This is why people found it so hard to get excited about the PSP: too few original titles! Medievil Resurrection is just a "reimagining" of the original MediEvil (PS1, 1998). I knew it seemed familiar! The game stars a skeletal knight resurrected to redeem his legacy by fighting zombies, demons, and ghouls in graveyards, mausoleums, and castles. The villain is a creepy jester dude with a lanky body and exaggerated facial features. You'll explore spooky but highly-constrained locations while hacking away at monsters and collecting runes to unlock new areas. I like those maniacs running around in pillories! There are simple puzzles, books on podiums that provide clues, and statues that let you purchase items. The tongue-in-cheek voice acting is well done and the operatic music has a macabre flair. While it may be a remake, I will admit Resurrection's graphics are much improved and the widescreen helps too. Close camera angles reveal detailed scenery and characters that are far less angular than the original game. The game can feel claustrophobic at times, and it's sometimes hard to differentiate hallways or determine your proximity from dangerous spikes. But the thing I really hate is that omni-present fly-swatter weapon. Occasionally you'll upgrade to a sword or club, but they quickly wear out and then it's back to that worthless fly swatter (arm, whatever). The controls aren't great either. Maybe that weird thumb-slider is to blame, but attempting to position yourself in front of enemies is clumsy at best. The most effective strategy is to back up against a wall and attack continuously as enemies funnel towards you. The ability to purchase items would be great if money wasn't so hard to come by. When it comes to PSP games MediEvil Resurrection is par for the course. It has a nice Halloween vibe but it's a pretty tough sell for those of us who have already been there and done that. © Copyright 2020 The Video Game Critic.

I find it curious how many critics regard this as one of the best titles for the PSP. Such sad, misguided souls they are. Mega Man Powered Up attempts to "update" the original Mega Man (NES, 1987), retaining the 2D style of play but rendering the objects in 3D. The original game was a groundbreaking platformer, where the main character could select his stage and accumulate weapons from bosses he defeated. Powered Up has two modes: "new style" and "old style". The new style mixes things up a bit and offers new bosses and stages. I like how you can select your difficulty level at the beginning of each stage. Progressing through the game, Mega Man accumulates powers like the ability to slow time, throw bombs, and freeze opponents. You can toggle between these and even use them in conjunction with each other. Unfortunately, although Powered Up tries to emulate the classic gameplay that made the franchise famous, this actually has a very different feel - and it's not necessarily better. The fact that the objects are much larger changes the dynamics quite a bit, making it easier to run out of real estate on the screen. There's a surprising amount of slowdown, which is unforgivable for a game that requires such precise timing. The control is also very suspect at times. Defeating a boss not only awards you his weapon, but also allows you to replay the game using that boss. But will you really want to replay it? I doubt it. Powered Up's graphics are sharp and colorful, but lack personality. While the stages each contain a new set of hazards and enemies, they all play pretty much the same. Some new additions are actually detrimental, like the superfluous cut-scenes and childish dialogue. You can't "kill" a boss in this politically correct age, so Mega Man always has to ask his defeated foe, "Are you okay?" I think I'm going to throw up. The game's auto save mechanism proved problematic, so I was forced to save manually after each stage. Even the "old style" mode is disappointing. Instead of presenting the game in its original glory, Capcom used the "updated" graphics, which is a shame. Then again, had Capcom included the actual original game, it may have exposed the mediocrity that is Mega Man Powered Up. I know PSP gamers are desperate for some fun 2D action (and rightly so), but let's not kid ourselves here. Mega Man Powered Up is hardly anything to get excited about. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

