Agreed! My friend got one and the thumbstick is, to this day, unbeaten. Great memories snowboarding over a weekend and beating Dark Arms, then getting a concussion and reading Go Ask Alice to a couple girls at McDonalds while dipping my fries in their ice cream. 😅
I played one of these since my uncles loved having consoles and handhelds back in the day, Snk Gal Fighters & SNK vs. Capcom was a blast to play. There were a lot of facts i didn't know about this so seeing this was very insightful!
SNK Gal Fighters also had a follow-up entry for PS4 and Nintendo Switch called SNK Heroine: Fighting Frenzy. That follow-up even had a female Terry Bogard as well.
I grew up with Takara's lovely SNK conversions for Game Boy, but never got to play the Neo Geo Pocket Games ...until a couple years ago with the re-releases on Switch and HOLY SMOKES. What an *outstanding* set of fighting games, that blow other 8 bit fighters away! Particular entries like KoF R, Gal Fighters, and of course Match of the Millennium, benefit so much from being original games, as opposed to chopped up conversions.
I have a japanese transparent yellow NGPC and i still play SNK vs Capcom all the time. The thumbsticks are awesome, it's a joy to play fighting games on this bad boy
I was so into my neogeo pocket! I had just discovered SNK at that time and the combination of the dreamcast and NGPC got me so hooked. Then both got cancelled! It was a crazy time for sure
It was so cool seeing one friend during lunch pull out this after his trip to Chinatown and then another pull out a GBA. That started my Saturday trips to Chinatown to pick up imports, mod my Playstation and pick up copies of DBZ (Cell Saga in japanese!). Seeing 3RD Strike for the first time and seeing someone just casually pulling off a Raging Demon at the arcade was definitely an awesome experience. THEN traveling to the other side to see MvC 2 for the first time was epic. What a flashback to those gaming days in NYC! 😂 This is another awesome video! Keep up the great work and happy holidays and a happy new year!
Excellent video. I was a weird kid that got a NGPC instead of a GBA because I wanted Sonic Pocket Adventure lol. Luckily though I was gifted SamSho 2, and absolutely loved it. Played it until the cartridge stopped working, and it was my introduction to the SNK world. The console holds a special place for me, and I love that its games are making it to Switch. These games oozed personality and charm and deserved to be played by a wider audience. Thanks for making a great video on an under appreciated topic!
As a zoomer, I personally have become very fond of older works of art like SNK's gameography, including the titles on the NGP and NGPC. It's practically just surprised me how I never even felt interested in this kind of stuff earlier in my childhood. Especially, ever since I got heavily into FF, SamSho, and KOF, I've wanted to try out the NGPC iterations of those franchises myself some day. Great to see more content to fuel my current fighting game digest. Oh btw 15:51 in my defense, the "64" in Samurai Shodown 64 is because of the fact that it was a title for SNK's lost 3D arcade system: the Hyper Neo Geo 64, which also included titles such as Fatal Fury: Wild Ambition and Buriki One. Edit: 22:47 OH GOD THE WINQUOTE HELPP- 😭😭
I had a Neo Geo Pocket Color in blue camo. I really liked the construction. Match of the Millennium was by far my favorite game on it. Kicked off my interest in SNK properties and my love for Leona. Dope channel!
Absolutely loved the Neo geo pocket color!! Had it at launch and played it to death!! Match of the MILLENNIUM and Card fighters were my favorite games!!!👍👍👍👍
I normally don't comment on UA-cam videos, but I fell down a rabbit hole watching your background breakdowns. I love fighting game backgrounds especially how they tie into real world settings. If you ever get a chance, I'd love to see you cover the King of Fighters 97. The backgrounds really have a vibe. Also, they have some of the coolest locations like Hong Kong, Seoul, or Monaco. Not to mention the ambiance. Any keep up the great work!
11:14 I remember seeing that exact advert for the Neo Geo Pocket Color in an issue of Expert Gamer Magazine in the summer of 1999, such nostalgia! 😃 Back then I was so intrigued by the Fatal Fury and Metal Slug pictures in particular. I asked my Grandpa if he could buy me one but he couldn't find it anywhere, now I guess I know why since it was only sold online initially lol. Later in the fall of that year I ended up getting a Game Boy Color bundled with Pokemon Yellow.
Thank you so much for bringing this to light I've been playing all the neo geo pocket games and have been upset no one has ever mentioned anything about these
@@baberuthless I SAW THAT! The amount of love for the card game drove me insane I wanted the actual card collection and to see them real I'd give anything for that to come back
NGP might be the most underrated handheld of all time XD i didnt even know these games existed until today 🥹 I learned SO MUCH in this video 🙌🏾💖 looking forward to the next one 💕
I knew only one person who had this and he actually let me borrow it for the day. I played KOF on it and it was fun and responsive. I wish it was more popular and accessible and got to play more games on it.
I never owned a NEO-GEO POCKET or a NEO-GEO POCKET COLOR, but I remember seeing a NEO-GEO POCKET COLOR bundle at Toys R' US in 2000. It was the only unit left. I was playing Super Mario Bros. Deluxe on my teal GBC, so I barely noticed it. I played the console's library with NeoPop back in 2007, and I've had a blast with games such as SNK Gals Fighters, Delta Warp, and The Last Blade: Beyond the Destiny. On a last note, I was playing a ton of SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium on my Switch this year, funnily enough!
Now, as you mentioned, the games and the system itself were quite difficult to find on brick-and-mortar stores. Online, though, was a different story altogether. For context, it was a booming time for online shopping especially for the eBay, and boy were these games cheap and available. I’ve come to find out that a big portion of them were in fact bootlegged, but they were easily identifiable with the serial numbers.
I actually found a Pocket Color at a thrift shop in working condition about ten years ago for a paltry amount of money (back when no one cared about old video game stuff) and it's just such a wonderful charming system, and the click-y stick absolutely rules. While the only game I own for it is Sonic Pocket Adventure, the collections on Switch are just pure joy and so well done. In fact, if you play them in handheld mode, you can actually use the stick and buttons on the gameplay border! It's so neat!
