As I announced in the last blog post, Retro City Rampage is coming to PS3 and PS Vita! But today I bring more great news…
Recently in Toronto we held an amazing event called PlayStation <3 Canada to promote and support Canadian indie game developers. In attendance were us here at Vblank Entertainment, Drinkbox Studios (Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack), Queasy Games (Sound Shapes), ][ Games (Dyad) and more. It was a blast! For me, the highlight was finally giving fans a chance to see and play the PS Vita version of Retro City Rampage for the first time. I’ve been going on for a while about how amazing it looks on the PS Vita, and now you can see what it looks like for yourself.
Those of you who are worried that the characters might be too small on the PS Vita screen needn’t be! It supports two screen modes. The standard mode designed specifically for the PS Vita scales everything up and ensures that the characters and everything else are easy to see. Alternatively, the second mode uses smaller pixels but displays the entire 16:9 widescreen image and supports the TV/arcade screen borders of the PS3 counterpart, so it’s entirely up to you.
The PS Vita’s touchscreen also adds a nice… touch. RCR is a love letter to the days of the d-pad, for core gamers who grew up with controllers and buttons –but that doesn’t mean that the touchscreen can’t be used where it makes sense. It really makes the menus, minigames and shops faster and more convenient to navigate, going hand in hand with RCR’s overall design philosophy, that is to emit nostalgia while still catering to our evolved expectations of games. This extends from the added touchscreen functionality to the game design and tutorials. For example, you won’t need to flip through a manual or call a tips hotline to figure out what to do ;). But if you’re an absolute purist, you can still play the game 100% with the buttons.
I’m willing to bet that if you have a PS Vita, you also have a PS3. Well, you’re going to be exceptionally excited to hear about just how good friends the PS3 and PS Vita versions are. If you’re like me, you want the best of both worlds. You want to be able to play your favorite games on your nice TV from the couch but still take them with you everywhere you go. With Retro City Rampage, your dreams have come true! It supports continuous play so you can play the game on your couch, save it, and continue where you left off from your PS Vita (and vice versa).
Not only can the PS3 and PS Vita versions share save games, they also share a single set of scoreboards. If you’re rad enough to blast a high score onto the board, your replay will be up there for everyone to watch no matter which platform. Show your friends how a game wizard plays Retro City Rampage!
While the PS Vita version of Retro City Rampage boasts everything that its PS3 counterpart does, I had fun making a few tweaks to tailor the experience to the handheld. The PS3 version supports tube TV simulation filters which curve the screen and add scanlines (allowing you to play on an LCD TV with the feel of an old CRT); similarly, the PS Vita version supports classic dot-matrix simulation filters giving it a heavy dose of Game Boy/Game Gear nostalgia. I absolutely love it and it’s my filter of choice when playing the game. If the LCD grid simulation alone isn’t retro enough for you, you can also change the color mode. The color modes let you make Retro City Rampage even more retro with options such as “Brick Handheld” (yellow-green monochrome) and “Virtual Burn” (all red), “Blurst Processor,” “SEE=64,” “PC DOS EGA” and a dozen more. These are also available in the PS3 version!
One question you’re going to ask is “WHEN!?” I don’t have a fixed release date just yet, but it’ll be out as soon as possible. I’m fixing the final bugs and working around the clock to get it into your hands as soon as I can. Keep your eyes peeled here on the PlayStation.Blog!
ps1 games on psvita we want!!!!!!
This looks fun, I haven’t heard of this until now! The retro filters are a nice touch.
I just had a silly smile on my face while watching the video. As an 80’s gamer, this is right up my alley.
Seriously, every time we hear something new about this I can’t help but smile at how much content is being put into this game. Every reference you make and every genre you add, it’s just makes the kid in me giggle. Thanks so much for this, can’t wait!
But as most PS3 + Vita owners want to know I’m sure, are you planning on making some sort of bundle version of the game? It doesn’t even have to be the full cross-purchase where buying one nets you the other. I’m willing to pay a one-time price for both games, and I think a lot of others would be too. If not, I’ll still be buying at least ONE version, I can guarantee that.
Keep up the good work man!
@1 Way to stay on topic… I love all the little old school touches you’ve put into this game. I think I’ll get the Vita version. Gotta support those Canadian indie devs!
I played it at the Toronto event and really enjoyed it. Looking forward to the release.
“…4 times easier to code on Vita…”
How does he quantify this?! Such an odd way of saying it.
