Atari Classics Evolved
As we live in a world where video games look as real as live television, who would have thought that it all originated from Pong? Classic games like Pong, Centipede, and Asteroids began a video gaming revolution. Atari, the video game pioneer, is bringing back these and 8 other 2-dimensional classic games, giving it an updated look for the 21st Century and introducing a new way to play them - and no need to dust off your Atari 2600! These classic games are now available for you to take everywhere you go on the PSP system. Whether you’re looking for that classic, retro experience, or you’re looking for new-age graphics, each game will be playable in both classic and evolved forms to satisfy your itch. As an added bonus, you’ll be able to unlock over 50 Atari 2600 titles giving you non-stop gaming action.
User Ratings and Reviews
2 Stars Could be better
I am not sure what they were thinking here. You do get a decent batch of games (some of which translate to the PSP better than others - for example, centipede, you have to play with the PSP in a vertical position - understandable, but uncomfortable), but there are unlockable games that you can only get after achieving goals for all the present games. Atari fans buy this because they want a “grab and go” game - they don’t want to have to spend 50 hours slogging through them (especially the games you might not like) to unlock the next batch, you know? I hope there is an unlockable cheat available sometime soon so I can decide whether or not to even keep this.
Some of the “Evolved” versions are nice - Asteroids in particular, and even Pong, if you get tired of the classic simplicity of that one.
2 Stars Too difficult to control
I love classic gaming, and would enjoy this collection very much if it wasn’t so difficult to play with the PSP controls. The games where you have to turn the PSP sideways are especially difficult for me. Using the directional buttons, you can’t control the speed of your ship or paddle as in Breakout. And the small button joystick is too difficult to use for precision movements when the action gets going. Lunar Lander and Asteroids are fine, but be aware that Super Breakout, Centipede, and Millipede are frustratingly difficult because of the controls.
2 Stars Booooo
Way to hard to unlock at 2600 titles. The nostalga wears off pretty fast.
4 Stars Nostaglia games to play on the go
For twenty bucks, this PSP title is actually pretty good, especially for the nostaglia value. Most of these games were “state of the art” back a quarter century ago. I remember them well. My favs from the early 80s were BattleZone, Missile Command, and Lunar Lander.
These games are still FUN to play today, in a casual gameplay setting, and you don’t even need to read an instruction manual to learn them if never played before.
The “evolved” games are much improved graphically over the originals, and find myself playing them at the exclusion of older editions. However, the PSP and its little joystick “nub” are no match for the likes of a $10,000 arcade game machine of the past, with their optional trackballs, and industrial strength joysticks, but game play is still faithful to the originals. Not to mention, this PSP title has 11 fully playable games in one.
Another purchasing consideration, other than merely the low price, is that this UMD would be great for young children to introduce them to gaming, or to play on a long trip, or waiting to eat in a restaurant, with plenty of entertainment value. Plus, these classic games are harmless, with no mindless violence and X-rated themes.
The only downside other than the less than sterling controller aspects of the PSP while actually playing these games, is the overly challenging aspect to “unlocking” the so-call bonus Atari 2600 games included. That will take many, many hours to accomplish, and most casual (adult) gamers don’t have the time or patience to play such games over and over for hours on end. Atari, should have made the bonus games available without any need for “unlocking” them, or at least made it easier to do so.
All things considered, Atari Classics Evolved is deserving of FOUR stars and certainly a worthwhile addition to my PSP collection of games.
4 Stars Good Fun - Great Value - Controls A Tad Awkward
This is a great collection of classics. I’ve always loved Tempest. In addition to the classic format, you have the option of playing the enhanced version - both are very cool. This is great to carry along for a quick game. The only caveat is that it does take a bit to get used to the controls for each game. Remember, centipede and millipede originally had a roller ball, tempest had a dial, etc. For some games (the ones just mentioned) must be played with the game held vertically. So, it’s a bit awkward at first. You’ll get used to it. So many games for a good price.
