E3 2006: SNK in FOCUS

E3 as we know it, is the biggest video game show on earth, with more glitz added to the continued glamour. Rightfully so, we'd expect video game manufacturers to show their 'A' rated titles and that is exactly what SNK Playmore USA did.

We're not going to kid ourself. Yes, we saw their booth this year and yes, it was far from the extravagant set up they had in the previous two years, but then again, what's the important comparison isn't the booth size or it's glamour, but the titles they showed at this year's E3 2006 to years' past. In E3 2004 and 2005, they had more titles to show, but the quality of those titles subpar compared to what they showed this year. Sure, less titles were unveiled, but the quality of the ports are arcade perfect and these titles will sell, no doubt about it.

Take a look at this analogy for a moment. We would say that games for a manufacturer is like an engine of the car while their booth is the exterior of the car, which is for pure looks and show. So if the engine isn't high quality enough to get you from point A to point B, the exterior, or in this case, their booth (exterior) doesn't add up to anything, except for the momentary 'oohs and ahhs' they would get from their fans. Fans is what drives their success outside of E3. Within E3, it's the distributors, buyers, publishers (for exposure) that they meet with that truly provides the necessary feedback for them to indicate success. Ironically, as bland as this year's booth was, this set up was more successful in doing what they needed to accomplish, which was simply to display their 'A' titles and get interested buyers to pre-order them and they did just that.

So the games is the driving force of success and if you take a step back and forget about their presentation (booth) and focus on the games, these upcoming titles will sell very well and the three Metal Slug Titles will sell out, especially on the portable gaming systems.

Click here to see all of SNKP USA's E3 2006 Line up.

SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters DS

Out of nowhere comes SvC: CFDS. How did this happen? Well, according to SNK Playmore, this title was agreed upon in the original contract with Capcom, so it's been there all this time, but never produced, until now. Hey, better late then never.

About SvC: CFDS

SvC: CFDS uses some unique RPG elements, also allowing the player to trade their SNK or Capcom card to give them that extra edge. If you've played the first installment on the NEO•GEO Pocket Color, then you should like this game even more, especially with the DS's dual screen action, keeping you more in check with what you have in your current hand.

SNK vs. Capcom Card Fighters DS Actual Screenshots

Need we explain what this game is all about? Not really. Just that it was the 2-D game that set the benchmark for the NEO•GEO system and pushed it's processing power capability to the limit.

So now, the classic Metal Slug of the Neo Geo MVS makes it way in perfect form to Nintendo's GBA. To be accurate though, it's not 100% perfect because of the lack of 2-player simultaneous mode, but everything else is expected to be in there. Should be pretty impressive, especially running off of the GBA's processor.

The E3 version was quite incomplete, with only the background and your player character programmed in. No enemies or other moving details were available at this time. From this version so far though, looks like every nook and cranny is in there. We're just going to have to wait and see how this truly stacks up to the original. Slated for a November 2006 release, it's not too far away.

What we do know about this title is that production is going to be VERY limited. The ONLY way you are guaranteed to secure this game is if you pre-order this from your local game store (in the U.S.), otherwise, good luck finding this later on.

Click here for Metal Slug Screenshots

SNK Playmore must be huge fans of George Lucas. Like his Star Wars series, previous releases of the Metal Slug series have been seen in multiple platforms, NEO•GEO MVS/AES, NEO•GEO Pocket, GBA, the Sony PSOne/2, Sega Saturn, Xbox and Sega's Atomiswave. To milk the skinny cow, we're fortunate enough to get two more versions, one for the home with the Nintendo Wii and one for the road, Sony's PSP. This time however, we get 6 Slug titles, Metal Slug, Metal Slug 2, Metal Slug X, Metal Slug 3, Metal Slug 4 and Metal Slug 5.

For the most part, one thing about the Slug series is evident: It's addicting. Once you start playing, you wanna keep playing, until you reach the end. What separates Metal Slug from action shooters isn't it's attention to detail in the graphics department or it's intense gameplay, but it's ability to draw and capture you into the game because of the unique personality and charisma that the characters experienced in the game.

I'm sure many of you are asking, isn't enough, enough? Well, there's manys ways to look at this and if you look at the big picture, even though the 'SNK' brand name is well known in the states, there are still many new gamers out there that have yet to experience Metal Slug, so the opportunity to capture this market is still out there and in a big way. Despite the PSP's mighty processing power, Sony's portable is in dire need of good/great games and Metal Slug Anthology more than fits the bill. Forget about the 3-D games on a portable system (which we will give our input on why later in this article), it's the 2-D games that will save the PSP in the long run.

For the seasoned Metal Slug fanatic this is the first time that SNK/SNK Playmore has put out a complete series in it's original format, which in this case maybe possibly better than the Neo Geo MVS versions as the increased processing power of these systems provide for little or no slowdown at all.

