snkplaymore
Latest
SNK ditches slot machines to focus more on video games
Call SNK the anti-Konami. Rather than back away from video games, the legendary Japanese studio has announced that it's dropping its pachinko slot machine business to concentrate its efforts on both conventional video games (like the upcoming King of Fighters XIV, above) and mobile titles. There just isn't as much money in those machines as there is consoles and smartphones, SNK says. To that end, it's hiring more staff and planning more titles.
Tommo to continue to sell Neo Geo X Gold through 2016, denies breach of contract
Well, this is awkward. Two days ago, SNK Playmore announced the death of the Neo Geo X Gold -- today, the handheld's manufacturer has demanded a retraction. According to Tommo, it has a standing contract with SNK to produce and support the handheld console through 2016 and "fully expects this agreement to be honored by all parties." Moreover, the company claims that it has performed all of its obligations as a licensee, asserting that SNK has no reason or grounds to terminate the agreement. For now, the company says it will continue to sell the Neo Geo X Gold system as well as its arcade stick and assorted game collections. It's a messy situation, to be sure, but at least it's delaying the device's inevitable fate as a collector's item. Check out the statement for yourself after the break.
Neo Geo X hands-on
When the Neo Geo AES hit the scene 20 years ago, it was one of the largest, most powerful and most expensive game consoles the market had to offer, ringing in at a steep $650. Used AES machines aren't much cheaper, and modernized slim variations don't cost a penny less than the original hardware, either. A full home console might be a bit outside of the average gamer's budget, but SNK's 20th anniversary Neo Geo X hits a little closer to home: $200 for a portable handheld, 20 pre-loaded games, a faithful recreation of the original console arcade stick and an AES-shaped charging / controller dock that pipes video and audio out to a proper television. The end result? A handheld dressed up in a home console's skin. This is something we needed to see -- we spent some time with the setup to give it a once over.
Neo Geo X is still super boss, now comes in Limited Edition with an extra game
Nintendo's Wii U isn't the only gaming console launching this holiday -- portable Neo Geo hardware is arriving on December 6, and it's called the Neo Geo X. The somewhat pricey handheld is now available for pre-order, and incentivizing that pre-order is the promise of an extra game (ADK-developed fighting game Ninja Master), bringing the total of pre-loaded game software to 21 titles. This "limited edition" version still costs the same $200 that the normal version does, and it still comes with the same variety of supplementary hardware we've seen before (that $130 standalone remains date-less, sadly). For the full list of games in the LE, head past the break (spoilers: it's all the previously revealed 20 games, plus Ninja Master).
Neo Geo X handheld gets standalone $130 price tag
If you wanted to relive your past arcade glories, but weren't looking for a whole peripheral package, the Neo Geo X is now going to let you do that. While the forthcoming handheld was expected to arrive bundled with nostalgia-tinged hardware, a lower-priced solo handheld is also on the cards. Priced at $130, the makers aren't divulging any more detail on 4.3-inch handheld's precise launch date, but we'd guess that the single unit will match the pricier bundle's December launch date.
Neo Geo X Gold gets worldwide December release date, $200 price tag
Just when you were wondering if it was all just vaporware, the Neo Geo X has finally received a worldwide release date of December 6th after missing its original Q2 window. The 20th anniversary reboot of the retro gaming system -- now branded the Neo Geo X Gold -- has a suggested retail price of a cent under $200, and for that you get the handheld and the newly detailed peripherals shown above -- a joystick and a charging dock that doubles as TV out (via HDMI or RCA). The specs have changed somewhat since the initial announcement and the handheld is now showing off a 4.3-inch LCD, a little bigger than the 3.5-inch previously announced, while the list of pre-installed titles looks just as healthy as it originally did -- see the source link for the full list.
TUAW's Daily iPhone App: The King of Fighters-i 002
SNK's famous King of Fighters series has finally come to iOS with this new app for the iPhone, allowing you to play with 13 different fighters across four singleplayer modes and Bluetooth multiplayer. The setup is very similar to Capcom's Street Fighter, with virtual buttons on the touchscreen, but of course this game has all different fighters to play with, and lots of extras to unlock, from trading cards of the fighters themselves to concept art and even movies from the main console game. The King of Fighters-i 002 is pricey at US$7.99, but all indications are that this is a nice premium game, especially if you're a fan of the KoF series. Plus, while there are only 13 characters right now, more will be available to download for free, which should bring the total to 20 different characters by October, according to SNK. If you're already sold, go grab the game, and even if not, look for this one on sale in the future.