For a game that so many critics liked, I'm amazed at how badly this sucks. Konami took the tried-and-true stealth gameplay of its popular Metal Gear series, and turned it into a turned-based card game. This had to be Konami's idea, because no gamer in his right mind would ever request something like this! To understand how Acid plays, first consider everything you hate about the "normal" Metal Gear Solid games: slow pacing, tedious item management, lengthy cut-scenes, and far-fetched plot twists (to name a few). Multiply that by two, add an extra layer of complexity and confusion, and you get Metal Gear Acid. There are so many issues with this that I don't even know where to start. First, Acid is not the ideal portable gaming experience - just the opposite! The learning curve is outrageously steep; you'll need to invest a lot of time just learning how the game works. I can't speak for everyone, but when I play a portable game, I prefer to cut to the chase! Even after hours of play I'm still struggling to grasp some of the more basic concepts. Acid's bizarre storyline is conveyed through lengthy cut-scenes containing excruciating exposition and endless scrolling text. Your radio commander is such a blabbermouth that even our hero Snake frequently voices his displeasure by shouting "Enough of the lectures!" and "Get on with it!" Note to Konami: Feel free to display more than five words on the screen at once - it will save us all a lot of valuable time! The user interface is counter-intuitive, and even when you get the hang of it, Acid never makes a lot of sense. The guards are complete idiots, heading in random directions even after detecting your presence. You can shoot one guard and another standing just a few feet away will seem completely oblivious. Gunfights at point-blank range are borderline hilarious, as half of the bullets go flying off in random directions! In one stage, I accidentally sat on a grenade, yet still survived to complete the level successfully! Acid's graphics are decent, but I struggled with the camera angles. The strongest aspect of the game is its synthesized soundtrack. Reviewing Metal Gear Acid was a real chore, especially when I was forced to revisit previous areas. I'm sure there are some patient souls out there who will master Acid's complexity, appreciate its nostalgic references, and perhaps even derive some enjoyment. But I think most gamers will agree that Metal Gear Acid is the type of misguided experiment that gives the PSP a bad name. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

I'm not sure what I was expecting from Mortal Kombat Unchained, but it gave me the worst case of deja-vu ever. The opening cinematic looked awesome, but I could have sworn I had seen it before. By the time it ended it became clear that I was watching the opening to Mortal Kombat Deception. In case you didn't know, Deception was the previous edition of Mortal Kombat released two years ago on the PS2 and Xbox! By the time I reached the main screen, I realized I had purchased an overpriced, scaled-down version of a game I already owned. This game should have been called Deception, because that's exactly what it is! Granted, there are six additional fighters and a new Endurance mode, but who cares? The graphics and general gameplay is okay, but I found performing throws difficult. I do like how you can kick your foes off platforms, watching them flail wildly as they fall hundreds of feet to their death (although in some cases, they get up and resume fighting). A few of the fighters are pretty cheap, especially the Noob/Smoke tag team with their teleporting and invisibility powers. But the worst aspect of Unchained is how you're forced to put up with excruciating load screens (with incessant disk grinding) before and after every match. I never had to put up with that on my Xbox! At least the long load screens gave my poor thumb time to recuperate, as the hard PSP buttons are ill-suited for constant mashing. Unchain's Chess and Puzzle modes also suffer under the new portable format. It's hard to make out the tiny characters in the Chess mode, and with so much loading between confrontations, a match could take all day! Even the Puzzle mode seems less exciting. Mortal Kombat has slowly been losing its mystique over the years, and with this questionable "new" edition, its integrity is now at risk as well. © Copyright 2007 The Video Game Critic.

I first heard about Parodius in the mid-90's while reading the "International News" section of a video game magazine. I couldn't wait for this zany take-off of the space shooter genre to hit the shores of America. Well, I'm still waiting, so I had to import Parodius Portable Collection from Japan. Parodius is based on Gradius (NES, 1986), a game that helped mold the shooter genre by incorporating so many familiar elements like end-of-stage bosses and selectable power-ups. Parodius adopts the same side-scrolling gameplay but substitutes generic cannons and ships with cuddly critters, clowns, and scantily clad ladies. The colossal bosses include a panda in a tutu, a dancing showgirl, and a nefarious ear of corn. There are some outrageous sights, and it's fun to see what each stage has in store. Each of the five games is high quality, but they all look and play nearly the same. One drawback to playing them on the PSP is that it's hard to make out what some of the smaller objects are supposed to be. The power-up system lets you trade in pods for power-ups on-the-fly, and I love the auto-fire/auto-power-up option (just hold the triangle button!). The gorgeous stages include bright flowery meadows, pirate ships, and neon-lit city skylines complete with fireworks. The games have a carnival flavor, and the soundtrack incorporates many familiar jingles (some of which are annoying). Parodius is much easier than Gradius, with less intense crossfire and more forgiving collision detection. Once you load up on weapons you're nearly unstoppable, although after taking a hit you lose everything. High scores are recorded, but be sure to enable the autosave. With its wacky enemies and random environments, Parodius doesn't make any sense, and maybe Konami didn't think Americans would "get it". Well, there's nothing to "get", so just sit back and enjoy the sheer madness of it all. © Copyright 2008 The Video Game Critic.

