What to play on your new PSP

PlayStation 2 remakes, particularly sport remakes, dominate the the library of available titles for the Sony PSP. While the majority of the games don't scream "originality" when compared against the suite of titles available for the Nintendo DS, the PSP's main competition, most boast exceptional graphics and wireless play.

Over the last few days, I've had the chance to fire up fourteen games now available for the PSP. The five titles from Electronic Arts were reviewed in preview versions:

"FIFA 2005" and "World Tour Soccer"
Electronic Arts and 989 Sports
Number of players: 1-2
Grade: B+
Tiny pixels on parade! Translating soccer (or fine, football) has been a challenge for consoles so it was probably hoping for too much to have a PSP version that did not reduce the "beautiful game" to an interactive ant farm. "FIFA 2005" nevertheless scores a goal with excellent commentary and both games deserve an "Ole! Ole!" for an encyclopedic offering of international leagues and teams. Rated "E for Everyone."

989 Sports

"Gretzky NHL"
989 Sports
Number of players: 1-2
Grade: B-
Solid effort on graphics, but the animation -- or frame-rate -- seems more suited for zamboni racing than sport that prides itself on speed and quick-second decisions.  Rated "E for Everyone."

"Lumines"
UbiSoft
Number of players: 1-2
Grade: A-
Who would have guessed that the best game for the Sony PSP is a plain old puzzle game?  Techno beats, wireframe graphics and addictive puzzles meld into an experience that will have PSP-lugging commuters missing their bus stops for months to come.  Rated "E for Everyone."

Konami

"Metal Gear Acid"
Konami
Number of players: 1-2
Grade: B+
I almost spilt my coffee when I discovered that the PSP version of "Metal Gear" turned a stealth-action thriller into a turn-based card game where every action, from walking to shooting, is controlled by the cards in your deck. Surprise, the genre-switcheroo works. Cards introduce a strategic challenge and besides, the game looks great.  Rated "M for Mature."

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