PSP Titles I just got...

[Aylmer]

Blade Dancer with strat guide...it's the best RPG for the PSP, hands down, better than ToE and BoF3. Not a port, an original title for this platform. Full 3D game. Need the guide, item crafting based. Very nice, after four hours in. $40 game, $15 guide

Outrun 2006.. racing game, online (Infrastructure!!!) with five opponents (I got on the network via my wireless hub first try). The game exudes class. The game is a combined effort by Sega/Ferrari, and yes, all the cars are Ferraris. It's all about speed, the graphics, tracks and environments are awesome, nub steers great. $30

Puzzle Challenge Crosswords...yes, a word game for the PSP, lots of variety, cheat mode, great stuff, even has Brit anagram puzzles. Voted best PSP game for use on the toilet. $20

I am really looking forward to Konductra on the DS too.

[Glockstar]

ToE? BoF3? Huh?

Dang, I was really hoping that you had something to say about VP Lenneth. I am seriously thinking about getting that game. And you guys know me and J-RPGs... :eek:

I've been seeing lots and lots of PSP games on the cheap lately. (Been reporting on them in the Bargain Hunters thread.)

I recently got Death Jr. ($9.99) and Midway Arcade Treasures Extended Play ($14.98). Already traded in DJ. Couldn't stand it; worst effin camera evar. And I'm pretty disappointed in MATEP too. (Even tho' it's got Cyberball on it.(!)) It's got lots of games on it, but when you subtract the games that I don't have any interest in, then (also) take away the games that don't play the way they should from the ones that I do, and, well, I think I'd just rather have my money back.

[Renzatic Gear]

Other than Gradius Collection, most of my PSP time has been spent playing old Gameboy games like Sword of Hope, Gargoyle's Quest, and Zelda.

It's because of those old games that I'm spending more time with the PSP than I am my DS. Until Loco Roco, Ghouls 'n Ghosts, and (hopefully) Landstalker comes out, there much out there to get interested in beyond the emulators.

[Ocelot]

Other than Gradius Collection, most of my PSP time has been spent playing old Gameboy games like Sword of Hope, Gargoyle's Quest, and Zelda.

It's because of those old games that I'm spending more time with the PSP than I am my DS. Until Loco Roco, Ghouls 'n Ghosts, and (hopefully) Landstalker comes out, there much out there to get interested in beyond the emulators.


What firmware are you running?

[Renzatic Gear]

1.5 with Devhooked 2.7.

[Ocelot]

1.5 with Devhooked 2.7.

I just re-purchased a PSP no more than 3 wks ago and have a IC1003 mobo. (Bricked if downgraded) I can still refund this PSP within another week or so

I want to get my homebrew back but can't seem to find 1.5 PSP's anywhere unless I go used. :mad2:

I wonder if ebay is the answer

[Renzatic Gear]

You'll have to go with Ebay or a speciality company to get a 1.5 PSP, they're impossible to find in stores nowadays. Or you could get a used copy of GTA and use the savegame exploit to downgrade from 2.5/2.6 to 1.5. That's probably the simplest thing to do.

There's also a third option, but it's either really expensive or requires you to have more than working knowledge with a soldering iron. A company (who's name escapes me at the moment) has released a mod chip for the PSP that lets you dual load bios's so you can switch between the two to play all the games you want. The only problem is that the installation is super complicated and requires you to solder super tiny wires, and buying a premodded PSP can cost you up to $500.

[Cuddly Knife]

What's Devhooked? Please tell me it's what allows you to play current games with your 1.5!

[Renzatic Gear]

Basically, devhook runs either bios 2.6 or 2.7 from the memory card without having to flash it to the PSP. Like if you want to play emulators, you just turn the PSP on and go through 1.5. But if you have a new game you want to try out, you turn your PSP on, insert the UMD, go through Devhook, let it load 2.7, then launch it from there.

It's a pain in the ass to set up, but once you get it running it's as smooth as silk. You can read more about it at PSP Updates (http://pspupdates.qj.net/).

[Cuddly Knife]

Holy Lord. Thanks!

[Ocelot]

Or you could get a used copy of GTA and use the savegame exploit to downgrade from 2.5/2.6 to 1.5. That's probably the simplest thing to do.



Thanx for the info Beer, but going with the save exploit, I fear bricking the system. I just might check out ebay or EB.

[Renzatic Gear]

I'd say the chances of bricking your PSP are pretty nil. As long as you're careful, and are sure that the downgrader you're getting is legitimate, you probably won't run into any trouble.

[Cuddly Knife]

I was just reading about bricking, and I guess the main reason it happens is because of the system shutting down during the process. They say to always have your PSP plugged in when doing your deeds.

And fvck me, if I couldn't get the emu to run without Jup X holding my hand all the way through, I won't be able to get devhook to run, since there seems to be a lot of confusion on the correct steps to take, plus unpacking, moving, deleting, installing multiple versions, blah, blah, blah. I suck when it comes to crap like this. BTW, how much memory do you need to hold all the shtuffs for devhook?

[Ocelot]

I'd say the chances of bricking your PSP are pretty nil. As long as you're careful, and are sure that the downgrader you're getting is legitimate, you probably won't run into any trouble.

I'm usually really carefull when it comes to this sort or stuff but I read on at least 2 sites and another forum that if you have the IC1003 mb with 2.5 or 2.6 pre installed, the 2.6 downgrader will brick your system.

