NEOGEO POCKET COLOR SELECTION Vol. 1 Steam Edition

SNK’s colorful pocket-sized era returns as a compact anthology built around ten games from the NEOGEO POCKET COLOR library. Rather than focusing on a single genre, the collection jumps from sharp one-on-one fighters and run-and-gun action to golf, puzzle play, and monster-powered arena combat. The mood is proudly late-’90s arcade: bright sprites, catchy chiptunes, fast matches, and mechanics designed to feel satisfying in short bursts. NEOGEO POCKET COLOR SELECTION Vol. 1 Steam Edition is less a modern remake than a polished museum piece for a handheld that many players never had the chance to own.

Most of the time goes into mastering individual titles, with SNK GALS’ FIGHTERS, Samurai Shodown! 2, King of Fighters R-2, The Last Blade: Beyond the Destiny, and Fatal Fury First Contact delivering accessible fighting systems with surprising depth. Metal Slug 1st Mission and 2nd Mission turn the series’ familiar weapon-heavy chaos into handheld side-scrolling missions, while Dark Arms: Beast Buster 1999 mixes shooting with weapon evolution and creature collection. Crush Roller supplies simple score-chasing arcade action, and Big Tournament Golf offers a more deliberate sports alternative. Several compatible games support local two-player play, making the fighters especially suited to couch sessions, though multiplayer is not available across every included release.

What separates this package from a basic ROM bundle is its presentation: you can inspect modeled versions of the original cartridges and systems, and older NEOGEO POCKET-compatible releases can be viewed in monochrome. The collection preserves the scaled-down, distinct interpretations of SNK’s arcade franchises instead of trying to force them into console-sized experiences. Players who enjoy Capcom Fighting Collection, old-school Metal Slug, or portable fighting games with quick rounds find plenty to revisit, while newcomers get an easygoing introduction to an overlooked handheld catalog. It works best for retro enthusiasts and arcade-history fans, although the variety of genres gives it enough range for anyone who enjoys concise, skill-based classics.