@JDCII Absolutely this. It’s unfortunate so many people are unaware that despite the rough launch, the patches to Chrono Cross remaster drastically improved things and I also strongly recommend it now. Going back and looking at reviews from its launch do not paint the full picture.
And I’m also one of the blasphemers who prefers Cross to Trigger. Been that way since 2000, I think it’s more a matter that Cross is not a particularly great SEQUEL to Trigger, so people going into it looking for that tend to get disappointed. But if taken as its own game, I think it’s great. Excellent sense of place with the consistent island-themed environments, great battle system, fantastic music.
@Serpenterror By my count, there are 149 officially licensed Neo Geo MVS games.
I would say that 11 of those stand absolutely no change of being rereleased on modern platforms. The Irritating Maze has dedicated hardware, never gonna happen. There are also 6 Japan only exclusive Mahjong games, 4 Japan exclusive Quiz games, and 1 Shogi game - those seem very safe to exclude too.
So, that leaves us with 138 realistically possible Neo Geo games for re-release:
108 - have already been released by Hamster as part of the downloadable "ACA Neo Geo" series, which is the source for almost all of the games on these physical compilations (99 of the 100 across Vol.1-10)
1 - Pop'n Bounce is the only physical collection exclusive we have seen so far, in vol.10. It has not been released on ACA Neo Geo for download.
10 - QUByte published ten other Neo Geo games on modern platforms. 7 of those are on the Visco Collection (Andro Dunos, Bang Bead, Battle Flip Shot, Captain Tomaday, Ganryu, Goal!Goal!Goal!, and Neo Drift Out), Breakers and Breakers Revenge are also Visco games but got their own two-game compliation. And QUByte also released Rage of the Dragons NEO, an enhanced version of the Neo Geo original.
3 - Three other Neo Geo games also got modern console re-releases. SVC Chaos, published by SNK itself. Super Dodge Ball is on the Super Technos World compliation by Arc System Works (who now owns Technos' IP), and Windjammers got an enhanced release courtesy of Dotemu.
So that's 122/149 Neo Geo MVS games already on Switch, with 11 of the remaining games easily excluded as mentioned above. That leaves only the following 16 games (most of which also feel pretty unlikely):
1. Bomberman: Panic Bomber (Hudson Soft, now Konami)
2. Double Dragon (Technos, now Arc System Works)
3. Eightman (SNK, but likely licensing issues with respect to the original manga)
4. Fight Fever (Developed and published by obscure Korean dev Viccom, who worked with SNK on Korean localizations. Fun fact, no joke, the company was founded by a guy named Kim Kaphwan... the inspiration for the Fatal Fury character's name!)
5. Far East of Eden: Kabuki Klash (Hudson Soft, probably now Konami, though likely complex licensing since it's a manga/anime property)
6. Legend of Success Joe (SNK/Wave - again, manga IP licensing issues may be a concern here)
7. Matrimelee (Atlus, now Sega)
8. Neo Bomberman (Hudson Soft/Konami)
9. Neo Mr. Do! (Visco, but under license from Universal so feels unlikely to get a rerelease due to the licensing concerns)
10. Nightmare in the Dark (Eleven/Gavaking, published in the US by SNK)
11. Pochi & Nyaa (Taito)
12. Puzzle de Pon (Visco)
13. Puzzle de Pon R (Visco)
14. Tecmo World Soccer '96 (Tecmo)
15. Viewpoint (Sammy, now Sega)
16. Voltage Fighter Gowcaizer (Technos, may have anime licensing issues)
So realistically, we shouldn't expect any more than 11 ten-game physical volumes. Since there are 9 remaining ACA Neo Geo games not on the first 10 volumes, it wouldn't be that surprising to see a final volume 11 with those games. Either a 9-game pack, or maybe they find another previously unreleased title like Pop'n Bounce to include for a nice even 10. Perhaps Nightmare in the Dark? Or maybe SVC Chaos since SNK is involved?
