Gun didn’t exactly set the world afire, though it did provide a solid entry in the oft-neglected western genre. Gun Showdown is a PSP port of the original and offers all the same gameplay of the original, while also adding extra missions and a multiplayer mode.

Gun Showdown looks great despite being a tooled down port of an okay-looking console game. The only noticeable downgrades are the textures, but even then, the game still looks good and does a great job of capturing the original’s gritty style.

Sound comes over to the PSP with few compromises. Thomas Jane does an amazing job providing the voice of the game’s protagonist, Colton White, while Kris Kristofferson does equally well in the role of Ned White. Ron Perlman, Tom Skerritt, and Brad Dourif also turn solid work. (It is also worth mentioning that all of the character models look like the actors that play them, which is a neat little addition.) Music is decent, yet lacks the impact of a truly memorable western.

Gun Showdown puts you behind the six-shooter of Colton White, a trapper who is out for revenge after the death of his father, or at least the man he grew up thinking was his father. His quest for revenge soon gets him tied up in a deeper plot involving a railroad baron in search of an ancient artifact. Though the story does have its cliched moments, the overall story is really good and worth the time playing through – that is, if you can get past a few technical and gameplay flaws.

Gun Showdown is best described as Grand Theft Auto: Dodge City. Missions follow a set plot, though you are free to explore the game world and take on story missions at your leisure. However, the world doesn’t feel quite as big as it does in the console versions and it is clear that some things were cut to suit the hardware’s limitations. Still, there’s a lot here to see and do.

All of the missions found in the original make their way over to the PSP version as well as five completely new missions. The new missions fit seamlessly into the story and, unless you’ve played the original, you would never know they were new. Accomplishing missions nets you money and ability upgrades for Colton.

If you’re looking to jump in for a quick game, several mini-games are available. At first, you’re limited to bear hunting, but you’ll soon unlock a cannon game as well as other games. Nearly all revolve around shooting lots of things quickly, so they can get tiring, though at the same time, you’ll likely find one that really sinks its hooks into you.

Also new to the mix are three new multiplayer types. Deathmatch and Capture the Flag are around for those who are in the mood for a showdown. Texas Hold’em is also around for those who just can’t get enough of poker.

Controlling Colton is the most difficult aspect of Gun Showdown, though it isn’t so bad that the game is unplayable. Still, expect to die once or twice because you were fiddling around with controls. Once you get the hang of the control scheme (an alternate variation is available which might be a little more comfortable for some people), Gun Showdown is still challenging, but fun.

Gun Showdown faces the same technical problem as most shooters on the PSP – the lack of a second analog stick. In response, Rebellion has implemented a control setup similar to Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror. The use of the face buttons to rotate the camera takes some getting used to, though in the end, it works well enough.

When it comes time to fight, don’t expect accurate aiming. An auto-aiming option is also around if you need it and is forgiving enough, though it still requires you to move the camera around. Some actions, like holstering or switching guns, require button combinations that can feel a bit cumbersome. Jumping to Quick Draw mode, which causes everyone to slow down, makes aiming a little easier though you’ll have to keep an eye on your monitor.

Gun Showdown may be a port, but the additions are enough to warrant a look for anyone who enjoyed the game a year ago. Many of the gameplay issues that hit the console version have been cleaned up, though you’ll have to contend with hardware limitations that will potentially ruin your fun.