As we reported last week, Sony is bringing adhocParty, a service that enables formerly local only co-op and multiplayer PSP game to branch out a bit, to the U.S. soon.  In this case, "soon" meant "next week" as the adhocParty service is now available in the Playstation Store for download.  To go with the launch of this service, the good folks at the Sony Playstation Blog have provided a brief walkthrough video of how to get this service up and running so you can enjoy your previously adhoc only PSP co-op titles over the Internet... or can you?  Check out the video after the break to see if you caught the same caveat we did.

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Many American PS3/PSP owners know that Japanese PS3/PSP owners enjoy a few more luxuries than we do stateside.  An expanded PlayStation Store, games released months (sometimes years) before the American version, and the ability to play ad hoc only co-op titles (such as Monster Hunter Freedom Unite) over the Internet are just a few of the perks they enjoy.  "What?!" you say, "They have the technology to make ad hoc gaming reach further than two feet from my couch?!"  Apparently they do, and it will be arriving here very soon.

The Sony Playstation blog announced Friday that adhocParty, an online service that allows the PSP to expand its ad hoc coverage from immediate vicinity to the entire world via the PS3/PSP system link, is headed for our shores.  In addition to an increased ability to connect remotely with friends, adhocParty also brings with it the ability to use a bluetooth headset or the PlayStation Eye for voice chat.  Good news for all those PSP owners out there that were unable to play some fine co-op titles with their friends that were further away than next door... assuming those PSP owners also own a PS3, that is.

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We've all been so busy actually PLAYING the myriad of releases this Fall, including some awesome co-op ones, that we didn't have time to write about all the other games out there. We've combined our Beyond Co-Op reviews for October and November into a mega issue.

How about Brutal Legend, Forza 3, Torchlight, Half-Minute Hero and more?  

Assuring us that development is "on schedule", senior producer Mark Rogers has announced that the original November 12th release date for SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs: Fireteam Bravo 3 has been shoved back to January 12th, 2010.

After our PAX hands-on and GameSpot's recent preview video, we're definitely looking forward to checking this title out. Fireteam Bravo 3 brings four-player local and online co-op to the PlayStation Portable, and not soon enough!

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The Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 character list continues to grow, this time adding Deadpools occasional partner in crime, Cable. Cable will join Carnage in the latest DLC Pack. We're going to call this the "C-pack," and pretend it stands for "Co-op."

The announcement continues to confirm our the DLC leak we reported on a few weeks back.

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If you read our hands on impressions of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for the PSP from PAX this year, you'd know we were surprised with not only how polished the game looked, but how Rockstar managed to adapt the Nintendo DS stylus controls to the PSP's analog stick.  After playing the final build of the game for a few hours I'm happy to report everything still holds true...mostly.

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As gamers, we often wonder what goes on behind the scenes with game developers. What hoops are jumped through? What hurdles are cleared? And where did that bit of quirk in the game come from, exactly? Well, Game Informer got a fun list of things that went on during the development of Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 that made it what it we get to play.
 

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Three weeks ago, IGN graciously hosted the demo for Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, the upcoming PSP game that will feature 4-player co-op. It's completely in Japanese, but thanks to a couple of handy guides, it's playable for those of us who can't read Japanese. We posted the link as well, hoping to get some time in with the demo...

...and that we did. We're pleased to tell you that Peace Walker is on its way to becoming a definitive game for the PSP in terms of innovation and overall enjoyment. Unfortunately, the co-op in the demo is a bit lacking...but the groundwork is there for a great experience.

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Paws off!  Go get your own PSPgo!
 

Like any good gamer and gadget geek, when Sony released their new PSPgo we needed a good excuse to buy one.  So we've acquired a Go under the guise of using it for reviewing purposes - and in turn - we bring you the review.  Does the hardware revision stack up against it's older brother?  And how does it affect your co-op gaming?  Find out in our review! 

We posted some fairly favorable impressions of Chinatown Wars for the PSP back during PAX.  We were surprised at just how well the game cleaned up in terms of visuals, and we were impressed with how well it controlled despite the lack of touch screen input.

While there's still only one small two player co-op survival mode, the game overall is a great experience that shouldn't be missed.  We've got the a fresh batch of screens and a trailer show the game off, which hits store shelves on October 20th.

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