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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 sale has PS3 and PSP games at half-off
SNK is hosting a month-long half-off sale on a handful of Neo Geo games for PS3 and PSP. PSN games drop to $4.50 apiece and PSP games are $3.50; the Neo Geo Station Bundle Pack of 10 games for PS3 runs $40.The SNK sale includes Metal Slug and Metal Slug 2, Fatal Fury, Shock Troopers and The King of Fighters '94 - '96. Check out the complete list under the big blue button below.
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.
'Neogeo X Gold' portable arrives this December for a whopping $200
Despite the fact that 20+ years passed since you last played Neogeo, its portable rebirth this December will be shockingly expensive at $200. Tommo Inc. announced the handheld console's December 6 launch date for North America overnight, and put detail to the various pre-installed software it comes packed with (King of the Monsters and Samurai Showdown 2 are our personal highlights, but the full list of 20 games is below the break). The system also comes with the charging dock and joystick you see above, included in the $200 price.Beyond being a handheld Neogeo – which, admittedly, is pretty neat –the system doubles as a home console and can be hooked up to TVs/monitors via HDMI or traditional RCA. As such, an external joystick works with the device (though we'd suggest keeping that joystick locked to your domicile rather than take it on the go).It's unclear what retailers will carry the Neogeo X Gold just yet, but Tommo works with the usual brick-and-mortar suspects (Best Buy, Amazon, GameStop, etc.) Distribution in Europe and Asia is being handled separately, and no prices or dates are given for either territory.
King of Fighters Android now on select Android devices for $4.99
Our initial reaction upon receiving the announcement for King of Fighters Android was something along the lines of, "Yes! Finally, SNK Playmore must have read all our letters and decided to make a special version of King of Fighters XIII with the Cell Saga androids from Dragon Ball Z! Yes."Well, it turns out that's not what this is. Instead, King of Fighters Android is King of Fighters game for Google's Android OS, which is probably a more reasonable business decision in the long run. Judging from the screenshots below, it appears to be based on King of Fighters XIII, or at least heavily influenced by its art style. The game features 20 fighters, five different play modes and unlockable bonus content like trading cards and concept art.Available now for $4.99, the game is officially compatible with the Galaxy S 2, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Xperia Acro HD, and Xperia Play, which should be a good fit for the title considering it has actual buttons. Compatibility with other Android devices is untested and should be attempted at your own risk; two marketplace reviews already indicate the game does not function on the Galaxy Nexus.%Gallery-151286%
Best of the Rest: Jordan's picks for 2011
Catherine I have a soft spot for the bizarre and the esoteric. If something is complicated, either through the machinations of its mechanical workings or through the intricacies of its conceptual nature, its hard for me to focus on anything else until I feel like I really understand what I'm looking at. Catherine gave me something to think about, and also made me think about myself, which isn't something I can usually say about puzzle/dating games. The experience is complicated in both the literal and metaphorical sense; its ever-changing puzzle gameplay and surprisingly deep, multifaceted story are the result of brilliant design decisions, exceptional writing and an amazing localization job by Atlus. Catherine managed to satiate my craving for the intellectually surreal while immersing me in the delightfully idiosyncratic world of Japanese storytelling.
KOF XIII 'NESTS Kyo' DLC delayed on PS3, netcode patch on the way
Originally slated for a simultaneous 360 and PS3 release on December 20, King of Fighters XIII's upcoming "NESTS Kyo" character DLC pack has been delayed for PS3 fighters until January 10. A fantastically vague "technical error" is to blame for the issue, according to the Atlus press release after the break. In order to make it up to you, SNK Playmore will be lowering the character's cost to $2.99 for a limited time once it lands. In somewhat sunnier KoFXIII news, Atlus is also planning a substantial netcode patch for both versions of the game which is said to "make the game's network infrastructure more consistent for users, ensuring that the evaluation given connections is more accurate to the actual play experience." The patch will also introduce minimum signal strength requirement settings on the host side of matchmaking, so players will be able to prevent users with poor connections from joining their open match. SNK Playmore plans on releasing the patch "as soon as possible." Oh, and if you're wondering what the hell "NESTS" means, read this.
