See, there's a broad old range of titles out to accompany the PSP itself at launch, and certainly a hefty number for a console launch. Thus, we've decided to offer our take on where your dollars, pounds and euros should be going, so you're not going into your expensive shopping spree blindly.
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Ape Academy
Price: $79.95 / £34.99 | PALGN Preview Rating: 2.5 / 5
When a trouble-making monkey named Specter gets hold of the Professor's Peak Point Helmet, chaos ensues. The powerful device, which can increase a human's intelligence, has a disastrous effect on Specter, transforming him from a sweet, mischievous monkey to a power-hungry monster who has his heart set on ruling the world. As one of the few platformers on the PSP on September 1st, platforming fans may not have too many other viable options.
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Colin McRae Rally 2005
Price: $79.95 / £34.99 | PALGN Preview Rating: 3 / 5
A port of the PlayStation 2 version released last year. Whilst the lack of any real innovation in the title is a little disappointing, we're amazed that only a year after a PlayStation 2 title is released, a similar port can be produced on a handheld. PSP version to include wireless multiplayer.
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Darkstalkers Chronicle - Chaos Tower
Price: $79.95 / £34.99 | PALGN Preview Rating: 3 / 5
A rather unique title when sat alongside the rest of the PSP launch - instead of trying to impress gamers with 3D graphics, this is actually a 2D fighter (remember those?). This game is actually a port of a Dreamcast title, released way back in 2000. And as this is a Capcom title, anyone who enjoys their 2D fighters should find a lot to like in Darkstalkers.
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Dynasty Warriors
Price: $79.95 / £34.99[/b] | PALGN Preview Rating: 2.5 / 5
Those of you hoping for the ultimate Dynasty Warriors title will be a little disappointed with this. Koei could have tweaked and improved the game for the PAL launch, but unfortunately it's the same as the US version, which was rushed in the first place. Booo. Ultimately, this game will already feel like a year old title, even though it's just been released. It won't be the last time we see Dynasty Warriors on the PSP, so we're hopeful that Koei makes some improvements for future incarnations.
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Everybody's Golf
Price: $79.95 / £34.99 | PALGN Preview Rating: 4 / 5
The PSP's answer to Mario Golf. The Sony-published franchise is famous for quick and addictive gameplay, perfect for the wireless multiplayer that'll come as standard in this PSP version. The single player mode is also extensive enough to last a decent amount of time.
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Fired Up
Price: $79.95 / £34.99 | PALGN Preview Rating: 3.5 / 5
Fired Up is coming to PAL regions first, so not many people have had an opportunity to play this game. We've heard this game is a little shallow, but haven't managed.to get our hands on it yet to confirm this.
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Formula One Grand Prix
Price: $79.95 / £34.99 | PALGN Preview Rating: 3 / 5
Where would the PSP be without it's token Formula One title? Sony has the exclusive rights to the Formula One, and has used the license extensively (to put it politely). This is the first Formula One game on the PSP, and should be an enjoyable experience. However, you really need to ask yourself how many racing titles you need come September 1st.
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Lumines
Price: $79.95 / £34.99 | PALGN Preview Rating: 4.5 / 5
Lumines is the second puzzle title to be available at the launch of the PSP, with the objective of the game to stack blocks on top of each other to clear each level. There's twenty-four levels and wireless multiplayer, so the game should keep players entertained for an extremely long time.
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MediEvil: Resurrection
Price: $79.95 / £34.99 | PALGN Preview Rating: 3 / 5
MediEvil: Resurrection signifies the revival of the MediEvil franchise. Resurrection is an entirely new adventure created exclusively for the PSP - fans of the series should be pleased with the game, but we're not too sure if it'll completely resurrect (ha!) the franchise.
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Metal Gear Ac!d
Price: $79.95 / £34.99 | PALGN Preview Rating: 3 / 5
Metal Gear comes to the PSP with an unusual twist. Instead of being an action title, the latest entry in Kojima's franchise is a card-based title, where moves are based on the amount of cards in a player's desk. Whilst fans may be somewhat disappointed that the game's adopted this form, we remain hopeful that the Metal Gear magic will come through.
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Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition
Price: $79.95 / £34.99 | PALGN Preview Rating: 3 / 5
There's certainly a lot of racing titles vying for your cash at launch. And amongst Rivals, Ridge Racer and V8, there's a rude-boy option in Midnight Club 3. The game's a direct port of the console versions released back in April.
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NBA Street: Showdown
Price: $79.95 / £34.99 | PALGN Preview Rating: 3 / 5
NBA Street arrives on the PSP in an almost direct port of the PlayStation 2 version of the game. Fans of the NBA Street franchise will enjoy taking this game on the road, but we're disappointed that there isn't much new in this game.
