Here's the lowdown on all the PSP releases for this week, beginning July 17th. This list includes both UMD movies and UMD games. UMD movies you say? Yes, despite UMD movies coming off the shelves of most popular stores, somebody was still foolhardy enough to release a UMD movie title this week. Check them out:

UMD Game releases:

• Blade Dancer
• Miami Vice
• NCAA Football 07
• Stacked
• Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth

UMD Movie releases:

• Road House

Both Stacked and Miami Vice get my vote for this week. The images and gameplay shown in previous screenshots and press releases amaze me, and both would be a good buy in my opinion. However, Road House on UMD Movie? If you can find it in a bargain bin of some store which is getting rid of it' UMD Movie collection that's probably been there since the PSP was released, then go ahead. Otherwise, buy the DVD.

Vivendi Games - you know, the guys who published games like World of Warcraft and SWAT - and UK based developer Rebellion released some new screenshots regarding their PSP exclusive title Miami Vice: The Game. The third-person action game will be inspired by the upcoming movie (released July 28, starring Colin Farrell, Jamie Foxx, Gong Li, Naomie Harris and Ciar?Hinds), and will have Grand Theft Auto gameplay styles. "Set in present-day Miami, players will go deep undercover as narcotic officers Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs in the rich, glamorous and decadent world of Miami Vice -- a place where badges don't count."

"By taking full advantage of the advanced technology on the PSP system, Miami Vice The Game will deliver action-packed missions and highly-detailed locations that capture the danger-filled lives of the film's main characters and immerse players in the authentic world of Miami Vice," said Cindy Cook, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer for VU Games. The game already has an M for Mature rating.

 
 

Vivendi have released a trailer for their upcoming game for the PSP, Miami Vice. Miami Vice The Game brings the classic TV show exclusively to Sony's portable console with a whole host of features. It'll be a shooter with mini-games such as drug trading and hacking, as well as featuring boat-to-boat shootouts via "Interactive Cutscene Encounters", which just sounds cool. Unlike other game trailers this one actually has gameplay footage in it, which you can tell by the menu system.

You can't say much from gameplay trailers as most of the time they have been edited to make it look much better than they actually are, however I don't believe that with this one. The graphics look suitable but not blown out of proportion when compared to the capabilities of the PSP. This title looks realistic, and I'm sure will sell well just because of its links to the classic TV Show and upcoming movie remake. One thing I'm not sure about is the control system - games that are packed full of features sometimes don't work so well because of the PSPs control limitations.

We'll see when the game is released later on this month.

Download: [Miami Vice The Game trailer]

Just a day after dropping "Universal" from its name, Vivendi Games is back in the headlines as it reveals its E3 games lineup. Vivendi is prepping up the debut of Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon at next month's big trade show. While Crash Bandicoot will be exclusive to Nintendo DS, Spyro will breath fire on the Xbox, PS2, Gamecube, DS, and Game Boy Advance. Sorry folks, no PS3 and Revolution for now.

The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning is a recap of the purple dragon's origin story. It will include flying levels as well as stronger focus on combat. Krome Studios will develop the game for the console and GBA versions, while the DS edition will be handled by Amaze Entertainment.

Bandicoot will debut on the DS with Crash Boom Bang! It features 40 mini games, wireless multiplayer, and a communication system that allows players conspire against each other midgame. This is Bandicoot's entry to the party-game genre. Players will also be able to bet on the outcome of the matches, earning points that can be traded in for 80 different  game-altering items.

But wait, the Vivendi lineup doesn't stop there.  Other games that will be feted at the Vivendi booth are as follows:

• PSP version of 50 Cent: Bulletproof
• Scarface
• Eragon
• PSP game based on the upcoming Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx film Miami Vice
• PC: World in Conflict, Caeser IV, Joint Task Force, Freestyle Street Basketball.
  

Rounding out the lineup is Vivendi's newest acquisition for the PC and Xbox 360, Timeshift, a First-Person Shooter game that gives players the gift of time manipulation.

Just some time back, we had shown you screenshots of the game Miami Vice. Guess what ? We've got more exclusive screenshots. Have a look at them.

Well, how about some details now ? Set in present-day Miami, players will go deep undercover as narcotic officers Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs in the rich, glamorous and decadent world of Miami Vice -- a place where badges don't count. Developed by UK-based Rebellion, Miami Vice The Game will be available exclusively for the PSP^TM (PlayStation^®Portable) system in July 2006. The development of the game comes through an agreement with Universal Studios Consumer Products Group.

"By taking full advantage of the advanced technology on the PSP system, Miami Vice The Game will deliver action-packed missions and highly-detailed locations that capture the danger-filled lives of the film's main characters and immerse players in the authentic world of Miami Vice," said Cindy Cook, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer for VU Games.

In Miami Vice The Game, players follow a storyline set just before the events of the film. Gamers must build up the nefarious reputation necessary to infiltrate the seedy underbelly of South Beach, and ultimately bring down the organization of an "untouchable" South American drug lord. Gamers can also choose to play as either Crockett or Tubbs, or team up via wireless to play each mission cooperatively.

Key game features include:

• THE MIAMI VICE EXPERIENCE – Play as undercover cops Crockett and Tubbs in the notorious world of Miami Vice -- the mansions, the money, and the mayhem -- set in present-day Miami
• DESIGNED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE PSP SYSTEM – Experience cutting-edge motion capture, highly-detailed environments, and lighting effects inspired by the film created to maximize the technology of the PSP system
• COOPERATIVE PLAY – Play as partners with wireless action
• MORE THAN A STRAIGHT SHOOTER
  Drug Trading – Raise needed capital and build reputation by managing drug inventory
  Hacking – Unlock sensitive information (security codes, locations, etc.)
  Interactive Cutscene Encounters (ICE) – Continue to boost reputation through dramatic interactive cinematic encounters with powerful drug lords
• REPUTATION BUILDING DYNAMIC – Establish rep as a major player in the narcotics world through contraband trading, aggressively interacting with drug barons, and pursuing criminals with reckless abandon
• HIGH-POWERED ACTION MISSIONS – Armed with intelligence from informants and utilizing hacking skills, take on the enemy in varied locations with an impressive array of weapons
• BOAT GUNPLAY – Experience high-speed chases through Miami's treacherous waterways while engaging in boat-to-boat shootouts

Miami Vice The Game will be available exclusively for the PSP system in July 2006 for a suggested retail price of £34.99, with a BBFC 18+ rating.

The classic TV show is coming to the PSP as an third-person action shooter. Miami Vice puts players deep in present-day Miami as narcotics officers Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs. In order to infiltrate the bedraggled underbelly of South Beach and take down the 'untouchable' South American drug lord, players must build up their reputation. Hey, why listen to my talking when you can just let your own imagination run wild by looking at the screenshots below.