I had a lot of fun with the SNK Vs Capcom game, by far my favourite version with a lot of fun short mini-games It cannot compete with any of the nintendo handheld but it's still has some really good games
I still remember the day SNK filed for bankruptcy, because I was on an SNK mailing list at the time and heard about it right away. The next day I went to my local game store and all the NGPC games and displays were totally gone, as if they'd never been there to begin with. SNK had recalled them to flash the roms and whatnot. Broke my heart because I loved the system. It was and still is my favorite handheld console. It's still crazy to me that they actually released Last Blade in Europe, because that game was finished right after Gals Fighters. SNK must have shipped it out as their literal last act before going bankrupt, and they probably sent the recall request but some stores in Europe just didn't send it back.
I actually remember seeing the commercials back in the day. I really wanted it for the Sonic game but SNK vs. Capcom was the crown jewel. I also enjoyed some Bust-A-Move. I’ll admit I emulated back then since my parents would never buy this thing 😂
I feel you on not seeing it anywhere, I remember my dad getting my brother and I the collection with all the games for Christmas. I had never even heard about it up until that point.
I had the NeoGeo Pocket Color and a number of games. To me, it WAS a fighting game system, as I owned most of them and LOVED them. Unfortunately, when I was getting out of the Army, I needed money to get home, as I had to drive half way across the country. I had to sell a lot of my stuff, and The NGPC was on that list. I never got it again. 😞 The silver lining, I currently have NeoGeo Pocket Color Collections 1 and 2 for my Nintendo Switch, which means I have all of my old games back, and then some. It’s not the same as owning the originals, but it is very nice to be able to play these games again, especially with a bright screen. I’m a player and a collector. If I came across a NeoGeo Pocket Color again, I would have to buy it. But these collections are so nice, I’m happy to at least have them to play. Thanks for this awesome retrospective on this long forgotten system. People who are into old-school games owe it to themselves to give it a chance, if they are lucky enough. Still, if you have a Switch, you have the option to play these games. Get them!
In SNK vs. CAPCOM: The Match of the Millennium, Olympic Mode is NOT the only way to receive Versus. You could link the game with SNK vs. CAPCOM: Card Fighters Clash, and be awarded based (I think) on how many unique cards you've collected. I haven't played much CFC...
I got mine on launch day at Babbages at the mall in 99 it didn’t come with any games, the system was available in stores you are wrong about that. I purchased pac man and Samurai Shodown 2 separately. Years later the I purchased the bubble pack at Fry’s electronics which was sold that way because there was too much inventory that didn’t sell initially
It would be pretty great if you covered a very specific type of music in fighting games... Lobby/Network music. Capcom had a pretty good set of network lobby music since Moero! Justice Gakuen, mvc2 (unused) and still is a thing to this day
Of note, Samurai Shodown! 2 here is also the only home port of Samurai Shodown 64-2. So if the NGPC didn't exist at this exact time, that game might've been stuck on arcade forever. (Sort of. The chibi 2D here is different from the original, but arguably it actually ends up playing much better than the stiff janky early 3D style.) Also, this Samurai Shodown! 2 port is the only playable appearance of Yuga, the final boss of the first two SamSho 64 games. So as of this point in time, both he and Yuki are exclusive to the NGPC. Oh yeah! And how could I forget about Lao, the true hero of Southtown. Throwing the spirits of his ancestors at you...
Didn't even know this existed until I saw it on my 353V lol, definitely way better than any fighting game on GB! The chibi sprites add to the charm and the animations are awesome...now I have a Gameboy clone playing ngpc. Tech has come a long way 😂
When I was a kid I remember my dad coming home with this saying it was better than a Gameboy. I never met a single kid with this console ever in my life and I felt crazy for having one like I was the only person in America with it, but I LOVED IT to death lol. I only had two games for it too 😂 sonic and metal slug and i played the hell out of sonic.
really love the neo geo pocket(tbh would take it over the gameboy.) as it had so much charm that i wish it didn't get screwed over as i would've loved to have seen it continue especially with snk's new direction. snk gal fighters is my favorite as while i wish it had more characters/modes i loved the roster(liked yuki being playable alongside whip when the nest characters didn't appear that much back then in the snk crossovers.),miss x(what made me love iori as i love how goofy he is in this alongside everyone giving him a hard time in their endings.) and the endings having such a cute charm that i think heroines should've been way more like/it's manga nariyuki quest being closer to it as i'd love a true successor to it with more characters with the gals snk have that'd be fun to see in this style.. really loved match of the millennium the most of snk vs. capcom for having an actual story(alongside the structure for it that i'd love to see for snk vs. capcom 3.:3),some of the rosters picks like b.b hood and the olympic mode showing both sides(especially liked karin/rimuru being the host alongside comically asking nakoruru questions.:3).
This is awesome, I’d love to have a go playing on one of these. Does the 8bitdo controller stick feel very authentic/similar? Also have you played pocket bravery? That’s another indie fighter inspired by the neo geo pocket fighter aesthetic!
Really enjoyed the video @Baberuthless. I never owned a hand held gaming console but saw a few. Never liked the Game boy, Game gear was slightly better but my cousin who did own one hated the battery life. Many moons later I did see briefly the Nokia N-gage if that counts as a hand held gaming console, it was marketed as such so I suppose it counts. Either way I never saw the Neo Geo pocket colour so unfortunately missed out on that one.
I'm really thankful SNK put the collections and SvC MotM on Steam. With shipping and taxes included, buying the actual console would be a pain nowadays
I had both in the mid 2000's but I had already emulated it... The main issue was the lack of a backlit screen, I think it was ever harder to see than the GBC and GBA... SVC MOTM is still the best crossover ever made and one of the best fighters I've ever played. I love Card Fighters too, its aet style is awesome and it's how cmeletronoc card games should be, fun, simple and addictive.
A bit of topic, but I'd like to ask something. I got the standalone version of SvC MotM on switch and the attacks feel kinda delayed from when you press the buttons. Is that how the games always felt, or is it just an issue with the port? Also, this video was great relief from my family Christmas party. Gathering like that can be quite a pain when you have sensitive ears
The only GB fighting game that I think can touch the NGP is Battle Arena Toshinden, which I feel is where NG got their ideas for their pocket fighters. With the chibi characters, high contrast between stage and characters, and unlockable characters.
I just think it's a crime NGPC Selection games was stuck on Switch and Steam. I would love to have them on Xbox and PlayStation. Also, there a great solid fighting games on Game Boy. One of my favorites is Gekitou Power Modeler / Power Quest, who was covered by GuileWinQuote. It's plays like Street Fighter Alpha, but with RC robots. I also love Buster Fight on Game Gear, even this system don't having great fighting games, but this one is very unique.
