Neo Geo
Top 25 Neo Geo Games of All Time
The Neo Geo brought the arcade home at a premium price, with legendary fighters and run-and-guns. These are the best Neo Geo games of all time, ranked by a blend of GamingList community and critic scores.
This is an Neo Geo exclusives list — it features games that debuted on Neo Geo, so cross-platform titles and later ports to other systems aren't included. That's why some multiplatform favourites you played here won't appear.
- 1
Metal Slug
1996 · Shooter, Platform, Arcade
Metal Slug is a 1996 run-and-gun arcade video game originally developed by Nazca Corporation and released by SNK for the Neo Geo MVS. It is the first installment in the eponymous series. Set in 2028, players assume the role of Peregrine Falcon Strike Force soldiers Marco Rossi and Tarma Roving in a fight against the Rebel Army led by Donald Morden and overthrow his coup d'état to prevent a New World Order.
8.2 - 2
Metal Slug 3
2000 · Shooter, Platform, Arcade
“METAL SLUG 3”, the masterpiece in SNK’s emblematic 2D run & gun action shooting game series, still continues to fascinate millions of fans worldwide to this day for its intricate dot-pixel graphics, and simple and intuitive game controls!
8.1 - 3
Metal Slug 2
1998 · Shooter, Platform, Adventure, Arcade
“METAL SLUG 2”, the 2nd entry in SNK’s emblematic 2D run & gun action shooting game returns to the battlefield on the Steam gaming platform!
8.1 - 4
Metal Slug 4
2002 · Shooter, Adventure, Arcade
One year after the events of Metal Slug 3, the world is trembling under the new threat of a mysterious but deadly cyber virus that threatens to attack and destroy any nation's military computer system. With Tarma and Eri unable to help due to their own assignments in the matter, Marco and Fio are called in to investigate the situation and are joined by two newcomers, Nadia and Trevor. In their investigation, the group discovers that a terrorist organization known as Amadeus is behind the nefarious plot and that they head into battle against Amadeus' forces, hoping to destroy the cyber virus before it gets the chance to wipe out the entire world's military computer system
8.0 - 5
The King of Fighters '97
1997 · Fighting, Arcade
The King of Fighters '97 is a 1997 fighting game produced by SNK for the Neo Geo arcade and home console. It is the fourth game in The King of Fighters series. It was ported to the Neo-Geo CD, as well as the PlayStation and the Sega Saturn in Japan only.
8.1 - 6
The King of Fighters '98
1998 · Fighting, Arcade
The All-Star dream battle is here at last: It's King of Fighters '98! Here come 38 of your favorite characters from the King of Fighters series. Your favorite characters and teams are back! Filled with new surprises like the Roulette Team Edit and Advantage System, King '98 will pop your cork with unrelenting excitement! The King of Fighters '98 is the fifth game in The King of Fighters series by SNK.
7.8 - 7
Windjammers
1994 · Sport, Arcade
Windjammers (also known as Flying Power Disc in Japan) is a fast paced sports arcade game released by Data East on the Neo Geo arcade system in 1994 and later on the Wii Virtual Console in Japan on June 22, 2010. Following the bankruptcy of Data East, the intellectual rights for this game were acquired by Paon. It was delisted in Japanese Virtual Console for the Wii on December 24, 2013, making it the only delisted Neo Geo game for the Wii Virtual Console. The game mechanics are essentially the same as Pong or air hockey, where players continuously shoot the disc at the goal zone of the opponent attempting to score. The game can be played against the computer or in a 2 player versus.
8.2 - 8
The King of Fighters 2000
2000 · Fighting, Arcade
The final King of Fighters game released by SNK in its original state, The King of Fighters 2000 expands on the story and gameplay presented in The King of Fighters '99. This year's tournament is sponsored by the Ikari Warriors in an attempt to discover more about the NESTS organization, and to derail the plans of potential NESTS agents K' and Maxima. Not everything is as straight-forward as it usually is, however, and even the Ikari Warriors themselves are at risk of being betrayed from within by the end of the tournament. The King of Fighters 2000 features an improved Striker call system with the Active Striker System, which allows the player to call his Striker character in any situation, whether he is attacking or being attacked by the opponent, allowing him to use their strikers in combos. Moreover, in addition to the numerous nostalgic SNK characters returning as Another and Maniac Strikers, KOF 2000 welcomes newcomers such as Ramon, Vanessa, Seth, Lin, Hinako Shijo, and Kula Diamond.
7.8 - 9
Samurai Shodown II
1994 · Fighting, Arcade
One of SNK's legendary fighting game series has made a return! In Samurai Shodown II, you can take on one of the roles of 15 warriors as you fight your way through the land to defeat the evil Mizuki! Slash, kick, and slice your opponents in half...do whatever it takes...live by the sword, and die by its blade.
