Top 10 most anticipated PSP games for 2010

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
Due out: 28th May, 2010

This one needs no introduction. It's not out in the west until May, but given the effort Hideo Kojima is lavishing on this unofficial sequel to Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, you can bet you'll still be playing it this time next year.

The cooperative system that's been mooted has already been made available in demo form and while the community reaction seems to be that it needs some finessing, it's great that the series is moving off in a different direction for its second PSP outing.

Hopefully there's still enough development time left for perfectionist Kojima to sprinkle some of his famed finishing touch on the game before it's released in May.

Official site



SOCOM US Navy SEALs: Fireteam Bravo 3
Due out: January 12th, 2010

The SOCOM series on the PSP has quietly weathered the system's intermittent release droughts and has amassed a considerable portfolio of critical acclaim and diehard fans in the process.

The new game looks like it has wasted none of the hard-won experience gained in creating the first two titles and beyond the even prettier sheen lacquered on this effort, is a tactical shooter no doubt pregnant with explosive fun.

It's out in January so there's not long to wait for this potential zenith point in tactical shoot-'em-ups on the PSP.

Official site



Darius Burst
Due out: April-June 2010 (TBA)

This one's a bit of a wait-and-see. Though there's plenty of enthusiasm in this hemisphere for this remake, there's still no confirmation that a port will venture outside its native Japan.

As far as I'm concerned, this is exactly the sort of high-profile, nostalgia tinged release that could give PSP Minis the jolt in the arm the range so sorely needs right now.

Here's hoping Taito know there's a UK audience hungry for a good old fashioned side-scrolling shmup on the PSP.

Official site



Resident Evil Portable
Due out: TBA

This one's been conspicuously quiet since it was announced at E3 in summer. There have been no videos, no screens, and precious few details. All I know is that it's a full-on survival horror game and that it's been purpose-built for the PSP.

That pretty much rules out any sort of remake speculation, and it's good to know we aren't going to be playing Resident Evil Kart Racing or Resident Evil Tower Defense in the new year.

Still, come on Capcom - we've already waited five years. Surely you could through us a bone (freshly plucked from a dismembered zombie)?

Official site



Fat Princess: Fistful of Cake
Due out: January-March 2010 (TBA)

Already a confirmed success on the PlayStation 3, nobody was more delighted than us to learn that this PSN instant hit was coming to the PSP.

The cuddly cel-shaded visuals belie a game that obsesses over blood and gore like few would dare. The game's casual relationship with morbid obesity completes a package that's refreshingly politically incorrect.

Going by the title, the PSP version is going to be an entirely new outing, rather than a pared down version of the PSN original. It seems very likely that this will be a PSP Store-only release, perhaps even within the Minis range, where it would surely replicate the success of its PS3 big sister.

Mmmm, I'm hungry just thinking about it.

Official site



Silent Hill: Shattered Memories
Due out: 12th February 2010

Another survival horror title, this time from the much maligned Silent Hill series. Hardcore fans would argue that this license has been hopelessly lost in the woods for nigh on a decade, giving Shattered Memories more to live up to than most.

The trailer is very promising, however, sporting some very spooky torch waggling malarky and a creepy psychiatrist that seem all too keen to win your confidence.

This is a multi-platform effort, so while it won't be purpose-built for the PSP it is at least encouraging to see the platform being included again. Check out the trailer, if you dare.

Official site




Army Of Two: 40th Day
Due out: 15th January, 2010

Another multi-platform license that EA has decided to take a punt with on the PSP. This gung ho Michael-Bay-does-RamboX2 affair has every chance of making more sense on the PSP than it does on home consoles, where the battle for run and gun supremacy is being fought tooth and nail among a gaggle of already very powerful licenses.

There's been no official footage of the game posted on EA's site yet, so it's unclear what form the game will take. Perhaps something with an isometric perspective would suit it?

Either way, the promise of online multi-player coop play will definitely help the 40th day secure itself a potential niche on the platform.

Official site



Dante's Inferno
Due out: 29th January, 2010

With Sony busy building the PS3 epic God of War III, it's unlikely that the PSP will be getting another Kratos outing any time soon. So it's a good thing EA is on hand to dish out some death and judgement in Dante's Inferno.

Making grand spectacle its chief gimmick, Dante's Inferno is as much about technical chest puffing as it is about over the top gore. This video teaser seems to confirm that Visceral's ambitious vision is on track to become just the sort of blockbuster third-party franchise that's too often been absent on the PSP in 2009.

Hopefully the game won't commit the cardinal sin: Thou Shalt Not be Too Derivative'. It's a lesser known one, that.

Official site



Astro Boy: The Video Game
Due out: 5th February, 2010

Japan's answer to Tin Tin has been crying out for a decent game, and it's great to know that the PSP version is going to be a full-on purpose built effort, taking maximal advantage of the PSP.

The futuristic cityscapes look lush so far and the mix of 2.5D plaforming and sidescrolling shoot em up is an as yet tested gamplay combo.It's hard to know if there will be enough affection for the license for Astro Boy: The Video Game to truly become a bonafide hit.

So long as Megaman keeps spending his retirement half drunk, spilling Tesco's saver cider on his blue suit causing it to rust, Astro Boy: The Video Game couldhook a legion of new fans with its happy go lucky, blasty adventure charm.

Official site



Uncharted PSP
Due out: 30th October, 2010. Maybe.

Ok, it's a fair cop. This title has scarcely been rumoured for the PSP, let alone announced, but I don't think it's too much of a stretch to envisage an E3 announcement followed by a Christmas 2010 release.

It would follow the precedent set by other PSP hits born from the back of PS3 success stories: Killzone Liberation, LittleBigPlanet, Resistance Retribution and MotorStorm: Arctic Edge.

I wouldn't be looking for any grand retooling of Drake's current set of tricks. Just a solid, action packed third-person adventure game with plenty of the series' trademark one-liners will do fine thanks. That would be a PSP treasure worth finding.

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Final Fantasy Agito XIII
Due out: March 9, 2010

The most recent issue of Famitsu contains quite a few interesting details about the upcoming PSP game Final Fantasy Agito XIII. The title began life as a mobile phone spin-off, but somewhere between the orignal announcement and the recent Square Enix press event, plans changed. According to Famitsu, the developers were unhappy with the current state of mobile gaming and decided instead to build the game for the more popular -- and more capable -- PSP.

The magazine revealed that the game will also use a similar battle system to the one found in Crisis Core. The so-called ATB system allows players to freely move around the battlefield, block and attack at will (even though they must wait for a counter bar to fill before attacking). Agito will use an advanced version of this system, however the developers also revealed that it will be possible to control more than one character in Agito XIII.

The third bit of juicy news to escape the Japanese publication is that Agito will also support online multiplayer for up to 3 players using online Infrastructure, a rarity among Japanese games.