Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) was kind enough to tide over gamers outside Japan this weekend...ya know, the ones NOT getting our hands on Sony's new handheld device, the PSP. With the unit set to launch this weekend in Japan, gamers around the globe can look on with envy as they await the launch of Sony's portable sometime in 2005. Today though, SCEE dropped a few facts about upcoming titles for the PSP to help ease us anxious gamers through the weekend. The following offers up some facts and a brief description for a few titles (some specific to the European market) including some amazing looking titles like Wipeout Pure and Ridge Racer. Take a look:

Everybody's Golf

Key Facts:

  • Genre: Arcade Golf
  • Developer: SCEJ
  • Players: 1-8 (via WiFi)

    Game Overview:

    Go golf crazy and take on a cast of colourful characters in the coolest clubhouse around. No need for airs and graces here - just select a golfer from a range of friendly faces, and customize their abilities, attributes and appearance before teeing off across a series of challenging courses and game modes. Go head-to-head with both friends and foes via WiFi compatible Ad Hoc Mode and become a true golfing legend.

    Features:

  • Featuring 6 new courses, classic venues and favourite characters from the ever-popular Everybody's Golf series
  • Directly connect PSPs via wireless network to simultaneously link up with several golfers and take part in gala golf tournaments and challenges
  • Due to tee off in 2005

    Ape Academy

    Key Facts:

  • Genre: Party/Mini Games
  • Developer: SCEJ
  • Players: 1-2 (Up to 4 with WiFi)

    Game Overview:

    To become an expert in monkey business, you first have to go to monkey school, so enrol now at the craziest college the world has ever seen. You can work your way up through the school years by winning wacky mini-games, but keep an eye on your classmates - students they may be, but when it comes to trouble and tomfoolery, these goofy monkeys are pros!

    Features:

  • More than 45 madcap mini-games - huge variety of game styles, each overflowing with frantic fun and silly monkey humour
  • Great multiplayer options - take on other would-be ape academics via WiFi compatible mode, or use the ingenious control system to play against a friend simultaneously on one PSP!
  • From the creators of the critically acclaimed Ape Escape series

    Fired Up

    Key Facts:

  • Genre: Vehicle Combat Action
  • Developer: SCEE London Studio
  • Players: 1-8

    Game Overview:

    In an anarchic world of high-octane vehicles, big guns and bigger explosions, is a rag tag team of resistance fighters are about to strike back against a faceless aggressor. They're desperate for your help; but if being a collaborator in the rebellion isn't your thing, you can always go it alone, blow up your friends and experience genuine mayhem in multiplayer mode. So buckle in, prime the weapons and hit the gas. What's it to be? Smash and grab or crash and burn?

    Features:

  • Huge open-ended environments to explore, each packed with vicious vehicles, brutal weaponry and unlockable extras
  • Take on missions from a variety of outlandish characters and give the good guys the upper hand in single player story mode
  • Experience frenzied action, diverse locations and multiple game modes in the blisteringly fast multiplayer mode, with WiFi compatible support for up to eight players

    FOOTBALL(working title)

    Key Facts:

  • Genre: Sport
  • Developer: SCEE London Studio
  • Players: 1-2

    Game Overview:

    Who knows where your next challenge will come from or who that challenger will be? With the power of WiFi compatibility and the User Alert System, FOOTBALL (working title) enables you to challenge complete strangers spontaneously. And with so many international and club teams to choose from and several cup competitions to enter, every day is a matchday!

    Key Features:

  • Choose from over 150 teams and take them to glory at domestic or international level
  • Unlock new club sides, special teams, extra stadia and cup competitions by achieving success in various game modes
  • Advanced User Alert System pinpoints other PSP players within range for instant ad hoc challenges

    Formula One

    Key Facts:

  • Genre: Racing
  • Developer: Travellers Tales
  • Players: 1-8 (via WiFi)

    Game Overview:

    As the first FORMULA ONE product for PSP, Formula One includes all of the official licensed tracks, cars and drivers of the FIA FORMULA ONE World Championship. Download your own music collection from Memory Stick Duo, and access additional bonus content to make sure race days are never the same again!

