SNK/Neo-Geo Appreciation thread

[BoneSnapDeez]

I like Neo Geo stuff, just wish it wasn't so expensive. I do own a Japanese AES but only have a measly two games for it (though Magician Lord is on the way ). I'd like to get into MVS and NGCD stuff eventually, maybe next year.

The NGPC is a fantastic handheld. I really need to check out more games for it, mostly I've just been playing Sonic.

Metal Slug is my favorite SNK series by far (I'm not big into fighting games, which seem to be about 50% or more of SNK titles). I own Metal Slug 3 (Xbox), 4 & 5 (PS2), Advance (GBA), and 7 (DS). I'll probably check out the NGPC titles next as I've heard those are pretty decent.

Oh yeah and I can't forget Crystalis. Probably one of my top 5 NES games.

[foxhound1022]

What's not to love about Neo-Geo? Shmups, Fighters, Beat em Ups, and just other random arcade craziness that caters to the 90's mallrat kids.

NGCD is good if you just wanna play without getting into the really salty stuff. Load times are forgivable. (Except KOF.... blah.)

[dunpeal2064]

@Bone: The NGPC is something I'd love to check out. There is a Sonic game on it? Must be Keith Apicary's dream come true, Sonic on an SNK machine

@Flake: Well, I do have the option to play MVS stuff, so I'll probably avoid the compilations, aside maybe to try out a game before I buy. The MVS carts tend to be really affordable though. I snagged MS2 for $35 posted! As far as AES stuff... well, to me it seems like its for collectors only. Especially considering you can access the AES content with UniBIOS on an MVS. I would like to check out the NGPC though, and possibly the NGCD, just to see how the games came across in dfisc format.

So, I've been looking into Last Resort, Pulstar, and Blazing Star. Are these games developed by SNK? I heard a rumor that a group of devs left Irem and joined SNK to make these games, which would explain why they have such an R-Type feel to them.

[ExedExes]

So, I've been looking into Last Resort, Pulstar, and Blazing Star. Are these games developed by SNK? I heard a rumor that a group of devs left Irem and joined SNK to make these games, which would explain why they have such an R-Type feel to them.

From Wikipedia (to answer Pulstar/Blazing Star question)

Aicom is a now defunct Japanese video game developer. It is believed that it was founded in 1988 at the latest, possibly by a group that left Jaleco. Despite evidence to support this the Sammy corporate website lists 1990 as the first year and that it was a subsidiary. It was bought by Sega Sammy Holdings in 1992.

Their games include The Mafat Conspiracy, Totally Rad and Vice: Project Doom on the Nintendo Entertainment System, Blaster Master Boy for the Game Boy and Pulstar for Neo Geo.

It eventually broke off from Sammy, and with funding from SNK eventually became Yumekobo and produced games mainly for SNK systems.

Would make sense seeing that Yumekobo also made Prehistoric Isle 2, a very underrated shmup. Heck, both games even.

[noiseredux]

good call on the compilations, Flake.

I've definitely become an SNK fan, but have no interest in the console hardware to be honest. Sure, I understand there are purists who want to play on original consoles, but what I love is how easy (and cheap) it now is to play a large part of the NG library elsewhere. I have a pretty good collection of NG fighting games on PS2 nowadays. Add to that the various games that have been brought to PSN's NeoGeo Station or the XBLA ports and you've got these classic games in HD with f'ing ONLINE PLAY!

Alright, so some favorites...

Garou: Mark of the Wolves - raved about elsewhere as one of my new favorite fighting games.

King of Fighters 98: Ultimate Match - huge huge roster. Mai & Athena FTW. Hard as nails.

King of Fighters XIII: Looks amazing in HD and has great netcode.

NeoGeo Battle Coliseum - such a weird and awesome game. I love all the odd cameos. Very unique "dream match" kind of game. I really hope the sequel happens.


Also, I know I already had and sold a NGPC... but I'm thinking of nabbing another. Here's why: I didn't like it much because I hate handhelds that you have trouble seeing the screen unless you're in perfect lighting. So I figured, oh well, my eyes suck. I'll just emulate these games. But I realized that whenever we go to the beach, I have trouble seeing my PSP or DS because the screen is lit. Maybea NGPC is a perfect beach-handheld?

[BoneSnapDeez]

Also, I know I already had and sold a NGPC... but I'm thinking of nabbing another. Here's why: I didn't like it much because I hate handhelds that you have trouble seeing the screen unless you're in perfect lighting. So I figured, oh well, my eyes suck. I'll just emulate these games. But I realized that whenever we go to the beach, I have trouble seeing my PSP or DS because the screen is lit. Maybea NGPC is a perfect beach-handheld?

You can turn off (or at least "turn down") the backlights on DS/PSP I think.

But I hear ya about the lighting thing. I have a tough time with the NGPC inside. What happens is this: I can't see the screen so I angle it towards the ceiling light... but then the light glares off the screen making it even worse. I found that the ideal set-up is to play it outside on the porch. Haven't tried the beach yet, watch out for sand!

[ExedExes]

King of Fighters 98: Ultimate Match - huge huge roster. Mai & Athena FTW. Hard as nails.

Still my favorite KOF of all time. Also have it for DC, albeit missing manual and scratched up beyond recognition, and it *still* plays.

[retrosportsgamer]

I'd love to see a breakdown of the exclusive PSN/XBLA titles for collecting purposes.

[marurun]

The other neat thing about the Neo Geo is that we can appreciate it from an arcade perspective as well. My high school had a cab in the student center with Samurai Shodown in it and I got pretty good with Charlotte. I wasn't very reliable with her specials, but I had the timing of her regular attacks down pretty well and was one of my school's top tier players. I also experienced the first KOF (94) on that cab, and failed utterly to be anything other than mediocre at the original Art of Fighting.

[sneth]

I don't think we need this thread,

but whatever you do

don't forget Last Blade.