Here's the homebrew platformer that can go head to head with your average commercial offering: Cave Story. What's more, its port for the Nintendo DS is coming along nicely and a free demo has been around for quite some time. Give it a try.
Well, don't imagine any touch screen attachments for Sony's shiny handheld, but, still, DeSmuME will sort of allow PSP owners to enjoy some Nintendo DS games, provided of course they can put up with painfully slow frame rates and the distinct lack of a second screen. Oh, and sticking to homebrew wouldn't be such a bad idea either. Actually, not trying to play any games would be an even better idea, even though -admittedly- getting some dirty emulated NDS fun on a PSP screen does sound intriguing enough to give it a try. Click here to download DeSmuME emulator for the PSP.
Apparently it's time for a few more of them dear Pocket PC freeware games. Yes, again. That's the sheer beauty of an open platform you see. Simply follow the link to the PocketProg website and grab BallRebound (a colourfull Breakout clone), the Berzerk-esque Labyrinth2D, FireShoot or even the irritating Tracks puzzler. Oh, and PC gamers of the non-pocket variety might find some freebies too.
Probably the most anticipated Nintendo DS game ever (which by gaming industry standars means for roughly the last couple of years) The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is finally here. Well, almost. But, what's a bit of waiting when Link's first stylus controlled adventure is only a few weeks from reaching our eager hands and Hyrule will soon take over both of Nintendo's portable nifty little screens? Nothing, that's what.
CVG (10/10): Not only is Phantom Hourglass testament to the d-pad/analogue-trumping capacity of touch screen control - it's also proof that Nintendo still has what it takes to create real gamers' games. A masterpiece.
Looks like the DS really is a good platform for adventure games, with many original games (Another Code, Hotel dusk) and even some PC ports, like the upcoming Runaway 2.
To make up for the small screen, in this version you can zoom in on some areas, as you can see in this pictures. Looks good to me :)
Related posts: Viva Pinata DS, Insecticide gameplay video, Phoenix Wright review, Secret Files Tunguska DS
Jeanne D'Arc, besides being a rather famous French warmongry lady, is also a promising RPG for the Sony PSP set in a quasi-medieval, historically inspired fantasy world (that would be Europe with dragons, actually). The interesting bit is that you can now grab a free UMD with a demo version of the game and happily be free of any preview-reading need. How? Simple. Just follow this link and it will be more than obvious.
Always thought the vicious time-sink that is your average (garden) Tower Defense game would work brilliantly on your average (garden) handheld, and thankfully so thought Danzel, a most talented and generous game designer. Danzel, you see, just released Defence Station Portable for the Sony PSP and it's a rather excellent Tower Defense game, complete with level designer and ..uh.. Windows & Linux ports.
For the people who would truly appreciate a lovely GeOS-like OS thingy on their DS or those that really feel their handheld could use another chat program or some extra multimedia capabilities DsOS should be quite the freebie of their dreams. Find out more about it from the gutter or download a build here.
Apparently Kotaku (dear, dear Kotaku) first noticed it and now I too am blogging about it. What's it? Well, thing is, the Sony PSP 2000 is already available for preorder over at Amazon.com
with a very decent 170$ price-tag. The console will be released on September 10.
and Star Wars Battlefront bundles.
I always believed the stylus, at least the Pocket PC and NDS one, was a pretty decent way to control them Breakout and Arkanoid clones, but apparently Taito had some radically different ideas and I just couldn't agree more with them, despite being one of the few Arkanoid fanboys left on the planet...
SMS Plus PSP is right here. Grab it, it's absolutely free and it will remind you just how impressively some of these 8-bit video games both played and looked. Oh, and don't forget to try Phantasy Star, GGShinobi and of course some classic Sonic the Hedgehog games.
Crimson Fields is a rare breed of game indeed. It's turn-based, hex-based, freeware and released for the Pocket PC. What's more, it features 3 multiplayer modes (including play-by-email), fully supports single-player gaming, offers complete map & campaign editing tools and even has a passable plot. Grab yourselves a copy here.
Retro Gaming with racketboy (a hallowed cyber entity apparently) just had to work its magic again and come up with an excellent & extensive selection of the best undiscovered games for the Game Boy Advance. Simply follow this link and find out why Drill Dozer, Wario Land 4, Iridion II and Yggdra Union (to name but a few) are absolutely worth your time.
Viva Pinata (NOT the party version, the proper game) is coming to the Nintendo DS, as announced by Microsoft owned Rare at Comic-Con '07 and brought to my attention by glorious Kotaku. Apparently it will also feature a lovely top-down perspective. Good news, and I dare foresee this will be quite a hit.
Amiga 500, Commodore's 16-bit powerhouse, was much more than an excellent home computer. It was the best gaming platform mankind had ever experienced and one you too can now hold in your hands (provided you own a Sony PSP, that is). Simply follow this link to PSPUAE, an excellent freeware Amiga emulator for the PSP, and prepare to relive those glorious Sensible Soccer, Lemmings, Shadow of the Beast, Elite and Alien Breed days.
