Sony Unveils PSP Remaster Series for PS3
Classic PSP titles being revived on PS3 in HD. Monster Hunter leads the way.
Posted on 05.22.2011 at 14:35, by Anoop GantayatSony will be bringing classic PlayStation Portable titles to PlayStation 3 as part of a new PSP Remaster lineup. The company announced the series today along with its first major release.
PSP Remaster offers PSP titles remastered for play on the PS3. The games are spruced up with full HD visuals, compatibility with Dual Shock 3, PS3 exclusive content, 3D support, and other features.
The PSP and PS3 versions of the game also share save data. Sony says that this could allow you to play a game on the PSP while on the go, then continue playing when you return home.
The PS3 versions are also compatible with Sony's Ad Hoc Party for PlayStation Portable service for network play. This free PS3 app normally allows local play PSP titles to use the PS3 as a proxy for true online play.
The series will kick off first in Japan through sales of Blu-ray Disc titles, Sony said. The wording of Sony's statement suggests that the series will also be released internationally and will also see some games offered in download form. The press release did not explicitly mention these areas, though.
For the series' first title, Sony has a biggie. As detailed earlier today, Capcom will release a PS3 version of Monster Hunter Portable 3rd under the name Monster Hunter Portable HD. The 4.5 million selling PSP title will feature 3D support, HD visuals and shared save files with the PSP, and will see release this summer.
Monster Hunter Portable 3rd -> Monster Hunter Portable HD
Playstation Portable, indeed.
Depends on the games, naturally. Final Fantasy Type-0 = mmmmmmm, and I'd be down with Trails doing the same.
But at the same time, Sony's ps2 hd collections have involved GoW and Sly... plus Tomb Raider and PoP. Not exactly a lot. >>;
Yeah, it takes a while to roll 'em out. It isn't as simple a thing as slapping 'em into the PS3 and turning up all the dials to 11. Plus, the success of GoW collection took a lot of companies by surprise.
The Remaster series looks to be a concerted effort by Sony to give people who don't want to invest in a PSP a chance to play the games they're missing out on, and a chance for developers to tap into a wider market (especially in western markets, where PSP is nowhere near dominant). Only time will tell if this strategy proves successful.
Calling HD Birth by Sleep right now.
As someone who has logged more playtime on his PSP than his PS3 and Wii combined(and with genuine UMD games), I am very much meh about this development. Now if they were planning to remaster PSP games for the NGP, remaster PS1/2 games for the PSP, or even give the PS3 library a graphical downgrade for PSP or NGP, then I would be excited.
Birth By Sleep, Peace Walker and P3P
These are the games I shall purchase again.
Am I the only one thinking that this would be a perfect opportunity to bring the Valkyria Chronicles series back to the PS3...in a way? 
Calling HD Birth by Sleep Final Mix right now.
fixed that for you
In the U.S.? 
'natch.
Wouldn't mind playing the failed Mega Man Powered Up and Maverick Hunter X games on the ps3, but them again it probably would end not selling much on there! :/