King of Fighters XIII review: Sweep the leg
It's tough living in someone else's shadow. Your achievements may be numerous and impressive, but existing outside of the limelight can be disheartening after a while. Constantly fighting for relevance in a crowded genre is a consuming, arduous fight; one that SNK Playmore has waged ever since Fatal Fury: King of Fighters went toe to toe with Street Fighter II in 1991. The result of that fight may be contentious in the mind of the fighting game community, but Joe Public and his Mortal Kombat Blu-ray feel otherwise; while series like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat invaded American pop-culture and became household names, King of Fighters continued to toil away in obscurity, releasing game after game for its dedicated cult following. Things are different now, though. Street Fighter IV kick-started a renaissance in fighting games, reigniting the mainstream consumer's interest in the genre, which paved the way for impossibilities like Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and the incredibly successful rebirth of Mortal Kombat. In this new age of fighters, could it finally be SNK Playmore's time to shine? Will their latest entry, King of Fighters XIII, capture the minds and hearts of those unfamiliar with series? Probably not. SNK Playmore remains so unplugged from what is happening in the rest of the genre that its latest excursion feels like an old friend, rather than a revolution. Because of this, however, King of Fighters XIII is the best KOF game ever made, despite the fact that it isn't as flashy or user friendly as its contemporaries.%Gallery-126135%
King of Fighters XIII: The Soundtrack: The Trailer
Atlus's pre-order bonus for The King of Fighters XIII is the only freebie soundtrack in recent memory to be worth its own trailer. The massive four-disc "The King of Soundtracks 94-XIII" is definitely worth the honor, containing over 100 tracks from 13 games.
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.
The King of Fighters XIII makes a royal appearance on PS3 and Xbox, escorted by Atlus
In an email sent to its "Faithful" fan mailing list, Atlus revealed plans to localize SNK's PS3/Xbox 360 fighting game The King of Fighters XIII, for a North American release "this holiday season." Originally released last year in Japan, the latest release in SNK's fighting dynasty includes over 30 characters, a significant step up from the 20 included in the last game. "Back by popular demand, your favorite fighters rejoin the roster including K', Vice, Kula, Maxima and more," the website says, in front of an image of Mai, Yuri, and King -- none of whom appeared in KOF XII. In addition, the sequel promises a "rebuilt online mode" for enhanced stability. Atlus linked to Amazon's pre-order pages on the website, both of which have KOF XIII arriving in October for $50. That's not exactly as trustworthy as a royal decree, but it's encouraging.
Trouble Witches Neo sweeps XBLA April 27 in Japan, SNK hints at global release
We've always said that if there's one thing Xbox Live Arcade is lacking, it's more side-scrolling shmups starring pre-teen witches on broomsticks. Thanks goodness, then, that SNK has heard our plaintive cries and plans to release an Xbox 360 port of its coin-op descent into horizontal bullet hell, Trouble Witches Neo, as a downloadable title on April 27. Right now, the release is only official for Japan -- where the game will run 800 Microsoft Points ($10) -- but in describing the title, SNK makes specific mention of global online co-op and leaderboards. Given the publisher's track record of releasing its XBLA games in the West soon after their Japanese debuts, it shouldn't be long before we find out which Wednesday these witches will be stirring up trouble on US consoles.
'SNK Arcade Classics 0' for PSP goes deep into the back catalog
SNK Playmore has officially announced a new PSP compilation of classic games for Japan, to be released on April 21. Unlike most SNK collections (like Metal Slug Collection and SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1) that offer games exclusive to Neo Geo, SNK Arcade Classics 0 is a collection of 20 games made by the company before the release of the Neo Geo hardware. Yes, finally, you'll be able to get Ikari Warriors and Athena on the same disc, along with Psycho Soldier, P.O.W., and a lot of vintage SNK games we've never heard of. Find the full list after the break, as transcribed by Andriasang. Many of them were originally released in vertical format, a setup emulated on PSP by holding the device sideways. An ESRB rating for SNK Arcade Classics 0 has been online since late 2009, suggesting that SNK has plans to release this collection stateside. Of course, the rating occurring that long ago also means SNK has had plenty of time to change its mind.
