Alpha Mission II (NeoGeo) is coming to PSN on December 21st

[Kobayashi]

SNK is starting off the Neo Geo 20th anniversary with a bang.

As those of you who are a bit longer in the tooth than others may recall, the Neo Geo is the grandaddy of overly expensive home consoles and games. Back in the day it offered up arcade quality graphics and gameplay in the comfort of your own home for about what a PS3 cost at launch. Here in the future though, the processing power of the Neo Geo is nothing compared to that of the modern day consoles and as such classic games lose their engorged price tag and gain a reasonable one.

So with that in mind SNK will be launching the Neo Geo Station on the Playstation Network on December 21st 2010. Here's what the starting line-up will consist of:

* FATAL FURY (PSP 12/21)
* ALPHA MISSION II
* THE KING OF FIGHTERS '94
* SAMURAI SHODOWN
* BASEBALL STARS PROFESSIONAL
* MAGICIAN LORD
* METAL SLUG (PSP 12/21)
* LEAGUE BOWLING
* SUPER SIDEKICKS
* ART OF FIGHTING

Not a bad line-up to start off with, but I'm hoping they'll announce Sengoku for the next round, and I'm holding off on getting a Samurai Showdown game until at least number three.

Each title will run $8.99 for their PS3 versions and $6.99 for their PSP counterparts per title and will include a huge list of updated features including online/ad-hoc Co-op or Versus (depending on the game), a digital version of the games original manual, and the ability to "state save" a game.

Growing up, I always thought Neo Geo arcade games were the shiz-nit and I used to drool over the Neo Geo console behind the display case at the local Toy'R'Us, knowing full well that I'd never be able to afford it. Now that I can have Magician Lord on the go for only seven bucks, I may have to throw down some currency.

Source: http://www.gamerevolution.com/manifesto ... o-psn-3385

Alpha Mission II Gameplay on PS3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVAW-_kEYjI

[BulletMagnet]

Not a bad line-up to start off with

Considering that most of those titles are A) Already available "at home" in at least one or two other places, 2) Rendered obsolete by much-improved sequels, or C) Both, I'd have to disagree...seriously, how many times has SNK re-released at least half of those just in the past year or two, at the most?

Back on topic, it is good to see a previously-unavailable (for the most part) shooter in there...seems they like to toss one of those in per group (first it was Last Resort, now this). So, how long will it take for them to finally work their way up to Blazing Star?

[Kobayashi]

Not a bad line-up to start off with

Considering that most of those titles are A) Already available "at home" in at least one or two other places, 2) Rendered obsolete by much-improved sequels, or C) Both, I'd have to disagree...seriously, how many times has SNK re-released at least half of those just in the past year or two, at the most?

You forgot a very important thing:

NeoGeo Station´s games for PS3 will have Co-Op/Versus Network Online Mode

Check this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbjChi8z7Ew

[BulletMagnet]

You forgot a very important thing:

NeoGeo Station´s games for PS3 will have Co-Op/Versus Network Online Mode

You are right, I didn't consider that, but I do still wonder how many people are really THAT eager to play the original Art of Fighting or League Bowling again, online OR off.

Anyways, I don't mean to go too off-topic, since the main focus of this thread is Alpha Mission II.

[drauch]

Yeah, that is a shame most of those have been re-released into the ground, but I can't really complain about any Neo-Geo games getting some love.

[stryc9]

Yeah most of the games have been superceded by newer versions, so funnily enough Alpha Mission 2 seems more relevant than the rest in this day and age. Has their really been anything like it in terms of feel since? With KOF '94 and Fatal Fury- only worth owning on original formats or PS2 NG Online collection for a historical reasons. Which, lets face it, if your a true SNK fan you will already have. What IS interesting is the prospect of KOF '98 Ultimate Match, 2002 Unlimited Match, MOTW etc. in versus online...
Now I know they did this in JP w/ PS2, and their on XBLA, but I heard the lag was questionable? Anyway, ASO2 is the only one I plan to bother with myself, as back in the day, Fighting games had risen, and the likes of FF2 and Art of Fighting dominated my aquissition schedule, leaving other smaller, but just as perfecly formed carts for a future wishlist. That Future Is Now.

