wraggster
September 23rd, 2006, 10:57
News from IGN (http://uk.psp.ign.com/articles/734/734739p1.html)
One of the biggest features of the PlayStation Portable is also unfortunately one of its more underutilized: its wireless capabilities. Use of the PSP's local and online LAN capabilities has been noteworthy where it's been used -- we got off to a great start with games like the 8-player Ridge Racer, and the PSP actually holds the distinction in America for being the first major gaming platform (handheld or console) to have online titles available from Day One of launch. When it's not used, however, the let-down for buyers (to the hardcore gamers that write in to us, at least) is palpable. Particularly when it comes to the PSP connecting to wireless HotSpots for online play and game downloads, we would love to see Sony Computer Entertainment and its partners be much more pro-active than they have been so far.
We're seeing signs of improvement here in Japan in use of the network features, but not big leaps. SCE has yet to announce any kind of integration with PSP for the upcoming PS3 network platform, so developers have been skittish to take on the responsibility of building an online game backend. And while the tech libraries should now be in developers hands to support local wireless and Game Sharing, not every game maker has found it easy to do so. Again, a push on SCE's part to make all of this easier and more powerful for developers to use could really help.
Anyway, enough doom and demands. Here's a rundown from the SCE PSP pamphlet given out at TGS of titles that are using the PSP's wireless, online and Game Sharing features. These are only about 20 of the approximated 34 PSP games on the show floor, so we'll try to pass on an update if we see any more titles that should be noted and commended for connectivity support.
Ape Escape Racer -- Wireless local play.
Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters -- Wireless local and online features. There are not notes about what those online features are exactly (could be online downloads, could be online battle modes ala Ratchet: Deadlocked), but we're psyched to find out.
Winning Eleven 10 -- Wireless local play.
Monster Hunter Portable 2 -- Wireless local play for four players and online connectivity. Online gameplay is sadly not in this PSP version. (The sound you hear ringing out, by the way, is the sound of thousands of Japanese gamers waiting in some of the longest lines here at TGS to play this game shouting, "Oh my god, Capcom, we needed it so very much..." This game was the #1 seller for PSP last year, but Capcom stuck with local play only again for the sequel.) However, added to this PSP game is the ability to download new levels of the game by connecting online.
Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception -- Wireless local play.
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops -- Wireless local and online play. This should be the biggie for online features in 2006, so watch for it. Also supported by MGS: Portable Ops is the upcoming GPS device.
Kingdom of Paradise 2: Busouden -- Wireless local play and online connectivity. As in the last game, wireless multiplayer is not planned, instead you can download new battle gear to enjoy.
Parappa the Rapper -- Wireless local play and Game Sharing.
Gundam Battle Royale -- Wireless local play.
Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology -- Online connectivity. Multiplayer isn't part of the game, but we expect there to be some type of online leaderboard or else downloadable dungeons for this PSP game.
Boxer's Road 2: The Real -- Wireless local play.
Mahjong Fight Club: National Competition Edition -- Wireless local play, online connectivity and Game Sharing. The trifecta!
Dynasty Warriors Mahjong -- Wireless local play.
P-Kara -- Wireless local play and online connectivity. This rhythm-action music game actually boasts on its front menu its online features (including connections to So-Net and, for some reason, a dedicated SCEJ website or network), with its offline features looking to be just a secondary component. A nice change of priorities there.
Jeanne D'Arc (Level-5's strategy game) -- No connectivity (in case you were wondering.)
Final Fantasy: Crisis Core -- No connectivity (again, for those anxious to know where this highly-anticipated title stood.)
Hot Shots Golf Portable -- GPS support. Wireless gameplay support wasn't detailed out on the TGS version (which is not playable), but it is notable in its GPS use.
Homestar Portable -- GPS support. This is Sega's astronomy application, so don't look for online gaming, but do look for a handy application when you take your PSP out camping.
EDIA's GPS Navagation Software -- GPS support, obviously. This program lets you navigate street corners in realtime using the GPS and local maps on UMD.
