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It’s seems to be that time again when the PlayStation Portable phone rumours are hitting the interwebs. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Sony is currently working on a smartphone that can “download and play Playstation games.”

I might be tempted to buy a PSP Smart phone. Might, being the key word. But let’s see where these rumours lead.

The Wall Street Journal is an English-language international daily newspaper published by Dow Jones & Company, a division of News Corporation, in New York City, with Asian and European editions.

The Journal has the largest circulation of any newspaper in the United States. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, it has a circulation of 2.1 million copies (including 400,000 online paid subscriptions) as of October 2009[2] compared to USA Today’s 1.9 million. Its main rival in the business newspaper sector is the London-based Financial Times, which also publishes several international editions. Taken from Wikipedia

SCEA SVP of PR Rob Dyer has said the PSP will expect a pretty “robust” third-party line-up for 2010.

He stated that, despite admitting to problems with piracy on the handheld, there will be a great range of games in first and third-party line-ups.

And went on to say:

“I think we had a great lineup last year,” said Dyer. “The biggest problem that plagued PSP was piracy; we have not been able to slow that down. We think we have some answers going forward, but we’re not ready to talk about that publicly at this point.

“So we’re working on fixing that, because that’s been a big problem.”

“That said, we still have a very robust lineup this year from third parties on the PSP, starting with Metal Gear Peace Walker,” he further added.

Well I would like to see continued success for the PSP I remember when I bought my first one I was so excited to get it home and unbox it as I am sure many of you were. I am looking forward to the titles they will be releasing this year.

Konami is bringing Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker to Japan in style. A couple of PlayStation Portable bundles will feature Snake’s exclusive MGS outing on the portable system. The highest end PSP bundle, for 36,980 yen (just over $400 USD).

There have not been any announcements yet as to whether these, or another, special MGS:PW PSP bundles or accessories will be released in other regions.

Tecmo Koei has announced Dead or Alive: Paradise is headed to the PSP this Spring, and promises “the most beautiful 3D female characters even seen in any PSP title.”

From Tecmo Koei:

“Featuring all the DEAD OR ALIVE lovelies, basking in the tropical sun of ‘New Zack Island’ you will be able to mingle, flirt, play, take snapshots, and challenge the girls in various mini-games found throughout your private island in the best looking PSP game yet.

Boasting the most beautiful 3D female characters even seen in any PSP title, you will be able to indulge in beach volleyball, pool hopping, as well as visiting the revamped casino resort run by the enigmatic ‘Rio’. With an exhaustive shopping option as well, spend your hard-earned ZACK currency on hundreds of cool items, from clothes to gadgets then keep them for yourself or give them as gifts to your new girlfriends. The more gifts you give, the stronger your bond with them will grow.

You’ll also be able to snap candid photos of your giggling beauties in their beachwear which you can store in your very own private photo album and collect ‘Venus Clips’ to enjoy later. It’s all on-the-go, and all in the palm of your hand. Take your girls anywhere. Play with them any time.”

One of my favourite series is going to be released for the PSP. Game developer Project Aces is bringing the game to the PSP, with over 40 aircraft, a campaign mode, multiplayer online modes, real-world locations, and visuals you have come to expect from the Ace Combat game series.

Here’s some details from Namco:

“Take to the skies and reign supreme as a top Ace pilot in a variety of ACE COMBAT JOINT ASSAULT’S action-packed adversarial and team-based multiplayer modes via ad hoc or infrastructure. Team up with three friends to take down the forces of evil in campaign mode, featuring the specially designed Joint Assault Mission System. Players break off into two teams and simultaneously complete objectives on two separate maps. Objectives completed on one map will affect battle conditions on the other. ACE COMBAT JOINT ASSAULT also includes intense eight-player adversarial matches across a variety of locations. Strategic planning and a steady aim will be paramount to your victory as advanced aircrafts screech through the sky with only one objective in mind – taking you out of it.”

Well here you go my fellow gamers, Electronic Arts has released Dante’s Inferno Demo for us to download. You can search for it on Xbox Live or you can queue it up right from here.

Here are the details on Dante’s Inferno from xbox.com:
“Based on part one of Dante Alighieri’s classic poem “The Divine Comedy”, you play as Dante on his descent through the 9 circles of Hell: limbo, lust, gluttony, greed, anger, heresy, violence, fraud and treachery, on a mission to rescue the soul of his beloved Beatrice. Armed with Death’s Scythe, Beatrice’s Holy Cross and magic powers, battle large scale beasts and bosses, some of which Dante will be able to fully tame to throw back Hell’s wrath to its minions, all at a fluid, fast-paced 60 frames per second.”

This demo is also available on Playstation 3 for download.

Looks to be a promising title.

According to a source at Engadget someone has completed a survey for Sony which details services planned for the non-compulsory ‘premium’ PlayStation Network package confirmed by Kaz Hirai.

I would think that PS3 owners who have had the service for free might be disinclined to pay for PSN services, the new scheme does boast an extensive number of new and appealing features. Extended console warranty, beta access, cross-game voice chat, loyalty programs and free access to PSOne Classics.

Again, nothing has been confirmed but it’s a possibility that this could all come about very soon for you PS3′ers.

A new PSP-3000 bundle is available today, on the day that Assassin’s Creed II is available for the PlayStation 3 as well. Italso includes the Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines PSP game and a PlayStation Network Voucher for the Angels & Demons movie.

Packed in the Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines PSP Entertainment Bundle:
- White PSP-3000 system
- 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo
- Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines UMD game
- Angels & Demons movie PlayStation Network Voucher
- Sony Music Voucher for 10 song downloads

On the Europe PSN store update this week, several expansion packs have been released for various games. More songs can be purchased for both Rock Band and Guitar Hero: World Tour on the PS3 as well as for Rock Band Unplugged. Many addons for Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 have also been added. Also on the PS3, content has been added for MotorStorm: Pacific Rift. The expansion pack is priced at £4.79/€5.99. The Monarch Signature Livery Pack is also available for free. Also for free, a new costume can be downloaded for Little Big Planet, the “Sacktue of Liberty” costume, as well as armour sets in Dynasty Warriors 6 Empires.

Five PSP games have been added to the store for full download, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite (£24.99/€39.99), Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 (£29.99/€39.99), Donkey Xote (£7.99/€9.99), Super Hind (£15.99/€19.99) and Numblast PSP (£3.99/€4.99).

Numblast is also available for the PS3 at the same price, along with Punisher: No Mercy (£6.99/€7.99) and topatoi: The Great Tree Story (£7.99/€9.99).

New videos have also been added to the store along with a PS1 classic. James Pond 2: Codename Robocod (£3.99/€4.99) is available for both the PS3 and PSP.

Source: PlayStation Blog