PSP was just okay for me. Some good games on there, but so many held back by being designed with a second stick in mind but being on the PSP. Didn't get that issue with the DS where games felt designed with it in mind. Still, RPG lineup delivered and I've been having fun going back to its early ports like Crazy Taxi and NBA Street.
My favorite handheld except maybe the Switch. Had this through almost my entire teen years, introduced me to so many franchises I love like Castlevania and Ace Attorney as well as being the best machine for Pokémon. Still bust it out every now and then.
I remember the Tapwave Zodiac. Tried positioning itself as just as much a multimedia machine (PDA, video, music, etc) as much as a game console to carve a niche over the DS/PSP. Problem was they targeted it almost entirely to adults (I don't remember ever seeing one or it's games as a kid), but the form factor was made for smaller hands. Well that and it just didn't get much support for games. Doom 2, Tony Hawk, a port of Tomb Raider and that's about it.
Nice. I'm happy with Splatoon 3 right now and am excited for Bayonetta, Sonic, Mario+Rabbids, Callisto Protocol, and especially Pokemon to round out the year. Not sure what the release schedule is like next year but I'm stoked for Zelda and Starfield.
My favorite PS5 game right now is Ratchet and Clank, which is just more Ratchet but I love that series so it's good enough for me! Deathloop and Astro-Bot were pretty good too. This year I'm sure I'll pick up Horizon (though I refuse to spend more than $60 on it) and MLB The Show. I couldn't resist when I saw Ohtani's steel book cover
My GOTY is right now a tie between Halo Infinite and Metroid Dread. After that, Ratchet and Clank, Psychonauts 2, and Deathloop. Was a pretty good year for games with me too. Felt the indie scene could have been better though, some good games but nothing on par with Hades, Celeste or Dead Cells.
I still haven't played a Ys game. I hear they're good and look neat just looks like one giant rabbit hole to delve into and I barely have enough time for the games I'm playing.
Metroid Dread is my GOTY though Halo Infinite could pass it by the end of the year. Between the open world campaign and how much the MP is bringing back the glory days with my buddies I'm very happy with it. Honorable mentions would be Ratchet and Clank Rift Apart, Psychonauts 2, Deathloop, and yes, New Pokémon Snap.
I really need to get back to Ace Attorney.
Stage Select:
3. Illium (Mass Effect)- I choose this one because it's the only planet that doesnt get completely screwed over in Mass Effect 3. Sure, corporate corruption is out of control but I do a good job of keeping my head low. I'm willing to accept that risk if it means I can live in that universe.
2. Pokémon- This universe has a lot of horrifying implications, from criminal organizations only stopped by a random twelve year old to a random animal draining my soul. But I've had a dog before. He was a little shit even though I loved him. So that I could capture a dog, he would immediately obey all my commands, AND can shoot fire, electricity, etc at my enemies makes me instantly want to live in this universe.
1. Persona 5- Look, we're all aware of the problems of our reality. NOTHING in all of fiction is more liberating than the idea that I can force all the people screwing over the universe to see the horrible things they're doing for what they are and understand the weight and guilt associated with them.
Cage Match
Veronica would just slap the entire FFXV party until they did everything she says. DQXI wins.
Stage Select
3. Darth Sion (Kotor 2): It was one thing when I saw a shirtless Sith lord who looks he's made of charcoal hunting me down as I watch recordings of him stalking the crew of a Republic warship, murder them one by one. It was another when I discovered he can't die unless he chooses to. But the second I heard Sion speak solidified him as one of the freakiest villains ever.
2. The Joker (Batman Arkham Knight): The Joker is usually a scary villain when you think of the implications but Arkham Knight took him to the next level. He filled the entire game with dread, knowing that soon his blood will allow him to take control of Batman. Knowing that you'll be worse than dead, a prisoner in your own mind to the most dangerous person imaginable with all those tools and gadgets Batman knows for is as scary a thing I can imagine.
1. Mimikyu (Pokémon Sun/Moon): The hardest part of this list was putting entries besides Ghost type Pokémon. Between candles that light their flame by sucking souls out of people so slowly they don't even notice to a sarcophagus that grabs people, eats them and turns their remains into mummies. The one that freaks me out the most is Mimikyu, a ghost that wears a Pikachu costume because it wants to be loved like Pikachu. So much that no one has seen what it actually looks like and lived. I don't know if it's because it attacks them or what it looks like horrifies them. All I know is it has a super powerful attack called Let's Snuggle Forever where it grows super big, traps the other Pokémon under its costume, does a lot of damage and freaks me the fuck out.
Cage Match
As much as I love Resident Evil 4, Dead Space 2 wins this one. Leon Kennedy can go down from something as simple as an old villager shaking him. Isaac Clark only does when things literally tear off his limbs and head or blow him up into a million pieces. It's just not a fair fight.
