In 2005, Sony released the original PlayStation Portable. Five years have passed, and the handheld has seen various iterations, including a digital-download-only version. It's about time for a new PSP.

You know, a PSP2. There have been rumors that the device exists, but it is still too early for Sony to show it. During this year's Tokyo Game Show, I asked Sony Computer Entertainment exec Shuhei Yoshida about it. The exchange was as follows:

"Another thing I wanted to ask you about was the PSP2."

"Okay," Yoshida replied.

"What's the difference between a PSP and a PSP2?"

"What's a PSP2?" he asked, laughing.

I explained that it would be silly of Sony not to make another PlayStation Portable.

"You mean," he asked, "like another portable gaming device?"

Yes.

"Personally, I cannot see Sony not making another portable gaming device. I completely agree."

No doubt Sony will make another PlayStation Portable. The platform has been successful, especially in Japan. But what will it be digital-download-only like PSPgo or will it have Sony's UMD format?

"Of course, I am not answering that question," Yoshida replied, all grins. "But as technology and infrastructure improves, digital devices will become a larger part of people's lives."

Yoshida pointed out that it takes time for hard drive prices to go down and internet to speed to go up. "Then it becomes easier and easier to handle game files."

When Sony launched the original PSP, it was competing with the original Nintendo DS. Now there is the 3D-glasses-free Nintendo 3DS and the iPhone 4. What can Sony do so that it can compete with the iPhone 4 and the Nintendo 3DS?

"Of course, you know, I won't answer that question. But, if you were to imagine you were part of Sony Computer Entertainment, that you were in our shoes. And you were in the position to give input to the company for a new platform, don't you think that would be a fun job?"

[Pic]

To: Luke
From: Owen
Re: Fry Day

Unfortunately, I don't have anything witty to say, no avuncular advice to give, no Good family chestnuts to relate, no dirty jokes, no food to review, none of that. This weekend has dragged on long enough, so I'm gonna get on with what's left of mine. See you tomorrow.

Tokyo Game Show Booth Babe Dominoes
They Are An Abomination
Dante's Biggest Fans Weigh In On New Devil May Cry
Let's Get A Good Look At The PSP's New Analog Stick
Stick Jockey: The Band Is Back, Marching Under The Shield
Hideo Kojima Once Again Ponders Metal Gear Solid 5

Halo: Reach will support co-operative campaign matchmaking, you just haven't seen the feature yet because Bungie doesn't want people getting the story spoiled on the first mission they play.

But in a couple of weeks, there should be enough of a gap since release that most folks will have seen the campaign plot points on their own already, Bungie writes in its weekly update. Expect the playlists to come in early October on the first matchmaking update for reach. Other game types and Forge maps will be available as well.

That said, the potential for spoilers still exists if you hook up with a more advanced team. Missions may be vetoed like any map in standard multiplayer, but if the majority overrules your desire to play a part of the campaign well ahead of your singleplayer progress, you'll have no choice to bail out before it begins.

In summary, "If you're worried about spoilers make sure you finish campaign before jumping into this playlist!" Bungie writes.

No specific date was given, just "early October."

Bungie Weekly Update 9.17.10 [Bungie]

Our past day of reporting from Tokyo Game Show saw cosplay, the PSP's new analog control, a verdict on Devil May Cry from its diehard, booth babes and ... booth boys? And there's plenty more to read about as well.

Here's a run down of day five of the show. You can find day one here, day two here, day three here and day four here.

A Magical Journey Through Tons Of Square Enix's Licensed Stuff
Tokyo Game Show 2010 Cosplay Blowout: 2nd Impact
Knights Contract's Tokyo Game Show Trailer
Three Weapons That (Sadly) Aren't In Red Faction: Battlegrounds
Tokyo Game Show Booth Babe Dominoes
Not All Tokyo Game Show Cosplayers Are Japanese
Would You Like To Buy Monster Hunter Things?
Capcom's Big Zen Buddhism Cat Doll
Dante's Biggest Fans Weigh In On New Devil May Cry
Let's Get A Good Look At The PSP's New Analog Stick
Gun Loco Hands-On: Just How Crazy Is It?
The Booth Boys Of The Tokyo Game Show
Does Halo Even Need A Movie? Nah
These Okami Slippers Offer Celestial Comfort
Hideo Kojima Once Again Ponders Metal Gear Solid 5
Ape Escape For PlayStation Move Is An On-Rails Gadget Shooter

Sid Meier's Civilization V is this week's sole highlight, though a PlayStation Move title, Serious Sam on Xbox Live Arcade, and DeathSpank on both console services, should appeal to many.

