Welcome to another round of QJ.NET's Weekend Warrior segment for the PSP blog! There's quite a lot of ground to cover for this week, as details emerge for a Patapon sequel. Square's also back - or rather, still - in the spotlight as they announce the expected U.S. arrival of another of their RPG franchises. They may not be Final Fantasy, but that only makes them all the more interesting.

There's also the matter of updates to EA's tango with Take-Two, while two other companies have just completed an alliance of their own.

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General gaming

Rolling in for this week is more info on the upcoming for sequels for LocoRoco and Patapon. Details are pretty scarce at the moment for Patapon 2, but based on what we know so far, everybody's favorite little eyeballs will soon be able to spread their war-mongering drumbeats to other handhelds.

LocoRoco 2 will be learning some new tricks of its own. The Moja for example will get their retinue of songs, while the LocoRoco can learn new abilities, such as being able to dive underwater. There's even the first batch of screens revealed so you can paint a clearer picture of what's up in the next world of the happy blobs. Either way you look at it, the PSP's all set to have quite ball for this year.

Link: Patapon 2 and LocoRoco 2 spotted in Weekly Famitsu
Link: More Patapon 2 details: multiplayer for up to four players in the bag
Link: LocoRoco 2 details now out: singing Mojas, new enemies, and more
Link: LocoRoco 2: first batch of screens revealed

It would be an understatement to say we're all eager to get more details out of Square's hottest new game in development for the PSP, Dissidia: Final Fantasy. While the company's keeping mum about it, fellow writer Gino D. put together his own analysis on that game's possible plot, additional characters, and other things to come. Part investigative report and part fan speculation, it makes for one engaging read.

Link: Dissecting Dissidia: Final Fantasy; characters, crystals, gods, and the manly Valkyrie

While Square Enix is pretty intent on getting Dissidia up and running for Japan, don't think for a moment they've forgotten about the fans here in North America. The company's recent E3 line-up indicates that we can look forward to the arrival of English ports for both of the PSP's Star Ocean titles. Still no signs of a Chrono Trigger remake for the PSP though (unless you count an emulator port).

Link: No sign of Final Fantasy XIII: Square Enix unveils game line-up for E3 2008
Link: Star Ocean: First Departure and Second Evolution launch dates revealed

While North America's PlayStation Network update for the week is experiencing a bit of a dry spell, the same can't be said for Europe. The region can now enjoy their own downloadable copy of the Echochrome puzzle title, for £4.99 (US$ 9.84).

Link: PSN US - PlayStation Store Update for week July 10
Link: PSN Europe update for the week of July 10: Echochrome madness

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For the import-savvy folks...

If there are any other franchises that rival Final Fantasy in fanbase, it would have to be either Dragon Ball, Mobile Suit Gundam, Naruto, or Bleach. Mecha fans in particular will be happy to know of Namco Bandai's new Gundam Battle Universe for the PSP. While it's strictly a Japan release, that hasn't really stopped us from importing, has it? Besides, getting a chance to obliterate Zakus with the HWS Nu-Gundam translates into awesome, regardless of the spoken tongue.

Link: Gundam Battle Universe: Japan demo now available

For the Monster Hunter fans, Capcom's unveiled a new downloadable quest for Portable 2nd G today. Your prey for this run will be the the legendary Kirin elder dragon, and the lumbering Khezu wyvern.

Link: Kachow: Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G to get "Dengeki Festival G" quest

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The bargain basket

As a rule of thumb, there's a direct correlation between the quality of the Memory Sticks you buy, and the depth of the hole it burns into your wallet. While original Sony sticks are still your best bet, SanDisk's line is a pretty good choice for those looking for something a little more affordable. Especially when certain retailers decide to sell their stocks at rock-bottom prices.

Link: PSP deal alert: SanDisk 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo for 30 USD

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The powers that be: Corporate news

In more corporate news, Electronic Arts announced that its legal requirements for its attempted takeover of Take-Two Interactive are now in compliance with the Federal Trade Commission. EA is not expected to make any further action until August 21.

With regard to not-so-hostile takeovers, the much-anticipated merger between Activision and Vivendi, Blizzard Entertainment's has now been set in stone. Strange merged name speculations aside (Actizard), it's hoped that the move will promise more possibilities for the gaming industry. Not to mention a steady flow of mega bucks.

Link: EA bid for Take-Two now FTC compliant, no action until August planned
Link: Call them Actizard: Activision-Vivendi merger gets official
Link: Activision Blizzard finally completes transaction for merge

And lest we forget, there's the matter of this year's E3. With all its expected presenters accounted for, it's now the analysts' turn to lend their two cents to the expo. Analyst Michael Pachter isn't particularly happy, citing that its current limitations have turned the event into a shell of the grand bash it used to be in the years past.

Link: Pachter: E3 is virtually useless for retail and investors

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Food for thought

Yeah - it is a major bummer that Square Enix isn't just about to show us anything related to Dissidia over at the E3. Given that the game is still in development however, and is non-English, we just might be seeing signs of it over at this year's Tokyo Game Show. Who knows, FF13 might even tag along.

On a more positive note, this means that there won't be any distractions when Star Ocean's PSP ports make their debuts at the event. There's actually a lot I'm anxious over regarding this matter, but perhaps my biggest pet peeve would have to be the voice acting. Call it a fan thing, but I can't stand an otherwise good JRPG getting its potential kneecapped just because of crappy dubbing.

For example, First Departure's Ratix Farrence was originally voiced by Mamoru Miyano, who also voiced Death Note's Light Yagami and Gundam 00's Setsuna F. Seiei. Then there's Akira Ishida who, aside from voicing Second Evolution's Ashton Anchors, also voiced Gundam SEED's Athrun Zala.

Whether the U.S. dubbing team gets an equally capable roster remains to be seen. I'd actually opt for dual-language support, but that's looking pretty unlikely. David Hayter and Mark Hamill come to mind among other possible candidates.

On a more serious note, there's the matter of Electronic Arts takeover bid for Take-Two. It's not secret that the move has been treated with a lot of hostility within the community especially given its possible implications for the 2K Sports and, Grand Theft Auto franchise. In the case of the 2K Sports, there's the possibility of a strictly EA line of football, basketball, and other sports games with no direct competitor in sight. A monopoly? We hope note.