fierce warrior spirit that can only be commanded by the beat of their God’s war drum. Master up to six different drumbeats to command the Patapon troops to march, attack, defend, power up, retreat, and use magic. Combine the various chains of drumbeats to address each unique level, leading the Patapons to victory over the Zigoton enemy forces… This game may sound simple and childish but it is surprisingly not. In fact it is very challenging, enjoyable and addictive. Singing the rhythm yourself and tapping it out with your foot when your minions let you down demonstrates how hard it is to be a god and how into this game you can become.

Downstream Panic!

In Downstream Panic, players save their scaly sea-friends in more than 80 different levels with five different customizable environments. It is up to the player to protect fish from land, predators and other obstacles through the use of a variety of innovative tools as they guide fish on their descent back into the ocean. Three different game modes (adventure, free play and survival) bring more of a challenge to the aquatic mix… This puzzle game is a gem. If you want games that make you think before you act, then this one’s for you. With eighty stages out of the box, you’ll surely play this one for hours and hours.

My Gadget Wishlist

Realistically speaking, I don't have enough money to buy all the gadgets I want. But if ever I did, I'll go ahead and buy these things. These are very simple and mainstream gadgets, nothing too fancy in here. And if I probably starved myself for a year I could buy these, but I just love food too much.

• Apple Macbook Pro - This one's a no-brainer. This laptop's simply unbeatable.



• iPod Touch 32 gb - I have the 16gb model but I want the newly released 32 gb! I'm frustrated.



• Bose iPod Dock - This is the prettiest iPod dock around.



• PS3 - Now that BluRay's the clear winner, I'd love to get the PS3 not only for games but for watching awesome movies as well.



• PSP - I used to have a PSP but it got sat on and the screen cracked. Now I'm thinking that I want one again.
  

PSPhone Mockup

If Sony Ericsson came up with a cellphone slash PSP that looked like this, I'd definitely snap one up. It looks gorgeous! The dual-sliding keypad is suspiciously similar to that of the Nokia n95's but I think this one makes use of it in a better way. How I wish this is a mockup of an actual product to be released, but unfortunately, Engadget debunks it's existence as a mere flight of fancy.

Cool Geeky Furniture

Ok, I admit it, I'm a gadget geek. My room is literally littered with gadgets and their respective chargers, usb connectors, and accessories. However, I also hold a degree in interior design, and although I don't work as a designer right now, I just love looking at furniture on the net. So, the best of both worlds would obviously be geeky furniture. PB Teen has come up with a great line called "Smart Technology" which features furniture with a geeky twist. Here's a couple that I really liked...

Cushy Speaker Console Lounge:

What's best about this is that it's made out of modular elements. This means you can actually combine and arrange the different pieces (there's an armless chair, a corner piece and an ottoman) in a way that best fits your space. But what make's it especially great is the iPod-friendly speaker consoles that also feature audio controls and even cup holders.

iChair:

Use this great retro-looking chair while gaming or watching dvds to enhance your sound experience. High-quality built-in speakers are strategically positioned near your ears, and a subwoofer sits under your seat for maximum bass. Your games and movies will never sound the same again.

Of course, there are severeal other really great stuff on their site. Check out PB Teen's other offerings here.

Wii Multimedia Center

Every gadget from the iPhone to the Xbox 360 "Elite" to even our smart fridge wants to be a "media center". Let's admit it, we've gone media crazy. We can't live without our music, video and information... it has to be right there, ready for us whenever we might find the need for it.

If you've got a Wii, you can now also use it as an interface to your media library. The Wii Media Center X is developed by Red Kawa. According to their website,

"It allows you to stream certain types of pictures, music, videos and files from your computer (where the server running) to your Nintendo Wii. It runs on most major operating systems including Windows, Mac OS X and Linux."

Sounds great, right? However, their software is still currently in the alpha stage. If you want to download it and try it out, do it at your own risk. I'm going to wait for at least a beta version.

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New PSP Colors… Boring

I don’t get Sony’s new color choices. Since when did they decide to market their new PSP to little girls? These colors remind me of Barbie dolls and nail polish. I hate these pastel colors… and I’m a girl. I would have loved colors like blood red or hot pink, even bright apple green. For some reason, Sony decided to go all DS Lite on us. Not good… not good at all.

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WiiFit... Play Your Way to Fitness

I hate exercise. I'd much rather do something more entertaining like watch tv or read blogs than exercise. But the Wii is starting to change all that. I mean, playing WiiSports is just so fun that I forget that my muscles are starting to ache and I'm sweating like a monkey (how appealing, no?). That's why I can't wait for WiiFit, a recently announced Wii game that will not only help you exercise but monitor your health as well.

The WiiFit's activities and games revolves around a new controller they're calling the Wii Balance Board. Amazingly, aside from detecting pressure from you hands or feet, this board has the ability to measure your weight, balance, even your body mass index. (Well well well, this could be embarassing if you're playing with friends.) However, it does sound like a great idea since I'd much rather exercise in the privacy of my home that at a gym packed with strangers.

Among the various in-game activities are step aerobics, dance, yoga, and goalie defense. I'm excited to play the dance game. I was a huge Dance Dance Revolution addict years ago in the Playstation. I'm hoping the Wii version is just as fun.

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PSP Slim & Lite

After months of speculation over a certain PSP 2, instead, we get the PSP Slim and Lite! Hmmm, is it just me or does this updated PSP sound more like fat free milk than a portable gaming console?

Anyway, here's the lowdown...

• 5mm thinner and 3mm shorter than the original

• same 4.3-inch screen

• no more infrared port

• UMD door now flaps open instead of springing out (you'll understand this better when you see the video)

• same game command keys

• TV-out socket

• now charges via USB

• battery run at 4-6 hours depending on useage

• increased memory at 64mb

• will be in stores by September

Ok, so this wasn't the new PSP2 almost everyone in the tech/gaming world was hoping for. But as the saying says, if it ain't broken, don't fix it. I think the current PSP isn't broken yet. The current technology has not been maximized yet and rather than creating a whole new console, I like that they just chose to make the old one better.

My advice though, is if you already have a PSP, don't buy this one. It's not really worth it I think. But if you're really rich and can buy whatever you like, go right ahead and buy it. And in that case, can I have your old PSP? 'Cause mine is broken. Please?

Anyway, here's some eye candy in the form of the PSP Slim and Lite brought to us by T3.

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