Sony reveals the PSP2...Next Generation Portable

It's been a while VGF fans, but the announcement of something codenamed the "Next Generation Portable" warrants a quick post.

That's right, word is officially out on the Sony PSP2 - again codenamed Next Generation Portable or NGP for short.

This PSP brethren packs an impressive list of features:

• Multi-touch 5-inch organic light emitting display (OLED) as the front display
• Multi-touch pad on the rear of the device
• Dual analog sticks
• Two cameras (front and rear)
• Software titles on small, dedicated flash memory-based cards
• Three motion sensors, gyroscope, accelerometer and electronic compass
• Wi-Fi and 3G network connectivity
• PlayStation Network access, including ““LiveArea™”, “Near” and “Activity” log features Trophy Support
• NGP will be able to play PSP titles, minis, PS one classics, video and comics from the PlayStation Store.

The new handled is supposed to perform at the same level of the PlayStation 3 according to Sony representative at the Tokyo press event thanks to the quad core ARM Cortex A9. That's right - the NGP is more powerful than your desktop. No word on price, but analysts are projecting somewhere in the $300 to $350 range, a full $50 to $100 more than the upcoming Nintendo 3DS. No word on 3D functionality at this time.

Presumably, Sony has distributed development software to publishers which can easily port PlayStation 3 titles on NGP or perhaps allow for PS3 downloads on the PSN.

The NGP is certainly an intriguing new handheld, but can it beat the innovation of the Nintendo 3DS? The PSP's pitfall is its lack of a robust software library, can the NGP succeed with its predecessor faltered?

Sorry for the delay

Sorry VGF fans!

VGF is on a minor hiatus and will return shortly. In the meantime, vote for your pick for the best video game in 2010 in the VGF poll located to the right of the post. Can't find your pick? Leave a comment below and tell us why it should have made it on the list.

Game on.

VIDEO: VGF's Black Friday Holiday Gift Guide

Thanksgiving is just about here and many gamers are looking for the best deals of the season during Black Friday.

Take a look at the first-ever VGF video which is the VGF Black Friday Holiday Gift Guide to review some of the best games this season and where you can go to find the best prices.

Motion Controlled Madness: PlayStation Move and Microsoft Kinect impressions

Yesterday, I finally had the chance to play both the PlayStation Move and Microsoft Kinect one right after the other.

It was my second bout with Sony's entry into the motion controlled world with the PlayStation Move and it was first experience with public humiliation while trying my hand (feet, head, etc.) at Microsoft's Kinect.

Lets start with the Move.

Just as I thought, it looks, feels and plays just like the Nintendo Wii. Sure, it's a little more sensitive and responsive than the Wii, but it certainly does not track motion 1:1 in real time.

I've only gotten to test drive the Move in a demo version of Sports Champions, which comes bundled with the PlayStation Eye and Move controller bundle for $100.

In the demo, my options were limited to disc golf and table tennis. Both were fairly responsive and looked beautiful in the process, but the PlayStation Move controls felt a bit stale, almost like it's copying something that was released four years ago...

Nevertheless, the Move was responsive, although not exact and sometime sluggish. Force feedback with the Move wand is a nice addition especially in the table tennis demo.

Sony took another page for Nintendo's book and charges an extra $30 for a PlayStation Move Navigation Controller (a nearly identical concept to the Wii's Nunchuk) or $20 for the PlayStation Move Shooting attachment, a glorified piece of red plastic similar to the Wii Zapper.

If nothing else, the Microsoft Kinect does away with pricey accessories which justifies its $150 price tag.

The Kinect certainly receives some style points for innovation although the camera doesn't appear all that clear when you see your staticy face on the screen during calibration.

The Kinect seems less responsive than the Move although it's hard to judge either in a traffic-heavy electronics store, especially the Kinect which relies solely on its camera.

Kinect Sports seemed to have a wider variety of interesting games that display the capabilities of the Kinect. Some carefully timed mini games are a bit challenging though given the lag time I experienced with the Kinect. I had a hard time properly (and foolishly) positioning my hands, feet and body for a goalkeeper mini game for example. Not to brag, but it seems that the Kinect's reaction time wasn't as fast as mine which resulted in a disconnect in the experience.

The Kinect seems like the more innovative and versatile peripheral between the two although you look pretty silly when you have to hold your arms over your head to begin a game.

The problem facing both the PlayStation Move and Xbox 360's Kinect is the lack of enticing software. Both Sony and Microsoft have yet to release a game to really convince PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 owners to take the plunge, let alone Wii owners.

In the end, both motion controllers add a new level of gameplay to its respective console and is a surefire holiday gift for families.

Is Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood worth its lineage?

Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood is on shelves today and Gamespot.com gave the sequel to VGF's 2009 Game of the Year, Assassin's Creed II, an 8.5 out of 10:




The new online multiplayer in looks to be a refreshing addition to an online multiplayer community saturated with first-person shooters. However, the game initially feels like an expansion from Assassin's Creed II rather than another, full-fledged addition to the series as the Gamespot.com review suggests.

