Metacritic.com: PSP Reviews

90% LittleBigPlanet

2009-11-08T00:00:16-05:00

Critic Score: 90%
Release Date: 2009-11-17

Step into LittleBigPlanet and discover a world of endless possibilities, where imagination is everything. Whatever you can see, you can enhance. And whatever you don’t see, you can invent. All you need is curiosity, creativity and a thirst for fun: LittleBigPlanet provides the rest! Set off with Sackboy to explore an incredible array of environments, where every object is ripe for investigation and interaction. Overcome all manner of bamboozling obstacles to gain the skills you need to build your own unique creations, then share them with the world. LittleBigPlanet brings the revolutionary PlayStation 3 hit to PSP in stunning style. Featuring the same iconic look and ground-breaking game design, with LittleBigPlanet for PSP, the power of play is in your hands. [SCEE]

70% Football Manager Handheld 2010

2009-09-19T12:00:34-04:00

Critic Score: 70%
Release Date: 2009-10-30

Improved Match Engine - massively update AI making the engine more realistic than ever. A brand new skin - giving the game a fresh and vibrant new look. Improved Board Confidence - a complete overhaul to allow the better visibility on how the board views your performance as well as providing feedback on any decisions made. Improved coach and scout reports - it is now possible to view scout reports for individual players from their profiles. Assistant manager team reports - you can now see what your assistant manager thinks of your team, and any suggested improvements he would make. Unlockable managerial abilities - Acquire new abilities as your reputation improves such as the ability to over-rule requests made by the board. New player comparison screens - compare players within your squad or with future transfer targets. Player testimonial matches - players now receive a testimonial game to reward loyalty and long-service to a club. [Sega]

77% Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier

2009-08-16T10:31:02-04:00

Critic Score: 77%
Release Date: 2009-11-03

Hero Jak and his mischievous sidekick Daxter are back together and for the first time-ever they've joined forces on PSP. Get set for the latest addition to the smash-hit Jak and Daxter series, Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. Prepare for non-stop action and adventure as the duo travel across mysterious lands and take to the sky on a mission to save their planet from destruction. Take this incredible adventure with you anywhere on your PSP, or play it at home with PlayStation 2. Picking up from where the original Jak and Daxter trilogy left off, Jak and furry friend Daxter team up with their friend Kiera on her quest to become a Sage and save their world from the threat of darkness. As the environment of their planet slowly dies, our two worldly heroes embark on a mission to protect their world from the threat of "dark eco". Beginning on foot, you'll run and jump across undiscovered lands, before taking flight in one of five different aircrafts. With cheeky Daxter and our serious Hero Jak together on the adventure, fun and laughter is never far away. Blast airborne enemies and battle sky pirates with your powerful Gunstaff - a brand-new weapon that can transform into other new weapons. [Sony]

64% BreakQuest

2009-10-08T00:00:15-04:00

Critic Score: 64%
Release Date: 2009-10-01

[PSP Minis] BreakQuest is a new concept break-out-style game, featuring vibrant graphics, sparkling visual effects, and funky sound.

72% Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble

2009-09-27T00:00:21-04:00

Critic Score: 72%
Release Date: 2009-11-10

Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble puts players in the role of a high school student on a class trip to a historic Japanese city, and includes no shortage of fist-to-face and knee-to-gut action all in the name of pride and bragging rights. You've got seven days to make a name for yourself. How you choose to spend your time and how you manage to rise to the top is up to you! [Atlus USA]

85% LocoRoco Midnight Carnival

2009-10-29T00:00:17-04:00

Critic Score: 85%
Release Date: 2009-10-29

[Playstation Network] The mischievous Bui Bui has prepared brand new and super challenging stages filled with gimmicks ready for you to roll and bounce through in this brand new and exclusive to PlayStation Network installment in the fun, fast and super addictive LocoRoco series. Welcome to the LocoRoco Midnight Carnival! Featuring super hard night time stages focusing on speed and temp and filled with lethal traps, will you be able to clear them or will you give up? It all depends on you. The key to surviving these perilous new stages is the brand new High Bounce, which lets you leap over barriers, climb up walls and speed up sliding LocoRoco. [Sony UK]

