Game developers are starting to recognize the fact that girl gamers are becoming an increasingly significant market, leading to a number of gender-specific releases. In Japan, pre-teen and adolescent girls recently had a chance to try out the PSP game Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side: Second Kiss after waiting with baited breath for months.

InTokimeki Memorial, girls play the main character who is a student of Habataki High School. The aim is to develop a character so charming as to get one of the boys to fall in love with her. Players have a choice of 200 outfits and numerous accessories to wear on dates. These can be purchased in-game with virtual currency earned with a part-time job. There are ten male characters to pursue and four female characters who may help and advise the player - or become her rival.

In a related story, hordes of love-struck Japanese girls descended upon Tokyo's Akihabara Station where publisher Konami sponsored a special preview of the dating sim game, not scheduled for release until August 3. Ten gaming stations were set up, and girls were allowed only ten minutes before being "pried kicking and screaming" from the controller. Girls awaiting their turn were given Tokimeki Memorial tests. Those who scored 80% or higher were given a game poster.

Apparently, three different tests had to be distributed to prevent cheating.

When I was kid (I would like to think I'm not a kid anymore), nothing beats the make-believe world of valiant knights questing to save their age-old desire, a beautiful princess. Well Ultimate Ghouls and Goblins for PSP is just like that, only you have a lot more creatures to be wary of other than dragons - believe me, lots more.

Players take the role of Sir Arthur, a hopeless, and heavily armoured, romeo trying to gain the one thing that's dearest to him - nope, it's not excalibur, his princess of course! You, as the gamer, will aim to get through all of the peril-ridden stages by slaying everything that gets in your way. Arthur can't achieve this by sheer courage alone (Quixote's a different knight), he must learn to improve skills such as jumping, wielding different weapons, and casting some spells (Merlin and Arthur rolled in one *cringe*).

Ultimate Ghouls and Goblins utilizes a 3D graphics engine, giving every aspect of the game more depth, add that to the same side-scrolling gameplay that we've all learned to appreciate. Also the non-linear gameplay gives us a level branching system and warp points to create a new single player campaign every time through.

This Capcom title is slated to hit videostore shelves this coming September. I know that's quite a while (in gamer years that is), so let's try to satisfy that craving a bit (I know it's futile, but can you blame me for trying?) with these new screenies:

Okay, it seems like there's been a bit of confusion around how to play PMP Movies, and how to convert ordinary movies into the PMP format. The aim of this guide is to clear up all this mess with the different versions, and tell you how to convert your run of the mill videos into full resolution PMP videos.

Step 1: Lets start with the PMP versions. Yes there are many variants. Here's a list of PMP Mod versions along with explanations as to which one to use. In order for you to complete this FAQ you will need at least one of these files. (*) Indicates the recommended download for the average user on each firmware.

1.5 fw

*Download: [PMP Mod v2.01 subtitle mod for fw1.5] & - Get this version if you have 1.5 firmware and want to convert ordinary video files to play on your PSP. Also includes subtitle support, but for the simplicity of this FAQ you should download this version even if you don't want subtitle support.

Download: [PMP Mod AVC v1.02 subtitle mod for fw1.5] - Get this version if you want to convert AVC video files to the PMP format. If you have no idea what AVC video is, chances are you don't need it, so get PMP Mod v2.01.

2.0-2.6 fw

*Download: [PMP Mod v2.01 subtitle mod for fw 2.0-2.6] - This is the recommended version for those using the eLoader. Also includes subtitle support, but for the simplicity of this FAQ you should download this version even if you don't want subtitle support. NOTE: PMP Mod AVC is currently not available for firmwares 2.0-2.6.

Step 2: Install the PMP files to your PSP. If you've installed PSP homebrew before, follow the same procedure.

Step 3: Download a Muxer to convert video files to the PMP format. These are universal and therefore it doesn't matter which firmware you are on.

*Download: [PMP Mod v2.01 Muxer] - Download if you have PMP Mod v2.01 on firmwares 1.5 or 2.0-2.6
Download: [PMP Muxer AVC v1.01] - Download if you have PMP Mod AVC v1.02 on firmware 1.5

Step 4: Download my PMP Mod Conversion pack and unzip it. This pack includes everything you need to encode high-quality PMP movies.

Step 5: Copy the PMP_Muxer executable that you downloaded in Step 3 to the same directory as the extracted files from the PMP Mod Conversion Pack.

Step 6: Now you have everything you need to convert and play PMP videos on your PSP! Your directory should now look like the image to the right.

To encode your PMP Movies, run the executable named "PMP Simple". This program was written by miemt11 back in January and I have found this to be the easiest way to convert movies into the PMP format. Click open to find the file you wish to convert, and then Save to in order to specify where to save the output PMP file. All of the other options are not necessary. If you know what they do and wish to customize it then go ahead, otherwise just click the Encode PMP button in the bottom right corner of the screen to get started!

Step 7: Copy your PMP Video over to your PSP in the directory x:/PSP/Video and load up the PMP Mod on your PSP. Enjoy your viewing!