I want it. I want it. I WANT IT.
Looks like an amazing game! Can’t wait to play it! Two questions.
1: Will Retro City Rampage have loads of DLC in the near future? I would like to venture forth into more further retro adventures when the game releases.
& 2: Will the game have several boss battles beyond imagining? I’ll take down the many big bosses when I encounter them on the journey!
Looking forward to this, Brian! It’s going to rock the retro world!
Yes! I need this
OMG this is sad. Almost 4 months in and this is the crap that they release on vita? I’m lost for words and this is the # 1 reason I’ve taken two vita’s back to walmart for refunds since March 1st to now. This is 2012 not 1980. Get some 2012 VITA exclusive games made and ditch this Nintendo crap. We are taking a dam* vita not a dam* gameboy. Man this is ridiculous. So glad I returned the vita’s. It overrated and over hyped out the butt. Good luck with sales as the year goes by. Overpriced machine. Can’t even handle simple mordern day internet flash or hell not even a YOUTUBE APP at that. Very sad indead. PS3 suits me just fine along with my 8 gig 4th gen ipod touch. At least on that ipod I can record video in 720P HD video and edit and upload the video to youtube all from the ipod without NO NEED for a pc to do it. Vita shoots video in stupid VGA quality and you have to have a computer to post the videos on youtube lol. Sony Sony Sony lol.
The blogcast has been talking this game up a lot lately. I’ve been wanting to play it since they spoke about all the small details in the game. Hopefully soon is summer and not the time Santa comes around.
OMG this is sad. Almost 4 months in and this is the crap that they release on vita? I’m lost for words and this is the # 1 reason I’ve taken two vita’s back to walmart for refunds since March 1st to now. This is 2012 not 1980. Get some 2012 VITA exclusive games made and ditch this Nintendo crap. We are taking a dam* vita not a dam* gameboy. Man this is ridiculous. So glad I returned the vita’s. It overrated and over hyped out the butt. Good luck with sales as the year goes by. Overpriced machine. Can’t even handle simple modern day internet flash or hell not even a YOUTUBE APP at that. Very sad indeed. PS3 suits me just fine along with my 8 gig 4th gen ipod touch. At least on that ipod I can record video in 720P HD video and edit and upload the video to youtube all from the ipod without NO NEED for a pc to do it. Vita shoots video in stupid VGA quality and you have to have a computer to post the videos on youtube lol. Sony Sony Sony lol.
Can’t wait. Day 1 purchase
@13
Calm down!!! No one forced you to buy the Vita! You made the decision by yourself!!
Open to everyone, but don’t be a jerk.
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@EVIL_D-E-M-O-N-S
did someone wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning? sheesh!
So you are saying this game is the reason you have returned 2..let me get this right…2 Vita’s since it came out?
So when one game you don’t like comes out on the PS3 are you going to return that too?
But hey it’s the internet so its like I am talking to a damn wall
This game actually looks great and I look forward to it Brian! Hope we can get our hands on it very soon!
@1, please stay on topic.
@7, I suppose he measured it in terms of how long the coding & conversion process took from the PS 3 to the Vita. That’s my guess…
@9, good questions!
Hi Brian, great video & yep, I can see & hear the care you put into RCP! I’m psyched & I’ll be ready when the PS3 & the Vita version drops. However, a few questions if you have the time:
1) This looks like a game that never ends; does it have a New Game+ or does it simply continue…? I hope so!
2) Did I miss this or was the story rarely mentioned? Anyways, can I alter the hero (name, appearence, sounds, etc…) or is this already predesigned?
3) Will there be an online aspects like “gifting” via Near or leaderbords?
4) Another fan of the DLC option; I hope you’ll consider it Brian!
Finally, cheers to the Canadian devs & to Sony!
Not only did EVIL_D-E-M-O-N-S supposedly buy and return the Vita twice, he posted twice. Epic FAIL FAIL.
Initially, this didn’t interest me. As someone who gamed through the 80’s, I feel like I’ve been there, done that. About 2/3rds of the way through the video, the talk of changing game modes/missions, open world, and sheer variety started to really pique my interests. I think I’d probably opt for the Vita version, too, but a playable demo would help me make that decision. The cool part about the Vita’s OLED screen is since it’s so sharp, you can just hold it closer to your face and get that full-sized LCD TV effect, with basically no loss in fidelity. I think playing his game in it’s native 16:9 view is a definite option.
