After the debacle that was the PSP-3000 launch and its horribly interlaced screen, one would think maybe it’s about time for Sony to step up with a PSP2? Well, no, not according to Sony. SCE boss David Reeves stated:

“No, there are currently no plans for a PSP2. I go to Tokyo quite a lot and no one has referred to it – I think they have their hands full at the moment.”

Granted, the PSP isn’t exactly loaded with big releases at the moment (what was the last one since God of War?), but a second system with another analog stick? Golden opportunity. Hopefully at some point down the road Sony re-enters the portable market. The PSP has plenty of merit to do so.

EGM has begun swirling rumors that a version of Little Big Planet will be coming to the PSP sometime in 2009. The kicker is that LBP creator Media Molecule won’t be at the helm, but Sony Liverpool who handles the WipeOut series of futuristic racers will be doing it. Details are obviously nill for something this early in the rumor stage, and EGM only states that it’s coming with the above release date. Supposedly, it will be “fantastically ambitious and will further flesh out the PS3 LBP experience.” That’s something to go on until Sony makes it official. It would be surprising to see all of customization makes its way over, but if it’s ambitious, that would indicate such a title.

It’s been a week as this is being written since the PSP-3000 has been released and Sony has finally admitted they’re looking into problems with the screen. The issue, which I’ve experience personally, is horrible interlacing. In fact, I even took mine back to Gamestop because I thought something was wrong. As this growing original thread that started on the official PlayStation forums states, it’s a major issue amongst owners. While Sony hasn’t announced a fix, at least they’re looking into it. Although, how they missed this in initial testing is rather baffling too.

Since Sony screwed up and only tossed one analog stick on the PSP, they’re looking to make it up to you… assuming you have a lot of stuff and money. With the release of the first portable Resistance title, Retribution, you’ll be able to use two analog sticks to play it. The catch? Well, there’s a lot of them.

Much like the ridiculous GBA/GC connectivity, you’ll need the following:

A PS3
A PSP
A PS3 controller
Resistance Retribution
Resistance 2
A TV that can play the PSP

So yeah, it’s a bit complex, but the net results are worth it. For instance, not only can you use the PS3 controller to play the game, by mixing it with Resistance 2, you’ll gain additional bonuses in Retribution like regenerating health, the ability to breathe underwater, and more weapons. If you’re already so equipped with the necessary ingredients, more power to you.

An upcoming PSP bundle, one including the new PSP-3000, has sparked an interesting thought. The bundle, due November 30th, advertises the PSP Wi-Fi store. The store is nothing new as we’ve known about it for a while. What is new that one would have to assume what you’re advertising it what you’re going to provide to potential buyers.

That should firmly place the online store launch before November 30th. The availability of the store is also supposed to be a sign for the 5.00 version of the firmware. Nothing is official, but consider this room pretty a much a sure thing.

It’s hard to argue about much when you’re getting 16 SNK titles in one compilation. The only thing that can go wrong is game selection and emulation, and while SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1 does have some trouble with both, this is undoubtedly a fine compilation.

If you’re looking into this set, then the games are what matters. Vol. 1 offers a wide array of titles from the early and late Geo eras. The best of the lot includes a number of titles almost too numerous to mention.

Needless to say, you’ll be spending a lot of time with Samurai Shodown, King of Fighters 94, Baseball Stars 2, Neo Turf Masters, Shock Troopers, Metal Slug, Magician Lord, and Last Resort. All of those are true SNK classics, and worthy for any portable console fan.

On the other hand, SNK also chose to toss a few clunkers in here. Dull beat-em-ups Burning Fight and Sengoku are lost causes. Better choices would have been Sengoku 3 (a huge improvement) and Mutation Nation. The original Fatal Fury is bland, King of the Monsters is a button masher galore (although a mild curiosity), Art of Fighting was the worst of the three game series, and Super Sidekicks is a fast-paced soccer game that’s wholly forgettable.

That said, the number of high quality titles far outweigh the negative, and nostalgia may help carry some of the lesser games into the added value category. Emulation on all games is handled nicely, with a few hiccups. Extensive loading is evident, even during the game. Shock Troopers is especially frustrating. Some sound effects either don’t play, or come in late in King of Fighters 94. These are minor problems, but purists will be put off.

Each game comes with a number of achievements per se. Performing certain tasks unlocks move lists, music, and artwork. There are no extra games to unlock, so performing the toughest tasks is purely one for the dedicated gamer. Multi-player is included, although sadly it’s only local. Putting these games online would have made this an easy buy, especially since it’s double the price of its PlayStation 2 counterpart.

Standard options exist for each game, including difficulty, screen size, and control options. Given the button configuration on the PSP, this does lead to a few problems in terms of accuracy. Samurai Shodown has been turned into a six-button fighter instead of a four button one, purely because the button layout doesn’t allow for the usual set-up of a Neo Geo pad/arcade cabinet. Also, it’s annoying to be forced to save all changes to a memory card every time for those to go into effect.

Portability ends up being the selling point here, and likely why the price has doubled. If taking these games on the road is worth it, then you’ll be on the receiving end of a fine collection of retro titles worthy of your time. Otherwise, there’s no reason to play this on the PSP as opposed to its PlayStation 2 counterpart.

If the Japanese details for the launch of the PSP store ring true for Americans, you’ll soon be able to download any and all Sony games in addition to buying them in retail stores. This is happening soon 14with the 5.00 firmware update, scheduled to hit Japanese Wi-Fi networks on October 15th. Three games will be available at launch included Patapon, LocoRoco 2, and Secret Agent Clank. Every first party title will follow day and date with their retail counterparts. No pricing is announced, though if they’re the same price, why wouldn’t you get a boxed copy?

No word on an official date for US and European gamers, though this stuff historically doesn’t take too long after a Japanese test run.

Infrastructure is a wonderful thing to see on the back of a PSP box. It means you’re getting an online experience on a small portable handheld. However, a lot of games don’t necessarily support it, plopping the dreaded “Ad Hoc” only label on it. Soon, via firmware, you can remedy that situation. Certain games will be able to be hooked up to the PS3 via the PSP and head online through an emulated online experience. As for what games, well, that remains a mystery. The Monster Hunter titles will be first up in Japan.

As an extra bonus, PSP owners will finally be able to access the PlayStation Store on their PSPs as well to download PS1 and PSP games. You’ll no longer need a PS3 to act as the middle man in this process, which is way more complicated than it needs to be.

Dylan Jobe, game director for Warhawk, has some new information on Omega Dawn, Warhawk’s first booster pack, at Sony’s PlayStation.blog. In the lengthy FAQ Jobe discusses the number of dropships per map (two), the possibility of a snow-themed map (outlook good), and whether or not fans can expect any free new content in the future (signs point to yes). Besides the new dropships, Omega Dawn also features some interface enhancements and a new battlefield for the best online game on the PS3 (sorry, Unreal Tournament 3). Omega Dawn will be available through the PlayStation Store and Warhawk’s own in-game store on December 20 for $7.99.

Games are planned to be up to half the size of UMD titles, which come in 1.8 gigs. Thankfully, memory stick prices have dropped dramatically since the PSP’s launch.