HOLIDAYS07: The Guide!

The Guide! The holidays are very near, and BGL has got you covered! We’re covering the best games out there on PSP and the consoles, the best accessories to pick up this season, which system is right for you, the PSP basics for newbies, and what to expect for 2008 in case you’re going to hold off on new purchases. Here’s what’s ahead:

• The Guide to Everything PSP :. New to the PSP world? We get you ready for the holiday season by breaking down everything you NEED to know about the PSP and SONY.
• The PSP Must-Haves :. The games you must own for the PSP and where to find them!
• The LocoRoco Top Five :. Are you a true LocoRoco fan? Here’s what you need for the holiday season to become the ultimate LocoRoco fanatic.
• The Accessories Top Five :. The must-own accessories for the PSP this fall and why you need them.
• The Consoles :. BGL gives you our honest opinion on which console to buy and which purchases to make in terms of software and accessories.
• 2008 and Beyond :. Want to hold off on PSP purchases? Here’s what to expect for 2008.

UPDATE: Didn’t see this coming? The Holiday Guide kicks off a few days early not to conflict with Veterans Day.
UPDATE: Added New Links! (November 17th, 2007; November 25th, 2007)

HOLIDAYS07: The Guide to the Consoles

The Guide to the Consoles

If you’re a gamer, don’t worry. This isn’t a “tutorial” on how to get started. It’s pretty much clear that everyone from gamers to non-gamers knows at least something about the consoles. This guide gives you an honest, unbiased opinion on which console you need and which games to get for it. Stick around, because you’re in for a wild ride (Jump!)

OMG: Manhunt 2 Lives Up to Controversial Buzz on PSP at least

Following the ultimate bitchslap the gaming industry gave Rockstar Games for the ultra-violent murder simulator, Manhunt 2, Rockstar went back to the drawing board to create a slightly less violent version to qualify for a mature rating rather than the industry’s kiss-of-death, the Adults Only rating. After lackluster reviews for both the Wii and PS2 versions, the PSP version is in the spotlight, but has received decent reviews so far. While it isn’t perfect and the reviews don’t make it sound as godly as GTA PSP, the game still has enough props to warrant a purchase for those who simply love death, controversy, and killing.

COPYCAT?: Microsoft “Bundles” 360 with Cheap Arcade Games

COPYCAT?: It’s no secret that SONY and Nintendo have been bundling their consoles with free games (Motorstorm and Wii Sports), but it’s a secret that the PSP has been bundled with games, memory sticks, and UMD movies since last Fall. And frankly, Microsoft is the latest in the line of copycats of what has been a successful formula. Except, the games are not originals, but “arcade” games like Pac-Man and such. The bundle comes with a 250MB memory card, a wireless controller, an HDMI port, and those five rip-off arcade games. Nonetheless, it’s a good entry price at $280 for those who are simply picking a 360 up this holiday for Halo 3. [Via Engadget]

INSIGHT: Will PS3 Price Drop Do Any Good for Sales?

INSIGHT: In the past I’ve had mixed impressions over SONY’s strategy with the PS3. Their awkward advertising, tricky price-cut situations, and struggle to get third-party developers on their backs and not with Microsoft or Nintendo has really been all of a blunder lately, but many have thought that the recent introduction of the 40giger wouldn’t be such a bad thing. It is. What happened to all those people who lined up in November 2006 to spend $500 or $600 on a console–are they just forgotten? This recent price cut alienates the fanbase who came out in shivering temperatures one year ago to buy an expensive console. How shitty do they feel now knowing that if they had waited a year–a year by which only a handful of “superb” games have arrived for the PS3–they could’ve purchased a PS3 for less. Sure, it means no backwards compatibility and two less USB ports, but it’s sure a hand in the face. SONY better think twice before they go drastic on these price cuts, because they could be losing future purchasers with every one.

Breaking/Developing: PSP Playstation Store Coming in 2008

More good news…SONY has announced that the Playstation Store will soon be compatible without the expensive PS3 as a requirement. This winter, SONY is set to unveil the PC version of the Playstation Store and next year, they’ll soon have a PSP-embedded store. Being that SONY has recently pledged to bringing more downloadable content rather than UMDs and Blu-Ray discs, there’s a high percentage that we’ll actually see it on time. And, according to Kotaku, at least eight games will be on the PSP by 2008 available via the PC-vert of the PSN. Unfortunately, we do have to wait for this one, but the chances are very high and it’s likely that SONY won’t dupe us out of this one. Stay tuned.

[Via Kotaku and PSPFanboy]

Bungie Leaves Pukeosoft, but Halo to stay on 360…

Halo 3 might’ve sold 2.6 million copies in its first week and raked in $200 million in its first day, but Bungie has still decided to leave Pukeosoft to become an independent developer. It adds to a list of bad news that started with Peter Moore leaving the XBOX brand for EA Games. Fortunately for Microsoft, the Bungie developers will keep Halo an exclusive to the 360 threshold and many other projects from the newly independent publisher should arrive on 360. The big news, though, is that there’s much possibility that Bungie could soon begin developing games for the PS3, and hopefully head mobile and go with the PSP. Big news, nonetheless!

[Via IGN]

“Big Bang”?: 40gig PS3 Headed to Europe, Australia; US, Canada Next?

Finally, Europe and Australia get a break. The new 40gig PS3 sans extra memory and two USB slots will be heading to the territories soon enough for a mere price of €400, roughly $564USD. It’s good news for the many people who didn’t bother to even look at the PS3 in other territories because of the major expense, but it’s bad news because backwards compatibility will be completely removed from the model. SONY says this is a good move because it gives people good reason to buy new games rather than stick on to old ones. Frankly, the XBOX360 doesn’t have such an excellent backwards compatibility feature, either, and the GameCube-backwards compatibility on the Wii doesn’t upgrade or upscale anything on the GCN games. The 60GB version will be discontinued as soon as stock depletes, but lowered to a price of  €500 (~$705USD).  The only question is: when will the USA and Canada get their shot at a 40GB model and will the 80GB model remain?

[Via Wired]

Big Bang Announcement from SONY Next Week…

A recent influx of good news from SONY–the successful launch of the new PSPslim, good sales in Japan two weeks in a row, powerful showings at both E3 and TGS, and a rumor claiming that Bungie (the Halo-creators) might be leaving Microsoft–has really been good considering the year of 2006 that was and the recent price-cut fiasco. Now, it is being rumored by Joystiq that SONY has a ‘big bang’ or humongous announcement coming on October 12th. Many have hinted it to be either Halo or a Bungie-related project heading to PS3, a major price-cut for the PS3, or a new PS3 model. Whatever it might be, it’s going to be big if it does happen. BGL will keep you updated as news plops up.

Cocoreccho Not a Screensaver?! and More “Reviews”

Despite generally negative reviews for LocoRoco or Boo Boo Cocoreccho, the PS3 “interactive screensaver” that made its way to the general public on Playstation Network today, many LocoRoco fans and other reviewers across the net had better hands-on looks, impressions, and reviews. Because I do not own a PS3, it’ll be hard for me to tell who to base your opinions on, but feel free to look at the better side of the spectrum…