CRISIS CORE: FINAL FANTASY VII
After a very long time in development, Crisis Core finally arrives to give the lacklustre sales of Sony's PSP a welcome boost, and for all the failings of the so-called compilation of Final Fantasy VII thus far, it proves beyond a doubt that there's life left in the franchise yet.

With a level of maturity almost unheard of in a Square Enix game, there are more highlights to Crisis Core than the tragic story of its central character, Zack Fair, as the huge amount of extra content provides plenty of time to enjoy the excellent battle system, as well as revel in some great music and sky-high production values.

SECRET AGENT CLANK PREVIEW
Like Laurel & Hardy or Fred & Ginger there are some winning combinations that you could just never see being separated. That, however, is exactly what High Impact Games has done to Sony's inimitable duo, Ratchet & Clank.

Even more surprisingly, sidekick Clank is the one who's landed his very own PSP game - and he's certainly intent on living up to his new billing as star of the show. Come this way as we spy on Secret Agent Clank...

ECHOCHROME PREVIEW
Q1: What is the meaning of life?
Q2: If a tree falls down in a forest and there's no one around does it make a sound?
Q3: How can you solve a puzzle if it keeps changing every time you look at it?

A trio of difficult questions, but Sony apparently now have a game for the PSP that might be able to help. So come this way for our preview of Echochrome, which holds all the answers (please note, questions 1 & 2 will not be answered.)

WILD ARMS XF
Hey, you got your strategy RPG in my Wild Arms game! That's what you'll say when you boot up the latest release in the series from X-Seed Games, only on your PSP.

But with so many heavy-hitters already released in the SRPG genre, can this second-tier title, a mishmash of fantasy and Western, distinguish itself, or will it choke on the dust of its betters? The answer is but a click away.

MLB '08: THE SHOW
It might not be as big as football, but baseball has fans that are just as fanatical about their favorite sport, awaiting each season with longing and then savoring every last moment of it.

And if you're a gamer who's into baseball in a big way then it's likely that you like to get your interactive baseball fix too, taking on every role for your team as you attempt to lead them to fame and success. The Show has allowed you to do just that while on the move thanks to its PSP outings, so let's see what the 08 version has to offer.

METAL GEAR SOLID: PORTABLE OPS PLUS
Snake! Snake!! SNAAAKKKKKE!!!

Sadly, you will never hear this legendary game over scream when you play through the expansion to the much loved Portable Ops. This PSP classic was loved for its story but had too many problems to count. As an expansion rather than a fully blown sequel, Plus will appeal to people who have completed Naked Snake's PSP mission. But what about newcomers to the series' portable escapades? Will they enjoy even a bit of this £15 expansion?

WIPEOUT PULSE
Every so often, a game comes along that redefines your expectations for what a console, or in this case a handheld, is capable of. It raises the bar beyond belief, blowing away your preconceptions and producing the kind of graphics, sound and gameplay that you never even dreamed was possible.

Wipeout Pulse is one such game - in fact, it's so great that our reviewer, David Simpson, doesn't want you to waste time playing it! However, if it takes more than this teaser text to convince you, read on before making the inevitable purchase...

PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2008
In the war of PES versus FIFA, it seems that FIFA has been closing the gap lately, evolving its gameplay to match its seamless presentation and full licensing, while PES continues to provide great gameplay but doesn't seem to be worried about making the beautiful game all that beautiful.

Our reviewer David Simpson isn't a superfifical fellow though - he's willing to look beneath the surface to appreciate the inner beauty of PES 2008...

GOD OF WAR: CHAINS OF OLYMPUS
Everyone who loves action games loves Kratos. The epitomy of what action fighters are all about, God of War blazed onto the scene, slaughtering the competition in a frenzied blood bath, before stealing the crimson crown from their severed heads. Indeed, it's hard to think of many PS3 games that are as highly anticipated as God of War III.

You don't have to wait that long for your next God of War fix if you own a PSP however, because Chains of Olympus is here - and like its predecessors, it's raising the bar higher than ever.

PATAPON
The PSP has been around for about three years now, and owners have been desperately waiting all that time for a real-time-strategy-rhythm-fighting-god-sim-roleplaying game. Er, hold on a minute - a what?!

Well, whether you've been waiting for one or not, Patapon is just such a game. Can this genre-blending tribe of eyeballs make a big impact on the PSP or will their funky rhythms fall on deaf ears? Let's find out!