One of the biggest features of the PlayStation Portable is also unfortunately one of its more underutilized: its wireless capabilities. Use of the PSP's local and online LAN capabilities has been noteworthy where it's been used -- we got off to a great start with games like the 8-player Ridge Racer, and the PSP actually holds the distinction in America for being the first major gaming platform (handheld or console) to have online titles available from Day One of launch. When it's not used, however, the let-down for buyers (to the hardcore gamers that write in to us, at least) is palpable. Particularly when it comes to the PSP connecting to wireless HotSpots for online play and game downloads, we would love to see Sony Computer Entertainment and its partners be much more pro-active than they have been so far.
We're seeing signs of improvement here in Japan in use of the network features, but not big leaps. SCE has yet to announce any kind of integration with PSP for the upcoming PS3 network platform, so developers have been skittish to take on the responsibility of building an online game backend. And while the tech libraries should now be in developers hands to support local wireless and Game Sharing, not every game maker has found it easy to do so. Again, a push on SCE's part to make all of this easier and more powerful for developers to use could really help.
Anyway, enough doom and demands. Here's a rundown from the SCE PSP pamphlet given out at TGS of titles that are using the PSP's wireless, online and Game Sharing features. These are only about 20 of the approximated 34 PSP games on the show floor, so we'll try to pass on an update if we see any more titles that should be noted and commended for connectivity support.
Ape Escape Racer -- Wireless local play.
Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters -- Wireless local and online features. There are not notes about what those online features are exactly (could be online downloads, could be online battle modes ala Ratchet: Deadlocked), but we're psyched to find out.
Winning Eleven 10 -- Wireless local play.
Monster Hunter Portable 2 -- Wireless local play for four players and online connectivity. Online gameplay is sadly not in this PSP version. (The sound you hear ringing out, by the way, is the sound of thousands of Japanese gamers waiting in some of the longest lines here at TGS to play this game shouting, "Oh my god, Capcom, we needed it so very much..." This game was the #1 seller for PSP last year, but Capcom stuck with local play only again for the sequel.) However, added to this PSP game is the ability to download new levels of the game by connecting online.
Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception -- Wireless local play.
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops -- Wireless local and online play. This should be the biggie for online features in 2006, so watch for it. Also supported by MGS: Portable Ops is the upcoming GPS device.
Kingdom of Paradise 2: Busouden -- Wireless local play and online connectivity. As in the last game, wireless multiplayer is not planned, instead you can download new battle gear to enjoy.
Parappa the Rapper -- Wireless local play and Game Sharing.
Gundam Battle Royale -- Wireless local play.
Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology -- Online connectivity. Multiplayer isn't part of the game, but we expect there to be some type of online leaderboard or else downloadable dungeons for this PSP game.
Boxer's Road 2: The Real -- Wireless local play.
Mahjong Fight Club: National Competition Edition -- Wireless local play, online connectivity and Game Sharing. The trifecta!
Dynasty Warriors Mahjong -- Wireless local play.
P-Kara -- Wireless local play and online connectivity. This rhythm-action music game actually boasts on its front menu its online features (including connections to So-Net and, for some reason, a dedicated SCEJ website or network), with its offline features looking to be just a secondary component. A nice change of priorities there.
Jeanne D'Arc (Level-5's strategy game) -- No connectivity (in case you were wondering.)
Final Fantasy: Crisis Core -- No connectivity (again, for those anxious to know where this highly-anticipated title stood.)
Hot Shots Golf Portable -- GPS support. Wireless gameplay support wasn't detailed out on the TGS version (which is not playable), but it is notable in its GPS use.
Homestar Portable -- GPS support. This is Sega's astronomy application, so don't look for online gaming, but do look for a handy application when you take your PSP out camping.
EDIA's GPS Navagation Software -- GPS support, obviously. This program lets you navigate street corners in realtime using the GPS and local maps on UMD.