Is this praise warranted or is this a game that was released too soon?

Nintendo 3DS receives a Japanese release date, names launch titles

First off, sorry of the lack of activity on VGF as of late (including the lateness of this particular set of news). I've been focusing my attention in a few different directions as of late and my soon begin to do some writing for Gameinatrix.com which is very exciting.

Nevertheless, Nintendo announced the Japanese release date and price for its new 3D handheld - Nintendo 3DS.

The console is set for release on Feb. 26 in Japan at a price point that converts to about $300 U.S. A North American release will likely follow one to two months later so save some room in your Easter basket.

A new, Japanese announcement trailer accompanied the announcement last week. Does anyone read Japanese?



The Nintendo 3DS is also backwards compatible with Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles via the Virtual Console similar to the Nintendo Wii, so be prepared to again fork out some cash for games you already own. The Nintendo 3DS should play Nintendo DS game, but it is unclear if the system will play Game Boy Advanced cartridges - but, what's their incentive?

The Nintendo 3DS will launch with 10 title including a 3D upgrade to the 1998 classic - and arguably the greatest video game every made - "The Legend of Zelda" Ocarina of Time." Check out a full list of launch and announced titles via Gamespot.com:

Spring 2011
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D--Nintendo
Nintendogs + Cats--Nintendo
Pilotwings Resort (working title)--Nintendo
Pro Baseball Spirits--Konami
Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle--Level 5
Ridge Racer 3D--Namco Bandai
Samurai Warriors Chronicle--Tecmo Koei
Steel Diver--Nintendo
Super Monkey Ball (working title)--Sega
Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition--Capcom

Unspecified 2011
Kid Icarus: Uprising--Nintendo
Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D - The Naked Sample--Konami

To Be Announced
Chocobo Racing 3D (working title)--Square Enix
Star Fox 64 3D--Nintendo
Animal Crossing (working title)--Nintendo
Dead or Alive: Dimensions--Tecmo Koei
Paper Mario (working title)--Nintendo
Mario Kart (working title)--Nintendo
Resident Evil: Revelations--Capcom
Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D--Capcom

How Super Mario has changed in the last 25 years

Super Mario, the world's favorite plumber - and perhaps world's favorite video game character - celebrated the 25th anniversary his debut title Super Mario Bros. yesterday.

Who knew 25 years ago, a simple Italian plumber in red overhauls created by Japanese video game producers would eventually manifest into one of the most well know characters in popular culture.

To celebrate this milestone, Nintendo has released a rather impressive video and website celebrating 25 years of its poster boy.

Lets take a look at how Mario has changed throughout the years.

1981
Donkey Kong

Super Mario was not always super, or even Mario for that matter. Mario made his first "unofficial" debut in the 1981 classic arcade game Donkey Kong. He didn't jump as high back then, and for whatever reason jumping on things didn't hurt as much after this arcade debut.


1985
Super Mario Bros.

Anything and everything relating to Super Mario originated from the classic Super Mario Bros. This is Super Mario in his original, purest and "pixeliest" form. If you listen closely enough, you should be able to hear the classic Super Mario Bros. overworld theme in your head with just a glance of the original Super Mario.


1988
Super Mario Bros. 2

Three years brought a lot of detail to Mario's new look. It's surprising how much more detail the Nintendo could squeeze out of a simple character model. This is the first glimpse of Mario as we know him today.



1990
Super Mario Bros. 3

Again Mario's look changes ever so slightly. In fact, the Super Mario we see in Super Mario Bros. 3 (arguably the best Super Mario title) is not as detailed as in his previous bout. The Mario we see in SMB3 is a bit of a hybrid between the classic Mario in Super Mario Bros. and SMB2.



1990
Super Mario World

A new console, a new Mario. The Italian plumber's first and only game on the Super Nintendo brought back a look similar his SMB2 visage. This is also the first time we see a few different shades in his clothing.



1996
Super Mario 64

After six long years, Mario finally rose again and this time in a new dimension. Super Mario 64 was the first time we could critique Mario on a low-polygonal level and it's quite noticeable now. It was sure great to finally see Mario run and jump in a 3D environment.




2002
Super Mario Sunshine

After another six years, we finally see the return of Mario with a little hardware this time. Mario's look stays rather consistent albeit in much more detail. I just wish Super Mario Sunshine was a little longer.






2007/2010
Super Mario Galaxy/Super Mario Galaxy 2

Lets speed ahead to the Mario we now know and love. He's not all that different from what we saw in Super Mario Sunshine - probably because the Wii isn't any more powerful graphically than the Nintendo GameCube. Nevertheless, Mario has matured a tad bit from the two-dimensional, pixel-filled hero of yore.

Happy 25th Mario!