Please bring this game to our shores....
NGBC may feel more like a true homage to SNK itself with a roster that spans the company's history. You have all the big fighting games represented here such King of Fighters, Fatal Fury, Mark of the Wolves, Samurai Showdown, and Art of Fighting. Add to this already solid roster characters from other SNK games such as Metal Slug, King of the Monsters, and even World Heroes. Some characters will look familiar, some will not, but they all mix in with a very balanced roster.
The only two real fresh faces are the game's marquee characters Yuki and Ai. Each of them have moves based off other SNK games (Ai's interpretation of very old school game Baseball Stars is classic), so may seem a bit out of place in a fighting game, but earns points for being creative, and if anything, more of a novelty in the roster. Both Yuki and Ai lack any real originality that makes them keep up with their ancestors within the game.
Every character keeps their trademarks. Kyo throws fire punches, Haohmaru swings a mean sword, Marco even summons an actual Metal Slug to shoot at his opponent. Older characters are given new looks such as Hanzo and Fuuma from World Heroes which helps them feel new, while having the same old moves. If you've ever played any of the games the characters come from, you'll feel right at home using them here as most of the moves themselves have not changed.
The system itself is more like the Capcom VS series. Each player chooses 2 characters that can tag in and out on the fly. You can also use a team up move that isnt really too flashy as just the two characters taking turns beating down their opponent. Some pairings have some unique moves, but nothing too special.
The main game itself does have a unique boss system. How you proceed through the game, depending on how well you defeat your enemies will determine which of 4 different bosses you will face. In typical SNK boss fashion, expect alot of angry controller throwing just trying to defeat them. Having different ones to face is kind of cool, but not when they're so hard to beat.
If you're a fan of the 2D fighters, give this one a try. The combat is actually deep enough to keep 2 players involved enough to relive the old days. Just don't expect the real deep gameplay you find in the better 3D fighters of today.