Genre: Compilation
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Developer: SNK Playmore
Release Date: April 29, 2008

Few publishers have managed to build up the rabid fan base quite like SNK. Sure, their fanboy legions may be surpassed by those of almighty Nintendo, but there are few other publishers out there whose games have left such a lasting impression on so many people. As any proper arcade gaming fan can tell you, there were few things better in life than dropping quarters into a Neo-Geo machine and whiling away the hours (and your allowance) on some of the must fun and addictive games ever. Well now the thrill is back, as the publisher is set to release SNK Arcade Classics: Volume 1.

The compilation includes a ton of games, some well known, some more anonymous. Let me list for you the whole roster, with special emphasis on those games that make this disc a must-buy for old-school arcade fans. The collection includes Art of Fighting, Baseball Stars 2, Burning Fight, Fatal Fury, King of Fighters '94, King of Monsters, Last Resort, Magician Lord, Metal Slug , Neo Turf Masters, Samurai Showdown, Sengoku, Shock Troopers, Super Sidekicks 3, Top Hunter and World Heroes. As you can see, there are a lot of gems in this list, with a few absolute diamonds sparkling on top.

The compilation will be released for the PS2, PSP and Wii, and it is strongly recommended that Wii owners have a classic controller handy. While the Wiimote is functional, it can be very difficult to play some of these games without an analog stick and four face buttons. If you want to save yourself a lot of headaches, go ahead and spring for a classic controller when you go to pick this up.

There's a lot to love in SNK Arcade Classics: Volume 1, and it stands to reason that even if all of these titles are direct ports, having them collected in one place makes this a collection worth owning. If some of your greatest childhood memories revolve around bright red Neo-Geo arcade cabinets, then you'll be able to feel it all come rushing back later this spring.