tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14271246426217400842024-03-14T10:29:28.054+00:00Portable Gaming Roundup<b>Celebrating the PSP's legacy and Vita's life (8,000+ posts over 13 years, 1,000s of games, the developers and awesome community).<br>
Moving on with the awesome Evercade and fun-packed Switch, the mighty PS5 & Portal, plus indie, retro and homebrew gaming. </b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15696084487680483179noreply@blogger.comBlogger8069125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427124642621740084.post-8098815472111978632024-03-12T10:49:00.005+00:002024-03-12T11:11:53.307+00:00Monster Hunter Stories 1 & 2 head to Switch and PS4It feels like Capcom has taken their foot off the Monster Hunter gas pedal in recent years, letting Monster Hunter World and Rise do the heavy lifting. As a stop gap until the next proper release, Wilds in 2025, Monster Hunter Stories and Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin are gnashing their teeth in the direction of "modern" platforms this summer as part of the <a href="https://www.monsterhunter.com/" target="_blank">20th anniversary celebrations</a>! <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5-nlGABr9NOtRJaOr9vnQ8icJZIkPZ-Ft3JiG15G0mxLJ3ZauoTrdOO0S_8ZXDk2cSdnITH9kDBCwbYJiYc1c-M_4bnRKAzTJsm8rkEodOd5ZqG642Dxfzme9aSG26MmmdzweVBtjh9BDDJJixifrDbWZ460cW4Sf3mgi_jvfYITX6Dx7GnwIv0ZR6A/s1012/hms.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="monster hunter stories 2 ps4" border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="1012" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5-nlGABr9NOtRJaOr9vnQ8icJZIkPZ-Ft3JiG15G0mxLJ3ZauoTrdOO0S_8ZXDk2cSdnITH9kDBCwbYJiYc1c-M_4bnRKAzTJsm8rkEodOd5ZqG642Dxfzme9aSG26MmmdzweVBtjh9BDDJJixifrDbWZ460cW4Sf3mgi_jvfYITX6Dx7GnwIv0ZR6A/w640-h368/hms.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><div>That's the Switch and PS4 (but no PS5, although at least that makes it a shoe-in for Remote Players on the Vita) getting a hefty dose of turn-based role playing arriving June 14, 2024. The basics are: improved visuals, new modes and some digital special bonuses. All of which comes as the series approaches 100 million total sales (with 25 million for World). From the blurb:</div><div><br /><div>"Riders can expect an epic summer full of adventure with Monster Hunter Stories and its new features, including full Japanese and English voiceovers, seven new subtitle languages, a new Museum Mode that spans over 200 pieces of concept art, background music, and developer sketches, and title updates that were previously only available in Japan. Experience riding Monsties in stunning detail on larger screens, enhanced with refined modeling, textures, and lighting in high definition.</div><div><br /></div><div>Riders can also partake in a new expedition with Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, the thrilling second entry in the turn-based RPG series. Set in the expansive and dynamic world of Monster Hunter, players follow the footsteps of their grandfather Red, a legendary Rider, and ride Monsties with Ena, a Wyverian girl who has been entrusted with an egg with the potential to hatch into a Rathalos. This legendary monster holds immense power capable of wreaking havoc if its destructive abilities are unleashed. It’s up to players to test the bonds of friendship with Monsties and discover the hidden truths behind ancient legends."</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="544" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l9l8mwH9CDw" title="Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin - Announcement Trailer | PS4" width="966"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>Pre-orders for both titles will be available soon with special bonuses including Navirou’s King and Queen outfits for Monster Hunter Stories, as well as Ena’s Kamura Maiden outfit for Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin.</div></div></div>psp2rounduphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13270859072040698516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427124642621740084.post-46651050220242666142024-02-28T21:08:00.001+00:002024-02-28T21:08:06.099+00:00Breath of Thunder Kickstarting to Vita and retro consoles<p>Kickstarter is still a vital platform for many indie and ambitious developers, with the likes of <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2023/11/mariachi-legends-strums-through-its.html" target="_blank">Mariachi Legends</a> and <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2023/08/ratatan-modern-patapon-funded.html" target="_blank">Ratatan</a> (Patapon but new!) blowing through their stretch goals recently. But any crowdfunding effort seems to need a quirky USP to get going. </p><p>One way to grab some interest is to announce a game for the many retro consoles out there that still have modest audiences, but put us together and we are a powerful mob. Which is why Breath of Thunder grabs my attention. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5CA5Wu36R4UprYGSBLfcu7gyvqg6fUIba-akJygAKSwRaVV5t19RiDdus1xXpQK8ZMSq3aIIpmoEt5hNonm8ugvkCAaoLgJJcNQ1Hg2XGRjSdRItHdmFIROYMSfSKXMYGOSVbu6wI6XB3QZ8-TLDNykxoK68IMCU7R1EVu-WC6xNakr_DFp3fg_h-jkI/s680/sungrand1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="680" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5CA5Wu36R4UprYGSBLfcu7gyvqg6fUIba-akJygAKSwRaVV5t19RiDdus1xXpQK8ZMSq3aIIpmoEt5hNonm8ugvkCAaoLgJJcNQ1Hg2XGRjSdRItHdmFIROYMSfSKXMYGOSVbu6wI6XB3QZ8-TLDNykxoK68IMCU7R1EVu-WC6xNakr_DFp3fg_h-jkI/w640-h261/sungrand1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Developed by Australian team Sungrand Studios, the JPRG is getting ready for launch on Kickstarter and will not only come to the PlayStation Vita, PSP, Game Boy and DS, but also the Sega Saturn and Dreamcast and the Atari Jaguar among others! If it hits enough stretch goals - how many versions can I buy?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJ7m9wyAQaYBMtcpbZMAZ035DA2NP6rmk8EVqiUypufH3rKqxwqUvYhP5sAz1a_REPcOBRSkBEBAfx07GVQRgoY6im_qMiSTDm3ExE0bXZenjlUshY1eZ91BYw_Bh2E3WLZuMkJp6V2-4pfySXuu_hehstB5z_3x9t7OW6jBgK6fWgBqW7ZHzaV58CMo/s2048/sungrand2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJ7m9wyAQaYBMtcpbZMAZ035DA2NP6rmk8EVqiUypufH3rKqxwqUvYhP5sAz1a_REPcOBRSkBEBAfx07GVQRgoY6im_qMiSTDm3ExE0bXZenjlUshY1eZ91BYw_Bh2E3WLZuMkJp6V2-4pfySXuu_hehstB5z_3x9t7OW6jBgK6fWgBqW7ZHzaV58CMo/w640-h360/sungrand2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>It is very early days for the project, with a few <a href="https://twitter.com/SungrandStudios" target="_blank">dinky WIP screens</a> on their Twitter but there's already talk of physical releases, but not for the Vita alas (perhaps some Scooby Doo sneaking into an abandoned Sony factory). </p><p>Check back for when the Kickstarter link goes live and I'm off to badger the developers for some more information about this rather bonkers sounding project with each platform getting a unique version based on its capabilities. </p>psp2rounduphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13270859072040698516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427124642621740084.post-55492289579949617882024-02-19T13:14:00.018+00:002024-02-20T13:36:06.138+00:00PSP2, Switch 2 and an Xbox handheld... a brighter portable future?<p>Perhaps its the silly season in gaming news, ignoring Xbox's self-inflicted recent strategic wounds, but we've got "sources" talking, gossipers going full-bore and all sorts of potential new hardware being talked about lurking in the roadmaps.</p><p>Whether none, one (okay, Switch 2 is happening) or all of them are true, it looks like the hardware makers have realised the high-risk strategy of pushing ever-greater specs in decreasing life-cycles, and are may try broadening the entertainment experience for gamers. </p><p>Do I really want an 8K PlayStation 6 burning a hole in my entertainment centre, running off a roof of solar panels and leaking coolant over my Uncharted map rug? (Yes, but it'll be way down the list!) Also, apologies for the terrible AI renders, but I am not a designer and I like the quirks!</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">PlayStation Going Portable Again?</h3><p>I've already chatted about the potential for a <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2024/02/new-vita-successor-rumours-nice-but-dim.html" target="_blank">Vita/PSP2 beyond the PlayStation Portable</a> and what it could deliver. I'd be pleasantly surprised if it happens, but a changing market could force Sony to revisit a proper portable, and that would be a delight. </p><p>One sad part of that idea, there's no going back to the days of PSP/Vita indie developers, and niche off-shoots of big-name titles, the budget just isn't there as proven by the massive ongoing industry jobs massacre. Instead, it'll play games from current/past PlayStation eras, perhaps with innovative integrations with the mother ship console. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxLzqcVnBi_-Db7sZB1vXuQ72PFWQAKGU7AMEnCSAchbjtKyDpbvE0MX4xzrazg4EceEIDi5UQvRfHYtlShhHp9JrAbB3LsFAdbkd0UGrd8WhFDHYsfXFPUweTVEwnqQ9dSMv0a4038XvOIUypPH_ci15EqIGVygNt4aKJxW_olPqEumUFCAR7gYNdTw/s1024/ps5portable.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="playstation portable 2" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxLzqcVnBi_-Db7sZB1vXuQ72PFWQAKGU7AMEnCSAchbjtKyDpbvE0MX4xzrazg4EceEIDi5UQvRfHYtlShhHp9JrAbB3LsFAdbkd0UGrd8WhFDHYsfXFPUweTVEwnqQ9dSMv0a4038XvOIUypPH_ci15EqIGVygNt4aKJxW_olPqEumUFCAR7gYNdTw/w640-h640/ps5portable.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Will Nintendo Switch Up or Smaller? </h3><p>More likely to happen, Nintendo needs to create some more leg room in a Switch 2 for future titles. And it has to do that while retaining backward compatibility for the hugely successful hybrid, and its monster collection of carts and indie downloads. All that seems so obvious, that it has to be true. </p><p>But there's still room for innovation! Given I still hate the size and unwieldly nature of the Switch, how about a <b>Switch 2 mini</b>, riffing nostalgically back at the other Nintendo handheld variants? And I get the feeling that Nintendo will bow to the pressure of users wanting entertainment apps, a better social environment and other tweaks to make it an all-rounder device. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQDdFoFL8sKVKb_ECV9FMn2NA_IZ8jFx4Dsom9aYanVnytlHiWgp55-Yc_OFR48czWKzkoG_f3M9i2GGx7iZEdpwdrQ_CYe3QTSRZIxOOJJCYeZQiG28Gxg4CD8C5y7evcsPu1IFFfncUgqXZrxNd4-xFM39aOFY3-uqgv2Fzx6_MzmqgZU_bWwbTJ34/s1024/switch2mini.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="nintendo switch 2 concept" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQDdFoFL8sKVKb_ECV9FMn2NA_IZ8jFx4Dsom9aYanVnytlHiWgp55-Yc_OFR48czWKzkoG_f3M9i2GGx7iZEdpwdrQ_CYe3QTSRZIxOOJJCYeZQiG28Gxg4CD8C5y7evcsPu1IFFfncUgqXZrxNd4-xFM39aOFY3-uqgv2Fzx6_MzmqgZU_bWwbTJ34/w640-h640/switch2mini.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>An early 2025 launch, as the chatterers opine, would allow Nintendo to clear the current supply chain and stock of existing systems, with a strong sale effort to goose the 2024 holiday season. Then it can head into the second half of the decade with a more powerful Switch offering to drive NG Mario, Zelda et al (and fix the JoyCons!). </p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Xbox Wants to Play Big</h4><p>Which leaves Xbox struggling on where to head next with low hardware sales but a monster roster of developers across PC and other hardware. There's a modest chance of them coming out with a dedicated portable, even if its really just a rebranded Steam Deck with Surface stylings. </p><p>One that gives them more ways to sell Game Pass subscriptions. That makes sense, given Microsoft's strong foray into powerful Surface devices, and they could go all-in on some future all-screen or (apologies again for this terrible AI render but I do love the militaryian look!) </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPgJiMa4I6RdlaphSnLCXATjr53mO7QJSooAIxOfGtT6L4Ey08IzmvYmmcTwMSu3wsJLtnzN2VVPp9um4jf4QYG-k_IQ1SZoh4EsSxdiuaZeAnq8RCNWTC0oUrNtzgmlbYhrizajT5EDJQlrtQKyBkc4n3Uqn_UEdDuRIDtgvTuSb-yFXB4b55Jn3ty4/s1024/xbox_portable.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="xbox portable concept" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPgJiMa4I6RdlaphSnLCXATjr53mO7QJSooAIxOfGtT6L4Ey08IzmvYmmcTwMSu3wsJLtnzN2VVPp9um4jf4QYG-k_IQ1SZoh4EsSxdiuaZeAnq8RCNWTC0oUrNtzgmlbYhrizajT5EDJQlrtQKyBkc4n3Uqn_UEdDuRIDtgvTuSb-yFXB4b55Jn3ty4/w640-h640/xbox_portable.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>In summary, 2025 and beyond could easily see a revival in portable gaming, as the big three try to position their console offering for maximum effect to attract new developers and broaden their base. </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Sony has the least to win as long as it dominates big-screen console sales, but won't want to be caught out by where Nintendo goes with Switch 2.</li><li>Nintendo is likely to stay in its happy mushroom-bordered lanes while broadening the appeal of any future device and expanding the platform roster ala 3DS/XL/2DS/minis/STB. </li><li>And Microsoft has the budget and the developer power to do something expressive to shake up the market, if it has the aggressive will to outflank the corporate bean counters. </li></ul><p></p><p>All of this in a landscape packed with portable PC and Android gaming devices. Whatever happens, once we get past the gossip phase, it is going to fun, so stick around for the ride! Until then, I'm waiting for the PlayStation Portal to get back in stock and for MS and Nintendo to shock us with something amazing! </p>psp2rounduphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13270859072040698516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427124642621740084.post-12981510687293854512024-02-16T20:48:00.007+00:002024-02-26T22:41:27.715+00:00Evercade goes 64-bit with Piko Collection 4 <p>Cranking up through the generational console gears, Evercade moves past the few PlayStation 32-bit releases into Nintendo 64 territory with Glover as part of the Piko Interactive Collection 4. Hopefully representing the start of a new stream of releases, Glover leads the new Piko Collection out in April, another great bag of gaming history. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0TSriykcOJKo91-5xZZMjKS9H1DckpUJqZWYj7fBkoOEKEyWTgEJmMAJdRrIul_T8hdCRlAXvsF7huK06bq-9t5Iqvd9jMj0bs_oFxdvToEvIGQY_VdrQSh_nE91yRhjUvc5Xz_lqJdOksGe8KwjPhVRTWMsoMWA-Wk0-oYcWr2xbmnc5YA93P6vKsk/s320/glover.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0TSriykcOJKo91-5xZZMjKS9H1DckpUJqZWYj7fBkoOEKEyWTgEJmMAJdRrIul_T8hdCRlAXvsF7huK06bq-9t5Iqvd9jMj0bs_oFxdvToEvIGQY_VdrQSh_nE91yRhjUvc5Xz_lqJdOksGe8KwjPhVRTWMsoMWA-Wk0-oYcWr2xbmnc5YA93P6vKsk/w640-h480/glover.png" width="640" /></a></div><p>Coming hot on the heels of news about <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2024/02/sunsoft-collection-2-coming-to-evercade.html" target="_blank">Sunsoft Collection 2</a>, Piko 4 packs in British-developed Glover from Interactive Studios alongside Risky Woods, Target Renegade, Zero Tolerance Underground, Mermaids of Atlantis, Street Racer, Skuljagger, Star-X, The Fidgetts and Bad Street Brawler. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifquSgilRR4WnKqGFC0TTyuhAicOx0IS98FwRh5cLcJALBulu0lwd0D-Pvyo_hDivQuJH5DGDmWySPsDZhJIMS7SapcwbvRoQiqn53g754Sm0QECHrDiWQb_p1B5IQOX47zvD0TEQ8x_8FV8G9QP1asUm9W3mHJheBNGV2t9V2mFyW7T3JUqLLvzZQ2l4/s630/Screenshot%202024-02-16%20203444.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="630" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifquSgilRR4WnKqGFC0TTyuhAicOx0IS98FwRh5cLcJALBulu0lwd0D-Pvyo_hDivQuJH5DGDmWySPsDZhJIMS7SapcwbvRoQiqn53g754Sm0QECHrDiWQb_p1B5IQOX47zvD0TEQ8x_8FV8G9QP1asUm9W3mHJheBNGV2t9V2mFyW7T3JUqLLvzZQ2l4/w200-h133/Screenshot%202024-02-16%20203444.png" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5mEsOGRCw-VT3SblzVQAZ168cWwXq_qm2w29uOf4fdMi2tCx6hzfxOILMlNECQQXwI8qnUvGUmADpFwaBfAGKqlPfMpblQlHvOyO3xI0BxFiq_jddV6mUxBknwe0jjTcf1fLZWnnRDkFeg7lefJAghUL3cu-VWa-TKhncHM2mHC8KkS1bjTFvAQuQ60/s557/Screenshot%202024-02-16%20204025.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="557" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5mEsOGRCw-VT3SblzVQAZ168cWwXq_qm2w29uOf4fdMi2tCx6hzfxOILMlNECQQXwI8qnUvGUmADpFwaBfAGKqlPfMpblQlHvOyO3xI0BxFiq_jddV6mUxBknwe0jjTcf1fLZWnnRDkFeg7lefJAghUL3cu-VWa-TKhncHM2mHC8KkS1bjTFvAQuQ60/w200-h145/Screenshot%202024-02-16%20204025.png" width="200" /></a><br /><br /></div><p>Star-X also looks pretty hot in a Zero Wing vein, originally gracing the Game Boy Advance, and wheel-banging fun with Street Racer also seems like a must play. </p><p>In Glover, players must bat or guide the ball along with the disconnected titular hand, with a variety of moves to tackle the tricky courses. The <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/search?q=Piko" target="_blank">previous Piko collections</a> have all had their moments, so here's hoping the other games stand up!</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/az_65CjAswk" title="Evercade - Piko Interactive Collection 4 - Trailer" width="966"></iframe>