@TromaDogg So just sell your copies of Blaster Master Zero 1 & 2 and buy the 3-in-1 cart. It will surely be less than what you get for the LRG releases (and you'll likely even get more than you paid for them).
@Ghost_of_Hasashi Not sure what you mean "for once they are releasing a shooter that is not Gradius". Maybe you're only noticing Gradius more due to the name recognition, because we've seen PLENTY of other Konami shooters in the Arcade Archives line.
Below is a list of all of the Konami games released as part of the Switch Arcade Archives line. Non-Gradius shooters are indicated with a (*) - there are 12 of those, compared to 4 Gradius releases. Honestly, VS Gradius is the only somewhat questionable choice (and even then, it's kinda cool to get a variant that was previously not very accessible). It shouldn't be surprising at all that they wanted to release Gradius I-III, as main series games in one of the company's (heck, the genre's) most iconic franchises.
Arcade Archives for Nintendo Switch - Konami (*) Time Pilot (Apr 11, 2019) Pooyan (Jun 13, 2019) Road Fighter (Jul 25, 2019) Vs. Gradius (Aug 15, 2019) Track and Field (Sep 12, 2019) (*) Scramble (Sep 26, 2019) Vs. Castlevania (Oct 17, 2019) Mr. Goemon (Oct 31, 2019) Yie Ar Kung Fu (Nov 12, 2019) Hyper Sports (Nov 28, 2019) (*) Twin Bee (Dec 5, 2019) Frogger (Dec 12, 2019) (*) Detana!! Twinbee (Jan 16, 2020) (*) Life Force/Salamander (Feb 27, 2020) (*) Flak Attack/MX5000 (April 9, 2020) Sunset Riders (Jun 11, 2020) Gradius (Jul 9, 2020) Circus Charlie (Aug 6, 2020) (*) Lightning Fighters (Aug 20, 2020) Contra (Sep 3, 2020) (*) Super Cobra (Oct 15, 2020) Gradius II (Nov 12, 2020) Green Beret/Rush 'n Attack (Nov 26, 2020) Gradius III (Dec 24, 2020) (*) Block Hole/Quarth (Jan 21, 2021) (*) Thunder Cross (Feb 11, 2021) Crime Fighters (Mar 18, 2021) Haunted Castle (Apr 1, 2021) (*) A-Jax (Apr 22, 2021) (*) Thunder Cross II (Apr 29, 2021)
@AtlanteanMan M2 has actually been pretty busy lately! It’s just more on the shmup front.
Aleste Collection, part of their ShotTriggers line, released in Japan on Switch and PS4 in late December. Included multiple perfect ports from the Game Gear and Sega Mark III original games, along with a BRAND NEW M2-developed “GG Aleste 3”. They actually built the game to Game Gear specs, and released it in 2020... It’s excellent too, if you are a genre fan.
M2 was also responsible for the amazing remaster of G Darius on the Darius Cozmic Revelation compilation, released earlier in 2021.
And currently, they are working on Aleste Branch, a brand new modern entry in the Aleste series.
Edit: whoops, @OorWullie beat me to it didn’t notice that when I started writing
@EmirParkreiner Ha, same here, I was practically yelling at my screen when I saw the multiple route discussion with examples of other games and... Darius wasn't one of those other games XD But, I get that this is perhaps a review more for casual shooter fans as opposed to genre die-hards
On another note... can anyone who has good experience with the OTHER versions of Super Hydorah (PC, PS4/Vita) compare the quality of the Switch port? I love the game on PS4 and Vita, but I saw one comment elsewhere that the Switch port was inferior to the other versions. I'm not sure whether that is true, but would love to see a take from someone who already knew the game well before it came to Switch.
For everyone acting like this is some big move away from Sony... Scarlet was announced as coming for PS4 AND Switch. It’s an upgraded version of DOAX3 from PS4/Vita.
Scarlet contains new characters Misaki and another to be announced new character; new characters will also be available as DLC for PS4’s DOAX3 Fortune. PS4 version is 60fps and 1080p, Switch is 30fps and 900p (docked)/720p (portable). Switch is also going to be getting a free to play version, more details to come.