PSP Version

In this version you will have the option to play each game in either 4:3 mode (which will have black bars on the left and right side of your PSP screen) or in 16:9 widescreen mode (full screen for the PSP). We haven't confirmed yet though if the 16:9 is just a conversion or the native format, but considering the fact that SNK Playmore has claimed a "Arcade Perfect" port, we would assume the 4:3 Mode is the native format, which is fine as that's what we've been used to all this time.

Probably the best feature that was thankfully kept in is the 2-player simultaneous action via Wi-Fi (ad-hoc, which means through two-player through two local PSP's and not through the internet). So for those of you who purposely bought a PSP v1.5 just to play those burned copies of Slug 1/2 with glitches, you can finally relax and experience the Slug collection in it's pure glory.

Metal Slug Anthology Screenshots for Sony's PSP

Nintendo Wii Version

From what we've heard. like the PSP, all the Slug ports will be arcade perfect, with one added little twist. Whether it be SNK or a third party, there are plans to make a special gun attachment to the Wii's controller where you can physically simulate a throwing motion for say a 'grenade' to perform this command, instead of just pressing a button for it. For those of you who wanted to get some exercise going, this should do the trick.

Metal Slug Anthology Screenshots for Nintendo Wii

King of Fighters 2006

Known as KOF: Maximum Impact 2 in Japan, KOF 2006 outdoes it's predecessor (KOF: MI) in every category, graphics, music, gameplay and gameplay options. The most notable and important upgrade was certainly the game engine and the hit detection as the moves come out much easier and the connection are much more accurate. From the many gamers who played KOF 2006 at E3 most seemed surprised on the improvements over KOF: MI and agreed that this is a 3-D game that plays like a 2-D fighter, something that has been challenging for most 3-D fighters to accomplish.

Like many SNK fans, most prefer 2-D fighters including ourselves, however, we gave KOF 2006 a shot and was quite impressed overall of how much we liked playing this game. On top of the fast paced action, the moves were easy to execute complex combos on top of simple one hit 'pokes' which is the key to winning for the more advanced player.

Click here for Screens for KOF 2006

Here are some key features for KOF 2006:

-38 Characters, which includes 14 hidden characters and 4 new characters
-Different game ending for each character.
-Challenge and Party mode for all new mini games
-Both English and Japanese Voice Options
-If you PRE-ORDER, KOF DVD Anime: Another Day is free with purchase.

For those in doubt and anticipating a mediocre KOF 2006 all we can say is give it a try and you will be surprised how good this game really is.

Non-E3 SNK News

With the next generation systems being released in the next year for the home console market, SNK Playmore has quite a few decisions to make on where they want to take their IP's. There's a few developments that has happened because of this next generation console system jump, the most important being Sony's recent and more flexible approach towards it's video game releases for the PS2.

What this means for SNK Playmore is that we should expect some of the titles that were released in Japan only on PS2 to appear a month or two after here in the U.S. as well. At this point, don't expect titles such as NEO•GEO Battle Coliseum to show on U.S. turf, but do expect some of the future, possibly previous NEO•GEO Collections, such as Art of Fighting. This is great news for SNK fans and whether some of these games are desired by fans or not, it is an positive sign in two-folds, one, it's a sign that Sony is opening it's doors, allowing more games that fans really want and two, it gives us, the fans, the choice to have them in our collection or gaming library, whether we view them as good or bad. Not releasing them at all doesn't give us a choice, which is all we're asking.

Don't think Sony is more flexible on it's approval process. We're assuming that they're doing this to keep supporting the PS2 until the PS3 is in full swing. Whatever the reasoning is, we'll look at it on a positive note as it's a good thing overall.

PSP and 2-D

If Sony ever decides to step back and take a look at why the games on the PSP themselves don't sell well, they might actually succeed over Nintendo. Everyone has an opinion on why the PSP is 'garbage' to say the least, but most agree it's their games that causes the PSP to suffer. Why is this? There's not much of a debate that most of the PSP games are graphically superior to what we see on the Nintendo DS.

Our theory here is that pure 3-D games just don't make a big impact on a small screen, which is the majority what what PSP titles we've seen thus far. Think about it for a second. Anything with great visuals, especially 3-D objects have more of a mental impact of the gamer when played on a large screen. When we say large, we mean a screen that is at least 27-42 inches in diameter. 3-D games are meant to envelope the gamer into their world, but using a screen that is only a few inches across isn't the right medium to do so. It took us some time to put a finger on why Wipe Out for the PSP didn't have a great impact as it's PS2 version and it was because of the inability for the small screen to draw us into the whole 3-D experience. A tiny screen just can't bring that much of an impact especially when most of the PSP titles are in 3-D, they just lack that 'fun factor' experience that we're so used to, which is delivered more effectively with 2-D titles. We could name hundreds of great Nintendo SP titles that blow away the majority of what's available on the PSP using this argument above.

So, explaining our belief in the 2-D portable gaming experience above, there is no better action shooter, in our opinion to get for the PSP than the Metal Slug Anthology. Sony needs A LOT of help for it's PSP and they need great 2-D games to ever have a chance of crowning themselves king in the portable arena.

