by Vinh Trieu (Administrator)

Another year, another E3. This year is definitely the best show we've seen in quite some time, from introductions of new hardware (portables, PSP and DS) to more innovative software, taking the current home consoles to their processing capabilties.

Besides the booth babes, there was eye candy throughout the show.

We're exhausted, as we roamed the floor, taking pictures, notes, meeting with friends, and people in the industry, so we'll make this short and sweet.

If you haven't done so already, take a look at our galleries page for some quick snapshots of SNK, Capcom, Konami, Nintendo, Sony and other companies.

Let's start off with SNK. SNK Playmore has heard all the complaints from hardcore fans year in and year out that their system, the Neo Geo was outdated, which translates to outdated graphics/gameplay. SNK Playmore has stepped up to the plate and has made every effort to take their programming genius to the next level, leaving their 16-bit in the dust.

Games shown at E3 by SNK NEO GEO Consumer Corp:

-KOF 2002/2003 (Bundle Pack) for PS2/XBox Live
-Metal Slug 4/5 (Bundle Pack) for PS2/XBox Live
-Metal Slug Advance for Game Boy Advance (30% Completed)

-SVC Chaos for XBox Live
-KOF Maximum Impact for PS2
-Samurai Shodown V for PS2

Other games shown, not shown on next gen systems:

-Samurai Shodown V Special (on MVS)

A quick summary. SNK NEO GEO Consumer has shown, simply with it's much improved visual set up and line up of games that they are in this market for good. They realize that the clock is ticking and either step up to the plate or dissolve like many other game producers have in the recent past.

SVC Chaos looks and plays equally to it's MVS counterpart. With XBox Live added, this will make it more refreshing and worthwhile. SNK themselves are aware of the importance with on-line capabilities and with all it's XBox releases receving the Live feature, they are moving in the right direction.

The Slugs played equally as good as the MVS version of the Neo, except for Metal Slug Advance, which we say...needs alot of work. The graphics were good, but nothing spectacular and oooohhh, the speed, well, it seemed like someone turned on the slo-mo button. We have to address this, otherwise, we might receive mediocre result for a game that fans are dying for. Maybe SNK can add in a link feature also. Playing Slug isn't as fun without a partner at your side.

KOF 2003 on Xbox/PS2 showed promise, with gameplay and graphical improvements over it's arcade counterpart, and naturally it should be. Considering that these are 128-bit systems, the fans deserve nothing less. From what we've seen thus far, there are many new backgrounds and the gameplay looks, but more importantly, plays smoother.

KOF MI was definitely the highlight of their line up. With graphics rivaling the best 3-D fighters out their, the visuals are just jaw breaking. What SNK focused on more, was to capture the feel of a KOF fighter and to a large extent, we'd say they accomplished that feat. What we expected was the same ol' Hyper 64 sluggish gameplay, but we were pleasantly surprised that the controls and response was easy to perform and the quickly at that.

Capcom once again had an impressive line-up that ranged from Action/Shooting/Fighting/RPG.

First and foremost, what we were most excited about was to hear that they were going to release another fighter called Capcom Fighting Jam (tentative name). With fighters from Street Fighter, Darkstalkers, Street Fighter III, Red Earth (a game that was never officially released here in the states, known as Warzard in the Japanese market), and Street Fighter Alpha, this one will surely be a treat for hungry fighting game fans.

We've already heard the cries and moans of fans that this may be a rehash of older fighters, but until we play the officially released version, we are confident that Capcom will come through and give it's deprived fans another great fighter. Hey, Guy's in it, so that's a start to a great fighter.

Other titles Capcom showed:

Onimusha 3 Demon Siege
Mega Man Battle Network 4 Red Sun
Mega Man Battle Network 4 Blue Moon
Way of the Samurai 2
Mega Man Anniversary Collection
Crimson Tears
Street Fighter Anniversary Collection
Monster Hunter
Mega Man X Command Mission
Viewtiful Joe
Nightmare Before Christmas Oogie's Revenge
Under the Skin
Mega Man Zero 3
Disney's Aladdin
Shadow of Rome
Mega Man X8
Resident Evil 4 (we will have a video of this)
Devil May Cry 3
Viewtiful Joe 2
Killer 7
Resident Evil Outbreak File #2 (working title)

We'll have a more in depth look at SNK and Capcom in the upcoming days with more news to report.

MANY more screenshots, news and videos to follow, so keep checking back.