In a press release today, Square Enix announced two new games that were added to their North American 1st Quarter 2009 lineup. Joining the already-announced Star Ocean: Second Evolution (January 6th) for the PSP and Star Ocean: The Last Hope (March 3rd) for the Xbox 360 are a duo of Nintendo DS games: Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride and Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume.

Dragon Quest V DS is the fifth installment of the vaunted Dragon Quest RPG series, and the second to b...

"SquareEnix have today announced that STAR OCEAN: Second Evolution will be released across Europe and all PAL territories in Spring 2009, exclusively on the PlayStation Portable system.

Following the exploits of humankind’s journey across the stars, the STAR OCEAN saga continues with the completely remastered STAR OCEAN: Second Evolution. Featuring a revised game engine, an improved..."

PSP owners hankering to quell their Star Ocean fix: some screenshots have arrived to tide you over until early next year when Second Evolution is released.

"Playable:
Chrono Trigger (DS)
Dragon Quest: The Chapters of the Chosen (DS)
Final Fantasy IV (DS)
Infinite Discovery( Xbox 360)
Song Summoner: The Unsung Heroes (iPod)

On the floor/video:
The Last Remnant (PS3/360)
SONG SUMMONER: The Unsung Heroes (iPod)
Chrono Trigger (DS)
Dragon Quest: The Chapters of the Chosen (DS)
Final Fantasy IV (DS)
STAR OCEAN: FIRST DEPARTURE (PSP)
STAR OCEAN: SECOND EVOLUTION (PSP)
Infinite Undiscovery (360)
STAR OCEAN: THE LAST HOPE (360)"

"We’ve been waiting to hear something official about Star Ocean: First Departure and Star Ocean: Second Evolution in North America. Square Enix registered trademarks for both subtitles in North America, but that’s about it. Out of the blue Gamefly is listing both games with a placeholder September 30th release date. We’re probably not getting both PSP Star Ocean remakes on the same day, but this is the first sign of them."

Square Enix has launched the official website for Star Ocean: Second Evolution, the PSP remake for the PSX hit Star Ocean: The Second Story.

The official website currently has sections for New Elements, World, Characters, System, and Spec. It showcases the new art style for the remake, and the remake features updated graphics, animations and voice acting. Flash is required for the official site.

Star Ocean: Second Evolution is set to release in Japan on April 2, 2008. (04/02/08)

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"Japanese magazine Famitsu claims Square Enix will announce a new Star Ocean title in the upcoming Square Enix Party 2007. The game will be revealed in the first day of the event, May 12, at around 11:00 AM. That's when Square Enix is holding their "Star Ocean Special Stage"..."