Based on my experience with this game at said Toronto event, I can vouch for its awesomeness.
@11, evil, I don’t think you were trolling & erm, complaining too harshly in the “Drop” posts but you are now. It’s immature & rude- it’s sad that you claim to be a gamer when you flat out call another person’s work “crap.” Please THINK before you post.
lmao! I knew the defending the vita would start lol. What is their defend? Its overrated and over hyped and I as well as thousands of others have already returned vita’s and laughing at it. Of course NO ONE forced me to buy a overrated vita I did it to test it out and knew if I didn’t like it I had 2 weeks to return it to walmart for a refund. The sad thing is I bought a vita on March 1st and returned it March 2nd cause it had hardly if any support then and its pretty much the same now. Oh and give this it has games rants a break. Almost any GOOD game that is on vita right now is a hand me down ps2 version of a ps3 game that’s been out for ages. I have ps3 for that. Ps vita needs its OWN exclusives not ps2 version ports of a ps3 game. if they wanna do that at least make a GT5 and Skyrim vita version then otherwise its a waste of our time we already own the dam* games on ps3. No PS1 support even still and all the GOOD psp games still isn’t supported just CRAPPY ONES that no one buys. Have fun playing the same demo’s on the vita all year to games that have sat in the store since day one with NOTHING hardly new releasing since then lol. Admit it we got lied to and the vita is another failure psp in the making.
@22, yes, yes, of course you “knew the defending” would start… le sigh. BECAUSE your post here mirrors the post you made on the “Drop.” You’re obviously looking for attention. But don’t you understand that this dev is talking about his new title & wants feedback about it? Come on, you spew Walmart returns, video settings, Apple gadgets, & many other personal rants. Make a personal website; don’t TROLL another person’s/dev’s post! 8/
@22 and the trolling continues… Should’ve just stopped after the 2nd post.
And no I didn’t repaste twice to troll. I made typo’s in the first one and fixed it and re posted it. READ! And yes I HAVE had 2 vita’s. Bought one on March 1st and returned it March 2nd to walmart for a refund. Then I gave it a second chance on May 14th and my wife and I was enjoying the free camera games until we both noticed scan lines that were going up and down that was very easy to see when any back ground was light or dark grey and the green menu screens. I couldn’t ignore the line defect in that screen on the second one so we returned it on the 15th of may. I made a youtube proving to noobs that said on youtube I never owned a vita and I was just trolling lies lol. I made a video SHOWING MY WALMART RETURN RECEIPT. Thank goodness I got my refund on the memory stick as well or I’d of been super pissed. Away from no support hardly and screen defects of weird off color darkess lines that go up and down the screen on grey download screens and the green menu screens then I guess I’ll just pass on a vita all together now. OVERRATED MACHINE and WAY OVERPRICED!
This is going to be fun, & for people crying about this game you can always not buy the game.And wait for something to your liking.
EVIL_D-E-M-O-N-S is just one of those guys you have to ignore, He makes countless posts, never stays on topic, and never has anything positive to say. Just ignore him. Good to see some mature people on the blog though.
Hurry up Brian and get this game to us already!!! I NEED THIS GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How much will it cost on PS3?
Will there be a demo? Although I’ll probably buy this no matter what…
Brian, this looks more like a adventure/rpg hybrid set in some 80’s game wonderland- please go easy on the save system! If it’s a “coin-up” type game where “continues” & lives are rare… it will be a brutal experience for me, haha. Hardcore fans will love the challange however.
Thanks so much everyone! Love reading such supportive comments :)
@luvtoseek what I mean is that some missions play like coin-op games gameplay wise (ie. tossing barrels like Root Beer Tapper or catching/dodging things thrown out of windows), but you still have infinite lives, not to worry
There is a New Game+ type thing but I’m not revealing the details (I want it to be a surprise :)
In addition, there’s still tons of other replayability. Once the missions are complete, you can still replay them or play the Arcade Challenges (over 50 story missions, 40 arcade challenges) . There’s a huge open world to explore with 50 vehicles, shops and buildings you can enter (over 80 interiors)
you can customize your character – hairstyles, hats, masks, tattoos, plastic surgery
you can customize your vehicles – nitro on a skateboard or shoot rockets from a shopping cart, haha
you can buy drinks, weapons, play arcade games, play casino games and more (run over pedestrians to collect coins ;)