Controls are tight but also distinctly old-school in their implementation. This is most evident in the inability to change jump trajectory once the button has been pressed. Players unaccustomed to such jump mechanics will die constantly. I did like the way button sensitivity was implemented, though. In other words, it is natural to meter out the strength of your jumps by subtly or forcefully depressing the face buttons. Still, I wouldn't be surprised if more than a couple PSPs end up in a pile of parts due to frustration.

Prinny features a presentation that is first-rate! The visuals and sounds really add to the overall feel. In fact, the PSP has never looked better. I absolutely loved the character design and crisp sprites implemented. Furthermore, the backgrounds are varied and beautiful. The sound effects are just standard, but the large amount of voice over work is not only very well-executed, but also hilarious. Hearing "Dood!" all the time can get nerve-racking after a time, however.

If you are cruisin' for a bruisin' or fancy yourself a gaming star, Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero? may just be the masochistic title you're looking for. On the other hand, if you're into deep stories, don't particularly enjoy platforming, or simply can't control your temper, then Prinny would be a bad choice.

Still, the pretty graphics, fun bosses, great character design, loads of unlockables, and challenging difficulty set this title apart from the jumble of PSP shovelware. All in all, this is a great game - just make sure you don't explode, dood!

By Jonathan Marx
CCC Editor / News Director