Product Info

Platform

Switch, PC

Publisher

SNK

Developer

SNK

Series

NeoGeo Pocket Color Selection

Genre

Action, Board Games, Fighting, Puzzle, RPG, Sports

Players

1-2

File Size (Minimum)

989 MB

Release Date (NA)

Nov 9, 2022

Purchase From

eShop

Steam

NeoGeo Pocket Color Selection Vol. 2 brings a new set of NeoGeo Pocket Color games to the Nintendo Switch, but its selection isn’t as strong compared to the first volume.

A Short Lifespan

The NeoGeo Pocket had some interesting titles when it was originally released in the late ‘90s by SNK. However, it was overshadowed by Nintendo’s Game Boy Color and then Sony entered the handheld market with the PlayStation Portable (PSP).

NeoGeo Pocket Color Selection Vol. 1, released in March 2021 for the Nintendo Switch, had solid titles from its 16-bit library, such as Samurai Shodown, King of Fighters and Metal Slug. Unfortunately with Vol. 2, some of those series aren’t here. However, Mega Man makes an appearance, but the Blue Bomber himself won’t carry the price tag of this collection.

Originally priced at $39.99 (USD), you’ll have a chance to play ten titles, the same amount as in the previous volume. However, most of these titles aren’t nearly as popular. Players are given four sports-themed games (baseball, wrestling, soccer, tennis), card/board games, a fighting game, a strategy RPG, a puzzle game, and a simulation game. Having only two buttons available to use makes some of these titles challenging, as does playing on the square-sized screen that represents the NeoGeo Pocket Color system.

A Lackluster Selection

Sport titles hinge the most on replay value, but the gameplay mechanics in the titles here don’t lend themselves to doing so. Swapping between players or trying to outmaneuver your opponent tends to be difficult. With wrestling specifically, you have to line up your character precisely to hit your opponent. Otherwise, your wrestler performs a taunt. Such issues don’t exactly make you want to try the games again.

The puzzle game, Puzzle Link 2, has some entertainment value. You’ll connect the same symbols to clear lines. To win a round, clear both the “C” blocks and you can move forward to the next round. The board game, King of Fighters: Battle de Paradise, would be an interesting and accessible title if it had actually been translated into English. Instead, it’s still in the original Japanese. To get around the language barrier, you can either do a quick check of Google Translate or use the provided digital manuals. However, these digital manuals can only go so far. You’ll still feel left in the dust as you play some of these games.

The fighting game, Mega Man Battle & Fighters, has simple fighting mechanics but is not translated either, so you’re missing out on the full experience. Additional details about this game can be read in our Mega Man Battle & Fighters review. If you’re only looking to purchase NeoGeo Pocket Color Selection Vol. 2 for Mega Man, you’re better off picking up Mega Man Battle & Fighters on the Nintendo eShop by itself. It sells for the much cheaper price of $7.99 (USD).

SNK vs. Capcom Card Fighters’ Clash has some interesting mechanics. It’s strictly a tabletop card game. Think of it like the Pokémon Card Game but with SNK and Capcom characters. The illustrations are great and the interface is straightforward. If you enjoy card-based games, this one can be worth your time. Like Mega Man Battle & Fighters, this title can be picked up separately for $7.99 (USD) on the Nintendo eShop.

Simulation game Ganbare Neo Poke-kun is a slapstick humor title that’s filled with wacky scenarios and mini-games to play, such as a Pong-style game. Unfortunately, this title is yet again only in Japanese. Like the other games, there is a translated game manual available to look through. However, even with that, it’s still confusing when it comes to understanding how to play.

A surprising genre title in this collection is the strategy RPG, Biomotor Unitron. You’ll control a giant robot and, with the help of your engineer friend, compete against other Unitron fighters. You’ll go around and outside town to find parts and equipment for your robot. You’ll explore areas in a grid-based layout and battle in turn-based attacks. Think of Dragon Quest games from the original Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). It certainly has some solid gameplay and characters. Again, this title can be purchased separately on the Nintendo eShop for $7.99 (USD).

Options For All

Those who’ve played either Vol. 1 or separate titles like Mega Man Battle & Fighters will understand that NeoGeo Pocket Color Vol. 2 has plenty of visual options. Players can change the NeoGeo Pocket “system” skin to one of the many provided and also choose to have interlacing on the playing screen for that old-school vibe.

A few games can be played in different color styles: color, new color, and black-and-white. Color choices between the default color and new color are hardly noticeable. It’s a head scratcher as to what exactly the difference is. The black-and-white option is only available in certain titles. Games like Puzzle Link 2 cannot be played with that since they rely on colors to play, so that makes sense.

Outside the visual designs, there are a few titles where you can play with an additional person for some local multiplayer. When utilizing the local two-player option, you’ll need another controller to connect to the Nintendo Switch. Connecting it will make the second controller act like a link between two NeoGeo Pocket Color consoles. This is an interesting setup, and it will be intriguing to see if Nintendo will use this idea for the upcoming Game Boy titles being released on their online service.

The Last Play

NeoGeo Pocket Color Selection Vol. 2 has a few interesting titles, but as a whole, there’s not enough to justify the price tag. You’re better off purchasing some of these titles separately because you’ll end up spending less for more enjoyment.

A Nintendo Switch review code provided for this review and gameplay footage.