TGS 2004 Roundup News

From September 24th to 26th, Japan witnesses the spectacle that is the Tokyo Game Show. TVG attended the event so that you didn't have to; so stick with us as we bring you the best show coverage direct from Tokyo, beginning with a summary of the most exciting revelations:

• Sony announced that the PSP will support MP3 playback. The company also demonstrated the official Sony PSP earphones, which come in a catching iPod white.

• The Japanese release date of Gran Turismo 4 was revealed as December 3rd. Unfortunately, the online mode has been dropped, however the version playable at TGS was supreme nonetheless. (Look out for our full impressions later in the week.).

• Sony privately showed off Wanda to Kyozo, from the creators of Ico 2; the game is set for an early release next year.

• SEGA revealed a 30% complete version of Sega Rally 2005. This update of SEGA's pinnacle rally driving series will be released exclusively on the PS2.

• SEGA's Sonic Team showed off two Nintendo DS projects in video form: Puyo Puyo Fever and a curious-looking DS-exclusive entitled I Would Die For You. Both games should be ready in time for the December 2nd Japanese launch of DS.

• REZ creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi debuted his new company's debut project. Lumines is a PSP-based puzzle game with music and strobe features - look out for our full preview of this cool game.

• Square Enix revealed a near-finished build of Chain of Memories, a GameBoy Advance follow-up to the Disney RPG Kingdom Hearts. The game is set for a 2005 release.

• Microsoft showed its new first-party Japanese Xbox release Phantom Dust. The game is an action-adventure set in post-apocalyptic Tokyo; a western release seems inevitable.

TVG will have lots more from the Tokyo Game Show in the following days, including extensive previews of the hottest titles on display and a closer look at the weird and wacky side of Japanâ??s videogame industry.