Samurai Shodown Sen shows up March 30
When XSEED announced that it had picked up SNK's latest Samurai Shodown game, Samurai Shodown Sen, we didn't know just how soon it would bring the 3D samurai combat to us. And after waiting a couple of years for this game to show up -- and after seeing it at E3 last year with no word of a release date -- we're kind of shocked to see the game coming out so soon, on March 30. There's a weird kind of parallelism in the design and the premise of the game: Sen is about the period when Western culture began to enter Japan, bringing foreigners in contact with samurai -- and the game is a high-definition 3D version of an SNK classic. So, if we were going to overthink this (and we are), we could see the game's samurai as a metaphor for classic 2D fighters, with the Vikings and other foreign elements representing the unstoppable influence of 3D. Then they all hit each other with swords. %Gallery-83694%
Latest King of Fighters XII trailer is a history lesson
With the release of King of Fighters XII drawing near (or, if you live in LA, you can play it early tomorrow!), SNK sent out a trailer to remind people why this franchise is so revered and why the latest installment should be worth your time. You know, thinking back on all of these games, we've realized something: King of Fighters has been around for a long time. No, seriously, it has! Grossly obvious statements aside, we will say this: Them's some pretty sprites.
Two new characters for King of Fighters XII coming home
In addition to the ultra smooth (and likely quite sophisticated) King of Fighters XII anti-aliasing graphical update, it appears as though the home version of the game will be coming with two new characters. Elizabeth Blanctorche and a character known only as "Mature" will be joining the ranks of the already 20-character strong roster as a result of the move to console from arcades.1UP claims the game's Japanese language website also teases, "the art of K' and Mai Shiranui in the style of KOFXII," though it remains unconfirmed whether or not the console release will see more exclusive characters. The game releases this July, and in the meantime, we'll be over here looking through the beautiful gallery full of artwork we already have.[Via 1UP]%Gallery-47801%
SNK considering Metal Slug HD makeover
SNK may soon be trading in its "rocket lawncher" for a high-def upgrade, as IGN reports that the company is considering bringing an HD version of Metal Slug to consoles. If true, the move would echo recent efforts by the company, such as with the forthcoming The King of Fighters XII, to abandon stale sprites for delicious eye candy.Nothing else is known of SNK's future plans for the franchise, and considering that the company merely looks forward to announcing something "someday soon," we are not holding our breath just yet. However, fans itching for a retro fix can pick up Metal Slug 7 when it rolls on to the DS in November.
VC Monday Madness video wrap-up 7/7/08
This week sees the Virtual Console receiving only one game, but, thankfully, it's a good game. Never played King of the Monsters before? Well, hit up the video above for some gameplay footage, then head past the break for more.
Doki Doki Majo Shinpan Duo forgoes nipples
Since Doki Doki Majo Shinpan Duo is risqué in its essence, we're not surprised that the boxart would also be rather ... bold. The blue bar that wraps its way around the cover lets perusers of the box see through the girls' clothes, hence the assaulted looks on their faces.The girl on the left used quick reflexes to cover herself up, while the girl on the right only had a sliver of indecency exposed. The girl in the middle, though? Not so lucky -- not even because her breasts were displayed for gaming consumers to see, but because she has no nipples. Maybe she's related to the guys in Duel Love? Or, maybe that's how you go about proving she's a witch.In all seriousness, we don't expect SNK to put nipples on the front of the box. Maybe they should have gone with a different design, though, so that the girls wouldn't look like ... well, freaks. Still, we know most guys aren't too picky when it comes to this kind of thing, and will enjoy the opportunity to stylus-poke the ladies of the game nonetheless. Oh, and the little pointing hand in the bottom right says "touch," lest your forget your task.
Ignition, SNK to co-publish Metal Slug 7 in North America
Mercury Meltdown publisher Ignition Entertainment has announced that the company has inked a deal with SNK Playmore to co-publish titles in North America, the first of which will be Metal Slug 7 for the DS. The pair are not exactly strangers, having been cozy together for quite some time on the European side of the pond. Beyond Metal Slug 7, which represents the retro shooter's first outing on Nintendo's handheld, no other titles have been announced, though considering SNK's pedigree we expect the fruits of this union, whatever they are, to be decidedly 2D.
Fatal Fury and Cyberball now on XBLA
It's time for the age old Capcom vs. SNK debate to begin anew, because Fatal Fury Special is now available on Xbox Live Arcade. Alongside the classic fighter is Cyberball 2072 which brings Xbox 360 gamers the palpable mix of robots and football. Ooh, and explosions too, can't forget explosions. Both games are available for the tantalizing price of 400 Microsoft Points.So, now that you've had a taste of both, which is it going to be fanboys, Street Fighter or Fatal Fury? We can tell you right now that there is one thing Fatal Fury has that Street Fighter doesn't: the lovely Mai Shiranui. Your move, Street Fighter.
