When Thrash Rally was released in 1991 players commented that it was a fun game, but the graphics were horribly behind the times. Five years later, ADK revisited the formula while giving it a huge graphical upgrade.
Overtop
Genre: Racing Players: 1 Size: 210 Megs Released on: MVS, AES, NeoGeo CD
Brief Description:
Overtop is a top down/isometric racing game from ADK released in 1996. It is the spiritual successor to Thrash Rally and comparable to Neo Drift Out, also released in 1996.
I do like this game quite abit, i prefer Neo Driftout, and i wouldnt really call this any sort of successor to Thrash Rally, cause its not the same sort of game. Its too different.
I havent played it alot yet, but i do have it on AES, and ill be getting into it as soon as i can!!
Never really tried out Overtop, but judging from the pics and the slightly cheesy presentation it doesn't look like it could beat Neo Drift Out. I think while Visco released Neo Drift Out, ADK just wanted another piece of the Neo Geo's Racing cake, so they released that game in the very same year. I surely will give it a go in the HSC!
Got this one for NGCD and I've always really enjoyed it. There's a nice variety of vehicles to choose from just like in Thrash Rally, the graphics and music are very good and there are plenty of shortcuts in the game. I would have preferred having multiple different stages though like in Neo Drift Out rather than one really long course. OverTop is well worth checking out but I'd say Neo Drift Out is without doubt the best Neo Geo racer.
So far on the poll I'm the one who gave Overtop it's sole vote. Admittedly I haven't spent loads of time with Neo Drift Out, but I preferred the tighter handling in Overtop. The games are so similar that it barely matters though, unless you're looking into buying only one of them. It's too bad Overtop hasn't seen a re-release on Virtual Console or anything yet.
As a fan of old school top down/isometric racers I still have to say none of the NG racers can compete with the best in the genre. Rock N' Roll Racing and RC Pro AM 2 will probably always top my list. The arcade style gameplay of Overtop and Neo Drift Out mean they're still a lot of fun though.
Edited by reelmojo on 15. November 2011 03:24
Umm its tricky as this and Neo Drift Out are so similar but I think all 3 of the NGs top view racers are decent games that sit almost uncomfortably with the NGs libary. I havent played them enough to warrant a favorite but would suggest getting Overtop or N Drift if you fancy one as Thrash Rally is very dated.
I voted for Overtop too, its my favourite Neo Geo racing game. I can see why people think Drift Out is better but Overtop is just the kind of game i like - Like Mojo i like the viewpoint, and i love the graphics. This was one of the games that made me want to get a Neo Geo just when i saw screenshots of it. I love those kind of graphics. Gameplay wise its good fun
There's lots of things that could be improved in this game, but i still really like it. It also shows you why the NG could do with transparency effects on the sprites - the headlight effect in the tunnel sucks big time!
Drift out is great but when all is said and done - it's a rally game, and we all know those can be a bit dull. If it was called Colin McRae's Drift Out you would probably steer well clear.
"There's a guy on Geometry Wars. I can't remember his Gamertag, but his score is far above anyone else in the world, and it makes me think this person doesn't have a life, doesn't work, and is completely and sickly addicted to this one game."
I really dislike the continuous course in Overtop, a real kill-joy. No to mention the choices for motors are a silly, imo. Music is also very meh.
Neo Drift Out has it all, so when I played Overtop... it REALLY paled in every aspect to me. I've played Overtop enough to not really want to play it again, seems pointless when there is a clearly better racer on the Neo.
shot in the eye
shot in the brain
shot in the ass...
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