This week's big release is SWAT: Target Liberty, a brand new PSP-exclusive sequel to the classic tactical shooter. We hope to have a review ready this week.

US Games

• Crash of the Titans
• Spider-man 3
• SWAT: Target Liberty
• Thrillville: Off the Rails

EU Games

• Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights
• Thrillville: Off the Rails

Asian Games

• Riviera: Yakusoku no Chi Special Edition

So, who won our week-long Star Wars Battlefront PSP giveaway? Well, here's the list of winners so far: Jonah P. from Joystiq, Silver R. from PS3 Fanboy, Joe from PSP Fanboy, and drinkdrink from PS3 Fanboy. These winners have already been contacted -- congrats to them! Now, check out some of this week's updates on PSF. This week, we're proud to feature four reviews, most of them great, one of them hilariously bad.

Downloads

• PS Fanboy Wallpapers: Volume 6
  Stranglehold wallpapers. For download on PS3 and PSP.
• PlayStation Fancast 011: We're back!
  After a month-long hiatus. Rage against the 40GB machine?

Reviews

• Everyday Shooter (PS3)
  "Everyday Shooter offers an unparalleled amount of depth for a downloadable title."
• Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions (PSP)
  "Even with the disappointing slowdown, this game is a must-buy."
• Folklore (PS3)
  "Folklore remains one of the more compelling experiences to be found on PS3."
• Go! Sports Ski (PS3)
  "You get what you pay for. Go! Sports Ski is three dollars for a reason."

PS3 Headlines

• GT5 Prologue demo available on Oct 20
  A demo version of a demo version of Gran Turismo 5 is coming soon. And for free.
• Assassin's Creed facing problems with DVD, PS3 memory
  Ubisoft's adventure hampered by memory limitations of PS3.
• Korean PS3 gets IPTV in November
  Asia always gets the cool toys.
• PS3 wins T3's 'Gadget of the Year' award
  But ironically, doesn't win 'Gaming Gadget of the Year.'
• European MGS4 rumble bundle planned 'before Easter.'
  Old Snake gets shakin' -- at least in Europe.
• Capcom hints at PS3 news by the end of next week
  Capcom says: Stop. Feeling. Betrayed. Please?
• EyeCreate will be available as free download on PSN
  Who doesn't like free stuff? Satan.
• Hitachi working on 100GB Blu-ray discs
  Itachi, on the other hand, is working on something else.
• Metal Gear Solid 4 to appear at E for All
  And it's playable. Oh no, when did this show start sounding good?
• SCEA creates in-game advertising group, keeps Home free
  Coming soon to Home: a Wal-Mart!
• Can you tell the difference between GT5 and real life?
  Because seriously, we can't.

PSP Headlines

• Sony starts extensive PSP campaign on adult swim
  The Venture Brothers brought to you by ... PSP.
• New Bubble Bobble sequel coming to PSP
  Because the world needed more Rainbow Islands.
• Vagrant Story a 'natural' choice for next PSP makeover
  Square hints at next PSP remake.

PS3 Videos

• Really long PS3 ad highlights system features through sketches
  It's beautiful, but who wants to watch a ten minute ad?
• Brand new Disgaea 3 trailer
  It's next-gen Nippon Ichi.
• Time Crisis 4 trailer assures us they still suck at voice acting
  But isn't that part of the charm?

PSP Videos

• For a Hero, You're Pretty Impudent: the trailer
  Play as the bad guy and kill heroes in this new PSP RPG.
• Behind the scenes of Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow
  When did Gabe Logan become such a badass?
• Sleek new MGS:PO+ trailer
  More Metal Gear love for the handheld.

Let's do some time travel. I'm going to take you back ten years to 1997 when, in Japan, two games were released by Square on an underdog system called the PS1. These titles, Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy Tactics have since become critically regarded as two of the best games on Sony's fledgling console. And while Final Fantasy VII has enjoyed the sort of commercial success normally attributed to rockstars, sadly Tactics was hideously overshadowed by its prettier brother and so this gem was never received by the consumers as it should've done. Shame on you Americans! (Though because of this, Europeans never even saw the game released on our shelves.) Fast forward to 2007 and, almost by means of apology, Square Enix has allowed Europe access to the PSP version of this game, and a full week before the US at that! That'll teach you.

While it's easy to view Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions as a mere re-release, the game has retained most of the same gameplay elements as its PS1 counterpart, as well as added a completely new translation, gorgeously animated cutscenes, extra classes, characters and even a multiplayer feature. But even with all that, the game is still a 10 year old tactical RPG. Does it still stand up as a great title a decade on?

Ask PSP Fanboy is back with an all new edition. Every few weekends, PSP Fanboy will answer your burning questions. If you have a question for the team, send an e-mail to andrew @ joystiq.com with the subject "Ask PSP Fanboy."

Q: Do the component cable ONLY work on HDTVs? Or can you use a SDTV as well? And what is the difference between the two cables?
A: We get this question on a nearly daily basis. Component cables will only work on EDTV/HDTV sets with component inputs. You can NOT use a SDTV. The main difference between the two is that the component cables will allow you to play games on your TV. If you do not have a HDTV, you will not be able to play PSP games on your TV. Hope that clears things up!

Q: Is there any way to access the PlayStation Store for downloading PSP from PS1 ports without using a PS3? If there is how does it work? And if not do you think that they will have it any time soon?
A: A PSP version of the Store is already in the works, and is available right now in Japan. We won't see it until next year, I'd assume. However, the Store will not only include PS1 games, it will also include brand new games that were made specifically for the PSP.

