When in doubt on what to play, or you have an hour or so to kill, pop in Shock Troopers. One of my favorite Run and gun shooters of all time. Thanks for revisiting this classic. 🍺
I was born in 89, so I didn't get to experience much of the arcades when I was a kid, but whenever I went, it was always an experience for me. The sounds that emitted from the myriad of games being played, the flashing lights, the beautiful colors from all the 2d backgrounds, the detailed sprites, and the gorgeous artwork on all the arcade machines just fascinated me. I just got a PC and started searching for and playing all the arcade games I missed out on as a kid. I've played so many games, such as Cadillacs & Dinosaurs, The Punisher, Arormered Warriors, a myriad of the original arcade versions of SNES games that I grew up on, and now this. I cannot get enough of these old arcade classics.
First played this with my friends at university on an MVS, fell in love with it, and it is the only conversion cart I own. It's so damn good, in all regards! Always be rolling 😁
I was so happy to see a new video from your channel. Nice, thorough job of covering this classic game. Every time I see high quality footage of Neo Geo games, I am amazed at the artistry of their work in the sprite era. As the years go by, these game still look awesome and definitely stand the test of time. Hope you're doing well, my friend.
Thanks! I am doing well and hope you are as well. I agree that the graphical quality of the Neo Geo still holds up well, especially once you get into the mid-90's releases and after.
Awesome vid! I was a huge Ikari Warriors fan in the arcades as a kid, but I didn't stumble into this title until I caught the 'retro gaming' bug as an adult. Without a doubt, it has been one of my favorite 'new' discoveries since that point in time. Thanks for spotlighting this great game and giving it the attention it deserves!
I've got the black cart with the holographic label. It has the 238/PG1 ROM. Only 1 life in my version of the game. Thanks for the informative video, I never knew about the difference until now.
The version on the Neo Geo Mini is the version where you only have one life in solo mode and everyone shares the same health bar in team battle mode, but the version on the Nintendo Switch eShop is the one where you have three lives in solo mode and each member has their own health bar in team battle. I don't know why they used the former on the Neo Geo Mini, since if I am not mistaken that is an older ROM set, whereas the version on the Switch where everyone in team battle has their own health bar and you have 3 lives in solo mode is the newer ROM set. Anyway, to quote Mark Bussler of Classic Game Room: "There should be a whole day of the week dedicated to Shock Troopers! Where you sit around, crack beers and play Shock Troopers! Make it happen!". Also, as far as overhead run and gun shooters go, this reminds me most of Heavy Barrely by Data East. The enemies on jet packs in this game are even very similar to the jetpack enemies in Heavy Barrel. I wouldn't be surprised if Saurus featured former Data East employees who worked on the game, especially being that Data East released a few Neo Geo titles of their own.
Thanks for the details on the other releases. I can see there is inconsistency for that. Shock Troopers has received its due an an elite title for the Neo Geo.
Shock troopers is simply a work of art with regards to its gameplay and animations. Run and Gun gameplay at its absolute finest and an incredibly easy game to find and play for yourself and definitely a game that shouldn't be missed especially those fond of arcade style gameplay.
This is my favorite shooter on the mini, I Love it even over the more famous Metsl Slug. I've been working on a 1 credit playthru the Jungle, so much fun!
Great to see you revisiting Shock Troopers for the Neo-Geo Neo. I still love this game and thought it was a fun addition to the Neo-Geo library. I would love to have this game in the collection as well bro. 8^) I posted this up on the Neo-Geo thread on Atariage.com for you. It's on post #24,284 for you to view. Thank you as always for sharing your works Neo. Always a pleasure to share them as well bro. 8^) Anthony..
Extensive! Even the PS 2 with it's "Emotion Engine" can't keep up with Shock Troopers made on the Neo Geo! I noticed many problems on the SNK Arcade Classics too. Excellent sprite work, challenging game mechanics, and blistering action. Plus, you're not just quarter feeding, but applying skill to your play throughs.
Yeah the PS2 version of SNK Arcade Classics had its fair share of issues. The worst one is Top Hunter: Roddy & Cathy, where the transition takes 30 seconds when you enter the bonus game. I tired my best to get through these recordings in as few credits as possible. Most of them took me 2 continues. The last one I did, I managed to get through it while using just one continue.
Thanks a lot! I guess it is a bit of mystery, considering 2nd Squad got an AES release. Too bad it didn't get ported to the Neo Geo CD, PS1, or Saturn.
About that PS2 SNK Arcade classics vol.1, I can't seem to find anything about a japanese release. I remember several US PS2 SNK compilations and ports having lots of issues like slowdown or music breaking during gameplay when compared to the japanese counterparts (KOF XI, Neo-Geo Battle Colosseum, KOF Collection, etc...) and the reason for this was that SNK for some bizarre reason based many of the US versions on the PAL versions. Some of these like KOF Collection even feature entirely different emulation than the Japanese versions! I can see there's a PAL version of SNK Arcade classics vol.1, so maybe they developed that one 1st and then based the US version on that too without properly optimizing it.
I looked up the Moby Games site and the PS2 version did not receive a Japanese release. The US version came out before the PAL one. I have several of them for the PSP: KoF Orochi Saga, Samurai Shodown Anthology, etc. and the games run poorly. Too much loading, pauses in gameplay, etc.
The PS2 port isn’t perfect. However, I’ve learned to like it. Admittedly, I had to learn or except the ‘drag’ or slower pacing of the Characters. However, once a Player becomes accustomed to play parameters of the PS2 port. Shock Troopers still delivers 💥 hence it’s inclusion on the compilation (imo) - Later NeoTurboManiac 🕹
It's really noticeable when you use a slow character like Big Mama, Maru, or Southern Cross. It threw me off, as I was used to the MVS and PSP versions. Southern Cross is my favorite character to use.
@@NeoTurboManiac78 I agree, although I didn’t have any MVS experience to make a comparison. However, I knew (or assumed) the Port wasn’t optimized for the PS2. I had to play several times w/all the Characters before I became accustomed to the overall controls. Big Momma is my go to Character however I tend to play w/Milky more. Also, ST is my 2nd fav Game on the compilation after Neo Turf Masters. ST may not be the best... however it’s my opinion that the Arcade Classics. Shouldn’t be overlooked for its flaws.
