Graphics:
The compilation is a basic emulation and with that there are no improve graphics or effects in game. The front end to choose the different puzzle games is pretty basic. They are static images of each respective game and there titles. When pressing left or right on the D-Pad the images rotate to the next game, its pretty plan. I don’t know what to ask for here but it works because it’s simple.
Game Play:
There are five titles in Capcom Puzzle World, Block Block, Buster Bros, Super Buster Bros, Buster Buddies, and Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo. Block Block is basically Alleyway. You move a paddle at the bottom of the screen in attempt to keep a ball from falling into an eternal abyss and knocking out blocks at the top of the screen. I was not a fan of these types of games and I’m still not, but to my understanding the paddle in the arcades was controlled with an analog rotary paddle to give it precise control. The PSP obvious doesn’t have paddle so it doesn’t control as great as it’s suppose to. This is no fault to the developer it’s the platform it’s on. Buster Bros, Super Buster Bros, and Buster Buddies are all pretty much the same game. You play as a character that has the ability to shoot a harpoon like gun straight up to pop bubbles before they touch you. When the harpoon like gun is shot there’s a string that trails its path and if a bubble would touch any part of the string it will explode. That’s pretty much the basic game play of it. The appeal is the run and gun aspect which creates a twitch like game play. Finally Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo, the meat and potato of the collection. For any Street Fighter Fan that does not know what Puzzle Fighter is, shame on you!!! This is probably the best competitive puzzle game out there. Capcom and Sensor Swipe have opted to give us the best version the Puzzle Fighter, the Dreamcast version. This version has three modes, X, Y and Z. The X mode is the traditional game, in which the object on this game is to create big blocks by combining like color ones then busting them up with special gems called crash orbs. When the gems bust they get sent over to your opponent’s screen. Who’s ever screen fills up first will lose. In Y mode, the objective is the same as X mode in the respect that you’re still sending over gems to the other side but you’re now busting gems by connecting three or more in a row. In Z mode, the game plays a lot like Tetris Attack in which you move a cursor around on screen shuffling the different gems around to create big blocks out of them by combining like colors. The gems get destroyed the same way as in X mode, via crash orbs. Trust me any of these mode are awesome and very addictive.
Sound:
I have to admit I never heard a Japanese vocal accompanying a Street Fighter theme song until I played the extra feature in Capcom Puzzle World. It’s pretty catchy and sound good. The down side to this is that, there’s only one song that’s new to me as an extra. Everything else is classic emulation sound. Well that’s not all true, Puzzle Fighter did have a “Remix” version of the audio, but it sounds like the creators just added a simple effect reverb and something else created a batch process to remix the audio. It’s a nice effort but I didn’t expect too much in this department since the visuals of the game was still in its original form.
Lasting Appeal:
Trust me the game has a great potential for replay value, especially if you can find a friend that has this game. Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo will consume your time!!! That is a claim, a statement and a confession. This game is so addicting and fun that you will tell yourself, “one more game” right after you play just played the “one more game.” Once you get your buddy into this game…forget about it. You two are not going anywhere for a long time, go get that AC adapter and plug it in cause you know the battery on the PSP will drain.
Fun Factor:
Puzzles are fun! The compilation of games that this collection has is a bit mediocre. I could do without the Buster Bros and Block Block. I probably won’t even touch those games ever again after this review. The fun game is Super Puzzle Fighter II. This game is the best competitive puzzle game out there period.
The 411:
For any body who love puzzle games do your self a favor and go out and get this compilation. The Buster Bros and Block Block aside, currently you won’t find Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo on any of the consoles out today. I don’t think that 30 bucks is a high price to pay for this classic game. If you have never played this game, give it a try and I bet you you’ll like it.
Graphics
6.0
The art in this game is basic and retained from its original source.
Gameplay
7.0
The only reason its a 7 is because Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo got a 10.
Sound
6.0
The Audio is no big deal. A filter applied on the audio does not count as an upgrade.
Lasting Appeal
8.0
The addicting factor here is Puzzle Fighter and its X, Y and Z Mode.
Fun Factor
8.0
Puzzles are fun especially when there are mini Street Fighters on screen.
