We don't know how many among you are cricket fans but for those who are, this next one is for you. A couple of months ago, we learned from Codemasters that it is porting Brian Lara 2007 Pressure Play to the PlayStation Portable. The video game title was originally released on the Xbox 360 and Games for Windows platforms.

Anyway, the PSP version is being developed by Australia-based IR Gurus and the development studio's producer Rhys Quinert was recently interviewed by Gamespot about the game. According to Quinert, they really took the time to improve and add more features and that's why the handheld version wasn't released alongside the other versions.

Aside from the PSP-exclusive Pressure Play mode, the batting, bowling, and fielding controls were also modified to make Brian Lara 2007 more compatible with the handheld. In terms of additional features, the producer explained,

There have been a number of additions that differ from the console versions. Given the later release date, we were able to include last-minute squad changes, and some player abilities and statistics as they were recorded at the beginning of the ICC World Cup.

Rhys Quinert shared as well that IR Gurus did encounter some problems while porting the game to the PlayStation Portable. He said that in terms of hardware, the handheld was really different as compared to the Xbox 360, or to a PC for that matter. He added,

Most of the challenges were probably with the technology itself - going from a console to a PSP and making sure we get the frame rate up to speed. We also had to make sure we didn't overdo the long game modes - it needs to be short, sharp bursts of play, which is the reason for the inclusion of Pressure Play matches.

Brian Lara 2007 Pressure Play is expected to come out this year.

Fancy a game of cricket, but you're always on the go and don't really have much time to spend outdoors? Then this is the game for you. Brian Lara 2007 Pressure Play has finally been announced for the PlayStation Portable (PSP). Released initially for the Xbox 360 and the PC, this video game promises to offer something different for gamers who want to experience their favorite sport on their PSPs.

We've uncovered a bunch of screenshots of Codemasters' sports game for the handheld, and it does look promising. Players will be able to compete as International Cricket stars in the full ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 mode of the game, as well as train themselves first via the Pressure Play Mission Mode which is an exclusive game mode included in the PSP version of the title. Codemasters'  Brian Lara 2007 Pressure Play also comes with an ad-hoc multiplayer mode where two players can compete for the Cricket World Cup 2007 warm-up match.

Check out the screenshots of Brian Lara 2007 Pressure Play below and start thinking of how it's going to be so delightful to finally have the game come its summer release.

    
  

More screenshots at the Full Article!

Codemasters has announced an all-new Brian Lara challenge heading for Sony's PSP handheld system. The newest iteration in the cricket series will be Brian Lara 2007 Pressure Play, which will be coming this summer.

This new title is being specifically deigned for PSP gaming and will lead with the Pressure Play Mission Mode, a new and exclusive game mode consisting of bite-sized burst-play challenges that cover every nuance of cricket. Great for training and getting yourself familiarized with the sport.

The game also features a full ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 mode where players can compete as all of the stars of International Cricket in this ICC Officially Licensed Event. The game comes with 16 licensed international teams with official kits, 240 licensed international players and officially licensed ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 stadiums.

On the multiplayer side of things, Brian Lara 2007 Pressure Play comes with an ad-hoc multiplayer mode where two players can battle it our in a one-on-one ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 warm-up match.

Another week ends and another dose of top videogames on the UK Chart Track for all formats. Last week's top dog (or should we say turtles?) TMNT has been usurped by Pokemon Ranger. Another DS title debuts in the top ten - Harvest Moon DS. Here's the list:

• Pokemon Ranger (Nintendo)
• TMNT: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Ubisoft)
• Harvest Moon DS (Rising Star Games)
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 (Electronic Arts)
• Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars (Electronic Arts)
• Brian Lara International Cricket 2007 (CODEMASTERS)
• Virtua Tennis 3 (SEGA)
• Medal of Honor: Vanguard (Electronic Arts)
• UEFA Champions League 2006-2007 (Electronic Arts)
• MotorStorm (SCE)

Last week's number seven, Guitar Hero II fell off the charts to number 16. MotorStorm, a no-show in the previous top ten, was able to drag itself back to the last spot. A new entry in the charts, Hotel Dusk: Room 215 unfortunately failed to make it to the top ten. We'll see in the next few weeks whether sales eventually pick up.

