Zoe Mode and SEGA are celebrating today after innovative PSP puzzler CRUSH picked up an award for Best New Handheld IP. And SEGA, it turns out, is a hero.

Around 500 UK games industry bigwigs gathered at the Metropole Hotel in Brighton last night to cheer on their comrades at the fifth annual Develop Industry Excellence Awards. Intended to recognise the achievements of the raw talent behind the country’s ever-ambitious games development community, the Develop Awards are amongst the most coveted of the industry’s gongs.

Which makes the selection of SEGA’s singular PSP title CRUSH as the year’s best new handheld IP (intellectual property, if you were wondering) all the more gratifying. Conceived and developed by Zoe Mode (formerly Kuju Brighton), CRUSH collected shining plaudits from the games press on its release and has been widely heralded as one of the most unique and original games to emerge in years.

We’re all very proud. If you’ve played it and agree with the judges, this is the place to let Zoe Mode know what you think.

SEGA is also wearing a bit of a smug grin today, after picking up the award for Publisher Hero. We’re pushing out our chests and pulling our pants on outside our jeans as we speak…

CRUSH is out, some truly magnificent reviews are coming in, and everything’s looking rosy for our unique PSP puzzler.

With that in mind we thought we would treat you to some lovely developer diaries, filmed by the guys who made it down in sunny Brighton, UK.

The first developer diary we have is from lead designer Alex Butterfield. He goes into the story of the title while letting you know a little of the effort it takes to create such a unique gaming experience.

Our second developer diary is from Ben Hebb, the art director on CRUSH. Ben concentrates very much on the look and feel of the game, as you’d expect, being that he’s the art director and all. He gives us an insight into the use of light, sound and environment in the game, as well as details on how they came to create the unique 2D/3D CRUSH experience.

Finally we have Ed Daly, studio head at Zoe Mode. Ed explains why the developers chose the PSP as an exclusive platform for CRUSH, as well as the original genesis of the game.

We’re happy to report that CRUSH has received practically universal praise from websites and magazines across Europe, all of whom apparently appreciate the fact Zoe Mode has produced something refreshingly new to the puzzle genre.

Check out this pretty little lot.

UK

IGN UK: 8/10 (PSP Game of the Month)
“…a unique game concept that’s executed well and challenges the way you normally think about videogames.”

PSM3: 9/10
“It does exactly what a memorable puzzle game should - lets you explore the inside of your own head, and feel smarter and more refreshed for it.”

CVG.com: 90%
“Dimension-flipping puzzler joins the PSP elite.”

GamesMaster: 88%
“A hard thinking puzzler needing a hard thinking brain - but it’s justifiably rewarding.”
 
PSW: 8/10
“A classic puzzler with an inspired concept that you’ll fall in love with immediately.”
 
Eurogamer: 8/10
“Crush is a rare beast and deserving of praise for the many things it gets so very, very right.
 
Total Video Games: 7/10
“…a highly imaginative experience that walks the fine line between compulsion and frustration that any good puzzler should provide.”
 
OPS2: 8/10

PLAY: 8/10

Games TM: 7/10

GERMANY

Play3: 86% + AWARD
“SEGA launches the most innovative puzzle game of the year for PSP.”

Games Aktuell: 86% + AWARD
“The best mix of puzzle and skills for ages.”

OPSPM: 86% + AWARD
“Run and buy this UMD.”

Mobile Gamer: 80%
“Finally - a new gameplay idea. Challenging and genius at the same time.”

4players.de: 85% + GOLD AWARD
“SEGA beams you into the 5th dimension - with a new and completely unique concept.”

BENELUX

Power Unlimited: 86%
“This game is completely new and has totally sucked me in.”

PSPonly.nl: 85%
“A must have if you ask me!”

GameZ.nl: 85%
“CRUSH has pleasantly surprised me (which doesn’t happen that much) and can be called a true PSP hit!”

Gamer.nl: 80%
“It is a recommendation, because it has been so long since we have played something so fresh and challenging.”

PlayStation Magazine: 79%
“CRUSH can be placed next to Columns, SEGA has added a successful puzzle game!”

SPAIN
 
Revista Oficial PlayStation: 89%
“It is the best challenge that we have encountered for PSP. And about time too.”

Superjuegos Extreme: 89%
“CRUSH demonstrates that not everything is invented. Brilliant.”

PlayMania: 79%
“An original and fun test for your intelligence”

3DJuegos.com: 7.6/10
“It’s great that, after so many years, there are titles like this one coming out, able to surprise us with ingenuity and originality.”

FRANCE

Consoles + 15/20
“CRUSH is an original and addictive title that blows a fresh breeze on PSP. You must try it!”
 
Joypad: 7/10
“Complex but very addictive, CRUSH goes above its simple graphics. A good surprise!”
 
Kid Paddle: 15/20
“Staggering!”

Jeux Video Magazine: 15/20
“Amazing and funny with sober but efficient graphics, there is no doubt: CRUSH is an original title.”