There were way too many PSP games released in the past few days, and it seems like the big media sites are struggling just to play through all of them to give us reviews. Power Stone Collection, a port of the original Dreamcast brawlers, is now available on the PSP. How did it fare to the critics? Let's see:

• GameSpy (80/100) likes the frantic nature of the multiplayer matches: "With so much going on at once, you'll occasionally lose track of your character (especially during four-player matches), but you'll probably be having too much fun to notice much. If you missed it back when Sega was still making systems, now's your chance to give this well-remembered series a try."
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• 1UP (70/100) notes that Dreamcast fans will love this, even though the game hasn't aged too well: "While as nice as it is to see a classic arcade-style game get its due, what the world really needed wasn't a regurgitation of Power Stone 1 and 2; it needed Power Stone 3, brought up to spec with advancements in game design and all the things players have become accustomed to in other games."
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• Games Radar (60/100) thinks single-player is no fun: "The lack of online support severely hinders the chance you'll be seeing a lot of multiplayer action – and even if there were online support, there's nothing like sitting down in front of the TV with three friends and bashing each other's brains out. Sorry PSP, this one just isn't for you."

It is unfortunate to see such mixed reviews for the game. If you've played it on Dreamcast, you know what you're getting yourself into. Even without Infrastructure support, you may want to take this game out for a spin. Who knows? Maybe we'll get other Dreamcast games this way.

IGN got a chance to talk to Capcom about their newly-released Power Stone Collection. According to the game's producer, Kazuhiro Tsuchiya, the game is relatively unchanged because they wanted to preserve the game's quality. Yeah. They weren't trying to be "lazy" at all. Interestingly, the PSP is compared to the Dreamcast:

IGN PSP: Because of the button layout, the PSP seems the perfect fit for Dreamcast ports. Does the internal architecture of the PSP make it easy or difficult to port DC games? And is there a chance we will see some more Capcom classic Dreamcast games come to Sony's handheld system?

Tsuchiya: The button layout on the PSP was definitely well suited for Power Stone and we are happy with the final results. In terms of hardware, it actually was not all that easy to transfer a Dreamcast game to the PSP. It took a lot of work to recreate the same experience because the systems are quite different. In the end though, we were able to pull it off and keep the same level of graphics and sound, so now we know it's possible. Capcom does have a lot of great games on the Dreamcast, and if user demand is high enough, we would be happy to consider moving other games to the PSP.

The Dreamcast is one of my favorite systems ever. It would be awesome to see more games head from the Dreamcast to the PSP, especially considering how the Dreamcast never got to live the life of fame it so deserved.

Earlier last month, we showed you the new boxart to Power Stone Collection, but who really wants to look at pictures when they can look at video? I think it's safe to say Power Stone Collection is near the top of the list on many a PSP gamer's wishlist, and now the seemingly official trailer has been released. We already know there isn't any new gameplay mechanics in the game, just more of the amazingly awesome and frantic four-player fighting we've all come to love.

I've made no secret of my huge crush over Power Stone Collection, and to see its box art just makes me want it all the more. Also, Gamestop is listing the game for the new Chris Powell Official PSP Sweet Spot Price Point of $30.

I've always appreciated a game with great box art, and God knows there has been some awful ones, but Collection's just screams of pure awesomeness. To me, Falcon has always been the game's unofficial leader, so I think it's only fitting for him to be the main character on the cover.

The game should go on sale Oct. 3 and will feature both Power Stone and Power Stone 2, with all-new weapons and other features. Also, players will be able to use the new characters in the original Power Stone. Sweetness!

Sorry about the bad headline puns; my thinking cap is off being hemmed at the Smart Aleck shop and isn't due for few more days. But who cares when the real meat of the heads-up is that Power Stone 1 and 2, originally seen on the Dreamcast, will soon dish out frantic four-player battles on the PSP this Autumn. The game, which will be heretofore be known by the decidedly non-offensive moniker Power Stone Collection, will offer multiplayer fights from just one UMD in addition to a ubiquitous "adventure mode". Characters from Power Stone 2 will also be playable in the first title, according to the report, which means absolutely nothing to this particular PSP fanboy unless Power Stone still kicks arena-battle booty after all these years.