Sega today confirmed their plans for both Nintendo's handheld and Sony's own portable debutant the PSP, confirming Puyo Pop Fever and the temporarily titled Project S for Sony's device. inform us that both games will take full advantage of the PSP's high specifications, and these titles will be launched to coincide with the product's Japanese debut at the end of the year.

Sega's Yuji Naka commented: "I am excited to announce Sega's initial software plans for the new platform which offers truly high performance and efficient graphics display and incredible sound quality. Given its technical strengths, Sega regards PSP as a handheld video game system with great potential. We are presently developing Puyo Pop Fever and Project S (temporary title), and we will propose a new style of gaming and entertainment that maximizes the features unique to PSP, such as network communication battle via wireless LAN and the "face-to-face" system that utilizes the 16:9 widescreen TFT LCD. Please look forward to future Sega's titles."

The DS meanwhile will be getting DS and Project Rub both once again at the end of 2004. Project Rub promises to make use of the DS's unique new control system, employing 'rubbing' (via the touch screen we assume) to direct the game. Hopefully, this new 'innovation' will prove more than a gimmick too.

New gameplay experiences not previously possible will be enabled by the DS in Sega's games, the company suggests, and the publisher plans to embrace all of the handheld's unique features: the Dual Screens, Touch Screen, Wireless, Microphone and Dual Slots.

Naka once again comments: "I am very happy to announce titles for the 'Nintendo DS (temporary name)' handheld game console, which will play a major role in the future game industry. DS has various innovative features like Dual Screens, Touch Screen and Microphone. Its great variety of input mechanisms has allowed us to create new forms of gaming that could not be experienced with previous games for the home market. For our first titles - Sonic DS (temporary title) and Project Rub (temporary title) - we have placed an emphasis on controls using a Touch Screen, which will allow us to achieve the concept of "rubbing," a unique and fun gameplay mechanic made possible by the DS. We will investigate a wide-range of gaming elements unique to DS, so look forward to future Sega titles."

Raw power versus unique but untested control methods? It's going to be an interesting face-off, that's for sure. Sega are certainly hedging their bets in announcing a cautious two titles for each format. More as we get it.

By Luke Guttridge