Neo Geo Pocket Color
The Neo Geo Pocket Color (hereafter NGPC) is my favourite handheld ever I think. Quite a bold statement, that. I have a Game Gear, which was my first ever handheld, and I love it dearly. Moving into this generation, I have a Nintendo DS and a PSP also. Not really that fussed on them, to be honest. I bought my DS in Akihabara [秋葉原] in 2006 and my PSP from a weird shop in Norfolk... long story.
The largest problem this mini-arcade system has is the fact the little blighter doesn't have a backlight. Neither did the Game Boy though, and I heard that was quite popular... The original Game Boy Advance (GBA) also did not have a backlight. In days of the PSP and DS, people just wouldn't waste time with this device, which is a shame, because there are many hidden gems.
Finding somewhere well lit isn't hard though, and then you can let the gaming commence. And gaming it is. The sound is pretty good, the graphics are superb (16 bit) and the mini-stick (thumb stick) is amazing. Amazing. I cannot stress that enough. The stick on the PSP is utter pig-shite. This is the way it should be. This clicky little number allows you to pull off some great moves and enables you to have total control over the characters.
Another great things about the system is that it runs for ages on two little AA batteries. I use rechargable ones personally, but it lasts for hours and you can get some serious gaming done.
One of the best games on the system is Metal Slug. For those of you that don't know what Metal Slug is... click this. Three other games worth a mention are SNK vs Capcom Card Fighters Clash, King of Fighters R2 and SNK vs Capcom. They really are great games. If anyone wants to see a video of one of the games in action - just let me know and I am sure I can knock something up...
Thanks, nice post!
ReplyDeleteI was never too fond of this console, possibly because it had a very limited games catalogue, much like all the SNK consoles. If you look closely to the directional stick, it is miniature version of the Neo Geo CD pad, which was wonderful for playing fighting and arcade games. Why no one bothered to replicate them in modern consoles I don't know...
I understand about the lack of backlight though... how were we able to manage back then?
Cheers!
The backlight issue is a funny one, people just accepted it. The GAME GEAR has a backlight! Oh well, funny old world.
ReplyDeleteIt has a limited catalogue, but SNK vs Capcom and Metal Slug are two great games - worth the price I paid in Japan for sure. The stick is great and just feels like it was made for games, unlike the PSP.
I love this little machine also. There's just something about everything from it's design to the style of the graphics that really appeal to me. Even though it has no backlit screen the screen itself is so clear, you can see every pixel and there never seems to be a blurry moment, unlike on a game Gear, Lynx or especially the old Game Boy with it's constant requirement to twiddle with the contrast and brightness settings just to see it.
ReplyDeleteThere games on it are few and far between, but there is barely any duds out of them. You forgot to mention there's a rather neat Sonic game, along with easily the best fighting game on a handheld ever and still: SNK Vs Capcom. That and the directional stick is the greatest thing EVER.
You're quite right. The sonic game is marvelous, though I don't currently own it. Sonic Pocket Adventure for those of you that haven't heard of it.
ReplyDeleteSNK vs CAPCOM is indeed the best handheld fitting game. Ever. The screen is clear, but more importantly, that joystick is on of the most finely crafted gaming inputs I have ever used. It feels like it was built for gamers, by gamers.
Just got into this myself. Am disappointed with the backlight but agree with comments re the stick, it is great.
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