As Split/Second was a visual treat, we knew that we couldn’t compromise for both the size of the power plays and sheer on-screen excitement. We set out to create a spectacular-looking PSP game and I hope that everyone will agree that this is one of the best-looking racing games on the PSP. Another vital ingredient was to make sure that the handling and controls suited the PSP. Sumo are very experienced with years of racing experience and so set about creating a new driving model from scratch. The end result should be a fun, quick and skillful driving system that rewards users who push the cars to the max.

To add something completely new to the game we then added four all new Challenge modes which test the drivers in completely different ways. Each mode was designed with some key thoughts in mind – (1) blow things up; (2) race really fast; (3)use the environment to your advantage; (4) combine 1 to 3 while trying to get the highest score!

The final big addition for Split/Second PSP is that we managed to create an entirely new Docks track. This was a combination of previous work which works its way through different parts of the Docks area and ends up being one of the longest tracks in the entire game.

The demo should be live for everyone to play now so grab it and the game is available this week. Hope you enjoy this new version as much as we have!

In short, despite the smaller screen size, Split/Second’s PSP incarnation does not skimp on the spectacle. The PSP version releases on November 16th with four-player ad-hoc Wifi multiplayer, and this week I took a pre-release version of the game for a spin.

Thanks to some dazzling real-time lighting and particle effects, Split/Second on the PSP looks remarkably similar to its PS3 big brother. The tracks layouts are nigh-identical, and the gameplay zips along at a speedy clip, blasting energetically through every one of its 30 frames per second no matter how many fireworks are on the screen.

The controls have been been subtly tweaked to accommodate the mobile nature of PSP gameplay, and they feel tight and responsive on the analog stick and d-pad. You can still slipstream behind other racers to diminish wind resistance and gain a short-lived burst of speed, a critical tactic when you find yourself lagging behind the pack. The gas and brake buttons are mapped to X and Square, respectively; To drift around hairpin turns, you tap the Square button once. Given Split/Second’s blistering pace, I find it helpful to brake as little as possible and instead ease off the gas during dangerous moments. Finally, the L1 button triggers Power Plays, the aforementioned earth-shaking catastrophes that will wipe out your competitors if you master the, um, split-second timing.

Black Rock Studios (working with Sumo Digital) was kind enough to chip in an extra track for PSP players to bring the track total to 13 in all. PSP users also get new Challenges in addition to returning favorites like Elimination (stay out of last place), Air Strike (dodge incoming missiles), and Detonator (finish laps inside the deadline). Details on the new Challenges are still scarce and I’ll update you when I learn more.

UPDATE: Producer Jason Ried at Disney Interactive Studios in Europe chimes in with first details on Split/Second PSP’s new Challenges and the new track:

1. Destruction: target and destroy rival cars to gain bonus time and the highest score
2. Power Slide: high speed, power drifting game mode in which you drift around the track to gain score and extra time
3. Keep on Truckin: drive as the Survival truck while trying to avoid rival cars and barrels to post the highest score possible

The new track is an amalgamation of some parts of the various docks areas to form a much bigger track. It’s essentially a super track of the docks tracks and we call it The Docks.

Split/Second is a fast, aggressive PSP racer that will appeal to fans of destructive racers such as Burnout Dominator and WipEout Pure. If you have questions about the gameplay or overall experience, ask away in the comments below and I’ll do my best to get you an answer.

Qore subscribers were invited to the PS3 game Beta last year, and starting on April 22, you’ll also get a chance to play the upcoming PSP demo version. Visit the Download Center in the April episode of Qore after this week’s PlayStation Store Update for early access to the ModNation Racers PSP demo, which lets you test drive two full tracks from the game and give the track creator a spin.

And, look for more exclusive downloads in next month’s May episode of Qore, featuring Prince of Persia: Forgotten Sands, UFC Undisputed 2010 with Jens Pulver, and an insider’s look at upcoming additions to PlayStation Home.

Look for Episode 24 to hit the PlayStation Store on May 11.