Tuesday, Sept. 21

• Sid Meier's Civilization V (PC) - The fifth installment of the venerable empire-builder debuts a hexagonal map and revised combat mechanics.

Also: Club Penguin Game Day! (Wii); DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue (PSN); Dreamworks 2-in-1 Party Pack (DS); Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City (DS); Farm Frenzy: Animal Country (DS); High Velocity Bowling (Move Edition) (PS3); Jewels of the Tropical Lost Island (DS); Midnight Mysteries: The Edgar Allan Poe Conspiracy (DS); Need for Speed: Nitro-X (DSiWare); New Carnival Games (DS, Wii); World Golf 2011 (PC)

Wednesday, Sept. 22

• DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue (XBLA)
• Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounter (XBLA)
• F1 2010 (PC, PS3, 360)

Thursday, Sept. 23

• Darksiders (PC)

Looking Ahead

Sept. 28: Dead Rising 2, FIFA 11, Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light (PSN); Sept. 30: Final Fantasy XIV Online; Oct. 5: NBA 2K11, NBA Elite 11, NBA Jam. Oct. 12: Super Scribblenauts, Medal of Honor.

What are you getting? What do you want? What are you looking forward to? Sound it off below, and at #twig.

Capcom isn't the only Japanese game publisher ready, willing and thrilled to sell its licensed wares to Tokyo Game Show attendees. Square Enix always has a commanding presence at TGS, a space loaded with high quality crap for purchase.

Whether you're in the market for perfumes that will make you smell like a Final Fantasy XIII character or scented candles that will make your home have a whiff of Sephiroth, there's something for you at the Square Enix TGS shop.

While it was painful to walk away from the dozens of metallic, plush, glittery, brightly colored and soluble Slimes, at least we came home with pictures of Square Enix's upcoming Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy themed goods. Live vicariously through our gallery and start making a list for the holidays.

Each week throws off several new video game lists ranging from the humorous to the trivial. What's better? A list of those. Here's a roundup of the rundowns out there.

•Top 10 Halo Easter Eggs [gamrFeed] Commemorating the launch of Halo: Reach is this list of Easter Eggs from across the title's decade-long history. Old favorites like the caveman family and Trogdor are in here, along with some lesser-known others.

•15 God-Awful Video Game Commercials [FileFront] Once upon a time, the only way to sell a Zelda game was with cringe-inducing awful ad-agency-conceived rap. It accounts for two on the list, plus No. 1.

•5 Insane True Facts About Starcraft, The Professional Sport [Cracked] The Korean Air Force has a gaming team. Top Korean players have groupies. There was a major scandal in Korea over a victory dance. This is basically "Five Reasons Why Korea Is Weird, vis-a-vis Starcraft."

•12 Educational Video Games That Were Actually Fun [Topless Robot] I grew up on Lemonade Stand, Odell Lake and Math Gran Prix, so the idea of edutainment games not sucking is somewhat alien to me. Oregon Trail is not No. 1, that belongs to Team Xtreme: Operation Weather Disaster.

•Top 7 Sandbox Games Of All Time [Gaming Bolt] This is a reasonably sensible list that doesn't just default to Grand Theft Auto in the top spot, but I'm not sure I like Assassin's Creed II there. I think Bully was more of a sandbox game than ACII which, as good as it was, its side assassinations, courier routes and beat-up jobs never really felt necessary. Still a very, very good game, but not my favorite sandboxer by far. Red Dead Redemption should be No. 1.

On Sunday, Tokyo Game Show comes to a close. It also brings about day two of hot cosplaying action from artists around the globe. And by hot we mean it literally—we've never seen TGS cosplayers perspire like this.

We braved the heat along with dozens of Lightnings from Final Fantasy XIII and tougher men in massive Gundam costume to bring you another big batch of Tokyo Game Show cosplay. Now, now, everyone. No running toward the I-no from Guilty Gear cosplay. It's not going anywhere.

(See part one of our TGS 2010 cosplay coverage for further anime and video game sartorial delights.)

I have no information that anyone is actually building this for PC, but it's amusing to consider. By YouTube user AnttiApinaPro, seen by reader Morris.

Suddenly in need of a new demon slaying action hero? Perhaps one with white hair? Maybe you should sign on for Knights Contract, Namco Bandai's new action game starring the blade-wielding and burly Heinrich and his bewitching partner Gretchen.

At the very least, Knights Contract is going to features some gorgeous pre-rendered cinematics on its game disc. But we thought the live gameplay that Namco showed off at Gamescom last month was impressive to put it on our radar. Perhaps this new Tokyo Game Show trailer will make you a fan.

Knights Contract is currently scheduled for a 2011 release on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.