As I somewhat speculated yesterday Sony have confirmed that PSP owners will officially be unable to transfer their UMD games to the digital-only PSPgo system upon its release next week. This means, obviously, that you will be unable to play any of the PSP games you currently own on the new iteration of the PSP, if you decide to upgrade of course.

Sony officially ended any hope for such a program by releasing a statement to Kotaku;

“We were evaluating a UMD conversion program, but due to legal and technical reasons we will not be offering the program at this time,” - Source

Sony originally said that they would try to find a way for people who own UMD games to transfer their purchases to digital form so they could be played o the PSPgo. The statement released yesterday does leave a small window open for the future, but it’s pretty unlikely that we will ever see such a program. There was a rumour that Sony would install kiosks in various shops, which would allow people to turn their existing UMD games into digital form. Sony probably figured that would be too expensive, so we’re left with no options at all (well, no legal ones anyway).

Like I said before, you’re probably better off sticking with your old PSP than splashing out for a new one. Sony is still trying to tempt you in with the reward program, but it’s not worth the asking price of a PSPgo purchase (which, in my opinion, is overpriced anyway). For everyone else the PSPgo is a good purchase if you’re willing to pay the high price (which, in Denmark, is ridiculously priced as high as a PS3). I wouldn’t have said that any PSP was worth it a few years back, but the library of games, downloadable PSOne classics and the upcoming PSP Minis it’s not a bad purchase. To be totally honest though it doesn’t really matter what model you get (although you do get more choice with an older PSP), unless you’re the kind of person who needs to have the latest version of a gadget, even if it seems like a step backwards.

We weren’t really sure what Sony meant when they said they would come up with some way to compensate those who own PSP UMD games but want to upgrade to the download only PSP Go. We now have a slightly better idea of what Sony is going to do, and it may not be exactly what you were hoping for.

Sony is offering Europeans the chance to take part in a rewards program, which involves placing a UMD in your existing PSP then downloading a special PSPgo theme from PSN. After doing this you should be sent an email containing a voucher code which you can exchange in return for three free downloads out of a choice of 17 full games. Some of the games include Killzone: Liberation (I own this, and it’s actually pretty good), SOCOM: US Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 3, Everybody’s Golf, WipEout Pure, Echochrome, LocoRoco, Patapon and Buzz!: Master Quiz. The offer is open to anybody who owns an existing PSP model, plus at least one game, who buys and registers a PSPgo from its release on 1st October until 31st March next year.

So, while you may not be able to turn your existing purchases into a free download it’s certainly better than nothing if you’re set on buying a PSPgo. People with a large library of UMD games are going to be disappointed, there’s little doubt about that, but I’m finding it hard to figure out how Sony would be able to turn your existing purchases into downloads anyway. How can you prove that you own a game, especially if it was bought a few years back? There must be some way of doing it, and I doubt Sony will be losing many sales by coming up with a solution as the majority of people are unlikely to buy another copy of something they already own.

Like some Dutch retailers I don’t really care for the PSPgo. A smaller screen and more cramped controls doesn’t really do much for me, especially as memory sticks are getting cheaper all the time. I don’t use my PSP much, but if I do buy a game I can now choose to between a UMD or a download, which is far better than only having one option.

If you live in the Netherlands then you’ve just lost a possible place to buy a PSPgo when it’s released in October. Eurogamer reports that the Dutch retailer Nedgame – the country’s largest specialist games retailer – are refusing to stock and sell Sony’s new product.

There are a number of reasons why this is happening, one of them being that Nedgame believes that the PSPgo is too expensive priced at €249.99, and they certainly have a point as it’s €80 more than the PSP-3000 that is currently on the market. Apparently the cost isn’t justified, with the smaller screen being one example of why it isn’t worth the asking price. However, this is not the main reason for the ‘boycott’.

The lack of a UMD drive on the PSPgo is putting retailers like Nedgame off selling the product. Retailers make the most profit off software, and not hardware, when it comes to games; so this means that they’re about to lose out on the majority of the profit from a section of the video game market (plus the pre-owned market, which is a huge slice of income for retailers such as the American Gamestop), and with Nedgame being a specialist retailer they’ll be even more worried as the video game market moves ever closer to full digital distribution.

Of course, retailers have tried to gain from digital distribution by selling downloadable games through their website, or selling, for example, Xbox Live points cards in-store. However, the PSPgo is different in that Sony is effectively creating a monopoly on the software for the console by making them only available on the Playstation Store; which, in my mind, is pretty bad from a consumer viewpoint. No competition means that Sony can price however they want, but I suppose you do get the added bonus of all your games being easily accessible from one PSN account.