    Features:

  • Featuring all 18 official circuits and all 10 official teams, 20 cars with performance stats based on their historical season performances and 5 unlockable classic bonus cars
  • Arcade focused gameplay with 7 challenging modes including Quick Race, World Championship, Head to Head and Eliminator Championship
  • Link up to other PSPs via WiFi for multiplayer races, Ghost Car and Best Time exchange mode

    MediEvil

    Key Facts:

  • Genre: Action Adventure
  • Developer: SCEE Cambridge Studio
  • Players: 1 (1-2 via WiFi)

    Game Overview:

    One hundred years have passed since the evil Sorcerer Zarok was defeated at the Battle of Gallowmere, heroically cut down by a mortally wounded Sir Daniel Fortesque. Or at least, that's what the people were told; in fact poor Sir Dan was a bit of a coward, falling in the very first wave of arrows. Now Zarok has returned, turning day into night, and raising an undead army to conquer the land. As a side effect Dan has also been resurrected... now, he has the chance to defeat Zarok and in death become the hero he never was in life.

    Features:

  • Follow Dan's quest across the magical land of Gallowmere, taking in oodles of varied levels, gazillions of combat moves and bucketloads of weapons
  • As the enchanting storyline unfolds, become enthralled in the MediEvil universe; a weird and wonderful place bursting with action and boundless humour
  • Two handfuls of splendid multiplayer mini-games, with WiFi compatible multiplayer support
  • In-game help system in the form of the Voodoo Witch and in-game manual located in Dan's crypt.

    Ridge Racer

    Key Facts:

  • Genre: Racing
  • Developer: Namco
  • Players: 1-8 (2-8 via WiFi)

    Game Overview:

    Featuring the best loved race courses from arcade classic Rave Racer and the entire Ridge Racer series, 24 circuits of breakneck speed and exhilaration stand between you and racing glory. Beat the clock in Time Attack Mode or test your racing skills against up to 8 players in WiFi compatible Wireless Battle Mode.

    Key Features:

  • Reworked and enhanced car design, complete with trademark Ridge Racer series drift handling
  • Drive in style and rise through the ranks to unlock hidden bonuses in World Tour Mode
  • Featuring 24 breathtaking courses, the most in any Ridge Racer game, including old favourites Seaside Route 765, Crimsonrock Pass and Greenpeak Highlands

    WipEout Pure

    Key Facts:

  • Genre: Combat Racing
  • Developer: SCEE Studio Liverpool
  • Players: 1-8 (via WiFi)

    Game Overview:

    The latest and the greatest in the seminal WipEout series, 'Pure' distils the essence of anti-gravity racing and futuristic adrenaline-fuelled combat. Hi-tech weapons, hi-octane speed and a high-tempo dance soundtrack combine to deliver an explosive taste of the future directly into your hands.

    Features

  • Featuring all-new environments and race craft plus a pumping soundtrack specially created for the game by a range of top artists
  • Post launch downloads give you access to extra circuits, new craft, personalised skins and additional music
  • Go head-to-head full-screen in 8-player tournaments via WiFi

    WRC

    Key Facts:

  • Genre: Racing
  • Developer: Travellers Tales
  • Players: 1-8 (via WiFi)

    Game Overview

    Immerse yourself in the first officially licensed handheld FIA World Rally Championship game - packed full of exhilarating stages set in the toughest terrains the world has to offer. Experience the "in your face" thrills and spills of rally on the move - feel the speed, embrace the power, taste the mud!

    Features

  • Featuring the 16 official rallies from around the globe including Japan and Mexico, plus 19 bonus stages and downloadable content enabled
  • 30 fully deformable cars, including Evolution and Extreme spec cars, plus all 17 official 2004 registered drivers, from the 6 official manufacturers
  • Link up to other PSPs via WiFi for multiplayer battles in 16 super special stages allowing you to pit your wits against the best WRC drivers in the world