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Need for Speed: Underground Rivals
Price: $79.95 / £34.99 | PALGN Preview Rating: 3.5 / 5
A new entry for the franchise, created exclusively for the PSP. Whilst the game isn't, erm, quite revolutionary, it's a typical Need for Sped title, and fans of the franchise should love it, especially considering there are no more long, drawn-out cities. Hurray!
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NFL Street 2: Unleashed
Price: $79.95 / £34.99 | PALGN Preview Rating: 3 / 5
NFL comes to the PSP and PAL regions. Anyone who is a fan of the Street series will find plenty to like with this game, and it even manages to make the NFL bearable. Almost. It's worth nothing that there's barely any new content in this port, so those with the PlayStation 2 version may want to pick up something original.
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Ridge Racer
Price: $79.95 / £34.99 | PALGN Preview Rating: 4.5 / 5
Ridge Racer has been about for every platform launch that Sony has had, and this time is no different. This is one of the best titles in the series, combining some of the finest tracks from it's predecessors, along with some new cars and a new nitrous feature, that works surprisingly well. Sure to be one of the most popular titles at launch.
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Spider-Man 2
Price: $79.95 / £34.99 | PALGN Preview Rating: 3 / 5
Spider-Man 2 is an entirely new Spidey title, created and developed exclusively for the PSP. In a similar vein to the previous Spider-Man games, players slip into the role of Peter Parker as he fights crime and takes on enemies, such as the Green Goblin. We've heard reports that this game doesn't do anything overly new for the genre, but Spidey fans will naturally lap this kind of thing up.
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Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2006
Price: $79.95 / £34.99 | PALGN Preview Rating: 3.5 / 5
EA's flooded the PSP launch with a veritable ton of sport games, and this is one of the more sedate offerings. Whilst the game isn't a direct port, it is very similar to previous Tiger Woods titles, so those who are fans of the previous games should feel at home.
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Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Remix
Price $79.95 / £34.99 | PALGN Preview Rating: 3.5 / 5
THUG 2 is best described as a port of the console THUG versions, but with some extra features to warrant the Remix tag. THUG2 features new tracks, as well as a reworked controller system for the PSP. The graphics are close to their console counterparts, and the game has enough in it to keep players entertained for hours on end.
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Untold Legends: Brotherhood of the Blade
Price: $79.95 / £34.99 | PALGN Preview Rating: 3.5 / 5
Untold Legends is a unique multiplayer RPG and an original title developed exclusively for the PSP. Featuring randomly generated battles, hack 'n' slash action and wireless co-op play, this is definitely the game to get if you're an RPG fan.
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V8 Supercars 2
Price $79.95 / £34.99 | PALGN Preview Rating: 4 / 5
V8 Supercar 2 comes to the PSP, in a port of the PlayStation 2 version released last October. Codemasters has been instrumental in stating that the game will be a direct port, meaning that there should be close to no graphical difference between this version and the PS2 version. Anyone who wants to take their V8's with them will love this game. The game will feature wireless multiplayer as well (which PSP title doesn't?), which should bring about some intense V8 races with friends.
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Virtua Tennis World Tour
Price: $79.95 / £34.99 | PALGN Preview Rating: 4 / 5
A port of Virtua Tennis 2 (which originated in the arcades before making the step to the Dreamcast and then the PS2), the PSP version is looking every bit better than it's predecessor and will feature modes which are exclusive to the PSP, such as wireless multiplayer and bonus mini games. Virtua Tennis looks to us like it will be the multiplayer PSP title to own come September.
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WipEout Pure
Price: $79.95 / £34.99 | PALGN Preview Rating: 4.5 / 5
Sony has pulled out all the stops to make this the most promising WipEout title yet. Featuring more teams, tracks and even downloadable content, this game is sure to last a long time. The sense of speed in the game is laudable, and reminds us why we're looking forward to Burnout Legends.
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World Snooker Challenge 2005
Price: $79.95 / £34.99 | PALGN Preview Rating 2.5 / 5
A snooker title isn't typically what you'd expect to find hidden away in any launch line-up, but it's better than another racer. This particular example of the sport is a direct port of the PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions that were released a few months back. At $79.95 / £34.99 it's arguably a little pricey, considering the console versions are only $29.95. But we guess that's the price of portability.
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World Tour Soccer Challenge Edition
Price $79.95 / £34.99 | PALGN Preview Rating: 3 / 5
A little on the shallow side, and with the no doubt masterful Pro Evolution Soccer 5 warming up on the sidelines, we'd recommend that even the most fervent football fan waits.
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