Sony PSP US Launch - Full Details on Shipping Schedules for all Software Titles
News from <a href="http://www.yesasia.com/?/news.php?artc=3611&&lsaid=219793" target="_blank" >Lik Sang</a>
<BLOCKQUOTE>The highlight of last weeks was for sure the US PSP launch. This consisted of one million units, and tons of new games, with English language on.
Here at Lik Sang, it's US games that Euro and Japanese importers care about, and many visitors spotted software hitting our warehouse early! Already a few days ahead of March 24th we started receiving deliveries on some titles, and this continued leading up to the launch day. Unfortunately, after then, the chaos began. While some games have been delayed at the last minute or under-produced, we are constantly lagging behing with sales exceeding our deliveries. This, on a daily basis. With the long Easter break in the middle (no shipping companies), it sure didn't help neither. This round-up is meant as an exhaustive description of what is going on, so that you are all kept aware of which games ship when.
The Exhaustive Releases Check-List
1. In Stock without Problem
These are the titles we have in stock and shipping within 24 hours, of which pre-orders have been cleared for days now:
• Ridge Racers
• Darkstalkers Chronicles: The Chaos Tower
• Spiderman 2
• Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Remix
• Ape Escape On the Loose
2. Released but Chaotic Supply
Pre-orders have been processed, while we're always running after more stock to cover new purchases:
• Untold Legends: Brotherhood of the Blade
• NBA 2005
• NFL Street 2 Unleashed
• World Tour Soccer
• Lumines
• WipEout Pure
• Need for Speed Underground: Rivals
• Twisted Metal Head On
• Metal Gear Acid
• Gretzsky NHL 2005
• Dynasty Warriors
3. Delayed Deliveries
• ATV Offroad Fury (Apr 19)
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour (Apr 30)
• NBA Street Showdown (Apr 25)
• FIFA Soccer (Apr 25)
• MLB (Apr 12)
• Smartbomb (Apr 5)
• Archer MacLean's Mercury (Apr 5)
We witnessed many surprising events during this whole launch process, with for example Need for Speed Underground, which was supposed to be in at April 6th, and for which we received first half delivery on March 23rd, now waiting for the second half delivery to arrive around April 6th indeed. Understand who can. Also, while Lumines was always hinted as a massively available launch title, it has run out very quickly and we have only enough stock left for sold orders, while the shipping status has slipped to Backorder for new purchases, with an ETA on or before April 11th.
While a launch is always a stunt in itself, the holidays are sure adding to the mess: retail sales are boosted in stores stateside, while it's more troublesome than usual for mail delivery companies to get their stuff in and out. Lik Sang is of course doing its best sourcing the games and getting them shipped from USA to Hong Kong as fast as humanly possible. Same goes for re-packing and expediting in individual parcels, our warehouse team is working very hard at the time being, and this means overtime for the whole company. Still, we would be lying if we claimed situation was ideal: if you have just ordered or are about to order US PSP games today, please beware of the potential delay of a couple of days in processing orders for highly demanded titles.
The New Mega-Hits
WipEout Pure
Hi-tech weapons, hi-octane speed and a high-tempo dance soundtrack combine in this anti-grav racer that many gamers have fond memories of as one of four titles that launched with the very original PlayStation. Wipeout Pure is the fifth in the series, and the stunning reviews are in, it's clearly the best yet. Looks wise, it's even more impressive than PS2's Wipeout. Yes, without a doubt, this is THE title to show off your PSP. One of the most exciting aspects of the game though (and believe me there are many!), is the all new Zone mode. This plays across four tracks, with no power-ups, just speed boost pads. As you make it through each zone you're ship speeds up and the pressure builds. Can you get into 'the zone' we gamers often talk about and hold it together as things gets faster, and faster, and faster?
Improvements past fans will appreciate include pits being removed, a new barrel-roll technique, and the return to classic handling which was missed in the previous PS2 release. Then there's the wireless racing of up to 8 people at once, and beyond that more still, downloadable content. Sony is considering releasing around two new courses, ships, and extra soundtrack songs each month, for six months! Wipeout Pure just screams to go hand in hand with new PSP's, and once it's in your hand, you'll know the true feeling behind the words we've used here at Lik-Sang before, being 'high on PSP'.
Side Note: it has been discovered recently that there is a hidden browser to surf the internet inside WipeOut Pure. It's not even very well hidden and you can basically use it near any Wi-Fi Wireless Hot Spot, using the PSP in-built Wi-Fi connection... Maybe some of you are already reading these very lines on their PlayStation Portable wide screen ;)
Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Remix
Tony Hawk isn't new to the handheld scene, but where as GBA editions were 2D based isometric views and cut down experiences, this is the full 360, this is Tony Hawk how it's meant to be. Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Remix (THUG 2) is the PlayStation 2 game, and then some. Two teams, one led by Tony Hawk, the other Bam Margera, grab their boards and go round the globe on a World Destruction Tour throughout the main story mode. Four new levels have been added, Kyoto, Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Santa Cruz, all integrated into story mode seamlessly, complete with voice cut scenes and all.
The controls of Tony Hawk are something players really have a feel for, and even slight changes can throw you off. On PSP though, the reviews agree Activision succeed wonderfully porting them over to the PSP. Game mode wise, if you prefer to go old school with the two minute timer over story mode, you can do just that, and experienced skaters will recognize levels from the very first title like school and downhill jam. Wireless is catered for too, with 11 different modes for up to four players, and even the face mapping feature from the PS2 edition is here. Slap a JPEG image of yourself onto your memory stick, and use your own face in create-a-skater. At last the full Tony Hawk experience is on hand where ever you go, and likewise with Wipeout, a wonder to behold running on your PSP.</BLOCKQUOTE>
<a href="http://www.yesasia.com/?/news.php?artc=3611&&lsaid=219793" target="_blank" >Lik Sang</a>
