Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) just announced a new NBA video game title for PlayStation Portable owners. NBA '08 Block Party (that's just the working title) is set to dribble its way to stores across North America this coming October 2.

SCEA mentioned that the title is currently with its studio in San Diego. In terms of gameplay, the company said that Block Party will offer a lot of mini games aside from the staples such as season mode, quick play, and others.

Probably the most exciting one is the Conquest Mode where players are allowed to acquire and manage new territories. Aside from the already mentioned, other features of NBA '08 Block Party include:

• In addition to returning classics such as HORSE, Dodgeball, Own the Court, PlayStation Skills Challenge, and 3-Point Contest, NBA '08 introduces a new set of challenging mini-games, further adding to the portfolio of quick action skills contests:
• Shooting Bricks – Players will use a basketball to break apart sections of bricks to clear levels (based on the original Arkanoid arcade game).
• Breakaway – Quick running game where users can alternate playing offense and defense in a 3-on-2 situation.
• Elimination – A team-based game where gamers win by scoring a set number of points with each of their players. As gamers reach their point quota, they are removed from the team and remaining players receive various power-ups. The first team to remove all of their players wins.
• With returning mini-game classics such as Pop-a-Shot, Pinball, and Skee-ball, NBA '08 adds games such as Fast Break, Block-a-Shot, and Alley-Oop, each of which allow players to earn tickets for unlockable items.
• Season mode features such as simulation, trades, free agent lists, and injuries, are now enhanced with elements of player management and team chemistry settings that add complexity to each season and continue to deliver challenging basketball.
• Updated pinball boards will be released to consumers regularly after launch and team roster updates will be made available on a weekly basis.
• Get play-by-play from Ian Eagle and color commentary from Mark Jackson, as they return to provide the most comprehensive in-depth analysis.

The other features and the first screenshots are after the jump! Click on the Full Article link below to see them.

PSP homebrew coder timwillhack has just updated the Hexaxis XXI puzzle game, which is now at update # 7. This homebrew game is a described by the author to be based on the gameplay of other puzzle classics, such as "Bombastic (XI Sai, Jumbo, Go), Tetris, Lumines, Wetrix, Ultimate Block Party, and even Fantavision." The object of the game is for players to line up matching dice numbers on their blocks to build up points. As for the matter of the new controls:

• Down, Left and Right: move dice down left and right at normal speed
• Up: Move the die down in turbo speed (3x)
• Hold CROSS (TURBO): if moving the die left right or down it moves in turbo (3x normal speed)
• Start: Pause game
• L: Zoom out
• R: Zoom in
• L & R: Turn dice preview on or off
• Select: Exit Game
  

Before uploading this game to your PSP, make sure to clear previous versions of the game to prevent any sort of mishaps. We hope the guys here enjoy the download - make sure to thank timwillhack for the effort by visiting his site (the source link). Now, if you're still undecided on loading Hexaxis XXI into your PSP, timwillhack also included a video to demonstrate Update #7's features. Enjoy your viewing.

Download: Hexaxis XXI Update #7

Hexaxis XXI Update #7's massive changelog is available in the Full Article.