Capcom Classics Collection Remixed – PSP – Review

We should probably start calling the
current video game environment as Retroville. It seems we’re getting just as
many collections of classic titles released as we are new titles. Even with the
next generation of systems the attraction for classic games from years ago isn’t
being ignored. Several classic titles are currently available for download on
the Xbox 360. Nintendo is promising a huge assortment of their classics
available for download when the Revolution is released.

With the release of Capcom Classics
Collection: Remixed for the PSP, gamers on the go now have 20 titles to relive
their arcade dreams of years ago.

Gamers looking for the same games
included on the Capcom Classics Collection released on the PS2/Xbox are in for a
surprise. The term "Remixed" is essential for everyone to understand since this
is not the same collection of games released on the home consoles version. Let’s
get down to details. The following games are NOT included with the PSP Remixed
collection: the Street Fighter II games, 1942, 1943, the Ghost ‘N Goblins games,
Son Son, Exed Exes, Pirate Ship Higemaru, Vulus, Commando, Mercs, Gun Smoke and
Trojan. This only leaves a handful of titles making it into the PSP collection.
But just as impressive as the console collection was, the PSP version can be
considered just as impressive with the games that are included.

The 20 games included in the Remixed
collection I consider to be a fantastic list of vintage arcade games from the
80’s and 90’s. I remember popping countless quarters into a few of these games,
while others I can’t remember seeing in any of my arcades. The following games
are included in the PSP Remixed collection: 1941, Side Arms, Legendary Wings,
Forgotten Worlds, Black Tiger, Strider, Final Fight, Bionic Commando, Three
Wonders, Avengers, Block Block, Captain Commando, Last Duel, Mega Twins, Varth,
Magic Sword, Street Fighter (One!), Section Z, Quiz & Dragons and The Speed
Rumbler. Several of these titles should be very familiar with gamers everywhere.

I could probably list an assortment
of consoles that would boggle the mind when it comes to some of the titles on
this collection. Capcom was known for supporting a wide variety of systems with
a few of these titles. Side Arms, Legendary Wings, Forgotten Worlds, Strider,
Bionic Commando, Captain Commando, Magic Swords and Section Z are all titles
I’ve played before either in the arcade or on a home console. All of the titles
included are based on the original arcade versions. All of them played exactly
the same as I remembered them.

Being based on the arcade versions
might surprise some gamers since there are differences between the console
versions released years ago and the arcade versions. Bionic Commando is one
example of how Capcom completely changed the game when it was released on the
NES. The only similarities between both versions is how the character controls,
which is by using a grappling hook for all jumps and other movements. The other
differences are not as dramatic as Bionic Commando but you should be prepared if
you played the console versions years ago.

What about the rest of the games on
the collection? Most of the games included were new to me. Avengers is a over
the top brawler, Black Tiger is a side-scrolling action game, Block Block is a
puzzle game (think Breakout), Last Duel is an over-the-top-view shooter, Mega
Twins is a side-scrolling action game, Quiz & Dragons is a trivia/board game,
The Speed Rumbler is an over-the-top shooter/action game, Varth is another
over-the-top-view shooter and Three Wonders is an assortment of three different
type of games included in one game (confused yet). A few of these titles stood
out as games I wondered why I didn’t play or why they didn’t come out earlier.

Three Wonders has some amazing 2D
graphics and gameplay that will remind some gamers of the Metal Slug series.
Quiz & Dragons is a unique game since it’s based on trivia questions from years
ago that should be updated. Mega Twins is a vibrant and color side-scrolling
game that reminded me of Sega’s Alex Kidd series from long ago. Varth is a solid
shooter that included some impressive visuals. Black Tiger was the game I wanted
to play more than any other in this collection. I remember playing the arcade
game briefly years ago, but I never recall the game ever getting a proper
release before now. Well, the game is still great but much tougher than I
remembered it from the last time I played. The rest of the "mystery" titles
mentioned are forgettable titles that will probably only entertained the
extremely hardcore gamer.

