GadgetReview

For all intense and purposes the PSPGo has been considered a down right failure in the video game hardware business.  This is further evidenced by a somewhat dismal launch in the console’s country of origin this past Sunday, which saw a total of 28,275 units sold on day one.  Compare that to the DSi which moved 170,000 units or the PSP-3000 that sold 140,000 units (the latter has a more comparable price point for all your nay sayers).

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With the Metal Gear Solid franchise being one of Sony’s most important exclusive’s, it’s to no surprise that they would collide on the Japanese launch of the PSP Go.  After a tepid US release, Sony is hoping that MGS will breath some extra life into the PSP Go with a download-only demo of Peace Walker when the portable system debuts on November 1st.

The demo will be in Japanese and will essentially be the same demo found at TGS 2009 with the inclusion of some new cut scenes, control options, and a new map.  Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is scheduled for a 2010 release.

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For those of you that subscribe to the NetFlix-esque video game rental service, the GameFly GameCenter app is now available for free in the App Store.  More than just access to your queue, the GameFly GameCenter has a news feed, tons of user reviews, and instantly accessible “most popular” games list.

I’d go as far as to say that that even if you don’t belong to GameFly (it’s hard to get new releases but buying used games is the cheapest around), the app is still a cool alternative to the IGN app in terms of user reviews and news.

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Apparently the highest rated DS game ever, Chinatown Wars is making it’s way over to the PSP on October 2oth.  Receiving added graphic polish in terms of textures and lighting, the bulk of the features found on the DS will make the translation to the PSP.

What I don’t see making it, obviously, is all the touch screen elements that made the DS version so unique and innovative such as scratch tickets and dumpster diving.  What I would really like to see is GTA: San Andreas make it to the PSP. Check out the debut trailer down below:

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Hate it or love it, the PSPGo is now available for consumer purchase.  Amazon has it is in black and white for $249 a pop.  It supports 16GB of storage, Bluetooth and 3.8-inch LCD screen.  Whether or not we’ll see the same free game offer that has supposedly been extended to EU gamers is anyone’s guess, but at the very least you can score PSPGo compatible movies from select Blu-ray titles.

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In a move that is entirely all things Sony,  some featured Blu-Ray releases will contain a free digital copy for your PSP.  The catch is that you will need a PS3 to do the transfer.

For example, Sony Films will be releasing the Blu-Ray version of Godzilla on November 3rd that will be bundled with a separate DVD-ROM that provides access to the digital copy.  From there you just jam the disc into your PS3 and download the digital version of the Godzilla.  After that all you have to do is transfer it to your PSP via USB and you are good to go.

Essentially you will have all this Sony stuff to make this a worthwhile deal.  But do you really care anyway?  If you are going out and actually buying Godzilla on Blu-Ray do you really need to watch it again on your PSP?

Again, another nice move by Sony but will it go largely unnoticed?

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In an effort to quell some of the “not all that” PSPgo reviews that have been piling up, Sony is giving away a free digital copy Gran Turismo to new buyers of the handheld system.

Starting on October 1st at 14.00hrs (GMT) to October 10th 23.59hrs (GMT), all you have to do is download the Gran Turismo theme through the PlayStation Store.  Shortly after download you will receive an email giving you the promotional redeem code for Gran Turismo.

Nice move by Sony, but will it be enough?

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What we once called a gadget rumor back in May turns out to be very much correct, folks–recently verified by a long and tortuous process that includes a French Sega web site discovering an internal Sony memo, the Sony motion-capture controller has been confirmed.

And what’s more, it’ll launch this spring.

The leaked memo described Sony’s attempt to license various Dreamcast games for Sony’s systems, but also presented an interoperability feature between the Sony PSP and the Playstation 3, as well as a Sony launch in Japan, slated for March, for the motion-capture controller.

From there, suppositions were made that suggest the motion capture device is intended to work not only with the Playstation 3, but also with the PSP, since the two are working towards interoperability.

It’s big news, folks, and it’ll pose the kind of thing we’ll need to keep an eye on for months to come.

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To help ease the potentially painful transition for those of you upgrading from the UMD PSP to the PSP Go, Sony is willing to throw you 3 free games for the trouble.  So far this deal is only going to be available in Europe and goes through October 1st to March 31st.

PSP Go upgraders will have their choice to pick 3 out of 17 games that they will be able to download from Sony’s PSN.  The games so far will be all Sony 1st-party titles that include: Killzone: Liberation, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 3, WipEout Pure, Echochrome, LocoRoco, and Patapon.  I’m sure the full list will be disclosed soon.

According to Sony, you will have to log on to PSN with your old PSP in order to get the deal.  Is this a good enough effort by Sony to make you want to upgrade to a PSP Go?  Also, why the hell can’t the US get this offer??

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You’ve heard about the cardboard gadget cover, and the cover you make yourself from old comic books, now try the newest thing in temporary gadget faceplating, the Wrappz system.

Wrappz are small self-adhesive packages that cover your gadgets and help protect against dust.  They come in a variety of designs, including Spongebob Squarepants, model Keeley, and Premier League sports teams.  Now you can cover your laptop with the damned United, and that’s not just a clever movie pun.

Plus, if you’re big into European soccer, you can advertise your love of the beautiful game with these covers.  Wrappz come in sizes sufficient to fit iPods, almost every major console except, for some reason, the Xbox 360, laptops, and the option to create a custom size Wrappz case in case your laptop model isn’t available.

Further, if you hurry, you can get fifty percent off your order by following the directions at the “via” link.

[via Daily Mirror]

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