I’m shocked it’s not on PS4 at this point. Since it seems like a simple port. Also I certainly would love to do a deep dive on game gear fighters one day! I know there’s a decent handful
@@baberuthless First of all, thank you for your reply. It means a lot. ♥ In my opinion, I don't think the Game Gear have a solid ground for fighting games. It have nice and competent ports of famous arcade fighting games for that time, and even great original titles (considering the system's specs), but nothing to deserve deep attention, like having a dedicated video to cover it, different of what the NeoGeo Pocket "Mono" and Color have to offer. So, it will be safer if these GG games could be saved to be cited in proper opportunities. But Buster Fighter is really interesting by it's button layout, and I love the game for it. From my head, the number of fighting games on Game Gear can be counted using your two hands, who are: > Fatal Fury Special > Samurai Shodown > Mortal Kombat (with a Master System port) > Mortal Kombat II (with a Master System port) > Mortal Kombat 3 (with a Brazil only Master System port) > Buster Fight (named Masters of Combat on its Master System port) > Mighty Morphin Power Rangers > Virtual Fighter Animation (with a Brazil only Master System port) If I could give a suggestion for you to look up and see if it deserves your attention for your next videos, I strongly suggest taking a look over Fill in Café's Asuka 120% Burning Fest., where the series is hitting its 30th anniversary next year. The very first title of the series was released on May 11th, 1994 on FM TOWNS (some months before the first DarkStalkers game hit on Arcades). It could be nice to celebrate the mother of all anime fighters, covering its main trio of creators (programing by Masatoshi Imaizumi, character design by Aoi Nanase, and music by Keishi Yonao), the game's "mother", Mad Stalker (who was created by Masaki Ukyo and Imaizumi), and the influence of both Asuka 120% and Mad Stalker over other famous video-games titles and companies, like Treasure's Yu Yu Hakusho: Makyou Touitsusen and Guardian Heroes (after all, Masaki Ukyo went to Treasure after releasing Mad Stalker), doujin games like Twilight Frontier's Eternal Fighter Zero. The game also strongly influenced the doujin team Watanabe Seisakujo, who created The Queen of Heart series and... Melty Blood, to some time after the team being renamed to Soft Circle French-Bread, and continuing to work with Melty Blood and also with other anime fighters, like the Under Night In-Birth series and Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Clímax. I think Asuka 120% is really underrated for that the game is and for its influence, and its deserves more recognition. There's a good video who talks about the series (any video who talks about the series's history is a rare video to begin with) who is titled "Asuka 120% Retrospective: The Origin of Anime Fighters" at the Game Babble channel. I believe it's worth watching it, and I also believe this video deserves much more views. Again, thanks for your reply. ♥
Well someone certainly wanted to talk about the NGP. It really is a shame how badly the Pocket failed because the games look great, and the system looks great as well, I'm so glad SNK are working to make sure people can actually play their old games unlike some other companies ( *Cough cough* Sony *cough cough* ) and I definitely want to get those NGP collections. (Granted I still don't own an SNK game in general but I'm working on it) To shout out some people who have covered other NGP games, Guile Win Quote made a video covering the SNK vs Capcom Card games, (Including the DS one) Thorgi's Arcade talked about the KOF games made for the system, including that weird KOF Mario Party game and also mentioned something about KOF R+2 you didn't, I'll let the quote speak for itself "If you wanted to name Ryo, Ryu, and give him a gun, you can do that" (Yep, you can assign new moves to which ever character you're playing) and a more obscure guy by the name of ScoopScoop, (Yes that is his name) covered SNK Gal Fighters in a bit more depth, I'd love it if you people went to go show him some love considering he's under 2.000 subs right now.
Hi I do like the neo geo pocket and neo geo in general, nice video, but you got something wrong about the original neo geo pocket. You said it only released in Japan and that's not true, there was no US release for it, but Europe did get the original model for like a month or so before actually getting the neo geo pocket color. The European neo geo pocket original systems are harder to find, I can share some pictures with you of the ones I own, mine have the boxes and matching serials.
You’re absolutely right! Seems like it was a very limited release on the OG pocket on Europe! Was kicking myself when I read up on this a week after the video uploaded 😭oh well
NeoGeo Pocket Color didn't failed, just that SNK file for bankruptcy. SNK was down on their luck at the time so in hindsight they halt the sale of the NeoGeo Pocket Color until they got bought out by Playmore (parent company of Aruze) a few months later. When Playmore bought SNK they continue sales of the NeoGeo Pocket Color but never actually making any new games for it. All they did was end clearance of any leftover NGPC handheld units. Even worst was that the console the NeoGeo Pocket Color was meant to support a.k.a. The Sega Dreamcast (and not the NeoGeo AES for some reason) was already dead in the water so there was no point in continuing to support it any further. Even more worst was that Playmore had no interest in making a successor to the NeoGeo Pocket Color so a NeoGeo Pocket Color Advance never happen. Had SNK still support their handheld line we would had gotten a NeoGeo Pocket Color Advance SP DS 3DS Vita today. Also Samurai Shodown! 1 & 2 were handheld 2D demakes of Samurai Shodown 64 and 64 II, 3D games that are on SNK's NeoGeo Hyper 64 Arcade System.
I wouldn't really consider Big Bang a fighting game in a traditional sense. I know we are technically fighting someone in BBPW but it's primarily a wrestling game. I mean, the WWE games are categorized as sports games after all. But whatever, it's a cool game regardless of what it is and I'm a wrestling fan. Too bad it's so expensive in the aftermarket. Thankfully we can download it and it is part of NG Pocket Color Selection Vol.2. I always wanted a NGPC back in the day but didn't have a chance to get it. Thankfully so many of it's big games are available on other platforms, like the Switch.
I'm glad I could now play Pocket Fighter on a handheld, that game was always a weird one as they call it Pocket Fighter but instead left it on the PlayStation and Sega Saturn consoles instead.
i really wanna get one, but the retro game market is overpriced way too much. id be willing to pay $70 for a color and $8 for a game, but age is overpowered by rarity when it comes to prices.