Eurogamer Holland says that other Dutch retailers are starting to grumble too, and it probably won’t be long before retailers in other countries start to have their say (apparently Spanish retailers are considering following suit). At least you can be sure that your local supermarket will be selling them come launch day, but have we really go to the point where specialist game retailers don’t really matter anymore? I know I haven’t bought a game in one for ages, unless it was off their website, largely because the prices are more expensive than the Internet.

Personally I’m just going to keep my old PSP and use SD cards to store downloadable games, just like I did with Final Fantasy VII a few months back.

It’s a pretty good week for lovers of the music rhythm genre, as not only is Guitar Hero 5 begging for you to spend even more money on plastic instruments but The Beatles finally get their own game in The Beatles: Rock Band. Yes, it may just be Rock Band stuffed with 45 of The Beatles best songs but, come on now, it’s The Beatles!

Colin McRae: DiRT 2 is there for all you Rally lovers, and Championship Manager 2010 comes along just as we’re getting over our addiction from the last one. Section 8 is the odd one of the bunch, but it does look pretty damn good if the videos are anything to go by.

Guitar Hero 5 (PS2, PS3, Wii, X360) 11/9 (PS2 is 8/9)

Kurt Cobain wouldn’t exactly be thrilled at being included in a game with mass market appeal, but Activision knows how to push a few buttons. Cobain or not, Guitar Hero 5 is still going to sell by the bucketload and the updated graphics, 85 songs (with more for download) and the Guitar Hero Studio (which allows anyone to import their songs, providing they own the copyright) will do a lot to bolster that appeal.

The Beatles: Rock Band (PS3, X360) 9/9 (X360) 11/9 (PS3)

The Beatles, on the other hand, were no strangers to milking their success. I suppose being the biggest band in the world gives you a bit of an excuse though. As stated above there will be 45 The Beatles songs, with more available for download, and various dreamscapes that will make you believe there was more in that can of coke than you were lead to believe. Don’t worry though, you can calm yourself down with your free copy of Guitar Hero: World Tour.

Colin McRae: DiRT 2 (DS, PS3, PSP, Wii, X360) 11/9

Colin McRae may be gone, but Codemasters makes sure his name lives on in the videogame world. Thankfully the game is a good homage to the legend, with a new engine and whole roster of events and tracks to keep you occupied. Just make sure you don’t get stuck in the mud!

Section 8 (PC, X360) 11/9

At first glance you may think it’s just another futuristic shooter, with that word that describes a ring of light around someone’s head coming to mind. Then you see the unique ‘burn-in’ feature that allows you to drop onto the battlefield from 15,000 feet above the surface. This is supposed to eliminate fixed spawn points, but it remains to be seen if the game on the ground will be able to successfully follow an awesome start to each level.

Other releases:

• Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Wheelie Breakers (Wii) *Out now*
• Taisen!! Ka to Chan no Kororonpe! (DS) 9/9
• Windy x Windam (DS) 10/9
• Mean Girls (DS) 11/9
• SingStar Motown (PS2, PS3) 11/9
• Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (DS, PS3, PSP, Wii, X360) 11/9
• Diva Girls: Princess on Ice 2 (DS) 11/9
• Mary King’s Riding School 2 (Wii) 11/9
• Love is… in Bloom (Wii) 11/9
• My Beauty Salon (DS) 11/9
• My World My Way (DS) 11/9
• Championship Manager 2010 (PC) 11/9
• Mini Ninjas (DS, PC, PS3, Wii, X360) 11/9
• Time of Shadows (PC)  11/9

(All images sourced from Gamespot)

The triumphant return of ‘Latest UK Releases’ (it has been on a holiday to a nice sunny beach and, as a result, is now sporting one hell of a tan) is admittedly a rather boring one. I’ve highlighted only two games that I think are worth it this week (ok, Metroid Prime Trilogy is also pretty good but the games aren’t new so it only gets the bulletpoint treatment), complete with the usual short commentary from your’s truly.

Champions Online (PC) 4/9

Champions Online may not be coming to the Xbox 360 anytime soon but at least PC gamers can enjoy its lovely cel-shaded (or ‘comic shading’ as the developers refer to it) visuals. One of the more intriguing ideas the game employs is the ability to create your very own nemesis once you reach level 25. Defeating your nemesis’s minions will give you clues to the whereabouts of him or her, leading to a showdown. The level cap is 40, which may not seem like a lot but I’m sure it will be expanded upon in the years to come (providing the game lasts that long of course).

