N+ PSP preview: I’m a pixel ninja!

N Plus PSP screenshot
N+ AKA “N Plus” is an update to the beloved and award winning N flash-game, N+ brings the action platformer to the PSP (at the same time there’s N+ on DS) when it’s released on August 26th, 2008, in America at a price of $19.99. Created by Metanet and developed by SilverBirch Studios, Atari will be publishing the game.

With all the features of the cult favorite and more added (full features list at the bottom), it’s faithfully translating the old-school look and fast & fluid action of the online game to the handhelds. N+ will have players leaping and avoiding obstacles using the excellent physics and collision detection while they scour each level for as much gold as they can reach before finding the switch and opening the door to the next challenging level.

N Plus for PSPHaving now played the nearly finished version 1.02 of N+ on PSP, I can fully endorse the game for fans of the flash N original or Xbox Live Arcade N+ game. This portable version has slightly different physics giving the game a bit of a controls-feel (re)learning curve compared to the other versions, but it works great in the end. The best news is that it has 350 all-new levels and a new music soundtrack. You’ve got all the simple-but-fast gameplay you want back (play with either classic / pure or enhanced / plus visuals) to perform amazing acrobatics that’ll make you feel like you’re on the top of the world OR you will die dozens of times in a row and are left nearly pulling the hair from your head! No matter the outcome, your skills will improve over time making it addictive as heck.

The final game will have full support for wireless multiplayer, cartridge sharing ability (upload levels that might get included on the levels DLC twice a week), unlockables, local level sharing, downloadable content — only the PSP has unlimited storage for the free weekly levels DLC compared to 8 save slots on DS — and community leader boards… meaning gamers will be able to settle, once and for all, who is the greatest ninja of them all. I don’t know if I’m the best, but by now I’m definitely feel like a badass pixel ninja!

If you haven’t played the flash original (link at the start of this page) you might want to watch the following N+ trailer for the platformer and action gameplay described in this preview to make sense.

Features for both the PSP and DS versions are:

* Hundreds of built in Levels: Conquer over 200 levels in single player or play with friends in over 100 Cooperative and 50 Competitive levels!

* PURE and PLUS modes: Play in PURE mode reminiscent of classic “N”, or try out the new enhanced PLUS mode only in the handheld versions!

* Ninja Techniques: Master stealthy Ninja techniques like wall-climbing and missile dodging to get past deadly laser drones, homing turrents, and other deadly enemies!

* Networked Content: Download new maps and replays from the N server. Design new maps or show off your slick ninja moves.

* Level Editor: Design maps and share them with friends or the world using the integrated level editor and the infrastructure modes of the PlayStation Portable system and the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection on the Nintendo DS.