7.8 - 10
Real Bout Fatal Fury Special
1997 · Fighting, Arcade
The supreme trial of strength awaits! 19 of Fatal Fury's hottest heroes collide! One year since the fearsome conclusion to "Real Bout", the hungry wolves ready themselves for a new battle, "Real Bout Special" - the paramount pugilistic proving ground! The game retains the cast of the original Real Bout, with the addition of Tung Fu Rue, Cheng Sinzan, Laurence Blood and Wolfgang Krauser from Fatal Fury Special, with Krauser serving as the new final boss. Geese Howard, who was killed off in the end of the original Real Bout, appears in this game as a hidden final boss in a special "Nightmare Match" and as an unlockable playable character in the home versions. The game also features hidden "extra" versions of Tung Fu Rue, Billy Kane, Blue Mary, and Andy Bogard, for a total of 23 (24 if counting Geese) characters.
8.1 - 11
Neo Bomberman
1997 · Arcade
The gameplay consists of walking through maze-like areas filled with monsters with a goal of opening the gate leading to the next area. Playing as a bomberman, the player can lay bombs to destroy all of the monsters, which will subsequently open the gate. Destroying blocks in the maze may uncover useful items including remote control bombs, accelerators, hearts, and increased firing range. Neo Bomberman includes Bosses that appear after each zone. Each zone is harder than the last, some featuring new traps and level obstacles such as conveyor belts.
8.4 - 12
The King of Fighters '99: Millennium Battle
1999 · Fighting
"The King of Fighters '99: Millennium Battle" is the sixth game in The King of Fighters series by SNK. Unlike in previous games of the series, there are four characters per team instead of three, with the fourth serving as a "Striker", a fighter whose function is only to enter a match, attack the opponent and leave without replacing their teammates. In total, there are seven teams, each containing four characters, four Team Edit characters and a boss.
7.6 - 13
Real Bout Fatal Fury 2: The Newcomers
1998 · Fighting, Arcade
Real Bout 2 revamps the two-line battle system from Real Bout Special. Instead of fighting in either two lines, the player is now forced to fight in a main line, while the second line is a "sway line" used to avoid attacks (similar to the original Real Bout). The one-line trap stages last seen in Fatal Fury Special also return.
8.0 - 14
Sengoku 3
2001 · Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Arcade
The game takes a greater departure from its predecessors in both story and presentation. The heroes are now members of a ninja clan who have to dispatch an evil emperor before he is released. Players can choose which character they want for the first time, each having their own strengths and weaknesses. Two bosses that confront the player can also be playable after a certain chapter of the game, allowing players to re-select their character if they wish.
8.0 - 15
Bust-A-Move
1994 · Puzzle, Arcade
Bust-A-Move (also known as Puzzle Bobble) is a real-time puzzle game in which the player controls a device called "pointer" at the bottom of the screen, aiming and releasing randomly colored bubbles upwards. Depending on the aiming, the bubbles may float up directly or bounce off the walls, changing their trajectory. The goal is to aim the bubbles in such a way that they will touch identically colored ones. When such bubbles form a group of three or more, they pop and disappear from the screen. If the ceiling of the area is covered by too many bubbles, it will gradually descend; the game is over when it nearly reaches the player-controlled pointer. Should the player fail to release the bubbles within a specific time limit, they will be released automatically, unaffected by the pointer's aiming.
7.6 - 16
Aero Fighters 2
1994 · Shooter
The game is played with two buttons, with the A button firing projectiles from the plane and the B button launching a special bomb attack which uses a bomb from a limited stock of bombs. Power projectiles can be obtained by destroying buildings and armored enemy planes. There are two types of Power projectiles: "P" Power projectiles, that increases the plane's firepower by one level, and "F" Power projectiles, that increases the plane's firepower to the maximum level instantly. The maximum level only lasts for a limited amount of shots. When certain ground enemies and buildings are destroyed, money bonuses appear which give a random amount of points each. When the player reaches the end of the stage, the player has to face a boss ship.
7.8 - 17
Neo Turf Masters
1996 · Sport, Arcade
Neo Turf Masters is a golf video game by Nazca for the Neo Geo, released in 1996. This is also one of the first two titles by Nazca, the other being the popular Metal Slug before & between being acquired by SNK. The game is a fast paced, arcade-style golf game. Players choose from two game modes, stroke play for one or two players, and match play for two players only. Competing on one of four fictional golf courses located in the United States, Japan, Australia and Germany, players choose from one of six players with different attributes: "Young Hero" (George Spinner, USA) "Technician" (Thomas Stewart, United Kingdom) "Veteran" (Frank Adams, Australia) "Shot Maker" (Robert Landolt, Germany) "Power Golfer" (Fernando Almeida, Brazil) "Putt Master" (Toyoshige Takeno, Japan) Unlike many golf games of the era which used a two-click swing system to determine the hook or slice of the ball, Neo Turf Masters uses a single click for the power of the shot, and a second for the height of the shot; hook and slice are selected with buttons B and C before making the shot. This makes the game much easier to pick up and play well than its contemporaries, but it compensates for this reduced difficulty with fiendish (if somewhat unrealistic) course layouts and highly variable wind.
