Game review: Tourist Trophy **** (out of 5 stars)

5/9/2006

If you're a fan of racing simulators, the new bike racer from Sony should get your engines revving. But let's get one thing straight from the start - Tourist Trophy is tough. If you're the type that needs instant gratification than TT probably isn't for you - be prepared to kiss the dirt more often than not.

Hatched by the same folks that brought us the racing-sim goodness that is Gran Turismo, TT does for two-wheeled racing what Turismo did on four: a hyper-realistic, beautifully rendered racing experience. The graphic details that sadly get lost at 150 mph are amazing. TT features authentic rides from BMW, Honda, and Kawasaki.

If race realism is what you're after than look no further. Just don't expect to pick up TT and beat it in a day - it isn't going to happen and honestly, who would want it to?

Viewing multimedia content and listening to your favorite podcast on the go

just got easier with the latest firmware upgrade on the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system. The 2.7 upgrade, now available for download, delivers several enhancements that make the portable entertainment experience richer and more flexible than ever. Among the highlights:

• Add a little "Flash" to your PSP system With support for the Macromedia

Flash Player, users can now experience videos and other multimedia content

right from their PSP system.

• Audio content from RSS channels can now be saved directly to the Memory

Stick, enabling users to listen to their favorite podcasts at their convenience.

These and other PSP 2.7 firmware updates can be wirelessly downloaded directly to a PSP system using a Wi-Fi connection; downloaded to a PC from www.us.playstation.com/psp and transferred to a PSP system through a USB

cable; or installed using upcoming UMD software.