Capcom Classics Collection Remixed
PS2
Capcom


This collection has previously appeared on the PS2, yet Capcom have decided to capitalise on the allure of the PSP's wireless features and tweak the game list slightly from its previous incarnation.

A collection of dynamic arcade games has been assembled, with some obvious choices combined with more obscure, yet well-chosen, titles making an appearance. An interesting point is that a lot of these arcade games never really made it to Australian shores and, as a result, a handful of games included here will seem very obscure in comparison to the standard fare of games such as 'Street Fighter' and '1941'.

Each game has the same set of very convenient screen modes, allowing the screen data, such as score and other miscellaneous player information, to be shuffled to a side pane, or the ability to rotate the screen to use the PSP to mimic the original arcade aspect ratio. This mode, whilst being very impressive, makes for a lot of thumb twisting and finger gymnastics due to the PSP's button layout. The lush and bright screen of the PSP is a vibrant way to experience these games of old that were so often presented via dim and failing arcade cabinet monitor tubes.

Included games are 'Side Arms', '1941', 'Legendary Wings', 'Forgotten Worlds', 'Black Tiger', 'Strider', 'Final Fight', 'Bionic Commando', '3 Wonders', 'Avengers', 'Block Block', 'Captain Commando', 'Last Duel', 'Mega Twins', 'Varth', 'Magic Sword', 'Street Fighter (SF1)', 'Section Z', 'Quiz And Dragons', and 'The Speed Rumbler'.

Sadly, titles such as 'Gunsmoke' and 'Ghosts'n' Goblins' are not included and would have been great in the handheld format, although the upcoming revamped version of the latter will more than make up for its absence here.

The notion of playing classic arcade games of yesteryear is all fine and good, but whilst providing a quick fix of nostalgia and simple button mashing destruction, they obviously don't date very well both in a gameplay and cosmetic sense and, resultantly, are quite hard to handle unless in short red-light bouts or boring bus trips. 'CCCR' is a great package for arcade enthusiasts, but I think this release has quite a limited scope as far as gameplay and longevity are concerned.

Tim Koch