Top 10 Neo Geo Games

Neo Geo collecting is not for the faint of heart. It’s going to take some parts patience, a bit of luck and a fat wallet in order to truly collect for the AES or MVS.

Luckily with the advancements of FPGA technology, items like the Mister have made things easier if you just want a true plug and play solution that stays true to the hardware.

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The Neo Geo was the cream of the crop console in the 90s, and the flagship AES console retailed for US$649.99, which is an insane price for back when it was released, let alone today’s standards.

Here are the top 10 best Neo Geo games released on the Neo Geo console!

Metal Slug X

The run and gun action of Metal Slug is still a go to in the franchise. The art style and graphics are just glorious and fantastic to look at. Metal Slug X is a variation of Metal Slug 2 that removes any of the slowdown that was plagued within the original game.

If you’re into the likes of Contra, Gunstar Heroes or Cuphead, you’ll enjoy a playthrough of Metal Slug X!

Samurai Shodown II

We remember those big red cabinets that were everywhere from pizza joins, malls and even your local laundry mat had them tucked away in a corner begging for quarters.

Samurai Shodown II is a fantastic fighting game that is put on a massive 202 meg cartridge. This gave you added characters, cooler level designs and even better controls than the original.

While Capcom was delivering quality arcade fighters, it pushed for the fighting game competition to be bigger and better. That’s exactly what you got in Samurai Shodown II. This is the reason why Samurai Shodown II is coming in at our number 9 spot in the best Neo Geo games of all time!

Windjammers

One of the most notorious games that haven’t been released on other consoles for years until being brought to the Switch and PS4 is the sports game that really resembles a game of Pong.

It may feel dated to most, but Windjammers is a fantastic experience just playing against the AI. Playing multiplayer adds for a wonderful head to head experience against a friend, either locally or online.

Blazing Star

Blazing Star could very well be the most underrated shmup ever. It most certainly deserves a spot on our the best Neo Geo games of all time list. The most appealing aspects is the game’s visuals that have just awesome moving backgrounds.

Impressive graphics are submersed throughout the game. The design of enemies and bosses are also animated quite well.

Choosing between one of six ships, each of the characters have different play styles that suit your need. Even if you die, you get to select a different character with different shooting style.

Neo Turf Masters

If you’re lucky enough to ever find a copy of Neo Turf Masters, considering it’s one of the most rare games on the Neo Geo today, you’d be hard pressed with how good this golf game actually is.

Bringing you a variety of courses and golfers to choose from, Neo Turf Masters gets it right with the tight nit controls and fantastic graphics. Just make sure you stay away from those sand traps!

Shock Troopers 2

A classic example of how the Neo Geo hardware was pressed to the limit with this overhead run and gun shooter. Being able to launch grenades and hop in and out of tanks made for a fantastic experience.

Grab a buddy and play it coop as you take down the extremely exaugurated bosses and make your way throughout each of the levels.

The pricing of Shock Troopers 2 is through the roof if you’re looking for an original copy. Shock Troopers 2 is a great game overall and is deserving of a shout out on our best Neo Geo games list.

Baseball Stars 2

In an era where baseball games were trying to be as realistic as possible, Baseball Stars 2 was extremely exaugurated. The pitching, hitting and fielding were all great.

The settle things really make a difference like the animated runner heading to first base off of a hit. As a baseball game, this one really holds up for any fan of retro sports games.

Magician Lord

The pack in title for the Neo Geo AES. Action platformers are great games and Magician Lord really showcased what the Neo Geo brought to the table in the 90s.

You’ll have a series of doors that can sometimes set you back or power up your character with separate abilities. Each transformation needs a different set of orbs.

Magician Lord is also the hardest game on the Neo Geo. Be prepared to have a stack full of quarters in case you see one of those big red cabinets out in the wild. Magician Lord is such a rewarding experience as you make your way throughout each of the stages it’s no wonder that we have it on our list of the best Neo Geo games.

Garou Mark of The Wolves

Dubbed the last Fatal Fury game on the Neo Geo, released all the way in 1999. Some of the special moves were so visually impressive. For it’s time, the gameplay is fantastic.

With someone looking for a wonderful retro fighting game, look no further than Garou Mark of The Wolves.

Metal Slug 3

Metal Slug 3 is the the best Neo Geo game of all time and proves that the formula for the gameplay still had something new to bring to the table. With new weapons and vehicles to choose from, the format for the classic run and gun action game was in full effect.

There’s also new gameplay levels not to be seen before in a Metal Slug game such as the shoot em up stage where you play in a space ship.

Metal Slug 3 is also the last game that was released before SNK had declared bankruptcy in 2001.

Honorable Mentions

We decided to add this section for you in case you were looking for Neo Geo games that were entirely new releases for the hardware, decades after Neo Geo has disbanded.

Neo XYX

Brought to you in 2013, Neo XYX is a vertical shmup along the likes of Truxton. The gameplay is extremely smooth with very little slowdown along the way.

It’s not exactly a bullet hell game but does get a little hectic along the later gameplay stages. If you’re familiar with shmups, think a cross between Toaplan and Raizing style games.

This shows that new Neo Geo games are being brought to the table and can absolutely blow you away with how great they actually are!

Xeno Crisis

Brought to you by the developers Bitmap Bureau, Xeno Crisis gives you the gameplay style of Smash TV with the art style and theme of Aliens.

The addition of new weapons that are handed out seldom throughout each of the levels gives you an added touch that let you get a much needed boost since the difficulty is so high in Xeno Crisis.

We hope you enjoyed our list of the best Neo Geo games of all time. Please let us know your thoughts on Twitter!