We're down to the last leg of our 25 excellent PSP games at a bargain price series and we're bringing you a variety of titles. We've included a turn-based tactical strategy title, a rhythm strategy title, a dose of portable Grand Theft Auto, some undead head-swapping, and some good old cute golf. Interested? Check out the full article.

What happens when you take a pretty professional golfer, introduce her to the wonders of virtual golf, and give her a GPS-assisted caddy? If you're from Japan, then you probably know that it makes for good advertising.

GameTrailers recently posted an advertisement for Sony's Minna no Golf Ba, featuring a pro golfer who's introduced to the wonders of the game. In addition to growing enchanted with playing the game, said golfer also tried out the virtual caddy system. The second UMD for Minna no Golf Ba held additional value as a golfing aid by working as a GPS-based caddy, telling the golfer how far there was to the actual hole on the golf course they were playing on.

Of course, it won't help improve your swing, but it will tell you just how far you've been walking to get that ball into the hole, at least. In the meantime, watch the video, and enjoy!

A lot of people have been wondering about how the GPS system on Sony's Everybody's Golf (Minna no Golf Ba) for the PSP. This game actually comes with two UMDs when you buy it. One of the UMDs contains the golf game while the other is a virtual caddy.

The golf courses included in the virtual caddy are all from the Chiba prefecture. It interacts with the PSP GPS add-on to give players a calculation of your current distance to the hole to assist you in selecting your clubs. Now while it may seem gimmicky and won't really be replacing real-life caddies any time soon, it does showcase the potential of sports games in general.

A lot of games just let you play it virtually, this stab at allowing a game to help you in the real-life sport is innovative and will hopefully become a trend.

There's fanboyism in everything these days. And sure enough, we also regularly see Coke vs. Pepsi fanboy wars. And lucky enough for all you Coca Cola fans, there's a Coke-flavored PSP for sale on eBay. Apparently, Sony, in collaboration with Coca Cola, had run a contest a while ago, giving away Coke-branded PSPs and a special Coke-branded not-for-sale version of Minna No Golf / Hot Shots game.

Unfortunately, those contests ran out quite a while ago, so unless you were one of the lucky winners, you probably wouldn't have one of those special edition PSPs. Fortunately, though, eBay comes to the rescue. Because one of the contest winners apparently decided to part with his prize. Here's a few pics of his PSP:

Of course there's a catch: the price. The whole package - including the PSP, the special version game, and a winners' certificate - costs about US$ 660 or £ 349.99. I'm not sure who would want to buy a PSP the price of a PS3, but I guess some rabid fanboy had fun splurging over half-a-thousand dollars on a PSP! Bidding for this has ended but check out the item on eBay by clicking "Read" below.

Sony stops at nothing when it comes to marketing gimmicks. We are already aware of the GPS and camera capability that will come soon on PSP -- something we think that Sony does only to make the PSP more appealing even to non-gamers. Consider, for example, the golf players. They won't normally buy a PSP just so they can play Hot Shots Golf, but the PSP's ability to actually provide all the golf data that they need in a real Japanese golf course may be indispensable to them. The PSP then turns into a personal golf assistant.

   

 
In Homestar: 21st Century Navigator, the GPS lets you get night sky data. Again, this function may appeal to stargazers and astronomy hobbyists and not just to players. But about the most gaming use we can find from the GPS system can be found in Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops. The GPS function allows you to take advantage of Wi-Fi hotspots to earn powered-up bonus characters that you can use in the Comrade system. Then again, Konami has mentioned that the GPS can be useful in other fields as well, such as education and services.

   

 

These "other" uses will more likely help those who are out on the road since the automatic route guidance will tell you how to get to a location which you can use both in the car, and when walking on foot. Moreover, anyone can take advantage of the console's wide screen that allows you to view maps in multiple ways.

The GPS is one thing. The PSP is another. Put these two together and you got something original, and it's a laudable effort from Sony. But the question is: will it sell?

It seems a bit outlandish to actually integrate GPS with a PSP, but it may actually prove to be brilliant. In fact, we could really use a little GPS help when it comes to finding good comrades. Yep, I'm talking about Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops and how the GPS is going to do something really cool to the game.

