5.5

Gameplay: 5 Graphics: 7 Sound: 7 Lasting appeal: 3

The PSP version of the Kong is a nice experience in itself, but not an overly exciting game that you must have unless you're a total fan of the movie, controlling giant monkeys or jungle environments. But with that said, it's not a complete waste of time either (unless you've already played one of the other console versions).

When you first begin playing the control can seem somewhat awkward if you are not used to using the circle, square, triangle and x buttons to control your view. It felt a little bit weird at first, since the PSP only has one analog stick, but after 15 minutes you get the hang of it and it becomes quite natural.

Throughout the game you get to play as both Jack and the big ape Kong himself. Sometimes controlling a 25 foot monster can be a chore (especially at the end in New York). It felt like jumping from building to building was a bit more of a task than it should have had to have been. On the plus side, it is quite easy to jump from tree to tree throughout the jungle.

There isn't all that much to the game considering everything becomes quite a routine. When playing as Jack the drill seems to be picking up a spear, lighting it on fire, burning some bushes, fighting megapedes and crabs and less often dinosaurs. Playing as Kong consists of fighting T-Rexes and swinging from tree to tree.

A lot was left out which shouldn't have been for this port. If you've never played any of the other versions, than you won't even realize that a lot is missing, but if you have, you will feel that you were slightly cheated. The entire cinematic mode was left out, so there is no travelling in a party here. While playing as Kong you never get to carry Ann around and work as a team with her. The cinematic appeal of the game was missing from the lack of character interaction and the ending just seemed kind of tacked on and abrupt.

The game is quite short and contains a mere 15 chapters, some of which can actually be beat in less than 10 minutes. So all in all once you've cleared you're way through all of them, you won't be spending much more than 3 or 4 hours getting through the entire game.

Overall Score: 5.5

Gameplay: (5) Sometimes poor control, some camera issues at times. Not very challenging and quite repetitive. Graphics: (7) Nice environments although too few color tones. There are some clipping issues from time to time which can get annoying. Sometimes too dark to see clearly. Kong looks pretty well done. Sound: (7) Good quality music although not all that atmospheric at times. Lasting appeal: (3) Short! Very short... The original game on other consoles such as Xbox was short enough, but this is even shorter! No real purpose of going through it again as there aren't many secrets or bonuses and nothing to unlock.

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