E3 06: Capcom Classics Collection Reloaded Preshow Hands-On

In the wake of its success with the recently released Capcom Classics Collection Remixed for the PlayStation Portable, Capcom is following up with Capcom Classics Collection Reloaded, a new PSP compilation that features an impressive sampling of some of the bright lights in Capcom's storied history as an arcade developer. We recently got our hands on a work-in-progress version of the game to see if it is shaping up to be a worthy successor to Capcom Classics Collection Remixed.

For those keeping score at home, and trying to keep the names of their Capcom compilations straight, Capcom Classics Collection Reloaded is based on last year's PlayStation 2 and Xbox Capcom Classics Collection. As such, the game comes packing some of the best and brightest from Capcom's arcade legacy, including 1942, Forgotten Worlds, Commando, Gunsmoke, Final Fight, and a truckload of Street Fighter II's ("truckload" being defined as Street Fighter II, Street Fighter II: Champion Edition, and Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting). In addition to the titles included in the console compilation, CCCR will include three new titles from its arcade heritage--Eco Fighters, which is a side-scrolling shooter that hit arcades in 1994; King of Dragons, which is a 1991 side-scrolling beat-'em-up; and Knights of the Round, which is a 1992 side-scroller that featured King Arthur, Sir Lancelot, and Sir Perceval as playable characters that would level up as you advanced through the game.

We had a chance to try out a sampling of the titles in the collection, focusing on the three newcomers to the experience. Though the work-in-progress version we tried wasn't fully featured yet, we were pleased by how the games are running. We were also glad to hear that the Wi-Fi multiplayer modes are supposed to function in the same way as the previous CCCR. The game isn't going to be a carbon copy of CCCR's features, however, thanks to a new unlockable system and a game-sharing feature. While the specifics of game sharing haven't been locked down, the new system for unlocking content has been. Rather than feature an Xbox Live-esque achievement system based on what you do in each of the games, CCCR will award you tokens as you play the various games that you can use with the slot-machine option, which lets you gamble for extra content, such as original art, playing tips, and secret codes.

Based on what we played, we're pleased by the direction that CCCR is headed. The title appears to be following the pleasing path its predecessor took, offering a host of little touches to help tailor both the presentation and gameplay experience to the PSP. If you were a fan of the recently released Capcom Classics Remixed, we reckon you should keep your eye out for Capcom Classics Collection Reloaded, which should serve as a meaty nostalgic entry into your PSP library. Capcom Classics Collection Reloaded is slated to ship later this year for the PSP. Look for more on the game in the coming months.