I vehemently disagree with people complaining about this release because SSV Special is better. For most people, yes, Special is the way to go. However, from a historical and archival perspective, it is valuable to have the entire series. It's interesting to see the progression and development of the franchise, and hey - some people might just have a nostalgic personal attachment to what the majority feel is a "worse" game.
@meppi64 @code45709 This week's release (Money Puzzle Exchanger) was number 74 for the ACA Neo Geo series. I also have 100% Then again, I sold many very expensive AES carts last year - my Samurai Spirits Zero alone was about the price of the entire set of current Switch Neo ports, so I don't particularly mind the $8 a week! Sad thing is it will come to an end before too long. There are probably only 100 or so Neo games that are highly likely releases, with another 12 or so somewhat longer shots, and another ~30-40ish that are highly unlikely due to licensing.
@Dayton311 God yes, we need folders so bad. Can't wait to have an ACA Neo Geo folder, Arcade Archives folder, Psikyo folder, Data East folder, etc...
@JayJ @OorWullie - I've purchased every single one of the now 60+ ACA Neo Geo games on Switch... and I paid for them all with the proceeds from selling literally a single Neo Geo AES cart last year. Actually, could take my pick of several Neo games that were near or above $1000 each.
So yeah, it's all relative. Some people would argue that a game like Stakes Winner isn't worth $8... but considering the price people willingly pay for the Neo carts, it's kind of a steal if you come at it from a different perspective.
@QwertyQwerty You "had to" pirate it? The game has been re-released on multiple platforms for a low price. Even if you can't get your hands on the Dreamcast or Gamecube physical copies, it's readily available for Xbox 360/Xbox One and Steam/PC - no rarity/stock issues, fair price. You didn't "have to" pirate, you chose to - just be honest about it. Personally, I don't even think piracy is necessarily a bad thing (I pirated a ton of games in my youth when I wouldn't have been able to pay for them anyway, became a highly devoted fan, and now that I make good money I pay it back big time).
Particularly with Treasure in a rather poor financial situation these days, hopefully if you appreciate Ikaruga or their work in general, you'll pay for a port that makes them some money. For this case in particular, it is very possible that kind of support is the difference between the company surviving or not.
@YANDMAN @HexagonSun @Gutsukyo The issue with scanlines is that the ACA games ONLY allow use of scanlines with their really bad upscaling filter. It makes no sense, since the filter makes things smudgy but people who want scanlines are likely looking for a crisp image.
A1-A5 in the settings gives varying degrees of scanline intensity, and B1-B5 also adds vertical scanlines with a rather annoying scrolling screen refresh/distortion thing (I'm not sure gow to describe it well).
I play with all filters off, that option is one to the left of the default A1 setting. IDEAL would be no filter and scanlines, and I'm hoping that option is eventually added via an update to the ACA line of games.
Admittedly, I'm a little picky on this though. I still play my Neo Geo on a Sony PVM CRT monitor through RGB, which is the ideal way to play any 240p game... so I have spoiled myself a bit
I also really enjoyed the original, got it with my day 1 3DS and was pleasantly surprised to find that it was my favorite game available for the system for many months (some of this is due to lack of a very good lineup for the first year, but I did really like the game). Got into it more than I usually do with Musou games too.
Comments 13
Re: Surprise! Another Square Enix Switch Game Is Now Compatible On Switch 2
@JDCII Absolutely this. It’s unfortunate so many people are unaware that despite the rough launch, the patches to Chrono Cross remaster drastically improved things and I also strongly recommend it now. Going back and looking at reviews from its launch do not paint the full picture.
And I’m also one of the blasphemers who prefers Cross to Trigger. Been that way since 2000, I think it’s more a matter that Cross is not a particularly great SEQUEL to Trigger, so people going into it looking for that tend to get disappointed. But if taken as its own game, I think it’s great. Excellent sense of place with the consistent island-themed environments, great battle system, fantastic music.
