NEOGEO POCKET COLOR SELECTION Vol.2

NEOGEO POCKET COLOR SELECTION Vol. 2 is a lovingly curated compilation that celebrates a unique and often overlooked chapter in handheld gaming history. Developed and published by SNK, this second volume follows in the footsteps of its predecessor by bringing another round of NEOGEO Pocket Color classics to modern platforms, including PC via Steam. The collection is more than just a nostalgic novelty—it’s a showcase of inventive game design from the late 1990s and early 2000s, with titles that still manage to charm and challenge despite their age and technical limitations. The collection includes ten games, each originally released for SNK’s NEOGEO Pocket Color handheld console. While the first volume leaned heavily into SNK’s fighting game heritage, Volume 2 diversifies the lineup with a broader selection of genres. You’ll still find excellent fighters like “SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters' Clash” and “The King of Fighters: Battle de Paradise,” but there are also spor...

While the games are enjoyable, I will not recommend this collection due to the lack of translation for games that sorely need them. King of Fighters Battle de Paradise is an incomplete experience. The player is expected to navigate through dialogue options that can make the difference between winning and losing, which is not tenable if the player does not know Japanese. I had to consult an FAQ to figure out how to change the difficulty to easy and save the game. The KoF BdP mini games are particularly frustrating as the explanations are in Japanese. While the manual has been translated to English, it lacks all the previously mentioned in-game information. There is an achievement tied to this game which requires a moderate amount of effort to complete.

Way too much input lag.