Surely, this will grab many new fans of a sub-par action series, but will this entice old fans to pick it up again? Well, bitmob.com did us all a favor and posted some comparison images! Check them out at bitmob.com.

So, do these screen shots make you want to play it again?

Don't Stop Believin'

I’ve said many times I completely disagree with the existence of the PSP Go. In fact, I’m so venomously opposed to it I posted on facebook that anyone who buys it will be removed from my friends list. So even a Sony fanboy like myself can be turned off of a Sony product.

Well, apparently I’m not the only one as PSP Go sales in Japan are less than great. Media Create reports that in the week of October 19 to the 25, PSP Go sales number 32,865. To give you some perspective, the DSi moved 170,770 within the first two days of launch.

Even though the PSP Go itself is not the best piece of hardware to buy in the world, the PSP Go’s existence has boosted the value of your existing PSP significantly. With an increase of PSP games available for download from the PSN, there has never been a better time to own Sony’s little console.

UPDATE: Other news sites are reporting sales for the PSP Go as 28,275, while others confirm the number in the article. I have yet to verify which is correct.

UPDATE AGAIN: The number is a confirmed 28,275….which is even worse.

So, pretending I’m a lot more sensible person than I actually am, let us talk about Ikaruga. First of all, this is probably the most beautiful shooter I’ve ever had the pleasure of playing. If you are one of those people yelling from the high heavens that games are art, you owe it to yourself to play Ikaruga. I will not throw out a bunch of analysis about the game’s mechanics, but you’ll appreciate that you can analyze it.

Yeah, this game is hard

As far as importing this game is concerned, if you want to play it, you can. Every menu is in English, as well as most of the onscreen information. There is literally NOTHING preventing you from fully enjoying the shooter part of this game. The story, you may need to get the Gamecube version if you want to figure that out.

So why should you play it on the Dreamcast? The D-pad on the Dreamcast controller is PERFECT for Ikaruga. The pad’s design allows you to fly through complicated bullet patterns like butter. In fact, I would go as far as to say if you want to play a great shooter, you’re going to want to play it on the Dreamcast.

1) Either perfect physics or whacked out of your mind physics – If you’re going to do pinball, do it right or do it crazy. Any in between will only result in lack luster game play.
2) Tables that are not necessarily realistic, but fit within the level of realism that the physics allow for – If you have a 100% realistic physics model, your tables better feel like real tables. If your physics are crazy, your tables should take advantage of that level of crazy.
3) Variety – In a good pinball collection, every table should demand different skills from the player because every table should feel like a completely different game.

So does Zen Pinball succeed on any of these concepts? Yes. In fact, it achieves all of them.

Zen Pinball is awesome. No matter what table you’re playing, you’re bound to have a good time. My personal favorite is El Dorado. Every table is filled with stuff to do and you’ll have a blast learning how to master each table.

The physics are spot on. The game takes into account everything from speed to spin. This attention to physics creates a game where there is a higher level of randomness than in most other pinball games. While this may sound like a bad thing, mastering the physics becomes a game in itself and it’s a perfect way to learn how to step up to a real pinball machine.

As for realism, the tables don’t necessarily follow my rule; however, since it is video game pinball, the designers kept that in mind and designed tables that were impractical to do in real life; however, still possible on some levels. So no real video game table would have a spinning blade, but that’s okay. Confined to the world of video games, it works and is great fun.

As for the multiplayer features, I haven’t tried that yet, but thanks to online leader boards, you’ll have fun score chasing with everyone on your friends list. The game also includes weekly high scores so if you’re good enough, you’re bound to enter the top of the leader boards at some time. Maybe not THE top but close enough to satisfy your ego.

I love Zen Pinball. It does it for me.

Rating: ★★★★½ 

Let’s gets the standard house keeping out of the way: the O button is confirm and X is cancel. The exact opposite of US released games. If you’re a fan of import games, you probably are already used to that, but to inductees, this will be a minor adjustment. Also, the standard grey screen for when you hit the home button will also be in Japanese. This is another easy adjustment as default highlighted option is the cancel button. If you know a little bit of kana, this should be easy to remember as it starts with the kana for “iie” (pronounced “ee-a”) which means “no.”

As for the rest of the game, you will find a shocking amount of English for a Japan only release; however, the main menu is not where you’ll find this English. The menu itself says the following in this order:

1. Freeplay (main game)
2. Module Convert (Costumes)
3. Miku’s Room
4. Rhythm Game Edit
5. Save
6. Options
6. Visual library
7. Return to title menu

Once you go into the freeplay mode, this will be another shocker for English audiences as almost everything is in kana with few exceptions. This will be somewhat off putting for American Miku fans who only know her music by the romaji. Thankfully, some of her BEST songs are titled in English which is good. I’m a personal fan of Sweet Drops and Moon.

