The Fast and Furious PSP: 2 Fast 2 Portable
Company: BANDAI NAMCO Games America, Inc.
According to Mitch Boyer, the associate producer of The Fast and the Furious game, the original PS2 outing was never given that fair of a chance with the critics. Boyer attributes this to the game’s license, which he refers to as both a, "blessing and a curse". Even if the game were to deliver amazing gameplay, licensed games still carry a stigma that usually translates to, "this game is going to be bad." Undaunted, Boyer and his team at Eutechnyx are moving on with plans to bring The Fast and the Furious to the PSP.
The PSP version of The Fast and the Furious is a direct translation of the PS2 version with a few new additions and new unlockable content. Before having the chance to speak to Boyer, one of the main questions was if the PSP version would include some sort of Online Infrastructure mode beyond local AdHoc play. While you won’t be able to take on friends a quarter mile at a time from miles away, the PSP version does offer two new multiplayer modes: Tag Battle and Swap Meet.
Tag Battle is inspired by the tag race scene in "2 Fast 2 Furious." Two teams of two vehicles face off in what amounts to a relay race. The first driver races the course until he hits the end and returns to the start point, at which point the second driver takes off and repeats the course before the opposing driver. Swap Meet is one of the more interesting additions. One of the really cool things about the PS2 version of The Fast and the Furious was the insane number of aftermarket mods, paint schemes and vinyls available. The PSP version packs all of the parts of the original in and now, when linked up with another player, you’ll be able to take a peak inside their garage. Even better, if you like how your buddy’s car looks, you’ll be able to request a swap and apply that same look to one of your cars.
Although The Fast and the Furious is not directly related to any of the films, all of the cars from the movies are available, including Sean Boswell’s Mustang – a car that wasn’t available in the original. In addition, Universal also opened up their vaults and supplied the developers with behind-the-scenes footage. The Fast and the Furious for the PSP looks like it is on pace to deliver just as good, if not a better experience than the PS2 version. Hopefully the additions and revisions will be enough to ward off the idea that licensed games aren’t worth it. Look for The Fast and the Furious late next month.
-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker
Related Links: Namco-Bandai Games -- Official Site Eutechnyx -- Official Site
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