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Post by Ex on Jan 29, 2018 21:43:10 GMT -5
 I've spent a lot of time with lots of handhelds, but not the Neo Geo Pocket, Neo Geo Pocket Color, WonderSwan, or WonderSwan color. And what the heck is a SwanCrystal? Any of you guys have experiences to share with these handhelds? Which platform do you think was superior? Any killer hidden gems on any of these platforms? Share your knowledge!  |
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Post by Sarge on Jan 29, 2018 22:48:44 GMT -5
The only system of those that I've put a lot of time into is the Neo Geo Pocket Color. I guess it was around the 2000s, and game stores were selling the systems and bundled packs of the games for relatively cheap. So I ended up getting some great games out of the deal. I've finished a few of the games, too. SNK vs. Capcom: Match of the Millenium is a darn fine fighting game, regardless of platform. SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters Clash was a great little RPG/card game, and I don't usually get into those. And believe it or not, the Sonic game that ended up on there is one of the best.
The game I've gotten really far into and not finished is Faselei!, to my shame. The game was slated to release here officially, but didn't. However, the cartridges got dumped onto eBay some time ago, and I managed to snag a copy then. Wish I could have gotten some of the other RPGs, though, like Evolution or Biomotor Unitron.
So, one of the interesting things about the system is that it resembles a Game Boy Color in a lot of ways. Reflective LCD, colors seem pretty similar, etc. But the system actually sported a 16-bit processor. And the control stick takes a bit to get used to, it actually uses arcade-style microswitches. It's got this tiny clicky sound when you're using it. It almost makes it feel like you're going to break it, but I'm pretty careful, and it's seen a lot of hours of SNK vs. Capcom!
Unfortunately, as we all know, it didn't do very well. Nintendo was still too much of a juggernaut, and the GBA was on the horizon. The lack of developers certainly didn't help, either; that was always a problem for SNK. I love the little system, though.
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Post by Xeogred on Jan 29, 2018 23:44:26 GMT -5
The full extent of my knowledge...
The Final Fantasy Wonderswan soundtracks are freaking awesome!
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Post by Sarge on Jan 30, 2018 0:01:21 GMT -5
I think Dawn of Souls on GBA is based on the Wonderswan versions of the games. Completely different instrumentation, though! GBA sounds like it's sample-based.
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Post by Ex on Jan 30, 2018 10:49:23 GMT -5
SNK vs. Capcom: Match of the Millenium is a darn fine fighting game, regardless of platform. Did you try the Gals fighters? Those look cool to me. I think a lot of these SNK NGP fighting games used the same engine. The game I've gotten really far into and not finished is Faselei!Ironically enough, that is the only NGP title I've beaten (via emulation). It was a good time. No Front Mission or anything, but still fun. I remember a friend of mine beating that game back around 2000 or so. He really liked it. I think it had a Pokemon element to it? the control stick takes a bit to get used to, it actually uses arcade-style microswitches. It's got this tiny clicky sound when you're using it. I dated a girl in 2009 who owned a NGP, and I held the thing, so I know exactly what you're talking about. I think SNK went with that joystick style because doing sweeping arc inputs (for fighting moves) was smoother. I remember the slidy-clicky NGP joystick was satisfying to play with. |
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Post by Sarge on Jan 30, 2018 11:14:55 GMT -5
Yeah, given their fighter background, no surprise. I was actually able to pull off Zangief's spinning piledriver fairly well.
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Post by bonesnapdeez on Jan 30, 2018 20:43:10 GMT -5
I own and enjoy a small amount of this stuff.
Note that much like Nintendo, Bandai and SNK made monochrome and then color systems. The color systems will play the monochrome games, though not all color games will play on the monochrome systems. Both the Bandai and SNK handhelds felt a generation behind Nintendo in the color respect, as their monochrome systems dropped about the same time the Game Boy Color. Then they quickly played catch-up. None of these Bandai/SNK systems have back or front lights, and the SwanCrystal is a beefed-up WonderSwan Color with an LCD screen.
As for the games, I enjoy the WonderSwan RPGs, and the NGPC is a cool "cheaper" way to experience Neo Geo sexiness.
What's funny is that you could still get brand new NGPC systems on Amazon for like $60 a few years ago. That's how I got mine.
One more thing:
C L I C K Y S T I C K
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Post by dunpeal2064 on Jan 31, 2018 4:58:16 GMT -5
I love that the Wonderswan's button layout supports vertical games. I've played (and enjoyed) Judgement Silversword for the WS, which from what I remember was actually a contest winner from the game dev kit that they released publicly for the handheld. It was also made by the same dude(s) that would go on to make Eschatos.
I think the Puzzle Bobble release supported vertical play too. Its definitely an interesting system, I just wish it lasted long enough to see a later revision more in line with the GBA SP.
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Post by Sarge on Jan 31, 2018 12:02:38 GMT -5
You know, I don't think enough games play around with the vertical orientation idea. Handhelds certainly seem like a good place to try it. I know we got something similar with a few games on DS (Hotel Dusk, Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword), but being able to swivel a screen would be really neat.
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Post by Ex on Jan 31, 2018 20:53:45 GMT -5
I always figured the WonderSwan's vertical screen orientation was meant explicitly to cater to shmups and Tetris/Puyo Puyo type games.
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