eBuddy, the free web-based instant messenger, has just launched their web client for the PlayStation Portable. eBuddy writes, “by opening the PSP browser and going to m.ebuddy.com you can chat on MSN, Yahoo!, AIM and Google Talk. No download required and it’s free to use.”
While instant messaging would be a lot more convinient with a Qwerty keyboard, the PSP’s built-in texter will have to suffice. In any case, it’s great to see third parties developing apps for Sony’s handheld.
Despite the major flaws in the original Valhalla Knights, the game sold extremely well. Of course, money speaks for itself, so it wasn’t a total surprise when Valhalla Knights 2 was announced at TGS this year.
The trailer above doesn’t show a whole lot. Some artwork, japanese dialogue, and a few seconds of gameplay footage. If our issues with the first game do get resolved in the sequel, this could potentially be a very satisfying RPG.
Our suspicions were confirmed today at the 2007 Tokyo Game Show when Kingdom Hearts was officially announced for the PSP.
The game takes place many years before the original Kingdom Hearts games, dubbed Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep. The PSP exclusive appears to feature a much darker graphical theme. Perhaps this is all part of the story… or maybe just a clever marketing ploy.
The “secret” Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep PSP trailer
In any case, the game looks pretty exciting based on the little CGI trailer. I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot more in the coming months.
If there’s one way to sell PlayStation Portables, Final Fantasy is the golden ticket. The PSP-exclusive prequel to Final Fantasy 7, Crisis Core, was released in Japan last week.
Based on the latest data from Japan, FFVII: Crisis Core has already sold over 470,000 copies. That is insane. Not Monster Hunter insane, but insane none the less.
The release of the game has also revived PSP console sales. Aprox. 100,000 units were sold last week in Japan, just managing to beat the Nintendo DS. Do you think this positive trend will last? Or was this a one-week wonder?
Developers certainly continue to push the PSP’s graphical limits. Check out the newest videos for God of War: Chains of Olympus. I don’t think they need an explanation.
The video game flavor in Japan doesn’t always align with the tastes of the rest of the world, but I believe they are really onto something with Monster Hunter Freedom 2. I’ve played short press demos of the game, and seen plenty of videos, but I plan to finally pick up a real copy tonight.
Unfortunately, the game seems to be somewhat of a rare find. I’ve been keeping an eye out for it over the past few weeks, and have only spotted the game at one store: Fry’s electronics. Target, Best Buy, Fred Meyer’s, K-Mart, and EB Games either didn’t have any copies or weren’t displaying them on shelf.
I can understand some draw backs to the game in the American market. For starters, the multiplayer side of the game is the main focus. Since Ad Hoc is the only mode supported, finding other Monter Hunters to adventure with can be a SERIOUS challenge in the giant, roaming suburbs of America.
Secondly, the game is essentially a mature Poke’mon spinoff with waaay too much gameplay for one person to ever complete. This style of gameplay only seems to popup in MMORPG’s here in the US (and Europe too for that matter).
What a shame. In any case… if you can get your hands on it, it’s worth the money.
