SNK Arcade Classics Volume 1 (PS2) is RETRO at its finest!
Art Of FIghting- Release Date: 1992
Story: Help Ryo Sakazaki and Robert Garcia find Ryo's sister, Yuri, who has been kidnapped by Mr. Big. Also learn the true identity of Mr. Karate.
Yeah, this game was pretty kick butt back in the day but, it hasn't aged well. It is a fun fighing game with cool bonus rounds like crush the bricks and chop the tops off glass bottles. Already own this game in the Art Of Fighting Anthology.
Baseball Stars 2- Release Date: 1992
Story: The second baseball game in the wildly popular series Baseball Stars. Choose from one of the 12 teams across two leagues- Exciting League (beginner) & Fighting League (expert)
I have always enjoyed Baseball Stars whatever the system it's on. It's over the top and that is part of its charm. I have spent many a quarter on this game and now I'm happy to say it has come home again. I love how colorful this game is. It's a baseball game although not the best ever made but, fun anyways. One of my favorite games in this collection.
Burning Fight- Release Date: 1991
Story: Duke and Billy, two renowned New York City Police detectives, are hot on the trail of a dangerous Japanese crime syndicate. Their investigation has led them to the mean streets of Japan where they meet a police officer and martial arts expert named Ryu. The three set out to track down the crime syndicate bosses and end their reign of terror once and for all.
It is a fun, side scrolling fighting game in the vein of Double Dragon (Arcade/NES/Super NES) and that's a good thing for me. I LOVE THIS TYPE OF GAME. Although I consider this one to be Streets Of Rage Lite it's still a fun beat em and nice addition this collection.
Fatal Fury- Release Date: 1991
Story: The rise of the "Lone Wolf" Terry Bogard. Terry and his brother Andy are on a mission of revenge against the notorious crime lord Geese Howard for killing their father. The annual King Of Fighters fighting tournament is set to begin and no fighter has ever managed to beat Geese's right-hand man and appointed champion, Billy Kane.
Ah yeah the Fatal Fury series has always been enjoyable. Terry Bogard to me is to me what Ryu is for Street Fighter II. Geese Howard is also a kick butt boss as well. Oh, and by the way Billy Kane can be beat too. I already own Fatal Fury Battle Archives Vol 1 but, it's cool to see this game in the collection if people don't already own it. A good, solid fighting game.
King Of The Monsters- Release Date: 1991
Story: Battle it out and cause as much destruction as possible. Choose from 6 monsters across 6 Japanese cities.
I played this game CONSTANTLY when it was in the arcade. Way before there was a War Of The Monsters (PS2) there was this fighting/wrestling game featuring the likes of King Kong and Godzilla with a few other colorful characters. It's cool to fight these beasts all while destroying everything in sight. Nothing beats giving one of these monsters a pile driver and then leaping up in the air and landing on their beaten carcass for the pin. Awesome game and I hope King Of The Monsters 2 finds it way to Vol 2. One of my favorite games in this collection.
Last Resort- Release Date: 1992
Story: You must protect the last human colony, a floating space station that has been infiltrated by a computer virus. Destroy the virus and its minions...humanity is in the balance.
I love shooters. This one could rival any shooter out there. The graphics are top notch and the soundtrack is pleasant which is two recipes for a great shooter. Mix in alot of action and you're looking at one of my favorite games in this collection.
Magician Lord- Release Date: 1990
Story: A magician named Elta, last descendant of the famed Magician Lord, takes on an epic adventure to save the world from the evil Gul-Agieze. Elta must battle through eight stages, collecting the eight tomes of power that are key to defeating Gul-Agieze and his evil plans. By obtaining orbs in one of the three colors (elements) that appear during the game, Elta's offensive powers and jumping abilities can be strengthened. The effect varies considerably depending on the combination of elements, though, and Elta can transform into six different forms: Waterman, Dragon Warrior, Shinobi, Samurai, Raijin, or Poseidon. Can you help Elta to become the new Magician Lord?
The title says it all. If there was one game I really wanted to own it is this one. I sunk many a quarter into this game trying to explore all the different elements and proceeding with the story. Before Lord Of The Rings there was magician lord and this game kicks much butt. The action is intense and it does remind me of Ghoul's and Ghosts (Sega Genesis) which is a compliment in the highest form. If I owned a NEO-GEO system I would have gotten this game. One of my favorite games in this collection.
Metal Slug- Release Date: 1996
Story: Play as Marco or Tarma (members of the Regular Army's special operations division called the Peregrine Falcon (PF) squad) and prevent a massive coup d'etat by General Morden to form a New World Order under his reign.
