Loose Threads: What will TGS have in store for handhelds?
Hopefully loads of new PSP games...

Games shows are always a source of excitement, and we're not talking about those impure thoughts you have for Carol Vorderman (or indeed Des O'Connor) while watching Countdown on a lazy afternoon.
No, we are of course talking about the gaming equivalent of Disney World, otherwise known as the trade show, where developers and publishers crowd together under one aircraft hanger-sized roof to peddle their future wares and wow a ravenous public.
The last of this year's big events, the Tokyo Games Show, is set to kick off next week and us being the optimistic bunch that we are (and knowing of the love the Japanese have for handheld games) we expect nothing less than an avalanche of portable gaming announcements. So last week, we asked you lot 'What will TGS have in store for handhelds?' and this is what you had to say.
First to the chip-in was Redeye via the Loose Threads weekend reminder:
"I predict that TGS will have very little on offer as far as PSP is concerned (first-party titles notwithstanding; there might be a fair few of those, but I'll wager little else). The DSi might get an airing, with lots of devs jumping up and down and then completely failing to do anything for it. The iPhone will probably get looked at funny for being a western device (a reception usually reserved for Microsoft's consoles).
"Finally, I'd put money on there being a glut of really bizarre but highly entertaining Japanese mobile titles that have as much chance of being released over here as I have of being elected King of the Universe."
What a pessimistic start! You'll never gain supreme control of the cosmos with that glass-half-empty attitude. Seriously though, while we hate to admit it some of what Redeye says could come to pass. But let's not dwell on that, what about announcements that us westerners will benefit from? Hidden Away had the answers:
"I'm looking forward to seeing Level 5 show more of their newly announced titles. Apart from that, on the PSP side, Garnet Chronicle (thanks to the surprisingly good demo), LocoRoco 2, Patapon 2 and Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep.
"Slightly less on the DS but I'm looking forward to Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days."
We agree, LocoRoco 2, Patapon 2 and Kingdom of Hearts: Birth By Sleep are near enough certain to make appearances throughout the show. As for the Level 5 stuff, it will be there too, but the possibility of there being English language versions on the show floor is doubtful.
Next up, hunter-alien took the time to post a very detailed and thorough response:
"Capcom could show PSP owners that they will support the system with more then an old hack/slash port, and maybe we will finally see the long announced Devil May Cry: Dance of Sparda. Maybe we will also see a new Monster Hunter Portable game."
Yes, yes and yes again! He went on:
"Square Enix will probably ride the hype wave of their console releases, while Final Fantasy: Dissidia and Kingdom of Hearts: Birth By Sleep will be important parts of their presentation too. I don't think that more games for the PSP will be announced, but we will probably see lots of DS love with at least three or four spin-offs or remakes announced.
"Namco Bandai could announce Tekken 6 going multi-platform., but for handhelds, well I don't know. Maybe a couple of Gundam games will be shown for both the DS and PSP.
"And as for Konami? Well they could show Hideo Kojima's new PSP game."
A surprise announcement of a new Tekken game for the PSP would be very welcome indeed and given how popular Tekken: Dark Resurrection was on the system, it's entirely possible. As for Kojima's PSP effort, we had forgotten all about that, hopefully he will make TGS the platform for a quick demo reel of whatever it is.
At any rate, by this time next week, we'll know who was right and who was wrong. Don't be shy about using this thread to brag about your amazing clairvoyant powers once your predictions have been confirmed.
Moving on, an old member who had spent too long in the shadows, cyberpsychic, reemerged to go post crazy on a variety of older threads. Commenting on Mike Cook's popular If… thread (in which he asked what's missing from the DS's touchscreen), cyberpsychic reopened the discussion with:
"Fallout 3 (top-down old-style version) for the DS. Zork Nemesis DS? Or made visual. I really think this whole drawing your symbol for a spell idea is still needing exploration. Forget about the HEX idea, they already messed that up...
"Mix point-and-click adventure with the spell-casting via drawing the symbols and you might have something…"
A port of one of the original Fallout games on the DS would indeed be droo-worthy. Anyone care to add to this?
And so, it's time to introduce next week's topic.
Is the DSi a worthy upgrade?This is a biggie and though the topic has been chewed over thoroughly in the comments in several stories on the main site already, we couldn't possibly leave this discussion out of the forum (where as usual, you will find more details).
Just before we sign off, we should mention that we are still looking for forum admin volunteers, if anyone is interested, drop me (Fraser) a PM in the forum with a short note about why you would make a good admin.
Until next time, happy posting and do remember to click 'Track It!' to be sure not to miss next week's Loose Threads.