Donghun Lee

“Real Bout Fatal Fury 2 was largely overlooked and forgotten at the time of its release, but over time it has come to be recognized by fighting game fans as a tragically underrated masterpiece and a highly polished versus tool. This ‘NEOGEO Premium Selection’ version includes modern features such as gallery viewing, training mode, and online play. While there are some minor drawbacks, the package offers good value for its price and provides a stable competitive environment, making it highly satisfying. Especially now, with character strategies fully documented, anyone can quickly appreciate the well-balanced gameplay. It’s a definitive edition that can be confidently recommended to fans.”

“This collection of Technōs Japan’s iconic titles feels less like a simple re-release and more like an emotional restoration for those who remember the era. From the controls to the sound and the texture of the pixel art, the sensations of that time are preserved with remarkable fidelity. Compared to modern games, it can feel quite unforgiving—but in that very way, it brings us closer to the spirit of its original age. While there are some shortcomings in its overall presentation, the fact that these games are being reintroduced at all is a meaningful gesture in itself.”

“Rage of the Dragons NEO sets itself apart with its distinctive combat system and strategic use of walls, allowing players to fully enjoy the game both online and offline. Those already familiar with fighting games will appreciate its accessible combo system and intuitive controls, making it easy to pick up. However, the game lacks sufficient accommodations for beginners, which may make it challenging for players unfamiliar with the genre. While it may not have the same level of recognition as major fighting games, its historical significance as the first Neo Geo fighting game developed in South America, combined with its solid gameplay mechanics, makes it a title well worth experiencing for fighting game enthusiasts.”

“The improved online environment allows for smoother matches, making it easier to execute practiced combos accurately in real gameplay. The addition of room matches, which support up to nine players, enhances the multiplayer experience by allowing for spectating and seamless opponent changes. While some text and graphical errors remain, they do not significantly impact the overall experience. Though it deviates from modern fighting game trends aimed at new players, this update ensures that the final pixel-art masterpiece of KOF can be enjoyed in a more stable environment—with little left to be desired.”

“A faithful adaptation that respects the original while incorporating modern conveniences. With rollback netcode-based online battles and a training mode, accessibility has been significantly improved. The Breakers series, which gained a cult following in South America, is now receiving renewed attention, and it's meaningful that the developers are finally getting their due. While there are no flashy additions, this collection offers the most authentic way to experience the original games. It’s a perfect choice for those who have enjoyed the Breakers series before or have an interest in retro fighting games.”

“This is an optimized home port of the original, which now supports stereo music, stage selection and especially allowing up to 99 credits which provides a much flexible accessibility. It’s the highest priced game developed by City Connection but still shows some parts where the sound cuts off but, you’ll still get to experience the 2D sprites by Taito of the classic era, using the lock on lasers to play in your own difficulty and such. It’s also the first Rayforce game with an official online leaderboard, which makes it even special than it is.”

“Taito Milestones is a collection of arcade games selected from Arcade Archives, which includes some classics from the 1980’s Taito developed games. All games were ported perfectly and the best part is that the package is way more affordable than purchasing them individually. Due to the timeline of these old classic’s existence, the main audience of these games were aimed at gamers in their 40s. Although all games were great, it’s not the definitive top 10 of their 1st party developments. Since its purpose was only catered to Taito fans, it’s a well thought out movement to represent Taito branding with their calculated plans of optimal human resources put into the project. But in all honesty, these types of collections may even deny any future potential of expansion of their original IP.”

“Big Bang Pro Wrestling can be played with two action buttons combined with any of the four directions. These button combinations bring back the styles of a retro video game. Story is as simple as a hero trying to fight their way to become a champion and grasp the champion belt in the end. There’s really no need to read through the instruction manuals as the game is designed to be simple and includes some exquisite characters with unique personalities. It's a decent game to meet with friends and probably last about a couple of hours of entertainment.”

“It’s about time that Deathsmiles I・II had made a comeback. These titles have had one of the highest reputations in the bullet hell genre but their marketing wasn’t really up to par at the time. It’s also a great title to make your entry into this specific genre. Once beating the AI enemies become the norm, you’ll have endless enjoyment in getting the highest score possible as well as comparing your skills with other players around the world. Even if you think you’re not that into bullet hell style of gaming, the amount of consideration that this game pours over the players is something that you’d feel appreciated.”

“NeoGeo Pocket Color Selection Vol. 1 has 10 of its popular games that were ported to be played on the Nintendo Switch. Each game has different language versions and also emulates the slight differences of the game versions based on certain regions. Some of the contents include 3D renders of the actual game cartridges that you can tilt and turn to see from different angles. Multiplayer features that required the original to have link cables between the two portable machines are now comfortably allowed to be played in local multiplayer. The selected games were rightfully some of the best games at its time so now’s the chance if you weren’t able to live those days back in the era of the OG portable gaming sensation.”