Re: SNK Announces ACA NEOGEO Selection Vol. 9 And Vol. 10 For Switch
@Serpenterror By my count, there are 149 officially licensed Neo Geo MVS games.
I would say that 11 of those stand absolutely no change of being rereleased on modern platforms. The Irritating Maze has dedicated hardware, never gonna happen. There are also 6 Japan only exclusive Mahjong games, 4 Japan exclusive Quiz games, and 1 Shogi game - those seem very safe to exclude too.
So, that leaves us with 138 realistically possible Neo Geo games for re-release:
108 - have already been released by Hamster as part of the downloadable "ACA Neo Geo" series, which is the source for almost all of the games on these physical compilations (99 of the 100 across Vol.1-10)
1 - Pop'n Bounce is the only physical collection exclusive we have seen so far, in vol.10. It has not been released on ACA Neo Geo for download.
10 - QUByte published ten other Neo Geo games on modern platforms. 7 of those are on the Visco Collection (Andro Dunos, Bang Bead, Battle Flip Shot, Captain Tomaday, Ganryu, Goal!Goal!Goal!, and Neo Drift Out), Breakers and Breakers Revenge are also Visco games but got their own two-game compliation. And QUByte also released Rage of the Dragons NEO, an enhanced version of the Neo Geo original.
3 - Three other Neo Geo games also got modern console re-releases. SVC Chaos, published by SNK itself. Super Dodge Ball is on the Super Technos World compliation by Arc System Works (who now owns Technos' IP), and Windjammers got an enhanced release courtesy of Dotemu.
So that's 122/149 Neo Geo MVS games already on Switch, with 11 of the remaining games easily excluded as mentioned above. That leaves only the following 16 games (most of which also feel pretty unlikely):
1. Bomberman: Panic Bomber (Hudson Soft, now Konami)
2. Double Dragon (Technos, now Arc System Works)
3. Eightman (SNK, but likely licensing issues with respect to the original manga)
4. Fight Fever (Developed and published by obscure Korean dev Viccom, who worked with SNK on Korean localizations. Fun fact, no joke, the company was founded by a guy named Kim Kaphwan... the inspiration for the Fatal Fury character's name!)
5. Far East of Eden: Kabuki Klash (Hudson Soft, probably now Konami, though likely complex licensing since it's a manga/anime property)
6. Legend of Success Joe (SNK/Wave - again, manga IP licensing issues may be a concern here)
7. Matrimelee (Atlus, now Sega)
8. Neo Bomberman (Hudson Soft/Konami)
9. Neo Mr. Do! (Visco, but under license from Universal so feels unlikely to get a rerelease due to the licensing concerns)
10. Nightmare in the Dark (Eleven/Gavaking, published in the US by SNK)
11. Pochi & Nyaa (Taito)
12. Puzzle de Pon (Visco)
13. Puzzle de Pon R (Visco)
14. Tecmo World Soccer '96 (Tecmo)
15. Viewpoint (Sammy, now Sega)
16. Voltage Fighter Gowcaizer (Technos, may have anime licensing issues)
So realistically, we shouldn't expect any more than 11 ten-game physical volumes. Since there are 9 remaining ACA Neo Geo games not on the first 10 volumes, it wouldn't be that surprising to see a final volume 11 with those games. Either a 9-game pack, or maybe they find another previously unreleased title like Pop'n Bounce to include for a nice even 10. Perhaps Nightmare in the Dark? Or maybe SVC Chaos since SNK is involved?
Re: Limited Run Announces Two Double Dragon Physical Releases For Switch
@TromaDogg So just sell your copies of Blaster Master Zero 1 & 2 and buy the 3-in-1 cart. It will surely be less than what you get for the LRG releases (and you'll likely even get more than you paid for them).
Re: Konami's Classic Coin-Op Shooter Thunder Cross II Hits Switch This Week
@Ghost_of_Hasashi Not sure what you mean "for once they are releasing a shooter that is not Gradius". Maybe you're only noticing Gradius more due to the name recognition, because we've seen PLENTY of other Konami shooters in the Arcade Archives line.