If you’re a casual rhythm game fan, then this import is probably not for you. After all, one of the coolest parts of playing rhythm games is learning new music, and if most of that music is in kana, it will be difficult to remember it and share that experience; however, if you’re a die hard Miku fan, don’t hesitate. This game was literally made for YOU!

Then again, this could make me the PERFECT person to write this review, as I laughed at most of the jokes as the cute J-poppy graphics hit a home run with me. That said, the PSP already has a Japanese inspired, tough as nails side scroller, which is Prinny: Can I Really Be The Hero? and Prinny just came out a couple months ago. Is the PSP ready for another one so soon? Let’s examine the pieces.

First, I already said this game was weird, but let me reiterate, this game is WEIRD. Like, attacking people with fish levels of weird. I seriously wish I could have been at the meetings where they decided all the game play components, because everything about Hammerin’ Hero is unique.

You play as a character named Gen, who’s overenthusiastic sense of justic will send you on a quest of sorts. In the process of this quest, you’ll acquire many different jobs, attacks, and food. With all the different things you’ll be doing, you will be happy to hear the controls are spot on and you’ll never feel like you died because of them.

And you will die. A lot. Hammerin’ Hero isn’t easy. So much to the point where I died several times during the first level, yelled an expletive, and almost threw my PSP; however, this game has an undeniable charm that forced me to pick it up again. Thankfully, as you play, you learn and eventually you will beat the levels. Nothing in Hammerin’ Hero is out of reach, it’s just really far.

There is so much more to this game then I’m willing to spoil by reviewing it. Part of the fun of Hammerin’ Hero is discovering it for yourself. If you have a single Japanese loving brain cell, you will gush over this game. If you don’t, this is still worth checking out as it provides you with an old school challenge not found in other PSP games.

To answer the question I posed at the beginning of the review, is Hammerin’ Hero a worthy game so close to the release of Prinny? Yes. In fact, it might be better for the otaku and average gamer alike. Do not hesitate to pick up this amazing PSP experience. Unless you’re a wimp and don’t like hard games.

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

Is this a change you can deal with? If so, then you’re ready to import one of the finest shmups (shoot ‘em ups) available for the PSP; Parodius Portable.

This is one of the most import friendly games you’ll ever find. All menus and options are in English and even the in game text is in English as well. You’ll find Japanese in the save / load screens, and it’s minimal. The only place in this game where Japanese is a barrier to entry is in the “Music Mode” where you can listen to the music from all Parodius games included on this UMD. Still, this won’t stop you from simply selecting a random moon language track and enjoy listening to the wonderfully happy soundtrack. Also, the fourth game in the collection (Jikkyou Oshaberi Parodius) contains Japanese text, but if that turns you off, you still have four other FULL games to enjoy, so quit your complaining!

So, now that you all know you CAN import Parodius, you’re probably wondering if you should. The answer is a resounding YES.

The title of this game is fairly self explanatory: Parody + Gradius = Parodius, but this isn’t a simple re-skin of crazy cartoons, pandas, penguins, and *ahem* naked ladies. For example, when you fight the second boss in the original Parodius, you play him in a game of “Rock-Paper-Scissors.” Moments like this make Parodius one of the most unique and fun shmups (or cute-em-ups if you prefer) available.

So like I said, Parodius Portable is a compliation of Parodius games. Five of ‘em to be precise. You get Parodius, Parodius da!, Gokujou Parodius, Jikkyou Oshaberi Parodius, and Sexy Parodius. Each one contains a high degree of challenge, but because of the amazing settings, humerious bosses, and whimsical music, progression is its own reward. Some listings show it has a “secret game” but I have yet to find one.

However, no game is perfect, especially not game compliations. Minor complaints aside, there is some slow down. I believe this slow down is true to the originals; however, it’s still unacceptable. Also, I would have liked to see a Parodius “art book” unlockable on the UMD. I also want a steak and red wine, but we can’t have everything.

To hardcore shmup fans, THIS IS A MUST IMPORT! Cuz let’s be honest, if you’re a hardcore schmup fan, you’ve played far worse……like Omega Fighter. *twitch* O_o Okay, you’ve payed worse is a terrible argument for buying a game (especially importing one), so I’ll say this; Parodius Portable is the best shmup experience availble on the PSP. Second only to the Soldier Collection (my thoughts coming soon).

To the casual gamer who has yet to get into shmups, THIS IS A MUST IMPORT! While Parodius is a tough as nails shooter experience for even the seasoned shmup fan, this game is so rewarding to play, it will get you conditioned into learning the ins and outs of every level. Pretty soon, you’ll be playing Ikaruga with the best of ‘em!

So that is all for my first edition of Import Paradise. If YOU want to know if a game is import friendly or not, just email Tom@scrambledpixel.com and I may include your question in my next edition of Import Paradise. Either way, I’ll answer your question. Until then, get out there and play Parodius Portable and happy gaming!