<div><br /></div><div>Naturally the arrival of Glover leaves me wondering what other N64 goodness is out there in publishable form. Doom64 has been around the platforms recently, the Extreme G and San Francisco Rush series would be cool too. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then, there's how far the Evercade hardware can be stretched? Cough *Jaguar* and its "64-bits" anyone? Maybe even the Sega Saturn if they make carts big enough? </div><div><br /></div><div>I realise that Glover has already been released by Piko as a HD remaster on pretty much every recent platform, so it isn't perhaps the massive catch that Evercade is hoping for. Still, there's plenty of room for overlooked retro greatness in future collections. </div>psp2rounduphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13270859072040698516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427124642621740084.post-20609084611779619552024-02-15T22:51:00.005+00:002024-02-16T11:41:03.121+00:00Resistance Retribution fights from PSP to PS5<p> After something of a lull, PlayStation's library of essential PSP games are on the move to modern platforms again. This month with Bend Studio's mighty Resistance Retribution landing on PS4/PS5 for PlayStation Plus subscribers (or those that own the PSP digital original). </p><p>If this news sounds familiar, RR was mentioned among the first of the tweaked PSP games for the <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2022/05/resistance-retribution-another-psp-hit.html">then-newly-upgraded PS+ service</a> almost two years ago. </p><p>Notable for its Infected mode working in tandem with Resistance 2 on the PS3 when you linked them up (something the Vita's Resistance Burning Skies tried a similar trick with Near mode), Retribution was a powerhouse on the PSP, even without dual sticks (but you could play it with a DualShock through the PS3 link). </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj547wYlu3gHeLTMd9jh4s0nwcPWFHA3EIZRRTttpTsLDhizB2S6ovnJ4pSqL6-ODNtGuHFNx1118w5vwin-N4K2FLbkCQsrETLYIO6SnSrirKOg-qMtzBqmcfzdw1fExWnZAe2eUfNYMIR6LvzVUfymmb0nsdalPzojt1uqj6sGuVrb-vvZL-LNI4gGyg/s854/retib.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="854" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj547wYlu3gHeLTMd9jh4s0nwcPWFHA3EIZRRTttpTsLDhizB2S6ovnJ4pSqL6-ODNtGuHFNx1118w5vwin-N4K2FLbkCQsrETLYIO6SnSrirKOg-qMtzBqmcfzdw1fExWnZAe2eUfNYMIR6LvzVUfymmb0nsdalPzojt1uqj6sGuVrb-vvZL-LNI4gGyg/w640-h360/retib.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Retribution moved the series to Paris where British army chap-hero James "Oh, bollocks!" Grayson takes it to the alien Chimera invaders. Boosted with the power of upscaled visuals, DualSense controls, on-the-fly saves, rewind and it should have trophies, but no listing yet (update: Bend has confirmed trophies including a Platinum). Resistance Retribution will pop up on PS+ next week (20th February), or you can buy it on the Vita store now for around $/£/€7. <p></p><p>Unlikely that the multiplayer modes (which officially went offline back in 2015) will make it through the edit, but we'll see. </p>psp2rounduphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13270859072040698516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427124642621740084.post-25052609488543160162024-02-14T10:57:00.006+00:002024-02-14T10:58:53.498+00:00Playdate handheld now on general sale <p>The funky little Playdate handheld from Panic has finally caught up with the 70,000 preorders for the unique gaming gadget. Now available on general sale for $199, it comes with 20 games and a library of 130+ unique titles to buy, typically for just a few bucks. They look great fun and/or make use of the winding mechanism for some unique experiences. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYQAP5Goc9wwVLgtl7LATZXPzPPRUenJVifp3_xF46Ba0MHR4Jz3i3R3ewZLgbRbtlbLnTohqFkkK4fdSCl3hO3Us9aciK1uwwF2euZOQJOHr_HlkOsxOfd4ivdDjHR6TIS3-760HXvqvUKJlzoluR7LmU55PaXLSAL7AcoDiqu26vxt8RhZStAkXMC0/s3412/playd.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="3412" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYQAP5Goc9wwVLgtl7LATZXPzPPRUenJVifp3_xF46Ba0MHR4Jz3i3R3ewZLgbRbtlbLnTohqFkkK4fdSCl3hO3Us9aciK1uwwF2euZOQJOHr_HlkOsxOfd4ivdDjHR6TIS3-760HXvqvUKJlzoluR7LmU55PaXLSAL7AcoDiqu26vxt8RhZStAkXMC0/w640-h360/playd.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The Playdate features a 168 MHz Cortex M7 core with 16MB of RAM and 4GB storage, with about eight hours of gaming per charge. It is a dinky 76 × 74 × 9 mm and has WiFi with Bluetooth listed as coming soon.</p><p>Check out the blog for a <a href="https://news.play.date/" target="_blank">strong roster of regular game</a> releases. Orbo is one recent example, <a href="https://thermayio.itch.io/orbo" target="_blank">out today</a>, and Pullfrog, coming next week. Some games are coming over from the Itch.io platform, but all showing off the unique charm of the Playdate system and the skills of the indie dev crews working with it. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFl1NV1FLqmYOgNeq2t9k6WZrY4Eey9_tKkrUtqOZlYmjUIJN_lE2yAIyeabcLYiaZvn_LLOk9ZSQq8yYZqDk6211XuXEHXgrNf3vQbEANgen7ec19p3yd-bWPuXR7RFcpqo5vvkMX1LoBEFGC99-JNIzmYeGq0VSCp0uWNXk9gxN3ztSCbP1QZtt6gzw/s400/9xdHrB.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFl1NV1FLqmYOgNeq2t9k6WZrY4Eey9_tKkrUtqOZlYmjUIJN_lE2yAIyeabcLYiaZvn_LLOk9ZSQq8yYZqDk6211XuXEHXgrNf3vQbEANgen7ec19p3yd-bWPuXR7RFcpqo5vvkMX1LoBEFGC99-JNIzmYeGq0VSCp0uWNXk9gxN3ztSCbP1QZtt6gzw/w400-h240/9xdHrB.gif" width="400" /></a></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8iFSSRNSPOl1U_cJW1QhTzTUnIeECyEGAzKZcHqxnc_61R53v5g1n_RsiZ6fSRPR6igCs09wdfORGA16wIX48RxyjI-ae7iOmIyTGNtAGLLSR8swrK8mIIMn_Ve7u6015f0RO_aOUjW_9czat35MkB9mOTXzxebBdbLwNI17tlwq1TKnLU3IrN16WHw/s1600/t2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8iFSSRNSPOl1U_cJW1QhTzTUnIeECyEGAzKZcHqxnc_61R53v5g1n_RsiZ6fSRPR6igCs09wdfORGA16wIX48RxyjI-ae7iOmIyTGNtAGLLSR8swrK8mIIMn_Ve7u6015f0RO_aOUjW_9czat35MkB9mOTXzxebBdbLwNI17tlwq1TKnLU3IrN16WHw/w400-h240/t2.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Congrats to all at Panic, and here's to a big future for the little yellow box of fun! There's about between 1-3 weeks delivery time for the units, with more countries being added to the destination list regularly, so get in the queue before these sell out (but more are on the way)! </p>psp2rounduphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13270859072040698516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427124642621740084.post-58171018965265514902024-02-12T14:11:00.003+00:002024-02-13T11:52:20.423+00:00Sunsoft Collection 2 coming to Evercade<p>Arriving in April, Evercade's next set of collections are breaking cover with Sunsoft Collection 2 going live for pre-orders on February 29th (it being a leap year and all, why not make use of the extra day) with Aero 2 likely the most well known title.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYbFw8AWAadbQ86wCrfv9HNnnqU1CKiPOM3-fTI0_eYeQ_RYzzWDbANgF6Ne3eLk2MpIE8SifHSBT-XYt0I-lyrlqBs_VJc6ANxTGsjkEt-ofmqF769tfWiFuKfAOBEe9ot0Y_opWCihLQON3AYxuQjcZSZImCZE3Zb8mEi8Slf4PD9c8WQiUZNpzIziw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="930" data-original-width="1499" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYbFw8AWAadbQ86wCrfv9HNnnqU1CKiPOM3-fTI0_eYeQ_RYzzWDbANgF6Ne3eLk2MpIE8SifHSBT-XYt0I-lyrlqBs_VJc6ANxTGsjkEt-ofmqF769tfWiFuKfAOBEe9ot0Y_opWCihLQON3AYxuQjcZSZImCZE3Zb8mEi8Slf4PD9c8WQiUZNpzIziw" width="320" /></a></div><br />Sunsoft Collection 2 includes seven classic titles, a touch heavy on the platform/puzzle side, from Japan across Game Boy, NES and 16-bit consoles featuring:<p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Aero the Acrobat 2</li><li>Blaster Master: Enemy Below</li><li>Daze Before Christmas</li><li>Galaxy Fight Universal Warriors</li><li>Pri Pri Primitive Princess</li><li>Ufouria The Saga</li><li>Zero: Kamikaze Squirrel</li></ul><div>Certainly a list of never-played's and unknowns for me, but that's what makes Evercade releases such a fun event to look forward to. </div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="544" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7VneIPdKp6s" title="Evercade - Sunsoft Collection 2 - Trailer" width="966"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>More news to come from our favourite legit retro platform soon, </div>psp2rounduphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13270859072040698516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427124642621740084.post-86281777651094129312024-02-01T22:27:00.003+00:002024-02-14T11:53:28.333+00:00Tokyo Xanadu eX+ rises up on Switch via Aksys<p>Falcom's <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/search?q=tokyo+xanadu" target="_blank">Tokyo Xanadu on the Vita</a> was a struggle for me, falling flat in characters, enemies and tone compared to the might of Persona 4 Golden. Will Tokyo Xanadu eX+ fare better on the Switch, with a June launch coming for the uprated title with a fresh localisation? </p><p>The action role-playing game comes to western Switch consoles thanks to Aksys who announced a raft of titles on their <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2050115576" target="_blank">Twitch livestream</a>. They only showed the anime trailer, so don't get too excited, and the sweet looking physical release. Apart from the new localisation, I'd guess it is the same as the PS4 update to the Vita original. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JCBWKj9TwUb_u0qvl6mdf4T3-Fs03g8sThls0yeuQ5JZrAfuaE4HaYAac1nuIdtPjk8gVQrVcUzZp0-GT8PU7wG2DG4OOFigqNTEfvOeRIcp-Ycp1Tj_9ah8eF3_XgUzgpH7c6rciVCNoS2yo7P9jEFYjsioKtBk1CKFIWSMQZ0b5MNY-aO9CmWMF-A/s1252/Screenshot%202024-02-01%20221819.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="1252" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JCBWKj9TwUb_u0qvl6mdf4T3-Fs03g8sThls0yeuQ5JZrAfuaE4HaYAac1nuIdtPjk8gVQrVcUzZp0-GT8PU7wG2DG4OOFigqNTEfvOeRIcp-Ycp1Tj_9ah8eF3_XgUzgpH7c6rciVCNoS2yo7P9jEFYjsioKtBk1CKFIWSMQZ0b5MNY-aO9CmWMF-A/w640-h302/Screenshot%202024-02-01%20221819.png" width="640" /></a></div><p>Tokyo Xanadu starts a decade after a colossal earthquake devastated the city, which has since been rebuilt. "However, behind the veil of this newly rebuilt metropolis lies another world, one with a sinister secret. The earthquake that originally destroyed Tokyo was actually caused by the emergence of a mysterious and lethal shadow world known as Eclipse. Now, action must be taken to thwart the legions of Eclipse and ensure the protection of peace!" As the blurb goes. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmEE-IhsPeC_L6OK6Tm0cTjtwRVyOJTfUYa7NYYjaIiqFst3LtZDrIvU1nn5MJ46Xgp8cMJ4_rLdDThZI7IjrhVXPIzQaU2IjwIV5IeelVT51GdKMG3Fa4TN07eAJTrQFF04Q7kQskuUkVqI__ljiXP4A5MK_kOhrlcgwQN1k0yMaecZ9jbKaoN9SnK0/s938/tzbox.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="938" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmEE-IhsPeC_L6OK6Tm0cTjtwRVyOJTfUYa7NYYjaIiqFst3LtZDrIvU1nn5MJ46Xgp8cMJ4_rLdDThZI7IjrhVXPIzQaU2IjwIV5IeelVT51GdKMG3Fa4TN07eAJTrQFF04Q7kQskuUkVqI__ljiXP4A5MK_kOhrlcgwQN1k0yMaecZ9jbKaoN9SnK0/w640-h420/tzbox.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Maybe now I've got Persona out of my head, I can enjoy with a fresh mind. Looking at <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2015/10/tokyo-xanadu-gameplay-beating-boss.html" target="_blank">some Vita gamplay</a>, hopefully they've tidied up the really annoying battle "yips" and "hups" too! </p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>psp2rounduphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13270859072040698516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427124642621740084.post-28163267909242940832024-02-01T22:01:00.019+00:002024-02-19T13:27:28.402+00:00New Vita successor rumours, bright specs, dim idea<p>On the same day Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari rumours rampaged across the net, us portable gaming types got our own top-level gossip. However, while the F1 champion's move is now confirmed, it could be years until we hear anything, if ever, about a proper PSP or Vita successor. </p><p>The "evidence" comes from a tech-led article on <a href="https://wccftech.com/new-playstation-handheld-amd-18-cus-1-8-ghz-gpu/" target="_blank">a website</a>, based on a leak discussed in a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0s0Usfg__g" target="_blank">YouTube video</a> (around the 13 minute mark). But when you hear phrases like "early development", "apparently planning" and "hasn't been greenlit," you know that us Sony portable fans are likely on a hiding to nothing. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKzUijFytbTMf7VRsHHVbBcoMrfzJ_Ej6OAkhOzWyHCvBRvlwZ_r5Ki3e2NnjnnIXCk9ezkfJf7UgobbyPbumTSWYFD_gczJC44Vkkn9nhxXyPa5P67b1cM1ACnKO1VzpyIjhD0hWZ0o-9hx36sb0AVBsy_8iXfXipeKfqc5RZmxiMZrJRZinqmV0jO4/s1500/psv2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="PlayStation Vita Future" border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="1500" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKzUijFytbTMf7VRsHHVbBcoMrfzJ_Ej6OAkhOzWyHCvBRvlwZ_r5Ki3e2NnjnnIXCk9ezkfJf7UgobbyPbumTSWYFD_gczJC44Vkkn9nhxXyPa5P67b1cM1ACnKO1VzpyIjhD0hWZ0o-9hx36sb0AVBsy_8iXfXipeKfqc5RZmxiMZrJRZinqmV0jO4/w640-h258/psv2.jpg" title="A PlayStation Portal at a jaunty angle" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Whatever any possible future Vita/Portable looks like, </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>practicality says it can't be too far from the Portal</i></div></i><p>The silicon mentioned, based on the leaks out of AMD is an 18-compute-units core processor running around the 1.8GHz mark. Enough grunt to run PS4 games and perhaps patched low-res PS5 titles locally instead of streaming them to the PlayStation Portal. </p><p>Further gibberings suggest the next-next generation portable will come out around the time of the PlayStation 6 for the Japanese market, so there's years worth of roadmap changes, battery tech and screen advances (yumm, <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2020/10/mini-led-screens-would-brighten-up.html" target="_blank">MiniLED</a>) to come before any decisions (or not) are made. </p><p>With Xbox <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2024/02/psp2-switch-2-and-xbox-portable-bright.html" target="_blank">possibly working on a portable system</a> and future generation Steam Decks and endless generic handhelds on the way, the market is chaotic and pushing up the power curve. That likely removes the need for a reasonably-priced, broad-audience, system where the Nintendo, PSP and Vita found their fans over the years. </p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Processing Power on the Go</h4><p>AMD's latest mobile chipsets, as part of the Ryzen 8000 range, include a 16-core Zen 4-powered Dragon Range with an RDNA 3 graphics core. Can thermal wizards cram one of those into a portable without the plastic melting? Downclock it enough and thermals shouldn't be a problem. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvp-YXAoOOUMeuoG9hoPyzOTbXAn1baMLKcipFWS3SL8tSjFjFO0iO4xAU9DcmYTze5jVPvSstCRwLJIbuocSfQ3uf_1i2FuFV0SVmzb9WliBRYHEQ5SWRUIUp_9iV3fpZ3uHnaM6hjGL-rTkO_z2bnm4LZShWN7UQ9fJhmuozB5kTpATe0sdi9rJGeYw/s2560/zen5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="AMD Ryzen zen 5" border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="2560" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvp-YXAoOOUMeuoG9hoPyzOTbXAn1baMLKcipFWS3SL8tSjFjFO0iO4xAU9DcmYTze5jVPvSstCRwLJIbuocSfQ3uf_1i2FuFV0SVmzb9WliBRYHEQ5SWRUIUp_9iV3fpZ3uHnaM6hjGL-rTkO_z2bnm4LZShWN7UQ9fJhmuozB5kTpATe0sdi9rJGeYw/w640-h340/zen5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>With even zippier, denser, Zen 5 chips taking flight later this year, that would put any future portable in the realms of competing against a third-generation Steam Deck, rather than an mass-market affordable, family-friendly gaming box. And getting the price down to mass-market levels would be some unholy magic. </p><p>Then there's RAM, with Steam Deck packing 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM. Memory performance is making tiny increments, so there's not too much to worry about here, but the more on-die memory there is, the smaller the overall package.</p><p></p><p>AMD definitely has the power and resources to find a portable sweet spot for any future Sony hardware. So let the tinkering commence, and let's not talk about this for about three years until there's something more solid to discuss! </p>Even then, developers are unlikely to code specific titles for a niche gadget (based on Vita sales) when the could just release PS4 and pruned PS5 games. Most of the devs that the Vita inspired to publish on console have long since gone multi-platform. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniz8nUPNLBPR1CYUEXd5Naae3NSrRA2fWIZi-9rr5iGiqLYvtXR8Ck21GTAjzL87NBKuAGMs-zgSO1NIZsPkvEQE1F8tcOEhF1FyyRuiDrmBGvg8NE56N8pgpJqiXBa0WH9FdqrTUPjY_5U8IPfBzhS-XjHm7ivrX-kG2mkahxTq8OU7DGiAFJ00YpG8/s960/wifi7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="WiFi7 router" border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="960" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniz8nUPNLBPR1CYUEXd5Naae3NSrRA2fWIZi-9rr5iGiqLYvtXR8Ck21GTAjzL87NBKuAGMs-zgSO1NIZsPkvEQE1F8tcOEhF1FyyRuiDrmBGvg8NE56N8pgpJqiXBa0WH9FdqrTUPjY_5U8IPfBzhS-XjHm7ivrX-kG2mkahxTq8OU7DGiAFJ00YpG8/w640-h216/wifi7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><div><br /><div>That makes any further device questionable, especially as PlayStation could add new features to the Portal through firmware upgrades over time to build up the temptation factor, including PS+ streaming, all-new services and access to other stores (given Apple is having to open their walled garden up). And with <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2023/05/the-morning-after-project-q.html">WiFi 6 in the PS5</a> and WiFi 7 routers (<a href="https://www.msi.com/blog/what-is-wifi-7" target="_blank">MSI has a good tech explainer</a>) starting to ramp up, the current streaming gremlins some Portal owners have could soon be ironed out, even as <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2023/11/playstation-portal-out-in-not-wild.html" target="_blank">many owners are quite happily streaming</a> from anywhere. </div></div></div>psp2rounduphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13270859072040698516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427124642621740084.post-69885333835530595692024-01-05T15:29:00.004+00:002024-01-05T15:29:39.927+00:00Japanese Vita hit Gnosia finally arrives on western PlayStation<p>At the end of the Vita's Japanese official life (2019), Gnosia, a social RPG cum visual novel - see <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2019/05/gnosia-tells-tales-of-fake-humans-in.html" target="_blank">"Gnosia tells takes of fake humans in space"</a>, did pretty good business and attracted lots of attention with its vibrant visuals and space-faring ladies. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://sce.scene7.com/is/image/playstation/jp0188pcsg01277_00gnosiaoriginaled_banner?$JAcat_BnrL$" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="257" data-original-width="800" height="257" src="https://sce.scene7.com/is/image/playstation/jp0188pcsg01277_00gnosiaoriginaled_banner?$JAcat_BnrL$" width="800" /></a></div><br /><p>Gnosia got <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2020/04/gnosia-highlights-power-of-vita.html" target="_blank">great reviews</a> and was the last Vita minor hit of any note. Based on that success, it crept to other formats slowly, and then came west on the Switch. But only now is it available to the west on PlayStation and Xbox for around £/$25. </p><p>Gnosia comes our way digitally via Playism and Japanese developer Petit Depetto. Your goal is to socially deduce who's the alien among the human crew on a craft drifting through deep space. </p><p>The game plays in a loop, with one death every night, creating plenty of opportunity for interrogation and investigation. The suspects must be put into a cold sleep to identify them. Or, you can play as the Gnosia and try and get rid of the meatbags. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7umt6wuYxSCau_niyWwg_oqJ-cMxElWqEXdbVb0azSG5MefoFWmcv58yYyfPRn89Ha4Q0q9kpeYbkO27Vxq3hQNnhd87nTORgX2tcA48_95-VuoliMsnKlPcr2G71Dme5VB6Y9TZDjwHzsGlQaw0L2y3IVI4KVkzmOqKMHZgHTWt7TJ-XUNcP-wt_fOI/s1481/gina.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="1481" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7umt6wuYxSCau_niyWwg_oqJ-cMxElWqEXdbVb0azSG5MefoFWmcv58yYyfPRn89Ha4Q0q9kpeYbkO27Vxq3hQNnhd87nTORgX2tcA48_95-VuoliMsnKlPcr2G71Dme5VB6Y9TZDjwHzsGlQaw0L2y3IVI4KVkzmOqKMHZgHTWt7TJ-XUNcP-wt_fOI/w640-h382/gina.png" width="640" /></a></div><p>Following the routine of ship life, characters will speak and act freely depending their current role, personality traits and level of trust towards you and other crew members. Each individual comes with a bag of quirks and principles. That can result in anger, colorful debates and discussions that make each loop as entertaining as the last.</p><p>A shame we never got to play it on its home platform, but now is definitely the time for 999 and Zero Escape fans to enjoy another dose of mystery. </p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="544" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bVneoNuCgVw" title="GNOSIA - PS/Xbox Announcement Trailer" width="966"></iframe>psp2rounduphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13270859072040698516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427124642621740084.post-67798477521381839562024-01-05T09:17:00.006+00:002024-02-22T14:22:21.154+00:00Monty Mole digs his way from 8-bit to the Switch<p>Eight-bit hero Monty Mole from Gremlin Graphics was one of the many cute characters adventuring away in the formative days of computer games. Alongside Miner Willy, Kokotoni Wilf, Chuckie Egg and Codemasters' Dizzy, he would pop up from time to time with a new platform adventure on the Spectrum and C64. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdMTW441mUq9XY5mfTpcMTp6xtBpCXWYKGlwu1xOJuk3ptfR77tIAHC0zemEYLXOtOt1DW1kxZcoYt3k9JzWBH59_DujZJnYHB2lRy32KWmijns4DgXIwhDGVkF4XlpIyePmJS0hGfdXN42aUwweOIsPpVoqwf707oAeVQL-nFQ36KiYS83a5yA2b7ko/s690/monty.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="690" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdMTW441mUq9XY5mfTpcMTp6xtBpCXWYKGlwu1xOJuk3ptfR77tIAHC0zemEYLXOtOt1DW1kxZcoYt3k9JzWBH59_DujZJnYHB2lRy32KWmijns4DgXIwhDGVkF4XlpIyePmJS0hGfdXN42aUwweOIsPpVoqwf707oAeVQL-nFQ36KiYS83a5yA2b7ko/w640-h360/monty.webp" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The new Switch Monty Mole Collection, by a very different Imagine Software company and Pixel Games, brings back the three main releases, plus a couple of goodies from the vaults, all for £6.99 on the <a href="https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/The-Monty-Mole-Collection-2499315.html" target="_blank">UK eShop</a>:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Wanted! Monty Mole</li><li>Monty on the Run</li><li>Auf Wiedersehen Monty.</li><li>Moley Christmas (a cover tape freebie)</li><li>Sam Stoat: Safebreaker (a solo spin-off) </li></ul><p></p><p>The games look and play in their original format, but have some modern trimmings including a 10-second rewind, screen filters and selectable difficulty. </p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="544" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SqjGcraodsA" title="The Monty Mole Collection - Nintendo Switch Launch Trailer" width="966"></iframe> <div> Imagine is also bringing <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2020/07/atari-lynx-carts-up-for-pre-order-early.html" target="_blank">Lynx classic Chips Challenge</a> to the Switch, so looks like a publisher to keep an eye on if you are into your gaming nostalgia. </div>psp2rounduphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13270859072040698516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427124642621740084.post-70104055708556284382023-12-22T15:02:00.017+00:002024-02-22T10:04:19.792+00:00The PS Vita is 12 and powering on into 2024 <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlC3n8QzbBPbX6OidCEzrvRcjLt-qC64HuZ55U6uwGHZHkcznK3X86L3tGdQZbRAVBZDu__M8KT7PV-zNmX4y2m-thf4aQuoRGI5j1TroyXxsYR7fWyDtuk3ClNC2fBwlmg2qGtRHwXcqENPc11kYAzj_NL7wFf8geOVSrVgl0m2xeqew_lw_yvtVTV8g/s2048/12.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlC3n8QzbBPbX6OidCEzrvRcjLt-qC64HuZ55U6uwGHZHkcznK3X86L3tGdQZbRAVBZDu__M8KT7PV-zNmX4y2m-thf4aQuoRGI5j1TroyXxsYR7fWyDtuk3ClNC2fBwlmg2qGtRHwXcqENPc11kYAzj_NL7wFf8geOVSrVgl0m2xeqew_lw_yvtVTV8g/s320/12.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>Updated: To celebrate the European launch... the last time I picked up a console in an actual shop! Checking the stores for the best bargain (thanks, HMV).. Then, the joy of the tiny cases and carts, the feel of sheer gaming power in a handheld and a cracking launch line up. And made a little brighter by the possibility of a <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2024/02/new-vita-successor-rumours-nice-but-dim.html" target="_blank">true Vita successor</a>! <div><br /></div><div>Original article: The PlayStation Vita, the source of so much gaming joy, and a fair amount if ire, is 12 years old this week. It launched in Japan back in 2021, a few months later in the west. And it was great to see people sharing the launch <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=vita%2012&src=typed_query" target="_blank">Vita memories and stories</a> this week. <div><p></p><p>And the fact so many people still love theirs over a decade on shows how those who didn't bother really missed out. Now it might be an emulator stalwart, and a <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2023/09/purified-alpha-available-for-hacked.html" target="_blank">homebrew tour de force</a>, but every year of its life has been full of joy and drama. </p><p>Backwards compatibility with the PSP and PSOne make it more flexible than the PS4/5, the long library of games that have now been ported to Switch and PlayStation are another value-add, plus we still have Remote Play for PS4. And the fact Sony's design quality mean it can compete with the new <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2023/04/miyoo-mini-plus-review.html" target="_blank">Android/Linux knock-offs</a> is still impressive.</p><p>But, the vital signs are settling for the Vita. The community is slowing or at best steady, even as new gamers discover the joy via second-hand sales. So, enjoy them while we can, and thanks to everyone who has contributed to its live in both formal development, community and homebrew channels. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBae_MPjKaQas7kbzPGcyuesPtmk9H99lST86fe2cTJqcqVZ3nmrXt9zw4Xe6T7K01gohboefmUWG2BkIQAnUQYYPKJcGXHA-jF8y2RoXowOBXLRXG2FZcbADk3yNL9P4xVclX-NEVbc-XUKQTAVDFV-OioDDlutpHX75mKU7UuNXonM71VmIGwhX1N78/s400/vita_phsy.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="PS Vita" border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="319" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBae_MPjKaQas7kbzPGcyuesPtmk9H99lST86fe2cTJqcqVZ3nmrXt9zw4Xe6T7K01gohboefmUWG2BkIQAnUQYYPKJcGXHA-jF8y2RoXowOBXLRXG2FZcbADk3yNL9P4xVclX-NEVbc-XUKQTAVDFV-OioDDlutpHX75mKU7UuNXonM71VmIGwhX1N78/w255-h320/vita_phsy.png" width="255" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And now we have the PlayStation Portal (still <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2023/11/playstation-portal-out-in-not-wild.html" target="_blank">pretty much sold out</a>) to enjoy now - if you were lucky enough to get one - or look forward to - if you can get past the further adventures in bitchy snark against anything PlayStation does. With stock likely to replenish in early 2024, the Portal could be a sleeper hit given the support, if Sony keeps the marketing up.</div><p>Also, presuming Sony adds further cloud and streaming features, once it has enough feedback on the main launch and real-world performance. It definitely is hard to love with no unique content, but that's the landscape we play in today! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYHIqdKnNyk1wrl1r33KGyBma3iNdEta5lv3P8-dsBbTNp6xEzxRaXw7VkFKNHyRAXRLpHVLXUv6ZZRwCW6QXKelLfRthQ9VKEzOd0CDdiDuOld7yHxqd9uRKcCL5VN18DiCAAE5iZCVkOMp7BiKePLI0bzz1-fXjGL5uuadjtlJaOPKPO9mIV_-xroI/s639/port.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="639" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYHIqdKnNyk1wrl1r33KGyBma3iNdEta5lv3P8-dsBbTNp6xEzxRaXw7VkFKNHyRAXRLpHVLXUv6ZZRwCW6QXKelLfRthQ9VKEzOd0CDdiDuOld7yHxqd9uRKcCL5VN18DiCAAE5iZCVkOMp7BiKePLI0bzz1-fXjGL5uuadjtlJaOPKPO9mIV_-xroI/w640-h426/port.