2005 marks the entrance of Sony into the handheld arena. Attacking the solid grip Nintendo has had on the handheld market since the release of the original Game Boy, Sony’s new handheld, the PlayStation Portable, is set to launch on March 24th. That date also marks the day handheld gaming becomes as graphically advanced as the current generation of consoles; the graphics are that good. Battery issues aside, the PSP is aiming to deliver some beautiful-looking games on a four inch, 16:9 ratio (widescreen) LCD screen of full color.

This list has been assembled to display the most interesting games, and possible “must-have” titles for the PSP announced so far. With the current console generation nearing it’s end, it’s fitting that a new generation of handhelds is just beginning.

Grand Theft Auto

Genre: Action
Developer: Rockstar Leeds, Rockstar San Diego, Rockstar North
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Release Date: Spring 2005 (At PSP launch)

Go back to Liberty City in the first ever 3D handheld Grand Theft Auto game. This is a whole new game, taking place in the same city that was used in Grand Theft Auto 3. Even though Grand Theft Auto is usually hailed for its sheer size of its world, it will be interesting to see what Rockstar hopes to do with a miniature version of Grand Theft Auto.

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children

The highly anticipated “video sequel” to Final Fantasy VII will make its way onto the PSP as Video-only. Unfortunately, there is absolutely no playable sequel (as of yet, anyhow), and this is only a video release. Taking place two years after the events in Final Fantasy VII, this pure CGI movie will also be available on DVD as well as the PSP’s UMD format.

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII

Genre: Action RPG
Developer: Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix
Release Date: 2006

Hopes of a new playable game taking place in the Final Fantasy VII universe should not be given up, as a prequel, instead of a sequel to Final Fantasy VII, will be released on the PSP. There are no details at all about this game other than it exists and it’s a prequel. Hints to actually what may be in the game could be seen in Final Fantasy VII itself. The game will be an Action RPG rather than a turn-based one that most Final Fantasy games are. Even though this game is dated to come out in early 2006, it is still worthy to mention.

Gran Turismo 4 Mobile

Gran Turismo 4 Mobile is shaping up to be just as much of a vital game on the PSP as its counterpart Gran Turismo 4 is on the PS2. Gran Turismo 4 Mobile is an exact replica of Grand Turismo 4, but on the go. However, what makes Gran Turismo 4 Mobile different from Gran Turismo 4 is that it will include a feature using the PSP’s wireless LAN capabilities. So, all hopes of Gran Turismo 4 going online won’t be ruined after all.

Ridge Racers

Even though Gran Turismo 4 Mobile will give PSP users more than what they could ever want out of a simulation racing game, Namco’s Ridge Racers is aiming to be a very nice package as well. With amazing visuals and a nice amount of modes of play, it would seem to be a very good game regardless of whether or not Gran Turismo 4 Mobile shrouds it. Ridge Racers offers Single Race, World Tour, Multiplayer, and many other customizations that can tune how you play the game to your own liking. A few mini-games have also been included.

Metal Gear Acid

Metal Gear Acid is a completely new take on the espionage/stealth action game. It also veers off completely from what the series has come to be known for by becoming a card-based board game. Players will have a set number of moves and actions to take in a given turn sequence. This is more like a turn based RTS game, and will be very interesting to see how it actually plays out.

Mercury

An interesting puzzle game coming to the PSP is Mercury. Similar to the old wooden mazes where you’d lead a ball through to get to the other side, Mercury mimics this aspect by coming with a USB device that plugs into the PSP to do the actual controlling. What this means is that when you tilt the PSP in a certain direction, the “mercury” inside the game will move the direction you want it to go. You have to be careful to not separate the mercury substance, however, because if you stretch it too thin you’ll end up losing.

Tales of Eternia

The latest chapters of the unique Tales series by Namco will be featured on the PSP. Tales of Eternia is a remake of the original Tales of Eternia on the PSOne featuring all-drawn 2D graphics in a 3D world. The Tales series has recently gotten more recognition with the release of Tales of Symphonia, and the remake of one of the older games of the series has gotten some hype as a result. The Tales series has always been a a nice way to play RPGs, as the battles were always in real-time, on a 2D battlefield.

THUG 2: Remix

Pretty much a replica of THUG 2 for the PS2, players can experience, for the first time ever, a full 3D Tony Hawk game on a handheld. Four extra levels have been added to the game as well, being Las Vegas, Atlanta, Kyoto and Santa Cruz for players to expand their World Destruction Tour with Tony Hawk or Bam Margera. Not only are there thirteen single-player levels, but there is also the ability to face off against three other friends in ten multiplayer games.

Wipeout Pure

Wipeout Pure is an all new Wipeout game for the PSP. This futuristic racer will include twelve all-new tracks, with an addition of four classic tracks to be unlocked. All the ships have been remodeled and now have new handling stats. However, the most interesting feature is the ability to play with up to 8 players using the PSP’s WiFi capabilities.

With all that has been mentioned, it is almost certain that the PSP will be the first alternative to the Game Boy actually worth its weight with plenty of games to back up the notion. If the PSP is anywhere near as popular as Sony’s home console systems, there will be stiff competition for Nintendo in the handheld market. Look out for the PSP in stores on March 24, 2005.