"Two classics in one package"

Power Stone Collection

When the word came out that Power Stone was coming out for PSP, I was a happy man. My Dreamcast version of Power Stone 2 has been long dead, and I just was not willing to pay $50+ for a used game. The PSP version is a great deal. You get both Power Stone and Power Stone 2.

For those who lived under a rock, Power Stone was released for the Dreamcast in 1999, and was one of the main reasons to own a Dreamcast. Every demo kiosk had this game in it. A year later, Power Stone 2 game out, and again, that is all you saw in the demo kiosks. Sadly, Power Stone was not able to save the Dreamcast, and fans of Power Stone have been left without a sequel or remake for six five years, until now.

Power Stone actually has a thin story. All of the characters you play as all have one goal, to collect the Power Stone's. The Power Stone's are able to grant any ones wish. It even has it own anime spin-off.

There are a few differences between Power Stone 1 and 2. Power Stone 1 is made for two players, while Power Stone 2 is made four players. Power Stone 1 has smaller stages than its sequel. Both games deliver the same fighting system. The stages are in full 3D, and it allows you to freely roam the stages. Almost everything is interactive. You can pick up weapons, open chests for weapons and food, pick up items and throw them at your enemies, and collect three power stones to transform into your characters ultimate form temporarily. You and your opponents each start with a stone, and you must beat up another character until they drop one of their stones. Each stone you collect, you also get a power up. The goals are to K.O. all other competitors or have the most life when time runs out.

Graphics are almost the same as the Dreamcast version, which is very good for the PSP. The stages are detailed and colorful. The Sound is also good, but it has some cheesy dialog. Nothing to stunning. If you are used to the original, then you know what I am talking about.

Each of the Power Stone games in the collection has new content. Each has new unlockable characters, unlockable character items, and a few new stages. In addition to that, you have access to the old Power Stone VMU games, art, and a movie theatre mode. Multiplayer is as great as it was on the Dreamcast; fast paced and tense.

While I really enjoy Power Stone Collections, and continue too, I have a few complaints and gripes. The PSP screen is so small, that you can easily lose view of your character. This is especially apparent in Power Stone 2. The load times are very long. There are loads everywhere, and it gets really annoying. The characters are still not balanced. Some are really strong, so are useless. You can still win with them, but it is more complicated. Possibly my biggest complaint is multiplayer. I think all games that are able to use one UMD to play multiplayer should. Power Stone does not have the option, but through the UMD swap method, you can play with only one disc.

Overall, Power Stone Collection is a classic collection worth having. It is cheap, fun, and handles incredibly well on the PSP. It is one of the best ports, minus the loading times. The fact that it is not as easy to play multiplayer like the Dreamcast is the biggest hit though. If you do get the game and know someone else with a PSP, I suggest learning the swap trick. It will be hours of fun.

Gameplay: 9/10
Graphics:9/10
Audio: 7/10
Worth: 8/10
Overall: 8/10

+ Graphics.
+ The use of weapons and items
- No single UMD multiplayer
- Load times
? Will there be a full fledged sequel?

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 01/29/07