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>So, on to 2024, with my OLED beaming away and a world of gaming to enjoy, hundreds of titles still to complete or discover, and who knows what else is on the way? </p><p>See you all in the new year! </p></div></div>psp2rounduphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13270859072040698516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427124642621740084.post-55210356926551421442023-12-14T15:41:00.005+00:002023-12-14T15:46:54.268+00:00Donut Dodo leads Evercade Indie Heroes 3 Collection <p>Donut Dodo from Pixel Games is one of my favourite retro games of the year, bringing the best of 8-bit arcade action with a few modern tweaks. Check out my review of the <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2022/11/donut-dodo-review.html" target="_blank">Switch version</a> from which the below image comes.</p><p>The manic dodo, who is actually the villain of the piece, features front-and-centre on the artwork for Indie Heroes 3. The (February) 2024 collection of games that got a free digital release on the Evercade VS and EXP over 2023.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6FmJuVjz5pAyyFdvd1fGpqjZQIA4sIQgiEL6QGOCGP9Rccd8aOHwgsaaXNNBcZJ4Uzlsn5-dG3z2ANuP0GJQJUjh7HY82AuvBluLPOJLKc9Bg0l25p03C5ckFX0PtMI6jqxK-zNdU0Py-3Uzp1L4e_EsQTYEkQ51olp6Qeu2hlx-oq5et6-WVvHm3Q/s640/dodo1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="640" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6FmJuVjz5pAyyFdvd1fGpqjZQIA4sIQgiEL6QGOCGP9Rccd8aOHwgsaaXNNBcZJ4Uzlsn5-dG3z2ANuP0GJQJUjh7HY82AuvBluLPOJLKc9Bg0l25p03C5ckFX0PtMI6jqxK-zNdU0Py-3Uzp1L4e_EsQTYEkQ51olp6Qeu2hlx-oq5et6-WVvHm3Q/w640-h356/dodo1.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Ideal for those with the original Evercade model, other games featured in the collection include:</p><p><b>Platformers</b>: Doodle World Redrawn, Magic and Legend: Time Knights, Thunderpaw, Bubble Seahorse Adventures, Orebody: Binder's Tale, and Skate Kat</p><p><b>Puzzlers</b>: Alien Cat 2: Enhanced Edition, Big2Small, Chew Chew Mimic, Bone Marrow, </p><p><b>Adventure</b>: The Little Tales of Alexandria</p><p><b>Action</b>: Chibi Monster Br4wl</p><p>Not only is a great collection (loved the original Alien Cat!), it gives smaller indie developers the chance of a physical release for their games and a broader audience. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhcvSwOQkbycQsv4QAmMc2So6iqxXfdQl5ktcAUnGSktejqQgOfu-sBuhhdVHZNJ5vogffrC8DeI3FitTFrmPO1c9Z3DtNeqtOd1XSTYWZHRYvT5j7qKhJymAOpX120OAeqcruq6gJYqz7qcwLqoI3VsugRFSeLQ3WTeJIltTmJdhzMlQXDFnh3kS45E/s405/indie3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="339" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhcvSwOQkbycQsv4QAmMc2So6iqxXfdQl5ktcAUnGSktejqQgOfu-sBuhhdVHZNJ5vogffrC8DeI3FitTFrmPO1c9Z3DtNeqtOd1XSTYWZHRYvT5j7qKhJymAOpX120OAeqcruq6gJYqz7qcwLqoI3VsugRFSeLQ3WTeJIltTmJdhzMlQXDFnh3kS45E/w335-h400/indie3.png" width="335" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bubble Seahorse Adventures is the latest digital release that has just become available for those with the newer Evercade hardware. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsr8qR5gTrDmrFLA7MU50RWYKdS37eGmLzpu35L3McQ-YJ2ZVNVwPwEAkhF0Ntey5FAxZ_orAESOMmVJaZHl89fYIzhm8kh79eaFHsT6sMvbHzFUuiZ5018U4p9pVVCtCTSVmWNCojPOGFUWkTbo-_Pwv-d1GinXibD7IQqjdsE4EzifvRm3DEvvh4TA/s1920/bubble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsr8qR5gTrDmrFLA7MU50RWYKdS37eGmLzpu35L3McQ-YJ2ZVNVwPwEAkhF0Ntey5FAxZ_orAESOMmVJaZHl89fYIzhm8kh79eaFHsT6sMvbHzFUuiZ5018U4p9pVVCtCTSVmWNCojPOGFUWkTbo-_Pwv-d1GinXibD7IQqjdsE4EzifvRm3DEvvh4TA/w400-h225/bubble.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>And here's the trailer for a quick look at each game to get a feel for them. Check out the previous editions, <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2020/10/a-quick-dive-into-indie-heroes.html" target="_blank">Indie Heroes 1</a> and <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2022/11/evercade-indie-heroes-2-collection.html" target="_blank">Indie Heroes 2</a>, both packed with fun and surprises. </p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="550" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rMD48T_ytRU" title="Evercade - Indie Heroes Collection 3 - Trailer" width="820"></iframe>psp2rounduphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13270859072040698516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427124642621740084.post-67482659190292885252023-12-12T11:11:00.020+00:002023-12-19T16:50:36.195+00:00The PlayStation Portable is 19 and still going strong<p>This blog's URL is PSP2Roundup. I started it in 2010 ahead of the Vita's (then NGP, hopefully PSP2) launch, well into the original's lifespan. I wish I'd started it earlier to ride the phenomenal success of Sony's first portable as it swept the world, topping 80 million units sold and vast numbers of games. </p><p>Sony's first chunk of PlayStation Portable hardware is 19 today, launched on the 12th of December in Japan, and I rush imported one via a friend with Japanese connections (my first ever hardware import) as I couldn't wait until almost a year later for the PAL launch. </p><p>And I still have it on my desk today, it's a bit quirky - needs to be plugged in, and takes a few tries to read some UMDs. But otherwise plays as well as the day it arrived, when PSP delivered the staggering joy of WipEout Pure and Ridge Racer in my hand. Younger gamers cannot imagine the revolution that PSP delivered. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQqjTQzxfWpxmt4BfsgeFVcKzh1n4xQU6XdqfFOjZL8QLwpqrKfiT1QCbHoGuZ-I9QuNbRuqxTvMOmzZlGzMC_USIsb1Iotolg1lB-JAL0vBf83FDsyaW0lFxaCP0Uu3JhtrHQmV-YHhmw6WaL-aDKMxgHaueUXWoE7bViDQb1QhCOWsTGfOBtD7MAUg/s4032/IMG_5357.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="PSP Ridge Racer" border="0" data-original-height="1914" data-original-width="4032" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQqjTQzxfWpxmt4BfsgeFVcKzh1n4xQU6XdqfFOjZL8QLwpqrKfiT1QCbHoGuZ-I9QuNbRuqxTvMOmzZlGzMC_USIsb1Iotolg1lB-JAL0vBf83FDsyaW0lFxaCP0Uu3JhtrHQmV-YHhmw6WaL-aDKMxgHaueUXWoE7bViDQb1QhCOWsTGfOBtD7MAUg/w640-h304/IMG_5357.jpg" title="PSP Ridge Racer Reiko Nagase" width="640" /></a></div><p>With no region lock, I could play any game in the world. The built-in media player and decent UMD movie library made it the perfect portable entertainment device for long journeys and commutes. And the easy-to-join multiplayer games from PES, Tekken and Star Wars Battlefront to (mostly) Monster Hunter drove sales, notably, wild in Japan. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDll5fc_AFooiGErPUfGeTcJ9fRniSb_KdIFpqYrb-H-_X9vIs0GFEGpXT-AaxrMxuKIZcj3tM4RBpi3fndGOZmPb8c7dIArodiFsQdttXUsxc2fod8HRCXvVKpZ06Ng6zx82Mj7F_XzXOevZda34p3uq_Puy1tXMSLIUERU4Mb0T9DLFRTfhFsrWCmW4/s2048/umds.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="UMD movies" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDll5fc_AFooiGErPUfGeTcJ9fRniSb_KdIFpqYrb-H-_X9vIs0GFEGpXT-AaxrMxuKIZcj3tM4RBpi3fndGOZmPb8c7dIArodiFsQdttXUsxc2fod8HRCXvVKpZ06Ng6zx82Mj7F_XzXOevZda34p3uq_Puy1tXMSLIUERU4Mb0T9DLFRTfhFsrWCmW4/w300-h400/umds.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">The PSP's Powerful Legacy</h2><p>Aside from new games, the PSP drove the concept of legitimate backward compatibility, bringing PSOne titles along for the ride via the digital store. It helped drive the rise of indie developers with PlayStation Minis and brought along Internet radio, comic books and TV apps for a true media experience. </p><p>And across the PlayStation ecosystem, it drove interaction with the PS3 with limited Remote Play and some interaction between games, like <a href="https://blog.playstation.com/2008/10/09/resistance-retribution-resistance-2-interoperability-and-then-some/" target="_blank">Resistance 2</a> - the one thing I wish Sony's developers had done lots more with to help big-screen gamers cross the streams. Then, along came the 2000/3000 models could support TV-out for a big-screen experience. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbv9W_K2yogx7SDgYRTFZ_HAUKbtqRbTV5fwC4lxIK6VxDP5bpAoSM2hJ8mE-FzIHz02EDmegf2Pw83w5souA3u34X7rs-wCCxI1kMaio4eDytgJUem8IGPPUO-ii2JyWk83zy_bU1tCagklz44yigyrgjxdMPTb1MmTR-x7tPL4UioMgCPzXf0BRGEc/s961/2923716549_baf713b249_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="PSP PS3 Resistance" border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="961" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbv9W_K2yogx7SDgYRTFZ_HAUKbtqRbTV5fwC4lxIK6VxDP5bpAoSM2hJ8mE-FzIHz02EDmegf2Pw83w5souA3u34X7rs-wCCxI1kMaio4eDytgJUem8IGPPUO-ii2JyWk83zy_bU1tCagklz44yigyrgjxdMPTb1MmTR-x7tPL4UioMgCPzXf0BRGEc/w640-h358/2923716549_baf713b249_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>And then there were the limited editions, bringing bright colours and designs to help drive sales and boost interest whenever a major release came along, again something Sony has dropped the ball on (outside Japan) in recent generations after <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2014/06/sony-to-retire-psp-in-japan.html" target="_blank">retiring the PSP in 2014</a>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TpaTsrV3hxm2NZM_I4PAGLx0XvznVJxugVh_8DKfQNd58aJIRlHM7_led64EbB3UrIRg3UE2mTZdFd7jv0GulwXyVT4T8-tTK13iZWbgJIzTcQVxql21xI1sy6TvCKZ66tVmv73ReIk/s864/psp.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="PSP God of War" border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="864" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TpaTsrV3hxm2NZM_I4PAGLx0XvznVJxugVh_8DKfQNd58aJIRlHM7_led64EbB3UrIRg3UE2mTZdFd7jv0GulwXyVT4T8-tTK13iZWbgJIzTcQVxql21xI1sy6TvCKZ66tVmv73ReIk/w640-h332/psp.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>PSP even had GPS and a camera through external accessories, for some pre-smartphone tourism and education apps. But the main sell was the games, and the PSP had all the big series, including multiple Grand Theft Autos, Final Fantasy, Metal Gear, Call of Duty, Daxter and more. </p><p>Totalling over 2,000 titles from the quirky Patapon and LocoRoco to a growing tide of indies and EA's sports series - all on the go, PSP was a monster. </p><p>Ever better, it introduced me to so many Japanese series from Persona and Ys, to Gundam and Hatsune Miku. And then there was Monster Hunter and its clones, single-handedly making gaming more social and interesting. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQj_40DkkyuGeB9qYptWee3Rtu0xmxa1clSTMJvs3C2iwYuNVnkFNiklbPGWesrRwCQPpe3uSc_efbbca9zltpoWQT9Uh3ndUVzumQciMjror7BA40IbIfM57JMkHDJFYX0aAS1AuemNeqd1ubTl4S_iJrSKcuWlAkta_YfnekfHL8JndC8HfqG6C7ftg/s4032/IMG_5358.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="PSP games, ridge racer, monster hunter" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQj_40DkkyuGeB9qYptWee3Rtu0xmxa1clSTMJvs3C2iwYuNVnkFNiklbPGWesrRwCQPpe3uSc_efbbca9zltpoWQT9Uh3ndUVzumQciMjror7BA40IbIfM57JMkHDJFYX0aAS1AuemNeqd1ubTl4S_iJrSKcuWlAkta_YfnekfHL8JndC8HfqG6C7ftg/w640-h480/IMG_5358.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Having brought the gaming world together, and extended the range of PlayStation to a broader set of gadget lovers, Sony may have botched the successor (or the world had moved on), but we'll always have PSP and its legacy. </p><p>With backward-compatibility on the Vita, and a new breath of life on the PS5's PSN for <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2023/03/more-pspps1-classics-join-ps-party.html" target="_blank">tweaked PSP titles</a>, the PSP will never vanish. Also, as the emulator box of choice for many gamers, sales and spare parts continue to thrive. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfwbC3-RI6J7J0oeB6zq5S32Ckmkka3FosH2UUNR_2NxXQIl4ez-0fqSzsWJI27wdGAe4ijaOz0GKltc1UsfwT7CTeASkTs0bCl8pTcun0uU45DffURUh_OIZS_8eC9bX_v33PMcwdas/s960/2021-07-02-094522.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="PS Vita PSN Store" border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="960" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfwbC3-RI6J7J0oeB6zq5S32Ckmkka3FosH2UUNR_2NxXQIl4ez-0fqSzsWJI27wdGAe4ijaOz0GKltc1UsfwT7CTeASkTs0bCl8pTcun0uU45DffURUh_OIZS_8eC9bX_v33PMcwdas/w640-h362/2021-07-02-094522.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Games may have changed or vanished, but Vita helped keep many PSP titles alive</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Today, <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2023/09/playstation-portal-preorder-trailer.html" target="_blank">with PlayStation Portal</a>, Sony might have given up on portable games development, due to the massive demands of big budgets and finite resources, but on-the-go gaming will continue in some form for the PlayStation brand for many years to come. And you can still pick up a PSP from <a href="https://www.ebay.co.uk/b/bn_7116330188" target="_blank">second hand stores or eBay</a> from £40-£500 depending on the model and condition. </p>psp2rounduphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13270859072040698516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427124642621740084.post-43493404157647953732023-12-07T14:12:00.012+00:002023-12-07T15:57:32.094+00:00C64 Collection 3 announced for Evercade <p> As someone still bashing away at Epyx's Impossible Mission on the first C64 collection, it is great to hear more SID-driven titles are on the way as Evercade's first official announcement for 2024. Bringing a mix of sports, combat, exploring and shooting, there's definitely something for all retro-heads. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MUfcwIv2iMHJGgJrnynVNqAaQ3y47B3wGX1Uo2mbEogxdIXAFywZKta7oChdBi4qxahpwoZUAfBB_KSM1SRDCV5S3bpTQ4cxejVUwv8oVuhlD6dssEX0Haz79HFQaf8i25UF-38Dqh-MlEh1RGtqkO9_SZmaH5gQB-C9tsW42AxL9OcexcmvmiUiseM/s1204/64_3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="1204" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MUfcwIv2iMHJGgJrnynVNqAaQ3y47B3wGX1Uo2mbEogxdIXAFywZKta7oChdBi4qxahpwoZUAfBB_KSM1SRDCV5S3bpTQ4cxejVUwv8oVuhlD6dssEX0Haz79HFQaf8i25UF-38Dqh-MlEh1RGtqkO9_SZmaH5gQB-C9tsW42AxL9OcexcmvmiUiseM/w400-h171/64_3.png" width="400" /></a></div><p>Evercade C64 Collection 3 represents the 6th Home Computer collection and features immense classics including Boulder Dash, Heavy Metal Paradroid, and Summer Games II. Also along for the ride are Jumpman Junior (the original was on C64 Collection 1), Cybernoid II: The Revenge, Neverworld, Deliverence: Stormlord II and Exolon.