Personal favourite of your PSP launch titles?

[BERSERKGOOSE UK]

I think Lumines just pips Ridge Racers for me, both superb games but I find myself going back to Lumines at some point everytime I switch my PSP on.

It's a title I can imagine playing far down the line, long after RR has been shunted off the road by another game of that ilk such as GT4. Maybe a similar situation when the Game Boy came out (think it was 89) i'd still be going back to Tetris years after other games had been forgotten about (I'm not saying Lumines is 'up there' with Tetris but it's the best game of that sort I've played for years)

RR is great, it's a fantastic launch title to show the PSP off to friends, but it's much more than a tech demo. It's a challenge trying to unlock everything and i'm seriously enjoying playing it. It's the first Ridge i've actually played since the original in the arcades in 93/94.

I also have Vampire Chronicles which although it's a good game, I've always loved Capcom's 2D brawlers, hasn't had serious play time from me really. I can't bring myself to hammer the buttons/d-pad in a way to get the best out of the game! It's my own fault, maybe in a month or so when i'm less protective of my new hardware. It is a joy though to see the detail and animation on the PSP which we're only really used to seeing on a larger screen.

Although I suspect many will choose RR or Lumines, can you post your favourite launch title, would like to see if I am missing out on any other goodies?

[Bleeders]

Lumines for me too.

I seem to be waking up with the opening song in my head. It's a simple premise, but one that's married to the music perfectly, certainly one of the strongest launch titles I've seen since Halo. It's got that "1 more go" factor about it. 45 minute train journeys have felt like 10 minutes playing this, I find myself so engrossed and my concentration levels such, that I've nearly missed my stop on several occassions.

Ridge Racers is a close second for me. Without doubt, the most enjoyable Ridge game I've played since the first PS1 incarnation, there's just something gratifying about drifting a fast-car around bends with aplomb, almost like something out of Initial D.

[NeilMcRae]

Golf. Its excellent. RR and Lumines are also very cool.

[MonkeyWrench]

I like Mahjong Fight Club.

[Geoff D]

Ridge Racers for me (although my Lumines hasn't arrived yet)

It's just sublimely playable - huge drifts round corners are still as exhilirating as they ever were - if you overtake an opponent whilst doing so, it's even better. The music is great, it looks lovely & the handling is superb. I can't get enough of it.

[Dogg Thang]

Well I only have RR and VC so far and, as much as I think RR is a stunning racer and second only to RR4 (which I played again yesterday and it's as magic as it ever was), I'm actually getting much more play from Vampire Chronicles so far.

Although I would love to have seen Capcom go that extra mile with it (and they didn't), it's still a fantastic fighting game and, outside of the NGPC gems, it's the most accomplished fighter I've seen on a handheld.

On another level it's also quite revealing about some of the downsides to the PSP. The shoulder buttons aren't all that responsive and the D-Pad is very stiff and feels a little delicate - it's possible that the machine would not withstand massive playtime with a game such as VC. There is also something a little funny about the four face buttons - they either connect sooner than expected or later (I haven't figured out which) but it makes timing moves a little odd. I really hope that the controls are more sturdy than they feel.

But, despite how much I'm enjoying it, I suppose I couldn't argue that RR is the more accomplished game. Namco really went all-out and I really appreciate the effort they put in. That Select a Tour thing based on time is a real innovation for handhelds in my mind too. Considering people often have limited time playing handhelds, it really puts you in control. Great stuff.

Dogg.

[Akihabara]

Well I have these four games so far, and in order of favourite (although all 4 are excellent games)


1.Ridge Racers
2.Lumines
3.Minna no Golf
4.Vampire Chrn.

[segages]

I think Ridge and Lumines are the outstanding titles. Minna no Golf is highly addictive with tons to do and unlock - TONS! MG:Ac!d is a surprise for me - I didn't have high hopes with the card system but it's got me hooked, despite the minor camera flaws.

[lordcookie]

Ridge Racers. Okay its the only game I have at the moment (Lumines better hurry up and get her) but it really is an outstanding title - I was expecting a lot and the game delivered more.

[DCharlie]

Scores for each game (based on play so far)

Ridge Racer : 9
MGS : AC!D : 9
Mojipittan : 8
Mingol : 8
Lumines : 8
Mahjong Fight Club : 7
Vampire Chronicles : 7
Puyo Puyo Fever : 6
Shin Sengoku Musou : 6
Puzzle Bobble : 6
AI GO : 6
AI Mahjong : 5
Piposaru Academia : 5
Kollon : 5
Koei Mahjong Party : 5
gagaapu Trilogy : 5
Doko Demo Isshyo : 4
Armoured core: 2

Armoured core is easily the runt of the litter so far, with quite a few games cycling at the top

[Yoshimoto]

I'd have to say Ridge Racers, although i've not been able to stop playing Mina No Golf for the last couple of days.

Lovely lovely golf game that is...everything about it seems perfect...i'm addicted to unlocking new outfits and accessories. The nine holes that each of the challenges (so far) are over take just enough time for a quick go every now and again. I just wish the that the putting was a little easier...unless i'm missing something simple there doesn't seem to be a good way to judge the green properly. Can't wait to get back to work and challenge $c8t@ to a few rounds.

Got Lumines at the same time as Mina but i've restricted myself to just a couple of goes. What i've seen of it seems nice if a little confusing. I just don't want to get too involved in it or i'll end up playing nothing properly and just flicking between the different games. Looking forward to getting stuck into that sometime in the future.

[Tychom]

I seem to play Lumines much more but I really don't know why.. On the one hand the game /is/ great and on the other I'm determined to become a solid Lumines player (Perhaps for the day I eventually meet another PSP owner )

It's not that RR is bad, far from it - it's a stunning game - but I guess it's just that Lumines we havent seen before in any form.