So I was reading an article on Joystiq today about PSP sales in Japan. The most interesting thing they stated was that handhelds blow next gen consols out of the water in Japan when it comes to sales hands down. And that got me thinking What kind of numbers have handheld gaming systems done over the years. So I did a little research on Wikipedia and here is what I came up with:


1. GBC/GBA 75 million (June 06)
2. GB 70 million
3. DS 35 million (to date)/
DS Lite 17 million (to date) (52 million combined)
4. GBSP 39.7 Million
5. PSP 24.7 million (to date)
6. Game Gear 8.65 million
7. Lynx 2 million


Now of course the PS2 is the best selling game system of all time at 115 million units. I'm just shocked that handhelds are putting up the numbers they are. The Gamboy's have all outsold the xbox and xbox 360 combined. That's pretty impressive. I think that this speaks to the fact that availability is key when pushing game systems. I know my handheld gets more attention because I can stick it in my bag and take it with me anywhere. So what's your thought on handhelds? Could you love em or leave em?

   Alright, so I've been playing Metal Gear Solid:    Portable Ops. And, can I just say that I believe    this might be the best game on the PSP to date.    Yes, I know God of War 2 is coming to PSP, and
   I am looking forward to it. But, right now as the    lineup looks MGS:PO is by far the best game on
   the system. As soon as you load the game up it sucks you in. The graphics are amazing, and the storyline is engaging. Of course as with any shooter game, the controls take a bit to get used to, but are the perfect setup for this game.

Now the few things that seem to be hitches in this game are the semi long dialogs, and the game play setup. I wish you could skip through more of the dialog when needed. And as far as the game play, I wish this had shorter play segments. I was hoping for something more of a "pick up and play for 5 minutes" type situation. The dialog issue also plays into that as well.

Overall though, this is an amazing game. I would say it's a must buy for PSP owners. I am new to the MGS series and if this is how the other 3 games on the PS were, (excluding the Acid series and the other MSG PSP titles) then Kojima is a freaking genius. What an engaging game. There have only been a few games that I just didn't want to put down over the years (Super Mario 3, Adventure Island, Super Mario World, Earthworm Jim, Mega Man 2, Guitar Hero 1&2 to name a few). There's that unexplainable X-factor to these games that just won't let go. For Guitar Hero it was the whole living out the rockstar dream, and communal experience of the game that made it great. Super Mario World had amazing scenery and great new characters. MGS: PO has the element of sneaking. Syphonfilter has sneaking, but nothing like this. Somehow they have made it like you are Snake himself. And the element of urgency is very much felt as you sneak around. They couldn't have picked a better perspective to have the camera in.

Well, after a long weekend of fighting with my PSP, I finally got to play the new games I got this weekend. The 3 games I got are

  Gunpey

  Me and My Katamari

and last but certainly not least....
  Metal Gear solid: Portable Ops.

I will give a review on these as soon as I get to play them a bit more. My initial impressions are as follows...


Gunpey- This game was made by a puzzling masochist. The controls aren't hard, your brain just doesn't want to work that way. The most lines I think I've gotten are 6. Yeah pretty bad.

Me and My Katamari- I've played "We Love Katamari" before this, and my impression is the same. What a great time waster.

and lastly..
Portable Ops.- I'm still learning the controls. I've never played any metal gear, but this looks like it will shape up to be a great game. I love the cut scene art. I think it's a better story telling tool than all the real video cut scenes. Kojima is a genius. It reminds me a bit of Syphonfilter: Dark Mirror. That's a must play as well!!


I'll be back with more updated reviews later.

P.S. I think I finally got the hang of Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts. Yet another masochistically hard game. I guess I'm just a glutton for punishment.