Thanks to the recently-concluded Game Developers Conference, we had a glut of news bits this week. Some of them are still quite vague, like Sony's awesome new game title (the title's awesome. I have no idea what the game's like) and the hints about a new Square Enix game, but we did also get some definites this week. For example, we got a few details about the songs in Rock Band: Unplugged as well as more proof that Apogee doesn't just trade in vaporware. All that and more in this week's PSP Weekend Warrior!

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HARDWARE AND GENERAL NEWS:

• Mudslinging between Sony and Microsoft seems to be playing second fiddle these days to mudslinging between the PSP and the iPhone. ngmoco's Neil Young said during GDC that the iPhone is "better than the DS, better than the PSP". Link.
  
• Sony's John Koller again emphasized the important role that digital releases will play in the PSP's future. Are we finally looking at a non-UMD future? Link.
• Sony's dropping something big on March 31st, apparently. They're keeping their cards close and chances are this'll be for the PS3, but it's also possible that the PSP faithful will get some Sony-branded lovin' too. Link.
• The March announcement's not the only thing to look forward to. Come June 2, Sony will be joining Microsoft and Nintendo at the E3 press conference. Link.
• Here's something nice, albeit a bit random: a multi-shaped Cobra Stand Bundle kit for the PSP Slim and PSP Brite models. Link.

SOFTWARE NEWS:

• Thanks to the ESRB Rating Information page, we finally got some ideas on what Rock Band Unplugged on the PSP will look and sound like. Link.
• Though this is just an announcement of a release window for just one major region, it's still one step closer to a PAL retail release for Dissidia: Final Fantasy. Link.
• Tetsuya Nomura has revealed that they'll be making a special announcement regarding the Kingdom Hearts series next week. No need to say please, Nomura-san. We'll definitely be looking forward to it. Link.
• A newly-surfaced screenshot has hinted at a possible new game from Square Enix: something completely new, something completely mysterious - yet something quite familiar too. Link.
• And speaking of mysterious new games, a trademark filing has revealed that Sony's got a new game called Holy Invasion of Privacy, Badman!. No joke. That's the title. Of course, it could also be just a jab at those who keep trying to dig up the company's secret projects. Link.
• It looks like Apogee's really hunkered down and made sure the new handheld Duke Nukem games don't turn into vaporware. This week, they released some screenshots and details (Link) as well as an interview and some gameplay clips (Link).
• The big winners of this year's  GDC 09 Developers' Choice Awards have been announced. Representing the PSP is God of War: Chains of Olympus, which won as the Best Handheld Game. Link.
  
• Dirt on the PSP's not a bad thing, but only if you're talking about Codemasters' racing series, Colin McRae: DiRT. Yep, the series is finally coming to the PSP via DiRT 2. Link.
• A demo for Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce also dropped on the PlayStation Store this week, treating gamers to a peek at the game's multiplayer mode. Link.
  
• Hideo Kojima is a genius, yes, but he really should stop talking in finalities ("last Metal Gear", etc.). Anyway, the man dropped some not-so subtle hints about a new MGS game during his GDC 09 keynote. Link.

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Let's talk about Mr. Neil Young's statements for a bit. He claimed during GDC that the iPhone is "better than the DS, better than the PSP". Now, I respect Mr. Young. I happen to love his early stuff especially when he was still with CSNY, and I personally think that "The Needle and the Damage Done", "Cinnamon Girl", and "Rockin' in the Free World" are three of the best songs EVAR, but what does he know about all these newfangled-technology whizz-bang gadgets anyway? I mean, the man has got to be pushing 70 or something and he never did struck me as a gaming fan...

...What's that? Wrong Neil Young?

Oh, OK then. Know what I think? I think this particular Mr. Young's just trying to make more money. See, it works like this: tell people that the iPhone's better than both the DS and PSP and maybe you'll convince them to go and buy one instead of the others. The more iPhone owners there are, the more Mr. Young stands to gain since there are now more potential customers that he can sell ngmoco games to.

It all boils down to marketing, so don't take it to heart too much, guys. Just keep liking your handheld of choice without paying any attention to what others are saying about it. It doesn't really matter if you have an iPhone, a PSP, or a DS. As long as you enjoy it, then at the end of the day that's all that matters.

But hey, that's just me talking.