The GPS in the PSP lets you get in touch with satellites wherever you are and it tells you where the hotspots are. When you finally get there and connect to local Wi-fi points or PSP Spots, it's possible to earn powered-up bonus characters that you can use in the Comrade system. Remember that in Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, there's a hotspot hiring feature that lets you earn various levels of characters stored for various IP addresses and zones. You can then make use of the GPS feature in the console in the special Scavenger Hunt for comrades.

The GPS receiver promises to be a cool enhancement to Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops and Hot Shots Golf Portable. There are, ofcourse, various other uses for it that Konami has outlined at the TGS, such as in the field of education and services.

The strange thing is that we're only seeing the Japanese PSPs carrying this feature, and the GPS attachment will only be available in Japan. Whether Konami will include the feature in English-language PSPs remains a question.

In an earlier article we already told you that the GPS for the PSP will be available for sale in Japan on December 7th, and that it will be sold for 6,000 yen (which is roughly $52 for us). But now, we bring you more information about the PSP GPS such as its technical specs, the games in which the GPS can be used, and other software that would support the GPS. Stay with us as we go through this as quick as we can, and we promise you, you'll be seeing stars after this, and we mean that quite literally.

First, let's tackle the technical specs on this baby. The PSP GPS will have a 20-channel reception system with a frequency of 1575.42MHz (L1 ban, C/A code). It would take 40 seconds before it could acquire your position, and refreshes the information about your location every second after that. The positioning precision is 5m, or 16 ft., which means that its accuracy in reporting your position will be (at most) 16 ft. from where you're actually standing. Pretty cool, huh?

The PSP GPS weighs around 16g, measures 45 x 41 x 17mm (W x H x D), and as you can see in the image above, goes directly into the USB port on your PSP. Now, what can the GPS actually do for your PSP aside from knowing your exact location? You can also use it for astronomic observation via the "Planetarium Creator Homestar Portable" navigation tool, which contains information on over 5 million stars, 300 heavenly objects, and over 15 planetarium style shows. And with the GPS receiver, you'll not only be able to see the stars that are actually over your head, but also get information about them, like this:

   

If you're a smooth talker with a passion for astronomy, the PSP GPS might just be your ultimate date tool. But now, on to more pressing matters: how the GPS will be used for your games! Or maybe we should reserve this for a later article, what do you think? Hmm? Kidding, of course we'll give it to you now!

Honestly, we're not so sure how the GPS will work with games, and it's not like we have anything like this on the market to compare it with. On their part, Sony also hasn't clarified how GPS will enhance video gaming. But, they have announced that Konami's Metal Gear Portable Ops and their own Hot Shots Golf (aka Everybody's Golf) will be able to use the GPS feature.

Sony remains tight-lipped on this matter, especially for Metal Gear, but they did HINT at how the GPS would prove to be a nifty tool for Hot Shots Golf: through the "Downloadable Golf course data" and 'Simulation for shot." For now, we can only guess how the GPS will be used in Portable Ops, care to share your thoughts on this?

In a press release, Sony revealed the second wave of Greatest Hits games that will hit the PSP later this year. The first wave will launch tomorow, as reported earlier. Ace Escape: On the Loose, ATV Offroad Fury: Blazin' Trails, Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee, Twisted Metal: Head On and Wipeout Pure make up the first wave. Many people were disappointed that some popular titles like Lumines wouldn't be making the cut. Well, Sony has fixed that! The second wave games are as follows:

• Lumines
• Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition
• Star Wars Battlefront II
• Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Remix
• Untold Legends: Brotherhood of the Blade

All Greatest Hits games will retail for $19.99 in the USA. Retailers in Canada seem to live in 2001 when it comes to exchange rates, so expect $29.99 or $24.99 if we're lucky.

Along with the press release came the information that "With more than 5 million units sold, the PSP system remains North America’s top-selling next-generation handheld in the period since its record-setting launch in March 2005." I'm just noting this because it's the most creative marketing spin I've ever seen in a press release. In one sentence, Sony has added enough restrictions to give the idea that PSP is the dominant handheld in the continent! I know some of you are thinking "Shipped vs Sold?" but that's not the case. Sony has sold 5 million since its launch in March. However, that's the thing! "Period since [sic] March 2005" means that November 2004 - April 2005, in which the DS sold 1,651,786 units, is not counted. Also, they say "next-generation handheld" to exclude the GBA which has surprisingly outsold the DS and PSP since March! Again, very creative people in marketing. They deserve a raise or something!