</p><p>See the <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2020/06/pinned-evercade-releases-and-rumor.html" target="_blank">full release list</a> for more Evercade home console, arcade and computer collections. Note the trailer video seems to be a bit glitchy, guess it'll be fixed soon. The <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2023/02/first-evercade-2023-carts-announced-c64.html" target="_blank">C64 Collection 2</a> was announced back in February, so hopefully Evercade is picking up the pace a little for 2024. </p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="544" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nelDwdMIGGM" title="Evercade - TheC64 Collection 3 - Trailer" width="960"></iframe></p> Computer Collection 06 arrives in February, pre-orders go live in mid-December. It also brings SuperCycle, Street Sports Soccer and Breakdance for a bit of variety, and very much a flavour of the eighties that the collection so well represents. <div><br /></div><div>An immediate thought is there are a few too many sequels to games on previous collections, and I'm sure they could easily squeeze a few more games on each cart, but otherwise looking good. </div>psp2rounduphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13270859072040698516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427124642621740084.post-32437695628910354352023-12-06T18:58:00.010+00:002023-12-07T10:16:22.587+00:00Jeff Minter's udderly amazing The Llamasoft Story coming 2024<p>Jeff Minter is one of gaming's forces of nature and his trippy experiences, let's not be rude and call them mere games, have sound-tracked and lit-up many of our digital lives. </p><p>That story will be told in full on "modern systems" soon with a release in 2024 as Atari's and Digital Eclipse Second Gold Masters collection.</p><p>Update: The full game list is now up:<br /><br /></p><p><b>Sinclair ZX81</b>: 3D3D, Centipede</p><p><b>Commodore VIC-20</b>: Abductor, Andes Attack, Deflex V, Gridrunner, Hellgate, Laser Zone, Matrix: Gridrunner 2, Metagalactic Llamas Battle at the Edge of Time, Ratman</p><p><b>Commodore 64</b>: Ancipital, Attack of the Mutant Camels, Batalyx, Gridrunner, Hellgate, Hover Bovver, Iridis Alpha, Laser Zone, Mama Llama, Matrix: Gridrunner 2, Metagalactic Llamas Battle at the Edge of Time, Psychedelia, Revenge of the Mutant Camels, Revenge of the Mutant Camels II, Rox 64, Sheep In Space, Voidrunner, </p><p><b>Sinclair Spectrum</b>: City Bomb, Headbangers Heaven, Rox III, Superdeflex</p><p><b>Atari 8-bit</b>: Attack of the Mutant Camels, Colourspace, Gridrunner, Hover Bovver, Turboflex</p><p><b>Konix Multi-System</b>: Attack of the Mutant Camels '89</p><p><b>Atari ST: </b>Llamatron: 2112, Revenge of the Mutant Camels, Super Gridrunner</p><p><b>Atari Jaguar</b>: Tempest 2000</p><p><b>Reimagined</b>: Gridrunner Remastered</p><p>More details on the <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/2236680/Llamasoft_The_Jeff_Minter_Story/" target="_blank">Steam page</a>, with Digital Eclipse of <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/search?q=atari+50" target="_blank">Atari 50 Collection</a> fame handling the careful porting of 42 titles telling Jeff's story. </p><p>The history ranges from the first home systems and the 8-bit days through all manner of niche devices (including the a Mutant Camels version for the Konix) up to his treatment of hidden Atari gems like <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2023/01/jeff-minter-is-back-with-akka-arrh-on.html" target="_blank">Akka Arrh</a> earlier this year. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mXlhWD5gcyXjxEunpCKpyAOZzgC0XZbJyX9VCTFR1e8_9Bz5DXqqtF5KC62kL7_xbPZkcmOaqoNWatcgSbtsdOeI5p5NNbkXENRI-pRx-r-Eh8StpQTKg3BPhVrsLzC_pfBSHaDy9acORxuVdNIO61kgiS5L1M9IvJUZRa8YwbbRMICb9hyL3ORnybw/s600/camels.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mXlhWD5gcyXjxEunpCKpyAOZzgC0XZbJyX9VCTFR1e8_9Bz5DXqqtF5KC62kL7_xbPZkcmOaqoNWatcgSbtsdOeI5p5NNbkXENRI-pRx-r-Eh8StpQTKg3BPhVrsLzC_pfBSHaDy9acORxuVdNIO61kgiS5L1M9IvJUZRa8YwbbRMICb9hyL3ORnybw/w640-h360/camels.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Games will include a modern re-envisioning of Gridrunner. plus legendary titles including Revenge of the Mutant Camels. Tempest 2000 (borrowed from Atari 50), Llamatron and Mutant Camels in several forms and many more. <div><br /></div><div>All of this presented in a similar way to the gorgeous Atari 50, with interviews, details and interesting dev snippets. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59PVgrrj1h7RveraNM2AXUScv1CI7rg8y8_v6laXTVhlYC9jtvgNRbfeC2dltHLRTtzsBuYOkp5VzZTCR05fy0N1GN2RnSqZwsq094KL9ttc3hqqIxZI3co6t0jWDSctmdRDzELwPHa-3W8U_4Z_AjM35Z6TrBG5Z9bv_0FGv9fIjfXxFb_zYY0QN3LQ/s600/grid.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59PVgrrj1h7RveraNM2AXUScv1CI7rg8y8_v6laXTVhlYC9jtvgNRbfeC2dltHLRTtzsBuYOkp5VzZTCR05fy0N1GN2RnSqZwsq094KL9ttc3hqqIxZI3co6t0jWDSctmdRDzELwPHa-3W8U_4Z_AjM35Z6TrBG5Z9bv_0FGv9fIjfXxFb_zYY0QN3LQ/w640-h360/grid.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Llamasoft titles were made to be played, to creep under the skin which is why Minter has endured through all the changes across generations of technology. Hopefully he gets lots of new fans through this superb looking collection. All with lashings of llamas, sheep, udders and techno-trippy beats!</div><div><br /></div><div>Personally, I came across Yak with the Llamatron shareware on the Atari ST, then PC, and then followed him across the Atari Jaguar and into the modern systems, with those silly sound effects and vocals, plus insane visuals demanding I go back and play them regularly even today. </div><div><br /></div><div>And even when not gaming, there's always a generous helping of sheepies and curries on his (now discontinued??) Twitter feed. Which is a shame, but I'm hope he appreciates the rising tide of love this news is creating across the gaming communities. </div></div>psp2rounduphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13270859072040698516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427124642621740084.post-45681629970127272502023-12-01T10:06:00.005+00:002023-12-06T10:09:52.926+00:00Atari 50 Collection gets new game DLC<p>The Atari 50 Anniversary Collection (<a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2022/12/review-atari-50-anniversary-celebration.html" target="_blank">review</a>) is one of my highlights of the year. It shows how to do the classics right, putting proper effort into making compilations beyond shovelling a bunch of games onto a disc. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5v7Ku8sfWWlmchd9ITgRzBn5uqi9Pk0Z7R9XRO6iy0q5XdDVoXAyZD-EH64TcKoA8fLI_UKXcQ44CAEzx22tekScPM_RcDIvE9F-u5HEd4ykWMcukw3qwiaEG8DCcgugTa_TdLVgMoQ0-yzD_BNwHSOAPaQg_BM2XuizQ8q31ZjKgezp9HNKSDj57v4/s1920/atari_hols.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Atari 50" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5v7Ku8sfWWlmchd9ITgRzBn5uqi9Pk0Z7R9XRO6iy0q5XdDVoXAyZD-EH64TcKoA8fLI_UKXcQ44CAEzx22tekScPM_RcDIvE9F-u5HEd4ykWMcukw3qwiaEG8DCcgugTa_TdLVgMoQ0-yzD_BNwHSOAPaQg_BM2XuizQ8q31ZjKgezp9HNKSDj57v4/w400-h225/atari_hols.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Update: The new games include:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>WWI air combat title Warbirds on the Lynx, </li><li>The impressive-looking prototype Aquaventure</li><li>Bowling, Miniature Golf and Super Football on the 2600</li><li>Maze Craze and Circus Atari</li><li>Adventure II and Return to Haunted House</li><li>2600 rarity Save Mary</li><li>Multiplayer focused Double-Dunk and MotoRodeo</li></ul></div><p>After an <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2023/01/dip-switches-and-dlc-in-pipe-for-atari.html" target="_blank">impressive feature update</a> in the summer comes news of more games via an update next week from Atari and developer Digital Eclipse. Whether they will be for the early consoles or the more "recent" Lynx, Jaguar, or modern re-envisionings like VCTR-SCTR remains to be seen. Whatever - they will be a welcome delight. </p><p>If you want to guess, here's a clue from the <a href="https://x.com/atari/status/1730247587385475254?s=20" target="_blank">announce tweet</a>, suggesting sports, shooting and corn! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHsjmFydrG6WWnfoVjvurPXwWNnS_oNOOY8r4nJY1J9mHa9Y77eL3Dh2zEhDjTOXcrIe35U0FfFTGRAMk89UB0SwC98AqZXYeYiyTVCtdIx8bZYuZ0B7EoPhnIRa0pHnGqNm1h0n7Uee4_UKipgY8HbiYqeAmn82Yue0yQrLqUxpDChBBgPRkcM3QLdA/s283/atari.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="155" data-original-width="283" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHsjmFydrG6WWnfoVjvurPXwWNnS_oNOOY8r4nJY1J9mHa9Y77eL3Dh2zEhDjTOXcrIe35U0FfFTGRAMk89UB0SwC98AqZXYeYiyTVCtdIx8bZYuZ0B7EoPhnIRa0pHnGqNm1h0n7Uee4_UKipgY8HbiYqeAmn82Yue0yQrLqUxpDChBBgPRkcM3QLdA/w640-h351/atari.png" width="640" /></a></div>And with <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2023/01/atari-dropped-50th-anniversary-retro.html" target="_blank">new hardware</a>, a new console to play the original carts, it looks like Atari is finally managing its legacy properly, rather than flogging titles around for cheap cash-ins. <div><br /><div>To lift from an earlier piece, "I would love to play the Lynx's Steel Talons and Desert Strike versions again, RoadBlasters is a must, while sorting out the Aliens vs Predator Jaguar license would mean access to a chunk of great gaming history. It goes without saying the Activision games (notably, River Raid, Pitfall and Ghostbusters) are a big black hole in this collection."</div><div><br /></div><div>So here's hoping for some great news and an early Christmas present when the DLC hits on 5th December.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs91mS6gTfKlf_bZICy0UE4xSmvQxeP82hEd4zbO-VafZW6CDndGqyh6NNdhkcqhpXNZG6vZoBMzplRA3l7FoUhHV6KEQdUYgYLp7xcglvSsWO28BM1jIV3XG3Zdv4q3SfdwkpdjKuXUzX2oYURHLaVr4XFa0DqMA2EhPj4oUTaZKHDZnVabwJgeBy/s640/morph.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="640" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs91mS6gTfKlf_bZICy0UE4xSmvQxeP82hEd4zbO-VafZW6CDndGqyh6NNdhkcqhpXNZG6vZoBMzplRA3l7FoUhHV6KEQdUYgYLp7xcglvSsWO28BM1jIV3XG3Zdv4q3SfdwkpdjKuXUzX2oYURHLaVr4XFa0DqMA2EhPj4oUTaZKHDZnVabwJgeBy/w640-h352/morph.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div>psp2rounduphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13270859072040698516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427124642621740084.post-35103895739303296342023-11-17T12:17:00.017+00:002024-02-21T17:40:00.170+00:00Full Void: The OutofTheBit developer interview<span style="font-family: arial;">You may have noticed that I'm rather in love with Full Void (<a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2023/11/review-full-void.html" target="_blank">review</a>) and the Evercade physical limited edition. The exciting cinematic adventure from OutofTheBit in the style of Another World and other 16-bit classics is a lovingly-crafted slice of gaming. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So much so, I thought it would be good to talk to the developers (as with <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2022/07/interview-with-decemberborns-eric.html">Decemberborn and Cathedral</a>) to find out more about them and Full Void's born-during-COVID tone.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Note, if Espanol is your first language, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfkvkfTulb0" target="_blank">HABLAMOS DE EVERCADE</a> has a video translation of the below interview up (Gracias, Miguel)! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mNbPQHcH9LmgBw-B_82SjhqfJRttyNX_LnndhYcj_aRCSlvC4YcWZkh_0A3UYxIA_NpiD8WL1Xxwi8W0MKIWVeIXIE4Ul6lHKIlwkXTKhdEq__lL0WJF0HvHGF7ReHdcwvb3bxUQ4UeQPNNZTU1ZCgYql_IliChNyNZqGgE2V3woHZ9jAdLT9f0vStQ/s1584/v3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1389" data-original-width="1584" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mNbPQHcH9LmgBw-B_82SjhqfJRttyNX_LnndhYcj_aRCSlvC4YcWZkh_0A3UYxIA_NpiD8WL1Xxwi8W0MKIWVeIXIE4Ul6lHKIlwkXTKhdEq__lL0WJF0HvHGF7ReHdcwvb3bxUQ4UeQPNNZTU1ZCgYql_IliChNyNZqGgE2V3woHZ9jAdLT9f0vStQ/w640-h562/v3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>First, let's get your name and role? The team size for OutoftheBit and honorable mentions? </b></span></h3></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Hi, my name is Ali Motisi and I am founder and Director of OutOfTheBit. For Full Void I was the programmer and game designer, in charge of the artistic direction for the game. </span>We are currently a studio of 6, with pixel artists Leonardo Halwart and Miles Atkinson, pixel artist and animator Tom Cullen (he joined during the last two months of the development of Full Void), Rosalia Trupiano for marketing, social media and public relations, and developer Raphael Barber in charge of porting and was involved first-hand in the Evercade release. <span>We have two other very important freelance members of our team, Robyn Powell, composer of the amazing soundtrack and sound designer Jack Addison who infused Full Void's dystopian world with its unique and immersive soundscape.</span></span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>As a developer/creator, how does it feel to have a physical copy of Full Void in your hands?</b></span></span></h3><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">There's something undeniably magical about holding a physical copy of your own game, particularly for someone who grew up in the cartridge and CD era like myself. The tactile experience of flipping through a printed manual, the smell of fresh ink and paper, and exploring the art that extends the story of the game—it's all quite nostalgic. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">When we began working on the Evercade edition of "Full Void," the entire team was buzzing with excitement. Miles devoted a significant amount of time and meticulous attention to the artbook, ensuring it captured the essence of our development journey, even including early-stage artwork. His commitment to getting every detail just right was remarkable. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">As for Leo, his enthusiasm for the special edition's comic was infectious; he crafted it with an artist's eye for storytelling, ensuring it complemented the game's narrative beautifully</span></span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnY5xXXbgTkt5x1yJYY6GvD6-a6plgHHqRn1GZn7mzdy80cR441Zwg8fZfv2OAXg3ZhV7Bu7QA02VIUqW5iVZ39qsI_x_cGnXtI5zVdfw6FWGH8DYTq3zTP61G6xtZztTZdb-1VyMPa_M6fvook_19jqFTSqSTV-WCTF6-KSepgmsbgD0SLsvIywtlWEc/s1920/breaking%20platforms.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnY5xXXbgTkt5x1yJYY6GvD6-a6plgHHqRn1GZn7mzdy80cR441Zwg8fZfv2OAXg3ZhV7Bu7QA02VIUqW5iVZ39qsI_x_cGnXtI5zVdfw6FWGH8DYTq3zTP61G6xtZztTZdb-1VyMPa_M6fvook_19jqFTSqSTV-WCTF6-KSepgmsbgD0SLsvIywtlWEc/w640-h360/breaking%20platforms.png" width="640" /></a></p><br /><p></p><span class="im" style="background-color: white;"><span><h3 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">How long did it take to create the Evercade version? What tweaks, sacrifices or limitations did you come across when porting Full Void to Evercade (or is it an emulated version?)</span></b></h3><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Porting "Full Void" to Evercade (natively!) turned out to be quite a streamlined process. Leveraging our own game engine, which we developed in-house, really paid off in terms of efficiency – the bulk of the porting was done in just a few days.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Evercade's retro hardware was a perfect match for our game. We didn't face any significant challenges, though we were meticulous about ensuring a steady frame rate to guarantee a fluid gameplay experience. The game's resolution is a perfect fit for the Evercade handheld screens, ensuring that the graphics look as sharp and engaging as on any other platform.