On the PSP, Capcom has taken its superb compilation package, redone the game selection, and made it necessary to purchase both the PS2 and PSP versions. Each Capcom Classics Collection has games worth owning the set for. You'll get the following on the handheld:
1941
Avengers
Bionic Commando
Black Tiger
Block Block
Captain Commando
Final Fight
Forgotten Worlds
Last Duel
Legendary Wings
Magic Sword
Mega Twins
Quiz & Dragons
Section Z
Side Arms
The Speed Rumbler
Strider
Three Wonders
Varth
If you don't count the sequels and minor upgrades like three versions of Street Fighter II that appeared on the PS2, this is a larger selection of games to choose from. Delete the duds that never should have been included and it's about the same. The brightest spot here is Strider, the one obvious miss from the home console version. Its emulation is superb and it's completely uncensored.
The same can't be said for Final Fight, which has ridiculously been trimmed. However mildly, it doesn't make sense that the female characters the player beats up are included in full, but a brief clip of the game's key story point in the attract screen (Cody's kidnapped girlfriend) has been cut. It's a stupid deletion.
Aside from that, the games are intact. As with the other version, these are all emulated from the arcade, not the more familiar home titles you used to play. In the case of Bionic Commando, that's a tragedy. For Captain Commando, it's the right call.
Other games are uneven, like the obscure Last Duel. This vertical shooter offers variety by splitting the game into a vehicle and outer space blaster. The segments on the ground offer abysmal level design, while scenes above the planet are enjoyable from a basic shooter perspective.
Some of the other games would be lucky to gain the compliment of being uneven. Avengers is unplayable because it's nothing more than a terrible game, while Block Block can't be enjoyed due to the control problems. Any decent Breakout knock-off needs a trackball or accurate analog control and the PSP can't provide that. Also, while it is the first time it's been available on any console that can present it properly, human eyes should never see the original Street Fighter again.
Article comments
1 - Ken Edwards
I should not have waited to pick this up. Of the three retro collections for the system, this one packs the most punch, both in presentation and in games.
I have started to unlock some of the extras too. Great stuff.