Source: Spong

We have been picking up on chatter that comes from the blogging community, much of which cites 'retail sources' they are close to, that the Ceramic White PSP is heading to Europe, in time for Easter.

Thing is, there's loads of different blogs all running sub-identical pieces, all failing to reference each other in something of a farcical game of blind man's bluff. Either way, from what we can gather, the 'retail source' appears to be a shop assistant in a game shop. We'd also like to ask any of the blogs claiming to have this news nailed down as fact to get in touch, especially if they are the original source of the chatter.

Anyway, we contacted a senior buyer at a major European retailer today to find out what's going on. “Right now, SCEE sales hasn't been briefed to begin pushing white units,” we were told. “It has been mentioned, as there's been a certain level of interest at store level from consumers about the possibility of seeing the white machine and essentially, it will go on sale at some point, though nothing is official, so to speak. There's certainly no orders being placed for white PSPs.”

So when will we know? All the sites currently ripping each other off, claiming retail 'insiders' have given them the scoop, say Easter... “We have no idea. What is likely to happen and as is common at Sony is that there will be an announcement to press, then sales will tell us and we'll start getting them in. Easter sounds a good time, though anything claiming this is a concrete date is simply not true.”

For the uninitiated, the Ceramic White PSP is a PSP in white. The name of the white Sony has used is dubbed Ceramic. We believe this is to differentiate is from other types of white. It comes in a whiter box and ships with some white accessories. And is white. Expect an announcement about its European debut at some point early/mid-2006. ...

SuccessHK have posted a price drop on PSP Console packages:

SONY PSP Value Pack - Ceramic White Latest ver. USD 229.00
SONY PSP Value Pack Latest Ver. USD 229.00 #
SONY PSP Standard Pack Latest Ver. USD 198.00 ...

Following on from Lik Sangs PSP TV Compare article, SuccessHK have done the same:

We receive all the PSP to TV adapters and do the setup to test the products immediately. The following is the comparison between the three PSP to TV adapters which include PSPonTV Adapter Kit, Blaze PSP TV Adaptor, and PSP2TV Adapter.

For the function, all the PSP to TV adapters display the screen of PSP console to TV. Only PSP2TV Adapter supports Dual Shock 2 controller.

For the outlook, the designs of Blaze PSP TV Adaptor and PSPonTV Adapter are similar. However, PSPonTV Adaptor feels bulky with its huge height. Blaze PSP TV Adaptor looks stylish in comparison.

For the installation, PSP2TV Adaptor Kit is as easy as Blaze PSP TV Adaptor and both do not have to void the warranty. The designs are similar; both are using original PSP power adaptor, AV cable, etc. However, it is using screws instead of hocks to hold its position and offer a headphones pass-through port. Installation of PSP2TV Adapter requires much more skill and takes about 30 to 60 minutes. Also it voids the warranty.

For the quality, there are no significant differences between the three adapters. By comparing the screen output, we are amazed that the quality of PSPonTV Adapter Kit which is using CCD camera and Blaze PSP TV Adapter which is using CMOS camera looks the same. The only difference is that, screen using Blaze PSP TV Adaptor is a little brighter. Is PSPonTV Adapter really using CCD camera? We doubt it.

For the price, PSPonTV is set cheaper than PSP2TV Adapter Kit (US$119.90), but still far more expensive than Blaze PSP TV Adaptor. ...

More memory for your PSP is on the way, thanks to first generation flash card adapters on the way from Chinese manufacturers. There are three different models available, but all of them are limited to a maximum of 4GB of storage capacity. This limit is not due to the products, but rather to a firmware limitation with the PSP. 4GB is all that it will support.

The Neo2in1 and the Neo4in1 are kind of awkward because they just hang by the flat cable which attaches them to the PSP via the Memory Card slot. That makes it less convenient to use them on the go, though the manufacturers will apparently be including Velcro to attach the reader to the back of your PSP. The 2in1 is a Compact Flash adapter, while the 4in1 adds SD and MMC capabilities as well.

The Neo5in1 combines the capabilities of the Neo4in1 with an AA battery pack for backup power and 2 USB slots. The other big draw of this model is that it attaches to the PSP, making it much easier to use than the other two.

Prices for these readers range from $80 for the 2in1 to $100 for the 5in1.

News from MobileMag ...

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess will be playable on Nintendo's Revolution and will be released close to the console's launch date in the UK - which is confirmed as arriving in late 2006 - according to an exclusive news scoop in the latest issue of NGC.

While also still set for release on GameCube, the new Zelda adventure will contain special features enabling players to make use of Revolution's controller, so when the disc is inserted into Revolution it will give the player the option to use the next-gen console's radical device.

For more information on this superb news, such as how Twilight Princess will exploit Revolution's TV remote-styled peripheral, pick up the January issue of NGC, which is on sale now. ...

As part of its pre-E3 PlayStation 3 conference in May, Sony brought Epic Games cofounder Tim Sweeney on stage. Besides saying that Epic had already received a PS3 software-development kit--which he said was "easy to program"--Sweeney also performed a tech demo of a shooter running on PS3 hardware.

