Posts by Andrew Yoon at PSP Fanboy

Andrew Yoon
New York, NY - http://www.pspfanboy.com

After a fairly lengthy stint as a Community Manager, maintaining websites for Konami, Square, Namco, and others, I became absorbed by the Joystiq crew, and ~~work~~ blog full-time. As the lead PlayStation writer, you'll see my work prominently on PSP and PS3 Fanboy, although I contribute to all the other Joystiq sites as well. As a big anime fan, you'll notice that I'm also the managing video game critic at Anime News Network.

Noteworthy games: Ikaruga (DC), Pokemon (GB), Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (N64), Half-Life 2 (PC), Metal Gear Solid (PS), God of War II (PS2), Resident Evil 4 (GC), Mario Kart: Super Circuit (GBA), Otogi (XB), Chrono Trigger (SNES), Gitaroo-Man Lives! (PSP), Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan! (DS), Gears of War (360), Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Wii), Super Stardust HD (PS3)
Currently playing/reviewing:
Hot Shots Golf 5 (PS3), Persona 3 (PS2), Jeanne d'Arc (PSP), Metroid Prime 3 (Wii), Bioshock (360)

EMAIL: andrew @ joystiq .com

Sony files trademark, gets XAM'D

Posted Jul 3rd 2008 1:00PM by Andrew Yoon
Filed under: News

The sharp eyes at Siliconera discovered a new trademark from Sony Computer Entertainment America. Entitled XAM'D: Lost Memories, this mystery title will unlikely be revealed at their E3 conference some time this year. Spencer has a few theories, many of them pointing to RPGs that haven't been localized in the States before. Could it be Rezel Cross? Coded Soul? Or Yuusha no Kuse ni Namaikida? It could be none of these. Only time will tell.

Hong Kong students bring PSP to school, compete in exams

Posted Jul 2nd 2008 8:08PM by Andrew Yoon
Filed under: News

Next time your teacher tells you to put away your PSP in class, point them to this. In Hong Kong, a program called the "Mobile Learning Platform" takes advantage of various electronic devices (PSP included) and uses them to give students quizzes. According to the PlayStation HK site, "students can use mobile devices including PDA, mobile phones or mobile gaming devices to log in to the mobile learning platform and then test their own knowledge anytime and anywhere."

The program will be used for an "inter-school mobile quiz" contest to be held on July 8th. Eighteen schools will participate in a challenge that tests their knowledge of the Olympics, and other trivia. Sony Computer Entertainment Hong Kong is one of the sponsors.

Y'know, when we were kids in school, we wouldn't be able to use our Game Boys in class. But now, these students can use PSPs and win prizes. You guys have it so good.

[Thanks to Siliconera!]

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed looks impressive on PSP

Posted Jul 2nd 2008 1:30PM by Andrew Yoon
Filed under: Star Wars, Video

The PSP version of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed looks to be quite a winner. Not only will it have more content than its console brethren, but it's already pulling off some impressive visuals. Look at this new video from IGN to see the bloom lighting, impressive particle effects and spectacular physics engine. This is a portable game?

Check out IGN for more details in their preview.

Play Infinite Loop on your computer

Posted Jul 1st 2008 9:15PM by Andrew Yoon
Filed under: Downloads, Imports

Want to give the upcoming PSP game, Infinite Loop, a try? Well, you can on your computer through a brand new Flash demo. Watch out! The game is primarily a text adventure game ... in Japanese. Unlike you're proficient in nihongo, you probably won't get much benefit from the demo. Give it a try here. (Note: There is no load screen. You will simply wait a very long time for the demo to download.)

For something everyone can enjoy, you can also download the new Infinite Loop theme for your PSP. It features cute anime girls and ... well, bread. Download it here and install it on your PSP in the folder PSP/THEME.

Yuusha no Kuse ni Namaikida or2 debut trailer

Posted Jul 1st 2008 7:00PM by Andrew Yoon
Filed under: Video, Yuusha

The surprise PSP (Japan-only) hit, Yuusha no Kuse ni Namikida, is getting a sequel. or2 will add more of the same pixel-y content that fans have come to love. But, this trailer really isn't going to showcase any graphical "improvements" of any sort. Probably because the style simply wouldn't allow such a thing. Will Sony bring this strange, quirky anti-hero dungeon crawler to the US? Perhaps we'll wait and see if there's an announcement at E3.

Busy new screenshots of Yggdra Union

Posted Jun 30th 2008 7:15PM by Andrew Yoon
Filed under: Yggdra Union

To be honest, we have no idea how Yggdra Union must've played back on the Game Boy Advance. The upcoming enhanced PSP remake features so much visual information on the screen that we can't imagine how cluttered the interface must've been on the GBA screen. Yggdra Union is proud to take advantage of PSP's widescreen aspect ratio. But we have to admit, after looking at these screens, we feel like we may be overwhelmed by even the most basic battles.

Check out our updated gallery:

Gallery: Yggdra Union

PSP games go on sale at amazon.com

Posted Jun 29th 2008 2:30PM by Andrew Yoon
Filed under: Software

Some good deals here for those looking to expand their PSP collections.

Our pick? Viewtiful Joe. If you're looking for some mini-games, you may be interested in WTF. MLB and NBA are both rather solid sports titles for the handheld. Just make sure you avoid Gangs of London at all costs.

Visit CAG for more deals on other platforms.

Patent reveals touchscreen handheld device from Phil Harrison

Posted Jun 28th 2008 2:32PM by Andrew Yoon
Filed under: News

Panajev2001a from the NeoGAF forums has discovered a series of patents that point to a new handheld device from Sony. The patents, filed in January, refer to a "hand-held device with touchscreen and digital tactile pixels." The patent is assigned to Sony Computer Entertainment America, and the inventor is credited to be Phil Harrison, former head of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios.

