SNK Playmore has recently revealed that there will be a large sale including NEOGEO titles (up to 50% off on certain games) on the PlayStation Network. So, if you've got a hankering to relive your past years of gaming on your current-generation handhelds, you're in luck from August 28 to September 25.
NEOGEO games were the cornerstone of many people growing up in the floundering game industry of the late 90s. Video games had established themselves as a hobby and pastime for many in their basements or in arcades shut away from the world. Pizza joints and laundromats soon became high-traffic areas that proudly displayed "The King of Fighters" or "Samurai Showdown."
I remember that near my house there was a Lampost Pizza that had at least two NEOGEO machines that had all of the sports and fighting games that the company offered. There was something so simplistic and easy about the titles that they really were worth a couple of quarters, but you always wanted to play them if you had time.
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| C'mon, you guys recognize this game. |
This is an interesting move by SNK Playmore. The Japanese-based company might be on to something without realizing it at this juncture of the gaming industry, or maybe they're just that smart. The current generation of games are very recycled and the industry is indeed hearing and feeling the backlash from consumers.
Bringing back past hits like "Metal Slug" and "Fatal Fury" is an easy way to capitalize on nostalgia and will certainly sell well. Whether or not people will play the games is another question altogether. I have the entire "Metal Slug Collection" on my Wii, but I can't remember the last time I played it. Though I do remember that when I did play it, it dominated the same amount of time as a session of "Skyrim."
If this sale goes well, it definitely signifies that the industry is in need of some very hardcore thinking and reworkings. Perhaps it's time to go back to basics rather than sticking with what makes money and what is easiest to fund. The money machine is starting to lose its shine, and gamers are tired of the product.
For those interested in the NEOGEO titles now available on the PlayStation Network, here is the list of games:
"ALPHA MISSION II"
"ART OF FIGHTING"
"BASEBALL STARS 2"
"BASEBALL STARS PROFESSIONAL"
"FATAL FURY"
"LEAGUE BOWLING"
"MAGICIAN LORD"
"METAL SLUG"
"METAL SLUG 2"
"SAMURAI SHODOWN"
"SHOCK TROOPERS"
"SUPER SIDEKICKS"
"THE KING OF FIGHTERS '94"
"THE KING OF FIGHTERS '95"
"THE KING OF FIGHTERS '96"
"WORLD HEROES"
