PSP Import Friendly

[substantial_snake]

I'm looking to make a semi-database of Import friendly games for the PSP to keep an eye on while trawling ebay, playasia, or anything else.

Let me know what you have experience with, whats good, and what level of Japanese you need to know to get the most outta the game. I figure this could be useful for anyone interested in the large PSP library we didn't get in the States. (or anywhere else)

[substantial_snake]

(reserved)

[Kellhus]

I can think of a ton. Do you want English friendly games only? If so here are some off the top of my head:

Parodius Collection
Salamander Collection
Twinbee Collection
Sengoku Blade Canon
Brandish
PC Engine Best Collection - Star Soldier
PC Engine Best Collection - Ginga Ojousama Densetsu (Sapphire is English-friendly)
Bleach Heat The Soul series (7 games)
Hokuto no Ken: Raoh Gaiden: Ten no Haoh
Breath of Fire III (PAL)
Tales of Eternia (PAL)
Tenchu: Time of Assassin's (PAL)

Non-English friendly:

Rockman DASH Collection
Genso Suikoden I & II Collection
Super Robot Taisen MX
Super Robot Taisen A
Dai-2-Ji Super Robot Taisen Z
Another Century's Episode P
SD Gundam G Generation World
King's Field Additional
King's Field Additoinal II
Onore no Shinzuru Michi o Yuke
The Last Ranker
Kurohyou: Ryu ga Gotoku Shinshou
Gungnir: Mayari no Gunshin to Eiyuu Sensou

Upcoming NTSC-J only games that MAY not be localized due to sales of the hardware declining in NA and the PSV announcement at E3:

Grand Knights History
Yuusha 30 Second
Gundam Memories: Tatakai no Kioku
Queen's Gate: Spiral Chaos
Black Rock Shooter

Boatloads more. Maybe I'll post again.

[substantial_snake]

Yeah just post up anything you have. I suggest noting by how much you absolutely need to know inorder to enjoy the game. I think a safe bet is to rank by tiers of what you need to know in order to enjoy and play the game.

None or Little: Typically action games where little or no text is required.

Helpful: Something where you can stumble through but can be difficult at times.

Required: Usually things like RPGs where storyline is integeral to gameplay.

I don't know any Japanese outside of a few words so I look at it from that perspective. Just basically post up what you have imported, its genera, level of language skills needed, and weather it was worth it.

[Aussie2B]

I really recommend the various shooter collections, which obviously have next to no text in them, but beyond that I haven't gotten into PSP importing much (besides picking up Valkyrie Profile and the Star Ocean games prior to their US releases).

That's good that you posted definitions for what you're looking for. Too many people ask for import-friendly games or for games that "don't require" Japanese without going into it further, as if they're solid as rock concepts, when in reality it's very opinion-based. Like for me, I'd place most RPGs under your "Helpful" category, since I've played through and enjoyed many in Japanese, as I'm more concerned about if an RPG has an engaging battle system than if I miss out on a bit of the story.

[Nico87]

Music games come to mind.

Taiko no Tatsujin Portable
Taiko no Tatsujin Portable 2
Taiko no Tatsujin Portable DX (out July 14)

The DS games are better in my opinion. More fun with the two drumstick styluses.

DJMax Portable
DJMax Portable 2
DJMax Fever
DJMax Portable Hot Tunes
DJMax Portable 3

I'd stick with Hot Tunes. The Limited Edition is superb and should be cheapish now. Portable 3 is a nice option though.

Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA
Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Dreamy Theater
Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Dreamy Theater 2nd

Be cool and buy the $360 HORI arcade controller plus a PSP-to-PS3 cable.

K-On! Houkago Live!!

You'll live without this one.

Non-music games:

Tales of VS. (fighting)
Bleach Heat the Soul 7 (fighting)
Ikki Tousen: Xross Impact (beat 'em up)
Sengoku Basara: Chronicle Heroes (hack 'n slash)
Earth Defense Force 2 (action, easy enough to play though you'll need to guess your way through the weapons without a guide)
Another Century's Episode Portable (mecha action, might need a guide to understand some of the missions)

All these games are import friendly with the exception of ACE Portable to a degree. The DJMax games are basically all in English.

[substantial_snake]

Hopefully if we get enough people interested then I can start compiling a list.

I haven't extensively imported but I'll add the few that I have.

Initial D Street Stage (None or Little) : Fun racer with an Initial D theme based on the 3rd Stage Arcade build. Asia version manual in English so shouldn't even need a guild.

Daisenryaku Portable 2 (Helpful) : Great Modern Turn Based Strategy Game which is more or less Advanced Wars (IMO superior in many ways). If you know the genera, and your modern military equipment (BMP, M1, AH-64, etc.) you should be fine, however if not you will need a guide.

DJ Max Portable 2 (None) : Addictive rhythm game with a nice selection of tracks, options, and difficulty levels. Shouldn't need any help, game comes with several language options built in so all menus are in English.

Bleach Heat the Soul 5 (None-Little) : A decent Tournament fighter in the Bleach universe with many standard options for the genera. The core gameplay needs no manual, however for the story mode you will need to know Japanese.

TOCA Race Driver 2 (None) : A fun sim racer with a more realistic leaning, cars have visible damage which effects performance. Its a PAL release so it is entirely in English with several EU options available.

[Taka]

I'm looking to make a semi-database of Import friendly games for the PSP to keep an eye on while trawling ebay, playasia, or anything else.

Let me know what you have experience with, whats good, and what level of Japanese you need to know to get the most outta the game. I figure this could be useful for anyone interested in the large PSP library we didn't get in the States. (or anywhere else)

My friend wrote a guide on best user-friendly import game for PSP and DS. It's a PDF magazine but you can view it here. I believe it is on Page 163.