Review: High marks for the PSP

[MuGen]

By Marc Saltzman
Gannett News Service

Can Sony's new PlayStation Portable usurp Nintendo's virtual monopoly on mobile gaming?

From a hardware standpoint, the PSP -- with its wide-format display, powerful graphics and mini-optical drive -- wallops Nintendo's Game Boy and dual-screen DS systems. But leading-edge hardware is only part of the equation.

Software, specifically game titles, can make or break a game system. Here, too, Sony receives high marks. Nearly two-dozen PSP titles from Sony, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Namco, Activision and Konami will arrive with the PSP.

Here's a look at five:
'Need for Speed Underground Rivals'

Racing game fans can challenge computer-controlled or as many as four wirelessly linked components on this title's neon-lit city streets.

As with its console predecessors, "Need for Speed Underground" for PSP lets you race a handful of American and Japanese cars (such as the Pontiac GTO and Toyota Celica GT-S, respectively), each of which can be "tricked out" with performance upgrades, including better engines, brakes and suspension.

You'll also find 10 unique tracks on which to race, multiple solo and head-to-head game modes and responsive handling thanks to the PSP's intuitive analog pad.
'Untold Legends: Brotherhood of the Blade'

Created by the company that introduced the popular "EverQuest" online role-playing game, "Untold Legends" is an action-RPG hybrid designed for gamers on the go.

You can play this 3-D adventure, which is populated with giant spiders, sword-wielding skeletons and cave-dwelling creatures with a dozen eyeballs, as a lengthy single-player campaign or in a cooperative multiplayer mode with other PSP owners.

As with any good RPG, "Untold Legends" features an in-depth fantasy story, customizable characters and plenty of weapons, items and magic spells. What's more, environments are generated at random, so the game play is never the same twice.
'Twisted Metal: Head-On'

Getting away with antics you wouldn't be able to in real life is part of the fun of playing video games. Blowing up the car in front of you with a rocket launcher is one example that comes to mind. Sony's "Twisted Metal: Head On" is a vehicular combat game that lets you select a vehicle and unleash road rage in a dozen deadly arenas.

Fans of past "Twisted Metal" games on the PlayStation and PS2 will recognize the twisted characters such as Sweet Tooth, Outlaw, Roadkill and Shadow, each of whom has a unique car and attack. As many as eight players can compete thanks to the PSP's integrated wireless technology.
'Tiger Woods PGA Tour'

Play as or against the world's top golfers such as Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh, or living legends Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. Or you can create a golfer from scratch, build up his or her skills and tee off against the pros on stunning 3-D courses such as Pebble Beach and the Sherwood Country Club.

The solo game modes are extraordinarily polished, as are the five kinds of multiplayer modes for wireless play. A bonus "party play" option allows up to four gamers to share one PSP by taking turns.

Music lovers will enjoy the EA Pocket Trax feature that lets you listen to the game's songs from the main menu.
'Lumines'

Though you probably haven't heard of this title, "Lumines" is one of the best launch games for the PSP. Consider it a modern interpretation of classic "Tetris" that combines increasingly challenging game-play elements, a toe-tapping musical score and support for wireless multiplayer matches.

Designed by Tetsuya Mizuguchi of "Rez" and "Space Channel 5" fame, the goal of this addictive puzzler is to rotate falling white and orange squares to form solid-colored rectangles. When you complete a rectangle, it lights up and disappears, but the game ends if the pieces pile up and touch the top of the screen.

You collect bonuses by creating combos and other special moves. "Lumines" includes multiple game modes and unlockable extras such as new graphics and music.

From a non-bias standpoint.... the PSP won't topple Nintendo's monopoly over the handheld industry, but it's sure to take a huge chunk out of it, regardless of a new Gameboy or not.