The Game Gear has better sound than the Gameboy? Guess you never played SamSho on that one, either? The Game Gear, like the Neo Geo Pocket, uses the same sound chip as the Colecovision. Sound was the one area where Nintendo was ahead of the two. (Besides the GG battery life.)
Contents was also where the Game Boy version shine, SamSho on Game Boy had way more contents and fighters than even the arcade game and you get more character development in the GB SamSho than any of the other one. I didn't think I would care about Hikyaku or Kuroko until I play the Game Boy version and found out both actually had an interesting story.
Love the love and criticism for SNK's portable fighters, but arguing Samurai Shodown on Gameboy doesn't have a chibi style proves you couldn't be bothered to play it. Or you aren't making your point very clearly. Edit: Your mistakes wouldn't bother me so much, if the entire video were low quality. It's such a contrast with how you cover SNK's crossover game, for example. (Unlocking the entire roster was one hell of a flex. Serious respect.) Edit 2: Spider-man and Robocop were long forgotten when Pokemon revived Gameboy sales.
Normally I would not engage but I do think you are trying to be genuine in your criticisms despite coming off as hostile. Totally understand what you mean in terms of my criticism of Sam sho on GB I would agree my point is not as clear. I would say the NGP ver is more of a stylized chibi imo. But I also do not think Sam sho on GB is chibi at all. Since the proportions of the characters are not deformed enough to appear that way. But maybe I’m wrong in what chibi style even is. In addition to spiderman or robocop footage being used ,I’m talking about licensed shovel ware garbage that the Neo geo didn’t really have vs the GB. In addition to them being games I personally owned so I stand by that footage being relevant. Also everyone on earth knows Pokémon is the phenomenon it was. Dont think people need me to tell them that. Hence why I offered a different perspective on why the NGP could have also failed. I get shit wrong or look over a detail I wish I had included all the time. Pretending otherwise would be very disingenuous. If you look at the first video I personally think it’s dog shit now but I feel I’ve only gotten better because of people like yourself who pointed out shit that was wrong or bad about it. That being said feel free to criticize but when you do I ask if you can just be a bit more chill about it. Thank you.
@@baberuthless Fair enough, and thanks for both the constructive criticism (fair is fair, I'm still learning too) and the insight into your decisions. Too many people (and their fans) rush to their favorite grade school insults, if they acknowledge criticism at all. As for the Pokemon thing - apologies, but what was obvious decades ago isn't always remembered in 2023. Many creators don't omit the obvious because they assume we know better. And is it really safe to assume your audience knows better to begin with? I have a friend who is a huge fan of SNK's fighting game characters who was still learning to walk when all this was happening. There are retro gaming UA-camrs who only hit puberty in the 2010's. People may know how popular Pokemon was, but do they have any idea how much open contempt the Gameboy was often held in, just before that surprise revival? This is all genuinely asking, from an outsider's perspective. You know your audience, or they wouldn't stand up for you. The super-deformed issue being a miscommunication only occured to me later. When I was first exposed to the style, Samshow on GB was a pretty common approach. It wasn't until people realized it was harder to read and control game space with squat bodies that things got more interesting. Anyways, thanks for assuming good faith. It'll make it a lot easier to do the same.
@@juststatedtheobvious9633 No worries. I appreciate the response and apology. In regards to how i talk to my audience i assume they come in with a decent amount of knowledge on the topic at hand but my video would perhaps shed light on certain aspects they wouldnt have considered otherwise. Thats typically my approach to content. Otherwise if i was soley speaking to casuals or people who i didnt think knew the topic at least a little, i would break down who SNK even is in the intro. Thats just how i personally approach it though and that could always evolve and change.
Fascinating seeing handheld fighting games done well that aren't on gameboy
The NGP was really underrated back in the day. Glad to see it getting the love it deserves today.
Agreed! My friend got one and the thumbstick is, to this day, unbeaten. Great memories snowboarding over a weekend and beating Dark Arms, then getting a concussion and reading Go Ask Alice to a couple girls at McDonalds while dipping my fries in their ice cream. 😅
Best thumbstick for fighters ever. I love it so much.
Agreed, even modern thumbsticks aren't as satisfying as the Clicky Neo Geo Pocket Thumbstick ✨
Gotta have the clicks!
@@OmniNexuz that thumbstick is magic. Makes the console so much more interesting.
Makes Zangief a S tier character in Match of the Millennium.
I played one of these since my uncles loved having consoles and handhelds back in the day, Snk Gal Fighters & SNK vs. Capcom was a blast to play. There were a lot of facts i didn't know about this so seeing this was very insightful!
SNK Gal Fighters also had a follow-up entry for PS4 and Nintendo Switch called SNK Heroine: Fighting Frenzy. That follow-up even had a female Terry Bogard as well.
I grew up with Takara's lovely SNK conversions for Game Boy, but never got to play the Neo Geo Pocket Games ...until a couple years ago with the re-releases on Switch and HOLY SMOKES. What an *outstanding* set of fighting games, that blow other 8 bit fighters away!
Particular entries like KoF R, Gal Fighters, and of course Match of the Millennium, benefit so much from being original games, as opposed to chopped up conversions.
AWWW YEAH! My favorite channel that does retrospectives on fighting games made another video!
Thank you! 😊 those words mean a lot to me
@@baberuthlessMight be the good content. 🤭
I have a japanese transparent yellow NGPC and i still play SNK vs Capcom all the time. The thumbsticks are awesome, it's a joy to play fighting games on this bad boy
The yellow one is a really gorgeous one! Svc I played to death on there so good choice!
This channel covers only exactly things I love. It’s uncanny.
I was so into my neogeo pocket! I had just discovered SNK at that time and the combination of the dreamcast and NGPC got me so hooked. Then both got cancelled! It was a crazy time for sure
That is the perfect combo! Had the same upbringing with those consoles myself
@@BackForwardPunchSad times for the FGC - luckily SF4 caught the rebound!
That pink guy in the wrestling game spitting green mist has to be an ode to Great Muta.
It was so cool seeing one friend during lunch pull out this after his trip to Chinatown and then another pull out a GBA. That started my Saturday trips to Chinatown to pick up imports, mod my Playstation and pick up copies of DBZ (Cell Saga in japanese!). Seeing 3RD Strike for the first time and seeing someone just casually pulling off a Raging Demon at the arcade was definitely an awesome experience. THEN traveling to the other side to see MvC 2 for the first time was epic. What a flashback to those gaming days in NYC! 😂 This is another awesome video! Keep up the great work and happy holidays and a happy new year!
