PSP + 2009 = WIN

Its that time again. As we all regain consciousness from our holiday shenanigans, and New Year Hoopla, we gear up for the new anticipated releases “coming soon” to our favorite consoles. Like waves on the beach, our minds wash in the memories of our favorite games of yester-year and starts up, in it’s incredible way, letting us hope and dream that this new batch will surely satisfy without question.

But, certainly, some waves are bigger than others.

The PSP has, as of late, been going through a quality game drought. Sure we’ve had the highlights like Crisis Core and Chains Of Olympus, but besides those two and few other games of 2008, the PSP was not really done justice. [cue Inspirational orchestral music - Ed] However, I believe that the drought is over. I believe that the PSP has its best year ahead of it. I believe that this wave will knock you on your ass.

Lets begin with a few titles for our RPG lovers out there. First off, we got Dissidia, coming stateside after an enormous debut week of half a million sales in Japan. It’s a brawler from the world of Final Fantasy, including combatants from the original all the way through to 11. It’s sure to give you an extreme retro fix.

Along with that mega-hit, we have Star Ocean: Second Evolution, Phantasy Star Portable, Dynasty Warriors Strikeforce, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, & the 1000-life epic Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero?

If you’re more of a rhythm demon than a loot grinder, the PSP still has you covered. DJ Max Fever promises to be one horribly addictive, pretty difficult, bum-shaking good time which is all I need to hear.  Also coming is the hotly anticipated Patapon 2, in true “How-can-that-fit-on-a-UMD” fashion. The sequel will include over a reported 80 different levels, which is twice as many as the first! If you thought that the original satisfied, take that into consideration, along with the fact that it will include nearly 500 items on that tiny disk. If thats not enough to have you already chanting “Pata-pata-pata-pon”, It will even come with 4 player co-op that can be played even in…….

GAME SHARING

Consider it sold. Speaking of the quirky style and sequel-ish-ness of Patapon 2, I simply have to mention Loco Roco 2, coming in February. It seems pretty close in terms of gameplay to the original, but who can resist hopping around a colorful world as a big ol’ blob?

Besides all those wondrous gifts to mankind, the Duke Nukem Trilogy is coming soon for PSP as well… or maybe not. Its no secret that DN: Forever is taking forever, but I’m sure this collection will be out by the end of the year… hopefully.

These are just a few of the games us PSP owners can look forward to reserving, drooling over, and eventually playing, but for 1 of them I am excited beyond comprehension. It is Resistance: Retribution. I know what you’re thinking: “What!? a shooter?!?” Yes it is, but before you start hyperventilating and rubbing your 360’s analog sticks to calm down, listen to this: This spinoff of the PS3 best-seller is developed by Sony Bend. In other words, the folks behind my favorite PSP game EVAR, Dark Mirror. Just hearing that alone is enough incentive to buy, but the team has been hard at work to give Resistance a respectable PSP representation, and it seems that everything they did good on the two Syphon Filter games will be even better in this title.  I’m counting the nights till this one, everybody.

So, could 2009 possibly be the greatest year in the PSP’s life? Will this new wave of titles be the slap across the face developers need to realize the capabilities of the PSP? Will Game Sharing be integrated into every game from here on out? To these questions only time has the answers, but be sure about one thing: 2009 Won’t Suck for PSP.

If you want any more detailed information on the titles mentioned here, be sure to hit up PSP Fanboy, those guys rule!

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Student by day, Gamer by mid-afternoon, Gabriel is a rhythm gaming juggernaut. His career scores in Guitar Hero and Rock Band games have been ranked in the upper echelon of the Xbox Live Leaderboards. He's here writing for Games Are Evil to further the knowledgement of the human consciousness.