Starting today, June 1st, Sony is starting an aggressive push to get as much legitimate software in the hands of PSP and PSPgo customers. Many titles are going to be added to the new "Favorites" category, new additions are coming to the "Greatest Hits" catalog and the PSPgo will now be bundled with three games.

From today until March 31, 2011, any new adopters of the PSPgo will receive an email with a Playstation Network voucher to download LittleBigPlanet, Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters and SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3 for free. No word if the titles included in this freebie pack will change. One has to assume so once new software is released later in the year.

Four games are ready to join the $19.99 "Greatest Hits" collection as well. These include:

• Gran Turismo
• LittleBigPlanet (PSP version of course)
• Resistance: Retribution
• Secret Agent Clank

The most aggressive push is with the creation of the new $9.99 "Favorites" lineup. Many titles, both first and third party, will be included in the initial lineup. Continue reading after the break for that lengthy list of games. Will this strategy pay off? Do you see yourself buying more PSP software or a new PSPgo because of these announcements? As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

A new entry in the PSP God of War franchise was revealed today. Due for release later in the year, God of War: Ghost of Sparta is being developed by Ready at Dawn Studios, the team behind Kratos' original handheld adventure, God of War: Chains of Olympus.

"Excitement for the God of War franchise is at an all-time high and we're thrilled to continue that momentum with God of War: Ghost of Sparta," said Scott A. Steinberg, vice president, product marketing, SCEA. "This new adventure will showcase Kratos on PSP like never before in an experience that fans and newcomers can enjoy on the go, anytime, anywhere."

The story will pick up after God of War and will show Kratos' ascension to power. "25% more gameplay, an improved weapon system, and new magical powers" are being promised as well as answers to questions about Kratos' tattoo, scar and family.

No specific release date has been announced, but expect to hear more about Ghost of Sparta at E3. For now, continue after the break for the rest of the newly released screenshots.

Atlus is bringing a new RPG series to the PSP entitled Hexyz Force. It is being developed by Sting, the people who brought you Yggdra Union and Knights in the Nightmare. Hexyz Force is being called "one of the most narrative-driven portable RPGs of all time" with two separate campaigns to embark upon. The two campaigns will showcase opposite sides of a sweeping saga.

Hexyz Force is currently scheduled to release in stores on May 25 and via PlayStation Network on May 27th. Check out the screens after the break.

Atlus has announced a new entry in the Metal Slug series entitled Metal Slug XX for the PSP. This new entry will bring back the side-scrolling, run-and-gun gameplay of previous titles in the series. You can play as Marco, Tarma, Fio, Eri, Ralf, and Clark as they return to once again take on General Morden and his new and improved Rebel Army. There will be seven levels and over 70 mission-based trials to tackle solo or through 2 player ad hoc local co-op.

Metal Slug XX is scheduled for release on February 23 for $19.99. Continue after the break for some more screenshots.For more information, check out the game's official website.

The PSP Digital Comics Store will be opening up for business today in many countries around the world. The US will recieve access at 3PM EST while Australia, New Zealand and South Africa will open up at 5PM GMT in the UK. The store should be full of Marvel, Titan and iVerse collections as well as the latest underground sensations. Some free comics will also be available so everyone can test out the new service.

Head over to Playstation Comics to check out the full catalougue and let us know in the comments what you think.

Konami has announced the North American release date for one of the PSP's most anticipated titles. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, the direct sequel to Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, will be releasing on May 25th, 2010 on UMD and through digital download. It takes place in 1974 at the tail end of the Cold War and boasts an all new story of special ops expert Snake (Big Boss) penned by Hideo Kojima.

"Featuring an original story created by legendary game designer, Hideo Kojima, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is a title that has serious sales potential," said David Daniels, Director of Marketing for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. "Kojima Productions has pushed the limits of the PSP system and we cannot wait to unveil their latest addition to the Metal Gear franchise to gamers this coming May."

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker will be released in the UK on May 28th and in Japan on March 18th.

via IGN

Seems all you PSP Go customers will finally be able to experience the portable joy of Sackboy. After a delay of over a week due to "technical difficulties", Little Big Planet PSP will be releasing on the Playstation Network later today. That 's a full week after the UMD hit retail. Yeah. Not a nice precedent set there Sony. Either way you grab the game, an update will be available that improves some of the physics and tools in create mode.

How do all the PSP Go faithful feel about this delay? Are you getting worried that this might happen more regularly? Let us know in the comments.

If you have been searching for some of Atlus' notoriously hard to find catalogue of PSP games, it seems like today might be your lucky day. Atlus has released several titles from its PSP system library via Playstation Network. Crimson Gem Saga, Hammerin' Hero, Yggdra Union, Steambot Chronicles Battle Tournament, R-Type Command and Riviera: The Promised Land have all been released via digital download. Atlus' own employees seem to understand how hard it is to find some of their games on retail shelves and seem to have a sense of humor about it.