Dropping off my sister at laser tag for a birthday and seeing X-Men vs Street Fighter for the first time...😮🤯
Excellent video. I was a weird kid that got a NGPC instead of a GBA because I wanted Sonic Pocket Adventure lol. Luckily though I was gifted SamSho 2, and absolutely loved it. Played it until the cartridge stopped working, and it was my introduction to the SNK world. The console holds a special place for me, and I love that its games are making it to Switch. These games oozed personality and charm and deserved to be played by a wider audience.
Thanks for making a great video on an under appreciated topic!
Sonic pocket adventure is pretty great to be fair so I get it haha
Fighters were shockingly good on the system. Even compared to Alpha 3 Upper, somehow.. 🤪
As a zoomer, I personally have become very fond of older works of art like SNK's gameography, including the titles on the NGP and NGPC. It's practically just surprised me how I never even felt interested in this kind of stuff earlier in my childhood. Especially, ever since I got heavily into FF, SamSho, and KOF, I've wanted to try out the NGPC iterations of those franchises myself some day. Great to see more content to fuel my current fighting game digest.
Oh btw 15:51 in my defense, the "64" in Samurai Shodown 64 is because of the fact that it was a title for SNK's lost 3D arcade system: the Hyper Neo Geo 64, which also included titles such as Fatal Fury: Wild Ambition and Buriki One.
Edit: 22:47 OH GOD THE WINQUOTE HELPP- 😭😭
“But Terry, I’ve already subbed to Baberuthless!”
A new upload so soon after finding you? I feel blessed 😌😌😌
Glad my first in depth video on the Neo Geo was with you
I had a Neo Geo Pocket Color in blue camo. I really liked the construction. Match of the Millennium was by far my favorite game on it. Kicked off my interest in SNK properties and my love for Leona. Dope channel!
Absolutely loved the Neo geo pocket color!! Had it at launch and played it to death!! Match of the MILLENNIUM and Card fighters were my favorite games!!!👍👍👍👍
Glad you finally gave the Neo Geo Pocket the attention it deserves!!
I normally don't comment on UA-cam videos, but I fell down a rabbit hole watching your background breakdowns. I love fighting game backgrounds especially how they tie into real world settings. If you ever get a chance, I'd love to see you cover the King of Fighters 97. The backgrounds really have a vibe. Also, they have some of the coolest locations like Hong Kong, Seoul, or Monaco. Not to mention the ambiance. Any keep up the great work!
Thanks! You’ll be happy to know I did cover kof 97 specifically! It’s one of my earlier ones
Babe, wake up, Baberuthless dropped another banger
I got my silver neo geo pocket colour in store at Electronics Boutique with King of Fighters R-2. Good times.
That translucent teal new neogeo pocket color is so fineeee, what a vibe 😮💨
Translucent consoles and controllers are peak! Wish they would come back 🥲
I appreciate you as a creator so much.
Who knew a strawberry could make awesome and interesting videos on fighting games and fighting game related stuff
Hee hee thanks 😊
11:14 I remember seeing that exact advert for the Neo Geo Pocket Color in an issue of Expert Gamer Magazine in the summer of 1999, such nostalgia! 😃
Back then I was so intrigued by the Fatal Fury and Metal Slug pictures in particular. I asked my Grandpa if he could buy me one but he couldn't find it anywhere, now I guess I know why since it was only sold online initially lol. Later in the fall of that year I ended up getting a Game Boy Color bundled with Pokemon Yellow.
If they didn’t do that online only launch we coulda had another soldier for the NG 🫡
Thank you so much for bringing this to light
I've been playing all the neo geo pocket games and have been upset no one has ever mentioned anything about these
GuileWinQuote has a really good one on Snk vs capcom card fighters clash! I highly recommend that one as well 😁
@@baberuthless I SAW THAT! The amount of love for the card game drove me insane
I wanted the actual card collection and to see them real
I'd give anything for that to come back
NGP might be the most underrated handheld of all time XD i didnt even know these games existed until today 🥹 I learned SO MUCH in this video 🙌🏾💖 looking forward to the next one 💕
Thanks so much 🥰
That stick is legit my favorite handheld fighting setup. Never felt more in control, helps the titles were solid as a rock
Man I remember when my uncle gave me his Neo Geo Pocket. That was my introduction to King of Fighters
I keep missing Baberuthless videos ugh damn. I'll make it up ❤
I knew only one person who had this and he actually let me borrow it for the day. I played KOF on it and it was fun and responsive. I wish it was more popular and accessible and got to play more games on it.
I never owned a NEO-GEO POCKET or a NEO-GEO POCKET COLOR, but I remember seeing a NEO-GEO POCKET COLOR bundle at Toys R' US in 2000. It was the only unit left. I was playing Super Mario Bros. Deluxe on my teal GBC, so I barely noticed it.
I played the console's library with NeoPop back in 2007, and I've had a blast with games such as SNK Gals Fighters, Delta Warp, and The Last Blade: Beyond the Destiny.
On a last note, I was playing a ton of SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium on my Switch this year, funnily enough!
Now, as you mentioned, the games and the system itself were quite difficult to find on brick-and-mortar stores. Online, though, was a different story altogether. For context, it was a booming time for online shopping especially for the eBay, and boy were these games cheap and available. I’ve come to find out that a big portion of them were in fact bootlegged, but they were easily identifiable with the serial numbers.
I actually found a Pocket Color at a thrift shop in working condition about ten years ago for a paltry amount of money (back when no one cared about old video game stuff) and it's just such a wonderful charming system, and the click-y stick absolutely rules.
While the only game I own for it is Sonic Pocket Adventure, the collections on Switch are just pure joy and so well done. In fact, if you play them in handheld mode, you can actually use the stick and buttons on the gameplay border! It's so neat!
I had a lot of fun with the SNK Vs Capcom game, by far my favourite version with a lot of fun short mini-games
It cannot compete with any of the nintendo handheld but it's still has some really good games
I still remember the day SNK filed for bankruptcy, because I was on an SNK mailing list at the time and heard about it right away. The next day I went to my local game store and all the NGPC games and displays were totally gone, as if they'd never been there to begin with. SNK had recalled them to flash the roms and whatnot. Broke my heart because I loved the system. It was and still is my favorite handheld console.
