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The ten most anticipated PSP games of 2008

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The ten most anticipated PSP games of 2008
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Sony PSPOkay, let's get the tricky part out of the way from the start, shall we? Here goes: It's unlikely 2008 will prove as good for PSP software as 2007 was. Why? Well, many reasons that would necessitate a feature-length explanation rather than the intro we're trying to get through here, essentially though it boils down to timing.

That said, don't go putting your PSP on eBay just yet. Why not? Well, that's easier to explain. For a start there are the ten games below that we expect will emerge as essential play this year (and it's encouraging to see there is a healthy proportion of format-exclusive productions).

More positive still, publishers may have focused their developers more heavily on DS during 2006, resulting in a higher number of releases for Nintendo's handheld over the past year, but an improvement in the PSP's success (since further boosted by the arrival of the hardware's Slim & Lite revision) has seen a shift back towards Sony's portable. With most publishers yet to announce their PSP releases for the second half of 2008 – which will of course form the more game-intensive months – we shouldn't rule out some surprises not listed here, too.

But for now, based on what we do know, these are those we're most eagerly looking forward to spending some time with.

The ten most anticipated PSP games of 2008
10. Need for Speed ProStreet
Developer: EA Black Box
Publisher: EA
Released: February 22nd


While you wouldn't necessarily us see us racing to our local game shop to pick up the console version of the latest Need for Speed, the series has fared well on its previous PSP outings, hence its inclusion here. But considering the quality bar or driving titles on Sony's handheld, it'll have to be suitably special to ensure it deserves the faith we've put into it. Let's hope it delivers.

9. Pro Evolution Soccer 2008
Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
Released: March


Originally planned for an October 2007 release, the latest PES walks onto the virtual pitch considerably later than expected but at least comes with format specific features to make up for the extra time spent in the development room. Will that be enough to make it a worthwhile purchase over its last PSP outing and, more importantly, will it out-score FIFA 08? We'll know in a couple of months.

8. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII
Developer: Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix
Released: March 23rd


We were tempted to bypass Crisis Core altogether in favour of the Final Fantasy I & II re-issues due later this year (not least because we've already reviewed the Japanese edition of FFI and found it a wonderful trip back to the beginning of Square's hugely popular RPG franchise), but in terms of importance a remake of FFVII is arguably the bigger FF deal this year.

7. Secret Agent Clank
Developer: High Impact Games
Publisher: Sony
Released: TBA


This is probably not as big a gamble as it seems. On the one hand, the Ratchet & Clank series has so far rarely disappointed and its transition to PSP last year certainly did nothing to tarnish that reputation. On the other, the developer in charge of that previous game, Size Matters, High Impact Games, returns for this intriguing spin-off, which is enough to get our attention. We always have time for a decent platform-based adventure.

6. FlatOut: Head On
Developer: Bugbear Entertainment
Publisher: Empire Interactive
Released: March


Granted, it may not be anywhere near as famous as the Burnout brand but in fairness, despite sharing obvious superficial similarities, FlatOut's flavour of car carnage is substantially different from EA's effort. That doesn't make it any less desirable and with the last Burnout having left us feeling a little run over, we're hoping the seeming relentless reckless action promised by Head On will pump us back up to our normal, car-wrecking selves.
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5. Lego Batman
Developer: Traveller's Tales
Publisher: Warner Bros
Released: 2008


How cool would it be to roam Gotham City's streets righting wrongs as a Lego Batman? We don't know, because we've yet to play Traveller's Tales' forthcoming blocky interpretation of the Caped Crusader but we suspect it'll be a pretty fabulous thing to be doing while on your way to work or when you should be listening to your teacher (not that we encourage such behaviour, obviously).

4. God of War: Chains of Olympus
Developer: Ready At Dawn
Publisher: Sony
Released: March 4th (US), March (Euro)


Brainless it may be, but we're very much looking forward to God of War's brutal button bashing brawling fest finally arriving on PSP. Because much as we cherish the many, many hours we spend submerged in exceptional strategy RPGs, we're equally at home repeatedly slicing through the flesh of the countless minions Greek mythology can throw in the direction of our blades. So we're not expecting subtlety, but we do hope to be getting a bloody good time out of this.

3. Lego Indiana Jones
Developer: Traveller's Tales
Publisher: Warner Bros
Released: June


Yes, another Lego title but we're genuinely looking forward to this one as well (in fact, a little bit more so) - and not because we've spent many a weekend wearing a Fedora, a leather whip and little else. We should admit that, in our excitement, we've included it here before the title has been officially announced for PSP (and DS) but given the developer's previous support for the format we'll let our pet cobra bite us repeatedly in the face if it doesn't turn up in handheld form.

2. Patapon
Developer: Sony
Publisher: Sony
Released: February 26th (US), Early 2008 (Euro)


Another unique PSP affair to emerge from Sony's Japanese development studio, Patapon promises wonderfully eccentric rhythm-action based tactical action which we're eagerly looking forward to fully getting to grips with over the next few weeks. Just like Crush and LocoRoco, it's exactly the sort of game the PSP should be hosting alongside examples of the more obvious and generic (though just as welcome) genres. And while we fear for its potential commercial performance, provided it delivers as we expect it to, we'll certainly continue to champion its cause.

1. LocoRoco 2
Developer: Sony
Publisher: Sony
Released: TBA


As already mentioned, we really love LocoRoco. It's simply exquisite and we think every PSP owner should own at least one copy of Sony's remarkable 'platformer'. So what can we expect from the sequel? Well, more of the same would obviously still be fabulous but also a little disappointing when our current wish list includes more innovation, more quirkiness, more uniqueness and another unforgettable gaming experience. Demanding as it sounds, we suspect we just might get it all anyhow.

Joao Diniz Sanches
Joao Diniz Sanches
With three boys under the age of 10, former Edge editor Joao has given up his dream of making it to F1 and instead spends his time being shot at with Nerf darts. When in work mode, he looks after editorial projects associated with the Pocket Gamer and Steel Media brands.