This piece of info has been known for quite some time now but since the 25th is just five days away, we figured now would be a good time to remind people of the upcoming release of the first "Greatest Hits" collection for the Sony PSP.

Here are the games slated to be released as part of the first "Greatest Hits" collection:

• Ape Escape: On The Loose - A game that's very reminiscent of Donkey Kong. But then again, pretty much all monkey games remind me of Donkey Kong. Anyway, in this one, the player is faced with the challenge of capturing more than 200 monkeys in eight worlds spanning more than 20 levels in order to prevent them from changing history. It's also got multi-player functionality as well as extra mini-games for players of all ages.
• ATV Offroad Fury: Blazin' Trails - This one's a free-roaming off-road racing game with more than 30 unique environments and more than 24 highly detailed ATVs available. ATV Offroad Fury: Blazin' Trails also offers six distinct terrain types including snow, dirt, mud, ice, water, and grass. Up to four players can be supported via wireless multiplayer connectivity. The game also has several gameplay options including a training course, different race modes such as race, freestyle, and career, and various mini-games.
• Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee - Part of the multimillion-unit-selling Hot Shots Golf franchise, Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee features six all-new courses and an all-new character customization feature that includes over 250 customizable body parts, accessories, clubs, and balls. The game also has an intuitive growth system that allows virtual golfers to improve their character's experience and abilities by spending more time on the greens. Multiplayer options include two-person matches, eight-person tournaments, and two-person miniature golf rounds.
• Twisted Metal: Head On - We're heading off the off-road track and getting back onto concrete as Incognito Entertainment serves us another helping of destruction courtesy of Sweet Tooth and his "friends". Twisted Metal: Head On can support up to six players via wireless multiplayer connectivity, and gamers can either go head to head or compete against AI-controlled vehicles. Various power-ups litter each of the 12 arenas available in this awesome little game, letting players vent their road rage out on their opponents using weapons ranging from machine guns to unique vehicle attacks. And if you ever run out of ammo, don't forget: your vehicle is a weapon too.
• Wipeout Pure - So far, Wipeout Pure is the only game on the "Greatest Hits" roster without a colon in its title. This combat racing title lets up to eight players battle each other via a Wi-Fi link. Players can also choose to compete against AI-controlled opponents and blast their way to the top. Downloadable content, including new tracks, ships, skins and music, can be downloaded to a Memory Stick Duo to expand the racing experience and allow for personalization of the game.

Well, there it is. If any of you guys fancy trying out any of these PSP games, we suggest you just wait a few days and buy the "Greatest Hits" pack when it's released. Five good games for a suggested retail price of $19.99 is a pretty good bargain. Also, watch out for more games to be added to the "Greatest Hits" roster in the near future.

Source: Gamespot

When it comes to console golf games, there are three options: You like Tiger Woods, you like Hot Shots, or you don't like console golf games. The preferences comes down largely to gameplay mechanics, though the differences between Tiger's mostly realistic PGA style and Hot Shot's colorful anime aesthetic are significant factors, too. Despite some detestable load times, Tiger Woods has already made a solid showing on the PSP. But now it's Hot Shots' turn. Open Tee capably translates the Hot Shots look and feel to the PSP, making it an accessible and entertaining golf game on its own. As a result, it's a fine alternative for those who simply don't like their golf Tiger style.

Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee sticks, almost stubbornly, to the old-fashioned three-click swing mechanic that's been a golf game standard since the late '80s. After lining up the direction of your shot with the D pad and selecting the proper club with the shoulder buttons, you'll tap the X button three times: once to start your power meter, again to determine the power of your swing, and a third time to determine how straight your shot is. When the meter is in motion, you can hold down in a direction on the D pad to add some directional spin to the ball, though once the ball is actually in the air, all you can do is stand back and watch. Despite the charming appearance, Open Tee can actually be quite challenging. You can choose to take a bit of the edge off the long game by automating the accuracy button press, but there's little assistance during the short game, where it's not uncommon to watch your birdie opportunity quickly dissolve into a double bogey if you don't read the break of the green properly. Open Tee's digital mechanics offer a greater amount of control and flexibility than they initially let on, but a disconnect exists between the controls and the onscreen action, as is the hazard of such control schemes.

