Computer Games Articles

The PlayStation Portable is the latest incarnation of the Sony Playstation portable series of handheld gaming consoles. The PlayStation Portable features the following improvements over its predecessors;

Improved LCD screen
Increased colour range
Five times the contrast ratio
Half the pixel response time
Anti reflective technology for increased outdoor playability
Integrated microphone (for use with the built-in Skype telephony software)
Improved AV output for video and game playback on TVs

The buttons have also undergone some minor design changes which bring about a much more Dualshock 3 style layout, with the semi circles being changed to ovals and the home button being replaced by a “PS Button”.

Drawbacks

The new PlayStation Portable isn’t without drawbacks however. The changes in the system have decreased the battery life, reportedly by around 20 minutes. The screen also possesses a new horizontal subpixel structure which has caused the screen to show visible dark lines, similar to traditional scan lines.

Why the Changes

The goal of the changes to the PlayStation Portable is to establish it as “a viable communication device” according to Sony Europe boss David Reeves. The microphone that is now available will also open up a new world of opportunities for games development companies to make use of this new feature.

Games to Checkout

If you’re not a big gamer you may wonder what are the best games to pickup for yourself or as a present and here are our top tips:
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories 3.11 million copies sold – If you’ve never heard of Grand Theft Auto you must have been living in a bubble for the past ten years. The gameplay consists of a mixture of action, adventure, driving, and occasional role-playing, stealth and racing elements and has gained controversy for its adult nature and violent themes. This isn’t one for the kids but is definitely one for the ‘big kids’ in the family.

Ridge Racers 1.04 million copies sold – The original Ridge Racer was hugely popular and often bundled with many an original Playstation when they were first released. Namco have ported this favourite over to the PSP. As an entry in Namco’s long running Ridge Racer game franchise, Ridge Racer for the PSP shares a number of gameplay elements, cars, and tracks with its predecessors. The game features a total of 24 courses (12 unique courses and the same 12 courses reversed) all taken from previous PlayStation games or the arcade-only title Rave Racer, and 54 unlockable (fictional) cars. As you win races, you unlock tracks and faster cars.

Everybodys Golf 1.00 million copies sold - The series is well-known for its humorous look on the game of golf (including cartoon-like caricatures) and guest characters from other games, along with modes such as miniature golf and its ability to maintain a realistic engine with precise control in tandem with the unrealistic design. The series is popular with both golf fans and non-fans alike.

Wipeout Pure 1.00 million copies sold - Pure also uses the Wi-Fi ability of the PSP for multiplayer racing. The game returns to the much loved handling of Wipeout 2097 and is a sure fire hit with almost anyone, a great futuristic racing game that is surely a classic in anyone’s book.

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