I've been a fan of Ridge Racer since it was the "pack-in game" for the Playstation One. But like so many PSP launch titles, this one has "retread" written all over it. It basically repackages tracks from previous Ridge Racer games (some enhanced), adds some cars, and incorporates wireless play. To newcomers, it's a good deal, but for Ridge Racer veterans, it feels awfully familiar. At the very least, Namco could have tossed in a few original courses (throw me a frickin' bone!). Still, this certainly beats the stuffing out of that lame DS version. Embracing an arcade sensibility, Ridge Racer employs heavy drifting to provide pinpoint steering, and turbo boosts are earned in the process. This is one of the few PSP titles where I felt completely comfortable using the analog nub over the digital pad. The heart of the game lies in its "Tour" mode, which offers a series of challenges of increasing difficulty. But as fun as Ridge Racer is on the console machines, it proves to be a less-than-ideal portable experience. The races tend to run too long, and many require you to finish in first place. There's a truckload of loading screens and menus to page through before each race - hardly ideal for gaming on the go! The rear-view mirror is visible in the first-person view, but not in the more playable third-person view. Why? And while the graphics are generally above reproach, cars in the distance tend to bleed in an unsightly manner. The turbo boost effect is little more than a blur, and the Rally-X-style "status updates" are just distracting. The music generally sucks, and the commentator ("Awesome baby! Keep it up!") has got to go. If you're brand new to the Ridge Racer series, bump up the grade by a letter. Ridge Racer vets can knock it down a grade. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

Classic compilations like this are usually a great value. It's like having an arcade in your pocket! The 20 titles in SNK Arcade Classics 0 span the decade of the 80's and are presented in chronological order. This collection takes you back to SNK's humble beginnings, and if you assumed SNK games always kicked ass, you're in for a surprise. Half of the games are marginal at best, and a few are just dreadful. It's amazing how many of these rudimentary shooters blatantly rip-off the overhead shoot-and-bomb gameplay of Xevious. Don't let the title "Vanguard 2" get you excited, because it's just another unplayable Xevious knock-off. The overhead shooting of Tank will tie your fingers in knots, and Marvin's Maze is an ill-advised 3D Pac-Man clone. Bermuda Triangle is a vertical shooter with impressively large sprites but you spend half the time flying backwards. Athena is a whimsical side-scroller starring a chick who beats up teddy bears with maracas. The same girl stars in Psycho Soldier, a game with a pop soundtrack that's nearly as inappropriate as its title. The collection gains traction when you start getting into its one-man-army titles. All three Ikari Warrior games are included, and they are tough! POW is a side-scrolling brawler that lets you pick up and use machine guns to mow down enemies. A few quirky sports games are sprinkled in like the unintentionally funny Touchdown Fever ("next down!"). Super Champion Baseball lets you relive classic match-ups like the Kansas City Raspberries against the New York Yellows. Gold Medalist is a summer Olympics title that's so fun and pleasing to the eye I wish I could play it with my friends. The scoreboard implores athletes to "aim at a gold medal" and "use force!!" Prehistoric Isle sounds intriguing but this side-scrolling dinosaur shooter is too chaotic for its own good. Each game lets you load and save your progress and high scores, but the process is cumbersome. It's a shame I can't read Japanese because the manual is chock-full of colorful artwork and background material within its 65 pages. SNK Classics 0 is mainly for completists. It's interesting to sample these relics from the past but unlikely you'll fall in love with any of them. © Copyright 2015 The Video Game Critic.