Ah, it was MS 'A' School (that's Navy baking and cooking school) where I first discovered this quarter guzzler) it reminds me of Contra (NES) but, what that would have been if it had a cartoonish spin to it. It is filled with humor. The amount of animation in this game is unreal as enemies react to how you kill them (to numerous to mention) but, a few you knife a guy he holds his chest or you torch him and you'll see him flailing in the flame. Already own this game in Metal Slug Anthology but, still it warrants this If you don't own Metal Slug Anthology GO and GET IT! and- one of my favorite games in this collection.
Neo Turf Masters- Release Date: 1996
Story: SNK's classic golf game features Match & Stroke play on 4 challenging courses from around the world.
Not a bad golf game. Don't remember playing this one in the arcades much but, a welcome addition. It really can't compete with Hot Shots Golf (PS2/PS3) but, then again it wasn't supposed to. So far I am enjoying playing this one.
Samurai Shodown- Release Date: 1993
Story: Set in the 18th Century, choose from 12 different fighters and battle it out to ultimately confront the masterSamurai Amakusa Shiro Tokisada, who was resurrected after his death by the demon Ambrosia.
The game is F A N T A S T I C! I truly believe that this game was way ahead of it's time as it was mind blowing back then. All the characters are special to me and the game is still beautiful after all this time. I truly hope that when volume 2 comes out Samurai Shodown II will be included and not to mention the Samurai Shodown Anthology. This game took many of my quarters as I tried to experiment with every figher in the game. Haohmaru and Hanzo are my favorites without a doubt my favorites here in this game. Also one of my favorite games in this collection.
Sengoku- Release Date: 1991
Story: a 400 year old prophecy has come true. A great warlord has been resurrected and has vowed to destroy the world. You must stop this evil warlord and his legion of followers before it's too late.
I must be getting old because for the life of me I don't remember playing this game! but, now that I have I don't regret it. It is yet another side scrolling fighting game but, Magician Lord-like qualities where you can change into different characters which is very cool. I look forward to exploring more of this game and getting to the end as it is worth playing through.
Shock Troopers- Release Date: 1997
Story: The Bloody Scorpions Group (BSG) have kidnapped the lead scientist and his granddaughter to gain control of "Alpha-301). Choose from 8 characters and take command in this 8-way shooter to rescue them and save the world.
The minute I started playing this game I couldn't help but think of Commando (NES) and MERCS (Sega Genesis) it's like a wonderful combination of the two. Also reminds me of Guerilla Warfare (Sega Master System) -going way back- but, this game is still fun to play and I don't think I've played this one until now. Really, you should give this game a shot -pun intended- as it's alot of fun and has alot to offer. Does play like a top down version of Metal Slug. Again, a nice compliment.
Super Sidekicks 3- The Next Glory- Release Date: 1995
Story: Compete for the NeoGeo Cup in SNK's third soccer game featuring 64 international teams.
A fun soccer game. The amount of teams you can select is impressive. Haven't had much play time on this one but, so far so good.
The King Of Fighters '94- Release Date: 1994
Story: The greatest fighters from around the world have been invited to the inaugural KOF tournament. Countries included are; USA, England, Brazil, Korea, Japan, Mexico, Italy, China, and Japan (ed note: again?) Battle it out to see who really is the King Of Fighters.
The first to me is the best. Well, that was true until King Of FIghters XI (PS2) came out. But, this one is ranked up there for the choice of fighters as well as the trademarked backgrounds that have always impressed me in this series not to mention a blazing soundtrack. Without a doubt one of my favorite games in this collection.
Top Hunter- Release Date: 1994
Story: Far in the future, humans have colonized space. Now, the infamous space pirates the Klaptons are marauding their way through the galaxies, wiping out peaceful settlements as they go. The pirates's disturbing behavior earns them a price on their heads. Roddy and Cathy, the top bounty hunters in the cosmos, have come to capture the pirates and claim the bounty. With your help, they'll fight their way through a perilous adventure. Do you have what it takes to help save the universe?
Again, don't remember this one but, it is like Metal Slug in space. It is a fun and unique game. I enjoy this one alot and can't wait to play it again because it has this addictive quality. You want to punch another enemy, you want to collect those coins. I want to say that this game is very charming and it is one of my favorite games in this collection.
Unlockable-
World Heroes- Release Date: 1992
Story: having perfected a time travel machine, Dr. Brown organizes a fighting tournament consisting of various fighters throughout all of history to see who is truly the greatest.
Yet another fun fighting game. NEO-GEO/SNK know fighting games PERIOD. I had alot of fun playing this game back in the day as I am a fighing game fanatic. I enjoyed the different modes of fighting like flame ring, wall of spikes, etc.... I am working to unlock this one because I do want to play it again. I remember it so I can say without a doubt that this is one of my favorite games in this collection.
I do look forward to Vol 2 and will be suggesting a few titles that should be included in a future blog. If you are an old school gamer then this collection should please you very much. I'd like to thank NEO-GEO/SNK for releasing these gems and look forward to many more in Vol 2....