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OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast
For the most part, I don’t consider myself a racing game fan. There are many exceptions to this rule – kart racing games, Ridge Racer, arcade racers, and of course, the OutRun series. So, when I hear that SEGA’s classic has been released on the PSP, I know that I have to pick it up. And while it isn’t the full arcade experience (and who’d honestly expect it to be?), it is still a great addition to any racing aficionado’s PSP collection and a very good entry to the series itself.
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Killzone Liberation
When I first heard that Killzone was being brought to the PSP, I immediately thought, “Oh great – another FPS that shouldn’t be on a handheld!” As time went on, screenshots trickled in, proving that this would not be the case. Rather than the now traditional first-person view, Killzone would take a more old-school approach to the shooter genre through an overhead, top-down view. It’s refreshing to see a new take on an old style, but it also showcases some of the reasons why games have moved into a 3D perspective.
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Tekken Dark Resurrection
The Playstation Portable is truly an amazing machine. When it launched, fighting fans were treated to the excellent Darkstalkers Chronicle. Less than a year later, Capcom again blessed us with what may be the best version of Street Fighter Alpha 3 yet. However, there haven’t been any successful 3D fighters for the system here in the States. Namco looks to remedy that by presenting us with what could be the first real system-selling game since Grand Theft Auto. After playing the PSP version of Tekken Dark Resurrection, you’ll immediately begin making comparisons to Playstation 2’s own Tekken 5. Those who have played it will likely compare this to the arcade…
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Gradius Collection
Vic Viper sets out on yet another journey to save the galaxy. For better or for worse, this time the journey is more of a repeat performance. In this PSP compilation, you can take on any of the legendary ship’s first 5 games: Gradius, Gradius II, Gradius III, Gradius IV, and Gradius Gaiden.
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Gitaroo Man Lives!
A few years ago, a friend of mine was telling me about a sleeper hit for PS2, Gitaroo Man that he spent all night playing with a friend of his. Being a huge fan of Parappa the Rapper, I was extremely interested in playing it. However, due to limited quantities from Koei, and my lack of a PS2, I never actually got the chance. Now that Koei’s ported their game to the PSP, I’ve finally gotten a chance to see what the buzz was about.
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Monster Hunter Freedom 2
Perhaps the hardest decision a developer has to make has to do with niche sequels. On one hand, you have the enthusiastic word-of-mouthers telling their friends about their favorite game, hoping to get them involved in it. On the other hand, you also want to appeal to a wider audience, making it more profitable and better worth your effort. Do you make the game more accessible for newcomers or do you appease the already established fan base? A lot of companies have struggled with this dilemma, but none seem to balance the two as well as Capcom.
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Infected
While the members of Slipknot and their music are in this game, don’t let that determination be your only deciding factor in making a purchase. Ever since Mortal Kombat hit the scene, the game industry has been pushing the violence factor to the limit. Infected is no different from the rest in this regard. Lewd language, heavy metal music, and violently bloody explosions create a fairly unique atmosphere that compliments the game play to a tee.
Handheld Gaming Reviews