Edit- Too right though, SNK needs to look beyond 1st and 2nd gen titles to stuff like Pulstar, Blazing Star, Prehistoric Isle 2, Strikers 1945 Plus (do they own that? they got Sunsoft collection)!

[originalz]

Not a bad line-up to start off with

Considering that most of those titles are A) Already available "at home" in at least one or two other places, 2) Rendered obsolete by much-improved sequels, or C) Both, I'd have to disagree...seriously, how many times has SNK re-released at least half of those just in the past year or two, at the most?

You forgot a very important thing:

NeoGeo Station´s games for PS3 will have Co-Op/Versus Network Online Mode

Check this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbjChi8z7Ew

These games will have absolutely no online community to speak of, and considering SNK's track record on the 360 I wouldn't put much faith into the netcode.

I wonder if these games will also be forced to run in ugly "HD" filters like most ports are.

[Zeether]

And meanwhile, Virtual Console gets 1 or 2 games a week...you PS3 owners are lucky bastards.

[-SD-]

I'd be happy if they just released '98 UM and '02 UM on PSN.

Really though, that is a bit of a poor selection. Maybe they'll actually release something worthwhile after this initial batch. Online Last Blades and Garou would be fantastic and quell all ideas of getting an AES again, but I suppose it's down to how well the emulation/porting turns out and if the netcode is decent. Hopefully Blazing Star and Pulstar will see a release soon though.

[ubersaurus]

You forgot a very important thing:

NeoGeo Station´s games for PS3 will have Co-Op/Versus Network Online Mode

You are right, I didn't consider that, but I do still wonder how many people are really THAT eager to play the original Art of Fighting or League Bowling again, online OR off.

Anyways, I don't mean to go too off-topic, since the main focus of this thread is Alpha Mission II.

Dunno about AoF, but League Bowling is still one of the best damn bowling games out there.

[Jeneki]

This released yet?

Since this is a PSN game, I have to ask: How's the input lag?

[D]

Why even bother with these first batch games for the Neo?
The whole world will just wait for something decent to be released.
playmore will think that no one cares about neo geo and quit with this project before it even really got started.
How often have we seen this?
I wonder what the schedule is for other games. how often/when will more be released?
and what about that neo pad for ps3, sold out already?

anyway, looking at the vids of asoII, it looked actually quite decent. But it´s probably crap. Like Ghost Pilots.

Let me gues the next batch of neo games:
2020 Super Baseball
Crossed Swords
NAM-1975
King of the Monsters
Football Frenzy
Blue's Journey
Top Player's Golf
Riding Hero
Cyber-Lip

[Ruldra]

People are giving their impressions about this collection:

Metal Slug
Samurai Shodown

Overall the games are well emulated but don't bother playing online. The netcode is crap.

[Elixir]

People are giving their impressions about this collection:

Metal Slug
Samurai Shodown

Overall the games are well emulated but don't bother playing online. The netcode is crap.

But the video said "superior, high quality network code".

Oh well, if the emulation's good, I might pick up Alpha and the Metal Slugs.

Is there any difference between the US and JP versions of Magician Lord? I don't have any money in my JP account but I have some remaining in my US one.

[E. Randy Dupre]

You don't need to worry about buying Japanese versions over Western ones - the emulation allows you to switch between them.

I've got to say, I'm massively impressed with the presentation of the emulator. It's options ago-go and vastly superior to both what I was expecting and anything similar that any other company have released so far on PSN, XBL or Wii. Lots of different visual options, with lovely pixelated normality as default (smoothing is set to 'off' as default, which was a really welcome surprise after SNKP's XBLA releases), a decent scanlines option and loads of ratio selections. There's virtual memory card support (also set to 'off' as default, which is a bit weird) and, as mentioned, the ability to switch between JPN and ENG versions of the games.

I couldn't really give a chuff about online multiplayer. As somebody else said upthread, even if it was fantastic there'd be no other fucker playing the games anyway.

About the only thing missing is online high score table support. And trophies, I suppose.

