About.com PSP

PSP Minis Pick: Zombie Tycoon

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:27:16 +0000

As promised, I've checked out the PSP Minis game Zombie Tycoon so you don't have to. Except you might want to check it out for yourself, because I really liked it. Yes, zombies have been done to death, and so have silly takes on horror, but somehow it still works.

Zombie Tycoon is a strategy game, but it's not so complex that non-strategy gamers should avoid it. I rarely play strategy games because I lack the patience, and if I wanted to exercise my brain that much, I'd write a scholarly article or do a science experiment or read some philosophy. Zombie Tycoon will certainly make you think, but not painfully hard. If you prefer, you can think of each level as a puzzle.

Anyway, read my review to find out more, then head over to the PlayStation Store if it sounds like something for you. Halloween may be over, but zombie fun is good any time of year.

Zombie Tycoon Review

PSP Minis Pick: Zombie Tycoon originally appeared on About.com PSP on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 12:27:16.

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John Carmack Likes iPhone Better Than PSP or DS

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:06:39 +0000

About's Guide to Mobile Gaming, Damon Brown, just posted a great interview with John Carmack of id Software, legendary for creating the first-person-shooter genre almost single-handedly with Wolfenstein 3D. Among the questions Damon asked was why id Software hadn't developed for the PSP or DS. Carmack answered,

Actually, we got the SDKs and the hardware specs, but we never got around to producing.

It seems that John Carmack thinks handheld games systems are on the way on in favor of gadgets that do many things, like the iPhone:

My guess is that dedicated game systems won't be here much longer - we'll have devices not committed just to gaming. We're not there yet, as the dedicated game machines still have the better specs, but it will be easier to make the iPhone and similar devices into a cool gaming machine than it would be to, say, turn the PSP into a phone.

It's interesting to think about. After all, many high-tech items do seem to be going to multifunction way. On the other hand, the old wisdom about devices that can do many things, but do none of them particularly well (or as well as a standalone device) still seems to hold. Sure, there are always people who will buy the tv with the video player built in, or the printer that also scans, photocopies and faxes, but the true television junkie knows that if you buy your tv and your player separately, you're going to get better hardware, and a graphic designer will probably choose a scanner and printer specific to their needs, and not whatever comes built in to a multifunction machine.

Now, I'm not saying the iPhone sucks in comparison to the PSP. I have both (and a DS, too), and I love them all, but for different things. Yes, I play games on my iPhone, but I play casual games, and puzzle games, and the occasional graphical adventure. For serious handheld gaming, I play on my PSP. Despite the About team's 5 reasons you should buy one handheld over another articles (PSP here and DS here), I think most of us agree that the different handhelds (and consoles, too) have different strengths and play very different kinds of games. Choose one based on your gaming preferences, or choose them all if you want to play everything.

Anyway, read Damon's interview with John Carmack for more on id Software's iPhone development. (The PSP stuff is one page 2, if you want to skip to it.)

John Carmack Likes iPhone Better Than PSP or DS originally appeared on About.com PSP on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 11:06:39.

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Japan Gets More PSP-3000 Bundles

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:49:13 +0000

Come December, Japanese gamers will have even more choice when they go to buy a PSP. Five more choices, in fact.

To start with, there will be four Value Pack bundles, each including a different color of PSP-3000, power cord and AC adapter, battery, cleaning cloth, pouch and memory stick. The colors are Pearl White, Piano Black, Radiant Red and Vibrant Blue.

Then, December 10 will see the release of a Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G bundle, that will include a blue PSP-3000, power cord and AC adapter, battery, and a UMD copy of the Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G game.

Source: Kotaku

Japan Gets More PSP-3000 Bundles originally appeared on About.com PSP on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 11:49:13.

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New PSP Releases This Week (November 02 - 08, 2009)

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:00:47 +0000

PSP games scheduled to be released in North America this week:

November 03: Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier (Sony)
November 03: Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron (LucasArts)
November 05: Spot The Differences! (Sanuk)

PSP games scheduled to be released in Europe this week:

November 04: Ghostbusters: The Video Game (Sony)

PSP games scheduled to be released in Australia this week:

November 04: Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron (LucasArts)
November 05: Buzz! Quiz World (Sony)
November 05: Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier (Sony)

UMD movies scheduled to be released this week:

November 03: The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (Sony)

Release dates are collected from a number of sources, so there will occasionally be errors. Please note that some games may be released in some parts of the world and not others.

New PSP Releases This Week (November 02 - 08, 2009) originally appeared on About.com PSP on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 01:00:47.

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PSP Games Half Price at the PlayStation Store

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:09:36 +0000

Before you get too excited, it's not all games on sale, just a handful, but it's still a good opportunity to save some money if you were going to buy any of these anyway, and it might tempt you to pick up some games you weren't going to get otherwise.

