Gaming Reviews

Casual Friday: VG Pocket Caplet

By Hector Cortez Jan 26, 2007, 21:11 GMT

PDP USA fits dozens of classic arcade games onto one little handheld for a low, low price. The question is, are they any good? Read on.

Space Invaders. Bust-A-Move. Burger Time. If any of those names sound familiar, have we got the product for you! PDP USA is on hand to cash in on all your nostalgic leanings with its VG Pocket. PDP USA is the same company behind the Pelican, Headbanger Audio, and Code Breaker line of products.

The unit itself kind of resembles the illegitimate child of a pumpkin and a PSP.

The VG Pocket Caplet we reviewed has 35 games built in, but the new version will include 50 games. The main selling point for the Caplet is the amount of games you are getting for the low price. For a mere $39.99 you get a complete portable gaming system with 50 built-in games.

Unfortunately though, only 3 of the games are licensed. Space Invaders, Bust-A-Move, and Burger Time are the only games that you will have heard of when you turn the unit on. The licensed games are accurately ported with little to no slow-down.

The VG Pocket Caplet's packaging.

So what about the rest of the games? Are they all cheap knock-offs or poorly coded games? Yes, and no. I'll be completely honest when I say that some of the games included are just awful. Thankfully there are some gems among the rubble such as Puzzle Chance, Bubble Blaster, and Crystal Cavern.

For the next version of the VG Pocket Caplet, it would be good for PDP USA include more licensed games. How about Ms. Pac-Man and Galaga? After all, what is a nostalgia kick if you don't remember any of the games? Also, choose better games to include. Some of the games included are horrible and boring. Overall, though, the VG Pocket Caplet is a fun unit that is fun for retro gamers and children of all ages.