Everyone undoubtedly loves Metal Slug and its many installments (well, maybe not so much Metal Slug 3D), but how about the NDS and PSP exclusives Metal Slug 7 and Metal Slug XX? This month we're taking a closer look at both versions and how well they compare to their Neo Geo counterparts. It's also worth mentioning that to this day this is the last genuine Metal Slug Run n' Gun game that still makes use of the sprites from the original Metal Slug from 1995.



In case you're a NDS or PSP owner, what are your experiences with these games? Or if you aren't into handhelds, maybe you even checked out the Xbox Live Arcade version? Please tell us so in this month's GOTM thread.

Maybe someone's fancy a High Score Challenge for this one? If so, send Merlin or Priest a PM to get one up and running.

Metal Slug 7 / XX Thread -->

Metal Slug 7 / XX High Score Challenge (upon request, please contact Merlin or Priest in case of interest)

We're back on the Neo Geo Pocket Color, this time with a rather unique RPG by Yumekobo, the masterminds behind Blazing Star. Biomotor Unitron took many notes from other games and series such as Pokemon, Dragon Quest or even Evangelion and delivered a solid title for SNK's handheld.



Even though Biomotor Unitron earned quite solid critics, it kinda fell into oblivion as SNK went bust one year later in 2000. The sequel was not even released outside of Japan.

Have you already played this one? Share your experiences with us and meet us at the monthly GOTM thread!

Biomotor Unitron Thread -->

Biomotor Unitron High Score Challenge (upon request, please contact Merlin or Priest in case of interest)

There's still a considerable amount of games to cover our monthly discussions, no worries! This July we're taking a closer look at the first 3D entries of the King of Fighters franchise. While some of you may cringe at the mere mentioning of these games, others have found them quite enjoyable and way better than their reputation.



Of course we're talking of the Maximum Impact games that were released between 2004 and 2007. It's hard to believe that they are now at least then years old already - time flies, and not only for our Neo Geo games.

What are your experiences and thoughts about these spin-offs? A waste of time or an enjoyable entry to a legendary series? You'll be the judge in the discussion thread!

The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact 1 & 2 Thread -->

The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact 1 & 2 High Score Challenge (upon request, please contact Merlin or Priest in case)

Now that took longer than necessary! Herewith the (normally) monthly GOTM is back with another title from SNK Playmore. In 2005 they decided to let their third cash cow Samurai Shodown deliver a golden calf to the arcade platform Atomiswave. This time they took almost all the known characters from the previous games and crammed them into this dream match installment.



But was that calf as golden as it shone? In fact the SNK fanbase is a bit divided on Samurai Shodown VI. While some players celebrated the return of the series after the Neo Geo's "death" in 2004 others were not satisfied by the gameplay mechanics of their favorite oriental swordsmen and -women. How about you? You own the Japanese PS2 version or the Samurai Shodown Anthology? And how about another HSC with this one?

Samurai Shodown VI Thread -->

Samurai Shodown VI High Score Challenge (upon request, please contact Merlin or Priest in case)

SNK (formerly known as SNK Playmore before the recent rebranding) just announced the PC version of The King of Fighters XIV on Steam. The release is scheduled for June 15th 2017. PC players who waited for a port with full controller-support, netplay and local VS mode can now look forward to this.

(The trailer screams for Billy Mays though, doesn't it?)




Simultaneously with the regular version SNK will also release a separate Deluxe Pack version which includes the digital soundtrack, artbook and the previous DLC characters and costumes.

The King of Fighters XIV Thread -->

Polygon recently released an interview with three members of the original Samurai Shodown development team, Samurai Gumi. Since interviews or public discussions with former SNK employees are quite rare (also due to the back then typical anonymization of Japanese development staff), the following excerpt gives us a good insight into the minds of the creators behind Haohmaru & Co.



Credit for this brilliant interview goes to James Mielke of Polygon. At this point it's also worth mentioning that a few weeks ago another interview popped up with Keisuke Nishikawa who worked on the Real Bout Fatal Fury series. You will find the links below:

The Making of Samurai Shodown [Polygon] -->

The untold stories behind the games of Real Bout Fatal Fury [PlayStation.Blog] -->

NGFL Discussion Thread -->

Worries aside, fellow Neo Geoians. We still have some related games to cover in our monthly GOTMs. This month we're dusting our PS2 or Atomiswave board to take a look at one of SNK Playmore finest games after the downfall of the original SNK team. We wind back to 2005, to an era where the PS2 was flourishing and the Neo Geo already was officially buried - but definitely not SNK's legendary franchises like KOF.



With King of Fighters XI SNKP continued the success story that they already carried on with KoF 2003. This one still has the fast tag system, new gameplay mechanics and characters from Garou and other SNK franchises. What are your guys' thoughts about the eleventh game? Does it do justice to the franchise's epic legacy? Or was it an effortless cash-in?... Let's find out here:

The King of Fighters XI Thread -->

The King of Fighters XI Thread High Score Challenge (upon request, please contact Merlin or Priest in case)