Pre-E3: Sony Confirms PSP, PS2 E3 Lineup

Sony Computer Entertainment America has announced its first-party published titles it will feature at E3 next week for both the PlayStation 2 and PSP, leaving its high-profile PS3 announcements for its press conference next Monday. However, in total, the company will showcase eight new titles for the PSP and five new titles for the PS2. Two of the most high profile showings this year from Sony for the PlayStation 2 are Rogue Galaxy, the RPG developed by Level 5, the team behind both Dark Cloud 2 and the recently released Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King, and Sony Computer Entertainment America’s Santa Monica Studios' God of War II, which sees the return of Kratos and his epic battles set in a world of Greek mythology. The ATV Offroad Fury franchise will see versions for both platforms shown at E3. First, ATV Offroad Fury Pro, available this October for the PSP, will feature than 30 total vehicles, including MX bikes, buggies, and trophy trucks to compete on 64 tracks, including some taken from the original ATV Offroad Fury titles. The newest version for the PS2, ATV Offroad Fury 4, will ship in September, and will feature the ability to communicate with ATV Offroad Fury Pro for the PSP to exchange vehicles, upgrades, and circuits, as well as play against other players online across platforms. Gangs of London, the newest game from Europe’s London Studio, developers of The Getaway, will also be shown for the PSP, as will be Killzone: Liberation by Guerilla. Both titles are slated to be released this fall. Other PSP releases to be shown at E3 include Team17's Lemmings, shipping this May, and Sony Computer Entertainment Japan's 2D platform game LocoRoco, currently scheduled to be released in September. Sony will have the follow up to last year's SOCOM release for the PSP titled SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 2 on display, alongside SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Combined Assault for the PS2. Both games will feature online multiplayer modes, as well as improved crosstalk functionality, allowing communication between both versions, as well as for the unlocking of extra content. Two new sports games for the PSP will be at E3 with World Tour Soccer ’06 and NBA ’07. Sony will also have a version of NBA ’07 for the PlayStation 2 at the show, which will include 'The Life: Volume 2', a follow up to the 'The Life' mode found in last year's version of the series which shows players the successes and failures of life in the NBA both on and off the court. Perhaps the most anticipated PSP title announced by Sony for E3 is Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters. Developed by High Impact Games as a first quarter 2007 release, that game will feature the series icons in both a single player campaign, as well as in multiplayer supporting up to four players wirelessly. "Our goal for 2006 is to continue to lead and define the market for interactive entertainment and our exciting software line-up for the PSP and PlayStation 2 does just that," said Jack Tretton, Executive Vice President, co-COO, Sony Computer Entertainment America. “In addition to providing gamers and retailers with exciting sequels to best-selling franchises, we're continuing to broaden the portfolio with terrific new content from some of our best development teams, further demonstrating our dedication to our long-term vision for the PlayStation 2 as well as evolving the multimedia capabilities of the PSP system.”