KEY POINTS:
On the PlayStation 3 front comes a new deal available from tomorrow locally: A PS3 Starter Pack, comprising the 60GB console, two wireless six axis controllers, and a copy of the hot games Resistance: Fall Of Man and MotorStorm.
The package has a recommended retail price of $1,199.95.
Meanwhile new on PSP comes an old favourite:
PaRappa the Rapper was a cult classic on PlayStation back in '97 and now a version comes to PSP, well suited to the little machine.
It was a novelty when it came out, with rhythm games of its kind just appearing and gaming was heading into a new interactive era with titles similar to Sony's successful SingStar karaoke series.
PaRappa gave you the chance to have fun with freestyling. You portray a cute, flat cartoon dog trying to garner the affections of a cute gal.
Obstacles pop up, but through lyrical prowess and a can-do spirit, Parappa perseveres. He learns to drive, pawns goods, and even battles for bathroom privileges.
It's a brilliantly adorable tale with plenty of subtle nuances and quirky characters. The art style is still unique to this day, and the music will go down as one of the best original scores in the history of gaming.
If you haven't struck it before, an instructor throws down a line, then you must repeat it back in the same rhythm by tapping the corresponding buttons in time.
You need to watch the bar at the top of the screen to know which buttons to press and a meter tracks your progress. It's fun and as usual trickier than first expected. You get to mix up the rhymes a bit too.
The PSP version is close to the 2002 PS2 game with only a few additions, such as the option to play with three others through game sharing (but there are only six raps) or download some new music.
Widescreen helps and the graphics hold up well considering the age.
The core game engine remains unchanged from the original, which is a tad disappointing but at least none of the fun has been removed.
It was a groundbreaker in its day but this genre is moving on fast with the likes of Guitar Hero and the soon to be released Rock Band.
I played it during a long trip at the weekend and it still works a charm as a chill-out for the PSP.
Check out this Japanese TV commercial for PlayStation featuring Crash Bandicoot and Parappa the Rapper in a PlayStation judged cook-off!
MadGamer rating: 7 / 10
Anyone remember Parappa? Going to buy a PS3 now?
