Officials from Sony have confirmed that five separate launch titles for the PSP from multiple publishers will feature online connectivity, when the portable console goes on sale in North America next month.
MLB,
NBA Street Showdown,
Gretzky NHL,
ATV Offroad Fury: Blazin’ Trails and
Twisted Metal: Head-On will all apparently be playable both using local Wi-Fi connectivity and an online enabled infrastructure mode. This will allow players to compete against other gamers over the Internet via wireless hotspots, with up to six players competing at the same time in a game of
Twisted Metal.
This early use of online technology is in stark contrast to the Nintendo DS, whose Wi-Fi capabilities are still shrouded in mystery. The company has hinted that it enjoys the same online functionality as the PSP but has been loathe to elucidate.
There are currently no known online DS games planning to use the technology, although unsubstantiated rumours have suggested that titles such as
Mario Kart DS and
Advance Wars DS may by planning to offer the option.
