Kombo : : : PS3 | 360 | Wii | Cube | Xbox | PSP | DS | Forums | Podcasts

AROUND KOMBO:
BLOG
The Moody Gamer
Do you have gaming ADD?
BLOG
The Invisible Land Mines
Random Access Memories
SNK Arcade Classics: Volume 1
Console
PSP
Publisher
SNK
Genre
Collection
Developer
SNK
Release Date
Quarter 2
ESRB Rating
Everyone
StumbleUpon Toolbar  
SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1
16 classic arcade titles packed into one tidy little UMD. How do the SNK classics hold up in this collection? Here's our full review.
May 13, 2008 | 12:08 PM PST

by: Jeff Rivera

Kombo's Review Policy: Our reviews are written for you. Our goal is to write honest, to-the-point reviews that don't waste your time. This is why we've split our reviews into four sections: What the Game's About, What's Hot, What's Not and Final Word, so that you can easily find the information you want from our reviews.

What the Game's About
SNK is responsible for some of the most memorable and interesting arcade franchises to emerge in the post-classic era. The games were available for both the Neo Geo arcade (MVS) platform and the home console (AES). The idea SNK had behind creating the two platforms was that gamers would get hooked on certain titles in the arcades and then feel motivated to buy the AES console and their arcade-perfect counterparts to play in the home. The high cost of both the AES hardware and software caused most people to enjoy the games solely in arcades, however. In recent years, SNK has been porting their classics to modern consoles, and longtime SNK fans have been more than pleased. SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1 for the PSP brings 16 of SNK's finest titles together in one package.

What's Hot
For $30, you get 16 solid arcade classic titles all wrapped up in the elegance of a UMD disc or the PSP. If you were to hunt down these titles for either an MVS or AES system, prices will range from $20 to over $100 for single cartridges. For experienced Neo Geo fans, they'll immediately see the value in the package.

The games included in the collection include Art of Fighting, Baseball Stars 2, Burning Fight, Fatal Fury, King of the Monsters, Last Resort, Magician Lord, Metal Slug, Neo Turf Masters, Samurai Showdown, Sengoku, Shock Troopers, Super Sidekicks 3, The King of Fighters '94, Top Hunter, and World Heroes. Many of these are immediately recognizable as some of the best arcade titles from the 90s, while others are nice hidden gems for casual SNK fans.

With 16 titles, unlockable bonus content, and goal-orientated play modes, the collection really does give you plenty of reason to keep playing. Also, the game supports ad hoc multiplayer mode for two players on most of the titles, so you and a buddy can relieve the experience of both cooperative and competitive arcade play.

The 16 titles provide a good sampling of genres. You have fighting games, side scrollers, sports titles, shooters, and brawlers. If you weren't around for the arcade's final surge in popularity during the 90s, this collection will provide you with a good sampling of the types of games that were common in America's arcades.

What's Not
Back in the 90s, slowdown was pretty common in many titles, and that same experience is carried over into this collection. It would have been very nice to have seen some of the PSP's extra horsepower (the PSP blows away the MVS and AES systems) to provide a smoother and more fluid experience. While you aren't going to see tons of slowdown for single player games, when you jump into multiplayer games, the slowdown is exaggerated quite noticeably and it does become an issue.

Another nagging issue that really could have been (and should have been) cleaned up is the load times present in the collection. If you spend a good amount of time on each title, rather than jumping around like they're TV channels, you should be able to overlook the greater part of the loading issue, however.

It doesn't effect the enjoyment you can receive from the collection, but it's worth noting that the game is also available on the PS2 for $10 less. While $30 isn't much, especially considering that you're getting 16 titles, it would have been nice to have seen the same $20 price point on both versions of the game.

Final Word
It's nice seeing these SNK classics being preserved through these compilations, and it's encouraging that they decided to drop a whopping 16 titles into the first volume without resorting to cheap filler titles. The SNK games have a certain charm to them that will stir up nostalgic feelings from longtime SNK fans and make newcomers to the brand wonder what else they might have missed out on over the years. For fans of classic gaming, there's no reason not to give SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1 a chance.
Visuals
Classic sprite-based graphics that are colorful, lively, and exactly as you remembered them being in the arcades.
7.5
Sound
Some of the best tunes and sound effects from the arcade era can be found in this collection.
7.5
Control
Nothing fancy here, but everything works as it should.
8.0
Gameplay
Awesome variety of arcade titles that hold up very well despite their age and technical limitations.
8.5
Lasting Appeal
A lot of unlockable content, multiplayer modes, and 16 full titles make it a game that should remain in your rotation for quite some time.
8.0
Verdict
Despite some load time and slowdown issues, these games are true classics and worthy of preservation. SNK fans are going to love having many of SNK's best available to play on the go, and all in one package.
7.5
[not an average]
Review Scores Guide

Got something that we should post on the site? Send it to us!
February 8, 2010
Twenty more winners to go for our Game a Day Giveaway! Don't hesitate... enter today! Also, make sure you become a fan of Kombo on Facebook!!!

-- Ken Cauley, Editor in Chief

Kombo Breaker
FTW
Kombo's Game a Day Giveaway!
We're giving away a new game EVERYDAY throughout all of February!

Official Contest Page!

WINNERS:

  • February 2: John Riemer, Virgina
  • February 3: Jonathan Dowell, Pennsylvania
  • February 4: Chris Ryan, Florida
  • February 5: Chris Foster, Michigan
  • February 6: Adam Cuevas, Florida
  • February 7: Josh Minar, Kentucky
  • February 8: Bradley Mosbacher, Missouri
  • If SEGA made Shenmue 3, would it SELL?
    Vote!
    (02/09/10 | 12:41 PM PST)
    February's Xbox LIVE Marketplace Updates
    (02/09/10 | 12:21 PM PST)
    It May Be The End for Nippon Ichi Software
    (02/09/10 | 11:13 AM PST)
    Headaches and Sickness Induced by 3D
    (02/09/10 | 5:56 AM PST)
    HDTV vs. SNES
    DiRT 2!!!
  • DiRT 2 for Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3
    Enter to win!
    E-mail us and include your full name, age and mailing address to enter.

  • Software
    Hardware
    All Time
    Weekly
    9.89m Japan
    31.48m America
    25.90m Others
    67.28M 
    1.25m Japan
    21.76m America
    14.63m Others
    37.64M 
    4.74m Japan
    12.71m America
    14.31m Others
    31.76M 
    29.79m Japan
    44.83m America
    50.20m Others
    124.81M 
    14.02m Japan
    18.98m America
    20.85m Others
    53.85M