@Archaotic: Cool you got it sorted out.

Barts

@Barts:
Yeah, I work at GameStop. No piracy here when I already get games cheaper than everyone else, haha. I got the UMD from my store, brought it home, and was like "...why is it just sitting on the loading screen for...three minutes?" Apparently the real reason for it is that the firmware I had installed was too old to run Patapon in general, but because of the custom state of the system, it didn't tell me this and tried to boot the game anyway.

Once I got myself up to modern specs, it ran fine. Now I can actually see how it plays and decide if I want to pick up a copy tomorrow/Wednesday.

Archaotic

@Archaotic: It means you are playing iso of a demo under one of newer M33 Custom Firmwares. And doing it the wrong way. :)

The answer to your question is : change the UMD emulation mode (Configuration->UMD Mode) in recovery menu (restert PSP, holding R button) from NoUMD to something else (I have Normal, but Sony something seems to be working better for some folks).

Note to Witzbold and other BanHammer wielding overlords - since he's talking about free demo, it is not exactly piracy, otherwise I wouldn't be helping.

Barts

Patapon is the most evil game to come along at $19.95 in a very long time and i hope they come out with 10 more just like it.:)

Sugaray

@Seiryuu: Thanks for clearing that up for me I saw them being used and my mine began thinking way to much at their potential.

ocalot

@NeoAkira:
I agree here...Portal's a fine game, but I'm not so sure it's worthy of such fanatical devotion. It's a game, and a short one at that. I guess it might just be me, but I found "Would you kindly?" a lot more powerful than "the cake is a lie". But that's just my opinion. You'll still enjoy portal though, Flynn, that's for sure.

Meanwhile...has anyone else had the same problem I have with the Patapon demo? Whenever I boot it up, it just sits there on the first loading screen for what seems like forever, and never actually starts the demo. I don't want to get the real game if it's going to have that issue and I won't be able to play it or return it...maybe I should just get it used or something...but I want to support the devs, at the same time.

Archaotic

The fanaticism some people display over Portal is almost sickening. You like it a lot. OK, we get it.

I would love to play Patapon, but my brother is way too cheap to actually buy games for his PSP and I'm not about to drop $20 for a game only to have him throw a hissy fit and say I can't play his PSP.

On a side note, I found it kinda funny that you went from being really sick last Sunday to really tired this Sunday. Heh, no worries, it gets better Flynn. Thanks for the work this week.

NeoAkira

@ocalot: You don't field em at all, in some missions there are just objects you have to escort/protect/hang on by till they do their thing/destroy.

Catapults follow you around shooting rocks every so often.

Seiryuu

Ban Monday cometh!!.

Have a great week everyone. Its back to the grind and hustle :/

Fyren

@Kirbytheslayer: In-Kirby XMB: Maybe I'm just a Portal fanboy, but I think that even if you have heard all the big lines, it'd definitely still be worth playing. I think people sometimes forget because of all the hype it gets for its writing that your first playthrough gives you two hours of some of the most innovative, and downright most fun gameplay of anything in years.

On topic though, I want to get a chance to play Patapon so much, but I don't really know many people with PSP's and can't fork out the cash for one with my current situation. Almost enough spare cash to get Call of Duty 4!

idkmybffgreg

@rlh445: in b4 now you're thinking with portals, in after THE CAKE IS A LIE.

Frank

@Deadeyereborn: THIS..IS....CAKETOWN!

And I don't believe that people who have heard all the memes should avoid Portal..if anything, it may cause you to be able to 'relive' the meme fever all over again, only this time you'll actually think 'The cake is a lie!' is rip-roaringly hilarious....because you'll know it's true.

rlh445

@Iron_Dragon_2.0: Wait for the inevitable PS2 version.

dowingba

For those of you that have patapon I got two quick questions first the item you get from playing the demo what are the stats for it since they did not release that information and second I think I saw the player able to use items like towers and catapults in a screen shot somewhere if that is true then how do the function with in the game i.e. do you field them and control them like other units.

ocalot

Lots of good PSP games coming out.