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As for the game's size, it's a compact 48MB, with audio making up the bulk of it, so there were no concerns regarding memory constraints.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Overall, it was a rewarding experience, and working with the folks at Blaze was a highlight. Their enthusiasm and support made the whole process even more enjoyable.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><h3 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>What specific feelings/moods from your COVID lockdown experience drove the development of the game?</b></span></h3><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Our company faced some of its most challenging times during the pandemic, undergoing a near-total reconstruction. This journey deeply influenced the themes and emotions we wanted to portray in Full Void.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We wanted to be reflective of our own experiences and the world around us during the game's creation. Full Void narrates the tale of a child in an isolated, desolate world. We drew heavily from our own experiences of lockdown—a period that was difficult and unsettling for us, just like for so many others worldwide. </span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We've especially witnessed the emotional toll the pandemic took on children—experiencing isolation from their friends, the discontinuation of regular school activities, and the lack of human contact. It was disheartening, to say the least.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We believe games can be a medium to tell compelling stories and convey deep emotions, and that's what we aimed for with Full Void. </span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><h3 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Why the decision for an anonymous hero/heroine? Are you worried about the lack of buy-in some players might feel for the character?</b></span></h3><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Our choice to keep the hero's identity unknown is a choice that allows the player to project their own identity onto the character, making the journey more personal and immersive. The essence of "Full Void" lies in the protagonist's journey and the universal struggles they encounter, which anyone could face, regardless of gender. </span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Our hero is a child in a world that's both dark and challenging, a narrative that resonates with players from all walks of life, inviting them to engage deeply with their own interpretations and experiences.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><h3 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Is there anything a player of the Switch/PlayStation versions would notice as different on the Evercade (functionally or visually)?</b></span></h3><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So, the game is exactly the same in terms of storyline, puzzles and controls. Although…. We couldn’t not include some extra Easter eggs. We hint at them in the game manual!</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><h3 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Do you prefer playing Full Void on the small or large screen?</span></b></h3><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Given the resolution we’ve chosen for Full Void, a smaller screen might feel like a great fit, although to make sure console players could enjoy the game fully on a big screen, we added a CRT filter that gives the game a neater and even more retro look.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">There aren’t that many enemies I’ve come across, are there some creations you didn’t use or scrapped for design reasons?</span></b></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Oh, the enemies in "Full Void" definitely had their own little journey. We started off with enemies that were a bit too... let's say, 'human'. At some point we had you chased by an old lady with a stick… Turns out, Our first play testers tried to fight the AI-controlled grandma… So it was clear that we needed something way scarier and definitely non-human, to pair with the lore of the game. And here comes Full Void's primary enemy: relentless, instilling an immediate sense of urgency and danger, compelling players to flee rather than confront.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The enemies evolve with the game's settings - in the city, a seemingly ordinary dog poses a threat, but as you delve deeper into eerie environments like labs, the foes become increasingly otherworldly. You encounter grotesque creatures and creepy entities that seem to have leaped from a nightmare, emphasising the game's surreal and unsettling tone.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We intentionally kept the number of enemies limited. This decision was about focusing on the protagonist's interaction with the environment and the puzzles. The world itself poses numerous threats - from drowning to electrocution - complementing our puzzle-solving mechanics and hacking skills gameplay. This approach allows players to immerse themselves in the game's atmosphere, where the challenge is as much about survival and exploration as it is about facing adversaries.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><h3 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">The <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJyoJ6JNWJs" target="_blank">Robyn Powell soundtrack</a> is phenomenal, did she build it around the game in development, or provide tunes that “fitted” with your ideas?</span></b></h3><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for your kind words, which we totally agree with! Robyn was amazing and you can feel her talent through the tunes. We provided her with development builds so that she could play the game, a brief on the lore and a few references to draw inspirations from in terms of films and soundtracks. </span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">One of the major influences was the film Terminator but we also wanted the horror vibes of Stranger Things and the sonority of classic chiptunes. And then Robyn came up with a soundtrack for the first teaser trailer which was absolutely spot on. From there, we kept refining the soundtrack, tailoring it closely to the game's evolving gameplay. </span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Each track she created was not just fitting, but it also elevated the game's mood and narrative, marrying her artistic vision with our game's soul. The soundtrack is now available on our website, for everyone to listen to or download for free, in both mp3 or Amiga mod format.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Without giving anything away, are there any hidden areas or secrets for us to find?</span></b></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Yes. Oops, too direct? 🙂</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The game doesn’t have many areas where the player is encouraged to explore (better run, as we said…) but as we were putting the final polish on the game, we couldn't not add a few Easter eggs - little nods and winks that give an extra layer of charm to the world we've crafted.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">These hidden touches are our way of adding an extra smile, a moment of 'aha!' for the keen-eyed players. So, keep your eyes peeled as you journey through the game – you never know what small surprise might be waiting around the corner.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">What’s next for OutOfTheBit? Do you want to stick with retro-modern games or stretch your development skills further? Related, is there room for more tales from the Full Void universe? </span></b></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In truth, we’d love to go back to Full Void at some point. The idea of expanding its story, perhaps through DLCs or by exploring it from the perspectives of other characters you've met along the way, is something we're excited to consider for the future. </span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But for now, our sights are set on new horizons. We have now built a team boasting three incredibly talented pixel artists, and we’re already having great fun working on our next project. It's going to be a fresh take – different from "Full Void" in atmosphere and narrative, but still a 2D puzzle platformer at its core. We're particularly excited about bringing more hand-drawn animations into the mix and taking interactive cutscenes to the next level, further enhancing the player's experience.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We love retro-games and we strongly believe there’s unexplored potential in 2D games. Our aim is to be a hub where artistic and creative excellence in video games can flourish. By weaving together unique art, captivating music, engaging storytelling, and innovative gameplay, we're hoping to make a mark in the gaming world. It's about creating games that aren't just played but experienced and remembered.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Thanks to the OutofTheBit team for their time and amazing development efforts!</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXwKnsL6ESoZt6qP4LwUyeR-8x24bpLHxRVn-e1tpwpdlyYqBCrs9tjQyIYWbgavvkmTdbDS9p6nX8N37s6lbbOwl0Mt0VquqSs-BpW639hUkwDXApWTtBydQk7R8xlTIhrLaA3EHnYwXBX1r-ZoIYCQ-cKKX5TXdLMwzyP9RJl0UXSlNALGpUlcdpZ-s/s1599/FullTeam.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1599" data-original-width="1599" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXwKnsL6ESoZt6qP4LwUyeR-8x24bpLHxRVn-e1tpwpdlyYqBCrs9tjQyIYWbgavvkmTdbDS9p6nX8N37s6lbbOwl0Mt0VquqSs-BpW639hUkwDXApWTtBydQk7R8xlTIhrLaA3EHnYwXBX1r-ZoIYCQ-cKKX5TXdLMwzyP9RJl0UXSlNALGpUlcdpZ-s/w400-h400/FullTeam.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="font-family: times; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><br /></p></span></span></div>psp2rounduphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13270859072040698516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427124642621740084.post-65619388397328876482023-11-17T11:13:00.003+00:002023-11-17T11:39:23.172+00:00Prison City banged up on consoles <p>Retroware's Prison City has been delighting my Twitter feed over the last few months, teasing a breakout action retro experience. <a href="https://prisoncitygame.com/">Prison City</a> is side-scrolling shooter action at pace, full of colour and mayhem, with multiple weapons and vehicles, interesting inmates and chunky bosses. The game is out now for around £14 on Switch, PlayStation and Xbox, published by Screenwave. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqOmhM2_DIFHwts84ifiFOzOgGPivgPqyF6UcL4_WFlrzhyphenhypheng-nYyteu73RLKixO_ZSO69xsTRvGrqK6AGADhTF40xP1Q3pCAEua4__esWK82RSBqrkWciS3-7oJuuk-ZV4v4mIhTW3PVD8Vf8ClenPfhEwqfqf-Aj92TkZOFzM6W7MqXtsNAg4QrKJQw/s1280/pris1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Prison City" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqOmhM2_DIFHwts84ifiFOzOgGPivgPqyF6UcL4_WFlrzhyphenhypheng-nYyteu73RLKixO_ZSO69xsTRvGrqK6AGADhTF40xP1Q3pCAEua4__esWK82RSBqrkWciS3-7oJuuk-ZV4v4mIhTW3PVD8Vf8ClenPfhEwqfqf-Aj92TkZOFzM6W7MqXtsNAg4QrKJQw/w640-h360/pris1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Boosted by a chunky retro soundtrack by Raddland Studios, it has a later-day 8-bit NES visual style and was likely inspired by Escape from New York (but set in Detroit and without the escaping) with the whole city one big penitentiary. </p><p>Single players battle across 8 primary zones, like a freeway, factory, and, why not, a nature reserve. Each zone presents its a different attitude and layout with unique challenges. And each has nods to the "classics" from 80s and 90s action movies. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83wKTDjfTLvUFsbTOtCuPdc_5HM9jQgUS5LbceltCy3EewsmX_LAJdvOmPItCRFrpdoCxcXUMX6uHKxtptYPV4MUJsSS4eqhjtHGqBWeF9So2RKcZYGLvwuWErCuPNw3zkyQDWZy7adoMXiDtcYmajWCD3ptebBMSd1eHXxmm2NRhR0UVGZXyqKxCpoA/s1280/pris2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Prison City" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83wKTDjfTLvUFsbTOtCuPdc_5HM9jQgUS5LbceltCy3EewsmX_LAJdvOmPItCRFrpdoCxcXUMX6uHKxtptYPV4MUJsSS4eqhjtHGqBWeF9So2RKcZYGLvwuWErCuPNw3zkyQDWZy7adoMXiDtcYmajWCD3ptebBMSd1eHXxmm2NRhR0UVGZXyqKxCpoA/w640-h360/pris2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Doing retro modern in great style, this looks like a tough challenge, as the criminal element spiral out of control in their efforts to dominate the city. Check out the trailer and make around 500MB of room for this brutal pixel action title. </p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="544" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P-chEuBGr4Q" title="Prison City - Launch Trailer" width="960"></iframe>psp2rounduphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13270859072040698516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427124642621740084.post-2533332647609306942023-11-15T17:05:00.006+00:002023-12-15T16:38:30.500+00:00Review: Full Void<p>Price: Physical £17.99 Standard/£24.99 Limited Edition Evercade </p><p>(Digital: £11.99 PS4/PS5 on PSN or £13.99 on Switch eShop)</p><p>Developer: OutofTheBit</p><p>Publisher: Evercade</p><p>Players: 1</p><p><br /></p><p>Also: If you like the sound of Full Void, please check out my <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2023/11/full-void-outofthebit-developer.html" target="_blank">interview with the OutoftheBit team</a>!</p><p>Alongside the drawn-out terror of the early days of COVID, the lockdowns (or however your government approached the pandemic) did a lot of strange/terrible things to people, young and old. </p><p>Full Void is an adventure/puzzler nodding in solidarity with those who made it through those volatile and uncertain times, scared, scarred or both. Full Void reflects a real-time nightmare as, for the first time in generations, we collectively faced a dark, menacing, series of unknowns.</p><p>The younger cohorts had their lives put on pause, education twisted and social growth stunted. And they came out into this weird heavily automated/remote/AI-charged future that is painting a long series of bleak visions for their future.</p><p>This story is for them, and players looking for a reverent bow to the confident strides and story telling of 16-bit adventure/puzzle games past. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBuQPReLDPW9HAHWihSjNBQlb5EN5a1QhfdtIcHp4IAbC2_fvH0FXfwKztO1g4wifyqUfGN-xFEwJbuFRbOyj5ZDwKbemGF63zBQaQovoglC9H-Vz1U3_taNT7QqhQwri2BWWmKbgLCxmMjbCUZKeRSJE3d0f77mWnfvzhd6-QIKxmf2mqJzvagx0U8w/s1525/FV_companion-obtain.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Full Void" border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="1525" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBuQPReLDPW9HAHWihSjNBQlb5EN5a1QhfdtIcHp4IAbC2_fvH0FXfwKztO1g4wifyqUfGN-xFEwJbuFRbOyj5ZDwKbemGF63zBQaQovoglC9H-Vz1U3_taNT7QqhQwri2BWWmKbgLCxmMjbCUZKeRSJE3d0f77mWnfvzhd6-QIKxmf2mqJzvagx0U8w/w640-h360/FV_companion-obtain.