Street Fighter parent Capcom has announced it is making the animated movie Street Figher Alpha: The Movie available on UMD.

Billed by Capcom as the "pulse-pounding sequel" to the popular Street Fighter II: V series, the film tells the story of familiar Street Figher characters Ken and Ryu and their union by the death of their master.

Street Figher Alpha: The Movie is available now for a recommended retail price of $19.99.

The 15th anniversary of Sonic The Hedgehog brings brings with it a new and exclusive title for the PSP.

As part of a collection of new titles, Sonic Rivals has been announced by Sega as platform based gameplay in a combination of true 3D and classic 2D environments.

"Sonic Rivals brings back the classic 2D platform gameplay that started it all, and douses it with vibrant three-dimensional environments," said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President of Marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "In this heated rivalry, gamers are tested to prove not only who's the fastest but who has the best head-to-head gameplay strategy."

Developed by Backbone Entertainment, release of Sonic Rivals for the PSP is currently set for Autumn 2006.

A new report from The NPD Group states the PSP's multi-functionality played a key role in both the sales and user satisfaction from the unit.

The NPD Group conducted the report, PSP Functionality and Content Study, surveying approximately 55,000 users aged between 6 and 44.  The study examines consumer ownership, usage and attitudes toward Sony PSP functions and content such as games, movies, TV and music, and addresses how multi-functionality has been instrumental to the success of the PSP.

Findings from the report state that although games and music files are the most popular media used by the average PSP user, almost two thirds also own movie or TV content on UMD.  Two fifths stated the ability to watch movies or TV content on their PSPs were important criteria when deciding to purchase a unit.

UMD movies did not escape criticism however - Industry Analyst Anita Frazier with The NPD Group declared that success of the PSP depended on several factors, and stated "PSP users state the main barrier to purchasing UMDs is price, followed by the available movie/TV selection. If the right content was priced more competitively with DVDs, UMD sales may see a lift. Additionally, UMD sales may benefit if manufacturers and retailers focus on raising awareness and providing easier access."

Sony has released a new system update for the PSP.  Version 2.70 brings sorely needed features, as well as being the latest reply from Sony in an ongoing war with homebrew creators aimed at stopping non-Sony software running on the portable units.

Those indifferent to homebrew will benefit from a browser update enabling flash, the ability to save pod cast audio via RSS feed to a memory stick, the ability to play AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) files provided they are free from any DRM and disable the shoulder mounted L & R buttons during UMD movie playback to stop annoying mid-movie chapter skips.

Game fans should also expect a clutch of games requiring 2.7+ firmware installed on the PSP to enable game play.

Yesterday saw the announcement by SNK Playmore USA Corp. that it plans to release a Metal Slug compilation UMD for the PSP.

Arcade fans should recognise Metal Slug, made popular in 1996 on the Neo_Geo MVS arcade platform.  The sideways scrolling game, as playable as addictive, it spawned numerous follow up titles on both arcade and domestic console formats.

The Metal Slug UMD Collection includes 6 titles:

Metal Slug
Metal Slug 2
Metal Slug X
Metal Slug 3
Metal Slug 4
Metal Slug 5

Sony has reportedly filed patents with the USPTO for two new add-ons for the PSP.

Ornamental designs for both a keyboard and a cell-phone attachment have been submitted.  As tech blog Engadget reports (images), Izumi Kawanishi has made no secret of wanting email on the PSP, so theoretically, with no touch-screen technology available, a keyboard addition would be a good idea.

Reports are increasing regarding Microsoft releasing a portable gaming, video and audio device to rival the Sony PSP, Nintendo DS among others.

Microsoft have rolled out the heavyweights, as Xbox 360 game executive J Allard leads the project with Xbox 360 system designer Greg Gibson taking the role of director.

Microsft have tried to use the success of the Xbox as a jumping off point for a portable device previously.  The "Xboy" project was cut short a few years ago, with most recent plans alongside the concept of the Xbox 360 delayed once more.

Details at present are sketchy at best.

Sony yesterday finally unveiled a long-awaited online gaming portal/network.  The service will eventually allow PS3 and PSP owners to download games directly to their hard drive or memory stick respectively.

The service, to be launched in November, will rival Microsoft's Xbox Live service although the Microsoft offering only currently allows single level downloads or simple arcade games.

The classic puzzle game Lemmings will soon be available for the PSP, after an announcement by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.

Veteran gamers will remember the classic but tragic gameplay involving the direction of large groups of Lemmings to their goal in safety.

PSP owners will be able to get their hands on the Lemmings UMD, including over 20 levels exclusively crafted for the PSP, from May 23rd.

Griffin Technology has finally announced a range of PSP specific accessories.  Griffins' are already well regarded for their range of popular accessories for the iPod.

Headlining the new range is the $50 iTrip PSP FM transmitter which allows transmission of audio from the PSP direct to your FM receiver.  The concept has been popular to date with personal MP3 owners, allowing them to listen to their favorite tracks in-car wirelessly.

-- Griffin iTrip PSP

The $50 iFM PSP meanwhile, adds a radio tuner to the PSP along with remote control which can be used to control a range of PSP functions.

-- Griffin iFM PSP

The $15 SmartShare PSP is a headphone splitter allowing each user to control his or her personal volume level.

-- Griffin SmartShare PSP

Also included in the recent Ken Kutaragi address from a press conference in Tokyo, were details of an official PSone emulator, with plans to make legacy software titles downloaded from the web.

Rolled out under the moniker "E-Distribution", the service allows PSP users who take advantage of the emulator software update to download titles directly to their PSP in addition to being able to boot the games from Sony Memory Stick.

As global sales of the Sony PSP reach 15 million, SCEA (Sony Computer Entertainment America) have announced a new hardware package for the US / European market.   Retailing at at just $199 US / $229.99 CND, the new "base unit" comes bundled with just an AC adaptor and battery, removing bonus features included with the Value Pack.  The new PSP package, which is available from the 22nd of March the cheapest way to purchase a new PSP.

The Japanese market is not left out, with the popular "Ceramic White" being shipped in similar guise at 19,800 yen (around $170 US / $200 CND / £99 GBP).

Also announced were plans to release an add-on USB camera and GPS receiver.  News of a USB camera for the PSP comes after news of the rumoured 'PSP2' with integrated camera, however Ken Kutargi, Head of Video Games at Sony, said the add-on camera, allowing VOIP chat, will ship in September.