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There are times when working in this industry makes me feel old. I am about 10 years older than the average writer/PR rep/designer/coder and even producer. They don't make me feel old. Seeing Popeye and Olive Oyl on the floor at E for All with my 8-year-old son in tow and having him ask me, "Who's that?" makes me feel old.

Then there are the more-frequent times my age makes me feel very, very lucky. Heading to the Namco booth at E for All for a presentation of their new mobile titles and being presented with the new Popeye title ... starting to play with a confused notion as to why this is a remake and having that lightbulb-over-the-head-sensation as all of my old strategies kick in and I start to kick Bluto's behind! These are the times when I know that I'm lucky. I have more than nostalgia; I have an appreciation for just how far games have come and how fun they were and still are.

Popeye is a direct port from the arcade title of the same name. It follows the eternal struggle between Olive, Popeye and Bluto/Brutus. Olive, the girlfriend of Popeye, also is being wooed by the nefarious Bluto. Committed to her sailor-man, she turns him down, so he does what any good pirate would do — he kidnaps her. And so begins The Chase.

A platformer in every sense of the word, Popeye must now traverse up and down, left and right, collecting the items thrown to him by his love. He can't miss a single item, or the level will end! And to add to this disturbing state of affairs, he must do so while avoiding Bluto, The Sea Hag and Bernard the Buzzard to reach the next level in the hopes of saving Olive from the meaty clutches of the bearded brute.

The traditional arcade title used a joystick and button. (Wow, my hands miss those days!) Games "in the day" were a matter of skill coupled with simple memorization of level. As I said, it was with joy that I found myself using old strategies to defeat Bluto — once I realized what I was playing. How had I forgotten this game? It is this same simple control scheme and gameplay that makes these same games so fantastic for mobile.

Using only the directional button and center (or if you prefer 2, 6, 8, 4 and 5 for center), you can complete with the same accuracy the moves of old. And no need for quarters! I don't know what was worse: mounds of quarters to learn a game or having to walk away from a game after hours of play on one quarter.

Fear not! Namco has added a few goodies to Popeye. For those purists, you can play the game of old in its original graphical state with the standard levels. But, if you want to take advantage of your new-fangled mobile phone, you can have cleaned -16-bit graphics. Woohoo! Not only that, there are two additional levels — including one on a ship!

Then — and I really like this — there's the ability to collect points. You don't' have to complete the whole thing — because well, some games are harder than others on mobile devices. But, keep trying and collect points. You can then redeem them for Popeye comics on your handset. Tired of playing and just need something to read? It's right there for you. My 8-year-old next to you, and he won't stop talking? Hand him your phone, and let him read. (It usually works.)

There are those who enjoy arcade titles for the nostalgia, but honestly, I'm not one of them. I wasn't very good at very many (Popeye was an exception), and the simple gameplay just doesn't appeal in light of today's sophisticated offerings. But, on my cell phone, I don't want something involved; I don't want something I feel compelled to play; and I don't want something that costs me every time I play it.

Popeye is good game. It's simple to understand but takes skill to master. It has great rewards — new levels and now comics! The control scheme — a joystick and button — is perfect for mobile. I can play in bite-sized chunks. And if I want to be nostalgic ... this is the way to do it. These are the games that make me feel really lucky.