Most lists of the “all-time” best games are mostly filled with eight-bit games and older. In a time when games now have movie-quality sound and graphics, these lists raise interesting questions about what it is that really makes a game timeless. Sparking this discussion is the portable debut release onto PSP of a game with a title as simple as the game itself, “N+.” The “N” stands for ninja, which the player controls through hundreds of stages, while the “+” pays homage to the game’s origins as a freeware, flash-based online game. “N+” stands out among most recent releases because it plays — and looks — like an NES game out of the late 1980s. Yet despite being primitive, it is both fun and frustratingly addictive.

There’s a lot to say about a game so simple it makes “Mario” or “Mega Man” look cluttered and complex. Or maybe there isn’t. You control, with one button, a ninja ??- which is actually a blocky silhouette of what we’re told is one – through stages consisting of various blocky platforms, gold blocks that extend your time, a green orb that unlocks the exit, and the exit door itself. Throw in mines, moving orbs and other obstacles and the supposedly easy levels get frustrating. That’s it.

Both easy to pick up and learn and fulfilling in its progressive challenge “N+” repackages a simple and familiar formula of simplicity, quality and fun. Not quite complex enough to be a platform game since it lacks a story, developed stages or a limited number of lives, “N+” often feels like a puzzle or a maze that’ll see many hilariously squashed and exploded ninjas on the trail to success.

Although not necessarily innovative, “N+” manages to avoid feeling recycled with an almost forced “hipness.” The music revitalizes eight-bit chip tunes into hip-hop beats — brilliant idea, mixed results. Repetitive and not very catchy, most of the songs quickly turn annoying. Also rounding out the game is the option of having your ninja spurt blood upon his demise, which is usually frequent and comical. Although unnecessary, the blood and splat noises are entertaining and serve to bring the retro feel of the game into modernity.

Other perks unlocked by completing stages are ninjas of various colors, more music, additional levels and other goodies. And after the single-player levels have been exhausted, the possibilities are still limitless via the multiplayer mode, level creation and online levels made by other players.

Available on both the DS and the PSP, the games share similarities and differences. Functionally speaking, the DS’s dual screens truly are better than the PSP’s single screen, as they allow the level map to be displayed on one screen and the gameplay on the other. The PSP, however, keeps the same resolution as the DS but simply reveals more of the level, effectively diminishing some of the game’s maze-like feel since there’s little left for discovery beyond the screen’s edge. At the low price of $19.99, “N+” is a game worthy of your collection for either portable, but the slight recommendation goes to the DS version.

Simply put, and appropriately so, “N+” provides great game-on-the-go fun that’s timeless, deep and appealing to many. Whether at home, between classes or even during them (if you’re ninja-like and furtive enough), the diversion of this new-age, retro-styled game is both simple and satisfying.

4 1/2 stars out of 5