The digital delights of Sony’s scrumptious PlayStation Network service know no bounds. Aside from letting punters compete in online gaming, stream films, browse the Internet and more, its premier attraction rests in the copious supply of downloadable games ripe for the picking. From PSN exclusives to PSOne Classics, minis and plain old add-on content, Sony’s online space is chock full of goodies battling it out for your hard-earned digital dollars.
Welcome back to another installment of Inside PlayStation Network, where every Monday – Friday we’ll pluck a PSN release—be it new or old—and put it in the spotlight for a thorough dissection. Fancy getting a new PSN game but don’t know what one to plump for? Perhaps this feature will help. Didn’t realize that a game was available in your region until now? We’ve got you covered. Or, perhaps you were musing over what those lucky Japanese folk were tucking into over in the Land of the Rising Sun? You can be sure our coverage will extend to those rare regional exclusives as much as those firmly embedded on the public consciousness.
Kicking off the week, we take a look at PSOne Classic Pocket Fighter.
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Developer: Capcom
Region(s) available: North America, Europe, Japan
Players: 1-2
Originally released in 1997, super deformed brawler Pocket Fighter plucks iconic characters from a variety of Capcom outings, including Street Fighter Alpha, Darkstalkers, Street Fighter III and CPS III. A couple of familiar faces also pop up in cameos, such Balrog and Demitri. Fundamentally, the game is a retro-packed 2D fighter at its core, though utilizes a number of interesting concepts based from one of the aforementioned Capcom games above.
For example, during gameplay players can gobble up gems based on those found in Red Earth, as well as lob orbs at opponents that share some aesthetical similarities with Darkstalkers’ element hits. The latter can affect your foe in a variety of ways, such as turning them to stone or freezing them temporarily. Players must monitor two primary on-screen bars (one for health and the other for you damage-dealing Mighty Combos), as well as three sub-bars.
The sub-bars, meanwhile, represent your character’s special moves, with most fighters packing at least three under their belt. A couple of combatants boast additional special moves that aren’t governed by a sub-bar, however, and are powered by gems. In terms of controls, characters have four basic attack functions: Punch, Kick, Special and Taunt. Specials can’t be blocked, and will cause your opponent to drop copious amounts of gems after taking a hit.
As well as rudimentary punches and kicks, the game also offers Flash Combos (aka Costume Combos), where your character will transform into a new outfit after hitting punch once you strike your victim. These are particularly amusing, with players transforming into traffic cops, schoolgirls, as well as cosplays of other Capcom characters including Resident Evil’s Jill Valentine and Mega Man’s eponymous Blue Bomber.
Join us again tomorrow as we once again take another leisurely stroll Inside PlayStation Network.