Jim Reilly

All I have to say is... Pon Pon Pata Pon.

Mune

You're playing Patapon? So jealous. xD

Also sorry to say but I don't think the Portal experience will be the same if you ever heard one of its memes.

Dudemeister

@Rurik: I don't think they'd want to slow whatever PS3 sales they currently have left with an announcement of a new PS3 bundle. Or maybe they're killing it off silently, I don't know.

Frank

I want to play patapon but I don't want to buy a PSP just for it and maybe loco roco...

Iron_Dragon_2.0

Woah GDC is over? where was all the news? I don't remember hearing anything from sony.

Rurik

"Ching! Ching! Pata! Pon!"

Haha. - Can't wait to pick Patapon and Lost Planet up on Wednesday. Too bad my job is trying to work me to death these days.

-Niric

Niric

@Frank: Its incredible how popular his character was. Hes shown up in some animes / mangas before too even in Japan.

My friends father used to be a drill sergeant and had a hat just like GSH. :D

Witzbold

@Witzbold: "Lemme see your war face. Do you have a war face, son? DO YOU EVEN HAVE A FUCKING MOUTH?"

Frank

@Jesus Christ: Jesus not liking Portal is just more proof that there is no god.

kingclip

I tried Portal, didn't really like it. If I really liked puzzles, I'd call my grandparents up.
Next-Gen my ass.

@AntiZERO: No such thing as a 60GB Ceramic unit. Only 40GB. Bummer.

Jesus Christ

@Kirbytheslayer: In-Kirby XMB: Congratulations! You just summed up Metal Gear Solid 2.

Black-Dog-Howls

@Witzbold: I first thing I'm going to buy online is a 60GB/40GB Ceramic PS3, and maybe a game sword... Anyone seen a Shadow of the Colossus sword around?

AntiZERO

@Witzbold: You know, I was going to ask which of the included deserts but then I realized that they are all pretty hateable! There really should be a warning on the thing!.

I wonder if theyll release a Ps3 PSN version, I can see it doing good. Not so much on Ps2 tho but who knows.

Now if only there was a miracle to stop the rain!. Or if they lasted forever.

Patapon primer: Weird RTS game where you control your troops by beating drums in a rythm, think Parapa, It is it seems pretty catchy, pretty long, and pretty hard. Also pretty hard not to recommend. It is, quite addictive, and missions tend to take less than 5 minutes making it an awesome portable game.

There is also a fair degree of customization when it comes to your troops types (there are several) and equipment, as well.

That's the best I can describe the game for anyone wondering about it, If you are into quirky addictive games, strategy games or rythm games, odds are you'll like it.

Seiryuu

@Furious_Liver: Yeah thats the generalization i came to as well.
@Kirbytheslayer: In-Kirby XMB: So in layman's terms catch phrases?

GUNDAM-RX-78-2

Wow, you didn't play portal yet?
Well, me neither so don't feel bad.
Will prob pick up the orange box for ps3 sometime soon, as I doubt my laptop could handle anything newer than simcity 3

sander_dutch

@GUNDAM-RX-78-2: @Furious_Liver:
We were actually studying meme's in my psychology class recently. Here's an official dictionary definition:
A unit of cultural information, such as a cultural practice or idea, that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another.

It tends to be referred to by it's proper name on the net, but it's used pretty much everywhere. For example, "You're fired." from "The Apprentice". People simply love memes. It helps create a social identity, which helps fill in people's need to belong.

Kirbytheslayer: In-Kirby XMB

@Seiryuu: I HATE the desert.

Not going to say more than that. ;D

Witzbold

Pon Pata Pon Pata!. Patapon is the best new franchise since.. well since Portal. I cant believe such a game can be so addicting. I hope there is a Patapon 2.

Hard as fuck too.

Seiryuu

@Frank: If only he was still alive to say that. D:

I would cry tears of joy.

Witzbold

@GUNDAM-RX-78-2: Me either actually, but from what it seems like its a term used for things people saw on the interwebs (or in less likely events the rest of the world) that people feel the need to quote over and over and over again. Example:

"Damn, this sucks."

