Last Week in Defunct Games - PSone Catch-Up

What Is It? Do you like Magical Drop? MonkeyPaw Games sure hopes so, because this is the second time they've released this arcade puzzler. First released in 1996, Arcade Hits: Magical Drop is based on the original Data East cabinet. The idea is simple enough: You gather up colored orbs and pair them with their own kind. It feels like the reverse take on Puzzle Bobble, especially when you go head-to-head against the computer. Fans of the series may already have Magical Drop F, the 1999 sequel featuring a robust collection of modes and extras. In comparison this standard version feels almost barebones, simply giving players the basic single- and multiplayer modes. The good news is that Magical Drop is fun to play no matter what the package, and this PSN port is no exception.

Does It Still Hold Up? It's hard to screw up Magical Drop. The controls are precise and the graphics are as you would expect from a mid-1990s puzzle game. Occasionally Data East tries to spruce things up with ugly computer generated cinemas and character designs; thankfully none of that actually affects the gameplay.

Is It Worth The Money? While not my favorite competitive puzzle game, Arcade Hits: Magical Drop makes for a solid PSN release. Gamers who already own Magical Drop F may find little here to warrant the purchase, which makes this release all the more perplexing. The controls and presentation are both fine, but I couldn't shake the feeling that there was a better version of Magical Drop waiting for me on the same platform.

What Is It? Don't let the family friendly title scare you off, Dezaemon Kids is one of the best PlayStation games you can download from the PSN Store. Much like its predecessor (which I reviewed almost a year ago), Dezaemon Kids allows players to craft their own 2D shooter. The games can be as simple or complex as you would like, giving the player full control over the designs of the backgrounds, enemies and even the music. Creating your own horizontal and vertical shooters has been made even easier using an improved user interface and style options. Best of all, you can play through a number of fan created shooters built right into the two-disc set.

Does It Still Hold Up? Despite improving the user interface and overall options, Dezaemon Kids suffers from many of the same problems that plagued the first game. Creating a 2D shooter takes a lot of time and effort, which is made all the more difficult with the language barrier. Also, controlling some of the menus is nightmare when using the D-pad (or analog stick, depending on how you have the options set).

Is It Worth The Money? Even if you never intend to make your own custom shooter, Dezaemon Kids is still worth picking up. The user-created games are fantastic, showing off how diverse the tools really are. None of these games hold a candle to Gradius and R-Type, but they do offer a nice variety for a cheap price. MonkeyPaw Games could have easily gotten away with charging $10 for this multi-disc set, which makes the six dollar asking price that much more attractive.

What Is It? Although it doesn't share any of the same characters, worlds or plot points, Chrono Cross is Square's sequel to the much-beloved Chrono Trigger. Released five years after the first game, Chrono Cross features a new band of heroes and their adventures jumping through alternative realities. You play Serge, a regular guy who accidentally stumbles on a warp zone that takes him on a wild adventure. With more than 40 characters to meet and tinker around with, this Square sequel has a lot of personality, even if some critics point to the paper-thin character development.

Sadly, Square decided to scrap many of the elements that fans loved most about Chrono Trigger. Beyond featuring a few unlikable characters, I was disappointed to see just how similar this game was to Final Fantasy VII - IX. Combat no longer takes place on the overhead map, the backgrounds are all pre-rendered and too much of the game's story is told through lengthy cinemas. Worse yet, it seems like a lot of the joy and humor has been sucked out of this sequel, leaving a much more serious (and decidedly less entertaining) experience.

Does It Still Hold Up? The game looks a lot like Square's 32-bit Final Fantasy games, which is only slightly disappointing. The polygonal graphics don't hold up as well as Chrono Trigger's 16-bit sprites, though I was impressed with the colorful locations and exciting cinemas. On the other hand, the game's soundtrack is a thing of beauty. Both fans and detractors alike can agree that Yasunori Mitsuda's score is unparalleled. While unintuitive, the combat is surprisingly deep and full of interesting (if not always well-executed) ideas. With a cast 42 characters strong, choosing your favorite special attacks may get tricky. Even with some problems, Chrono Cross holds up as both a PlayStation 3 and handheld PSP game.

Is It Worth The Money? In a lot of ways Chrono Cross is a huge letdown. Outside of the colorful presentation and multiple endings, very little stacks up when put side-by-side with the 1995 original. The characters aren't as engaging, the pacing is a mess and I spent much of the game longing for Chrono and Frog. Even with those complaints, Chrono Cross is an epic adventure that is worth playing through. While it may not be as well-rounded as the first game, it manages to weave an interesting story that can easily be played in short spurts. We can still long for a true Chrono Trigger sequel, but you shouldn't pass up this PlayStation game for $10.

What Is It? Between the Arc the Lad series, a Tactics Ogre remake and Front Mission 3, it's been a great year for strategy role-playing games with a PSN account. With so many amazing games to choose from, you might think there is no room for another must-have RPG. MonkeyPaw Games is here to prove you wrong. Enter Vanguard Bandits, the re-release of Working Design's PlayStation turn-based strategy game from 2000. You play Bastion, a nomadic warrior who turns out to be the heir of the throne of Pharastia Kingdom. He fights using a giant mech suit, killing bad guys with the mighty thrust of his gigantic swords. His goal is to unite the eight continents in the noble pursuit of peace. That's easier said than done.

Does It Still Hold Up? The gameplay is your usual paint-by-numbers strategy RPG fare, which some gamers may have grown sick of after so many releases in the past twelve months. Thankfully the characters and setting help keep this from being just another cliché adventure game. The graphics weren't great at the time of the game's release (thanks in large part to the constant delays) and look even worse now. The music is also hard to take, though I had a great time with the snappy song that completes the intro movie. There are definitely elements that haven't held up well, but the narrative is as clever as it was a decade ago.

Is It Worth The Money? While not one of Working Design's best games, I had a lot of fun playing Vanguard Bandits. I enjoyed seeing the character growth and the consequences of his reckless actions. It's a shame the game looks so dated, there is a lot to like about MonkeyPaw Games' newest PSone port if you can get past the presentation. Best of all, this six dollars will translate to dozens of high quality questing. Even if you're burned out on Front Mission 3 and Xenogears, Vanguard Bandits is fresh enough to warrant the six dollar purchase.

What Is It? It's been nearly twenty years since Square released Final Fantasy V, and yet few American gamers know much about it. Only released in the States on two platforms (the Game Boy Advance and original PlayStation), this missing chapter acts as the missing link between the three 16-bit Fantasies. You play Bartz (yes, Bartz) who sets out on an adventure to, you guessed it, defeat evil and save the world. There's some elemental nonsense and a cross-dressing pirate captain and all sorts of turn-based combat. In other words, it's your typical Final Fantasy game.

Does It Still Hold Up? Fans of Final Fantasy IV and VI (released under as Final Fantasy II and III in the U.S., respectively) will feel right at home in this standard 16-bit RPG. The combat doesn't stray too far from what is expected, though they feel slightly slower this time around. The enemies are interesting and the bosses are pretty cool, even if the game's story is weaker than other Final Fantasy entries.

Is It Worth The Money? Even though it suffers from many of the same problems that plagued the PlayStation port of Chrono Trigger (review), Final Fantasy V is still getting a recommendation. These days it's hard to track down a copy of Final Fantasy V. Outside of the five year old Game Boy Advance release, this chapter has been largely withheld from the United States. If you're one of the many Final Fantasy fans who have missed playing through this 16-bit classic, then this PSN release is a no-brainer. Warts and all, Final Fantasy V is worth playing.