Atari Classics Evolved (PlayStation Portable, 2007)

In my opinion this is the one of the best conversions of Arcade games for the psp, maybe even better than Namco's arcade port. The collection of games and the fun they provide are just so top drawer. I really like when the various companies reproducing arcade classics for ports onto various computer and gaming interfaces get creative and make up new versions of the of the old game and add them into packages with the classics. There was a killer new take on Centipide for the PC once, the Atari jaguar nailed Tempest to the wall, and Namco's new recipes for their psp port is still the king. This is not quite the case this time, the evolved portion is more like a facelift rather than a new girlfriend. Kind of like skins, don't get me wrong the evolved versions are definately graphics upgrades, but they just don't radically change the way the game is played. In my opinion if you go down the list of games offered up here, you will find steller versions and hours of fun.

There is a catch and that is for those of us who have their eyes on the Atari 2600 unlockable prize. These arcade games are really tough quarter eaters and I doubt many people can make it past pong and superbreakout with those tiny paddles even if they can get the 36 challenges. The best thing that Atari could do with this is post a cheat code or a downloadable patch to correct this oversight quickly. Remember consumers relisting item in online auctions compete with fresh from the factory resale units. They didn't set very realistic goals with these unlockables and 44 challenges is a lot.

By the way warlords is such a blast here as is tempest, I love them to death. Battlezone even makes a rare appearence here. Everyone I let play this game loves it. I'd upgrade my 80% score to a 90% or better once we get a 2600 patch or cheat code out of these people, sorry guys evolved with better graphics is not as run as the 4 revisions on the Namco title.

Last thing I feel is essential to the PSP medium is portability, how well does the game fit into traveling or commuting. I think it excels, the games are tough and you can fit in a quick game in here and there when on the run. I love a quick game for the psp and this fits the bill.
I wish they would have given us a space duel instead of doubling up on asteriods.