Q: Is the PSP-2000 just as capable of running custom firmwares as the original?
A: It depends. The first batch of PSP-2000 systems can be exploited using Pandora's Battery. However, recent reports suggest that any new systems, such as the Star Wars PSP, are not vulnerable to the exploit. You'll have to experiment

This isn't going to last very long. FRYS.com is having a one day sale, and there are some terrific PSP deals. The two that are most noteworthy: the discounted Star Wars Battlefront PSP, which includes the Darth Vader PSP and new Renegade Squadron game, is only $185 -- $15 cheaper than normal. Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles also comes in cheap, for only $21. Considering the game includes both a remade Rondo of Blood and enhanced Symphony of the Night, this might be one of the best video game deals ever. Yes, even better than The Orange Box.

[Via CAG]

The brand new play-as-the-villain RPG for PSP, Yuusha no Kuse ni Namaikida, has us intrigued. While the art style certainly doesn't appeal to our sensibilities, any game that lets you wreak havoc on potential do-gooders is fine by us. The brand new trailer from Sony shows you what the game is all about. You seem to carve a path for explorers to take, and then send your minions. Watch as the little critters take down the hero, and you laugh your way to victory.

The upcoming PSP remake of Yggdra Union is getting a brand new opening cinematic. And like most anime introductions, it's stunning. Yukio Takatsu, director of animation for Persona 3, will also be helming work for this intro.

Go to Gpara for more screens from the game. If this much effort is being put into the cinematics, we're hoping the rest of the game will look just as vibrant.

[Via PSPHyper]

Day 4 is over (we're busy picking our fourth winner) and Day 5 – the final day – of our Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron PSP-2000 bundle is ready to kick off. Along with our friends at Joystiq and PS3 Fanboy, we're giving away the last of five brand-new limited-edition Darth Vader PSP-2000 systems this week. These Ceramic White systems feature Darth Vader's menacing profile on the back, and are a must-have for the dedicated Star Wars nerdcore. Not only that, the package includes the brand new PSP-exclusive Star Wars Battlefront game.

So, how do you enter? First, find out what the PSP Fanboy team thinks about Star Wars Battlefront (Andrew, Jem, Nick, and Colin and ) and then leave a comment letting us know how many redundant copies of Star Wars you own on DVD? Be sure to leave your comment on the corresponding giveaway posts at Joystiq and PS3 Fanboy, for a total of three entries today. We'll select one comment from all three sites at random tomorrow morning before we give away another PSP-2000.

Of course, there are rules. You must be a US resident, 18 years or older. Limit 1 entry per person per site ... or else (that means three entries spread out, no more)! This entry period ends at 11:59am ET tomorrow, so get your entries in before then. For complete rules you can shared with your loved ones, click here. And much thanks to the fine people at LucasArts for the great prizes.

Suzumiya Haruhi is huge in Japan, and the upcoming PSP game will most likely sell billions of copies. Japanese pre-orders include this incredibly revealing Haruhi figure, one that would make any otaku blush. This "Santa swimsuit," as it's being called, would be much too skimpy for use in the North Pole. Maybe they should consider renaming it?

[Via PSPHyper]

Yet another video of Sonic Rivals 2's battle modes have been revealed. This time, see a Chao get kidnapped in this brand new mode. Remember, Rivals 2 will support Game Sharing, so we're expecting many (if not all) of these features to be available over one UMD.

It's a slow news day, folks. Might as well save some money. amazon.com has Monster Hunter Freedom 2nd, the gazillion-selling PSP game, at a discounted $30. That's a savings of $10. Sure, it's not a great deal, but it's better than nothing, right?

[Via CAG]

Cartoon Network's adult swim website is being plastered with ads for the new PSP. Good thing -- the adult swim demographic is exactly what Sony needs to target to keep PSP momentum strong. Check out Bertrum's Almanack, which provides some "fun facts" to listeners. Unfortunately, the site says that "Bertrum's Almanack not available on PSP system." But, games like NBA 08 and Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow are. Hopefully, this campaign is one of many Sony's planning to promote their handheld.

Day 3 is over (we're busy picking our third winner) and Day 4 of our Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron PSP-2000 bundle is ready to kick off. Along with our friends at Joystiq and PS3 Fanboy, we're giving away the fourth of five brand-new limited-edition Darth Vader PSP-2000 systems this week. These Ceramic White systems feature Darth Vader's menacing profile on the back, and are a must-have for the dedicated Star Wars nerdcore. Not only that, the package includes the brand new PSP-exclusive Star Wars Battlefront game.

So, how do you enter? First, find out what the PSP Fanboy team thinks about Star Wars Battlefront (Andrew, Jem, Nick, and Colin and ) and then leave a comment settling this once and for all: Does Han hurt nerves or herd nerfs, cause he can't do both? Be sure to leave your comment on the corresponding giveaway posts at Joystiq and PS3 Fanboy, for a total of three entries today. We'll select one comment from all three sites at random tomorrow morning before we give away another PSP-2000.

Of course, there are rules. You must be a US resident, 18 years or older. Limit 1 entry per person per site ... or else (that means three entries spread out, no more)! This entry period ends at 11:59am ET tomorrow, so get your entries in before then. For complete rules you can shared with your loved ones, click here. And much thanks to the fine people at LucasArts for the great prizes.

The title doesn't really flaunt its Bubble Bobble heritage, but Rainbow Islands Evolution is yet another addition to the Bubble Bobble franchise. Taito is working on a PSP revival of the long-forgotten Rainbow Islands, which originally released in the arcades in 1987. The new puzzler feature Bub and Bob "under the shadow of an evil record company who is polluting the ecosystem with a constant, mass-produced musical dirge." Does that sound like a political statement to you? According to the press release, "the strict vertical ascents of the original have been expanded and extrapolated into three dimensions, with each level's building-block platforms now following perspective and disappearing into the distance." Once we get video and screenshots of the game, we're sure that'll make a lot more sense.