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.
4 Stars Asteriods Rocks
I Gave this Game 4 stars because The controls are awkward with Centipede, Millipede, Pong and Breakout. It’s hard to zero in on a position. I found that to be the case with Missile Command as well. However, I must say, Asteriods and Asteriods Deluxe Rock and I’ll tell you why. This is the only emulation of Asteriods I have ever found to have that rapid fire you remember from the arcade when you hit rocks. Further more the X button is fire and the O button is thrust much like the positioning of the original arcade buttons. Other emulations have you press up for thrust, and that changes the gameplay considerably. The Asteriods games here are better even than the PC version of Atari’s Anniversary edition soley because of the respose of the fire button. I found Warlords very enjoyable and quite satisfing. Lunar lander is fun too. As for Tempest, Centipede, Breakout, Millipede you have to turn your PSP longways to play. Furthermore, if your hoping for Tempest 2000 it’s not here. The enhancements have a nice touch to old style gamplay.
5 Stars 80s flashback
For those people who grew up with the classic Atari games of Asteroids and Centipede, this one has it all and then some. There are also updated versions of the classic games, but I personally think nothing really beats the simple game versions of those days gone by.
3 Stars Ask yourself before buying this…do you really want to play Atari 2600 games all over again?
Back in the early 80’s, I was a proud owner of many Atari games. My parents would buy me and my brother the latest games, kids from school would come over to check it out and had a relative who worked at Atari and gave us these chip like device that would play on an adapter for our 2600.
I remember playing hours and hours to reach a million and them flip the game (the term used back then to reach a million points and the game’s top score would start over at 0) for Asteroid and Defender.
I remember the days of trying to find the first Easter Egg for “Adventure”, play “Warlords”, “Tempest”, “Galaga”, “Frogger”, “Breakout” and so many Atari games including stinkers such as “Superman” and “E.T.”.
So, when I saw this collection on the aisle, I was really trying to decide if I wanted to shell out $20 for a collection of Atari 2600 games. But with all these new games coming out for the next gen consoles and the portable devices, I figured, I’d wait. And sure enough, there was a sale for this collection and the price was quite low for a new game that I couldn’t resist.
Upon starting the game, you are greeted with the main 11 games: Asteroids, Asteroids Deluxe, Battlezone, Centipede, Lunar Lander, Millipede, Missle Command, Pong, Super Breakout, Tempest and Warlords.
The first game I wanted to play was “Battlezone” and fortunately, it’s based on the arcade version, not the sucky Atari 2600 version. It’s the first time in so many years since I played that game and even wasted so many quarters on the game. It was the first “Virtual Reality” game with it’s green lined graphics but at the time, it was so cool at that time. So, I switched it to the evolved version and the biggest difference is that things are shaded, more colors, some 3D but nothing super drastic in terms of an update of graphics. But the concept is still the same and fun. These are fun games you can get into such as on a long commute and it’s not hard to learn how to play the game(s).
But then I started playing the other ten games and I was thinking, do I really want to play all these games for scores? Knowing there is no CG video, no major storylines. They are straight up games to play for points.
Of course, the incentive of doing well in the game is the better you do, you get awards and when you accomplish those awards, you open up the original Atari 2600 games. Obtain all awards and you open up a total of 58 Atari 2600 games.
Personally, I have no time to sit around and play a game for points like I did when I was a child. So, I ended up downloading the save from GameFaqs.com to open up all unlockable games.
And some games controls worked but I swear some were janky and some really didn’t respond well to the PSP’s nub stick.
Games like “Adventure” or “Haunted House” worked well with the nub-stick but games like “Home Run”, using the buttons not the directional pad or nub-stick (even though you’re supposed to be allowed to do) to control my characters really sucked. So, I had some control issues with some of the unlockable Atari games but even the main games such as pong, I just found it difficult to use the PSP’s controls and I was easily getting frustrated.
Because of that, I can’t see too many people beating the main games to complete the awards to unlock all the Atari 2600 games. Some of the games are not as easy to play on the PSP as I would of hoped.
A lot of games that I enjoyed back then are not on this collection. Some are understandable like Pac Man is a Namco game, Pitfall is an Activision Game and Defender is a Williams game. But I recall doing some Olympic sporting style events on the Atari 2600. But I suppose they may have been 3rd party games.
This collection is pretty much self-explanatory. Do you crave for old school Atari 2600 games? Do you crave of the days of sitting for hours trying to get the highest score on a game? Are you that patient? And do you care to even play some Atari 2600 oldies at this time?
I think those who are nostalgic for those old school years of playing the Atari 2600 will get into it, for me, I was into it but at the same time, either I was lazy or just too busy to want to play these games for scores and for long consecutive hours. It worked in my younger years but not now. I seem to have lost the patience.
But still, for the price you can find this game online these days, and the fact that you get the big hits in their original and evolved designs are very cool. And the fact that you can unlock over 50 games after you accomplish the awards for the main games is a nice touch.
So, a low price for over 70 Atari 2600 games is pretty cool! But it all depends if you care for Atari 2600 old school games or not.
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.
2 Stars Nice idea, bad execution
Who wouldn’t want these games in their back pocket to play at any given moment, right? And at that price, it’s got to be a steal!
Hold on to those nine bucks, friends: this game has two distinct problems, one in every version and one specific to the PSP.
The general problem is that while the game touts Atari 2600 games at your beck and call, you have to unlock them by playing the marquee games. And not incrementally, but en toto. You have to clear ALL of the roadblocks for ALL of the games or you don’t get any 2600 games at all. So even if you NEVER liked, say, “Warlords”, you have to jump its hurdles to get any 2600 games to unlock.
The PSP specific problem is that some of these games are cocktail table style, which means you have to turn the PSP on its end to play some of the games. Ever tried playing something on its end that’s not designed to play on its end? It’s excrutiating!
A better buy on a console platform all the way. On PSP? Skip it. As much I want more PSP games, this one is too little of a good thing.