Dissidia: Final Fantasy (PSP) 4/9

Similar to a fighting game the one big difference is that it includes characters from nearly every single main Final Fantasy game in the franchise. Ever wanted to see Cloud and Squall fight it out? Well, here’s your chance. I don’t think Final Fantasy fans need any more prompting than that.

Other releases:

• Silas (PC) *Out now*
• Pool Hall Pro (Wii) 31/8
• Fate/Unlimited Codes (PSP) 3/9
• Il-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey (DS, PS3, X360) 4/9
• Guilty Gear 2: Overture (X360) 4/9
• Zorro: Quest for Justice (DS) 4/9
• I Did It Mum! Dolls House (DS) 4/9
• Warriors Orochi 2 (PSP) 4/9
• Metroid Prime Trilogy (Wii) 4/9
• SuperCar Challenge (PS3) 4/9
• The Humans (DS) 4/9
• SoulCalibur: Broken Destiny (PSP) 4/9

(Images source)

Back in June I told you that Rockstar had decided to bring GTA: Chinatown Wars to the PSP. Rockstar dated it earlier this week – giving us a 20 October release date – but we didn’t really get any further information on the game or any screenshot showing what the game will actually look like compared to the Nintendo DS version. That has now changed, as Rockstar today released some screenshots of the upcoming PSP version.

If you compare it to the DS version then obviously the game is graphically better looking, but it’s nice to see they have kept the semi-3D top-down perspective instead of going full 3D like Liberty City Stories and Vice City Stories were. The lighting effects look to be a lot better, obviously taking advantage of the PSP’s power over the DS. Overall it is looking a lot better, but graphics aren’t everything when we still don’t know how the game will play.

The DS version made use of the touch screen through mini-games; such as smashing the window when you get trapped in a sinking car, or sorting through rubbish to find a concealed weapon. Will these mini-games disappear from the PSP version? Or will Rockstar find another way to implement them? It won’t be the same if they simply put a cursor in that you have to control with the analog or d-pad. At least we’ll get better music to make up for it, well hopefully anyway.

I guess, as I seem to say a lot these days, we’ll just have to wait and see. Hopefully it will sell more than the DS version, which is probably what prompted Rockstar to port the game to the PSP in the first place.

The game will be available in both UMD form and by download through the Playstation Network.

As it gets hotter I’ve found myself actually playing more games than usual, simply because I prefer sitting half naked in front of a fan than having to face the searing heat outside. I should have actually been on holiday in Turkey this week (I had to cancel it), so I guess I should be grateful that we’re getting some of Turkey’s good weather back home.

Anyway, if you want to get away from the sun here’s some new games that you could be playing instead of getting burnt to a crisp.

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood (PC, PS3, X360) 3/7

The prequel to 2007’s Call of Juarez follows the story of the McCall brothers as they shoot their way through a civil-war era US and Mexico. The gameplay will be slightly different depending on which brother you select. For example, one brother uses a lasso while the other brother likes to use dynamite. Co-op play will allow you to compliment your chosen characters abilities with those of a friend. Check out the trailer here.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 (PS3, Wii, X360) 3/7

I find it hard to write something positive about a golf game, as I personally find it one of the most uninteresting sports on the planet. However, if you are interested a new “Tournament Challenge” mode allows players to replicate famous shots and moments from the PGA Tour’s history, while the Wii version supports MotionPlus; allowing for more authentic and accurate golf swings.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (DS, Mac, Mobile, PC, PSP, PS2, PS3, Wii, X360) 3/7

The game tie-in with the book and film of the same name comes to pretty much every current platform, as well as one of the old ones. It’s pretty much similar to the previous games, with some multiplayer thrown in so you can go up against other crazy Potter fans. Apparently EA didn’t bother to include some of the locations from the previous books, so don’t expect it to be completely canon.

Moon (DS) 3/7

Moon is a first-person shooter that uses the same engine as Renegade Kid’s previous DS game, Dementium: The Ward. It takes place….um, take a wild guess? While the game features plenty of the narrow corridors it’s predecessor had in abundance the developer stresses that an updated version of the engine allows for more open environments and larger groups of enemies (source). All in all it doesn’t look like a bad attempt for a handheld that doesn’t have all that many FPS games.

