An odd case of art imitating art, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World is a side-scrolling beat 'em up set in Toronto, based on a comic book beat 'em up set in Toronto, now a movie beat 'em up set in Toronto, too. Hipsters everywhere have spent this summer anxiously awaiting the release of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, the latest film from acclaimed director Edgar Wright. But before it was a film, the Scott Pilgrim game got its start in the world of comic books. Now, thanks to the hype surrounding the film, those black and white comics have come to life in fully playable color.

Available for the Playstation Network (PSN) now and Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA) on August 24, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is an old school side-scrolling beat'em up in the vein of Double Dragon or Turtles in Time. Up to four players can select a member of Scott's crew and do battle with the bad guys using an assortment of common objects found lying in the street if not a simple flurry of punches and kicks.

As the game progresses and characters earn experience, they'll level up and learn new fighting techniques to make their way through the throngs of ever tougher guys populating the city streets.

Fans familiar with the story from the film or the book will find no surprises in the game's narrative. Scott has fallen in love with the mysterious Ramona Flowers, but if he wants to be with her forever, he'll need to defeat her seven evil exes. The story was meant to mimic the format of a video game, so it should come as no surprise that Scott Pilgrim's major plot points end up feeling like a custom fit in this playable adaptation.

Like the books, the Scott Pilgrim game plays out like a love letter to Toronto. Players can buy items in stores that spoof Sneaky Dee's, Queen Video, and Second Cup - all Toronto institutions. TTC buses will appear to drop off new bad guys for you to do battle with. Even obscure locations like Hillcrest Park make the cut for players to explore - and that's all just in the first level.

The game also plays out like an homage to 8-bit gaming; the days when Nintendo first reigned supreme. The player select screen is straight out of Super Mario Bros 2, for example, and when you attempt to resuscitate another player, the countdown timer looks eerily similar to the bulbous numbers in Punch-Out. And then there's the slightly more meta tribute to the days of yore, for as unique as the game may feel to younger players, it's really little more than a rehashing of the cult classic River City Ransom, circa 1989.

The lack of online multiplayer is Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World's only real sore spot, especially considering how much better the game gets when played with friends; but it's a gripe worth overlooking. So long as you can convince a girlfriend/roommate/homeless guy to pick up a controller, you're going to have a blast punching and kicking your way to victory as a team.

Single player aficionados, however, are going to have a tougher time of it. Without at least one partner, the difficulty ramps up significantly, surpassingly. In the words of Zelda's old man, "it's dangerous to go alone."

Still, few products manage to hit the sweet spot in terms of fan service for their faithful as well as this game does. Even if you're not a fan, there's enough top-notch, old-school gameplay here to turn the most skeptical of gamers into lovestruck little girls.

If you're looking for a budget priced experience that's going to satisfy your inner retro gamer, consider Scott Pilgrim vs. the World an absolute must-buy.