The Super Spy (Neo Geo AES / MVS review)

Developer: SNK
Publisher: SNK
Released: 1990

The Super Spy is a first-person action game that was later released on the Neo Geo CD (1996).

+ The huge enemy sprites and cool scaling effects are impressive, and the destructible environments are a great touch.

+ Takes several hours to beat, so there's plenty of value for money, and your progress can be saved for a later date.

+ The NPCs help to advance the story and invest you into the narrative / mission at hand.

+ The buildings are an absolute blast to traverse and they create a foreboding atmosphere that feels dangerous.

- It's a shame that your weapons are severely limited, as the game is at its best when you have pistol and machine gun ammo.

- You're typically very under-powered and as a result combat becomes repetitive and quickly starts to grow tiresome.

- Respawning enemies in previously cleared sections is highly annoying and they make the gameplay drag.

Blue's Journey (Neo Geo AES / MVS review)

Developer: Alpha Denshi
Publisher: Alpha Denshi
Released: 1991

Blue's Journey is an action-platformer that was ported to the Neo Geo CD in 1994.

+ Multiple routes are available in your quest to reach the final boss which incentivises you to replay the adventure.

+ Offers tactical gameplay by including shops where you can buy items to help you along your journey.

+ The graphics are bright and colourful, and there's some nice examples of parallax scrolling to add scenic depth.

- The ability to shrink down in size is underdeveloped and has little bearing on making your way through each level.

- The controls are extremely slippery which results in overshooting your intended target with alarming frequency.

- Level design is mundane and many of the sections feel like objects are randomly placed rather than cleverly implemented.

- Enemy placement is annoying and foes are always ready to pounce just off-screen to ruin your day.

NAM-1975 (Neo Geo AES / MVS review)

Developer: SNK
Publisher: SNK
Released: 1990

NAM-1975 is a third-person gallery style shooter that was later released on the Neo Geo CD (1994).

+ Wide range of enemies with unique attack patterns and figuring out who poses the biggest current threat is part of the fun.

+ The ability to rescue hostages and then have them join you in battle is a terrific idea that rewards you for good play.

+ Dropped items from downed opponents results in a neat risk-reward element, as trying to collect them can put you in danger.

+ Cut-scenes add a dramatic element that leans heavily on isolation and the feeling of being overwhelmed.

+ Despite lacking a second analog stick for aiming, the controls are decent and both evasive moves work exceptionally well.

- However, the default cursor speed is a little too slow and a few options for changing it would have been appreciated.

- Only six brief stages are included, and the poorly acted voice-over recordings suffer from popping and clipping.

Aero Fighters 3 (Neo Geo AES / MVS review)

Developer: Video System
Publisher: SNK
Released: 1995

Aero Fighters 3 is a vertically-scrolling shooter and the follow-up to the 1994 Neo Geo sequel.

+ There are now ten playable characters (up from eight) with their own abilities and cut-scenes to aide replayability.

+ Special weapons offer interactivity, as for some characters you can control when and/or where their projectiles attack.

+ Hardly any slowdown which results in far smoother gameplay compared to the sequel.

- Offers nothing substantial to advance the series in terms of presentation, graphics, gameplay or combat.

- Stages are incredibly short and the lack of any notable moments makes them seem like filler until the bosses arrive.

- The boss fights are all very similar and there's none of the inventiveness found in the previous game.

- Backdrops are flat and lifeless, and as a result they don't fully immerse you into the action.

Shock Troopers: 2nd Squad (Neo Geo AES / MVS review)

Developer: Saurus
Publisher: SNK
Released: 1998

Shock Troopers: 2nd Squad is a run 'n' gun title and the follow-up to the 1997 Neo Geo MVS original.

+ Gritty, atmospheric world design, and the epic bosses play like a bullet-hell shooter.

+ The new ability to commandeer vehicles is a neat touch that opens up combat possibilities.

+ Pre-rendered graphics and rotation effects are otherworldly, and character animation is more fluid than the original.

- However, the animation causes a slower pace and you can't dodge as quickly due to having to wait for the frames to cycle.

- Character movement feels very stiff and the amount of slowdown from the get-go is absurd.

- No memorable set-pieces and the action repeats ad nauseum without introducing anything new to engage players.

- The number of playable characters has been halved and the Team Battle mode is no longer an option.

Aero Fighters 2 (Neo Geo AES / MVS review)

Developer: Video System
Publisher: SNK
Released: 1994

Aero Fighters 2 is a vertically-scrolling shooter and the follow-up to the 1992 Arcade original.

+ While the game is short, the eight playable characters have unique abilities to add some longevity.

+ The difficulty curve is fair and being able to destroy some enemy projectiles helps to even the playing field.

+ If you lose a life there's always an opportunity to quickly power back up and give yourself a fighting chance.

+ The boss battles are all expertly designed with some of the multi-part fights being particular highlights.

+ The stage backdrops are a sight to behold and the amount of detail (especially in the nighttime Paris level) is stunning.

- No rapid fire option, so you'll have to continually tap the A button throughout all ten stages which is tiresome.

- Slowdown is rampant and you'll often die when the game abruptly speeds up while you're trying to avoid bullets.

Super Sidekicks (Neo Geo AES / MVS review)

Developer: SNK
Publisher: SNK
Released: 1992

Super Sidekicks is a sports game that was followed by two sequels on the Neo Geo (1994 and 1995).

+ Two-button control layout (with context-sensitive shoot/pass options) is straightforward and welcoming to all skill levels.

+ While there's no on-screen player map, the arrows that show where your nearest team-mate is work decently enough.

+ Defensively, the game does a great job of automatically selecting a player to control who's in the best possible position.

+ Celebratory cut-scenes and foul animations are humorously expressive and add plenty of personality.

- Only 12 national teams are included and the modes on offer don't provide much in terms of longevity. 

- Tactics and formation options are absent, so every match feels similar and lacking strategy.

- Random slowdown always appears whenever the ball reaches the penalty box.