BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger Portable

Genre: Fighting
Publisher: Aksys Games
Developer: ARC System Works
Online Play:
Local Play:
Release Date: March 10, 2010
Also on: PS3, X360, DSi

The high-definition 2D fighting game now comes to the Playstation Portable. BlazBlue is a 2D one-on-one fighting game by ARC System Works (the makers of Guilty Gear.) Produced by Guilty Gear producer Toshimichi Mori, the game features an all-original cast (including many weapon fighters) and uses a four-button control scheme (weak, medium and strong attacks plus an EX button which makes your character perform unique special attacks.) The fighting system is based around players being able to continue combos when opponents are in a down state. On the defensive side, you'll have a number of ways of getting back up when downed, so you don't get pummeled by combo attacks.

The PSP version is an impressive port of the original and keeps almost every character, mode and move intact. In fact, BlazBlue Portable boasts an extra mode not available in the original version and it has an all new Shop mode. Pretty snazzy indeed.

For those gamers that missed out on the original BlazBlue and want the console experience, it might be wise to wait for the upcoming sequel, BlazBlue: Continuum Shift. But gamers more intrigued by the idea of taking the frantic action on the go will get a serious kick out of BlazBlue Portable. I'm always hesitant when a developer attempts to move an entire console experience onto a less powerful platform, but BlazBlue Portable runs extremely well. Yes, there have been some sacrifices along the way in terms of the game's visuals and audio. The character sprites are displayed at a much lower resolution and the special effects used during Distortion Drives (super moves) have been toned down. Furthermore, the game's audio fidelity has worsened, but not overly so