85% FIFA Soccer 10

2009-08-16T10:30:59-04:00

Critic Score: 85%
Release Date: 2009-10-20

On the pitch, critical gameplay fundamentals have been enhanced to ensure that FIFA Soccer 10 mirrors real-world soccer, providing more sophisticated ball control, and physical interaction between players. In addition, players now move, behave and position themselves more realistically. On attack, players analyze space more effectively, curve their runs in an attempt to stay onside, create passing lanes naturally, and drive for more variety in attacking options. On defense, new concepts like position priority enable defenders to multitask so dangerous spaces left open by teammates out of position are covered. Plus, slide tackle targeting, press marking, and better-urgency clearance logic provide new options that make defending a tactical skill in FIFA Soccer 10. In goal, a myriad of improvements and refinements to goalkeeper intelligence result in a more responsive and powerful rushing system and ultra-realistic saves. Better balance on lofted through balls, improved goalkeeper intelligence, more realistic shooting mechanics with less shots hitting the goal posts, a practice arena to perfect skills, and a more immersive soccer experience through continuous play and quick free kicks are just a few of the issues raised by fans and addressed in FIFA Soccer 10. Three new innovations revealed today at E3 have been developed to change the player control experience in FIFA Soccer 10. The first-ever true 360 degree dribbling system gives players finer control of the ball, enabling them to find spaces between defenders that previously were not possible. Using an all-new animation technology, skilled dribblers now have the ability to face the defender and use highly responsive lateral dribbling to skip past him. An innovative concept called Freedom in Physical Play enables players to perform wider dribble touches and new collision sharing creates a varied, less predictable, and extended fight for possession between the dribbler and a defender. FIFA Soccer 10 also features a deeper iteration of the ever-popular Manager Mode with more than 50 major improvements, including new match realism, realistic player transfers based on multiple decision points, and true-to-life player growth curves. [Electronic Arts]

64% NBA Live 10

2009-08-16T10:31:05-04:00

Critic Score: 64%
Release Date: 2009-10-06

Featuring several innovations to the core gameplay experience and online game modes, NBA LIVE 10 is bringing a renewed focus to the long-running EA SPORTS basketball franchise. The groundbreaking Dynamic DNA service, driven by Synergy Sports Technology, makes a return in NBA LIVE 10, with significant improvements that allow players to connect their game to the NBA season like never before. [Electronic Arts]

90% Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

2009-08-28T00:00:32-04:00

Critic Score: 90%
Release Date: 2009-10-20

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is an entirely original entry into the critically acclaimed Grand Theft Auto series, and brings a new level of interactivity to its sprawling open environments. Players navigate their way through the streets as they uncover the truth behind an epic tale of crime and corruption within the Triad crime syndicate, delivering the unprecedented amount of depth that has become a true trademark of the franchise.

89% Half-Minute Hero

2009-10-06T00:00:18-04:00

Critic Score: 89%
Release Date: 2009-10-13

As the last wandering sage and final hope for humanity, it is up to the protagonist to somehow transcend time and death to unite these legends and their unique powers in one last battle against the ultimate evil lord. Fast-paced Action for Instant Gratification - A fresh new way to play games, clearing stages in 30-second intervals. Four Completely Different and Unique Game Play Modes - Four distinct storylines and modes that encompass an action RPG, a shooter, an escort mission, and a strategy game, keep the gameplay fresh and varied. [Xseed]

47% Alien Havoc

2009-10-02T12:00:21-04:00

Critic Score: 47%
Release Date: 2009-10-01

[PSP Minis] Alien Havoc throws back to the classic games era, putting gamers in command of an alien who must pluck cows from farms, load them onto his spaceship, and bring them back to his planet. The farmers, however, won't let their cows go easily. Players must tackle wrapping level layouts, hide and sneak in the cover of tall grass, and throw veggies, rocks or anything else they can at farmers so they can bring the livestock back to their space ship. [Creat Studios]

