Games gizmo

GIZMO GALLERY

The Sony Playstation Portable (PSP) is the hottest item on gamer wish lists. Launched worldwide in March after three months test running on the Japanese market, the PSP takes Nintendo head-on in the handheld market.

The PSP's specifications are impressive. It has a 333 MHz processor, a 4.3 inch screen, 802.11b wireless capability, USB 2.0 and a UMD drive, 32 MB of memory.

The UMD disks store up to 1.8 GB with 128-bit AES encryption. Wireless access is one "killer-app" - it enables multi-player gaming with both local users as well as internet access.

USB connectivity makes it easy to transfer data from any other device, including another PSP, and the large UMD storage makes it easy to use the PSP as a portable music/ video device if desired.

The PSP is pricey at $250-300 equivalent, depending on the bundled games. It comes with suites of new and redesigned games such as "Darkstalkers Chronicle: The Chaos Tower," "Ape Escape: On the Loose," "Gretzky NHL," "NBA," "NFL STREET 2: Unleashed," "Need for Speed Underground Rivals," "Tony Hawks Underground 2 Remix", Untold Legends and "Wipeout Pure".

Greek adventure

The new game "God of War" for the Playstation 2 platform sets awesome standards in combining cinematic Lord of the Rings realism with a typically fantastic sword and sorcery RPG adventure set in ancient Greece.

A soldier, Kratos of Sparta, is hired by Zeus, king of the gods, and Pallas Athene, his wise daughter, to kill Ares, the destructive god of war (Zeus' son and Athene's brother).

Kratos is given supernatural weapons and powers and duly sets off on adventures set in landscapes populated by fabulous creatures (Minotaurs, gorgons, harpies, hydras) out of Greek mythology. The background music is a full 128-piece orchestral score.

Shoot under water

The Pentax OptioWP is an elegant water-proof digicam designed for snorkelling, skiing and so on, though it can't take scuba pressure. This plastic-bodied camera has a .6 second start up, a quick .05 second shutter release, movie mode and a large 2.0 inch monitor.

The 5-megapixel resolution with 3X optical zoom ensures that you can get quality pictures with this point-and-shoot, even in turbulent conditions.

The Optio is Mac and PC compatible with USB 2 connectivity. The WP is small and light - and weighs around 100 gm with battery and SD memory card attached.

The recessed lens is designed to be protected even if it's roughly handled. Unfortunately, most of the settings can't be manually adjusted which is an irritant.