The turtles have finally done it. They've overthrown Kane and are currently sitting on the top spot of the UK sales charts (from Chart Track). Here's the rundown:

• TMNT: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Ubisoft)
• Pokemon Ranger (Nintendo)
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 (Electronic Arts)
• Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars (Electronic Arts)    
• Brian Lara International Cricket 2007 (Codemasters)
• UEFA Champions League 2006-2007 (Electronic Arts)
• Guitar Hero II (Activision)
• Virtua Tennis 3 (Sega)
• Medal of Honor: Vanguard (Electronic Arts)
• The SIMS 2: Pets (Electronic Arts)

MotorStorm and Resistance: Fall of Man were bumped lower in the chart, but made it to top 20 at least. Need for Speed: Carbon was also bumped down by the new additions to the top ten, The Sims 2: Pets and Pokemon Ranger (which debuted on the charts on number two). Will Kane gain enough momentum to bump the turtles back down? Stay tuned.

What's with those turtles eh? Sneaking up on Kane like that... Luckily, Kane still has the upper hand on those green ninjas, as you can see below in the most recent UK video games sales charts.

1. Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars (EA)
2. TMNT: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Ubisoft)
3. Brian Lara International Cricket 2007 (Codemasters)
4. Medal of Honor: Vanguard (EA)
5. Guitar Hero II (Activision)
6. Virtua Tennis 3 (Sega)
7. GTA: Vice City Stories (Rockstar)
8. UEFA Champions League 2006-2007 (EA)
9. Tiger Woods PGA Tour ’07 (EA)
10. Need for Speed: Carbon (EA)

Our theory? Thousands of children asked their parents for the new TMNT game or for a bunch of Electronic Arts titles instead of chocolates this Easter weekend. How about you?

 

In the UK's Chart Track All Format Top 40, it appears that contending RTS titan Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars for the PC and Xbox 360 has knocked off Sony's Resistance: Fall of Man from the top of the ranks for a glorious historical return to the number one spot in the charts. The All Format chart compares game sales from each game platform in a weekly basis.

Since Command & Conquer 2: Tiberian Sun had topped the charts back in August 1999, the Command & Conquer franchise hasn't touched the top place for (count 'em) seven years. But with Command & Conquer's return to its original story and roots, the game seems to have won the hearts of C&C fans in UK all over again. Currently, the weekly All Format Top 10 games stand at:

1. Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars (EA)
2. Resistance: Fall of Man (Sony) - dropped one place
3. Motorstorm (Sony) - dropped one place
4. Brian Lara International Cricket 2007 (Cricket) - dropped one place
5. Virtua Tennis 3 (Sega) - dropped one place
6. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Ubisoft) - claimed sixth spot from 21st spot
7. UEFA Champions League 2006-2007 (EA) - claimed seventh spot
8. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (Rockstar) - dropped two places
9. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 (EA) - second week at 9th
10. Call of Duty 3 (Activision) - dropped five places

MotorStorm and Resistance: Fall of Man both gave way to the newly-released strategy game after suffering a more than 60% sales drop, even after the PlayStation 3 launch in the PAL regions, including the UK. Only the PC version sales were considered as the Xbox 360 version has yet to ship worldwide. But there are many more weeks to come, and only time will tell if Command & Conquer gets to keep its throne.

Well, here's another look into the British video games' sales for this week. Our source (press release) has just released the numbers for the week ending March 31. The all formats race in the UK has Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars (C&C3) coming from out of nowhere and stealing the top spot from two PS3 games.

Electronic Art's RTS Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars has taken the number one spot from Insomniac Games' Resistance: Fall of Man, nudging it to number two. Everybody on last week's list followed suit with MotorStorm, Brian Lara International Cricket 2007, Virtua Tennis 3, TMNT: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, UEFA Champions League 2006 - 2007, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07, and Call of Duty 3 taking the rest of the chart spots respectively. Some of last week's UK placers were - err... displaced, like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and GRAW 2.

Oh and Medal of Honor: Vanguard for the Wii fell short of the top ten (number 11, bummer) but did get snaps for being the highest new entry. There you have it folks. The strength of the PS3 games seems to be waning, but it just might be the C&C3's popularity showing. We'll see what happens in the next few days.

Codemasters breathes new next-gen life to the Brian Lara Cricket series with 2007 Brian Lara International Cricket. The game is headed to the Xbox 360, PS2 and PC in March 2007 to coincide with the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 (another World Cup that will go unnoticed by Americans, I reckon). Even if the bat-and-ball sport is way up my list of bizarre sports (next to curling), I'd be willing to play a game or two. If I ever get to understand the rules, that is.

The virtual game's first next-gen outing will thrill the sports gamers with awesome graphics and plenty of Cricket World Cup events. It'll also feature cricket greats including Andrew Flintoff, Ricky Ponting, Mahendra Dhoni, Muttiah Muralitharan and of course, the West Indian cricketer Brian ("The Prince") Lara.

If you've been ignoring the sports (or the videogame) for so long, the photo-realistic visuals, the hundreds of characters and the full online play might just convince you to give the game a try. Here are the first screenshots of the game, courtesy of SPOnG.com.