Rejoice - a PSP game is finally going to be released

The classic folly of those crawling through the desert, near to death from dehydration, is to see something wavering in the heat haze and think the mirage means everything is finally going to be alright.

Still, whatever you think about the particulars of Everybody's Golf 2, its appearance as the first PSP game to be released since the disappointing Iron Man came out at the start of May has got to be welcomed. And we're happy to say that June is looking up for dehydrated PSP owners, with ten games currently scheduled for release. In the context of recent months, that certainly counts as an oasis.

Of course, putting the next eight days in context, what's really important is the DS release of Lego Indiana Jones: The Video Game. Despite what everyone thinks about the film, we can't wait. Because the game's going to be so much better. Just consider the difference between the Lego Star Wars games and the quality of those final three films.

There is a Lego Indiana PSP version coming out too, but no one seems to know exactly when in Europe (though June is the expected month, clearly).

Aside from these two significant games, however, while plenty of new titles are being released, there's probably not a lot of quality on show. We're hoping 2D side-scroller Commando: Steel Disaster might have distilled something of Metal Slug's hectic warfare, while RPG Etrian Odyssey seems like a solid addition to that genre. But as the DS continues to slip into its new role as the console for generic, budget-focused games, we're left thinking about increasing extremes.

If the PSP is a parched land, the DS is low lying and prone to flooding. Neither strikes us as a good place to live.

Europe: Out May 30th
Chess Crusade (DS)
Commando: Steel Disaster (DS)
CrossworDS (DS)
Di-Gata Defenders (DS)
Monster Jam (DS)
Mr Slime (DS)

Europe: Out June 6th
Berlitz English Dictionary (DS)
Etrian Odyssey (DS)
Everybody's Golf 2 (PSP)
Lego Indiana Jones: The Video Game (DS)
Midnight Play Pad (DS)
Stratego (DS)
The Aly & Aj Adventure (DS)

US: Out May 27th
Super Dodgeball Brawlers (DS)
World Championship Cards (PSP)

US: Out June 3rd
Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2 (PSP)
Incredible Hulk (DS)
Kung Fu Panda (DS)
Lego Indiana Jones (DS/PSP)
Summon Night: Twin Age (DS)