I've always been fond of pirate games, and this good-looking port of the Xbox action/strategy title is more than respectable. You assume the role of a pirate captain (who looks far too clean cut in my opinion) out to avenge the kidnapping of his family ten years before. As you visit ports in the Caribbean you gather information and piece together clues and treasure maps. Action sequences let you fight naval battles, engage in land skirmishes, and sneak through townships. While fun for a while, these sequences do get repetitive. The sword fighting sequences look great, but the controls are pretty loose and you'll watch the same animations over and over. Even the taverns all look exactly the same! The weirdest aspect of Pirates is a mini-game that lets you dance with the governor's daughter (who in the hell asked for that?) Pirates is a good portable title because you can play for just a few minutes at a time and still make progress. The game gives you a lot of freedom to explore, but it can get confusing as you forge multiple alliances and accumulate clues and new quests. Sometimes it feels like you're on a wild goose chase as you pursue some wretched bastard from one town to the next. Navigating the waters seems slightly less tedious than the Xbox version because your ship moves a little faster - sometimes too fast (where are the brakes on this thing?!) Unlike the Xbox version however there's no handy map overlay to help gauge your position, and I found myself having to consult the map screen a lot. Load screens are frequent but brief, and you can save your progress to any number of slots. The musical score is quite good, with stringed instruments playing rollicking melodies appropriate for the 1600's. Pirates begins to feel bit by-the-numbers after extended play, but it's still a well-crafted game that captures the spirit of the time. © Copyright 2007 The Video Game Critic.

Why has it become so hard for Sega to make a decent Sonic game? Rivals beats the heck out of the Xbox 360 Sonic, but it doesn't even compare to the 16-bit Sonics that graced the Genesis so long ago. What's particularly heartbreaking is that Sega almost got it right this time! Rivals features vibrant, lush 3D stages, but wisely kept the action restricted to a 2D plane. In theory, this would allow for a "classic" style of play without compromising the graphic capabilities of the system. Unfortunately, Sega opted for a completely different approach, making each stage a break-neck "race to the finish" between two characters. Clearly Sega has been reading too much of its own press, believing the key to any good Sonic game is pure velocity. Sure, Sonic's speed is fine in moderation, but one of the best parts of the old Sonics was being able to explore their imaginative, exotic stages. In Rivals, you're reduced to holding the directional pad right as Sonic automatically turbo-boosts around loops, corkscrews, and off trampolines. Occasionally you're prompted to hit a button, but the pace is too hectic to take in the scenery or employ any degree of strategy. Sega needs to realize that gamers in 2006 1) prefer to know what the hell's going on in a game, and 2) like to exert some influence on the events in the game! The CPU keeps each race artificially close, making a win even less satisfying. You're constantly unlocking items, but it's always something inconsequential like a new "skin" (wow) or outfit (pinch me). You can play as multiple characters including Shadow and Knuckles, but it's the same experience with each one. Sonic Rivals effectively transformed me into the Video Game Zombie (VGZ) as I mindlessly whizzed through one flashy stage after the next, until I was finally snapped from my coma by the message "Sonic Loses". Don't we all. © Copyright 2007 The Video Game Critic.

The first Sonic Rivals was a fairly pointless game, giving the player little control over the speedy blue hedgehog in a series of one-on-one "races". This sequel addresses that flaw to some extent by allowing the player to have some bearing on events, but it doesn't go far enough. Sonic Rivals 2 still boils down to a series of lengthy races, but this time Sonic must hop around platforms, swing from ropes, climb vines, and interact with other objects to maintain his momentum. It's refreshing to do something besides holding the directional pad right, but there are still long stretches where Sonic zips around out of your control. Characters can employ power-ups to gain an advantage over their rival, but some of these things are ridiculously cheap. In one race I was just about to cross the finish line when "Silver Sonic" used his "psychic control", causing me to turn around and run in the opposite direction! Sonic Rivals 2 also incorporates ill-conceived "battle" stages where you beat down a foe on an elaborate set of platforms. Since there's really only one attack button, these stages tend to be as shallow as they are unpleasant. The boss stages are so chaotic that even when you do succeed, you'll still wonder what the hell just happened! To be honest, I didn't enjoy any of the stages until I reached the "time attack" challenge of the Neon Palace zone. Completing the course in 2 minutes and 40 seconds is tough but addicting. If the entire game was nothing but time attack stages, it might have been respectable. Sonic Rival 2's lush graphics look great at first glance, but closer inspection reveals unsightly angular edges. The audio features some of the most annoying dialogue and voice acting ever recorded, with that annoying sissy Tails being the main offender. All in all, Sonic Rivals 2 represents both a step forward and backward for this floundering series. By the time Sega gets it right, I doubt anyone will even be paying attention anymore. © Copyright 2008 The Video Game Critic.