“We could tell that the developers definitely focused on aiming for the niche genre. The main structure of the game is strictly designed based on the keyboard typing mechanism, where the players can adjust the difficulty as they progress. Needless to say, they weren’t over extending when they chose the concept of the game’s promotion to look like educational material. Few nitpicks involve inconsistent frame drops, error on recognizing certain Korean key inputs and minor glitch appearances from few interactions. Perhaps it may be better to wait for some of the quality of life updates to be finalized before purchasing this game.”

“If you’re already eyeing on purchasing additional merchandise of Laid-Back Camp, this is the best and the first one you should be getting. It includes the original soundtracks and voice clips of the actors. It’s a bit weird to categorize it as a game as it has limited content and nothing in terms of easter eggs or hidden properties, but since the main concept of the original series is strictly ‘camping’, it definitely serves its purpose. Unless you’re a fan of Laid-Back Camp, you don't have to contemplate on planning to own this in the first place.”

“The sole purpose of this iteration of The King of Fighters game is to fully extend and evolve the possibilities and limits of the original ‘KOF 2002’ to its maximum potential. Rightfully so, KOF 2002 UM is one of the hardest KOF titles to master. Compared to many of the modern fighting games, the physical execution of special moves and combos have a very tight window to accurately pull off. For the serious competitors, the most difficult discipline is to try and play all of the 66 available characters, recognize each and every attack and defensive pattern, then improvise their capabilities until you can mix them into a psychological battle once you get to play against another human player. The PS4 version of the game has an improved online netcode which technically tries its best to emulate an offline gameplay experience, hence minimizing any input response delays. Out of all the available platforms, the PS4 version of the game is the most optimal version to play on.”

“Developers of 'Shing!' praises their title as what could be the future of all arcade style beat'em-ups. As expected, the game requires fast reactions of the players in control of their characters, who will then be rewarded with seamless action and enemy encounters. Even with its old-school spirit, some of the meaningless conversation dialogs and confused enemy AI may feel a little lackluster and could defuse the intensity build up you've created along the way. In the Nintendo Switch version, we could notice some minor glitches during progress and struggles to display optimal frames-per-second visuals which made it difficult to enjoy all the combos and juggles. What's worse was when entering stage 6B, you'll encounter an inevitable error in the Switch version(v1.0.06), which wouldn't allow the players to see the game's ending.”

“The PS4 version of Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme VS. MaxiBoost ON allows legacy controls which is a great consideration of the fans of this long running series. With decent online playability, it truly brings the arcade feeling at the comfort of your own gaming room. The console only content, namely ‘MaxiBoost Mission’ is a great tool for players to learn and improve on the game’s competitive element. Since the core design of the game is human interaction in terms of competition and showing off the best skills, if you’re a single player gamer at heart, it may not be the best Gundam game of your choice.”

“Although it may not be the title to reboot the genre, Super Pixel Racers includes all the elements from renowned top-view arcade racing games. Endless challenges await in its single player content and the split-screen multiplayer is a good sign to say that this game qualifies as a party game to be played with your friends as well.”

“Playing the 'Strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' allows the player to play through its original story with some interactivity elements. It may require some of your memorization skills to get you going, but that's really about it. The popularity of this literature title is the key ingredent of the game, yet it's also could be a case of some negative factors, being that there is nothing 'new' to the plot. For those who aren't familiar with reading may not have the best intended experience.”

“It's a casual fishing game for those who were looking forward to a simulator like experience. Fishing gurus might be a little dissapointed for lack of realism but Fishing Star World Tour excels at the tug-o-war process between the player and the fishing line struggle. The production quality may lack a bit of tension but most of the visuals are straight forward with showing fishing points and other environments. The most fisherman-like experience would be when you hold the Joycon controller like a fishing rod.”

“The most affordable fighting game on the Nintendo Switch, yet it only provides typical modes to play against the AI and no online multiplayer mode in sight, Chaos Code: New Sign of Catastrophe fails to deliver the value for the fighting game fans to even think about purchasing this game. Surprisingly, the battle mechanics are very polished and learning the combo mechanics can be a fun challenge for those who seek complex and accurate executions required in flashy combos. But in the end, will that be satisfying enough?”

“'One step from Eden' delivers fast paced action with various spells and artifacts which could be customized into a personal deck of arsenal. The customization experience is a fresh turn of its genre but it won't be easy to absorb all the multiple aspects of the situations given to the player. Once you're adapted to the intended play style, continous challenges await to provide consistent fun and activities.”