The Neo Geo first launched in Japan in 1990 and quickly came to North America. It was a groundbreaking system, featuring a powerful 24-bit CPU and graphics in both arcade and home versions. While the home console was very expensive – offering the same power as the arcade and using the same game cartridges – the Neo Geo was hugely popular in arcades throughout the 1990s and boasted a fantastic library of games. From the 156 officially released titles, we’ve chosen the ten best. And yes, many of them are fighting games! The Neo Geo truly excelled in that genre, so get ready to remember some of its best, alongside a few titles from other game types.
10) The Last Blade 2
Most fighting games on the Neo Geo followed a typical formula, but the Last Blade series stood out by focusing on weapon-based combat. The Last Blade 2 improved on the original with additions like an EX mode that boosted both speed and power. It also told a story through longer cutscenes, making it feel more like a movie than many other fighting games of the time. While not perfectly balanced, the game encouraged players to master each character’s unique abilities. The Last Blade 2 was a great fighting game, but it remains relatively unknown despite being released on multiple platforms over the years.
9) The King of Fighters ’98
Many fans consider The King of Fighters ‘98 to be the high point of the series, a big step up from the previous four games. Unlike earlier titles, this game abandoned a continuing story, opting for exciting, one-off “dream matches” as a special edition. Players build a team of three fighters and battle through the King of Fighters tournament to face the boss, Rugal Bernstein. Though Rugal died in a previous game (The King of Fighters ‘95), the lack of a storyline meant fans didn’t mind. The game also features alternate character versions with classic moves and offers players two different fighting styles. KOF ‘98 is widely considered the best game in the King of Fighters series and a standout fighting game of its time.
8) Far East of Eden: Kabuki Klash
Tengai Makyo is a role-playing game that was only released in Japan. Its spin-off, Far East of Eden: Kabuki Klash, was the only game in the series to come to North America, and that’s how many players experienced it. Kabuki Klash is a fighting game that plays a lot like The Last Blade series, but adds power-ups and impressive special moves. Players can battle with weapons that can be dropped and retrieved, all while enjoying a captivating storyline. It’s a shame Far East of Eden: Kabuki Klash wasn’t part of a larger series, as it’s a fantastic and largely forgotten gem on its system.
7) Blazing Star
Stepping away from fighting games for a moment, we have Blazing Star, a fast-paced shooting game that follows another title we’ll discuss later. Players choose from a variety of ships, each with unique abilities. While still challenging, Blazing Star is more accessible than the original game. It boasts improved graphics and impressive boss battles, but didn’t make a huge splash when it first came out. However, recent re-releases on smartphones and consoles have brought it renewed attention and praise for its enjoyable gameplay and stylish design. Blazing Star continues to be a fun experience even years after its initial debut.
6) Art of Fighting
The original Art of Fighting, released in 1992, is often considered the best in the series. It first appeared on the Neo Geo and was later made available on other platforms. The game centers around Ryo Sakazaki and Robert Garcia, two fighters determined to clean up crime in South Town and find Ryo’s kidnapped sister. Like other fighting games, it includes special moves and powerful Desperation Moves, which add a layer of strategy to battles. A compelling story sets Art of Fighting apart, but it’s also simply a great fighting game. It introduced several features now common in the genre, such as zooming in and out, taunting, and quick dashes.
5) Metal Slug 3
The Metal Slug series is full of fantastic run-and-gun games, but many fans believe Metal Slug 3 is the best. It built on the first two games with better graphics and sound, plus a lot of new additions. These included new vehicles, weapons, and a branching path system that would become a key part of the series. It was a huge hit when it came out in 2000, and it’s remained popular thanks to being re-released on newer consoles several times.
4) Bust-A-Move
Known as either Puzzle Bobble or Bust-A-Move, this game is widely considered one of the best tile-matching games from the 1990s. Inspired by the 1986 arcade game Bubble Bobble, it uses familiar characters and themes. The gameplay is simple: players match and pop colored bubbles to prevent a rising line from reaching the top of the screen. When playing against another person, popping bubbles sends obstacles to their side, making the game even more challenging and fun. While enjoyable on its own, Bust-A-Move is best experienced with a friend.
3) Pulstar
Pulstar is a predecessor to Blazing Star, offering similar gameplay inspired by the R-Type series. Players navigate stages horizontally, destroying waves of enemies and culminating in boss battles. Known for its intense, challenging bullet patterns, Pulstar was a groundbreaking title as the first Neo Geo game to use 3D pre-rendered graphics and remains a beloved classic. The original game’s high difficulty actually led to the creation of the sequel, which was made easier to play, though many fans still prefer Pulstar.
2) Fatal Fury: King of Fighters
For many who remember the Neo Geo, the Fatal Fury series is a standout fighting game franchise. This is no surprise, as Fatal Fury games were among the best of the 1990s, a time when Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat were also popular. Fatal Fury: King of Fighters was the first game in the series, and the first fighting game released on the Neo Geo. Many fans consider it the best of the twelve Fatal Fury games, with all but one being released for the Neo Geo. The game’s emphasis on special moves, precise timing, and a developing story make it a great title, and it was specifically created to go head-to-head with Street Fighter II.
1) Samurai Showdown II
Choosing the best game for the Neo Geo was tough, but we ultimately selected Samurai Showdown II. This weapon-based fighting game is the second in the series, and while the original is great, Samurai Showdown II really stands out. It’s a huge improvement over the first game, making it one of the best fighting games ever made. It boasts fantastic controls, special moves, and a diverse cast of characters. Notably, it pioneered an offensive blocking system that later became a standard feature in games like Street Fighter III and many others. When it comes to the Neo Geo, Samurai Showdown II is the clear champion.
What Neo Geo game do you enjoy playing the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!
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2025-12-05 17:13