SNK releases Neo Geo pad for PS3
Just in time for the arrival of Neo Geo games on PSN, SNK Playmore and peripheral company Exar have released the ideal controller for PS3. The Neo Geo Pad USB is a replica of the pad included with the Neo Geo CD system, with two important differences: it ends in a USB connector, so it will work with the PS3 or PC; and it has a PS button and two extra face buttons for L1 and R1 -- laid out in a nice, Street Fighter-friendly manner. The pad is currently on backorder at both NCSX and Play-Asia, but it'll cost in the neighborhood of $50 when it's in stock. If you'd prefer, you can get a PS3 version of the Neo Geo arcade stick from NCSX right now for $39.90.
King of Fighters 2002: Unlimited Match also on XBLA this Wednesday
You'll be doing much more than courting intense card battles with this week's Xbox Live Arcade releases -- you'll also be punching, kicking, and ... uh ... jumpkicking fools with the release of King of Fighters 2002: Unlimited Match. The fighter gets a facelift and an audio upgrade, alongside an "extensively redesigned" character balance. If that weren't enough, KOF 2002: UM features "the most playable characters ever in the KOF series," with 66 fighters in total. The game will run you 800 MS Points ($10) this Wednesday when it arrives on Xbox Live Marketplace. And hey, for a game that evidently features unlimited matches, that's a heck of a price. [Thanks Brandon!]
SNK bringing Trouble Witches to XBLA [Update: English trailer and screens]
Update: A benevolent tipster has pointed us to some screens and the official English trailer for Trouble Witches Neo. Check out the screens in the gallery below and find the trailer after the break. Thanks, SAB CA! What's that? You say you want another Japanese shooter on your Xbox 360? Well, SNK Playmore is happy to oblige! The company has announced that it's bringing Trouble Witches Neo to Xbox Live Arcade. Andriasang notes that Trouble Witches originated on PC back in 2007 and was brought to arcades in 2009. It features witches -- presumably troublesome ones -- shooting up baddies in a 2D side-scrolling environment. Trouble Witches Neo includes an additional character Sakurako Kujou, new modes and some sort of Xbox Live support (which could be nothing more than leaderboards). Trouble Witches Neo is expected to release this winter for 800 MS Points ($10). Siliconera also notes that the game has been rated both by Germany's USK and the Australian Classification Board, so it appears it will be released outside of Japan as well. See gameplay of the original version after the break. %Gallery-105671%
Metal Slug RC LEGO tank will kill all of your henchmen
Luckily Metal Slug henchmen aren't in short supply, right? Zoom past the break for video of the Slug-inspired "Metal Grudge" tank in action, or hit up the Flickr link below for some detailed images.
King of Fighters 2002: Unlimited Match coming to XBLA in 'Autumn 2010'
SNK Playmore has announced via its Facebook page that an updated version of the arcade fighter, King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match, is headed to Xbox Live Arcade. The game was announced for Japan late last year and is due in "Autumn 2010" here in the US. SNK promises "a high-quality conversion" of the original game, including "all characters from the NESTS CHRONICLES, numerous game modes, along with updated stages, new moves, BGM and graphics." The game will include 66 playable characters -- match and character balances will follow the Arcade version of the game, while the presentation of menus and number of characters and game modes will follow the expanded PS2 version. There's no price currently set for King of Fighters 2002: Unlimited Match, though the "Ultimate Match" version of King of Fighters '98 is currently set at 800 MS Points on Xbox Live.
KOF Sky Stage shoots up Japanese XBLA on September 15
SNK's oddball bullet hell shmup, KOF Sky Stage, has finally been dated for Xbox Live Arcade -- in Japan, at least. Masochists can check it out on September 15 for 800 MS Points ($10). That's a small price to pay to see Terry Bogard and company fly around and shoot stuff. And, y' know, play a super-tough game. The game originally launched in Japanese arcades back in January. PSP users can also access KOF Sky Stage right now in Neo Geo Heroes, while those of us in the US can likely look forward to a localized release, so says an ESRB listing. If you're looking to get an early start at finding all of those sweet hiding spots to take refuge from the impending bullet swarms, head past the break for a new trailer.