"We've finally reached a point where, according to our physicians, any further laughing at our masterfully executed plan of never making enough copies of our games for everyone poses risks to our health," admitted Aram Jabbari, Manager of PR and Sales at Atlus.  "In order to prevent illness, and because, hey, sometimes you just want to change things up, we're very pleased to offer PSP system classics via digital download.  It may mean that we'll have to shut down our numerous online auction accounts, as we won't be able to hoard large quantities of our hard-to-find games and then slowly trickle them out at obscenely high prices anymore, but the end result will be better for everyone."

Prices do vary so check out the Playstation Store for further details.

Sony Computer Entertainment of America is telling the folks at Gamasutra that the PSP Go has helped raise U.S. PSP sales 300 percent, week over week, since it launched October 1st.

"The launch of PSP Go has generated strong consumer interest in the overall PSP platform and the PlayStation Network's digital content offering," says SCEA corporate communications director Patrick Seybold. "With several blockbuster games launching digitally and on UMD in the coming weeks -- from LittleBigPlanet to Assassin's Creed Bloodlines -- we expect this momentum to continue and look forward to a strong holiday season for both the PSP Go and PSP-3000."

Sony also went on to say that PSP game downloads purchased from the PlayStation Store are up 200 percent in the region and overall PSP sales, week over week, in the U.K. are up 120 percent.

A breakdown of PSP-3000 vs. PSP Go sales was not mentioned. Are people going into stores for the PSP Go and leaving with a PSP-3000 instead? It will be interesting to see the NPD sales figures for October.

Sony Computer Entertainment of America announced today that a Gran Turismo PSP Entertainment Pack will be available on October 20th for $199.99. This pack is similar to previous bundles Sony has released. The addition of DLC content is a nice addition though. The entertainment pack will include:

• Mystic Silver PSP-3000 system
• Gran Turismo PSP game on UMD
• PlayStation Network downloadable voucher for a white Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, a color not available in the game and exclusive to this entertainment pack
• 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo
• PlayStation Network downloadable movie voucher - title TBD
• Sony Music Pass voucher good for 10 downloadable songs - available to U.S. residents only

The stand-alone Gran Turismo game will be available in digital and UMD formats on October 1 for $39.99.

Good news Grand Theft Auto fans. Rockstar Games has announced that the critically acclaimed DS title, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, will be coming to the PSP via UMD and digitally through the PlayStation network.

The game will take advantage of the PSP hardware with upscaled widescreen graphics, enhanced lighting and animation. In addition, the PSP version will feature brand new story missions not available on the Nintendo DS version of the game.

Despite being one of the highest rated handheld games of all time, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, debuted to less than stellar sales on the Nintendo DS. It should be interesting to see if the PSP audience will be more welcoming to the mature mayhem of the Grand Theft Auto franchise.

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is scheduled to debut on the PSP this fall.

One of Sony's big announcements for the PSP at this year's E3 was Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. Today, Konami brings us a trio of screen shots from the game. The images are pretty much standard Metal Gear fare including the above image that highlights the multiples Snakes that were revealed in the E3 trailer. Don't you just love how all the little Snakes have on different outfits.

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is scheduled to be released in 2010. Hit the jump to see the two additional images.

Via Kotaku

Those of you who follow JRPGs may be aware of the Persona series, brought to us by Atlus. What you may not know is that the first game in the series, originally released for the PS1, is one of the rarer and more sought after games in the library. Atlus has listened to fans clamoring for a re-release, and they've decided to go all out.

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona for the PSP is a complete reworking of the game from the ground up. The original release is infamous for it's poor localization, not to mention a portion of the game was completely left out of the North American release due to time constraints. In this new version, Atlus is giving us a new translation, reinstating the lost quest line, and generally cleaning up things to match today's standards.

If the above wasn't enough, a 2-disc version of the game's soundtrack will be released with every copy of the game at launch. If you enjoy the Persona series, or want to see what it's all about, SMT: Persona should be shipping on or around September 22, 2009. In the meantime, hit the jump for a veritable ton of screenshots!

While the PSP Go, for some, brought more questions than answers, Sony at least appears to be trying to answer some of the more pressing concerns about their new portable system.

In a recent interview with Engadget, Sony's John Koller sat down to answer a few questions about the PSP Go, specifically regarding digital distribution and UMDs. According to Koller, there will be "at least 300" titles available for digital purchase when the PSP Go is released, but the whole back catalog will not be available (no word on if the whole thing ever will be available). This news is in addition to the announcement that every future PSP release will be available digitally, which was made when the PSP Go launched earlier this week. It also appears that digital copies will cost the same as the UMDs, a disappointment for many that thought this would not be the case.

In addition, Koller also confirmed that Sony will launch a "good will" program that will allow owners of certain UMD games to be able to obtain digital copies for use with the new UMD-less PSP Go. Details were light on what games would be allowed under the program, or how the program would even work (cost, availability, time frame, e.t.c.), but the fact that such a program will be available in some form should be good news.

We'll be sure to keep tabs on the PSP Go as its release date of October 1, 2009 comes closer.