Mark of the Wolves 2

This game has been under speculation for quite some time and has been confirmed years ago that it was 'almost' completed. What we know for sure about Mark of the Wolves is that there will be a version stemming off from it, not necessarily Mark of the Wolves 2 only because it simply cannot be completed for reasons that we cannot disclose. The next variant title coming from the Mark of the Wolves storyline has been confirmed that the game engine in this will not be the same as the original, which many hardcore SNK fans have felt is the best they have to offer up to this point. We'll just have to wait and see how the game play turns out, but we're quite confident this new version will rock the house and produce some record sales.

PS3 Titles

Not much to report here except two titles has already been decided on by SNK Playmore to appear on Sony's PS3. Yup, it's going to be in HD for sure and as for the titles, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to guess what they will be. Don't ask us, we know, but our lips are zip-locked unfortunately.

SNK and CAPCOM

With the recent announcement of SNK vs. Capcom Card Fighters DS, some have speculated that there are more SNK vs. Capcom titles on the horizon. This last title completes and exhausts the original contract that both companies agreed upon. SvC: CFDS was the last title SNK Playmore could produce using the Capcom licensed characters. For SvC2 to ever appear, a new contract must be negotiated. Conversely, Capcom cannot produce their versus versions using SNK IP's for the same reasons.

SNK Playmore and Sammy

Under the original agreement, SNK Playmore was to produce 5 Titles for Sammy's Atomiswave system. With Metal Slug 6 being the 5th and last title, where is SNK Playmore going next? Many has speculated why SNK Playmore initially offered these titles to Sammy in the first place. SNK Playmore was reciprocating Sammy for their assistance to SNK for various business ventures and with the favor returned and fulfilled, SNK Playmore must now decide whether they should continue to take their IP's to the arcade sector or completely focus on the home console market.

Above logo not official nor is the system confirmed.

As of May 12th, 2006, we did not hear any confirmed announcements of SNK Playmore's plans for the arcade sector. Months before the announcement of SNK Playmore developing for Sammy's Atomiswave (around October 2002), SNK Playmore JP did have plans to develop a successor to the NEO•GEO MVS, but the timing itself relied on the current status of the market, which is quite dismal at the moment outside of Japan. Our gut feeling is SNK Playmore will continue it's arcade run on an exisiting 3rd party hardware rather than investing millions into developing their own proprietary hardware (but SNK Playmore has surprised us many times before). An announcement may be made at the JAMMA AM Show in September 2006 on what their plans for the arcade market would be.

On different note, many speculators and analysts have felt that the Atomiswave was a poor choice by SNK as the successor to the NEO•GEO because of the lack of sales/distribution, but the fact is, the Atomiswave didn't sell well simply because it couldn't get bootlegged. Now how does this make any sense at all? From a fan's point-of-view, what he or she doesn't see is how games sell through and obtain mass market.

Because the Atomiswave games cannot be copied, the price of each title is maintained a high level for long periods of time (more control on price because bootleggers cannot undercut the market and force prices of the legitimate copies down to compete), hence the effects of this is lower distribution at a higher more stable cost. With the new NEO•GEO MVS titles having bootleg copies as short as just one week after the official release, this forced SNK Playmore to drop it's initial price to less than half or more of the starting price, and continuing to drop as one would say, 'like a rock.' The effect of all this: higher volume sales (because the price is lower), greater distribution (market is broader, because of the bootleg market) and lower margins, which created a net loss for SNK Playmore. In essence, this provided for a higher distribution rate, giving an image of more sell through, but the net effect in the end, again, is detrimental to it's profits.

So generally speaking, once a game is bootlegged, it causes a chain effect to happen as mentioned above more people will have access to it, which gamers see as successful, because there is so much more exposure out there of a particular title, but in reality, they were working at a loss from the initial to the latter stages.

Lastly, some may argue that the newer releases on the Atomiswave by SNK isn't as good as on the NEO•GEO MVS is simply ludicrous only because those are the same people who have not played the newer games. Anyone who has given KOF XI a try can tell you that this King of Fighters is far superior to any other fighter SNK has ever made. There is simply no comparison. To reiterate, SNK's decision to go Sammy Atomiswave was to fulfill a favor and in doing so, they created some of their best titles yet. Those who believe the 'old' SNK is better are the same people who still haven't gotten over the last break up with their ex's. As sad as it may seem, this is true for some NEO•GEO fans out there. Our condolences.

So, SNK Playmore has a lot of business options for it's future. They have to decide on where they're going with the arcade sector and most importantly for today's times, decide what to release for the PS3 and Nintendo Wii when those two unveil. Development costs for next generation systems are higher than ever, so every title in development must be carefully planned and tested to ensure success. For now, we do what we do best...play the good classic titles and wait for the new ones to come out. One last plead.....Mark of the Wolves Sequel. Not too much to ask for.