It took me a while to click with the controls but once I did it became a bit of a SNES gem.

There's a new one coming out for PS4.

PoP up and running on the PSP, seems to be stable.

Having to look at the fireplace while you're stoking the fire is the main problem there.

Done 3 levels of Wild Guns now, with liberal use of save states.

Still finding the character a bit slow and sluggish, and still getting hit sometimes by things I didn't see, but overall it's a good game. Would definitely have been happy to play it properly if I'd owned it on the SNES back then.

3 lives and then do the whole level again does seem a bit tight on this. Often get to a boss with 1 life left and then you can't afford a single mistake. But back then we'd be used to repeating it over and over and getting a bit further each time, so it probably would have been OK. The only problem is that some deaths feel unfair, which might've made it too frustrating.

You really are missing out if the sound on the PSP is compromised.


On level 3-2 of SMN and eff me it is annoying. There are sections that start to collapse when you stand on them and it seems that once they start moving it messes with the ability to jump - too often last night I pressed jump on a lowering platform only for it not to work - fucking, fucking, annoying.

Went to gamefaqs and it seems I'm getting close to the end of the level so will push on. There's a section where you have to dash jump across a pit over which there is a hovering enemy. You need to grab that enemy in order to throw it at a wall to proceed - so you have to dash jump and while in mid-air activate the magnet to grab the enemy and it is really tough and irritating because it requires some digital gymnastics with the DC pad. Only managed it once. The FAQ states I can just jump the gap and then stand at the edge on the other side and jump straight up and grab the enemy with the magnet - thought I had tried that - will give it another go.

Consulted the manual and there are only 4 worlds so perhaps I will actually complete this game. One of the few.

I'll try fiddling with the settings on PSP because it definitely doesn't sound like that.

Just completed Castlevania. How is anyone supposed to complete that last level? It is absolutely hideous. I had to absolutely abuse save states as there was no way I was going back through that climb again....I feel a bit sick.

I got very good at it back in the day, pretty sure I did it without taking a hit... maybe it was one or two though.

What did you think @Eric?

There was definitely something about magazine tips being an almost necessity back in the day.

I get the impression it was a Western thing, and to put it more bluntly Nintendo of America. Castlevania II is a classic example, near on (if not literally) impossible without a guide and the only one back then was the officially endorsed Nintendo Power. It was either that or call their experts on a 1-800 number.

In Europe all we had wad Club Nintendo which whilst amazing and something I have huge nostalgia for was about 20-30 pages and only bi-monthly.

Like I said I get the impression it was a western thing and it really makes me wonder how the original Japanese release differs? Was it a straight up good game over there? Were their in game NPCs actually useful compared to the English translation which seem to be useless to force us to buy Nintendo Power?

For those that don't know the torture of CVII The AVGN sums it up best at 4:46:

retroking1981 wrote:

There was definitely something about magazine tips being an almost necessity back in the day.

I remember getting a UK magazine that specialised in full on playthroughs with screenshot and text spread over many pages - really detailed.

I picked up an anthology special that covered a pile of SNES games. Can't remember what it was called but I remember it's how I found out about that pre-boss platform in C IV.

The last level was a slog even with save states.  Agree that there was too much on each button but it all just about worked regardless.  I reckon I would've played it a fair bit if I'd owned it in the early 90s. 

Up to level 6 on Prince of Persia.  I'm quite enjoying it.  Obviously although the original has passwords, cheeky insta-restarts make progression in a game with a lot of trial and error elements far steadier than it should be.  I'm treating it as my very own sands of time button.  My only gripe is the occasional spot of 'I pushed that!' frustration, which most of these type of games had, and in fairness may be a frame skip issue too.

The graphics are lovely aren't they, I think they are up there with the best.

I remember the controls were tricky to get to grips with especially if you are only using a three button pad (I think you can control the bike separately with a six button pad or have a mate control it for 2P action).  

The biggest control issue I had was with buttons A & B being used for firing left and right, that took a bit of getting used to but I don't remember the control of the jet pack being a problem, it does have limited range and runs out of juice if you don't have any sunlight to power it. From what I remember its very much something you pulse opposed to holding continually, try tapping maybes?  


In retrospect I should start really picking games for this that are a little be more immediate, apologies for that Retro

I unexpectedly got sucked into Ranger X myself this evening.  It's a gorgeous game, so polished/full of nice visual touches.  It's actually better as a retro title, as dual shoulder buttons to control the bike work better than whatever the controls were on release (although I did have the 6 button pad by the time I owned this).  I'm taken with it more than I was at the time - the light/dark recharge mechanic (and the lovely daylight/cover lighting on the third level), the solo/bike/double options, the bosses.  It's excellent.  Do you know Sub Terrania, Eric?

Hmm... Only really remember the 1st level and boss. Might've seen level 2 once before. Clearly barely played it.

Actually seems quite good in some ways, except it's just virtually impossible to dodge anything. Such a big and awkward sprite.