Sure, you can plug your PSP into a TV and play games like Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep on a big screen, but why would you? 480 by 272 resolution on a native 720p or 1080p LCD TV? What a blurry, interpolated mess. Why not play with updated high-definition graphics?
Sony’s calling it the “PSP Remaster” series, reports Andriasang, and it’ll bring full high-def visuals along with Dual Shock 3 compatibility, content exclusive to the PS3 versions, network play (“Ad Hoc Party”) compatibility, and support for stereoscopic 3D TVs.
Better still, PS3 and PSP versions of each game will use the same save data. The obvious upside: play state transfers from handheld to big screen, allowing you to switch from one version to the other seamlessly.
The Sony Japan-only press release doesn’t mention U.S. support, but Andriasang writes “the wording of Sony’s statement suggests that the series will also be released internationally.” The first game out the door (in Japan) looks to be Monster Hunter Portable HD, due sometime this summer.
Other games I’d love to see: Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions, Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together, Jeanne D’Arc, Valkyria Chronicles 2, and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII.
In related news, the PSP’s outpacing the 3DS in Japan sales—no surprise given the 3DS’s lackluster launch lineup. It’s axiomatic: games sell hardware, no matter the hardware’s many-splendored bells and whistles.
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