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Stepping into the Void</h3><p>Full Void, (I paid for the gorgeous Evercade <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2023/11/a-peek-at-evercade-full-void-limited.html" target="_blank">limited edition</a>) arrives as our world is trying to heal. Yet one where polarising politicians are weaponising our children through hate and polemic. In the game box is a little prologue comic, echoing those sentiments, until the AIs take charge and steal all the children. </p><p>Into the game, and from out of the woods falls a nameless hero/heroine, charged with sorting this mess out. Clad in ripped jeans and a hoodie, a laptop tucked away in their back pack is their only weapon. </p><p>Across a bleak city they take their early steps, ones where cowering in terror is a perfectly acceptable survival strategy. Hiding and ducking will help avoid the robot child-snatchers on the prowl across the roofs and buildings. </p><p>At this point a hushed moment of awe for the <a href="https://www.outofthebit.com/games/FullVoid/OST/" target="_blank">Robyn Powell Amiga MOD soundtrack</a>, perfectly setting the pace and tone of this dark and precarious journey. One littered with flashbacks to happier times as the game phases in and out of the past to remind us of what was. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOfn0xSLWvpYQdjQvH1MqjrT3hydSJAH_ZZV_liANVvg1GpGtPm4sQN5sFYU07feNGCJJnsWVpm2pbb7WEIUIXPFehaQWBk4ujXx-RVzdtwBAR04oJakSq7A1lJ0NbZ8K5akvztXwLbJONz0bWK56OI2yPhRu9IW5mx68pE-2Wg-zfakAVY2hR3d2iI4/s1525/FV_pizza.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Full Void" border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="1525" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOfn0xSLWvpYQdjQvH1MqjrT3hydSJAH_ZZV_liANVvg1GpGtPm4sQN5sFYU07feNGCJJnsWVpm2pbb7WEIUIXPFehaQWBk4ujXx-RVzdtwBAR04oJakSq7A1lJ0NbZ8K5akvztXwLbJONz0bWK56OI2yPhRu9IW5mx68pE-2Wg-zfakAVY2hR3d2iI4/w640-h360/FV_pizza.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Age of the Train?</h3><div>Full Void is broken down into 48 short chapters, offering two-to-three hours of playtime across a rapidly changing landscape from the old town, through the sewers, across modern transport and to the robotic labs for the big climax. </div><div><br /></div><div>Once we get up to speed with the puzzle mechanics and the regular need to leg it from the latest threat, Full Void offers a death-laden challenge. Fortunately, in most cases, our stoic teen pops back up at the start of the screen or puzzle to try it out again. </div><div><br /></div><div>With plenty of clever shading, use of pixel light and smaller animations lurking in the background, each screen is a petite vision on the Evercade's display (with an optional CRT filter to add some scanline love). The characters are smartly animated with that slight teen gangling lope in full effect. Among all that, some clues hide in plain sight, while others you might need to squint for (or plug into a HDTV for a clearer view).</div><div><br /></div><div>Further into the game, we take control of cranes and other accessories to get around or solve puzzles. And in the second half, a useful gadget in the form of a shiny AI bot is rescued, it can follow simple sets of commands (move, trigger, climb) and has some surprising reactions to the landscape and robotic buddies. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-7rQ9kcIlv3ZSRhCCqNhzoy08GhknC5Tedc5cjBCvD7N4dQzos9_dryKhv5P2YYic2wP9z3gvLhwe3HvhKDnyFNUIT6l92Ju1PIDlBxSCpkAiQWqQJoW_JeIwMm4PZIUzq4DFiEBb3o_olx_3F5fx-6Zz2-q-Sc7beFVORo1BD2An8ppcjbJqR_Mfv4/s1525/FV_sewers.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Full Void" border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="1525" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-7rQ9kcIlv3ZSRhCCqNhzoy08GhknC5Tedc5cjBCvD7N4dQzos9_dryKhv5P2YYic2wP9z3gvLhwe3HvhKDnyFNUIT6l92Ju1PIDlBxSCpkAiQWqQJoW_JeIwMm4PZIUzq4DFiEBb3o_olx_3F5fx-6Zz2-q-Sc7beFVORo1BD2An8ppcjbJqR_Mfv4/w640-h360/FV_sewers.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Puzzle of the Teenage Adventurer</h3><div>Most of the puzzles are switch-based or require timing to beat the typical obstacles, steam, flames, rusty old platforms and perilous leaps, often in combination with being pursued by feral hounds, robots or just that nagging feeling of dread. </div><div><br /></div><div>The final steps, revealing the AI's big plan and the various parts of that system which help bring it down are neatly woven to provide some satisfaction, solace and hope for the future. For anyone who needs a metaphor for the post-COVID (or getting-along-with-COVID-and-not-dying-yet!) world, Full Void does a very good job of expressing those sentiments and is very well worth a play among all the big-name games out at this time of year. </div><div><br /></div><div>If there are any issues, the odd puzzle or run-away is over-extended, there could be a few more interactive goodies (that act as trophies in the Evercade version), and a "view interactive areas" button would be helpful if you can't see what to do. Otherwise, we have a brilliant, soul-tugging adventure to enjoy that looks brilliant in the bright cyan cartridge plugged into any Evercade system. </div><div><br /></div><p>Score 5/5</p>psp2rounduphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13270859072040698516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427124642621740084.post-52923382136156507152023-11-15T09:45:00.002+00:002023-11-15T12:45:06.500+00:00Shantae Half-Genie leads a new batch of Winter Nindies<p>Nintendo unleashed a fresh batch of indie games on the world last night, showcasing 11 new, quirky and revamped titles coming soon from developers around the world. </p><p>Leading the way, the portable gaming's and the <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/search?q=shantae" target="_blank">Vita's favourite half-genie</a> (games still on PSN, but prices pretty much the same price as eShop) is Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution. </p><p>Originally planned by dev WayForward as a GBA sequel for the GBC original (also on eShop), Risky Revolution was never released back in the day – but the team got back together recently and new/old Shantae will arrive next year with some updated tricks including a four-play on-screen battle mode.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8CFonPIBZuB0tMQDkdialsGc6BBnDt5EMZaXLwU5xG90EPFcN9MSc3VioTvI3FIVxz1AfDXUtG5V4SNgenWZduvKvBipk0wYayItUURd6IUUbVHKodq89BI4SDQ1fLliZqI0UYtqjzYmGy_ltjONiiFebBfFpANS-mw2I3z3HtzEG1x-z4UYxczCmL0/s1422/shantae.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1422" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8CFonPIBZuB0tMQDkdialsGc6BBnDt5EMZaXLwU5xG90EPFcN9MSc3VioTvI3FIVxz1AfDXUtG5V4SNgenWZduvKvBipk0wYayItUURd6IUUbVHKodq89BI4SDQ1fLliZqI0UYtqjzYmGy_ltjONiiFebBfFpANS-mw2I3z3HtzEG1x-z4UYxczCmL0/w640-h288/shantae.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Another highlight from the herd of indies is A Highland Song from Inkle, exploring the Scottish hills and lochs with music and gorgeous hand-drawn art to tell a lilting tale. </p><p>It is also a race against time to reach the sea fastest, scrambling through caves, over moors and the granite mountains that pose all sorts of challenges and adventures, with a growing story along the way. A Switch console exclusive, the Highlands opens up on 5th December. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_UfAAjICeBZKoiHjXQrpygKmu7J7j_CLBLUmD3BiFZgYaZGqMeGLcSD6vAOxdYeJwsjiguMBHsOtomJ7LprDQEHx6-bpFIdogMGqQnJti4H3Ip9kCZ5yi-nQZAGVoE4CCMn8BiFVBk-yKkIQgrwyQ1kC6TzXqkp5uTUR5BI0r1uhSH3ZM8QIe1_gxK0/s1920/high.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1920" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_UfAAjICeBZKoiHjXQrpygKmu7J7j_CLBLUmD3BiFZgYaZGqMeGLcSD6vAOxdYeJwsjiguMBHsOtomJ7LprDQEHx6-bpFIdogMGqQnJti4H3Ip9kCZ5yi-nQZAGVoE4CCMn8BiFVBk-yKkIQgrwyQ1kC6TzXqkp5uTUR5BI0r1uhSH3ZM8QIe1_gxK0/w640-h400/high.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>OuterWilds: Archaeologist Edition from Annapurna Interactive has a fierce fan base and ups the visual stakes with a 3D space system to explore, wormholes, spacecraft, asteroids and all. </p><p>It comes for the first time to the Switch, with a mystery to solve with the system trapped in its own time loop, with the original game and an Echoes of the Eye expansion to add more to the adventure. This one arrives on the 7th December. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFdF6WGXfS4kn1Cm5csvvWtojXaXzJvl2YTKdUDXkT8-vrQIi6ek-1uiI-vE_Co784vk84xF0REGxIPQcbzBkKTSw-iZTE9vubiTEP8Tywfzd7D8G7267qDIgP6gJ0jKns6FkRbM1Sjo8rtaj8sJGfKS6yw51rdoFw9ouDf-AOaSjVeMIPfH8eeT6kYY/s838/outer.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="OuterWilds" border="0" data-original-height="487" data-original-width="838" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFdF6WGXfS4kn1Cm5csvvWtojXaXzJvl2YTKdUDXkT8-vrQIi6ek-1uiI-vE_Co784vk84xF0REGxIPQcbzBkKTSw-iZTE9vubiTEP8Tywfzd7D8G7267qDIgP6gJ0jKns6FkRbM1Sjo8rtaj8sJGfKS6yw51rdoFw9ouDf-AOaSjVeMIPfH8eeT6kYY/w640-h372/outer.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /> If you want something new right now, Backpack Hero is available today, with a great take on the RPG trope of packing your gear in the rucksack-of-never-enough-room. You have to collect rare items, organize your bag, and unleash great power to complete your missions across the many dungeons underneath Haversack Hill.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2QbcdGbG0-K1wRdODozze9JwGD922plmkI-Bq6u6G6SWcPkdjrk0NVhVlZhmhtkkLfGmDsVXJClbIiFnGCGsLkEuzNU-w16DG2DkzyqUbRY9GcwlOCbC9G3HHBNdMk3Laa6ydD_wa-Z51vXOL6leVouRO1idF2unvyZGhzwqK5uBtU458CttpmkH03s/s615/back.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Backpack Hero" border="0" data-original-height="352" data-original-width="615" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2QbcdGbG0-K1wRdODozze9JwGD922plmkI-Bq6u6G6SWcPkdjrk0NVhVlZhmhtkkLfGmDsVXJClbIiFnGCGsLkEuzNU-w16DG2DkzyqUbRY9GcwlOCbC9G3HHBNdMk3Laa6ydD_wa-Z51vXOL6leVouRO1idF2unvyZGhzwqK5uBtU458CttpmkH03s/w640-h366/back.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><p>You can watch the full recap below, and the full list from the Nindies reveal is:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution</li><li>Core Keeper</li><li>On Your Tail</li><li>Howl</li><li>The Star Named EOS</li><li>Backpack Hero</li><li>Blade Chimera</li><li>A Highland Song</li><li>Moonstone Island</li><li>Death Trick: Double Blind</li><li>Outer Wilds: Archaeologist Edition</li></ul><p></p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="544" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qqrSAE06uPk" title="Indie World Showcase – 14/11/2023 (Nintendo Switch)" width="960"></iframe></div>psp2rounduphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13270859072040698516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427124642621740084.post-6620045818221554972023-11-12T12:43:00.007+00:002023-11-15T12:48:07.461+00:00Unwrapping the Evercade Full Void limited edition <p> I know OutoftheBit's Full Void is available on other platforms (<a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2023/09/full-void-fills-hole-on-switch.html" target="_blank">Switch among them</a>), but as the first <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2023/07/full-void-is-evercades-first-solo.html" target="_blank">Evercade solo game cart and limited edition</a>, this has to the format of choice. Buying the LE or standard helps support the developers and gives the Evercade platform greater cachet. </p><p>And the team at Blaze has done a lovely job of putting the limited edition together with brooding art on the slip case, the eye-popping cyan cartridge and a charming art book (although dark pics on a dark background - design faux pas), double-sided poster and a fun set of stickers. </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZzx7WepkE_bLhQAN6M-gN8nh-T3Q3Zrox64lgdhTe_FJAnhPxCQ1xZ6WKgMqSJV0xm-LIsNAH_NDMovh4QCATtvznYNWaO6-25UWHbbGIN0diulfIyQygU0CxLADxITJzRx9Mrb-ysF43Hzw-F-E2F6jpvsyUIOwA6m57pNLZ_YFobHXp8CqiKnDIQw/s2048/v1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1581" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZzx7WepkE_bLhQAN6M-gN8nh-T3Q3Zrox64lgdhTe_FJAnhPxCQ1xZ6WKgMqSJV0xm-LIsNAH_NDMovh4QCATtvznYNWaO6-25UWHbbGIN0diulfIyQygU0CxLADxITJzRx9Mrb-ysF43Hzw-F-E2F6jpvsyUIOwA6m57pNLZ_YFobHXp8CqiKnDIQw/s320/v1.jpg" width="247" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1602" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16wxed3n9-4AmzvMTvOHucUAD3rDHzBgCLapx3UJ2NPy_JnhEtGwv8k3aMjPtJUiPuvLbGqHCt83Q2Iz_3rr2R4j5zNT_qb1IMBeq26_ckyXcSjBuyHIH0qxDtLbDte-gnIn84wQkXX3XKXHvIs2PyvfB9g9CKbxHxoXwDvpe53TvryW0jqwOQXLl8z8/s320/v2.jpg" width="250" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Still haven't had time to play Full Void, but as this is the first physical game I've picked up in ages, it is an absolute delight to own, hold and browse through. Here's hoping for more in 2024 as more developers see the value in Evercade and it is recognised as a great place to play. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Update</b>: Finished the adventure now, a couple of hours of smart challenges, breath-taking/holding moments and an epic little story punctuated by stacks of atmosphere. Review up soon. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFyru-8m92YX3E3rghhxFrabdTX887ar1IYhaeMjfEvIDjQmKfXfrXgM5fGDt3lYVPZ685BHZpOzAhRlrF4za_8_nnzje2qzn-iyWsw-9FfvCL93nTdPNMUjKf2UphBpc2_8VlFAtoeRqMJwpZkfOVEXPVa14qAZjdH6hAXVL62ySuPjVQjv1Oa9Qjak/s2048/v4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1242" data-original-width="2048" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFyru-8m92YX3E3rghhxFrabdTX887ar1IYhaeMjfEvIDjQmKfXfrXgM5fGDt3lYVPZ685BHZpOzAhRlrF4za_8_nnzje2qzn-iyWsw-9FfvCL93nTdPNMUjKf2UphBpc2_8VlFAtoeRqMJwpZkfOVEXPVa14qAZjdH6hAXVL62ySuPjVQjv1Oa9Qjak/s320/v4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPhHHrbY3A4nNM8HEhn1RkfnBWgf9K44bLqNMMJ06IJB_KxavEVPK9VdgRulGErFy1K_cLYK0cJ6g9b8oW33WLYMpAXrRw6h_jqRWyJfj5HbGnHcSaEt94uT_H6I6iS1ofCo8v6jXC_tnLAiLhyphenhyphenB1aZ8yd1NhZH3O-2F2IJYucQ0okEIeXc5h9CBt4Ek/s2048/v5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPhHHrbY3A4nNM8HEhn1RkfnBWgf9K44bLqNMMJ06IJB_KxavEVPK9VdgRulGErFy1K_cLYK0cJ6g9b8oW33WLYMpAXrRw6h_jqRWyJfj5HbGnHcSaEt94uT_H6I6iS1ofCo8v6jXC_tnLAiLhyphenhyphenB1aZ8yd1NhZH3O-2F2IJYucQ0okEIeXc5h9CBt4Ek/w225-h400/v5.jpg" width="225" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16wxed3n9-4AmzvMTvOHucUAD3rDHzBgCLapx3UJ2NPy_JnhEtGwv8k3aMjPtJUiPuvLbGqHCt83Q2Iz_3rr2R4j5zNT_qb1IMBeq26_ckyXcSjBuyHIH0qxDtLbDte-gnIn84wQkXX3XKXHvIs2PyvfB9g9CKbxHxoXwDvpe53TvryW0jqwOQXLl8z8/s2048/v2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16wxed3n9-4AmzvMTvOHucUAD3rDHzBgCLapx3UJ2NPy_JnhEtGwv8k3aMjPtJUiPuvLbGqHCt83Q2Iz_3rr2R4j5zNT_qb1IMBeq26_ckyXcSjBuyHIH0qxDtLbDte-gnIn84wQkXX3XKXHvIs2PyvfB9g9CKbxHxoXwDvpe53TvryW0jqwOQXLl8z8/s2048/v2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div></div><br />If you're interested in Evercade and its various handheld and big-screen models, and the amazing collection of physical releases, <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/search?q=evercade" target="_blank">check out my news archive</a>. <br /><p><br /></p>psp2rounduphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13270859072040698516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427124642621740084.post-6574482901152903762023-11-10T09:48:00.004+00:002023-11-10T09:48:40.434+00:00New OLED Steam Deck comes to light<p> Sony were clearly doing it wrong all along. The Vita came with an OLED first and then bombed before reverting to an LCD screen of the later model. Both the Switch and now Steam Deck have shown that LCD then OLED is the way to go. Or we can look at this as demonstrating Sony can be brave if they try, and Nintendo and others struggling to catch up. </p><p>The new <a href="https://amzn.to/46oaYEV" target="_blank">Steam Deck</a> is landing the same time as the <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2023/11/playstation-portal-out-in-not-wild.html" target="_blank">PlayStation Portal</a>, with a November 16 release. With a meaty HDR OLED display, WiFi 6E for stronger streaming and online play, plus a better battery and some improved ergonomics and power management it smells luxury compared to most portable devices. </p><p>The screen size has crept up a little to 7.4 inches and adds a 90Hz refresh rate for smoother play, with a 1000 nit peak brightness to make it easier to use in brighter locations and outdoors. EuroGamer's <a href="https://www.eurogamer.net/steam-deck-oled-review-a-beautiful-display-upgrade-and-so-much-more" target="_blank">Digital Foundry</a> already has a review up for all the deep dive details!