Sony: 2009 has PSP's strongest software line-up ever

Some exciting surprises yet to be announced, too.

2009 will bring the PSP's strongest software line-up ever, Sony has said.

Speaking at Capcom's Captivate 09 event last week, outgoing SCEE boss David Reeves also teased fans by revealing that there are "some exciting surprises yet to be announced".

Sony has been criticised for under-supporting the PSP, and some fans have complained that the platform lacks compelling games.

While Reeves admitted that Sony's and third-parties' PSP line-ups "has not lived up always to expectations", he pointed towards Capcom's upcoming Monster Hunter Freedom Unite as an "example of how that has been rectified".

He said: "Since we launched PSP in the PAL territories back in 2005, we've sold over 50 million units worldwide and 15 million in Europe alone, something that we are very proud of. I'm not going to stand here and tell you we've had it all our own way since we launched PSP. We know that our own Sony software line-up, and to some extent the third parties', has not lived up always to expectations. But tonight is a prime example of how that has been rectified.

"2009 promises to be a very important year for PSP, with its strongest software line-up ever, with some exciting surprises yet to be announced. The cornerstone of this great software line-up is of course the Japanese sensation Monster Hunter Portable 2G, to be known as Monster Hunter Freedom Unite in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East. Having sold nearly three million units in Japan alone, the latest chapter in the Monster Hunter franchise has truly shown what can happen when you bring top quality software to PSP."

He added: "Monster Hunter Freedom Unite will spearhead the PSP resurgence of 2009 we believe, and I would like to thank Capcom for their unwavering support in this endeavour."

For more from Captivate 09 head over to the Captivate 09 blowout.

What do you think Sony's got up its sleeve for PSP in 2009? Let us know in the comments section below.