78% Fieldrunners

2009-10-02T12:00:22-04:00

Critic Score: 78%
Release Date: 2009-10-01

[PSP Minis] Descend into the world of Fieldrunners, the most anticipated and visually stunning game in mobile Tower Defense history! Defend and control the field using a diverse selection of upgradeable towers in a limitless adventure, using a wide array of tactics and strategies against countless waves of unique land and air combatants! Hours of entertainment and replayable challenges! Enjoy a growing experience through free content updates! Do you have what it takes to dominate the fieldrunners and rise to the top as the ultimate Tower Defense master? [Subatomic Studios]

62% Hero of Sparta

2009-10-02T12:00:23-04:00

Critic Score: 62%
Release Date: 2009-10-01

[PSP Minis] You are King Argos, leader of the courageous Spartan warriors waging war to destroy an evil cult that taints Greece with blood. But destroying their last idol awoke their dark god, and now it's determined to exact revenge! Your fate now lies in its corrupt hands... Battle to avoid a tragic death as you journey from the Oracle's Island, through Atlantis and Hades, and finally to the summit of Olympus. You will fight the most phenomenal monsters from mythology, climb the Colossus, defy Cerberus and the Cyclops, and challenge the gods themselves to survive this epic odyssey! [Gameloft]

65% Naruto Shippuden: Legends: Akatsuki Rising

2009-08-16T10:31:04-04:00

Critic Score: 65%
Release Date: 2009-10-06

Based on the popular NARUTO Shippuden animated series from VIZ Media, players assume control of over 10 of their favorite ninja, including the dreaded Akatsuki. NARUTO Shippuden: Legends: Akatsuki Rising promises to deliver fierce ninja action as players re-live the NARUTO Shippuden storyline and experience a brand new adventure. Naruto and his friends are in for the fight of their lives as they search for Gaara, the fifth Kazekage, who has been kidnapped by the dreaded Akatsuki organization. It's a race against time as the Akatsuki attempts to release Shukaku, the demon sealed inside Gaara. NARUTO Shippuden: Legends: Akatsuki Rising boasts streamlined controls for the PSP, ensuring exciting, fast-paced tactical battles making best use of each character’s Jutsus. Aim and time the powerful Jutsu attacks with a simple button commands and devastate the enemies by entering Hypermode. As characters defeat the enemies or take damage, the Hyper Gauge will start to fill which enhance the Jutu or unlocks new Jutus. Players will be able to gain advantage in the heat of a battle by selecting two support characters to form a three-man team for each mission. Utilize the different skills each character brings and combine their attacks with yours to discover ultimate combos in defeating enemies. NARUTO Shippuden: Legends: Akatsuki Rising incorporates multiple modes of play including two-player cooperative or versus play via ad-hoc local wireless network. Original Mode lets players experience the Gaara Retrieval Arc as they battle enemies through lush, 3D anime inspired environments. Scenario Mode introduces all-new side-missions to pick up Skill Scrolls which increase your character's abilities including attack, defense, health and other numerous indicators reflected through all modes. Akatsuki Mode lets players gain control of members of the Akatsuki organization for the first time in a brand-new storyline, discovering the Akatsuki's true intentions while Naruto was searching for Gaara. Finally, find out who the best ninja is with Versus Mode by battling against a friend or the computer in one-on-one fights. [Namco Bandai Games]

69% Undead Knights

2009-08-16T10:31:10-04:00

Critic Score: 69%
Release Date: 2009-09-29

Playing as the anti-hero, rage through the wrath of fearless enemies and build the nastiest and most profane army you can think of in this new-style invasion action game. Prepare to wash the mouth of your army with soap as they can't help but engage in zombie bashing dialogue over a raging metal soundtrack that helps your channel your inner anger. If you can deal with the gut-wrenching, Smack-talking, fluid-spitting, and limb amputating ways of your army, you can embark on your journey of vengeance to defeat the king. The Dark Hero Persona: This game atypically allows you to be the "evil" main character serving as an anti-hero figure. Create a Zombie Army: Defeat as many enemies as you can to transform them into your own personal soldiers. Combo Attacks: Choose up to ten different combo attacks to fight your way through varied enemies ranging from animals to soldiers. Show Some Personality: Prepare to wash the mouth of your army with soap as they can't help but engage in zombie bashing dialogue. Head-Banging Madness: A raging metal soundtrack helps channel your inner anger. On a Mission: Get ready to face the king in the fifth mission for each of the four main areas. Ad-Hoc Multiplayer: Challenge up to three other players in VS play or collaborate with them in co-op play. [Tecmo]

