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If you’ve been waiting for a collection of classic Capcom games to play on your PSP, wait no more. Capcom Classics Collection Remixed is exactly what it says it is: a collection of 21 titles from Capcom’s illustrious history. While some of the games included might not be what you’d call a true classic, the majority are great games, and the package is full extra bits and bobs that give it great nostalgic value.
The 21 games are a nicely mixed bunch, with popular titles such as Strider and 1941 being joined by lesser known games such as the surprisingly good Mega Twins. The other classics included are Street Fighter (yes, the almost unplayable original game), Avengers, Bionic Commando, Black Tiger, Block Block, Captain Commando, Final Fight, Forgotten Worlds, Last Duel, Legendary Wings, Magic Sword, Quiz & Dragons, Section Z, Side Arms, The Speed Rumbler, Three Wonders, and Varth.
If you’re expecting games with the same depth as modern releases, think again, but what you get is a collection that for the most part holds up well by today’s standards. A number of unlockables are included with each game, and the tips, artwork and music make playing through each title very worth while. It might not be as addictive as earning achievement points on the Xbox 360, but for fans the added extras are a nice bonus.
What’s more, every game has customisable controls and display settings. None of these games used a lovely widescreen display, so you can choose to stretch the image (not a wise choice), scale to fit the screen, use the original format or even a new enhanced mode, which moves the GUI data off the game screen and to the side. The games that were played with a vertically oriented screen even include that option, letting you play with the PSP on its end. Controls become a little cramped, but the option is there if you want it.
A big part of the fun of arcade gaming was playing with or against your mates, and the multiplayer support in this PSP collection lets you do exactly that. By turning your wireless switch on, other players can join your game at any time, jumping in and out of gameplay whenever they like. It’s a genius system, but one that would have been all the more brilliant had it used the PSP’s Infrastructure mode and allowed you to play online. Still, if your friends are likely to pick the game up, the multiplayer support is worth the price of admission alone.
These games come from the 1980s and early 1990s, so they don’t look great by current standards; many of them don’t look too shabby though, with their detailed 2D visuals taking you back to a simpler time. Some of the text is a tad tricky to read, given the switch from arcade display to small handheld screen, but it’s a minor problem. Audio suffers from the same dated feel, but hearing classic tunes from your favourite games from years gone by soon makes up for the tinniness of the sound.
Capcom Classics Collection Remixed doesn’t try to be something it’s not. Presentation is functional rather than flashy, and extra content will only be of interest to die-hard fans, but those fans will appreciate what’s been included. The multiplayer support is a great example of local wireless multiplayer gaming done well, and if you’ve got friends with the game you’ll have hours of entertainment ahead of you. If you fancy a nostalgia fix, you can’t go wrong with Capcom Classics Collection Remixed.