8.0 - 18
World Heroes Perfect
1995 · Fighting, Arcade
One year after both the conclusion of the World Heroes Battle Fest and the defeat of Zeus, invitations has been sent to the 16 fighters by Dr. Brown, informing them of a new World Heroes tournament that'll help finally settle the question of who's the strongest fighter in history. With the 16 fighters preparing themselves in order to finally determine on who's the strongest fighter in history, Zeus seeks to gain his revenge against those who had caused his downfall, but little does Zeus and the rest of the fighters know and realize that an old enemy from the past is also back and that he too has his own personal desire for revenge as well.
7.9 - 19
3 Count Bout
1993 · Fighting, Sport, Arcade
3 Count Bout is a one-on-one fighting game. Choose from ten wrestlers who have their own power attacks. There are ten rounds in the game, and each one of them has you fighting other wrestlers that are much tougher than the previous ones. You defeat each one by biting, kicking, and performing other moves to the point where their damage meter is empty. But just because it is empty doesn't mean that you win. You have to pin him for the infamous-three count. Also features competitive play and tag match battles. 3 Count Bout by SNK Corporation attempts to take you into the world of professional wrestling by giving you control of one of many different wrestlers as you fight both in the ring and in the seedy underworld in your quest to become an accomplished wrestling champion. Choose from one of ten different characters, each with his own strengths and weaknesses, and employ your wrestling moves using a combination of three buttons. There are also a number of hidden moves and combinations which can be unlocked for even greater variety in the gameplay. When you have your opponent on the mat, keep him there until the count of three and you've won the match. In two-player mode, you can either take on your opponent in a match or wrestle tag team. This game uses the Neo-Geo MVS cartridge system.
7.7 - 20
Samurai Shodown
1993 · Fighting
In early Japan, a man named Shiro Tokisada Amakusa preaches a heretic religion. Little does anyone know that Amakusa is really a servant of the evil Ambrosia, who took over Amakusa's body. Ambrosia wishes to shroud the world in darkness. Now, choose between 12 warriors (and 3 bonus characters) to fight for the honor of destroying Amakusa, and fulfilling a mission.
7.3 - 21
King of the Monsters 2
1992 · Fighting, Arcade
Alien super monsters have returned and are trying to invade Earth again! Now, Super Geon, Atomic Guy, and Cyber Woo must fight to retain control of the planet. Each one has special attacks and powers. Take on monsters that have unique abilities never seen before, including fire breath, aerial spins, and radioactive blasts. Challenge a friend, or have him help you out in the two-player option. Battle your way through seven levels of intense action in King of The Monsters 2.
7.6 - 22
Samurai Shodown IV: Amakusa's Revenge
1996 · Fighting, Arcade
Samurai Shodown IV: Amakusa's Revenge, also known as Samurai Spirits: Amakusa's Descent in Japan, is the fourth in SNK's flagship Samurai Shodown series of fighting games. Chronologically, it is the second and final chapter of a story between Samurai Shodown and Samurai Shodown II, with Samurai Shodown III being the first chapter.
7.3 - 23
Samurai Shodown V
2003 · Fighting
Samurai Shodown V brings back the classic side-scrolling action with a completely new storyline, new characters and new moves. A samurai's quest to prove himself against the Shogun leads to a gathering of the world's greatest warriors to compete for the right to be named the greatest.
7.3 - 24
World Heroes 2
1993 · Fighting
The time traveling tournament fighters are back! The original eight characters from the popular arcade hit return, along with six new characters hand-picked from several different eras and locations all through time. But a new boss awaits the victor... who or what is behind this new tournament? You'll have to get to him to find out! This sequel features all-new stages and music, and improved animation and graphics. You can now reflect projectile moves at your opponent, and reverse normal throws if your timing is right! The original game's Death Match mode is also back, but with a new feature - the life bar will increase or decrease as you inflict or receive damage. Get your side's life bar to 100% and your enemy will lose.
7.3 - 25
The King of Fighters '96
1996 · Fighting
The King of Fighters '96 is a 1996 fighting game. It is the third game in The King of Fighters series, following The King of Fighters '95. SNK's flagship series returns for another year. Many of the changes in this year's KOF release come in the form of improved graphics, sound effects, music and totally redone character sprites. The gameplay of the system has been altered with the addition of "Rush" multi-hit combos and new moves for practically every character. The storyline of the series receives heavy focus in this release with the Orochi Saga swinging into high-gear. The King of Fighters '96 has 27 regular characters plus 2 boss characters (who can be unlocked with the use of a code). Newcomers to the tournament include Mr. Big from the Art of Fighting series, the bosses from Fatal Fury (Wolfgang Krauser and Geese Howard), and completely original characters like Leona Heidern, Mature and Vice. Other features carried over from the previous year include the ability to choose between the default "Team Fighting" mode or the traditional "Single Fighter" style of gameplay, plus the "Versus" and "Survival" gameplay modes.
7.2