Cyberball, Fatal Fury hit XBLA next week, special price drops too
Wow, the Xbox Live Arcade press release came early this week and it is loaded with goodies. First and foremost, let's discuss next week's games. There are two games arriving next Wednesday, Fatal Fury Special and Cyberball 2072. If you're a longtime gamer, both titles are likely to bring back heady arcade memories. We're talking about real arcades of course. Fatal Fury Special is old school 2D fighting at its finest, whereas Cyberball 2072 brings us robotic football with a ball that explodes if you don't make those touchdowns quickly. It is, put simply, football for nerds, and it always managed to draw in the same two guys at the arcade. You know, the guys who put their drinks on the machine and played nothing else for five hours. Good times. Both Fatal Fury and Cyberball will be available for 400 points.In other Arcade news, a select group of XBLA games will be available for half price this weekend in celebration of Labor Day. The four titles are Zuma, Small Arms, Dig Dug, and Gauntlet. Zuma and Small Arms will be available for 400 points, while Dig Dug and Gauntlet will be a mere 200 points each. The Labor Day special runs from 5:00PM PT September 1st though 4:59PM PT September 3rd. Hachi machi, it's so much Arcade goodness we can barely stand it.Read -- Cyberball 2072 XBLA siteRead -- Fatal Fury Special XBLA site
Metal Slug 3 offically rolling onto XBLA
Well, it only took SNK nearly a year to announce it, but we finally know which Metal Slug will be hitting Xbox Live Arcade. Having already read the headline, you may have guessed that it's Metal Slug 3. If so, then you are correct. Go get yourself a cookie. According to a (translated) press release from SNK Playmore, the game will be part of the company's lineup at the Tokyo Game Show next month. In the same press release, it is also revealed that SNK Playmore will be showing off Fatal Fury Special (known as Wolf Legend Special in Japan).There you have it then. Now that the veil of secrecy has been lifted, are you happy with SNK's Metal Slug choice, or would you have preferred a different entry in the series?[Via XBLArcade]
Disappointing Majo Shinpan
We had always hoped that Doki Doki Majo Shinpan's gameplay would be so much fun that even people who were thoroughly grossed out by the content would begrudgingly buy, play, and love it. We wanted it to become the new Tetris: so good that even non-gamers would pick up systems for it. This is mainly because the idea makes us laugh. A lot. Our dream of a Shinpan in every home, however, is not to be. Chris Kohler didn't review the game, but only because that would require him to play it a second time. What was once presumed to be shockingly controversial now sounds painfully boring, with the one part that anyone cares about comprising only a minuscule portion of the playtime. Kohler estimated about an hour and a half of text adventuring (which we like, if the storyline's worth it, which we're pretty sure this one isn't) to one quick round of "battle mode" and a brief witch-touching round. Or, as he said, "It was basically two hours of my life wasted on boredom, followed by ten minutes of yep-this-is-as-silly-as-I-imagined." That leaves us in the uncomfortable position of dismissing a game for not enough inappropriate content. If we're going to play the witch-touching game, then we expect a significant amount of witch-touching.
Doki Doki Majo Shinpan marketing continues to be out of control
Phone cards and manga were only the beginning -- soon, gamers will be able to touch witches in their beds. SNK Playmore is said to be planning on marketing Doki Doki Majo Shinpan pillow covers at this year's Tokyo Game Show. Considering the game did so well in preorders, we can't say we're too suprised at all the tie-ins ... and we can't help but wonder if there's going to be an entire witch-hunting franchise in the future. After all, witches are insidious. They could be anywhere -- even on your pillow -- so you gotta touch 'em all. There are also keychains, for those who like the character art, but maybe want something a little less gratuitous.
Doki Doki Majo Shinpan artwork rips
For those who place little value in the chase, that exhilarating, flirtatious period when nothing is guaranteed, actually playing through Doki Doki Majo Shinpan is secondary to groping its adolescent witches. Rather than have you labor through the text-heavy release's dialogue and plot setup, Stage Clear has posted artwork wrested from the Japanese game, enabling you to skip the journey and get right to your depraved destination. While none of the shots are scandalous enough to land you a ten-year stay in a federal prison, we wouldn't say that they're safe for work viewing either. The wiccan nymphets are depicted in poses that would leave Humbert Humbert dizzy with delight ("the king crying for joy, the trumpets blaring, the nurse drunk"), their faces reacting to the taps and strokes of an unseen stylus. Scurry shamefully past the post break for a couple of those images.
