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We greet each of these retro compilations like old school chums coming over for dinner brandishing a six-pack of imported refreshment. Although its paltry list of three core games pales in comparison to the 20 included in Capcom Classics Collection Remixed, for example, Capcom Puzzle World has what a lot of gamers have been fawning over: Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo on their PSP.

Fight The Puzzle Fight

The obvious star of this collection, and a long-standing fanboy darling, is Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo. For those who haven't played its arcade, PSone, Saturn, or GBA iterations, picture Lumines or Dr. Mario with a more competitive edge. Piled blocks don't disappear unless matched with a like-colored super jewel. Crafting towering gems then eradicating them in combo fashion forecasts a 100% chance of heavy block showers on your opponent's field.

Hitting the American release of Puzzle Fighter for the first time are two different game modes that vary up the strategic element. Y mode eschews super jewels and instead makes strings of three same-color shapes disappear -- vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. Z mode has a scrolling screen of blocks coming from below and a rotating square cursor in which to manipulate pieces. Picking the best mode is a tough call, but the addition of all three will make Puzzle Fighter fans drop a block in their briefs.

The game's super-deformed fighting characters that duel during matches are sublimely cheesy, and the difficulty ramp-up is enough to give you a determined scowl whilst playing. Lumines makes it look a little tired both graphically and gameplay-wise, but Puzzle Fighter still rocks in multiplayer. It's just a shame there's no online play.

You'se A Buster

The Buster Bros. portion actually includes three different games, but all center around using harpoons to break up balloons -- combining elements from Asteroids with a little platforming. Like Puzzle Fighter it excels in multiplayer, but doesn't have anywhere near that game's legs. It's got a nice world-travel gimmick and some interesting power-ups. However, after a few rounds, your bubble will be busted for this game in any of its forms. 

Block This Out

Rounding out the collection is Block Block, which is even more redundant than its name implies. It's the same Breakout/Arcanoid shimmy shield gimmick we've been playing for decades, with nothing new being brought to the fold. In fact, its additions hamper your fun -- shrinking the pad after 10 hits and distracting pick-ups that clutter the extremely letterboxed screen. Plus, this was already included (and forgotten) in the Capcom Classics Collection Remixed. 

One-Game World

Your decision to pick up Capcom Puzzle World solely relies on your feelings towards Puzzle Fighter, as it's really all this compilation has going for it. The new modes and wireless multiplayer are as sexy as Chun-Li's squatty, super-deformed legs, but deciding whether to drop $30 for an old-ass puzzle game and a few rejects may be a losing fight.

Article by: Justin Leeper
Video produced by: Eric Acasio