The game on display appeared to be Unreal Tournament 2007, the flashy-looking, Unreal Engine 3-based successor to the popular PC shooter Unreal Tournament 2004. However, neither Sony nor Epic would confirm when--or even if--UT 2007 would arrive on the PS3.

Seven months later, the two companies have broken their silence. The January 2006 issue of PSM proudly proclaims that, yes, UT 2007 is coming to the PlayStation 3. Inside, the magazine also reveals that the game will be a launch title for the PlayStation 3, which is tentatively slated for a spring 2006 launch.

UT 2007 for PS3 is the second Epic shooter announced for next-generation consoles. However, the first, Gears of War for the Xbox 360, is slated for a general "2006" release date, meaning it could conceivably come out after the PS3 UT 2007. ...

Source - Gamespot

Hideo Kojima may be busy at work on Metal Gear Solid 4 for the PlayStation 3, but he's also prepping other installments in the bestselling series. The latest issue of Famitsu revealed that Konami's famed game designer is working on not just one, but two new Metal Gear Solid projects for the PSP.

The first project is named "Metal Gear Solid BD," which Famitsu reports will be some form of "digital content" slated for a spring 2006 release in Japan. Kojima did not give any details about the project, but the article implied that it may be a form of entertainment other than a game.

The second MGS PSP project will be a "totally new Metal Gear Solid game." Kojima avoided disclosing the game's name, saying that it will give away what the game is about. However, he hinted that it plays relatively normal, excluding a new form of gameplay "which is only possible with the PSP."

While he personally thinks that the game will be interesting, Kojima added that the new concept is so "different," that he needs to test alpha version to see if the game has a chance at retail. When asked about the game's release period, Kojima would say only that it shouldn't take extremely long to develop.

The second game appears to be the title Kojima previously mentioned on his official blog. In November, he said he was working on a new PSP project with a "completely new system" which is being produced by Metal Gear Acid 2 director Shinta Nojiri. ...

News from Lik Sang

Did Japanese Mangaka Kishimoto Masashi foresee the massive popularity of Naruto, when originally creating the series which can be read in Shonen Jump Magazine since 1999? It's certainly interesting how a clever story of a young Japanese kid determined to become a Ninjutsu expert has gone beyond being a huge success in Nippon to enjoying a rather large fan audience all over the world. The Naruto phenomenon in Manga and Anime form has inspired several videogames in the past, mostly Beat'em Up oriented only. Bandai's Narutimate Hero line of games for the PS2 added RPG elements to it, with the latest instalment, Naruto Narutimate Hero 3, offering an overall improvement in gameplay, features and visuals.

The overhaul is a welcome one, with about a year that fans had to wait after Hero 2 (which was itself embraced by the gaming community with great excitement). Now, going from 20 characters available in the prequel to over 40 to choose from in Hero 3, replay value has been cranked up a few notches good. There are now new characters from the Anime appearing in the game as well. And adding a number of fresh systems, there are more super combos for Naruto and Sasuke too. These can be unleashed when the Nine Tails or Cursed Seal power is full, with an awe-inspiring eye candy fest to boot.



Please note that Naruto Narutimate Hero 3 is in stock for PlayStation 2, shipping within 24 hours for only US$ 64.90. As with all import videogames, we offer Free Shipping Worldwide for this title as well! By the way, all those of you who have pre-ordered the game should receive it soon, as we have dispatched your orders already. We just love Bandai for releasing Hero 3 in two separate discs, where the first one is an Animation Disc, which contains a brand new Naruto OVA ("Original Video Animation", a Japanese straight-to-video term), created by the staff of the TV series. Watch this exclusive Anime and get extremely pumped, making yourself ready for the second disc, which holds the game itself. Then you'll be prepared to uppercut the other Ninjas into the stratosphere hard.

Both discs are included in the DVD game case for all orders. If you've always wanted to play as the first or second hokage and take part in the goings-on in Ninja village Konoha yourself, Naruto Narutimate Hero 3 is the title to own. A terrific blend of Beat'em Up and RPG, it's a must-have game for fans of the series, as well as for all fighting enthusiasts. ...

News from Lik Sang

We have good news for those of you who thought the price tag on the Replacement Faceplates for PSP was a little steep! We have received stock of new faceplates from a second team jumping on the bandwagon, and whose emphasis is on price. Also, our initial supplier has agreed to a price drop below the 30$ mark for the high-end replacement covers that they offer.

The new faceplates come in packs of 5 assorted colors. You got five different covers inside, allowing to change the front color of the PSP depending on your mood or on the weather. Each pack retails for the low price of US$ 36.95, which is less than 8-bucks-a-faceplate actually. Quantity discounts are available for resellers.



Please note that these faceplates do not wear any special coating (opposite to the high-end Faceplates that we have been carrying so far, on which either a special glossy or a chrome layer has been added). We have also noticed that the see-through window for the screen is not as firmly attached to the faceplates as with the previous models. Please be extra careful during installation with this fragile part of the product. Opening your PSP to exhange faceplates will void your warranty.

We have also received word from the manufacturer behind these quality produts that they have new editions in the works right now, with Liquid Platinum LE and bubble-gum Pink confirmed. These two new flavors are expected soon after the new year starts while these guys are also studying a potential Sunny Yellow model. More info on all that after it turned 2006 already.



Much more at Lik Sang ...