Kotaku: Neo Geo

World Heroes Gets Gorgeous!

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 19:20:00 MDT

Anyone out there remember World Heroes, Alpha Denshi's not that great fighting game for the Neo Geo platform? There were only a handful of them, with sequels like World Heroes 2 Jet and World Heroes Perfect hitting arcades throughout the early nineties. Fortunately for those who have fond memories of the 2D fighter, SNK Playmore is releasing a collection of four World Heroes games for the PlayStation 2.

And it might just have the best name ever: World Heroes Gorgeous! The emphasis is mine.

Seriously, does it get any better than "gorgeous"? No, I don't think it does. Please take a few minutes to enjoy the ultimate fighting game name and mourn the loss of "turbo" and "hyper." They were good to us.

SNK's Neo Geo Titles to Hit VC Tomorrow

fdemarco — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 14:00:00 MDT

We announced the imminent arrival of SNK's Neo Geo titles on the Virtual Console last month but now it looks like we have an ETA. According to IGN, Fatal Fury, World Heroes, and Art of Fighting will be arriving tomorrow morning on Wiis everywhere. So keep your eyes on the little white box and get ready to beat the crap out of each other Neo Geo style.

SNK Stop Neo Geo Support

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 00:00:07 MDT

SNK has decided to stop offering maintenance and repairs for the Neo Geo home hardware, accessories and game cartridges as well as Neo Geo CD, Neo Geo CDZ and the Neo Geo Pocket. SNK left the console business by the year 2000, but continued to support its hardware. Starting August 31st, it won't. The reason? Getting parts has become increasingly difficult. Sega, likewise, announced earlier this year that it would no longer service its consoles starting this fall. It's the end of an era. Officially. Brian Ashcraft

No More Neo Geo Service [SNK Playmore via Insert Credit]

SNK Bringing Fatal Fury Archives To PS2

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 30 May 2007 19:20:52 MDT

Rehash specialist SNK Playmore will never be accused of neglecting its 2D-fighting fanbase. In addition to the recently released Art of Fighting Collection for the PlayStation 2 (with Wii and PSP versions rumored), the company is dredging up Neo Geo memories to bring yet another collection to the PS2 in Fatal Fury: Battle Archives Volume 1. The game will collect Fatal Fury, Fatal Fury 2, Fatal Fury 3 and Fatal Fury Special in what is expected to be a budget-priced package.

The game hits this summer, giving arcade vets a chance to relive their first look at the gratuitous boob-flapping and rump-exposure of series mainstay Mai Shiranui. No doubt, we can expect a Volume 2 follow up, most likely collecting the Real Bout Fatal Fury sequels. Michael McWhertor

SNK Resurrects its First 2D-Fighting Franchise

FATAL FURY: BATTLE ARCHIVES Volume 1 announced for PlayStation®2 system

Wall, NJ - May 30, 2007 SNK PLAYMORE USA CORPORATION, the U.S. publishing arm of the SNK PLAYMORE CORPORATION, today announced FATAL FURY: BATTLE ARCHIVES Volume 1 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system.

FATAL FURY: BATTLE ARCHIVES Volume 1 will include four classic FATAL FURY games: FATAL FURY 1, FATAL FURY 2, FATAL FURY 3 and FATAL FURY SPECIAL. The compilation's release will mark the first time FATAL FURY has appeared on the PlayStation®2 system in North America.

The FATAL FURY series was SNK's first ongoing fighting-game franchise, and many beloved SNK characters and locations made their first appearances in FATAL FURY. FATAL FURY 1 was the first fighting game to feature a two-plane system, allowing characters to dodge out of harm's way when confronted with a challenger's attacks.

"With the release of FATAL FURY: BATTLE ARCHIVES Volume 1 for the PlayStation®2 system, a brand-new generation of gamers will be introduced to one of SNK PLAYMORE's fighting classics," said Ben Herman, president of SNK PLAYMORE USA CORPORATION, "and gamers who loved playing FATAL FURY in the arcades will relish the chance to revisit the golden age of 2D fighters."

FATAL FURY: BATTLE ARCHIVES Volume 1 will be available for the PlayStation®2 system in summer 2007.

