Hideo Kojima is beating around the bush today giving us a statement to think about; the upcoming release of Metal Gear Solid: Peacewalker for the Playstation Portable is a test for the Metal Gear series. Peacewalker will be presenting new ideas and gameplay tricks that will keep the series fresh. Here's what he had to say.

"It's not that PSP is the main platform for the future MGS series," Kojima wrote (via Andriasang). "Peace Walker is a test to see what type of expansions are there if MGS is brought to a portable. We're not just rising vertically with development on next generation systems, but also horizontally, trying to expand gameplay."

So, it should be interesting to see how Peacewalker turns out. The big plus it seems is the four-player co-op that 1up points out. Don't forget, according to Kojima himself "Cameron's Avatar was a huge hit because of the 3D video. That can't be communicated through text and a trailer. It's something you won't understand unless you experience it for yourself in the [cinema]." So it looks like Peacewalker is meant to be the Avatar for videogames? Kojima loves to give us the workaround, doesn't he?

Via 1up

Capcom announced today that their latest Monster Hunter title, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, will be one of the first playable titles for the PlayStation Portable that will feature the new "adhocParty" system that launched today. Future updates are planned to bring the adhocParty to more Capcom titles online.

The Tokyo Game Show is well under this week. With Sony's press conference underway, we're here to give you the highlights and impressions. For now, we haev new Peace Walker screenshots to share with you.

Developed by the legendary Hideo Kojima – the mastermind behind the most successful video game tactical-espionage series of all time – this latest PSP® installment picks up where Metal Gear Solid®3 left off. Players take control of the famed Snake, in a thrilling story set in 1974.

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker features original game design, story and scenario by Hideo Kojima. Scheduled to launch in 2010, the game takes the series in an exciting new direction with its incredible visuals and its unique new game system designed specifically with the PSP in mind.

Check out the other screenshots below.

With the excitment for a portable version of Gran Turismo coming this Fall, Sony decided to announce a new PSP pack. This new limited edition package will contain a silver PSP...and more below.

“Gran Turismo is one of the most successful gaming franchises in history, so what better way to mark Gran Turismo’s premiere on the PSP system than by offering it with the only portable device that can deliver its rich, true-to-life graphics and unrivaled driving experience,” said John Koller, Director, Hardware Marketing, SCEA. “Featuring Polyphony Digital’s famed graphical prowess, tons of fun automotive content—including the ability to trade and share vehicles—and an exhilarating racing experience created for the PSP system, Gran Turismo is again poised to take racing games to new heights.”

• Mystic Silver PSP-3000 system
• Gran Turismo PSP game on UMD
• PlayStation Network downloadable voucher for a white Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, a color not available in the game and is exclusive to this entertainment pack
• 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo
• PlayStation Network downloadable movie voucher – title TBD
• Sony MusicPass voucher good for 10 downloadable songs – available to U.S. residents only. Choose from hundreds of thousands of your favorite artists from Sony Music Entertainment.

The pack itself will be made available on October 1st when the game launches.

Source

After first releasing on the Nintendo DS, manay thought the game would stay exclusive to the platform. However, it looks like Rockstar North has otehr ideas and plans to bring the game to the PSP. Rockstar Leeds in conjunction with Rockstar North will be heading development for the game that looks to have a release date for this Fall. The game will be made available digtally and at retail in the form of a UMD.

“We’re proud to extend this truly unique handheld Grand Theft Auto experience to PSP and offer a downloadable version of Chinatown Wars for PSP®go,” said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games. “Rockstar Leeds has shown incredible talent in creating games that raise the bar in terms of depth and innovation on portables, and with Chinatown Wars we have a rich, fast-paced, and incredibly addictive entry into the series.”

Missed out on what Chinatown Wars was all about? Here's a bit of info to refresh your memory.

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars follows the story of Huang Lee, a young Triad who travels to Liberty City after the mysterious death of his father. Within the game, players will navigate their way through the streets as they uncover the truth behind an epic tale of crime and corruption within the Triad crime syndicate, delivering the unprecedented amount of depth that has become a true trademark of the franchise. Specifically built for the PSP platform with upscaled widescreen graphics, enhanced lighting and animation; and including all-new story missions; this version of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars will take full advantage of the power of the PSP system.

Looks like the game will "take full advantage of the power of the PSP system". The official website hasn't even been updated with the news yet. We'll be sure to update as information comes along.

Those excited for the new Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker title exclusively for the PSP can take a look at these new screenshots for the game. Just to remind you, the game is a sequel to MGS 3 while still a prequel to the rest of the series. The game is slated to be released for the PSP sometime in 2010.

Check out more below...