Below is a list of all of the Konami games released as part of the Switch Arcade Archives line. Non-Gradius shooters are indicated with a (*) - there are 12 of those, compared to 4 Gradius releases. Honestly, VS Gradius is the only somewhat questionable choice (and even then, it's kinda cool to get a variant that was previously not very accessible). It shouldn't be surprising at all that they wanted to release Gradius I-III, as main series games in one of the company's (heck, the genre's) most iconic franchises.
Arcade Archives for Nintendo Switch - Konami
(*) Time Pilot (Apr 11, 2019)
Pooyan (Jun 13, 2019)
Road Fighter (Jul 25, 2019)
Vs. Gradius (Aug 15, 2019)
Track and Field (Sep 12, 2019)
(*) Scramble (Sep 26, 2019)
Vs. Castlevania (Oct 17, 2019)
Mr. Goemon (Oct 31, 2019)
Yie Ar Kung Fu (Nov 12, 2019)
Hyper Sports (Nov 28, 2019)
(*) Twin Bee (Dec 5, 2019)
Frogger (Dec 12, 2019)
(*) Detana!! Twinbee (Jan 16, 2020)
(*) Life Force/Salamander (Feb 27, 2020)
(*) Flak Attack/MX5000 (April 9, 2020)
Sunset Riders (Jun 11, 2020)
Gradius (Jul 9, 2020)
Circus Charlie (Aug 6, 2020)
(*) Lightning Fighters (Aug 20, 2020)
Contra (Sep 3, 2020)
(*) Super Cobra (Oct 15, 2020)
Gradius II (Nov 12, 2020)
Green Beret/Rush 'n Attack (Nov 26, 2020)
Gradius III (Dec 24, 2020)
(*) Block Hole/Quarth (Jan 21, 2021)
(*) Thunder Cross (Feb 11, 2021)
Crime Fighters (Mar 18, 2021)
Haunted Castle (Apr 1, 2021)
(*) A-Jax (Apr 22, 2021)
(*) Thunder Cross II (Apr 29, 2021)
Re: The Absolute Worst Castlevania Is Coming To Arcade Archives On Switch
@AtlanteanMan M2 has actually been pretty busy lately! It’s just more on the shmup front.
Aleste Collection, part of their ShotTriggers line, released in Japan on Switch and PS4 in late December. Included multiple perfect ports from the Game Gear and Sega Mark III original games, along with a BRAND NEW M2-developed “GG Aleste 3”. They actually built the game to Game Gear specs, and released it in 2020... It’s excellent too, if you are a genre fan.
M2 was also responsible for the amazing remaster of G Darius on the Darius Cozmic Revelation compilation, released earlier in 2021.
And currently, they are working on Aleste Branch, a brand new modern entry in the Aleste series.
Edit: whoops, @OorWullie beat me to it didn’t notice that when I started writing
Re: Review: Super Hydorah - New Ideas Meet Old-School Gameplay In This Superb Indie Effort
@EmirParkreiner Ha, same here, I was practically yelling at my screen when I saw the multiple route discussion with examples of other games and... Darius wasn't one of those other games XD But, I get that this is perhaps a review more for casual shooter fans as opposed to genre die-hards
On another note... can anyone who has good experience with the OTHER versions of Super Hydorah (PC, PS4/Vita) compare the quality of the Switch port? I love the game on PS4 and Vita, but I saw one comment elsewhere that the Switch port was inferior to the other versions. I'm not sure whether that is true, but would love to see a take from someone who already knew the game well before it came to Switch.
Re: Dead Or Alive Xtreme 3: Scarlet Is Splashing Onto The Switch Early Next Year
For everyone acting like this is some big move away from Sony... Scarlet was announced as coming for PS4 AND Switch. It’s an upgraded version of DOAX3 from PS4/Vita.
Scarlet contains new characters Misaki and another to be announced new character; new characters will also be available as DLC for PS4’s DOAX3 Fortune. PS4 version is 60fps and 1080p, Switch is 30fps and 900p (docked)/720p (portable). Switch is also going to be getting a free to play version, more details to come.
