So I've been thinking about the kind of games I want to be playing on the PSP. With the hardware locked and loaded for a March launch, we're starting to see more and more of the software that's being developed for it. So far there's a fair mix of new content along with the expected ports. It's funny because I'm pretty torn about the subject of ports on the PSP. While I'm usually not a fan of dirty porting, we see that enough on consoles, I have to say that I wouldn't mind seeing some old favorites get a portable makeover.

Vampire Chronicle was one of my most anticipated titles for the system when it shipped in Japan, despite the fact that it was basically just a ten year old fighting game with a new mode and WiFi built in. The extras weren't a bad addition and the fact that there hasn't been a version of Darkstalkers out in an age made the game practically new anyway. Looking at what's coming I think you can say that "everything old is new again" in a number of cases, like Wipeout Pure and Ape Escape for example, but that doesn't necessarily mean I want to see developers scampering back to their PlayStation catalogs and dusting off anything that came out for it.

What I'd like to see happen is developers take an approach that's in the same spirit as what Capcom did for Vampire Chronicle. If you pick the right old stuff I won't hate, especially if it gets tricked out to take advantage of the PSP's Wifi, massive screen, and good amount of buttons. The geek in me wants to see the PSP software library turn into a showcase for great new original titles as well as a spotlight for enhanced director's cut style versions of PlayStation games that didn’t quite get their due or are hard to find. My wishlist of PlayStation games I'd like to see enhanced on the PSP is, and this is by no means comprehensive since this is me just thinking out loud:

Klonoa
Einhander
Xenogears
Soul Blade
Silhouette Mirage
Monster Rancher

On top of all that I'd like to see Sega do its fans a solid release Shining Force III for the system. And I'm not just talking about the lone chapter that hit the Saturn at the tail end of that console's life, I want them all. For those that don't remember, the Shining Force III debacle was one of Sega's biggest FUBAR moments and the final smack to long suffering Saturn owners. Basically the Shining Force III that was released in the states was the first of three scenarios, the other two came out in Japan as they were meant to and finished off the well thought out story. While the 20 or so of us that imported the rest of the chapters were satisfied by how the story played out, anyone who just played the US game was left wondering how the heck things turned out. Given that most players have never played the other two chapters, or even the first one actually since the game was released at the end of the Saturn's life when most folks had moved on, Shining Force III would be a great candidate for a PSP game. A visual makeover plus the inclusion of the other two scenarios, hell Sega could even through in the super rare Premium Disc content which you could only get by sending in proofs of purchase of all three scenarios too if they wanted, would ensure the game would come packing some serious value and gameplay. Who knows if anyone's going to listen to these mad ramblings but it sure would be cool if at least some of them happened, right?