Destructoid is reporting an interesting rumor today. Is Sony trying to be in a handheld market all by itself? Between competing with the DS and the Ipod, you would think the PSP is in a market all on its own with the reveal of the PSP Go being strictly fixed for digital distribution. Destructoid did some digging and contacted Sony for comment.

Apprently the info will be revealed at Games Con in Germany this August. For developers, it appears that file sizes for Apps will be 100 MBs. Sony will welcome developers to get creative and says that stuff like "non-game apps" and 2D titles would be appreciated. Here is what Sony had to say to Destructoid.

“We are making a concerted push towards expanding the content available on the Store,” Sony Computer Entertainment America’s Al de Leon told us, “particularly with the demand for digital content that will spike when the PSPgo launches this fall. This push includes new titles that are also launching on UMD, PSP catalog titles, PSone classics – double to nearly 60 titles -- and PSN exclusives.”

It would make sense for Sony to use non-game applications but hopefully nothing too crazy as Apple's iPod has gotten, but something more for the gamer while still making these applications useful. We'll be following this rumor for sure, check back at GP for udpates.

Via Destructoid

After Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, many wondered what would be Snake's next adventure or if we'll ever even see him again. While we may not have gotten answers, Kojima seems focused on tying up the trilogy's loose ends and announced a new sequel to Metal Gear Solid 3: Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker. Sony's E3 proved the perfect audience for the unveiling of the latest trailer, which was as enjoyable as anyone could've hoped. Here are a bit of details and some screenshots from that announcement.

Developed by the legendary Hideo Kojima – the mastermind behind the most successful video game tactical-espionage series of all time – this latest PSP® installment picks up where Metal Gear Solid®3 left off. Players take control of the famed Snake, in a thrilling story set in 1974.

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker features original game design, story and scenario by Hideo Kojima. Scheduled to launch in 2010, the game takes the series in an exciting new direction with its incredible visuals and its unique new game system designed specifically with the PSP in mind.

“With Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, Kojima Productions has once again pushed the limits of the PSP system, creating a beautiful sequel to Metal Gear Solid®3,” said Martin Schneider, European Marketing Director for Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH. “Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker lets players take the action and excitement of a console game to the PSP, and is a stunning addition to MGS Lore.”

Check out more screenshots below.

Despite just being released exclusively to Joystiq, Harmonix has officially revealed it to the rest of the gaming press. If you haven't heard, Rock Band Unplugged is Harmonix's answer to Guitar Hero On Tour and will debut on the Playstation Portable. Rock Band Unplugged will feature a 41 song set list on the disc alone with DLC already in the works. 9 songs will be exclusive to Unplugged before becoming available to Rock Band on the other consoles.

Rock Band Unplugged will come with it's own bundle as well, which is no surprise considering the magnitude of this release. The bundle will contain a Rock Band branded PSP and will contain a "Piano Black" PSP, a 4 GB Memory Stick Duo card and exclusive to the US is a voucher to download School of Rock from the Playstation Store all for the lovely price of $199.99 (MSRP).

Rock Band Unplugged creates a full band experience in the palm of players’ hands by combining traditional beat-match gameplay with key elements from both Rock Band and Rock Band 2, such as overdrive and chords.  The hands are the “peripherals” in Rock Band Unplugged, allowing players to take direct control of the lead/bass guitars, drums and vocals. Players can expect an in-depth Rock Band experience with fully functional modes, like World Tour, Band Survival and Warm Up, as well as a robust character creator for full rocker customization.  Rock Band Unplugged is rated "T" for Teen for Suggestive Lyrics and Themes.

Check out the set list below...as well as the track listing for the DLC pack which will be ready for launch.

Electronic Arts has announced toady that Dante's Inferno will be making an appearance on the Playstation Portable. Developed by EA's Redwood Studios and Artificial Mind and Movement (A2M).

"Our team and the team at A2M are taking the vision for Dante's Inferno and translating it directly to the PSP," said Jonathan Knight, executive producer and creative director on Dante's Inferno. "PSP owners can expect to get the same level of fast, responsive gameplay through all nine detailed and unique circles of hell we are aiming to achieve on the consoles."

Alighieri's "Dante's Inferno" is widely credited for being the work that has defined the western world's contemporary conception of hell and purgatory. Just like the poem, players of EA's 3^rd person action adventure game will descend through all nine circles of hell: limbo, lust, gluttony, greed, anger, heresy, violence, fraud and treachery, playing as Dante as they battle through a gauntlet of unimaginable evils, fighting to recapture the soul of his beloved Beatrice.

The game is still seeing its release on the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 next year and has not yet been rated by the ESRB.