Game: "Capcom Classics Mini Mix"

Console: Nintendo Game Boy Advance

Developer/publisher: Sensory Sweep Studios/Capcom

Number of players: One

Rated: T for teen (blood, gore and mild violence)

The premise: Lately it's been fashionable to release old game compilations. Among them is "Mini Mix," which appears to be a follow-up to Capcom's "Classics Collections Volume 1" and features "Bionic Commando," "Final Fight" and "Strider" in their Nintendo Entertainment System versions.

Back in 1989, "Strider" was released for the NES and was much different from the arcade version in its story, stage select, abilities (healing) and equipment. While the arcade version was an action game, this could be considered an adventure game.

"Final Fight" (or "Mighty Final Fight") was released in 1993 and was different from its arcade counterpart with an experience system instead of a point system. Gaining a level meant you got an extra life.

"Bionic Commando," released in 1988, was vastly different from its arcade version. What was an action game was now an adventure game similar to "Strider." The other differences were a stage select, a life bar, an experience system and equipment.

The game play: It's not much different from any game of this time period. This involved side-scrolling from left to right. But what made these unusual was the ability to go up or down on the screen using ladders/elevators, as is the case with "Strider."

The good/bad: No improvements have been made from the NES days on graphics, sound or game play. For those who remember these games fondly, this would be a good collection.

Tips: Make sure you have a blank piece of paper handy when playing "Strider" because no data is saved on these games. Try to remember what the games were like for the NES and try not to compare them to modern games graphically or for sound quality.

My take: I have played many a rehash in my time, and this has to be the worst so far. Other collections include artwork, tips, history or music; this collection had none of that. The graphics, sound and game play are very dated.

What I also noticed was that delays occur when too much is happening on the screen. And I forgot that "Bionic" for the NES had no password or save option; this meant I had to play the game through.

Unless you are a nostalgia freak, forget these and get "Capcom Classics Collections Volume 1" for "Strider" and "Final Fight" and track down "Bionic Commando" for Nintendo Game Boy Regular and Color. The "Bionic Commando" games have been updated from the ground up with better graphics and password and save options.

Jeffrey Davis, of Maui, is a video-game enthusiast.