"The "Hard Core" gamers handheld."

Introduction

SNK's Neo Geo Pocket Color was released a week after Nintendo's long coming update to the GameBoy, the Gameboy Color. Despite the Technical advantages it had, it never became a mainstream success. SNK finally withdrew from the European and US markets in 2000, and the final NGPC game was released in Japan in 2001. I will discuss each category below, the forst Number means what it was worth in 1999 - 2000 and the 2nd now.

Graphics

The NGPC was capable of 2 main graphic modes, one was 2 colors a sprite, to allow NGP compatibility and the other 4 colors a sprite, for games NGPC only. Nearly every game was animated well and the sprites were detailed. Backgrounds were generally well done. It can display 146 colors possible out of 4096.

Then: 9 | Now: 6

Sound

The NGPC had a fairly good sound chip and music was generally good, as were sound effects. Voice samples included in some games very high quality (for a Handheld. The Downside to the Audio department is there is only one speaker.

Then: 8 | Now: 5

Design

The NGPC sports a Nice 2.6 inch TTF screen. It also comes in
a variety of colors. SNK also decided against a DPad and instead used a Mini Joystick, this works well for fighters but not for games like Pac-Man or Crush roller. There is also a Mini Horoscope service, a World Clock and an
Option to change the time,Date etc. On Top of that a Lithium battery is used for backing up system settings and the unit is powered by 2 AA betteries from which you get 30 hours of play.

Games

The NGPC, like its Big brother the Neo Geo doesn't have a diverse library. The library consists or Fighters, Puzzle games and Casino games. Third party support is minimal and the only 3rd party developers or any importance are SEGA,CAPCOM,Data East,Activision,Namco and Taito,Even then most games are programmed by SNK.

If you like Fighters and Puzzlers - 10
If you don't like fighters and puzzlers - 5

Conclusion

Currently if you live outside the U.S the only way to get a NGPC is to order one from an On Line store. Prices vary from $26 - $60 for a Barebones unit. Games retail from $5 - $100 with most being $10 - $30.
All in All for the Price, the unit is very good and if you can get one cheap snap it up.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 01/21/04