The Perfect PSP2 Launch Line-Up

The internet has whipped itself up into frothy frenzy today, with all the major news sources reporting that genuine details of the PSP2 are only days away. We’ve been suffering from a serious bout of hype fever, debating what we’d most like to see released with the console in a perfect world.

For the record, we’re writing these under the assumption that the current rumours are to be believed: ridiculously high hardware specifications, a beautiful screen and two analogue sticks. We’ll just have to wait a while to see if that turns out to be the case.

Call of Duty

Activision’s been pumping out annual Call of Duty games on the DS since Call of Duty 4’s diminutive version sold bucketloads – so it’s not like the publisher is averse to the handheld market. If people are correct in the prediction that the PSP2 will be more powerful than Jesus, then we’d definitely want to see a luscious version of wherever we’re going (outer space? Leicester? Kazakhstan?) in this year’s inevitable instalment.

FIFA 12

One thing the PSP could never quite manage was a good and proper version of FIFA; if it wasn’t ridiculous loading times getting in the way then it would be the clumsy analog nub letting the side down. If Sony is looking to launch the PSP2 in time for Christmas, an impressive version of FIFA 12 would be more than enough to turn a few heads.

Assassin’s Creed

The PSP’s Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines was so close to being decent, but everywhere you ran you’d run into technical restrictions hindering the whole experience. Imagine, then, if Ubisoft could utilise the increased power of the PSP2 to create a version of Assassin’s Creed that wasn’t terrible. We’re excited just thinking about it.

Ridge Racer

You can’t launch a piece of Sony hardware without a Ridge Racer game. It’s an actual law, and we’re fairly sure there’s a clause in Kaz Hirai’s contract which makes him punishable by death if such a travesty were ever to occur.

Dead Space

There was a bit of a rumour rumbling last year when EA released a quarterly financial report that specifically mentioned Dead Space coming to handhelds. We’re fairly certain it was only referencing the Dead Space thing that’s coming out on iPhone later this month, but we’d go absolutely potty if it was revealed EA was producing a version of the survival horror series for the PSP2.

Monster Hunter

Sony will be absolutely desperate to get a version of Monster Hunter on the PSP2 – it’s the most lucrative series in Japan at the moment, and a genuine license to print money. We’re not entirely sure the hardcore RPG series will ever truly mesh with a Western audience, but if Sony could just encourage Capcom to include online play via the internet then at least we’d be able to find somebody to play with.

Batman

Everybody loves the goddamn Batman. Everyone, that is, apart from nefarious ne’er-do-wells, but they’re probably too busy committing crimes to even be interested in the PSP2. Batman: Arkham Asylum was a huge sleeper hit, and Arkham City looks set to be one of 2011’s most anticipated games. We think a version of the series running on the PSP2 would go down an absolute treat.

LittleBigPlanet

SCE Studio Cambridge seemed to effortlessly pick up the baton from Media Molecule for the PSP version of LittleBigPlanet, and we thought some of the platforming was actually superior to its PS3 counterpart. We’d love to see history repeat itself with LittleBigPlanet 2.

SOCOM

Sony is already using SOCOM 4 to show how Move can cater to hardcore gamers, and to prove it’s not just, y’know, for kids. If the PSP2 does turn out to have a dual stick setup (please, Lord!) then a new SOCOM could adopt a similar role in flaunting the handheld’s prowess. We don’t really mind where it’s set; just give us the chance to gun down hundreds of strangers when we’re on our way to work. We’ll stop now, or else we’ll have the Panorama team on the phone…

WipEout

While it’s fair to say that the WipEout brand isn’t as important to Sony as it once was, it’s still one of those series that will forever scream “PLAYSTATION!” in an excited, too-much-Redbull voice. WipEout Pure was one of the strongest PSP launch titles back in 2005, so it would be sweet to get a new version leading the pack once more. While we’re chucking pennies into the wishing well, we’d like some deadmau5 on the soundtrack, please!

LocoRoco

The bright and bold LocoRoco is easily one of the most identifiable PSP franchises, and we’d definitely like another helping of its fetching visuals and catchy soundtrack – mostly for when we get bored of all the shooting elsewhere. A new LocoRoco probably wouldn’t push the PSP2’s hardware to its limits, but we’d love to get hold of it all the same.

PSP2 mock image thanks to PSM3.