"NO, THIS IS SPARTA!!!"

Furious_Liver

That HD-DVD thread is uber flame bait.

blackadvent

@Kirbytheslayer: In-Kirby XMB: Really? There has to be more to the game than a few "Memes" as you put it.
Dont know what a "Meme" is so im a little confused.
Oh well thanks i guess.

GUNDAM-RX-78-2

@Kirbytheslayer: In-Kirby XMB: If you've only heard "THE CAKE IS A LIE", you're not spoiled on anything. If you've heard Still Alive, you've ruined a pretty good amount. I went in only hearing "THE CAKE IS A LIE" tons of times, and nothing was ruined. Still one of the best games to come out in quite some time. And plus it comes with all three of the Half Life 2 games. And friggin TF2. Anyone of those things is worth the price of admission. ;]

Oh time for me to spread my spoilers and ruin games.

THAT DEMOS A BLOODEH SPY!

Furious_Liver

I haven't played portal yet either, its sitting here on my desktop begging for me to play it, but I keep telling it not now I'm busy.

rebelphoenix

Go, my troops! Post on Kotaku like your almighty commands! Pon, pon, pata pon, pata, pata, pata pon!

Dangeresque: I know Gundam is dirty but I love 00

Why do I suddenly imagine the "Pata-pata-pata-pon!" rhythm barked from Sgt. Hartman's mouth instead of some cute little cyclops-slash-walking-Target-ad?

Frank

@Sqwerell: D: Wheres those damned street date breakers when you need em.

Witzbold

@Witzbold:
Yeah it did. It came out last week. We have to wait till Tuesday though :(

Sqwerell

@Kirbytheslayer: In-Kirby XMB: Actually I think it came out in the UK already. I think.

Witzbold

@AntiZERO: Amazon.com isnt comming through for you? D:

@Deadeyereborn: Patapon is fun, the art style and gameplay mechanics are rather interesting. The little patapons are really nicely animated too. Lots of odd items and what not to find.

On a slight downside to be honest grinding in a sense is required to get supplies needed for new patapons or other items.

Still though at 20 USD you cant go wrong!

Since its a sony made game Im sorry to say but I dont think it will be comming out on the DS. D:

Witzbold

@AntiZERO: Just figured you should know, the game doesn't actually come out until Tuesday. He's a journalist. He gets review copies.

Kirbytheslayer: In-Kirby XMB

BTW, I can't find Patapon anywhere, I'll be checking again this week but with school and everything, starting a new game with the pile of "Classic" games all over my desk seems a tad bit suicidal in my case. I should be working on a project for my Calculus Class right now, but I don't feel like it....

AntiZERO

I heard Portal did "very" well...

AntiZERO

@Kirbytheslayer: In-Kirby XMB:I agree sadly. I this point it would be like watching 300 if you've heard "This is sparta" or "Tonight we dine in hell" the whole thing is kinda wrecked. Those lines are great when taken in context of the movie but out of context they get stale pretty quick.

Deadeyereborn

@GUNDAM-RX-78-2: Don't bother at this point. I'm not joking when I say the longer you go without playing it, the less worth it it becomes.

The meme ruins the experience. If you've head "Still Alive" or "The Cake is alive" prior to playing, you just won't be able to appreciate it.

Kirbytheslayer: In-Kirby XMB

@Witzbold: Dear God witz we need a clean up STAT. In other news how is patapon? It looks really cool I can only hope that somehow maybe it will come to the DS as I have no PSP.

Deadeyereborn

Dont worry about not having played "Portal" i havent and im still alive.

GUNDAM-RX-78-2

No Portal?!

GET OFF MY INTERWEBS NOW!

Double J

Man. It'll take you like two hours, finish it tonight.

onidavin

@idkmybffgreg:

I've lost faith in Kotaku.

Tsaketh

I'm making a note here:

EPIC FAIL

Hopanoe

Laters Flynn! Glad to hear you are enjoying Patapon!

Witzbold

You... haven't played... Portal?

What kind of blog is this, a ...bad one?

idkmybffgreg