It's still crazy to me that they actually released Last Blade in Europe, because that game was finished right after Gals Fighters. SNK must have shipped it out as their literal last act before going bankrupt, and they probably sent the recall request but some stores in Europe just didn't send it back.
I think your videos are super cool!
I actually remember seeing the commercials back in the day. I really wanted it for the Sonic game but SNK vs. Capcom was the crown jewel. I also enjoyed some Bust-A-Move. I’ll admit I emulated back then since my parents would never buy this thing 😂
I feel you on not seeing it anywhere, I remember my dad getting my brother and I the collection with all the games for Christmas. I had never even heard about it up until that point.
I had the NeoGeo Pocket Color and a number of games. To me, it WAS a fighting game system, as I owned most of them and LOVED them.
Unfortunately, when I was getting out of the Army, I needed money to get home, as I had to drive half way across the country. I had to sell a lot of my stuff, and The NGPC was on that list.
I never got it again. 😞
The silver lining, I currently have NeoGeo Pocket Color Collections 1 and 2 for my Nintendo Switch, which means I have all of my old games back, and then some. It’s not the same as owning the originals, but it is very nice to be able to play these games again, especially with a bright screen.
I’m a player and a collector. If I came across a NeoGeo Pocket Color again, I would have to buy it. But these collections are so nice, I’m happy to at least have them to play.
Thanks for this awesome retrospective on this long forgotten system. People who are into old-school games owe it to themselves to give it a chance, if they are lucky enough. Still, if you have a Switch, you have the option to play these games. Get them!
In SNK vs. CAPCOM: The Match of the Millennium, Olympic Mode is NOT the only way to receive Versus. You could link the game with SNK vs. CAPCOM: Card Fighters Clash, and be awarded based (I think) on how many unique cards you've collected. I haven't played much CFC...
Give those Takara fighting games on Gameboy a shot. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Oh there’s definitely some great fighters on GB! Just imo I think the Neo geo pocket ones are way better if you directly compare them
I got mine on launch day at Babbages at the mall in 99 it didn’t come with any games, the system was available in stores you are wrong about that. I purchased pac man and Samurai Shodown 2 separately. Years later the I purchased the bubble pack at Fry’s electronics which was sold that way because there was too much inventory that didn’t sell initially
I couldn't have bought Gal Fighters & SNK vs. Capcom quick enough when I saw them on the Switch eshop.
The Pocket had so many good fighters
Gals Fighters, Last Blade, King of Fighters R2 😃
It would be pretty great if you covered a very specific type of music in fighting games... Lobby/Network music. Capcom had a pretty good set of network lobby music since Moero! Justice Gakuen, mvc2 (unused) and still is a thing to this day
Of note, Samurai Shodown! 2 here is also the only home port of Samurai Shodown 64-2. So if the NGPC didn't exist at this exact time, that game might've been stuck on arcade forever. (Sort of. The chibi 2D here is different from the original, but arguably it actually ends up playing much better than the stiff janky early 3D style.)
Also, this Samurai Shodown! 2 port is the only playable appearance of Yuga, the final boss of the first two SamSho 64 games. So as of this point in time, both he and Yuki are exclusive to the NGPC. Oh yeah! And how could I forget about Lao, the true hero of Southtown. Throwing the spirits of his ancestors at you...
I have Gal Fighters, had no idea it was rare & expensive these days 😳
The games are cute and fun also the joystick on the Neo Geo pocket was good.
Didn't even know this existed until I saw it on my 353V lol, definitely way better than any fighting game on GB! The chibi sprites add to the charm and the animations are awesome...now I have a Gameboy clone playing ngpc. Tech has come a long way 😂
When I was a kid I remember my dad coming home with this saying it was better than a Gameboy. I never met a single kid with this console ever in my life and I felt crazy for having one like I was the only person in America with it, but I LOVED IT to death lol. I only had two games for it too 😂 sonic and metal slug and i played the hell out of sonic.
Same here only had like one friend that had it and we hunted that link cable down to play Sam sho!2 together but no luck
Really wish the NGPC got a Sonic the Fighters style game to further push that Sonic license.
I got my ngpc by walking into a EB games. I dont think it turned into gamestop at that point yet.
really love the neo geo pocket(tbh would take it over the gameboy.) as it had so much charm that i wish it didn't get screwed over as i would've loved to have seen it continue especially with snk's new direction.
snk gal fighters is my favorite as while i wish it had more characters/modes i loved the roster(liked yuki being playable alongside whip when the nest characters didn't appear that much back then in the snk crossovers.),miss x(what made me love iori as i love how goofy he is in this alongside everyone giving him a hard time in their endings.) and the endings having such a cute charm that i think heroines should've been way more like/it's manga nariyuki quest being closer to it as i'd love a true successor to it with more characters with the gals snk have that'd be fun to see in this style..
really loved match of the millennium the most of snk vs. capcom for having an actual story(alongside the structure for it that i'd love to see for snk vs. capcom 3.:3),some of the rosters picks like b.b hood and the olympic mode showing both sides(especially liked karin/rimuru being the host alongside comically asking nakoruru questions.:3).
This is awesome, I’d love to have a go playing on one of these. Does the 8bitdo controller stick feel very authentic/similar? Also have you played pocket bravery? That’s another indie fighter inspired by the neo geo pocket fighter aesthetic!
8 bitdo controller does feel good and i do recommend giving it a shot. Also haven’t played pocket bravery yet but i do own it!
Really enjoyed the video @Baberuthless.
I never owned a hand held gaming console but saw a few. Never liked the Game boy, Game gear was slightly better but my cousin who did own one hated the battery life. Many moons later I did see briefly the Nokia N-gage if that counts as a hand held gaming console, it was marketed as such so I suppose it counts. Either way I never saw the Neo Geo pocket colour so unfortunately missed out on that one.
Game gear from what I played was cool! But like you said that battery drains fast and it’s so huge compared to everything else
I'm really thankful SNK put the collections and SvC MotM on Steam. With shipping and taxes included, buying the actual console would be a pain nowadays
I had both in the mid 2000's but I had already emulated it...
The main issue was the lack of a backlit screen, I think it was ever harder to see than the GBC and GBA...
