Nintendo's Wii has already received its share of Neo-Geo games through its Virtual Console service. However, SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1 offers a better deal. Rather than buying each game separately for 900 points ($9) a pop, you can throw down $30 and get 16 games.
Inside, this compilation has a little something for everyone. Adventure fans should enjoy Top Hunter and Magician Lord. Sports fanatics can swing for the fences in Baseball Stars 2 and score goals in Super Sidekicks 3. Fighting fans, on the other hand, should love pounding their knuckles into Fatal Fury, Art of Fighting and World Heroes. As for shooter fans, the pack comes stacked with Shock Troopers, Metal Slug and Last Resort. Other games including Neo Turf Masters, King of the Monsters, Samurai Showdown and the King of Fighters '94 are also available.
SNK Arcade Classics was previously released for the PlayStation 2 and PSP three months ago. However, the Wii version gained some necessary improvements. There are slight instances of slowdown with particular games (like Art of Fighting), but they run well overall. In addition, the Wii version has numerous control options. You can turn the Wii remote sideways, hook up a Nunchuk and play two-handed or connect a GameCube or Classic Controller.
Along with being able to play with a friend in most of these games (specifically Baseball Stars 2), SNK Arcade Classics also features attainable goals. If you meet certain objectives in each game, you'll unlock bonus items, such as move lists for fighting characters and exclusive artwork. It would've been nice to unlock more goodies, such as the Ikari Warriors games, but what's here is good.
The only thing holding SNK Arcade Classics back is its game selection. Where's the first-person role-playing adventure Crossed Swords? For that matter, why not include the space shooter Cyber Lip and the platform adventure Blue's Journey? Don't get us started on Super Baseball 2020 either. On the other hand, this is volume one of the series.
Even though it's $10 more than its counterparts and doesn't have any Wii exclusive extras, SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1 is an excellent compilation you should welcome into your collection, especially if you grew up playing Neo-Geo games at the local arcade. You owe it to yourself to get addicted all over again.
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