This game marks the 30th anniversary of the original Space Invaders, a landmark title that ushered in a golden age of video games with its cannon-versus-alien-armada theme. I still recall watching an alarming 1978 television news report suggesting video games might actually be addictive (*gasp*). Well, duh! They're supposed to be!! Space Invaders Extreme lives up to its name, spicing up the original formula with devastating power-ups, frantic pacing, and crazy eye candy. It seems like no two waves are the same! To be honest, I had no idea what the heck was going on the first time I played this. There's far too much activity on the screen, and too many gauges lining the sides. Waves are constantly interrupted by bonus rounds with fuzzy objectives. Extreme's gameplay seems tailored to those with extremely short attention spans, and its psychedelic visuals remind me of Tempest 2000 (Jaguar, 1995). Ultra-powerful weapons make it easy to tear apart each quick wave. I like how the aliens sport that classic pixilated look, making them easy to see in the midst of the chaos. Once you get a feel for it, Extreme is good but not great. The fact that you need to read the manual to figure out what's going on doesn't bode well for a Space Invaders title. You'll breeze through most waves with little resistance, and then face a boss who quickly depletes your reserves. I really dislike the bonus rounds. Not only do they disrupt the flow of the game, but they're generally a lot less fun that the normal waves! Extreme does have some innovative audio effects. Pleasant tones are played as you shoot each alien, creating a little song in the process! High scores are saved, but since "continuing" retains your previous score, it's rather confusing. I'm really not sure what to make of this game. Space Invaders Extreme lives up to its name, but it really lacks focus and left me feeling unsatisfied. © Copyright 2008 The Video Game Critic.

Like most PSP systems, mine collects dust on the shelf because there are no good games for it. Actually, there are good PSP games but you need to import them from Japan. Who are these douche bag executives blocking quality titles like this from reaching America? They really suck. Star Soldier is a vertical 2D shooter not unlike those that use to grace the Saturn and Dreamcast. The fact that it's developed by Hudson should carry some weight with classic gaming fans. Star Soldier uses a vertical screen configuration so you'll need to turn your PSP 90 degrees so the buttons are on top. It's a little awkward but a small price to pay. You can select from three ships, and novice players will probably favor the default model which fires missiles in six directions (when fully powered up). Personally I prefer the second ship which concentrates your fire forward, usually showing bosses a quick exit. Only gluttons for punishment will opt for the third ship, which concentrates your fire backwards. Star Soldier's rapid-fire shooting is pure fun as you blast formations of dancing alien ships. The expansive space stations tend to have grids of small targets, and it's really satisfying to strafe these and see them go up in flames. The stages are ideal in length and the bosses are reasonable in difficulty. I really love that Terminator head and the explosions that burst from its eyes when you defeat it. Upon taking a hit you drop a weapon level instead of blowing up, and I like that. The control scheme has a second button but I have no idea what it does because the instruction manual is in Japanese (duh!). Still, this game has universal appeal. The visuals are understated, but the soundtrack features high-energy electronic tunes. I love how an electric guitar kicks in when your weapon achieves full power. Continues are available and the game saves your highest score. Despite the fact that I don't completely understand it, Star Solider is the most fun I've had with my PSP for years. Maybe ever. It's perfect for a quick fix, and isn't that what portable gaming is all about? © Copyright 2011 The Video Game Critic.

Renegade Squadron suffers from the same malady that plagues so many other PSP games - it feels like a scaled down, half-hearted version of a console game. In this case, that game would be Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (Xbox, 2005) - a game that never really set the world on fire in the first place. As a result, I found it really hard to get excited about Renegade Squadron. Like previous Battlefronts, the main idea of this third-person shooter is to battle armies of the Empire in order to secure all of the "outposts" in the game. A nifty new targeting system lets you home in on an enemy by keeping him near your reticule and holding the R button. Throughout various missions you'll run around on foot, ride vehicles, and even fly starships between locations. Realizing that landing in hangar bays might be too tricky, the developers included an "auto land" option, which almost makes it too easy to fly from ship to ship. The single-player Campaign mode features a number of familiar Star Wars characters including Han Solo, Boba Fett, and IG-88, but the cut-scenes are just a series of illustrations, making it hard to connect with the story. The Campaign mode is pretty ho-hum, and I felt as if the storyline was driving me, and not vice versa. Occasionally you'll have the opportunity to play the role of a "main character" like Luke or Darth Vader, but their appearances seem very arbitrary, as if the game was desperately trying to inject some artificial excitement. The new Galactic Conquest mode tries to incorporate an additional layer of strategy by letting you shuffle troops between planets on a galactic map before engaging in combat. It's about as fun as it sounds. Renegade Squadron's graphics are good by PSP standards but not exceptional. As you would expect from a Star Wars title, the musical score and audio effects are beyond reproach. Multiplayer on-lines modes are also available, but Battlefront's formula is getting stale. There are endless customization options, but what's the point? If you've played the previous Battlefronts, Renegade doesn't even feel like more of the same - it feels like much less. © Copyright 2008 The Video Game Critic.