About SNK PLAYMORE USA CORPORATION

Headquartered in Osaka, Japan, SNK PLAYMORE CORPORATION (SNK) develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software in Japan, North America, Europe and Asia. Founded in 1978, SNK is one of the largest privately held interactive entertainment content providers in the world. Known for such franchises as THE KING OF FIGHTERS, METAL SLUG, and SAMURAI SHODOWN SNK continues to be an industry leader by focusing on their rich arcade history. More information on SNK PLAYMORE CORPORATION can be found at www.snkplaymore.co.jp SNK PLAYMORE USA is a wholly owned subsidiary of SNK PLAYMORE CORPORATION with offices in Wall, NJ. It handles operations in North America including publishing, marketing, development and localization. More information on SNK PLAYMORE USA can be found at www.snkplaymoreusa.com

The Custom Captain N Varsity Jacket

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 10 May 2007 21:00:08 MDT

Reader Stephan, who's a bit of a Captain N cosplay snob (and I like that) just sent us pics of his custom made jacket that he says features "cartoon accurate coloring (solid white trim on the collar, solid red trim everywhere else)." Hardcore, man.

He's even got the Zapper out. And to the right? A Neo Geo arcade cabinet! It's pretty clear that Stephan does not fuck around when niche gaming is involved.

The only negatives here? Explaining to people who the hell Captain N is. And finding an Eggplant Wizard cosplay buddy. Pure hell. Regardless, thanks for the pics! Michael McWhertor

Art Of Fighting Collection For Wii, PSP, Too

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 17:40:15 MDT

While news of SNK Playmore bringing their Art of Fighting Collection to the States wasn't exactly surprising, news of the anthology making appearances on both the PSP and Wii might be a bit more unexpected. But that's the case, as the ESRB recently rated the game for both platforms.

No word on release date, obviously, but getting your hands on these three arcade retro hits probably shouldn't hit you in the wallet too hard. Michael McWhertor

ESRB Software Ratings

Japan's VC Gets Neo Geo and MSX

Mike Fahey — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 09:20:57 MST

The Wii Virtual Console in Japan is set to add another two console selections to its lineup — the fighter friendly Neo Geo and the MSX. The Neo Geo is SNK's baby and home to King of Fighters, Fatal Fury, Art of Fighting, Metal Slug, and various other masterpieces of the 2D gaming age. The MSX is of course Japan's early-80s attempt to standardize the world computer market. The effort didn't pan out despite brisk sales, but as a game platform it excelled, giving birth to such esteemed series as Metal Gear, Bomberman, Parodius, and Puyo Puyo.

Other than MSX titles Eggy and Aleste, no games have been specifically mentioned, and there are no rumblings currently of a European or American release of titles from either system. If I had to guess, I'd say there's a 50% chance for the Neo Geo titles showing up here, and not a chance in hell for the MSX. Michael Fahey

Wii's Virtual Console Adds Neo Geo, MSX Titles [Gamasutra]

The Holy Grails Of Video Game Collecting

Michael McWhertor — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 20:05:42 MDT

Wait. Holy grails? Isn't that like naming your band The Lone Rangers? Shouldn't there be only one? Whatever. Racketboy's excellent Retrogaming site counts down the most sought after—meaning extremely expensive but not exactly good—video games from the last 30-odd years.

From the Intellivision port of Congo Bongo to the surprisingly rare Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega Master System version), prepare to be shocked at the financial limits people will go to scratch their collector's itch.

I won't spoil it for you, as the trivia contained within makes for entertaining reading. But when the #2 entry on the list, Kizuna Encounter (come again?), goes for over $10,000 to the obsessed rich you might just feel a hint of regret that you didn't pick up some of these titles when they were knew. I'll take comfort Michael McWhertor

Holy Grails Of Console Gaming

Slugs of Pure Metal

kotaku.com — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 18:40:00 MDT

Well, it held out longer than Pac-Man, Frogger, and even Pong, but the Metal Slug series is finally extruding into the third dimension this June. Screens of the SNK shooter are available at The Magic Box and, well, that's a 3-D shooter all right.

Metal Slug Preview [The Magic Box]

The Neo Geo Portable

Brian Crecente — Fri, 05 Aug 2005 08:27:07 MDT

Ben Heckendorn, portable game hacker extraordinaire, managed to hobble together a portable Neo Geo with his usual panache. Heckendornuses phrases like no-brainer and "I scoff at difficulty" in his write up of the process, so don't go thinking you're go to read his walk-through and then plop down and build your own porty NG.

How SNK Got Its Groove Back [Ben Heckendorn]