81% Beaterator

2009-08-16T10:30:54-04:00

Critic Score: 81%
Release Date: 2009-09-29

Beaterator for the PSP system is both a powerful music mixer with robust beatmaking features, as well as a collection of original music and rhythm games and challenge modes - all available in the palm of your hand. [Rockstar]

64% NBA 10: The Inside

2009-10-05T12:00:22-04:00

Critic Score: 64%
Release Date: 2009-10-06

Franchise and Playoff Modes. Be the All-Star on the court played at a smooth 60 FPS. Be the General Manager making all the right deals. Play ad-hoc against your friends. All New Quest Modes: Dodge, Give & Go and MiniQuest strategy games allow the player to battle across the country for ultimate NBA domination. Crazier Mini-Games. Need a little break from your serious hoop time? Welcome to the Block Party with all new arcade-style games like Cherry Pickin’ and Bowling, joining classics like H.O.R.S.E, Alley Oop, Bang the Boards, Shootin’ Bricks, and Own the Court. [SCEA]

66% Obscure: The Aftermath

2009-08-16T10:31:05-04:00

Critic Score: 66%
Release Date: 2009-10-05

Two years ago, at Leafmore High, a group of young teenagers were trapped inside their school and hunted by monsters that had been released by the maniac headmaster. Some of them survived that terrible night, while others perished. Now, the survivors have picked up their lives and joined college. But all is not right on Fallcreek University; strange black flowers have suddenly sprung up everywhere on the campus. While experimenting with these flowers in class, a dangerous substance is discovered that induces strange but vivid dreams. But a handful of students find out that there is more to the flowers than anyone could have expected; when the seeds finally germinate, a bad trip suddenly turns into a horrible reality... Features 6 charismatic characters with unique skills; unique coop mode: second player can join in at any time; highly detailed and rich 3D environment; find clues and solve various rddles and mysteries; and a vast variety of weapons and horrifying monsters. [Playlogic]

70% Need for Speed SHIFT

2009-08-16T10:31:05-04:00

Critic Score: 70%
Release Date: 2009-09-15

Need for Speed SHIFT brings a true driver's experience to some of the world's most iconic racing tracks, including the storied Brand's Hatch in the UK. The game also features the largest roster of high-performance cars in Need for Speed history including race cars such as the Pagani Zonda F, Porsche 911 GT2 and Lotus Elise. Players are thrust into the loud, intense, and athletic experience of racing a car from the driver's perspective through the combination of perception based G-forces, the hyper reality of the cockpit view, and the all-new brutally disorienting crash dynamic. Need for Speed SHIFT features an accurate, accessible physics-based driving model that allows you to feel every impact, every change of track surface and every last bit of grip as you push yourself to the edge. [Electronic Arts]

61% DiRT 2

2009-08-16T10:30:57-04:00

Critic Score: 61%
Release Date: 2009-09-08

(Also known as "Colin McRae: DiRT 2" in the UK/EU) DiRT 2 takes racing games to a new level with thrilling new race types, striking locations, big event atmosphere, and a peerless line-up of super-charged speed machines, each selected to deliver spectacular, fast-paced racing. Taking players on an exhilarating World Tour, DiRT 2 delivers over 100 stunning events, including aggressive, multi-vehicle races and intense solo challenges, set in the most diverse and demanding real-world environments. From the muddy tracks of the Malaysian rainforest to spectator-packed stadiums in London and Los Angeles, racers compete in contemporary off-road race disciplines covering Rallycross, Trailblazer, Raid, Landrush, and Rally. Embracing the culture and new heroes of modern off-road racing, DiRT 2 features an exciting line-up of the best new rally drivers - including the multi medal-winning Subaru Rally Team USA driver Ken Block alongside Travis Pastrana, Dave Mirra, and Tanner Faust, who help players build their racing career. [Codemasters]

87% PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe

2009-09-21T12:00:24-04:00

Critic Score: 87%
Release Date: 2009-10-01

The addictive world of PixelJunk Monsters goes on the move with the arrival of PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe. Combining the popular PlayStation 3 original strategy title with its follow-up expansion pack, Encore, PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe boasts all the gameplay of its PS3 counterpart with fresh new content and added portability. Defend your forest brood against an onslaught of monsters by building towers which automatically fire on your enemies. Make sure your placement and strategy is sound, or your helpless children will find themselves as a quick snack for the nasty encroaching creatures. PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe features a new island with 11 stages, unique monsters and bosses, a Medal challenge mode, Medal room (with movie player, gallery and sound player) and more. [SCEE]

60% Blood Bowl

2009-08-16T10:30:54-04:00

Critic Score: 60%
Release Date: 2009-11-01

A brutal team sport unfolding in a parallel fantasy world based on Warhammer and American football, Blood Bowl invites gamers to form a team of players from races including: Orcs, Elves, Humans, Dwarfs and many other fantasy creatures, and launch themselves into battle in the bloodiest of arenas. This strategy sports game combines a fine balance of tactics and bone crunching action! The game offers two game modes. The first, which is fully real time, offers spectacular gameplay with intense battles between blocking linemen and daring displays of agility of players leaping and dodging through opponents tackle zones, while powerful spells and dirty trick special plays are unleashed across the field. All this creates a highly charged atmosphere. Of course, since it is sometimes difficult to keep an eye on the entire field at once, the game's interface offers different tactical and strategic setups, while the AI is responsible for managing the players on the field. The second game mode, an actual turn-based game, is a treat for players of the original board game because it is an exact replica of Games Workshop's tabletop masterpiece. The original rules have been faithfully reproduced, and it contains all of the devices, strategies, play and rhythm of the original game. [Focus Home Interactive]

79% Gran Turismo

2009-08-16T10:31:00-04:00

Critic Score: 79%
Release Date: 2009-10-01

Gran Turismo makes its highly anticipated debut exclusively on the PSP system, introducing the most ultra-realistic racing experience ever on a handheld. Buckle up as you prove your driving skills on 35 tracks and trade and share over 800 cars. Slick Visuals --Runs on a new graphics engine designed for the PSP system that delivers visuals at a crisp 60 frames per second. Depth and Variety -- Collect over 800 licensed vehicles from international automakers. Expand Your Collection -- Trade and share cars with friends to expand your collection via Ad Hoc wireless. Hit the Road -- Race on 35 licensed and fictional tracks, with 60 track layouts total. Compete in time trials, races, or drift mode challenges. Test Your Driving Skills -- Complete over 100 challenges to hone your driving skills and learn new cornering, braking and other driving techniques. Bragging Rights -- Prove your driving skills in four-player races using Ad Hoc mode. [SCEA]

79% MotorStorm: Arctic Edge

2009-08-16T10:31:04-04:00

Critic Score: 79%
Release Date: 2009-09-29

MotorStorm's next mission is battling the frozen wasteland of Alaska's Arctic Edge. MotorStorm Arctic Edge delivers brutal off-road racing in the beautiful yet lethal and unpredictable setting of Alaska. With temperatures plummeting, sudden avalanches, broken ice bridges, and three different racing altitudes, Arcitc Edge is the most inhospitable environment in the franchise's history. In addition to the six vehicle classes from the original MotorStorm, two new vehicles (the Snowcat and Snow Machine) have been introduced to combat the ice, the cold and the snow. One has the power and size to blast through packed snow, while the other has the grip and pace to combat most of what the sub-zero conditions can throw at it. MotorStorm Arctic Edge is fit for single player action, online multiplayer or playing with friends; two to eight players can compete against each other wirelessly via Ad Hoc Mode on PSP. Alternatively, you can also compete via online multiplayer using Infrastructure Mode on PSP to make it to the summit of the online global leaderboards.

88% Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days

2009-09-01T00:00:44-04:00

Critic Score: 88%
Release Date: 2009-09-08

Get a dose of hyper reality as you can discover what the outside world is like at the very same time as Rozalin! Enjoy the all-new Axel Chapters, as you get a glimpse of what makes a Dark Hero tick. Now you can take the fight to Overlord Zenon wherever you want to go! [NIS America]