First NGP Titles Revealed; NGP Getting Backwards Compatibility?

We’re still trying to figure out whether to keep calling Sony’s new portable gaming console the NGP or if we’re to go by the rumor and call it PS Vita. While Sony isn’t saying anything about that at the moment – they have to save something for E3, after all – they are willing to let us in on some of NGP’s launch titles ahead of their E3 press conference. How nice of them!

Heading up the announcement is the naming of that Uncharted NGP game we saw when the next-gen portable was announced. Called Uncharted: Golden Abyss, the game will follow an all-new story, but it won’t be a direct sequel or prequel to the series; it is said to take place before the events of the original game and details some of the character’s storied past, though.

All of you dual joystick shooter fans will also be pleased to know that a new Stardust title, Super Stardust Delta, is also headed to the portable, making use of that additional joystick added to the new portable console.

Another big title announced in the reveal is Wipeout 2048. In development by Sony’s Liverpool Studio, the game will allow NGP users to take on PS3 players with Wipeout HD Fury through the NGP’s cross-play feature via the game’s ad hoc mode.

Last but not least in the title reveals, Sony announced other titles headed to the PSP within the first week of launch, including Hustle Kings, Everybody’s Golf, Little Deviants and Reality Fighters, with the latter two making use of the NGP’s augmented reality features.

Perhaps the most interesting bit of news to come out of the big reveal, however, is info on NGP’s backwards compatibility. According to a report by Joystiq, the NGP will be backwards compatible with PSP titles, but only those available on PSN — which excludes titles like Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII and several other titles.

The PSP titles will take advantage of the NGP’s graphic smoothing tech and will, of course, allow for use of the second joystick. Much more news on Sony’s new handheld – including the official name – is expected at this year’s E3, less than a week away.

via GameSpot