The results of compilations on the PSP have been mixed so far. The issue has been so far that while a couple have been OK, like Capcom Classics Remixed, while others have been mediocre, like Midway Treasures. Given that there are a large number of complications still on the way, including releases from Capcom, Activision and EA, there must be something of a market out there. Whether or not the PSP is the most suitable platform for compilations is open to interpretations as well. Sure it has enough power, but many compilations have still suffered tech issues.
On that front, it is at least safe to say that Taito Legends Powered-up hasn’t suffered too badly. The emulation for each and every one of the games in the compilation is clean and without too many issues. The issue comes that the game doesn’t seem like it can handle the transfer from one game to another to well. The menus are clean but it can become a bit a hassle to switch from one game to another and the load times between games can get a little tedious. Still, it’s clean and workable.
Because you needed to play Space Invaders again
Where other compilations have been great in that they provided a nice little archive of extras and history. Unfortunately, Taito Legends Powered-up doesn’t provide much in the way of such extras. Pretty much everything is unlocked from the get-go and you’re primarily left to fight against high scores. There aren’t any options to that allow you to fiddle with the difficulty, or with too many of the game’s settings. It’s pretty much you and 21 games.
The games are as follows:
- Space Invaders
- Space Invaders Part 2
- New Zealand Story
- Phoenix
- Alpine Ski
- Elevator Action
- Crazy Balloon
- Chack n' Pop
- Lunar Rescue
- Balloon Bomber
- Legend of Kage
- The Fairyland Story
- Rastan Saga
- Raimais
- Cameltry
- Qix
- Kiki Kaikai
- Kuri Kinton
- Return of the Invaders
- Space Dungeon
- Space Chaser
- Balloon Bomber Enhanced
- Cameltry Enhanced
- Crazy Balloon Enhanced
- Legend of Kage Enhanced
Despite a lack of camels, Cameltry is damn good
Each game has a choice of three different screen sizes. However, the default size is the only one that looks alright, as the others can look awkwardly stretched and lacking optimality. Some of the shooters will give a view that will get you to turn the PSP on it’s side, though some may not like the way that the controls play. Given the further limitations placed upon the PSP by the lesser amount of face buttons, the variety of games has somewhat suffered. Most of the games will seem very familiar to one another, as the games only cover about three to four genres, with a lot of games that were also on the console versions missing out.
Among the games that are available there are a couple of little gems that stand out. Games like the charming New Zealand Story, the still hectic and engaging Qix and even though there aren’t any camels in it, the unique puzzler Cameltry manages to stand out. Their formulas have managed to stand the test of time are almost as engaging now, as they were all those years ago. The only issue that arises from the good games is that some are being remade as we speak, while others have been recreated several times over.
The others don’t fare so well. It seems that the selection of games has taken portability into mind. In doing so, most of the games are very easy to play in short bursts. However, when you have three versions of Space Invaders and many other games that are quite similar, you end up with a rather shallow selection. That, and most of the games are unlikely to for anytime period longer than a couple of minutes. This isn’t exactly the format that is likely to cater for the reliving of your gaming hay-day. Furthermore, a lot of these games feel like they belong in a McDonalds Happy Meal or on one of those $20 10-in-1 gadgets, not a game on an expensive, technologically proficient system.
A shining light
If it weren’t enough that many of the games have already been remade over the last several years or are being remade, there have been four titles added to the collection are remakes of titles already there. While more Cameltry is never a bad thing and Legend of Kage actually has some substance, the other two only come across as prettier titles. Overall, they don’t add that much to this collection. While the overall emulation of these titles is solid, some of the “younger” players may have trouble adjusting to the simplified or less-responsive control schemes. For some games, the PSP d-pad doesn’t feel like it’s doing the players any favours. Sometimes, you’ll react in time, only for the controls to let you down. In the least, the load times for some of the older games is acceptable and the game’s autosave feature works a charm.
Visually, the game is a mixed bag. In terms of the emulation, we’ve mentioned twice now that it’s solid but other compilations have done a better job in places. Thankfully, most games have been converted cleanly and efficiently. In the default view, all games have nicely compiled background of the relevant concept arts. It looks great and is likely to strike a cord with people who were once fanatic about with these games. Unfortunately, most games don’t fare well when put into the full-screen mode, as they appear stretched and blurry. Furthermore, a couple of games are awfully washed out and look blurry in the default mode. Sound-wise, there isn’t much to be said, other than the simple yet characterising sounds are all here and well reproduced. It’s a shame there are no unlockable modes where you can listen to game tracks.
The big issue with Taito Legends Powered-up is that most of the games that are here could hardly be considered “legends” or most have been recreated in some way or another. Not only that, in an effort to make the collection more portable friendly, it seems that a reasonable level of depth and engagement has been sacrificed with games that are unlikely to keep beyond that one play out of curiosity. Furthermore, there is little effort to embrace the history of at least the better games, with little in the way of unlockables or historic references. And seriously, why do we need three versions of Space Invaders?
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