SVC MOTM is still the best crossover ever made and one of the best fighters I've ever played. I love Card Fighters too, its aet style is awesome and it's how cmeletronoc card games should be, fun, simple and addictive.
Could you put in the list of music that you used for the video?
A bit of topic, but I'd like to ask something. I got the standalone version of SvC MotM on switch and the attacks feel kinda delayed from when you press the buttons. Is that how the games always felt, or is it just an issue with the port?
Also, this video was great relief from my family Christmas party. Gathering like that can be quite a pain when you have sensitive ears
I do think that delay is just the game in general, but I’m terrible at noticing input lag unfortunately 🥲
The only GB fighting game that I think can touch the NGP is Battle Arena Toshinden, which I feel is where NG got their ideas for their pocket fighters. With the chibi characters, high contrast between stage and characters, and unlockable characters.
That’s a good theory, GB Toshinden does have pretty clear and good looking sprites. Not a bad GB fighter
Every day i regret selling off my ngpc 😢 kofr2 was amazing and my first introduction to an snk fighter
I just think it's a crime NGPC Selection games was stuck on Switch and Steam. I would love to have them on Xbox and PlayStation.
Also, there a great solid fighting games on Game Boy. One of my favorites is Gekitou Power Modeler / Power Quest, who was covered by GuileWinQuote. It's plays like Street Fighter Alpha, but with RC robots. I also love Buster Fight on Game Gear, even this system don't having great fighting games, but this one is very unique.
I’m shocked it’s not on PS4 at this point. Since it seems like a simple port.
Also I certainly would love to do a deep dive on game gear fighters one day! I know there’s a decent handful
@@baberuthless First of all, thank you for your reply. It means a lot. ♥
In my opinion, I don't think the Game Gear have a solid ground for fighting games. It have nice and competent ports of famous arcade fighting games for that time, and even great original titles (considering the system's specs), but nothing to deserve deep attention, like having a dedicated video to cover it, different of what the NeoGeo Pocket "Mono" and Color have to offer. So, it will be safer if these GG games could be saved to be cited in proper opportunities. But Buster Fighter is really interesting by it's button layout, and I love the game for it.
From my head, the number of fighting games on Game Gear can be counted using your two hands, who are:
> Fatal Fury Special
> Samurai Shodown
> Mortal Kombat (with a Master System port)
> Mortal Kombat II (with a Master System port)
> Mortal Kombat 3 (with a Brazil only Master System port)
> Buster Fight (named Masters of Combat on its Master System port)
> Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
> Virtual Fighter Animation (with a Brazil only Master System port)
If I could give a suggestion for you to look up and see if it deserves your attention for your next videos, I strongly suggest taking a look over Fill in Café's Asuka 120% Burning Fest., where the series is hitting its 30th anniversary next year. The very first title of the series was released on May 11th, 1994 on FM TOWNS (some months before the first DarkStalkers game hit on Arcades). It could be nice to celebrate the mother of all anime fighters, covering its main trio of creators (programing by Masatoshi Imaizumi, character design by Aoi Nanase, and music by Keishi Yonao), the game's "mother", Mad Stalker (who was created by Masaki Ukyo and Imaizumi), and the influence of both Asuka 120% and Mad Stalker over other famous video-games titles and companies, like Treasure's Yu Yu Hakusho: Makyou Touitsusen and Guardian Heroes (after all, Masaki Ukyo went to Treasure after releasing Mad Stalker), doujin games like Twilight Frontier's Eternal Fighter Zero. The game also strongly influenced the doujin team Watanabe Seisakujo, who created The Queen of Heart series and... Melty Blood, to some time after the team being renamed to Soft Circle French-Bread, and continuing to work with Melty Blood and also with other anime fighters, like the Under Night In-Birth series and Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Clímax. I think Asuka 120% is really underrated for that the game is and for its influence, and its deserves more recognition.
There's a good video who talks about the series (any video who talks about the series's history is a rare video to begin with) who is titled "Asuka 120% Retrospective: The Origin of Anime Fighters" at the Game Babble channel. I believe it's worth watching it, and I also believe this video deserves much more views.
Again, thanks for your reply. ♥
Well someone certainly wanted to talk about the NGP. It really is a shame how badly the Pocket failed because the games look great, and the system looks great as well, I'm so glad SNK are working to make sure people can actually play their old games unlike some other companies ( *Cough cough* Sony *cough cough* ) and I definitely want to get those NGP collections. (Granted I still don't own an SNK game in general but I'm working on it) To shout out some people who have covered other NGP games, Guile Win Quote made a video covering the SNK vs Capcom Card games, (Including the DS one) Thorgi's Arcade talked about the KOF games made for the system, including that weird KOF Mario Party game and also mentioned something about KOF R+2 you didn't, I'll let the quote speak for itself "If you wanted to name Ryo, Ryu, and give him a gun, you can do that" (Yep, you can assign new moves to which ever character you're playing) and a more obscure guy by the name of ScoopScoop, (Yes that is his name) covered SNK Gal Fighters in a bit more depth, I'd love it if you people went to go show him some love considering he's under 2.000 subs right now.
That thorgi quote in his vid is pretty great though 😆 also I’ll definitely have to check out scoopscoop!
Snk vs Capcom on that system had more content than the ps1 version. Tragic
super dope vid
Is there a way to play these today without the original hardware. Besides emulation, unless thats the best option 🤷♂️
It was mentioned at the end nvm, ty
I wish this system wasn't expensive
Hi I do like the neo geo pocket and neo geo in general, nice video, but you got something wrong about the original neo geo pocket.
You said it only released in Japan and that's not true, there was no US release for it, but Europe did get the original model for like a month or so before actually getting the neo geo pocket color.
The European neo geo pocket original systems are harder to find, I can share some pictures with you of the ones I own, mine have the boxes and matching serials.