Half-Price PSN PSP Games

Brain Challenge
echochrome
Myst
Super Stardust Portable
Unbound Saga

The sale goes on until November 4th. In addition, Manhunt has had its price reduced to $19.99 USD, I assume permanently. (Source: PlayStation.Blog.)

PSP Games Half Price at the PlayStation Store originally appeared on About.com PSP on Saturday, October 31st, 2009 at 17:09:36.

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This Week's PSP Goodies from the PlayStation Store

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:42:52 +0000

PSP Minis

Yummy Yummy Cooking Jam ($4.99 USD)
Zombie Tycoon ($7.99 USD)

Downloadable Games

Crystal Defenders ($9.99 USD)
Darkstalkers Chronicles: The Chaos Tower ($19.99 USD)
LocoRoco: Midnight Carnival ($14.99) USD
Mega Man Maverick Hunter X ($19.99 USD)
NBA 2K10 ($29.99 USD)
Petz Dogz Family ($29.99 USD)
Petz Hamsterz Bunch ($29.99 USD)
Petz Saddle Club ($29.99 USD)

Demos

Crystal Defenders (free)
Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier (free)
LocoRoco Midnight Carnival (free)
Petz Saddle Club (free)

Add-On Content

Rock Band Unplugged: "Kool Thing" - Sonic Youth ($1.99 USD)
Rock Band Unplugged: "My Old School" - Steely Dan ($1.99 USD)

Videos

Beaterator - Timbaland Trailer (free)
Beaterator - Intro Trailer (free)
Beaterator - Sessions: Max & Clay (free)
Beaterator - Sessions: Artist Series 1 (free)
Beaterator - Sessions: Artist Series 2 (free)
Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier - Story Trailer (free)
Thexder Neo - Launch Trailer (free)

Themes

Apache Gunship Theme ($1.49 USD)
German Panther Tanks Theme 3 ($1.49 USD)
German Panther Tanks Theme 4 ($1.49 USD)
Infantry Theme ($1.49 USD)
Lingerie Football League: Dallas Desire Theme ($1.99 USD)
Skull Bash Theme 1 ($0.99 USD)
Skull Bash Theme 2 ($0.99 USD)

This Week's PSP Goodies from the PlayStation Store originally appeared on About.com PSP on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 16:42:52.

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Inexpensive Gifts for PSP Gamers

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:20:50 +0000

Chances are, if you're reading this site you're either a PSP gamer yourself, or you know a PSP gamer. Or both. And maybe you have a PSP gamer on your gift list this holiday season. Well, if that's the case, I'm here to help. Here are five things less than $20 (some of them a lot less than $20) that you can put in a PSP gamer's stocking, or buy for yourself with the cash your gramma stuffs in your holiday card:

Inexpensive Gifts for PSP Gamers

(Don't like my choices? Leave me a comment right here on the blog with your picks, and maybe I'll add some of them to the list.)

Inexpensive Gifts for PSP Gamers originally appeared on About.com PSP on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 14:20:50.

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Zombie Tycoon Hits PSN in Time for Halloween

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:54:29 +0000

The full PlayStation Store update hasn't hit yet as I write this, but it has been announced (on the PlayStation.Blog) that PSP Minis game Zombie Tycoon will be available today. It does seem the perfect time to launch a zombie game, what with Halloween coming up so quickly. I think I'll get this one, and let you know how it is.

Zombie Tycoon Hits PSN in Time for Halloween originally appeared on About.com PSP on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 11:54:29.

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Sony's Traveler Case for PSPgo Reviewed

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:49:25 +0000

Did you make the jump to the PSPgo when it came out? Need something now to protect your pricey new toy? Or do you have a PSPgo gamer on your holiday shopping list? Sony's first-party case, the Traveler Case, just might do the trick. I quite like mine.

Sony's Traveler Case for PSPgo Reviewed

Plus:

PSP Accessories I Actually Use

Sony's Traveler Case for PSPgo Reviewed originally appeared on About.com PSP on Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 08:49:25.

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Aksys Bringing New RPG to PSP: Mimana Iyar Chronicles

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:40:41 +0000

Aksys Games has announced a new RPG for PSP, available in Spring 2010 on UMD and as a download from the PSN. The game is Mimana Iyar Chronicles, written by the folks responsible for the Lunar series.

Mimana Iyar Chronicles blends the traditional RPG elements of vast map exploration and treacherous dungeon spelunking. Engage in fast-paced battles in a quasi-3D environment where you control the character's movement and actions, and strategically command your party to turn the tide of battle. Your actions dictate how the story unfolds, through numerous fully-voiced event sequences.

Source: Aksys Games press release.

Aksys Bringing New RPG to PSP: Mimana Iyar Chronicles originally appeared on About.com PSP on Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 08:40:41.

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