Other releases:

• Divinity 2 - Ego Draconis (PC, X360) *Out now*
• Music: Music for Everyone (DS) *Out now*
• Pro Cycling Manager/Tour de France 2009 (PC) *Out now*
• Ride to Hell (X360) *Out now*
• Modern Warrior: Special Tactics (PC) *Out now*
• 2025: Battle for Fatherland (PC) *Out now*
• Kirby Super Star Ultra (DS) *Out now*
• Crime Scene (DS) *Out now*
• Worms 2: Armageddon (X360) *Out now*
• Diabolik: The Original Sin (PSP) 3/7
• Space Camp (DS, Wii) 3/7
• King of Fighters: Maximum Impact 3 (PS3) 3/7
• Drama Queens (DS) 3/7
• Classic Word Games (DS) 3/7
• Summer Sports Party (Wii) 3/7
• My Friends (DS) 3/7
• Ready Steady Cook (DS) 3/7
• Fallout 3 Game Add-On Pack: The Pitt and Operation Anchorage (PC, X360) 3/7
• Street Fighter IV (PC) 3/7
• Virtua Tennis 2009 (PC) 3/7
• Rygar: The Battle of Argus (Wii) 3/7

(Images source: Gamespot)

I apologise for missing this last week as it just slipped my mind. However, let’s not concentrate on the past and take a look at what’s coming out this week.

It’s not actually a bad week, with something coming out for everyone. Boxing fans have Fight Night Round 4, while RPG fans can pick between Monster Hunter Freedom Unite and Tales of Vesperia. There are a truck load of other releases, so take a look below to see if anyone takes your fancy.

Fight Night Round 4 (PS3, X360) 26/6

Fight Night Round 4 makes punching Ricky Hatton in the face even more realistic than last time. There’s a huge roster of fighters, new fighting styles and the introduction of the legacy mode; which is basically a re-titled version of the career mode which allows you to create your own boxer or choose from legends such as Mike Tyson or Lennox Lewis.

Overlord II (PC, PS3, X360) 26/6

The first Overlord was pretty well received, even if the sales weren’t great. However, it was marred by technical problems - such as long load times and low frame rates - that Overlord II hopes to avoid. The plot is penned by Rhianna Pratchett (Terry’s daughter), who recently did the plot for Mirror’s Edge, and follows the events of the first game. As for gameplay the game apparently “massively increases the scope of the original concept” (source), which means improved minion intelligence and destructiveness and the ability to carry out tasks such as riding mounts and sailing warships. Sounds like fun to me!

Anno 1404 (PC) 26/6

The RTS and city building series continues, or rather goes back in time to 1404. This installment features a new interface, gigantic islands and worlds, a modifiable sandbox and a host of other features. Oh, and there’s the (English gentlemen mode commence!) absolutely splendid graphics you can see above.

Spore Galatic Adventures (PC) 26/6

Spore’s first proper expansion pack (the first, Spore Creepy & Cute Parts Pack, simply contained some new body parts) adds some much needed meat to the game in the form of custom missions. The player can customise planets, add flora and fauna, new vehicles, buildings and other objects while also defining various goals for the mission; such as having to defeat a particular enemy or collect a certain object. It should add some much needed variety to a game that got stale pretty damn quick.

Other releases:

• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (PC, PSP, PS2, PS3, Wii) 26/6
• Monster Hunter Freedom Unite (PSP) 26/6
• Tales of Vesperia (X360) 26/6
• Dynasty Warriors 6: Empires (PS3, X360) 26/6
• Lego Battles (DS) 26/6
• Resident Evil Archives: Resident Evil (Wii) 26/6
• Guitar Hero: Smash Hits (PS2, PS3, X360, Wii) 26/6
• Superstars V8 Racing (PC, PS3, X360) 26/6
• Street Fighter IV (PC) 26/6
• Overlord Minions (DS) 26/6
• Fuel (PC) 26/6
• Music (DS) *Out now*
• CustomPlay Golf (PC) 26/6
• Ico Soccer DS (DS) 26/6
• Pool Hall Pro (Wii) 26/6
• Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (DS, PC, PS2, PS3, X360, Wii) 26/6
• Diabolik: The Original Sin (DS, PC, Wii) 26/6
• Story Hour: Fairy Tales (Wii) 26/6
• Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits (DS) 26/6
• Skyscraper (Wii) 26/6
• Deus Ex Complete (PC) 26/6
• Valhalla Nights 2 (PSP) 26/6
• Another Code R: A Journey into Lost Memories (Wii) 26/6
• Bigfoot: Collision Course (DS, PC) 26/6
• My Friends (DS) 26/6
• Fritz Chess (DS, PS3, Wii) 26/6
• Story Hour: Adventures (Wii) 26/6
• SimEarth (Wii) 26/6
• Conflict Collection (PC) 26/6
• Party Pigs: FarmYard Games (Wii) 26/6
• Pro Cycling Manager 2009 (PSP) 26/6
• The Big Deal (DS) 26/6
• Rock Band 2 (Wii) 26/6
• Overlord: Dark Legend (Wii) 26/6
• DC Universe Online (PC) 26/6
• Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero? (PSP) 26/6

