Looking fondly back on the last thirty years of gaming, one can only express a profound sense of amazement when they notice the differences between portable consoles of the previous generations, and the current ones existing today. Full length three dimensional video games that you can play on-the-go are more common now than they’ve ever been. Wires that once linked only a limited amount of players to each other have been eliminated by the Wi-Fi standard, allowing entire groups of people to compete or play online together. Yet even with the numerous advances in hardware and software technology, there has always been a very special place reserved for the classics in the handheld scene. For anxious PSP owners who’ve been looking to get their old school gaming fix, Capcom has put together a second compilation of select arcade titles that are sure to please any retro fan.
Capcom Classics Collection Reloaded is a vastly superior follow up to last year’s effort (Remixed) which only featured a few of the titles that were offered in the PS2 version. Now, there are more than fifteen which have been transferred over, along with three brand new exclusives — and the variety of genres is impressive. You’ll have your pick of top-down shooters like 1942 and Gunsmoke, 2D fighters like Street Fighter II Hyper Fighting, and side scroller favorites like Ghost ‘N Ghoblins. Whatever your personal preference is, there is a good chance that you’re going to find something that you like.
One of the great things about Capcom Collections is all the unlockables that it offers, and this game is chock full of them with almost 900 that you can uncover. They range from an assortment of extras like artwork and music tracks to special cheat codes that can grant you additional attack power in a particular game. What’s interesting, though, is how you achieve them. Instead of merely gaining them after you beat the game, Capcom has opted to add an interesting level of replay value by making you earn them. Every time you play, you’ll amass a certain amount of points. This functions as in-game currency that you can spend later playing the highly addictive slot machine. What you win will vary depending on how much you bet and what icons you match up. Of course, no arcade collection would be complete without some form of multiplayer support and in this case, there are several titles that you can experience with your friends through the PSP’s game sharing or Wi-Fi capabilities (1943, Ghosts ‘N Goblins, King of Dragons, Mercs, Pirate Ship Higemaru, Son Son, and Knights of the Round).
Unfortunately, this nearly flawless ensemble suffers from a few set of problems that potentially could cause quite a few headaches. The loading times you have to endure between games and levels can be just unbearable at times, especially with a title like Street Fighter II (which is not a port of the arcade version) where, if you die, it takes more than half a minute just to get back on your feet and in another match. Another primary issue has to do with some of the awkward viewing options that have been implemented. While nifty at first, the prospect of being able to play 1942 while holding your PSP sideways is just a poor excuse to use the console’s widescreen, and the awkward controls you have to deal with as a result hardly justify the use of it, especially if you have big hands. Players may also find using the PSP’s analog nub (and control scheme in general) a little less than cooperative in fighting games, and fairly simple tasks like a fireball motion can quickly turn into a violent thumb war.
Despite the presence of a few flaws, there really is no reason for an old school gamer to overlook a rare gem like Capcom Collections Reloaded. The bite sized portions and sheer variety of games make this entry a must have for any casual player, frequent long distance traveler, or aspiring king of the playground.
