Game Details

Size 95 MB
Region USA
Genre Strategy
Format 7z / ISO
Year September 30, 2009
Console PSP

 

PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe (2009) is the definitive edition of the beloved tower defense series. It isn’t just a port; it’s a “Super-Package” that combines the original PS3 game, its expansion, and exclusive handheld content into one of the highest-rated strategy games on the PSP.

Game Story & Premise

You control Tikiman, the forest defender. Your goal is simple: protect your 20 vulnerable children (villagers) at the center of the map from waves of encroaching monsters.

The Twist: Unlike most tower defense games where you are an “invisible hand,” in PixelJunk, you are a physical character on the field. You must run to trees to convert them into towers, physically collect gold and gems dropped by enemies, and even “dance” next to towers to manually upgrade them for free. If a monster touches Tikiman, you don’t die, but you lose all your currently held coins—which can be a death sentence for your strategy.

Unlockable Towers & Items

You unlock the “special” items by beating the challenge stages on each island.

Unlockable Requirement
Speed Potion Beat Tiki Island Special 1
Flame Tower Beat Tiki Island Special 2
Land Mine Beat Tiki Island Special 3
Lightning Tower Beat Toki Island Special 2
Trap Tower Beat Gati Gati Island Special 1
Hive Tower Beat Gati Gati Island Special 2

Why it’s the “Deluxe” Edition

This version contains more content than the original PS3 release:

  • All Islands: Includes Tiki Island (Original), Toki Island (Encore DLC), and the PSP-exclusive Gati Gati Island.

  • More Levels: A total of 47 levels compared to the original’s 21.

  • New Towers: Includes the Trap Tower (attacks land and air) and the Hive Tower (swarms enemies with bees).

  • Challenge Mode: Special missions with specific constraints (e.g., “Clear without using Cannons”) to earn medals.

  • Online Play: Unlike the early PS3 version, the PSP version features full Online Co-op and local Ad-Hoc play.

Pro-Tips for “Rainbow” Medals

To earn a Rainbow Medal, you must clear a stage without losing a single villager.

  • The Power of the Dance: Don’t just build; dance! If you have a few seconds between waves, stand on your most important tower (usually a Cannon or Anti-Air) to level it up without spending precious gems.

  • Gem Management: Use gems to unlock advanced towers (like the Mortar or Tesla) rather than just quick-upgrading basic ones. A single Level 1 Mortar is often better than three Level 4 Arrows.

  • Interest Rates: You earn “Interest” on the gold you hold at the end of each wave. If you don’t need to build a tower immediately, hold your cash to grow your bank account for the final boss.

Short Review: Deceptively Hard

The Good

  • Aesthetic: The hand-drawn 2D art and the soothing, acoustic soundtrack by Otograph create a zen-like experience—until the monsters start breaking through.

  • Content Density: It is one of the “longest” games on the system if you aim to Rainbow every stage.

  • Portability: The pick-up-and-play nature of tower defense is a perfect fit for the PSP.

The Bad

  • Brutal Difficulty: Do not let the “cute” graphics fool you. This is one of the hardest strategy games on the system. A single mistake in tower placement at Wave 2 can lead to failure at Wave 20.

  • Slow Pace: Tikiman moves quite slowly, which can be frustrating when you’re trying to reach the other side of a large map to grab a falling gem.

Screenshots

PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe PSP ISO
PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe PSP ISO