The original Street Fighter 2 (1991) was phenomenal, and Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max (SFA3M) is like a "turbo charged, super-sized, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink" edition of that game. We're talking about 2D fighting at its finest, with frantic action, intuitive controls, and some serious eye candy. SFA3M's customizable combo system means the game can be as simple or complex as you want it to be. Beginners can execute "super combos" at the touch of a button, and experts can execute creative custom combos. Street Fighter games are designed for six buttons (three punch, three kick), but the PSP shoulder buttons aren't well suited for a button-masher like this. I recommend setting the medium and hard blows to the four "face" buttons, leaving the "light" blows to the shoulder buttons. SFA3M's crisp 2D graphics look absolutely amazing on the PSP, with vibrant colors that practically leap off the screen. The fighters look sharp, but the elaborate, exotic background scenery isn't nearly as impressive on a portable. The flashy screens that introduce each match are a feast for the eyes, and the load times between matches are practically zero. The huge roster of 30+ characters includes four new entries: Eagle, Ingrid, Yun, and Maki (pretty hot). SFA3M's audio is not so impressive. The soundtrack isn't the least bit memorable, and when that annoying announcer yells "It's showtime!" or "You can't give it up!" you just want to tell him to shut the [expletive] up. SFA3M offers plenty of extraneous modes, but most are throwaway tag-team or survival variations. The 2-on-1 match-ups are mildly entertaining at first, but it's hard to tell who you're fighting half the time. Just stick with the arcade mode. Despite its cumbersome title, Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max is a very comprehensive package that will thrill 2D fighting fans. © Copyright 2009 The Video Game Critic.

Dark Resurrection is a first-rate, 3D, one-on-one fighter for the PSP, but if you've played any of the other Tekkens, you've already played this one. It kicks off with an impressive opening cinematic culminating with Heihachi rising from his grave. Resurrection boasts an unprecedented number of fighters (37 in all), and thankfully they're all available immediately. All the classic Tekken characters are included, including oddities such as the wooden man and polar bear. Thanks to the small but sharp PSP screen, the characters look as crisp and detailed as they did on the PS2. Stages like the vertigo-inducing space station look great, but like the music tracks, most of the stages are surprisingly understated. Tekken Resurrection's controls are quite good, with excellent digital pad control and responsive buttons. Even pulling off throws (by hitting two buttons at once) works like a charm. For better or worse, there are a lot of combos and air-juggles. I really like how the game tracks each character's stats, but with so many characters to keep straight, I wish they'd keep the names displayed on the screen during battle. In addition to story and arcade modes, there's an "attack mode" that lets you unlock mini-games. The new "Dojo" mode lets you take a fighter and ascend the ranks, but I found it confusing and somewhat pointless. Let's face it - these modes are all just slight variations on the basic arcade mode. Dark Resurrection is a quality title, but it left me with a "been there done that" feeling. It's just the same old Tekken we've played a hundred times before, and without a graphical upgrade. If you're already burnt out on Tekken you'll want to knock the grade down by one letter. If you're new to the series however, feel free to bump it up by one letter. © Copyright 2007 The Video Game Critic.