You’re absolutely right! Seems like it was a very limited release on the OG pocket on Europe! Was kicking myself when I read up on this a week after the video uploaded 😭oh well
NeoGeo Pocket Color didn't failed, just that SNK file for bankruptcy. SNK was down on their luck at the time so in hindsight they halt the sale of the NeoGeo Pocket Color until they got bought out by Playmore (parent company of Aruze) a few months later. When Playmore bought SNK they continue sales of the NeoGeo Pocket Color but never actually making any new games for it. All they did was end clearance of any leftover NGPC handheld units. Even worst was that the console the NeoGeo Pocket Color was meant to support a.k.a. The Sega Dreamcast (and not the NeoGeo AES for some reason) was already dead in the water so there was no point in continuing to support it any further. Even more worst was that Playmore had no interest in making a successor to the NeoGeo Pocket Color so a NeoGeo Pocket Color Advance never happen. Had SNK still support their handheld line we would had gotten a NeoGeo Pocket Color Advance SP DS 3DS Vita today. Also Samurai Shodown! 1 & 2 were handheld 2D demakes of Samurai Shodown 64 and 64 II, 3D games that are on SNK's NeoGeo Hyper 64 Arcade System.
To you point of the Demakes on Sam sho she does mention that for both games and shows footage for both
I wouldn't really consider Big Bang a fighting game in a traditional sense. I know we are technically fighting someone in BBPW but it's primarily a wrestling game. I mean, the WWE games are categorized as sports games after all. But whatever, it's a cool game regardless of what it is and I'm a wrestling fan. Too bad it's so expensive in the aftermarket. Thankfully we can download it and it is part of NG Pocket Color Selection Vol.2.
I always wanted a NGPC back in the day but didn't have a chance to get it. Thankfully so many of it's big games are available on other platforms, like the Switch.
just wanated to make sure i covered my basis 😉
Pocket fighters was a fun niche. Also I think I fried my pc but that probably has nothing to do with the video
I hope it doesn’t 👀
I'm glad I could now play Pocket Fighter on a handheld, that game was always a weird one as they call it Pocket Fighter but instead left it on the PlayStation and Sega Saturn consoles instead.
If you mean the Capcom pocket fighter it’s on the wonderswan
Whip is best girl
Man... they cooked 🍳 they innovated. Then proceeded to get cooked themselves ❤ They stuck to their guns. Legends 🙏
Oh yeah, I think Walmart used to have games behind a counter you needed to ask for sometimes. Maybe that's why you never personally saw it 🤔
That’s a good theory! I wish I could have seen at least one game at least though out in the wild 😭
Wonderswan next? :)
Just gotta get one first 😅
👍
i really wanna get one, but the retro game market is overpriced way too much. id be willing to pay $70 for a color and $8 for a game, but age is overpowered by rarity when it comes to prices.
If anybody is reading this, can somebody help fix NGPC? It died when somebody used the wrong ac adapter to power it on :(
I like men
The Game Gear has better sound than the Gameboy?
Guess you never played SamSho on that one, either?
The Game Gear, like the Neo Geo Pocket, uses the same sound chip as the Colecovision. Sound was the one area where Nintendo was ahead of the two. (Besides the GG battery life.)
Man you really hate this chick huh?
Contents was also where the Game Boy version shine, SamSho on Game Boy had way more contents and fighters than even the arcade game and you get more character development in the GB SamSho than any of the other one. I didn't think I would care about Hikyaku or Kuroko until I play the Game Boy version and found out both actually had an interesting story.
Love the love and criticism for SNK's portable fighters, but arguing Samurai Shodown on Gameboy doesn't have a chibi style proves you couldn't be bothered to play it.
Or you aren't making your point very clearly.
Edit: Your mistakes wouldn't bother me so much, if the entire video were low quality. It's such a contrast with how you cover SNK's crossover game, for example. (Unlocking the entire roster was one hell of a flex. Serious respect.)
Edit 2: Spider-man and Robocop were long forgotten when Pokemon revived Gameboy sales.
Normally I would not engage but I do think you are trying to be genuine in your criticisms despite coming off as hostile. Totally understand what you mean in terms of my criticism of Sam sho on GB I would agree my point is not as clear. I would say the NGP ver is more of a stylized chibi imo. But I also do not think Sam sho on GB is chibi at all. Since the proportions of the characters are not deformed enough to appear that way. But maybe I’m wrong in what chibi style even is.
In addition to spiderman or robocop footage being used ,I’m talking about licensed shovel ware garbage that the Neo geo didn’t really have vs the GB. In addition to them being games I personally owned so I stand by that footage being relevant. Also everyone on earth knows Pokémon is the phenomenon it was. Dont think people need me to tell them that. Hence why I offered a different perspective on why the NGP could have also failed. I get shit wrong or look over a detail I wish I had included all the time. Pretending otherwise would be very disingenuous. If you look at the first video I personally think it’s dog shit now but I feel I’ve only gotten better because of people like yourself who pointed out shit that was wrong or bad about it. That being said feel free to criticize but when you do I ask if you can just be a bit more chill about it. Thank you.
This is what a man who lives his life only saying umm actually looks like folks. Pray you won’t become him
@@baberuthless Fair enough, and thanks for both the constructive criticism (fair is fair, I'm still learning too) and the insight into your decisions.
Too many people (and their fans) rush to their favorite grade school insults, if they acknowledge criticism at all.
As for the Pokemon thing - apologies, but what was obvious decades ago isn't always remembered in 2023. Many creators don't omit the obvious because they assume we know better.
And is it really safe to assume your audience knows better to begin with? I have a friend who is a huge fan of SNK's fighting game characters who was still learning to walk when all this was happening. There are retro gaming UA-camrs who only hit puberty in the 2010's.
People may know how popular Pokemon was, but do they have any idea how much open contempt the Gameboy was often held in, just before that surprise revival?
This is all genuinely asking, from an outsider's perspective. You know your audience, or they wouldn't stand up for you.
The super-deformed issue being a miscommunication only occured to me later. When I was first exposed to the style, Samshow on GB was a pretty common approach. It wasn't until people realized it was harder to read and control game space with squat bodies that things got more interesting.
Anyways, thanks for assuming good faith. It'll make it a lot easier to do the same.
@@juststatedtheobvious9633 No worries. I appreciate the response and apology. In regards to how i talk to my audience i assume they come in with a decent amount of knowledge on the topic at hand but my video would perhaps shed light on certain aspects they wouldnt have considered otherwise. Thats typically my approach to content. Otherwise if i was soley speaking to casuals or people who i didnt think knew the topic at least a little, i would break down who SNK even is in the intro. Thats just how i personally approach it though and that could always evolve and change.
@@baberuthlessI’m shocked this convo turned in such a positive way. Much respect to you both.