This patent could describe the next PSP (or PSP Phone). However, it could take years for anything to surface after a patent filing. Some patents (like this one) haven't seen the light of day. With a touch screen and motion sensing capabilities, whatever this new device is will be able to match the functionality of devices like the iPhone. Intriguing. Can't wait to find out more.

[Thanks, Noshino!]

Sony starts informative PSP program in Japan

Posted Jun 27th 2008 1:00PM by Andrew Yoon
Filed under: Video

Sony has created a series of educational videos for Japanese PSP consumers, which highlight all the things players can do with their systems. The first topic on display: getting custom themes onto your system. It's done in an incredibly poorly-acted over-the-top Japanese talk show format. Even with the language barrier, we're sure this is bound to get a few laughs.

[Via PSPGadgetZ]

Countdown reveals Yuusha sequel

Posted Jun 25th 2008 10:30PM by Andrew Yoon
Filed under: Yuusha

Good job CVG! You guessed Sony's mysterious game correctly! A few days ago, a mysterious countdown appeared, featuring retro art reminiscent of the PSP exclusive Yuusha no Kuse ni Namaikida. Looks like the "or2" mysterious referenced on the site is the name for the sequel. The original Yuusha had players in a retro universe, taking down heroes with their minion horde. The sequel to this surprising cult hit promises more monsters and more heroes.

Senior producer Masami Yamamoto explained to Weekly Famitsu magazine (via 1UP). "A lot of gamers just wanted more to play with, so volume was the first thing. Also, since there were fewer stages in the first game, some of them had a challenge level that was far more of an uphill battle for the player than previous stages. With more stages at our disposal, we wanted to be sure we smoothed that over and gradually increased the challenge instead."

Koller promises more first and third party games, less ports

Posted Jun 25th 2008 9:52AM by Andrew Yoon
Filed under: Interviews

It's undeniable that the PSP is in the middle of a serious software drought. Even John Koller, PSP's main marketing man in America, acknowledges that. Why the sudden drop of games, after the successful launches of games like God of War: Chains of Olympus and Crisis Core? It's simple -- PSP wasn't performing too well earlier in its life cycle, and developers have only recently woken up to the incredible potential of the PSP as a platform. "I think what you're seeing is the result of decisions made 18 months ago, a development cycle ago when hardware sales weren't as strong as they are now and we were shifting demographics from that older, professional consumer to the teen group. There was kind of a little bit of a lull in hardware sales 18 to 20 months ago; you're seeing the results today from those decisions back then."

Since then, Koller and the Sony team has been going on a publisher "road show," and according to Koller, their efforts to envigorate the PSP development community has been successful. "Our worldwide studio team is actively developing titles for that platform and we've been on a road show amongst every, major third-party publisher -- which we actually just finished last week -- and have been talking to them about really how to publish on the PSP, and the level of excitement is really palpable."

When can we expect new game announcements? Well, that's up to each publisher. However, Koller promises that "we're going to see a very good lineup of quality franchise titles coming over to the PSP that are really unique." In fact, "you're not going to see many ports anymore, and I think that's good." We'd agree.

Read the complete interview at IGN.

Square Enix to release PS1 classics, begins with Xenogears

Posted Jun 25th 2008 12:45AM by Andrew Yoon
Filed under: Imports, Store

According to a NeoGAF posting, this month's Dengeki PlayStation reveals the very first PS1 games Square Enix will revive on the Japanese PSN. The titles will be available for 600 yen each, and will begin releasing in Japan today. There are twelve titles planned, starting with Xenogears. However, there are a number of other titles to be released today, such as Einhander, Astronoka, Rakugaki Showtime, Raystorm and Fighters Impact. While none of these titles feature the words "Final" or "Fantasy" in them, many are considered classics of the PS1 era. Titles like Xenogears can be pretty rare, so these re-releases are of great convenience to those that missed them at first. At only 600 yen each, this is an incredible bargain, especially when one considers the ability to play these downloadables on both the PS3 and on the go with the PSP.

Unfortunately, SCEA and Square Enix USA haven't announced any similar plans to release English language versions of these classics. We hope that they follow suit soon.

[Thanks, Noshino!]

SCEA releases official PSP theme tutorial

Posted Jun 20th 2008 9:15PM by Andrew Yoon
Filed under: How-tos

Have you thought about making a custom PSP theme? But, maybe you don't know where to start. Or perhaps you're scared by all the work that goes into it. Sony's official PSP theme guide won't make it any less work to create a theme, but it will give you all the tools necessary to make your own PSP themes. The images necessary require precise specifications, so make sure you follow all the instructions.

The theme program offered is available here (Windows only).

Get 20% off used games at GameStop

Posted Jun 20th 2008 2:45PM by Andrew Yoon
Filed under: Software

Click for full-resolution image.

There's a huge variety of games on the PSP, and many should be available on the cheap at your local GameStop store. Get them for even cheaper with this printable 20% off coupon. This is a great deal for those that are stocking up on games before those long annoying car rides with your family.

[Via CAG]

The stunning vistas of Valhalla Knights concept art

Posted Jun 20th 2008 12:30PM by Andrew Yoon
Filed under: Previews

PSP is getting yet another exclusive RPG in the form of Valhalla Knights 2. IGN has some stunning concept art on display, showing the various locales players can expect to visit whilst on their quest. However, we remind our readers that unfortunately, the game doesn't look quite as detailed as the art. Hopefully, the majesty featured in these stills will find its way into the spirit of the game's storytelling.

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