The collection is presented in a
nice visual setting that shows the games in action in the menu screen.  Each
game allows you to change the settings such as difficulty or view bonus items
for the game. When you access the bonus section of the game a history of the
game is shown, which includes the year the game was released, the genre, what
hardware platform it was released on and a brief synopsis of the game and it’s
story. Other items included within the bonus section are unlockable features for
tips, artwork and game music. The bonus menu will show you what must be
accomplished before the bonus item can be unlocked. For example to unlock the
tip section for one game you might need to get 100,000 points. The art section
might require you to beat the fourth level in the game. The bonus items included
are a great addition to the game that would have been even better if most of the
features were unlocked immediately.

Visually, to my eyes, the games are
the exact duplicate of the arcade versions. Unfortunately this is the downfall
for some of the games especially the shooters. It’s hard to see all of the
action happening on the PSP’s tiny screen. The games were not originally
designed to be played on such a small screen. A clever option has been included
in the collection that allows you to adjust the screen size for each game. You
have the original view, fit view, enhanced view and stretch view. All of the
over-the-top shooters include a option to play the game in a vertical view. This
means you hold the PSP with the directional pad at the bottom and the buttons at
the top. This gives you a much better view when playing the shooters but it
feels very strange playing the games this way. The screen size can be changed
automatically during gameplay at anytime by pressing the SELECT button. If
you’re dying for an assortment of 2D sprite based games then you can stop
looking with this game. The majority of the games can be considered top notch 2D
graphics with only a few exceptions.

For a collection of great arcade
titles from the Golden Age of arcade games you might consider the Remixed
collection to be a slight disappointment. While there are some great titles
included in this set there are games included that will have the average gamer
saying "Quiz & Dragons what?" I’m sure this means Capcom will have another
collection released soon with some of the titles included in the console
version. However, the majority of the games included play great, look great and
reminded me of why I loved the arcade scene from the 80’s and early 90’s so
much. Capcom was an icon during those times because you knew quality came with
almost every Capcom title. This collection proves it once again by daring to
include games that we might have over looked a long time ago. I say you will
only be really disappointed if you wanted some Street Fighter II games and the
Ghosts’ N Goblin games on this collection.

Gameplay: 8.0
All of the titles played exactly the same as the arcade originals. Only a couple
really bad apples stand out in my opinion such as Avengers and The Speed Rumbler.
Oh, if you never played the original Street Fighter then be prepared for a big
surprise. There’s a reason Street Fighter II is still considered a
ground-breaking title while no one mentions Street Fighter I.

Graphics: 8.2
All of the graphics in the game are represented accurately down to the same
glitches found in the original versions. For example, in Strider the characters
only have a few frames of animation which makes the game look a little choppy at
times. The PSP screen makes the games look a little strange when you see the LCD
screen blurring because of the action in the game.

Sound: 7.7
All of the sound effects and music from the original titles are duplicated
without any problems. But you might cringe a few times when hearing some of the
voice samples and music in the game. We’ve come a long way.

Difficulty: Medium
Even with unlimited continues some of these games are tough. I found myself
getting frustrated just like I did at the arcades years ago but this time it
didn’t cost me an extra quarter.

Concept: 8.0
This is a solid collection of arcade titles that we know and some that we don’t
know. The overall layout and design of the collection is really good with the
art and music bonus features. The history of the games is a nice touch and
seeing the games in action in the menu screen is a helpful feature for finding
out about the unknown games.

Multiplayer: 8.2
The game includes Ad Hoc (local wireless play) mode for several titles; 1941,
Avengers, Block Block, Captain Commando, Final Fight, Forgotten Worlds, Side
Arms, Last Duel, Legendary Wings, Magic Swords, Mega Twins, Quiz and Dragons,
Street Fighter, Three Wonders and Varth.  Some of the games even allow up to
four players at once in the Ad Hoc mode. But sadly there is no game sharing
feature or Infrastructure wireless play.

Overall: 8.0
The Capcom Classics Collection: Remixed for the PSP is a great collection of
games that no one should be without. You probably won’t play this game all the
time but anytime you get the urge to play Side Arms, Final Fight or any of the
other games then you’re set. I will even mention for the hackers/programmers out
there saying "Why should I buy this game when I can play these games already on
my PSP." Yes, I know you can and I know how you can but this collection is much
easier. You just put in the disc and play the games. Nothing to fuss about or
freak out about when it comes to firmware updates. The Classics Collection
Remixed might not contain the same blockbuster lineup of its console version but
it’s still a rock-solid assortment of games.