Back in the 80s, it wasn’t uncommon for restaurants to have a lone arcade cabinet sitting by the entrance. I’ve got fond, but hazy memories of a suburban Philadelphia diner where I discovered an innovative title called Elevator Action. I also recall a bacon cheeseburger…

In the 80s, most games confined you to a simple side-scrolling plane — it was akin to being on rails. Elavator Action enabled you to traverse a building vertically. It was a revelation. It was true freedom. It was, well, a different time.

So when I learned that Elevator Action Deluxe was on its way exclusively to the PlayStation Network for $9.99, my nostalgia was inflamed. With the game available tomorrow, Square Enix offered me the chance to ask a few questions of Producer Yosuke Tsuda.

PlayStation.Blog: Would you categorize Elevator Action for PSN as a straight remake or more of a reinterpretation?

Yosuke Tsuda, Producer, Elevator Action Deluxe: We began the development process based on three concepts:

* Have visuals that allow people to instantly recognize this as an Elevator Action game
* Retain and strengthen the original features
* Achieve a level design that invites different play styles

So when you ask me whether it’s a straight remake or more of a reinterpretation, I would have to say it’s a straight remake. However, by respecting the original Elevator Action and adding features from current game trends, the content became fresh, even to me and the rest of the development team.

PSB: What classic elements did you consider to be essential to keep in the new version?

Tsuda: The first concept was to have visuals that allow people to instantly recognize this as an Elevator Action game. Many were against this, but the early stages are similar to the original game, with simple backgrounds.

The second concept was to retain and strengthen the original features. Spies, black clothing, elevators, lamps, blackouts, red doors, escalators, and so on. We enhanced the system and visuals while keeping the identity of the original game.