Headlines
PlayStation Suite unveiled; brings PlayStation titles to Android platform (via Engadget)
- A hardware neutral development platform
- PlayStation Store launching on Android
- Emulated PSOne games coming first
- PlayStation Certified program will ensure some level of quality for original Android developed games sold via the PS Store
- PlayStation Suite requires Android 2.3 or higher
- Xperia and Next Generation Portable are both PlayStation Suite compatible
- Physical controls are not required; can use on-screen controls
Next Generation Portable (NGP) announced (via PS.Blog)
- Check all the specifications and planned titles in the link. I’ll only be mentioning additional info.
- No launch date yet
- No launch price yet, but Sony is going to be selling at a loss (via Eurogamer)
- No removable battery (back touch pad is the reason) (via GamePro)
- No UMD drive; games delivered digitally or via flash carts (via GamePro)
- Will be available in two models: 3G+Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi only (via Eurogamer)
- Excellent hardware analysis by Digital Foundry
Release dates
- SOCOM 4 debuting April 19th exclusively for PlayStation 3
- Brink debuting May 17th for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC
- Hunted: The Demon’s Forge debuting June 1st for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC
- RAGE debuting September 13th, for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC
Media
Final Fantasy Versus XIII Gameplay Trailer (Direct feed of the one released a few days back)
Gameplay Demonstrations from Sony NGP Presentation
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Easily the most powerful and flexible handheld gaming device ever created. There’s a ridiculous amount of potential here. This NGP thing can accommodate nearly every type of gaming you’d want on a handheld. From light casual games like Angry Birds to Uncharted. And since this is an ARM based handheld, I can definitely see iOS and Android games making their way onto that device as well.
Some say it’s a bit too big, but I don’t do much portable gaming outside of the home. I see this like a Nintendo DSi XL or an iPad; a device that’s more about comfort than portability.
I was very skeptical with this device at first, but I was sold after watching the gameplay demonstrations. The use of tech is really impressive. It makes something like the Nintendo 3DS seem redundant. This NGP can accommodate most — if not all — the Nintendo 3DS’ games. The only thing this NGP cannot do is 3D.
Will I pick up this Sony NGP device? That ultimately boils down to the price and the software line up. I’m hoping for $299.99 or less, but even at that price it’s still expensive. As for the software, the only title that I would like on a handheld right now is Hot Shots Golf and Wipeout. Both of these aren’t particularly original which is a bit of a downer.
So I guess my official stance is “wait and see”.
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