Also, I doubt SNKP are going to abandon this any time soon. The games are held within their own little Neo Geo folder, within the Games section of the XMB, rather than being added to the PS3 folder as with all other PSN releases, which indicates that both SNKP *and* Sony are pretty serious about the service. I hope so, anyway.

[Thjodbjorn]

You are right, I didn't consider that, but I do still wonder how many people are really THAT eager to play the original Art of Fighting or League Bowling again, online OR off.

Anyways, I don't mean to go too off-topic, since the main focus of this thread is Alpha Mission II.

When I was a teenager, I was arrested for the attempted theft of League Bowling on the SNES. "Hey Let's Bowl!"

I have never played alpha mission II, I'm tempted to try it. How does it hold up?

[Super Laydock]

Found out today that I actually bought this yesterday night...

Probably in an nostalgic mood since I had quite a few drinks too many last night.
Never played it before, but from the few sessions I had it seemed like it could be fun.
Got Samurai Showdown for free btw (being plus member), so I kinda like this new development for PSN.

[dunpeal2064]

Sadly I already have a lot of these games on consoles that I'd rather play them on. I mean, if I start playing Samuri Showdown on PSN, then what use would my 3DO have?

[Thjodbjorn]

you could play that strip janken game for the 3DO.

[dunpeal2064]

you could play that strip janken game for the 3DO.

lol didn't know about that one. Just got my 3DO a week ago. haha. Game looks... well, it looks like a lot of games on the 3DO. Ok, so maybe there is one other game besides Samuri Showdown.

[Thjodbjorn]

Yakyuken special! That's the one I played. I still have that song stuck in my head...

[Elixir]

Anyone up for a group share for this shit?

[dunpeal2064]

Yakyuken special! That's the one I played. I still have that song stuck in my head...

man that dance would make me go crazy after a while. Such a long sequence for a rock paper scissors game

[ex.machina]

About the only thing missing is online high score table support. And trophies, I suppose.

Yeah I found that a bit disappointing. I still picked up Alpha Mission II though.

[Ruldra]

Anyone up for a group share for this shit?

Do you really want to risk an account ban (or worse, a console ban) for a bunch of neogeo games?

[Elixir]

Anyone up for a group share for this shit?

Do you really want to risk an account ban (or worse, a console ban) for a bunch of neogeo games?

Sony designed the account sharing thing themselves. People don't get banned over this.

http://www.1up.com/news/sony-gamer-day-sharing-ps3

[Ruldra]

Sony designed the account sharing thing themselves. People don't get banned over this.

http://www.1up.com/news/sony-gamer-day-sharing-ps3

That's from 2006, a lot has happened since then. Sony wasn't expecting people to abuse gamesharing so much so they started acting upon it. Case in point.

I've done a fair amout of reading on the subject on a bunch of different forums. From what I could gather, you won't get banned if you gameshare with your close friends or family (technically it's still illegal, but they tend to overlook this), but if you repeatedly do a group share over the net, you can get banned.

[Elixir]

Sony designed the account sharing thing themselves. People don't get banned over this.

http://www.1up.com/news/sony-gamer-day-sharing-ps3

That's from 2006, a lot has happened since then. Sony wasn't expecting people to abuse gamesharing so much so they started acting upon it. Case in point.

I've done a fair amout of reading on the subject on a bunch of different forums. From what I could gather, you won't get banned if you gameshare with your close friends or family (technically it's still illegal, but they tend to overlook this), but if you repeatedly do a group share over the net, you can get banned.

So? People just make accounts purposely to group share a set of games, then they delete them. Between the group they split the cost of the initial PSN card and PM people the details. How can Sony ban people your main account? Wouldn't the account that bought the games get banned for shaing across various consoles?

I had like 50 accounts on my PS3. I'm sure like 5 or 10 would be all right, lol.

This idiot is your proof huh.

[Ruldra]

The way I see it, the account that bought the games would activate different consoles in different states or countries. That way, Sony can find out that specific account is gamesharing and ban every console that was activated by that account.

That's my guess on how they go on about it, but either way, gamesharing is a bannable offense, and people have been banned before because of it (the 'idiot' I mentioned was just one example). Feel free to go on with it if you wish.

[Elixir]

That said, anyone up for a group share?