Difficulty:Medium
Learning Curve:About a half hour
Score : 7.8 (good)
Gameplay: 8
Graphics: 8
Sound: 7
Value: 7
Tilt: 8

You can practice your strokes in the training mode, but you're probably better off just learning as you go by jumping straight in to the challenge mode. This tiered single-player mode gives you a progressively more difficult series of events to compete in, such as regular match games, one-on-one competitions, and full-blown tournaments. Victories in the challenge mode will unlock courses in the stroke play mode, as well as new golfers and new accessories. Though you can't create your own custom golfer from scratch, you can adorn the unlocked golfers in a wide and bizarre array of accessories. Sure, there are straitlaced golfer costumes and clubs and such, but you can also choose to give your golfer a fox tail or a frying pan for a golf club. Options like these should give you a good idea of the game's overall flavor. There's also a putting challenge mode where you're placed on a putting green with several different holes to one-stroke your ball into. You're given points for each ball you sink, and the farther away the hole, the greater the points. It can be hard, but difficulty doesn't really translate to fun. Consequently, Open Tee would have been better off including the minigolf mode found in Hot Shots Golf Fore! for the PlayStation 2.

You can also play tournament, match play, or putting challenge games with up to eight players over a Wi-Fi connection, and aside from an oddball collection of bizarre rules you can implement, it's all pretty standard stuff. It's functional, but the multiplayer has a few glaring missed opportunities. Many of the Sony-published games released for the PSP thus far have allowed for Internet play, but this feature is absent in Open Tee...and it's sorely missed. Additionally, Open Tee lacks a pass-and-play multiplayer mode, which seems like kind of a no-brainer considering the turn-based nature of the game.

One of the biggest weaknesses in Tiger Woods PGA Tour for the PSP has become one of the biggest strengths of Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee. Tiger suffered from lengthy and frequent load times that forced the speed of the game to slow to a very methodical pace. Open Tee, on the other hand, will load briefly before you begin on a course, and until you sink the 18th hole, the rest of the game is virtually seamless. This makes the game pretty peppy, overall, and it's easy to bust through a whole game in no-time.

The Hot Shots series has forever been populated by caricatured, bobbleheaded golfers swinging around fairly realistic-looking courses, and Open Tee carries on that tradition. Each golfer's bizarre, intrinsically Japanese personality comes through nicely thanks to some spirited animations and clean, detailed textures, even though the golfers themselves are kind of chunky-looking. The courses start off looking like well-groomed real-life links, though as you progress, the specific themes become more pronounced, especially once you hit the pyramid-filled desert level. In a nutshell, the courses look good, and the visuals have a lot of charm. One of the more novel touches in Open Tee is the way certain sound effects are represented visually with tiny speech bubbles. For example, if your ball ends up passing through the branches of a tree, a "PFFT" bubble will appear. Similarly, when you sink a shot, you'll get a "KPLUNK" bubble.

There's a specific style of synthesized, easy-listening piano bar music that surfaces often in tennis, horse racing, and golf games developed in Japan. And it's in full effect in Open Tee. It's cheesy, but in a fun, harmless sort of way. It's unlikely you'll find yourself strolling around humming music from the game after an extended session, but it otherwise fits the tone of play well. The voice acting has a more active capacity to irritate, as both the caddies and the characters like to let loose with little exclamations at several different points during a single hole. These sound bites are rarely amusing, and once you've heard them all and they start looping, they graduate to annoying.

Hot Shots and Tiger both have their strengths and weaknesses, and whether you prefer one over the other hinges largely on what you want from your golf game. Open Tee isn't really any more or less accessible than Tiger, but the playful visual style will likely appeal more to those with no interest in real-world golf, and established Hot Shots fans will definitely find this to be their preferred game.

Buy PSP Hot Shots Golf Open Tee for your PSP here