SNK vs. Capcom: Match of the Millennium

"Ass Kicking Done Right!"

There really isn't much to say to introduce this game. It's for the Neo-Geo Pocket Color, it has amazing graphics, it has amazing game play, it has amazing sound, and it's an amazing game. Period. Despite the sheer overwhelming amount of quality in this game (and most others for NGPC), it still went almost completely un-noticed by anyone who wasn't a hard core gamer and it's really a shame. Anyway, enough of my banter, on to tell just why this game earned all of the accolades I laid upon it...

Graphics: Beside many Nomad games, a few Game Gear games, and a few Lynx games, this game has arguably the best graphics of any portable game ever. It runs at a very nice 40-45fps while also animates extremely well. I just can't get over how great the animation in this game is. When you pull off a dragon punch using your special meter the fire that trails behind you is simply beautiful. Likewise the levels also have some beautiful animations going on in them such as water spilling into a fountain in the background of one level, the lightning highlighting the dark storm clouds in another level, or the silhouettes of a flock of birds that fly across the screen just before yet another level. Of course the game also packs in the traditional ''train in the background'' level, except this time you're riding on the ever-moving train while watching Mt. Rushmore scroll by in the on-set. It's amazing the system's minimal processor can handle everything going on and keep the great frame rate at the same time-which it does gracefully. 10/10

Sound: As with the graphics, the sound is also very well done. The As far as 2-D fighting games go the sound effects are very nice. You can hear each kick, punch, and smack no matter how fast you can pull of that hurricane kick. The background music is pretty nice as well, not quite as good as the sound effects but at least it isn’t annoying. Some of the BGMs are actually quite entertaining. Not really much else to say in the sound department, it’s fine, but it’s just like any other 2-D fighter ever made, so if you’re reading this review then you probably know what to expect. 8/10

Gameplay: This is definitely the high point of this outstanding game. Before I even start with the main game’s game play let me just describe a few of the great mini-games that are so abundant. First of all, the area where you play all of the mini-games is called the arena or coliseum or something to that effect. Here is where you compete in the mini-games to gain points (aside from gaining them in the main game) that you can use to purchase extra strong special moves for each character. Before entering the arena you have to choose which side you want to play (between SNK or Capcom) depending on which mini games you want to play. There are really some very nice mini-games to choose from here, this game is almost worth buying just to play the mini-games. Anyway, among the mini-games are a shooting game where you take the roll of one of two characters from the Metal Slug series and blast at UFOs (also found in the MS series) and try to rack up points. Another of them is Rhythm/music game similar to Pa Rappa the Rappa or Space Channel 5 where you (obviously) press buttons according to the rhythm. Yet another has you playing the roll of Arthur from Ghouls and Ghosts, jumping from platform to platform avoiding a monster as you collect money bags. These are among many other mini-games but the others are basic ones that we’ve all seen before such as an endurance mode and time attack mode. Now I’ll finally get to the actual game play. First of all, the selection of characters is very nice, including many favorites from both companies, this game actually has a BETTER selection of characters than it’s consol counter-part which isn’t really something that happens everyday. The basic game play of the game is a tag mode, which is pretty much like any other tag fighting game out there (you can also play with just one character at a time if that’s what you prefer). Pressing both action buttons at the same time will allow you to switch between members during a match without hassle. The game play is also a blend of both companies’ style so you can enjoy the best of both worlds. If you know the basics for either of the companies’ styles you’ll be right at home here. Anyway, overall this game has the best game play of a portable fighter out there, possibly the best game play of a portable game period. It’s basically the best parts from the best games in the genre, all combined to make something truly great. 10/10

Replay: Well with all of the mini-games I talked about and the amazing playability and game play of the game, you’re definitely going to be playing this for a long, long time. The only other portable game I’ve ever played that kept me playing longer is probably SNK vs Capcom: Cardfighter’s Clash, and that’s really saying something. 10/10

Overall: Well it’s not like it hasn’t been said before, but if you have a Neo-Geo or plan on picking one up eventually, this game is an absolute must have, regardless of you whether you like fighters or not.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 03/06/01, Updated 03/06/01