This process may seem long, but after you have all the files in the correct places it is very easy to use; and I find it much quicker to convert video files into PMP format rather than PSP MP4.

With most PSP games, the addition of wireless multiplayer is very important. Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception is the first title in the long running Ace Combat series to hit a portable console, and therefore the wireless multiplayer is even more of a big deal for this game. You can have fun in single player, but what we really want to know is what multiplayer modes will there be? Will you still be playing the game after you have completed the single player mode?

Surprisingly, the multiplayer mode for Namco's Ace Combat game for the PSP has many customizable features. There is the option to set everything from weapon strength and ammunition type, to the number of ground targets and location of the aerial dogfight. Namco, the people behind this game, have released information on five multiplayer modes that will be included in the game:

• Traditional Dogfight - This has to be the simplest of the five modes, where you and a friend simply take off and shoot down whatever they can. However, this mode contains two sub-modes: Survival, where you try and shoot as many planes down as you can and be the last pilot in the sky; and Shootout, where you just aim and shoot, aiming to be the pilot that has shot down the most planes.
• Base Attack - This mode is pretty self-explanatory. Players form two attack squads and try to capture the other teams base. This mode is a little more strategic than other modes as you must find a balance between capturing the enemy base and protecting your own.
• Air Superiority - In this mode you have a limited supply of weapons, and the aim is to for a long time without being shot down with enemy planes all around you. The longer you stay airborne, the more points you will score.
• Data Beacon - This mode is much like capture the flag modes on FPS titles. You have to capture the enemy beacon from the enemy base and bring it back to your own. The team that gets the required amount of beacons back to their base first wins.
• Escort Battle - As the name suggests, players are split into two teams. One team will be responsible for attacking the convoy , and the other responsible for escorting the convoy to safety. Depending on the location of the fight, you can find yourself battling over land or sea.

Kemps, from our forums, has created a mod based on Shur1k3n Bomberman Arena - a homebrew clone of the classic strategic, maze-based video game where the aim of the game is to place bombs to kill enemies and destroy obstacles.

Additional features added include:

• New background for the starting screen
• New background for player select screen
• New score keeper on the top of the screen whilst playing

Note, that the changes are not huge (hence the minimod name) to the original Bomberman, just some minor graphical updates which hopefully Kemps will continue to add to. If you want something on a slightly different spin, then try this out ... the game is definitely a blast!

Download [Bomberman MiniMod v0.2]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]

Today Activision released the latest and official Tony Hawk's Project 8 fact sheet. The game is scheduled for release this Fall on pretty much every console except for the Wii - they'll have their own version (Downhill Jam). If you really want to know, it's for the Xbox 360, PS3, PSP, Xbox and PS2. The game will feature "...new gameplay mechanics, Tony Hawk’s Project 8 challenges fans with the most goals ever in a Tony Hawk game."

You'll have a movie mode in which you go with a filmmaker and have to follow his instructions. And, for the first time ever, players must impress in-game citizens and pedestrians to build up respect. The pedestrians watch you perform tricks, laugh at brutal bails and punch you in the gut for knocking into them. Promising.

Here's the fact sheet fresh from Activision:

Product Description:
Re-engineered from the ground up for Sony and Microsoft’s next-generation consoles, Tony Hawk’s Project 8 immerses players in the definitive skateboarding experience using ultra-realistic graphics, enhanced physics and extremely responsive controls that simulate the feeling of skating with every trick and bail. The game challenges players to experience the intensity and pressure of skating against some of the world’s top pros in true to life competitions as they aim to become the #1 skater and establish their town as a skateboard destination. Delivering continuous skating action in a free-roaming living environment, Tony Hawk’s Project 8 incorporates the series’ most popular features, all of which have been enhanced with next-generation technology.

Publisher: Activision Publishing, Inc.
Developer: Neversoft Entertainment (Xbox 360, PS3)
Shaba Games (Xbox, PS2 – NOTE: gameplay/content may vary)
PSP (Page 44 Studios)
Release Date: Fall 2006
SRP: TBD
ESRB rating: Rating Pending by the ESRB

Sam Haakenstad, more known as PSp2gamer in the QJ forum, is back with MediaCenterPSP v2.00. The new feature-packed  version of the Windows XP MediaCenter portal for the PSP reflects minor bug fixes, new default background, enhanced graphics, and other modifications. Of course it's been loaded with new features, more games and applications. Just the way we like it!

MediaCenterPSP v2.00 features:

• AIM, Yahoo, and MSN Messenger Login
• Multiple Search engine support
• Redesigned GMail Viewer
• 8 Flash Games and Apps included and download center for more
• MediaVault Downloads
• MediaCenterPSP QuikDate (Add new features right from the PSP)
• Brand new redesigned User Upload/Download Center
• File Browsing and Other Portal Loading support
• 12 Hour Clock with Day of the Week
• Only 500K
  

    Games:

• Bowman
• Eskiv
• PSP Snake (By Epixx)
• EtchNScetch (By Epixx)
• FridgeMagnets

    Apps:

• Periodic Table
• Calculator
• ICDrav V.2

Download: [MediaCenterPSP v2.00]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]