Konami has covered its retro past in compilations well. The company released Konami Arcade Classics for the PlayStation back in 1999, and later followed up with a compilation of six arcade favorites for the Game Boy Advance. However, Konami Classics Series: Arcade Hits
may be its most promising compilation to date, with fifteen different classics from the 80's. While not all the games end up winners, the game contains enough classic gameplay and extra options to keep nostalgic gamers smiling from ear to ear.
This compilation includes the following games -- Time Pilot, Roc'n Rope, Track & Field, Circus Charlie, Basketball, Road Fighter, Yie Ar Kung Fu, Rainbow Bell (aka Twinbee), Shao Lin's Road (aka Kicker), Gradius, Rush n' Attack, Contra, Scramble, Horror Maze (aka Tutankham) and Pooyan. Many of these games should immediately bring back memories for those who roamed around arcades in the old-school days, looking for thrills at twenty-five cents a pop. Konami accomplished bringing these games for the Nintendo DS, even though some games look like they've been "squished" in the process.
Players choose games by cycling through a "wheel" system on the main menu, going through the selections until eventually finding a game they want to play. The gameplay holds up nicely for most of these games, even though the Nintendo DS touch-screen doesn't get used. But come on -- does anyone really want to play Contra by having to tap the touch screen to fire off his or her weapon? No one needs such complication.
Konami Classics Series: Arcade Hits scores bonus points for its Game Sharing options. Players not only have the option of sharing gameplay segments with other players, but they can join in two-player sessions and even offer small demos of each of the games to other DS owners. This entices those who don't yet own a copy of the game to buy it -- and even when they do, they can still go into a two-player game with ease. Thanks to Konami for letting retro fans share their games with friends.
A few painfully lame game choices hold the game back from being a full success.
For instance, in Basketball players don't have to worry about defense -- it's a full-blown offensive scoring extravaganza. Also, the inclusion of a dribble button makes the game feel painfully monotonous. Konami should've included its other classic basketball game, Double Dribble, instead. Also, why does Circus Charlie get so much respect? This laughable platformer grates on the nerves with its high difficulty level and its lower-average design ("FAR OUT!"). Last but not least, Road Fighter -- really, just avoid it.
Aside from these bland titles, the collection holds up on a satisfying level. Konami Classics Series: Arcade Hits offers a lot of older gaming memories for a mere $30, and the Game Sharing options make it a party for more than one.
RATING: 7 (out of 10)
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