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A round of PSP accessory announcements for Japan this morning, plus a date for the launch of Skype via PSP. Pictured, from top:

A cradle for the new slim PSP model (about $45). This will allow you to put the PSP far away from you and use the included remote control, right, to watch things.

A bundle package includes cradle, remote, and a D-Terminal A/V cable (about $63). With this whole package, you can hook PSP up to your TV and watch whatever's on your Memory Stick from the comfort of your chair.

Both packages will ship on April 24 in Japan.

On the same day, a PSP "Matte Bronze" color will be available for a limited time. This will ship only as a "Value Pack" including the console, cleaning cloth, case, strap, a 32 MB Memory Stick Duo, and a D-Terminal A/V cable (about $225).

But before all that happens, on March 19, Sony will release a standalone version of its PSP microphone, which was previously only available in a bundle with its "Talkman" translation software.

You'll be able to buy one microphone for about $23, or a package of two for about $38.

The day before the microphones launch, March 18, voice-over-IP application Skype will become available on PSP via a system update.

Again, the above information only pertains to Japan.


Stand by for what must be the best PSP game yet. I've been playing God of War: Chains of Olympus (Sony, rated M ) - out March 28 - and it leaps from PS2 onto the downsized handheld with a surprising combat system, smooth play, awesome weapons and overall a highly satisfying gaming experience.
In this prequel, Spartan warrior Kratos, after being deceived into killing his wife and daughter in a rage, denounces his service to Ares and pledges himself to the gods of Olympus as he faces the most feared creatures of Greek mythology. He will have to choose between his own personal redemption and saving the ancient world from certain destruction.
The benefits of changes to the control system can't be underestimated. This time, the PSP really hits it on the head, putting it on par with the winning PS2 button experience even though there isn't an actual L2 / R2 button. The game is full-on combat against monster enemies - mostly combat but there are some challenging puzzles to break up the slicing and dicing. The weapons are gruelling, like the super punching glove - and I wish I had one of those demon genie's that blasts a wider area - and you get upgrades by using the orbs you gather and enhancements from treasure chests.
Without a doubt, the most polished, skilfully-crafted PSP game yet - setting the level for new benchmarks for the popular portable. It lasts only about five hours but then you'll want to play it over again in another difficulty mode.
MadGamer rating: 9.5 / 10

Newly released
Patapon (rated G, Sony) PSP
This is one of those impossible-to-categorise games that pops up every now and again, like Parappa the Rapper. This too is a rhythm-based game with light touches of an RPG. The basis of the game goes a little something like this: as the "Almighty," you command a warrior army to advance, attack, charge and retreat by beating four battle drums to different beats. It's from the makers of that other quirky offering, LocoRoco -which was quite cool I have to say. The 20 or so missions keep raising the bar and getting harder.
You need to keep the little cartoony creatures motivated (lemmings nostalgia here) such as varying between the primal drum beats and resting to get them charged up in fever mode and give them speed as well as to engage in a more powerful attack. Cute, crazy, but madly addictive.
MadGamer rating: 9 / 10

Need for Speed: Pro Street (EA, rated G)
You just can't go wrong with the infamous Need for Speed franchise. This was praised when it arrived for PS3 and other consoles late last year as it took the series back to track-based racing instead of the more endless and open environments. This PSP version has some of its own new features and maintains the awesome fun you'd expect from a hit EA franchise.
Your difficulty levels are called your driver persona and the choices include weekend warrior, speed king and the typical adrenaline junkie. You get the picture! As you earn points you can fully customise your ride with twisted vinyls, sporty bucket seats, sculpted body and decal work and of course the nitrous boost systems, so you can trick out your ride completely in prep for some gnarly performances!
The car handling is excellent, the music tracks pump and this is a hard game to fault. Just make sure you keep your driving skills confined to the passenger seat.
MadGamer rating: 8.5 / 10

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Solitude

God of War was released last March 4 and download lines just went crazy.

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