Welcome to our review of the NeoGeo smash hit SNK Gal’s Fighters – and yes, we tested it on the Nintendo Switch (with Neo Geo Look). Let’s dive in and discover if the title still holds up, 2o years after the original release.
Background
Let’s give you guys some background information first. This particular entry features female characters from various SNK franchises, where the characters compete in a match named Queen of Fighters tournament. It’s organized by a mysterious “Miss X”, with whoever being able to defeat “Miss X” (in reality, Iori Yagami dressed as a woman) being given the K’ Talisman, which grants any wish. The characters’ sprites were drawn in the same anime super-deformed style as other fighters on the system. And since this is a Neo Geo release, it is a super-deformed pixel style!
Since I was not super familiar with SNK, I dug up some basic information about them as well:
SNK Corporation (株式会社SNK, Kabushiki-gaisha Esu Enu Kē) is a Japanese video game hardware and software company. It is the successor to the company Shin Nihon Kikaku and presently owns the SNK video game brand and the Neo Geo video game platform. SNK’s predecessor Shin Nihon Kikaku was founded in 1978 by Eikichi Kawasaki. The corporation was initially named Shin Nihon Kikaku (新日本企画, lit. “New Japan Project”). The name was then informally shortened to SNK Corporation in 1981 before becoming the company’s official name in 1986.
Gameplay:
They are most notable for games like:
- Fatal Fury
- Samurai Showdown
- Metal Slug
- The King of Fighters
And many more. I played a few of the games I found on the list, and I noted the most notable (to me at least). Gal’s Fighters plays similar to other NGPC fighting games, such as King of Fighters R-1 and R-2, although slightly faster, and with 1-on-1 matches. Combos are similar in style with games like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat, and are in both hand-held and docked mode enjoyable. A notable fact is a feature in which players can equip items to influence the matches; many of the items, however, have no effect on the gameplay. The game can be completed in a few hours, and it does not really matter which character you play with. Just pick one that suits your playing style. I was fond of both Shiki and Leona, but that’s up to you.
SNK Gal’s Fighters Roster:
The roster of the game consists of a total of 11 fighters (including three hidden ones) – did your favorite make the cut?
- Mai Shiranui – Fatal Fury 2
- Athena Asamiya – Psycho Soldier (outfit from The King of Fighters ’99: Millennium Battle)
- Yuri Sakazaki – Art of Fighting 2
- Leona Heidern – The King of Fighters ’96
- Shermie – The King of Fighters ’97
- Nakoruru – Samurai Shodown
- Shiki – Samurai Shodown 64
- Akari Ichijou – The Last Blade
Hidden:
- Whip – The King of Fighters ’99
- Yuki – The King of Fighters ’97
Boss:
- Miss X – The King of Fighters ’95
Conclusion:
A good feature (which should be included in more retro-re-releases) is the digital manual. It features awesome content, complete backgrounds on all personas, and a complete set of moves. So, to conclude, SNK Gal’s Fighters is the closest thing we get in the line of Virtual Consoles. If you are a fan of the series (or SNK titles in general), this could be one you should pick up. For me? Not so much – it was fun, decent and ‘ok’, but could never compare to the fighting games on the eShop. SNK Gal’s Fighters is one for the fans, that’s for sure.