(Images Source: Gamespot)

Forget about Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars being exclusive to the Nintendo DS because Rockstar have now confirmed that they’re porting it to the PSP in time for autumn.

The PSP will reportedly take advantage of the PSP’s more powerful hardware, meaning a graphical update and new story missions. Rockstar will also offer a downloadable version for the PSP Go!, alongside the regular UMD release.

“Rockstar’s work with the GTA series has been an enormous part of the success of PlayStation platforms,” said Jack Tretton, President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America. “We’re excited to welcome the critically acclaimed Chinatown Wars to the outstanding line-up of great games headed to the PSP platform this fall”- Kotaku

I think Chinatown Wars is an amazing game, and it’s probably the best game available on the DS, but maybe the DS wasn’t the right platform when it comes to mature games as the sales seem to reflect that. These poor sales have obviously prompted Rockstar to look to other platforms to make a profit, or maybe they were planning this all along - who knows? Whatever the case it’s good news for those that only have a PSP, but I’m curious about whether or not the touch screen mini-games will lose their appeal with you obviously not being able to use a touch screen.

There is only one big release this week, and that’s Rail Simulator 2: Railworks Platform! Tipped to be one of the most exciting games of the decade Rail….ok, who am I kidding? Prototype is the only ‘hyped’ big release this week; with pirates, Harrison Ford and John McEnroe also competing for your money.

Prototype (PC, PS3, X360) 12/6

Amnesia has been used as a plot device in thousands of TV programmes, films, games and books but has I doubt it has ever been used as a way to explain why Alex Mercer has suddenly got devastating super powers and is out to kill hordes of people. This not only includes the ability to run up the sides of buildings or crush a tank, but also the ability to summon spikes up through the ground that impale anyone unlucky enough to be standing in their way. Check out these vidoes for more grisly awesomeness.

Grand Slam Tennis (Wii) 12/6

Grand Slam Tennis is one of the first Wii games to work with the new Wii MotionPlus, which means that it will be coming bundled with the device for a limited time. It always disappointed me that when playing Wii Sports you could get the same result by only flicking your wrist rather than using the Wii Remote like a tennis player would a racquet. Thankfully MotionPlus has fixed this, meaning that our arms will now hurt more than ever when watching John McEnroe and his superb hair go crazy at Wimbledon.

Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings (DS, PSP, PS2, Wii) 12/6

It has been a while since we had an Indiana Jones game, and coming so long after the latest film you have to wonder if anyone really wants a new Indy game. LucasArts is taking a punt at it anyway, taking Indy around the world to kick that Chinese guy’s ass (above) and possibly solve a puzzle or two. While it doesn’t sound all that appealing to me the inclusion of the classic PC game Indiana Jones and The Fate of Atlantis (Wii version only) does make it somewhat more appealing. You have to wonder why LucasArts didn’t just release Fate of Atlantis on WiiWare though.

Pirates Vs. Ninjas Dodgeball (Wii) 12/6

Ah, the age old question. Who would win in a fight: pirates or ninjas? Thankfully you can now solve this question; although you will have to do it with balls instead of swords and nunchucks. The game was already released on Xbox Live Arcade last year, and back then reviews cited a lack of content and, erm, fun. Maybe Gamecock has improved it for a Wii release, but don’t hold your breath.

Other releases:

• Dragonica Online (PC) 10/6
• Guitar Hero: Metallica (PS2) 12/6
• Chronicles of Mystery: The Scorpio Ritual (PC) 12/6
• Rail Simulator 2: Railworks Platform (PC) 12/6
• Barnyard Blast (PSP) 12/6

(Images source: Gamespot)