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Sony reveals few software surprises to back up revamped PSP hardware

Lots of upcoming handheld games, but quirky Patapon the only debutante

Sony reveals few software surprises to back up revamped PSP hardware
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PSP

Sony's biggest announcement at E3 is the redesigned PSP we've long assured Pocket Gamer readers was in the works. You can read all we know so far about the lighter, slimmer PSP here.

But with PlayStation 3 dominating the rest of its pre-E3 conference, there was little for existing PSP owners to get reinvigorated about.

The handful of PSP games shown in video trailer form for the first time included Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions, The Sims 2 Castaway (announced today), and the quirky Patapon.

Jack Tretton, president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America, also bigged up previously revealed upcoming PSP titles, including Sonic Rivals 2, Silent Hill Origins, SOCOM: US Navy SEALs Tactical Strike, Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles, WipEout Pulse, Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow, God of War: Chains of Olympus and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08.

Plenty to look forward to then, but a distinct lack of newbies.

Tretton said that sales of PSP were up 90 per cent since the hardware's price cut. UMD sales are also rising, with sales apparently 35 per cent higher on 2006.

We'll have to wait to see what effect the redesigned PSP has on proceedings as the second half of 2007 unfolds.

PSP E3 roundup: Don't miss any of our Sony-centric reports from L.A. – we've revealed the redesigned PSP specs, the new PSP retail packaging, all the images of PSP Slim released so far, the handful of new PSP titles Sony flagged up at its conference, as well as getting a hands-on preview of the redesigned PSP.