I will look up the GTA downgrader exploit and see if there will be a problem.




BTW, how much memory do you need to hold all the shtuffs for devhook?

I would think as little as 256 should be more than enough room, but for $50 you should just go with a 1 gig stick or even wait a few months for the 2gig to drop.

[Gadfly2317]

I finally got Gradius Collection, the first new PsP game I've bought in a long time. Haven't gotten to play it yet though.

Also just saw that Earth Worm Jim is coming to PsP. I love EWJ, so this is great news to me.

[Renzatic Gear]

Yeah. Devhook along with the bios files is about...maybe...20 meg or so. It's not huge, but it'd fill up most of a 32 meg card if that's all you got.

And what's this about EWJ coming to the PSP? :eek:

[Gadfly2317]

And what's this about EWJ coming to the PSP? :eek:

http://psp.ign.com/articles/724/724720p1.html

"It's been a while, but it looks like Earthworm Jim stands poised for a comeback. Not one of those half-baked ones, either, but a legitimate return to former glory."

http://pspmedia.ign.com/psp/image/article/724/724720/earthworm-jim-20060809062422987.jpg

[T.Tashi]

ToE? BoF3? Huh?

Dang, I was really hoping that you had something to say about VP Lenneth. I am seriously thinking about getting that game. And you guys know me and J-RPGs... :eek:

In my very humble opinion, VP is better than Blade Dancer but they are very different rpgs. BD is a good game, but it's got some gameplay balance issues and some tiny graphical issues, but I do think the scores it's getting seem harsh. EGM gave it a 3.7. To me that should be practically unplayable. I'm only a few hours into it, but I can't understand a score like that. I think GI gave it a 5, also puzzling.

Hey Alymer maybe we can hook up online.

I think VP is a direct port with the excpetion of new CG cutscenes.

[Aylmer]

Blade Dancer is slow to take off, but once it does, you don't want to put it down. It really starts to shine when you get your third character (and then fourth) and can combine/alter Lunabilities and attack sequences. Item crafting is a major part of the game, and since I have the strat guide, there's no trial and error for me there.

I agree that the reviews for it are unjust. I cannot see pro reviewers taking the time to do the side quests and crafting armor and weps, so they probably just rushed through it. Just like I would never review a sports title or a FPS, IGN, etc. should not have non-RPGers doing RPGs.

It looks like BD is adhoc only :( , pre-release info notwithstanding.

The Sega racer Outrun2006 is online, however, but there aren't many people playing. It's a good racing title for adults, which is why it may not be so popular. No banana peels, etc. It's all about speed...

Another title that got undeserved bad press is Bust A Move Deluxe. IMO, it's the best Bust A Move ever made, even better than Bust A Move 3000 for the GC. Bust A Move has always been about unique trippy graphics, and this version is electronic acid. That and the PSP specific playmodes (one has the whole playfield rocking back and forth like a seesaw) makes it a must have.

Though slow to start, the PSP is really starting to have some well polished games coming out that finally use the formidable hardware and large UMD storage capacity.

It's going to be an interesting holiday season.

[Cuddly Knife]

Just give me Silent Hill and MGS Protable Ops and that'll pretty much make my PSP purchase worth it.

[Renzatic Gear]

http://psp.ign.com/articles/724/724720p1.html

"It's been a while, but it looks like Earthworm Jim stands poised for a comeback. Not one of those half-baked ones, either, but a legitimate return to former glory."

That's...so very nice. It'll go nicely with Ghouls 'n Ghosts. :thumbsup:

[Cuddly Knife]

Anyone played Mega Man Powered Up? I want to play that game so bad. Re-make of the original Mega Man.

[Renzatic Gear]

I played the demo that came with Maverick Hunter X. It seemed pretty cool.

[Glockstar]

That's...so very nice. It'll go nicely with Ghouls 'n Ghosts. :thumbsup:

Good news and bad news: Ultimate Ghosts n Goblins is just a few weeks away... EWJ probably won't be out for another year.

[Gadfly2317]

Good news and bad news: Ultimate Ghosts n Goblins is just a few weeks away... EWJ probably won't be out for another year.

Is the new G&G going to be any easier than the old school ones? I'm kinda hesitant to spend money on a game that is likely beyond my skill level.

I seem to suck at Gradius, which is weird, because normally I do OK on shooters and really enjoyed Ikaruga. Funny thing is, I've played most of the Gradius games already, and I'm trying to figure out if my difficulty with the game is the way the thumb nub responds or if I'm just that out of shape on that type of game. Frankly, I'm leaning towards blaming it on control issues; the d-pad is sluggish and the the thumb-nub seems sloppy and imprecise.

[Cuddly Knife]

Did you ever play Gradius V for the ps2 Gad? IMO, that game was just as good as Ikaruga. Different style of gameplay, but just as good in every other aspect.

And there is a killer trailer for Silent Hill Origins for the PSP at 1up. It appears that they are going for a behind-the-back style of gameplay like RE4, but they also showed some traditional 3-D control for the game, so maybe the new camera is only for fighting. Looks really good, and the title of the game has me all the more interested.

Here's a link. http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/5263

[Renzatic Gear]

Wow, I'm more than a little impressed. I didn't expect the new SH to look that good...hopefully it'll be easy to play.

[Cuddly Knife]

And that footage isn't even what the game will look like when it's done. Plus, they haven't put in the trademak grainy filter effect that the other games have.

Metal Gear Portable Ops is also going to be great.