Re: Rygar And Aggressors of Dark Kombat Join Hamster's Growing Switch Library Tomorrow
@masterLEON Really picky correction, but Tecmo actually DID make one game for the Neo Geo: the oh so creatively titled Tecmo World Soccer '96.
Re: Blades At The Ready Because Samurai Shodown V Is Coming To Switch Next Week
I vehemently disagree with people complaining about this release because SSV Special is better. For most people, yes, Special is the way to go. However, from a historical and archival perspective, it is valuable to have the entire series. It's interesting to see the progression and development of the franchise, and hey - some people might just have a nostalgic personal attachment to what the majority feel is a "worse" game.
@meppi64 @code45709 This week's release (Money Puzzle Exchanger) was number 74 for the ACA Neo Geo series. I also have 100% Then again, I sold many very expensive AES carts last year - my Samurai Spirits Zero alone was about the price of the entire set of current Switch Neo ports, so I don't particularly mind the $8 a week! Sad thing is it will come to an end before too long. There are probably only 100 or so Neo games that are highly likely releases, with another 12 or so somewhat longer shots, and another ~30-40ish that are highly unlikely due to licensing.
@Dayton311 God yes, we need folders so bad. Can't wait to have an ACA Neo Geo folder, Arcade Archives folder, Psikyo folder, Data East folder, etc...
Re: Review: Gururin (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)
@JayJ @OorWullie - I've purchased every single one of the now 60+ ACA Neo Geo games on Switch... and I paid for them all with the proceeds from selling literally a single Neo Geo AES cart last year. Actually, could take my pick of several Neo games that were near or above $1000 each.
So yeah, it's all relative. Some people would argue that a game like Stakes Winner isn't worth $8... but considering the price people willingly pay for the Neo carts, it's kind of a steal if you come at it from a different perspective.
Re: Treasure Teases Both Ikaruga And Nintendo Switch Fans
@QwertyQwerty You "had to" pirate it? The game has been re-released on multiple platforms for a low price. Even if you can't get your hands on the Dreamcast or Gamecube physical copies, it's readily available for Xbox 360/Xbox One and Steam/PC - no rarity/stock issues, fair price. You didn't "have to" pirate, you chose to - just be honest about it. Personally, I don't even think piracy is necessarily a bad thing (I pirated a ton of games in my youth when I wouldn't have been able to pay for them anyway, became a highly devoted fan, and now that I make good money I pay it back big time).
Particularly with Treasure in a rather poor financial situation these days, hopefully if you appreciate Ikaruga or their work in general, you'll pay for a port that makes them some money. For this case in particular, it is very possible that kind of support is the difference between the company surviving or not.
Re: Sengoku Will Be the New ACA Neo Geo Game Next Week
@YANDMAN @HexagonSun @Gutsukyo
The issue with scanlines is that the ACA games ONLY allow use of scanlines with their really bad upscaling filter. It makes no sense, since the filter makes things smudgy but people who want scanlines are likely looking for a crisp image.
A1-A5 in the settings gives varying degrees of scanline intensity, and B1-B5 also adds vertical scanlines with a rather annoying scrolling screen refresh/distortion thing (I'm not sure gow to describe it well).
I play with all filters off, that option is one to the left of the default A1 setting. IDEAL would be no filter and scanlines, and I'm hoping that option is eventually added via an update to the ACA line of games.
Admittedly, I'm a little picky on this though. I still play my Neo Geo on a Sony PVM CRT monitor through RGB, which is the ideal way to play any 240p game... so I have spoiled myself a bit
Re: Samurai Warriors: Chronicles 3 Is Slashing Its Way Westward This June
I also really enjoyed the original, got it with my day 1 3DS and was pleasantly surprised to find that it was my favorite game available for the system for many months (some of this is due to lack of a very good lineup for the first year, but I did really like the game). Got into it more than I usually do with Musou games too.