For anyone old enough to remember the initial 1999 release of SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium, its recent surprise arrival on Switch was a real event. This crossover fighter is part of a celebrated series that pits the finest combatants from the stables of both companies' fighting series against each other, and this entry in particular hasn't appeared on any console platform in an official capacity since launching on Neo Geo Pocket Color over two decades ago.
For Neo Geo Pocket Color series producer Adam Laatz and assistant director Lionel Ackah, the collaboration with Capcom which led to seeing this series return gives hope for further releases going forward.
"Capcom was integral in allowing us to re-release SvC: The Match of the Millennium on Nintendo Switch," Laatz told us when asked how involved Capcom was with this re-release. "While it can be a challenge licensing games and working with third parties at times, we’re very grateful that our good friends over at Capcom helped us make porting this title a reality. Much as the spirit of these collaborative titles had back in the day in bringing both companies and players together in a sense, we hope that re-releasing this SvC title after so many years will serve as an opportunity for more releases to come in the future!"
While it can be a challenge licensing games and working with third parties at times, we’re very grateful that our good friends over at Capcom helped us make porting this title a reality
Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection Vol.1 launched on Switch a month after the arrival of SNK vs. Capcom and collected together the previously released NGPC titles on Switch and adding several more into the bargain. Seeing as Code Mystics’ Neo Geo Pocket Color emulation framework is evidently up and running on Switch, you might assume that getting Match of the Millennium on the eShop was a relatively elementary exercise. We asked how long it was from the initial 'right, we’re doing this' to 'boom – it’s ready to go!'.
"We understand that if you are not involved in game development, you may think that emulation is easy," replies Lionel Ackah, assistant director on the series. "However, it actually takes a lot of hard work and effort to bring a high-level of quality. We can proudly say that Code Mystics has always answered the call here, and has met our fans’ expectations on this release once again. As an example, the mechanics of link play have to be tailored to each game, and each game we've deployed has to be thoroughly tested, often requiring fine tuning. In that respect, the emulator Code Mystics has provided is more accurate to the NGPC than any previous attempts. This time the development took about a year from start to finish for our first batch of Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection titles."
Fans of this game and the console at large have waited a long time to play them on modern platforms — why has it taken until now to see them re-released? "The two main reasons," says Ackah, "were finding a developer that we can trust, and obtaining the license for our collaborative titles."
With the original console’s microswitch stick obviously not being an option, we asked Ackah how he preferred to play on Switch – with the analogue stick, D-pad/buttons or touch screen? "Although not as perfect as the original microswitch joystick of course… the D-pad would be the closest to the original experience."
the development took about a year from start to finish for our first batch of Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection titles
Given that the Switch release is allowing a whole new generation of players to experience the game, we wondered if it was fair to assume other entries in the SNK vs Capcom series could come to Switch in the fullness of time. Ackah played it coy with his response ("Let's hope so!"), but the outlook for further Neo Geo Pocket Color appears to be a little sunnier, at least in the near-term according to Laatz. "We are currently making plans for future releases, and thank you for your support of SvC: The Match of the Millennium and Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection Vol.1! Please stay tuned for future announcements!"
After two decades (yes, it really has been that long!), it's great to see Match of the Millennium finally come to another platform, and we were curious if we might be seeing NGP(C) games from third-parties coming to Switch at some point? "We cannot say too much," replied Ackah, "but it is a possibility."
And to finish up, we asked Ackah for his preferred fighter in The Match of the Millennium. "It is always difficult to choose one character with such a fantastic roster," he replied, diplomatically. "I would say Mai Shiranui, as she has a particular set of skill and movement that make her standout from most of the typical fighting games character archetype."
We're sure many fans would agree with him on that one.
SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium and NEOGEO POCKET COLOR SELECTION Vol.1 are available now on Switch eShop.
Comments 18
I hope it serves as an opportunity for ACA Neo Geo To release more.
Never played this but would love to have Marbel vs capcom ported over, please. not big on fighters, but its always fun to have a couple that aren’t smash.
Obligatory Card Fighters Clash port beg.
Capcom Vs SNK would be an awesome get for Switch! As would Card Fighters (volume 2 Pocket classics maybe?).
Would love for them to release Capcom Vs SNK 2 on Switch. I've had the GameCube version since it initially came out, and still play it quite often, in spite of the GC's tiny D-pad.
I'd love to play Capcom vs. SNK 2 on Switch.
Keep in mind people, Capcom vs SNK 1 and 2 are both Capcom productions, so the ball is mostly in Capcom's court on those. Capcom hasn't shown a whole lot of love to their non-Street Fighter catalogue titles over the past generation - we got SF30th Anniversary and that's it. In contrast, during the previous gen there was SF3 Online Edition, the MvC2 port, Darkstalkers Resurrection.
Capcom has a plethora of great titles I'd love to see on modern hardware with good net code, CvS2 chief among them. As far as SNK, I would assume we'll get Cardfighters Clash. I wouldn't count on SvC Chaos, as that game was widely ignored.
I want those SVC card battle games. I playe the one on DS but that had a lot of glitches in it.
I would definitely buy Capcom Vs SNK 2 or SNK vs Capcom Chaos
I just wanna see svc chaos. That game doesn’t deserve to die on xbox.
Capcom Vs SNK 2 was a game I really enjoyed on the PS2. Would be a really pleasant surprise to have it on the Switch BUT WITH decent online gameplay. The terrible experience playing SF 30th Anniversary online ruined the game for me so what should have been one of my most played games on the Switch has instead turned to something I hardly ever play. The same goes for KOF 98 (my personal best KOF) but without online gameplay, I hardly ever play it now since I haven't anyone around me to play with.
Marvel vs capcom 2 or any darkstalkers, those are the games I would love they ported to switch.
I remember playing these games on the Dreamcast, that whole Dreamcast era really harks back to the glory years of Capcom when they were at the top of their game. I actually had a NGPC but my fighting games were Last Blade and KOF R2, but wow in an era when the GBC was the only competition that was some top tier portable fighting game action.
Now I look back upon that late 90's - mid 00's Capcom era as the best time to be into fighting games, it was all downhill from there. At the time I don't think we realized how special it was, how 2D fighters were truly hitting their peak.
Its a very exciting time for fans of the ‘golden era’ of fighting games. Im grateful to everyone involved in bringing these titles to the Switch. I have an NGPC and adore it and have absolutely no problem throwing money down to show my gratitude.
It would be a dream to see CvSNK MF and CvS 2 on modern hardware.
“THIS IS THE TRUE LOVE WE’RE MAKING!”
Oh cool. I hope fans have a fun time.
@JayJ Dude, it was glorious! I actually wish I could go back and relive playing and buying everything Dreamcast/Capcom from launch day (Power Stone was one of the five I picked up at launch, with Marvel Vs Capcom picked up that October) to 2001.
Late 2000 was just amazing! Capcom Vs SNK, Marvel Vs Capcom 2, Cannon Spike, and that's just the Capcom games.
I also had ALL of the NGPC fighters for my fighting fix on work breaks and the bus rides to and from work.
@TurboTEF
Gals Fighter and MotM were my favorites with SamSho 2 and Last Blade close behind.
Ha. I think this has wet the appetite for MORE SNK vs Capcom games for most people.
Interesting article.
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