The Neo Geo Pocket Color (NGPC), released in 1999 by SNK, was a significant development in the handheld gaming industry. While it didn't achieve the widespread commercial success of its competitors, such as Nintendo's Game Boy Color, the Neo Geo Pocket Color made a lasting impact with its impressive hardware, unique control scheme, and high-quality games. This article explores the history of the Neo Geo Pocket Color, its role in the gaming industry, and its influence on handheld gaming.
1. The Origins of the Neo Geo Pocket Color
The Neo Geo Pocket Color was SNK's second attempt at entering the handheld gaming market, following the release of the Neo Geo Pocket in 1998. The original Neo Geo Pocket was a monochrome handheld system that launched in Japan, but it struggled to gain traction in a market dominated by Nintendo. In response, SNK quickly moved to release a more advanced, color-screen version, which became the Neo Geo Pocket Color.
SNK aimed to compete directly with the Game Boy Color, which had revitalized the handheld gaming market. The NGPC was designed with superior hardware and a focus on high-quality gaming experiences, especially in the arcade and fighting game genres, where SNK had already established a strong presence with its popular Neo Geo home console.
2. Technological Advancements
The Neo Geo Pocket Color was a step up from its predecessor in several key areas:
Color Screen: The most obvious upgrade was the addition of a 65,536-color display. While not every game utilized the full color spectrum, the vibrant graphics made games far more visually appealing than the monochrome Neo Geo Pocket or even the Game Boy Color.
Long Battery Life: One of the standout features of the NGPC was its efficient battery usage. The device could run for up to 40 hours on just two AA batteries, which was a major advantage over many other handheld systems at the time.
Clicky Joystick: Rather than using a traditional D-pad, the Neo Geo Pocket Color featured a mini joystick. This eight-directional, micro-switched joystick offered precision and was ideal for fighting games, one of SNK’s strongest genres. The "clicky" nature of the joystick became a favorite among fans for its responsiveness.
32-bit Processor: While the NGPC was a 16-bit system, its 32-bit RISC CPU provided better performance and allowed for more detailed graphics and smoother gameplay than many of its competitors.
3. Game Library
One of the Neo Geo Pocket Color's greatest strengths was its game library, which featured high-quality titles, many of which were based on SNK’s well-known arcade franchises. While the total number of games was smaller than that of the Game Boy Color, the quality of the NGPC’s library was praised by fans and critics alike.
Fighting Games: As SNK was renowned for its fighting games, it’s no surprise that the NGPC was home to some of the best portable versions of these games. Titles like SNK vs. Capcom: Match of the Millennium, King of Fighters R-2, and Samurai Shodown! 2 brought the competitive arcade experience to the palm of your hand. SNK’s fighting games were optimized for the NGPC’s joystick, giving players a degree of control unmatched by other handheld systems.
Action and Adventure Games: Besides fighting games, the NGPC offered excellent action-adventure titles like Metal Slug: 1st Mission and Metal Slug: 2nd Mission, which were portable adaptations of SNK’s popular run-and-gun series. These games retained the fast-paced action and distinct art style of the arcade versions.
Puzzle and Strategy Games: The system also had a few standout puzzle and strategy games, such as Puzzle Link and Biomotor Unitron, the latter being a mecha-themed RPG that catered to fans of both strategy and action.
Third-Party Support: While SNK developed most of the games for the NGPC, there were also some notable third-party titles. For instance, Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure, developed by Sega, was a well-received platformer that helped bolster the NGPC’s game library.
4. Crossovers and Collaborations
One of the most unique aspects of the Neo Geo Pocket Color was its crossover collaborations, particularly with Capcom. The most notable title to emerge from this partnership was SNK vs. Capcom: Match of the Millennium, a fighting game that featured characters from both companies’ rosters. This game allowed players to pit Ryu from Capcom’s Street Fighter series against Terry Bogard from SNK’s Fatal Fury series, creating one of the first major crossovers in fighting game history.
This collaboration between SNK and Capcom was a historic moment for the gaming industry, as it paved the way for future crossovers between different game companies. The success of this title on the NGPC also helped build excitement for later entries in the Capcom vs. SNK series on home consoles.
5. Competitive Challenges
Despite its strengths, the Neo Geo Pocket Color faced significant challenges in the market. The biggest obstacle was the overwhelming dominance of the Game Boy Color and, soon after, the Game Boy Advance. Nintendo’s massive game library, widespread brand recognition, and extensive third-party support made it difficult for the NGPC to capture a large share of the handheld gaming market.
Additionally, SNK was going through financial troubles during this period, which affected its ability to market the Neo Geo Pocket Color effectively. While the NGPC was popular in Japan and developed a loyal following among hardcore gamers, it struggled to gain significant traction in North America and Europe.
6. Innovative Features
Though it ultimately didn’t achieve commercial success, the Neo Geo Pocket Color introduced several features that were ahead of its time:
Console Connectivity: One innovative feature of the NGPC was its ability to connect to the Sega Dreamcast via a special cable. This allowed for cross-platform functionality, where players could unlock special features in certain Dreamcast games by linking their Neo Geo Pocket Color. This type of connectivity between home consoles and handhelds was still a relatively new concept and helped set the stage for similar features in later generations of gaming systems.
Internal Calendar and Clock: The NGPC also included an internal calendar and clock, which were used in some games to unlock time-based events. This added a layer of interactivity and replay value to games like SNK vs. Capcom: Match of the Millennium.
7. The Decline and End of the Neo Geo Pocket Color
By 2000, SNK’s financial troubles had worsened, leading to the company’s acquisition by Aruze, a Japanese pachinko manufacturer. Aruze’s interest in SNK’s arcade and console divisions was limited, and as a result, the production and support for the Neo Geo Pocket Color were discontinued.
The NGPC’s short lifespan (1999–2001) meant that many of its potential innovations were never fully realized. Despite a strong library of games and some innovative hardware features, it couldn’t withstand the overwhelming competition from Nintendo’s Game Boy series.
8. Legacy of the Neo Geo Pocket Color
Although the Neo Geo Pocket Color had a relatively short time in the spotlight, its legacy continues to be felt in the gaming industry today. The console is often praised by retro gaming enthusiasts for its high-quality game library, innovative controls, and dedication to arcade-style gameplay.
Collectors and fans of SNK still seek out NGPC consoles and games, and in recent years, some of the system’s best titles have been re-released on modern platforms like the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4, introducing a new generation of gamers to the Neo Geo Pocket Color’s unique offerings.
Additionally, the NGPC’s emphasis on crossover titles and its collaboration with Capcom were influential in the development of future fighting games. The idea of bringing together characters from different game universes became a major trend in the gaming industry, leading to popular franchises like Marvel vs. Capcom and Super Smash Bros..
9. Conclusion
The Neo Geo Pocket Color may not have reached the commercial heights of the Game Boy Color, but it remains an important piece of gaming history. With its innovative joystick, high-quality game library, and pioneering crossovers, the NGPC carved out a unique niche in the handheld gaming world. Today, it’s remembered fondly by retro gamers and serves as a reminder of SNK’s bold efforts to compete in a highly competitive industry. Despite its short lifespan, the Neo Geo Pocket Color's impact on gaming endures.