Sony's New E3 PSP Titles

Sony announced nine new titles for the PSP system which will be released this year, as well as being shown at E3 next week.

Following a record-setting launch last year, the PSP system has quickly become a cultural icon and a market-altering force with more than 17 million units shipped worldwide. As of this month in North America, there are more than 100 games available for the PSP system and more than 350 feature films, TV programs and videos from major studios combining with downloadable content from the Internet to create an unmatched library of entertainment content. The PSP system has also served as an important driver in retail sales, bringing in more than $1.6 billion as of calendar year 2005.

ATV Offroad Fury Pro (Available October, 2006)
The most intense handheld off-road racing package is back with ATV Offroad Fury Pro for the PSP system. In addition to racing on ATVs, players can now choose from more than 30 total vehicles, including MX bikes, buggies, and Trophy Trucks to compete on 64 all-new tracks, including tracks from the original ATV Offroad Fury titles. Supporting up to four players via wireless multiplayer connectivity, gamers will speed through more than 30 visually stunning environments with six distinct terrain types and can choose from more than 60 unique tracks. Featuring five new events, new vehicles and mini-games, and cross compatibility with ATV Offroad Fury 4 for the PlayStation 2, ATV Offroad Fury Pro w ill provide players the opportunity to tackle the trickiest off-road courses anytime, anywhere.

Gangs of London (Available Fall, 2006)
Created by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe’s London Studio, developers of The Getaway franchise, Gangs of London was designed specifically for the PSP and will be presented in stunning graphic-novel style narratives. Dynamic storylines enable each player to experience their own unique progression in nearly 60 different missions that immerse gamers in an elite criminal underworld in modern day London. Offering a variety of gameplay modes including Story Mode, Gang Battle, Free Roaming, London Pub Games and a unique Game Sharing mode, Gangs of London provides intense free-roaming gameplay perfectly tailored for a handheld system.

Killzone: Liberation (Available October 31, 2006)
Developed by Guerilla, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, Killzone: Liberation for the PSP system is a third-person action game that puts the players into various missions to rescue hostages from the evil Helghast. Inspired by the events in Killzone for PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system (released in November, 2004), the story continues in Killzone: Liberation with the battle against the Helghast still raging on. Featuring an intelligent third person camera system, Killzone: Liberation allows players a more tactical surveillance viewpoint to view their action and read the enemy’s behavior during gameplay. Set in an intense postmodern war reminiscent of the previous PlayStation 2 title, Killzone: Liberation features the unique graphical style to showcase pure grit and realism. During gameplay, players will have access to online and offline missions, supported with a variety of weapons that are unique and innovative, inspired by modern military equipment.

Lemmings (Available May, 2006)
Developed by Team 17, Lemmings delivers the ultimate in puzzle gameplay, perfect for quick, on-the-go gaming on the PSP. In Lemmings, players will guide a group of cute, but hapless little creatures within each level from an entrance point to an exit point. Fast reflexes and quick wits are necessary to ensure the Lemmings don’t walk to their doom. Disaster is at every step, including the perils of raging rivers, steep cliffs, pits of lava, and mechanical spikes that stand between the Lemming masses and safety of the exit. Lemmings will feature more than 150 levels, including new puzzles exclusively for the PSP system. In addition, the game will host a new mix of music, custom level creation, and wireless capability for players to share newly created levels.

LocoRoco (Available September 2006)
Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment Japan, LocoRoco is an innovative 2D platform/action game available exclusively for the PSP. Featuring unique controls utilizing the “L” and “R” shoulder buttons, players are tasked with controlling via “tilting or bumping” the landscape of the LocoRoco in order to help them navigate through the level and keep out of harm’s way. With more than 40 stages, players control and guide the LocoRoco through vibrant, thriving and lush worlds filled with slippery slopes, swing ropes and more. Featuring six different types of LocoRoco that include their own voices and actions, players will be enchanted by captivating music that communicates the joyous world of these LocoRoco. In addition, LocoRoco features the rewarding LocoHouse, three mini-games, and wireless features.

NBA '07 (October 2006)
Developed by SCEA San Diego Studios, NBA ’07 for the PSP brings fast, fluid gameplay and delivers the most engaging portable NBA experience available. Featuring new mini-games, players can participate in an all-new rhythm-based dunk contest as well as carnival-style games including pop-a-shot, skee-ball, and pinball. NBA ’07 also features a new Conquest Mode, where players take a team and challenge NBA squads across the country, as well as a new Pick Up Mode, where gamers can choose from 10 randomly selected NBA players for a full game match-up.

Ratchet & Clank : Size Matters (Available Q1, 2007)
Developed by High Impact Games, Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters is an all-new action platformer made exclusively for the PSP. Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters returns the franchise to its roots with hallmark Ratchet & Clank gameplay sure to please fans of the series. Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters features all new gameplay for Ratchet’s brainy robotic sidekick, Clank, who steps out from the shadows to assume a prominent role alongside Ratchet. Capturing all of the humor from previous PlayStation 2 installments with engaging cinematics, Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters will allow up to four players to compete in action-packed wireless multiplayer gaming.

SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 2 (Fall 2006)
In SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 2 for the PSP, players will c ommand a secret subset of the most elite and deadly fighting force on the planet through broad combat experiences including new non-linear mission progression, over 40 authentic real world weapons and a huge area of operation spanning multiple terrain types and environments . Multiple players will once again be able to form clans and take on their friends for team based high-action gameplay via a Wi-Fi connection. Up to 16 players in close proximity in Ad Hoc mode, and online in Infrastructure mode, can compete wirelessly through three new game types across all new multiplayer maps and original SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo maps. SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 2 is complete with a variety of new gameplay features including non-linear mission progression and a persistent performance rating system. In this system "Command Equity" points can be used to add new weapons to the armory or purchase in-game air strikes and supply drops, and a new “Local Influence” rating system gives players access to black market weapons and intelligence from locals.

World Tour Soccer ’06 (Available June, 2006)
As four year’s worth of waiting brings about soccer frenzy and 32 nations prepare to compete in Germany this summer, World Tour Soccer ’06 for the PSP lets soccer fans bring the game with them anywhere, anytime. Redesigned specifically for on-the-go gaming, World Tour Soccer ’06 offers a multitude of quick and thrilling game sessions and the opportunity to take on the world’s best from Africa, Asia, North America, South America and Europe. To highlight the fundamentals of the sport, World Tour Mode takes players through 10 all-new challenges that emphasize passing, ball control, possession, and style of play. Through Ad Hoc mode, World Tour Soccer ’06 supports up to four players wirelessly and the unique game sharing feature allows players to compete head-to-head with only one copy of the game. World Tour Soccer ’06 embraces the brilliant and stylish play of Pavel Pardo as he joins the franchise as its newest cover athlete. Pardo, who has over 110 international appearances, will take a break from his starring role with Club America in Mexico’s first division to represent Mexico in this summer’s World Cup.

As always, keep it locked to NZGamer for all the latest E3 news.