411mania gives a rundown on this week's game releases. Highlights include Phantasy Star Portable, The King of Fighters '98: Ultimate Match, and Sukashishipanman DS: Shokotak Koto Nakagawa Shouko Produce!

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Phantasy Star Portable (PSP)
With Phantasy Star Portable, Sega basically took Phantasy Star Universe, fixed a lot of the problems people had with it, tweaked it to be more single-player friendly, and added more story elements. Some of those who hated PSU are actually saying that they like this version of the game. I find that hard to believe, but it's possible. If anything, this will at least give us something to do while waiting for Phantasy Star Zero.

Here is what you can expect from PSP:

- New story missions that take place between the original Phantasy Star Universe and Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus
In Phantasy Star Portable you will team up with a Cast named Vivienne as she investigates recent terrorist attacks on the colony as well as animal outbreaks on the surface of some of the planets. Space adventure and mayhem follow. I thought that PSU's story was ok; it wasn't groundbreaking or very memorable but it was still decent. So, if Sega was able to craft a story that is at least on par with the first game's, these missions could be worth plaything through at least once.

- Local as well as online play (with the help of a PS3 or your PC)
As expected, you can play with three other friends locally using the PSP's ad hoc mode. Those wishing to play over the Internet have two options - one that requires a PS3 and another that requires a computer. To use your PS3 you have to download the Ad-Hoc Party application from the Japanese PSN store and do a little tinkering. You can find instructions on how to do this at the PSO-World forums here. If you want to use your PC there's XLink Kai. Note that these two options work for the Japanese and English dem...
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On July 31, gamers based in Japan will be getting Phantasy Star Portable for Sony's PSP. Now any fan of the game knows that waiting for approximately one month can be hell. Thankfully, gamers in the aforementioned region won't have to wait that long.

Apparently, Sega has announced plans of releasing a demo for the game on July 14. According to the reports, the demo will probably be available via the Japan PSP Browser page and will allow players to try out both Story (single player)and Multi Mode (co-op with up to four players) .

So it looks like we're going to have to wait for around two weeks before we can try out the demo. while waiting, why don't you check out some screenshots courtesy of Gpara, by following the full story link.
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Dec 5, 2007 The latest issue of Japanese Famitsu magazine reveals Phantasy Star Portable for the PSP. Excellent news we thought, then noticed that it's just a port of PS2 and 360 Phantasy Star Universe... without the good stuff. Phantasy Star Portable (to avoid confusion we won't refer to it as 'PSP') is based on the PS2 and 360 - which was only cool because of the online multiplayer - with the addition of new missions and story points. Unfortunately the online mode has been reduced to ... » Read More

Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus on the Xbox 360 is an expansion to the epic sci-fi action role-playing game, Phantasy Star Universe, and will be available for download via Xbox Live exclusively on November 20, 2007 for 1600 Microsoft Points.

The PC and PS2 versions of Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus are stand alone releases. The PC and PS2 versions will be available across Europe on the 11th of January, 2008 for £19.99 or €29.99.

Whether tackling quests online with a party of up to six adventurers, or fighting through the next chapters of the exciting online story missions from the original game, Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus enables gamers to experience the wonders of the Gurhal System through the eyes of a personalised avatar. The expansion pack allows gamers to experience an even richer and more varied Phantasy Star experience. Players will explore exciting new levels, such as the Ruins of Old Rozenom City and the subterranean Granigs Mines, where they will encounter new and more powerful enemy types and bosses, and master additional versatile class types.
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The stupidly nostalgic (for us PSO nuts anyway) Phantasy Star Universe is set to expand with a new Ambition of Illuminus expansion pack. Arriving in the form of downloadable content on Xbox 360 and a retail release for PC and PS2 users, the expansion introduces new single-player and online content such as new roulette and slot mini-games in the lobbies and a slew of new weapons and armor for your ... » Read More

Sega unleashed a big 'ole news release detailing the new expansion pack for Phantasy Star Universe for the PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 2. The new expansion isn't the only news though. There's also a community event taking place within Phantasy Star Universe that sees a need for more Guardians.
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Phantasy Star Universe players on the 360, PC, and PS2 platforms can get a jolly jump on the holidays with a package of new updates for PSU released today, December 8th. Like all of the best presents, PSU will continue to give even after the holiday season because SEGA has promised that, “In an effort to support our avid GUARDIANs, new content in PSU will be updated on a weekly basis.” So, strap on your party hats and get ready for fun into the new ... » Read More

Christmas will come early this year for die-hard Phantasy Star Universe fans when the game's first update launches on December 8. Expect a challenging new Guardian Mission as well as several S-Rank Missions for high level characters. You'll also be able to pump your online character up with new skills and seven new Advanced Class types. By choosing a new Advanced Class type, you'll be able to further refine your character's specialties and level them up to be able to use more powerful A and S ... » Read More

Sega of America Inc. today announced that Phantasy Star Universe has shipped in North America for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, and for the PC.
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Sega has announced official word on the pricing for Phantasy Star Universe's MMORPG Persistant world.
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New details have emerged of forthcoming PC, PS2 and Xbox 360 title Phantasy Star Universe - including news that you'll be able to create and customise your very own virtual living space.

That's according to an article in Famitsu, partially translated by GameSpot, which says you'll use special "remodelling tickets" to choose yourself a room from a range of designs.

You'll be able to spruce up your space by purchasing special items, and give other players presents, too. When you're online, up to five players can come and join you in your room - and even when you're offline, it'll still be open for others to come and visit. And if you need to drum up a bit of cash, you can even hold a jumble sale in your room to get rid of any unwanted junk.
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Monday 12 June 2006 Take a look at these 10 new screens from online RPG Phantasy Star Universe, the much-awaited follow-up to the excellent Phantasy Star Online, which is set for Japanese release on 31 August and will hit UK shores by the end of the year. The new screens focus on the blades 'n' bullets combat of the game, but also offer a glimpse of the player-controlled vehicles that are new to the series. And by 'vehicles' we also mean 'animals' - check out the shot of the Chocobo-style ... » Read More

Sega's last console, the Dreamcast, has been dead and buried for almost five years now. One series that absolutely refuses to die with it, however, is its online version of RPG classic Phantasy Star. The game has hopped from Dreamcast to GameCube to Xbox, never quite catching the mainstream MMO appeal. Phantasy Star Universe hopes to change that by offering a planet-spanning single-player game in addition to the limitless, online dungeon crawling. The series began as a traditional, solo RPG, ... » Read More

Monday 8 May 2006 Sega has released this horde of lovely screens from this autumn's big name online role-playing game, Phantasy Star Universe. Set to appear on PS2, Xbox 360 and PC, the game is the sequel to Dreamcast's innovative and much loved adventure Phantasy Star Online. But this time it will offer a strong story and a bolstered solo mode to match the immense worlds previously seen only online. And whatever way you decide to play, Phantasy Star Online will offer a huge cast of heroes ... » Read More