As I sit here, on a train trundling its way to Denver, writing this post, I can feel my Playstation Portable sitting in the bag laying by my feet.

It's there, unplayed. Typically, that wouldn't bother me so much, but for the past few days I've been trancing through my half hour daily commute to work on a Star Wars high, a Legos Star Wars high.

On Tuesday, Lucas Arts sent me copies of Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy for the Xbox 360 and Playstation Portable. I had contacted them for a copy of the 360 version so I could review it for the newspaper. But they asked me if they should include the PSP version as well. Sure, why not, I told them, I'll review it for Kotaku.

I'm shocked at how good the PSP game is. Not that I don't expect there to be the occasional great game for the PSP, but this version seemingly has all of the substance, cut-scenes and style of the 360 version.

Granted, the 360 version looks a little better, but not much. That isn't to say that the 360 version is ugly, it's just that the PSP version is surprisingly beautiful.

The game is much like its predecessor in general play, but this time focuses on the three movies most Star Wars fans love most, the original three.

Like the original Legos Star Wars, you play through a Lego-replicated version of the movies as key characters, light-sabering and blasting your way from memorable plot-point to memorable plot-point. The game also still features its not too subtle form of humor, with bizarre little side jokes and funny Lego action.

While I don't notice a substantive difference between this version and the last, there does seem to be a lot more packed into each level. This time around there are a lot more hidden areas, side-missions and rideable vehicles.

One of the big additions to the game this time around, is the ability to mix and match the pieces of the characters you've unlocked to create new, outlandish people.

After beating the first story in the first movie, the game grants you access to all three movies. As soon as I was able, I jumped into the third movie and powered my way through the chapters until I had unlocked Princess Leia in the slave outfit, you know the one; the metal bikini affair.

Then I went back and unlocked Chewbacca. Then I created furry-armed, bikini-clad Han Solos and laughed and laughed and laughed until my sides hurt. Good times. Good times.

While the game is a blast to play, Lucas Arts still didn't include online multiplayer. For the Xbox 360, that means you and a friend can co-op through the game. For the PSP version you can buddy up wirelessly with another in-room PSP-owning buddy, but no online for you. Which just plain sucks.

I really wanted to take on someone else's abhorrent creations with my ChewLeia Solo.

The PSP version does have two very cool exclusive features. The first, The Story So Far, lets you view scenes from the original Lego Star Wars game and even play through the last leave of each of the three chapters. Challenge Mode is a new unlockable feature that has you running around inside levels trying to find hidden canisters. This mode lets you unlock characters from the first game. All said, the game includes 100 characters for your playing and splicing pleasure.

If there ever was a game for the Playstation Portable that could sell the handheld, this is it. It's just as substantive, easy to play and fun as the full blow version and it's a sizeable game.

There were times, when hopping from 360 to PSP and back, that I wish I could just transfer my progress because I felt I had already enjoyed the full experience, be it on PSP or 360. That's amazing.

Brian Crecente