As a longtime fan of the Ghosts 'N Goblins (G&G) games, I've anxiously awaited this "Ultimate" edition for months on end. For the uninitiated, G&G is a classic side-scroller starring a knight forging his way through graveyards, burning villages, and caves while battling monsters and avoiding traps. This Ultimate version perfectly captures the visual and aural splendor of the series, with lush, gorgeous graphics and a first-rate orchestrated soundtrack. I'm grateful that Capcom retained the classic side-scrolling 2D style. For my money, this game looks better than just about any 3D game on the market. The action never lets up as you're constantly ambushed by monsters, including ephemeral ghosts, club-wielding trolls, giant spiders, and man-eating plants. Yet in the G&G tradition, nothing appears without some kind of warning. It sounds like a dream come true, but don't ditch your Sega Genesis Ghouls and Ghosts game just yet! The number of objects attacking at any given time can be pretty insane, and I would question the designer's "more is better" approach. Ultimate Ghosts 'N Goblins doesn't play nearly as well as it looks, mainly due to its abysmal controls. The old G&G games were always known for their extreme difficulty, but you could never blame the controls. In this edition, our hero takes long leaps instead of short hops, which is probably the worst idea since the New Coke. It's frustratingly hard to gauge your jumps, and you often leap right over the object you wish to land on - like the gravestone that's right in front of you! The situation is further exacerbated by the painfully stiff PSP controls. It's really heart-breaking when you consider how much this game had going for it. Not only is it substantially longer than its predecessors, but you can save your progress between stages and there are tons of weapons, items, and secrets to uncover. Ultimate Ghosts 'N Goblins is still playable and very easy on the eyes, but sadly, it's not nearly as fun as it should have been. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

This PSP launch game is now a "greatest hits" title, yet Untold Legends has always seemed to remain under the radar. This overhead dungeon-crawler won't blow you away with its graphics, but it plays well and has an interesting storyline to boot. The action gets off to a slow start with a really mediocre first mission that sends you into a series of spider-infested catacombs. A game like this really needs to make a better first impression if it wants to draw the player in. Once you get beyond the spiders however, Untold Legends delivers a pretty satisfying adventure. The battles offer a nice balance of magic, melee, and shooting attacks. You'll learn to draw foes out one at a time to avoid getting stuck in the middle of their gangs. An ever-present map in the corner of the screen makes it easy to navigate the dungeons, and your health meter reconstitutes when you remain out of harm's way for about 10 seconds (like Halo). The item management screens are extremely well designed, making it fun to juggle, combine, and upgrade items. The graphics are so-so, with repetitive dungeons and minimally destructive environments. It's hard to make out the skeletons, and their lengthy death animations, although worthy of an Academy Award, really tend to confuse the action. If you wear headphones, Legends treats you to an ominous musical score and some fantastic audio effects. You can hear the ground crunching under your feet, monsters breathing down your neck, and the directional crackling of fire. Skeletons unleash blood-curling screams upon their demise, and their bones crunch as they fall to the ground. One issue I have with the game is the way monsters regenerate when you turn to old dungeons - I hate that. Also, although some monsters are very slow by nature, they tend to become world-class sprinters when you try to flee from them! One excellent feature is your ability to save your progress at any time. It's hardly Legendary, but Untold Legends is not a bad way to pass the time on your PSP. Maybe it's time we told somebody about it! © Copyright 2007 The Video Game Critic.

I raved about the first PSP Wipeout, Wipeout Pure (Sony, 2005) but despite making a grand first impression Pulse lost me somewhere down the line. The game exudes raw style with its crisp techno beats, sleek hovercraft, and clean futuristic environments. In terms of gameplay, Pulse picks up where Pure left off with exciting races around twisting tracks that will make you forget which way is up (does it even matter?). The single player mode has a nifty new "grid format", which offers a group of challenges to complete in any order. In addition to normal races, there are a lot of solo challenges. Some are of the standard "time trial" variety, but in the "speed zone" you try to survive as long as you can in a constantly accelerating vehicle. The controls are very nice, and although the analog works fine, I still feel more comfortable with the digital control. That's probably because that low analog nub causes my thumb to cramp up. The shoulder buttons allow you to "lean" into turns, and they work well. Learning the tracks is key, and you'll find yourself memorizing them after a few failed runs. Pulse is madly addiction at first, but stumbles due to its emphasis on weapons in later stages. Weapons played a minor role in Pure, but here you'll be lucky to make it around the track in one piece! It's really hard to avoid incoming rockets and missiles, and those tiny mines are hard to see. Dishing out the pain is equally problematic, since most weapons require you to aim, which really throws off your steering. Other issues include substantial load times and in-game instructions that forget to explain the controls. Wipeout Pulse is a great looking game, but it suffers in comparison to the original. Let's face it - sometimes a sequel has no place to go but down. © Copyright 2008 The Video Game Critic.