Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announces the North American first party software launch details for its highly anticipated PSPTM (PlayStation? Portable) handheld entertainment system. Sony Computer Entertainment America’s PSP launch titles include blockbuster franchises developed specifically to provide consumers with a completely unique and unparalleled portable gaming experience.

“We are proud to present eight great PSP titles at launch from our internal studio groups at Sony Computer Entertainment,” said Jack Tretton, executive vice president, Sony Computer Entertainment America. “By taking the best of our franchises and making them truly new and unique on PSP, we are able to deliver stunning visuals and excitement never before seen. With many other innovative and original products on the horizon, consumers can expect March 24 to be the beginning of an unprecedented year for gaming and a revolutionary leap in the portable space.”
Inspired by hit franchises, all eight first party titles are being specifically developed and optimized for the PSP by Sony Computer Entertainment America’s group of elite developers in an effort to ensure that PSP will launch with a broad cross section of entertainment genres.

Consumers can find the following titles during the launch window:

[I]Ape Escape: On the Loose[/I]
Genre: Action Platform
Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment Japan
Players: Single-player, Multi-player (2) via Ad Hoc Connectivity
Rating: “E” for Everyone
Featuring multiplayer functionality and a wide variety of mini-games for players of all ages, this imaginative game provides players the challenge of capturing more than 200 monkeys in eight vibrant worlds spanning across over 20 levels in order to prevent them from changing history.

[I]ATV Offroad Fury: Blazin’ Trails[/I]
Genre: Racing
Developer: Climax Group Incorporated
Players: Single-player, Multi-player (4) via Ad Hoc Connectivity and Infrastructure Mode
Rating: “E” for Everyone
Intense, free-roaming, off-road racing takes on a whole new meaning, as gamers will be able to blaze their own trail, anytime. Riders will be able to choose from more than 24 highly detailed ATVs as they tear it up on more than 30 unique environments with six distinct terrain types.

[I]Gretzky NHL[/I]
Genre: Sports
Developer: Page 44 Studios
Players: Single-player, Multi-player (2) via Ad Hoc Connectivity and Infrastructure Mode
Rating: “E” for Everyone
Officially licensed by the NHL and NHLPA, Gretzky NHL offers the Gretzky Challenge with unlockables from his past days as an Edmonton Oiler, Los Angeles King or New York Ranger. Combining authentic gameplay and intuitive play controls, Gretzky NHL for the PSP delivers the look, feel and passion of hockey with a true-to-life simulation.

[I]MLB[/I]
Genre: Sports
Developer: 989 Sports?
Players: Single-player, Multi-player (2) via Ad Hoc Connectivity and Infrastructure Mode
Rating: “E” for Everyone
Featuring the all-new Playmaker Fielding Marker, Release Point Pitching with Confidence Meter, and Branch Point Technology (BPT). MLB for the PSP promises to provide gamers with a true-to-life experience from the diamond.

[I]NBA[/I]
Genre: Sports
Developer: 989 Sports?
Players: Single-player, Multi-player (2) via Ad Hoc Connectivity and Infrastructure Mode
Rating: “E” for Everyone
NBA for the PSP will provide gamers with all the fast-breaks, precision passing, and above the rim action as it test the skills of all players with a variety of gameplay options including Full Season Mode, Paint Mode and the PlayStation Skills Challenge Mode.

[I]Twisted Metal: Head On[/I]
Genre: Car Combat
Developer: Incognito Inc. Entertainment
Players: Single-player, Multi-player (6) via Ad Hoc Connectivity and Infrastructure Mode Rating: “T” for Teen
Complete with all the fast-paced vehicular combat and destruction that gamers have come to know and love, Twisted Metal: Head-On allows gamers to strap themselves into one of 14 lethal machines, equipped with machine guns, turbo boost and a special attack, unique to each vehicle.

[I]Wipeout Pure[/I]
Genre: Action-Oriented Racing
Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (Studio Liverpool)
Players: Single-player, Multi-player (8) via Ad Hoc Connectivity
Rating: “T” for Teen
The latest edition to the popular anti-gravity racing series provides intense, anti gravity combat racing as players choose from five different speed classes and numerous weapons, and race relentlessly around 16 futuristic, race environments.

[I]World Tour Soccer[/I]
Genre: Sports
Developer: 989 Sports?
Players: Single-player, Multi-player (2) via Ad Hoc Connectivity
Rating: “E” for Everyone
Featuring 128 club teams, 86 international teams, nine international and nine classic club teams from the past, seven league all-star teams, six international super teams and eight different stadiums, World Tour Soccer for the PSP provides gamers with the ultimate soccer experience.