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRzXJO508U2VIMkXPdUCN4F6Il7wH70ScVCd5qIcKcVVgrDVYogKrnFQ2yvkGoKSUhP9Dtrs3aaBcuurrpc62CP1OExIlISAyMzd3yi33Zb8GFnSHjcCBsn0ERcDK8qc7zvDeLoV8Ve-SUEyIcFdAtdLtxy6-QsvmcE0RG_kJW82HC7CD4z5dVokZUuQ/s2500/oled_deck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Steam Deck OLED" border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="2500" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRzXJO508U2VIMkXPdUCN4F6Il7wH70ScVCd5qIcKcVVgrDVYogKrnFQ2yvkGoKSUhP9Dtrs3aaBcuurrpc62CP1OExIlISAyMzd3yi33Zb8GFnSHjcCBsn0ERcDK8qc7zvDeLoV8Ve-SUEyIcFdAtdLtxy6-QsvmcE0RG_kJW82HC7CD4z5dVokZUuQ/w640-h250/oled_deck.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>All of this power (driven by an AMD Van Gogh 6nm chip set) and the cool display comes at some cost, with the Steam Deck 512GB OLED model costing $549 and an extra $100 for the 1TB model. The current LCD 256GB model is coming down to $399 as an entry level model - no word on UK prices. Not too bad given the original packed in 64GB of storage. </p><p>Even so, Steam Deck is a big niche with around a million units shipped (not necessarily sold) which makes the Vita look like a massive success! </p>psp2rounduphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13270859072040698516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427124642621740084.post-73462557698429176942023-11-10T09:15:00.021+00:002023-11-23T10:55:05.337+00:00PlayStation Portal out in the wild<p><b>Update</b>: And now actual real gamers are getting their hands on the PlayStation Portal, showing off the interface's smart tricks and the future possibilities for the device including a web browser and more.</p><p>This page will focus on some of the more interesting insights as they pop up. And, yes, there's a world of hatred in comments about the Portal's current limitations from people unwilling to consider any other point of view (commence block-fest!) but this is for those that get the value of portable, so we'll ignore them! </p><p>Now people are getting out and about with their Portal, we have a couple of cool images. First from Sony Santa Monica Studios' Rob Meyer, playing from the other coast at his folks place in Florida - guess remote play works pretty well! And also what looks like a press lifestyle shot, but if you want sand in your Portal (ouch!) go for it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFVZg1-RJTNJhBXsoRnP_AK2BTUIzIpEQ33jMU4qTvK9Yn4Mhhs6dNBZEXXYAEApcwXI2_46QBX29BsG5mIi2_KfGZgKeYiCZmABlzEQFg2aaq0dZ3mMe5DRT-sEQf6X-Lvvi57v5d2fpAlkL4_8MvQ644ZUjaQvDZseG3mko00a_kjcr5JSUkByZL_4/s2139/portal_flo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2139" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFVZg1-RJTNJhBXsoRnP_AK2BTUIzIpEQ33jMU4qTvK9Yn4Mhhs6dNBZEXXYAEApcwXI2_46QBX29BsG5mIi2_KfGZgKeYiCZmABlzEQFg2aaq0dZ3mMe5DRT-sEQf6X-Lvvi57v5d2fpAlkL4_8MvQ644ZUjaQvDZseG3mko00a_kjcr5JSUkByZL_4/s320/portal_flo.jpg" width="215" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiBrGCdpWrepcGN3THylxo-4wHT3NGamRzxpmBNnadmQr2lfhpMjbLJrSZTeF-W_rcmtbd8Tbky6tZBZxwCG8s3ZwVZgrNKsHhcVkekp1mePh3XqAkMtbJJGin2MzqEJ-FWEirh-vxOkqRzd041O1GWq9bbSZo4OGHAA9Y3vcIdO6OiR2vuCBe97HReo/s680/portal_beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="606" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiBrGCdpWrepcGN3THylxo-4wHT3NGamRzxpmBNnadmQr2lfhpMjbLJrSZTeF-W_rcmtbd8Tbky6tZBZxwCG8s3ZwVZgrNKsHhcVkekp1mePh3XqAkMtbJJGin2MzqEJ-FWEirh-vxOkqRzd041O1GWq9bbSZo4OGHAA9Y3vcIdO6OiR2vuCBe97HReo/w178-h200/portal_beach.jpg" width="178" /></a><br /></div><p>And, finally, the official seal of approval from Shuhei Yoshida-san! </p><p><br /></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Playing Lies of P on my P. <a href="https://t.co/PFnT2LyUb4">pic.twitter.com/PFnT2LyUb4</a></p>— Shuhei Yoshida (@yosp) <a href="https://twitter.com/yosp/status/1726908561622761687?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p></p><p><br /></p><p>The latest big name to get on board is Ed Boon, making his the first PlayStation Mortal Portal... </p><p><br /></p><p> </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mortal Kombat 1 running on PlayStation Portal.<br />via <a href="https://twitter.com/MK_habit_addict?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MK_habit_addict</a> <a href="https://t.co/MRw23am3B1">pic.twitter.com/MRw23am3B1</a></p>— Ed Boon (@noobde) <a href="https://twitter.com/noobde/status/1726478573740126666?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br /><p></p><p>And here are some of the recent peeks... </p> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p></p><p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">I love the little zoom effect on the PlayStation Portal when you initially connect to your PS5 😍 <a href="https://t.co/D89YD19zhr">pic.twitter.com/D89YD19zhr</a></p>— David Jagneaux (@David_Jagneaux)
<a href="https://twitter.com/David_Jagneaux/status/1725039466279313415?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Some people are reporting lag as if they were expecting Portal to magically cure a well-known technical problem. Others are moaning about PlayStation's continued refusal to support Bluetooth headsets, and there are other problems that will likely be resolved or mitigated by updates and new features. <div><br /></div><div>And someone has already <a href="https://t.co/ZMUBUOSJTP" target="_blank">torn a Portal down</a> to show how easy it should be to repair. <br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Now all we need is to see Sony's marketing efforts, if any, to drive adoption among the 46-million-plus PlayStation 5 owners and all those flocking to the <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2023/10/playstation-5-slim-but-not-mini.html" target="_blank">new PS5 slim launch</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>As much as I'd love to have one, current financial pressures means no big toys for me, bummer!<br /><p></p><p><b>Original story</b>: Sony's tame press and influencers are getting hold of the PlayStation Portal ahead of <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2023/08/playstation-portal-project-q-formerly.html" target="_blank">next week's release</a>. As I haven't had a job for most of the year, I'll miss out on all the fun, but hopefully will pick one up in a few months. </p><p>The Portal is showing as sold out on <a href="https://amzn.to/3MDwgY5" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a>, but I guess a refresh won't be too far off post-launch once Sony gauges demand based on its own pre-orders and sales for the 8-inch screen £199 monster. That's assuming the Portal doesn't vanish under the weight of the <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2023/10/playstation-5-slim-but-not-mini.html" target="_blank">PlayStation 5 Slim</a> marketing onslaught.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiNP0r3fwCvZ5dh-KlN9BR1AxJw6b6e4h63eIjhLSCk0Huk1RKhZQn1ruhedIxzIgC631vvvgWuNgVz57Hf81kKhju9ZCBskNpFZ5VUoDcYcyHf-xRaw0igYZimAv6sFxD-OOpkcUajSRrz9wf1e_nJFO2x0nb-8DpZH34fdPImOQFeqv0jAdt9Sj6-4/s639/port.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="639" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiNP0r3fwCvZ5dh-KlN9BR1AxJw6b6e4h63eIjhLSCk0Huk1RKhZQn1ruhedIxzIgC631vvvgWuNgVz57Hf81kKhju9ZCBskNpFZ5VUoDcYcyHf-xRaw0igYZimAv6sFxD-OOpkcUajSRrz9wf1e_nJFO2x0nb-8DpZH34fdPImOQFeqv0jAdt9Sj6-4/w640-h426/port.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>So, until then, I'm lapping up the likes of Gene Park's tweet size comparison showing the Portal is broadly similar in size to modern devices.</p><p><br /></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">playstation portal scaled with the new Steam Deck OLED and Switch OLED <a href="https://t.co/DYvJuHtrcW">pic.twitter.com/DYvJuHtrcW</a></p>— Gene Park (@GenePark) <a href="https://twitter.com/GenePark/status/1722736436925915519?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
And his post of Sony doing its "let's pretend I'm a smartphone box..." which is just a touch dull - where's the fun factor PlayStation could have applied to the packaging? (The external box is boring PS white) <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSm971LjnQIY8sXxDaQ8OOGycGJ5DMymrYmHUcteKaRF_S5qGOPjb_q_FDjfTKHmDlWblbwb1nXyMn2Cuvam0wqD8bjqP10ug7mhwDrt0LxI6Xqfq9JshDC63_7cQwcRAb0ji8Hw03DcNVV8nh8zJLI172Vcieouo7dUPHgb0o8WJsRDZlH3yIrvVvb3s/s2048/portal_box.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="PlayStation Portal" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSm971LjnQIY8sXxDaQ8OOGycGJ5DMymrYmHUcteKaRF_S5qGOPjb_q_FDjfTKHmDlWblbwb1nXyMn2Cuvam0wqD8bjqP10ug7mhwDrt0LxI6Xqfq9JshDC63_7cQwcRAb0ji8Hw03DcNVV8nh8zJLI172Vcieouo7dUPHgb0o8WJsRDZlH3yIrvVvb3s/w640-h480/portal_box.jpg" title="Gene Park" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><div><br /></div><div>There's also the inevitable unboxing videos (Sony has a current ban on gameplay and streaming videos). The other thing that's missing is any advertising for the Portal, I genuinely have not seen a single advert for it, anyone else? </div></div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="544" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/07fHdlno38g" title="NEW PlayStation Portal Unboxing + Pulse Explore Hands On!" width="960"></iframe><div>With the arrival of the new PlayStation and expensive audio accessories, well-heeled PS5 owners will be having a great festive season, for the rest of us, yeah - umm, maybe not. </div><div><br /></div><div>I guess the true test for the Portal will come when people try it out and about on roaming WiFi, basically the only chance it has for any street credibility. </div></div></div>psp2rounduphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13270859072040698516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427124642621740084.post-3161645600580757042023-11-09T16:18:00.016+00:002023-12-21T14:14:20.576+00:00Mariachi Legends strums through its Kickstarter campaign<p>Mariachi Legends is a combat-focused Metroidvania from Mexico's Halberd Studios. It will head to Switch and Steam after finding <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/halberdstudios/mariachi-legends-a-combat-oriented-metroidvania?ref=project_tweet" target="_blank">instant success on Kickstarter</a> once development wraps toward the end of 2024 (but feel free to join in with a month of the campaign to go!) </p><p><b>Update</b>: The campaign is complete and Mariachi Legends made it through all of its stretch goals to deliver the what should be an awesome release late 2024. </p><p>It is easy to see why people want the game, mixing swordplay, Mexican food, Metroids, the world of the undead and music. I haven't even looked at Kickstarters for the best part of a year, (<a href="https://twitter.com/psp2roundup" target="_blank">let me know</a> if I missed anything!) but Mariachi leaps out as a must-play (for me). </p><p>Set in the heart of Mexico, the Mariachi Legends are a notorious and violent gang taking over the town of Santa Mascota. As local detective Pablo Cruz, who has taken a novel approach to his work by signing a deal with Death herself, he's now more than your average gumshoe. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9z0vHi4wl6YvGXteoUCaE8ty7UTklVvYZR-tjlkspq3fsw5MEv753j_sSzlSUrP7FerB1cGZc6lqXG7EpwUiFPWVDI9hj6KTyVDRJxqTU93yUkaSvTa55DGN9_AuaS5CUr30arXRuvmRQ3FGLLQv3Sdt2lhATE7Y4BqJUymUPbmGl4YMPM6Yew4OzcQ/s1920/5_MCL_Cantina.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mariachi Legends" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9z0vHi4wl6YvGXteoUCaE8ty7UTklVvYZR-tjlkspq3fsw5MEv753j_sSzlSUrP7FerB1cGZc6lqXG7EpwUiFPWVDI9hj6KTyVDRJxqTU93yUkaSvTa55DGN9_AuaS5CUr30arXRuvmRQ3FGLLQv3Sdt2lhATE7Y4BqJUymUPbmGl4YMPM6Yew4OzcQ/w640-h360/5_MCL_Cantina.png" width="640" /></a></div><p>Death has given Pablo the ability to transform into the mighty La Sombra, giving him a more even chance against the gang, and a neat mechanic for some excellent moves and combos. And everything changes by day and night as the undead rise! </p><p>In return, Pablo has promised Lady Death the immortal boss of the gang, Cacique, so that'll be a tough end-of-game enemy then! With superb pixel visuals, music and great characterisation, it will be another one along the lines of <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2018/09/timespinner-finally-spins-up-on-vita.html" target="_blank">TimeSpinner</a>, <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2020/11/review-chasm.html" target="_blank">Chasm</a> and many other slices of perfect portable gaming!</p><p>Backing the digital edition costs around £20 while a physical LE should be £37, and likely well worth the extra. Higher tiers include having your name on a headstone in the town's graveyard - a neat touch! </p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="544" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jU4Fd-UTIXI" title="Mariachi Legends - Game Reveal Trailer | PC Gaming Show 2023" width="960"></iframe> <div>Halberd's first game, 9 Years of Shadows, looked good on Steam, but there's some strong evolution with Mariachi. There's some great character art too... and if you were a fan of <a href="https://psp2roundup.blogspot.com/2012/05/guacamelee-as-mad-as-it-sounds-with.html">Guacamelee</a>, then this should be right up your calle.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7Uf-59_hIX2vJrJr_T8hUTmgPVw5YbrdDm2l6wAHPumtj1haGA2_BNe1r-pBhiEHbVZDv09PI4cMPpSETZYtO4vn4hRI2XMxxfdSduuHXf_1RfNEAdh4u2H0WzpLQgb8ZBgY6pjukV9zifrv3zRzejQxrHyfiPZb4Wjs0PRchpb0pCg5HBg_gtbbsto/s1649/4.Lady_Death.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1649" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7Uf-59_hIX2vJrJr_T8hUTmgPVw5YbrdDm2l6wAHPumtj1haGA2_BNe1r-pBhiEHbVZDv09PI4cMPpSETZYtO4vn4hRI2XMxxfdSduuHXf_1RfNEAdh4u2H0WzpLQgb8ZBgY6pjukV9zifrv3zRzejQxrHyfiPZb4Wjs0PRchpb0pCg5HBg_gtbbsto/s320/4.Lady_Death.png" width="194" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div>psp2rounduphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13270859072040698516noreply@blogger.com