Opinions please - best action game, best animation

Hey, guys. I only recently discovered the glory of SNK through the Metal Slug series. I'm simply floored by the overall quality of these titles; the attention to detail is just staggering. I've played and enjoyed some of the SNK fighters in the past, but I have to admit I really didn't pay that much attention until now.

I'd like to start a Neo-Geo collection, but the list of titles is pretty daunting. I'd appreciate your opinions on the following:

-Metal Slug series aside, what's the best action game?

-What games feature the best animation?

-Overall, what's the best fighting game?

Thanks a lot!

in my opinion the best fight is mark of the wolves. is a little short and it has 'only' 14 characters.

I`ll go with Samurai Shodown 2...Very cool
single-hit gameplay and very samuraish moves.

Originally posted by heatblazer:
<STRONG>I`ll go with Samurai Shodown 2...Very cool
single-hit gameplay and very samuraish moves.</STRONG>

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Hhhmmmmm.... For 2D, I'll go with heatblazer on this and vote Shin Samurai Spirits (Samurai Shodown 2), the benchmarked SF2THyper-ish in Katana-Battle action genre. But for 3D is Samurai Shodown 64-2 Asura Zanmaden, HOT-Daaammmn, this game is ROCKIN'AWESOME!!! Ya'll gotta play it...hhehehehh....

<IMG SRC="smilies/drool2.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/tickled.gif" border="0">

-Shock Troopers is one of the best action game out there (but only MVS or converted cart).
-Last Blade 2, Garou:MotW and Metal Slug 3 have top animation.
-For the best fighting games, one of the following:
King of Fighters '98
Samurai Spirits 2
Last Blade 2
Real Bout Fatal Fury 2.

Best fighting is SamSho2. There is so much crazy stuff in that game that you just won't find in any other fighter, like the doll moves, for example. Best action, hmmn... I'll go with Metal Slug 1. I don't own the homecart, but there was a guy at CMU a few years back with the NeoCD version, as well as a Metal Slug MVS in the campus arcade, and it was awesome. Much better than the MSX I would buy later on. Are we limited to Neogeo games? Wait! damn, metal slug aside... Err... Don't bother with the other NeoGeo action games. Too clumsy. I didn't like Shock Troopers 2. Maybe the arcade! canversion of ST1 will change my impression, though I don't think I'm in the market for conversions...

[ October 01, 2001: Message edited by: EvilWasabi ]

Best action game other than the Metal Slugs: Shock Troopers 1 (NOT 2, which was much worse but still OK).

Best animation: Garou: MOTW (just pick up the DC version to save some $$) and Last Blade 2 is also very good (also available on DC!!)

-Metal Slug series aside, what's the best action game?

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Shock Troopers, NAM-1975, Magician Lord

-What games feature the best animation?

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MotW, Metal Slug series, Last Blade Series

-Overall, what's the best fighting game?

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Last Blade 2 or MotW for recent releases; otherwise the first Samurai Shodown

The original Shock Troopers is a great choice for an action game outside of the Metal Slug series (as many have pointed out), although unless you're playing on MVS you'll need to pick up a converted cart (although I think !Arcade! is now taking preorders for his upcoming conversion of the title); but if you're in the mood for something a little more "cutesy", you might want to consider either Top Hunter or Spinmasters. Both are fun diversions when you're in the mood for something a little more light-hearted.

As far as animation goes, Mark of the Wolves and Last Blade 2 are both great, but let's not forget either Samurai Shodown 3 and Art of Fighting 3. While both games have their detractors, I don't think anyone can argue that, for sheer artwork and animation, both are incredible examples of just what the Neo can do (and both are about 4 years old, or so!) <IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0">

Best fighting game... you're sure to get a lot of personal favorites being bandied about - the one I've had the most fun with is Real Bout 2 - but if you're just starting out, you may want to look for either Samurai Shodown 2 or King of Fighters '98. Both are considered some of the best the Neo has to offer, and both can be had relatively inexpensively.

Originally posted by BRANDI:
<STRONG>-Shock Troopers is one of the best action game out there (but only MVS or converted cart).
-Last Blade 2, Garou:MotW and Metal Slug 3 have top animation.
-For the best fighting games, one of the following:
King of Fighters '98
Samurai Spirits 2
Last Blade 2
Real Bout Fatal Fury 2.</STRONG>

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Agree with him except add MOTW on the second place in best fighting games after KOF98.

Wow, thanks to everyone for all the feedback! As soon as I have some extra $$$, I'll be importing Mark of the Wolves for DC for sure. Metal Slug 3 is a must as well, although I have no idea how/when I'll be able to get it.

Samurai Shodown is probably the first Neo-Geo game I ever played... still one of my all-time favorites. <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

From what ive played and own:

best action games to get other than metal slug: Sengoku 2(wicked,i havent played the 3rd yet though) top hunter,nam 75,ive played shock troopers 1 so shock troopers 2 ,errr cyberlip and robo army are worth a laugh.

Best animation,well sam sho 2,erm real bouts,AOF 2,well anything made after 95 has the new school graphics mostly ,all metal slug games have brilliant animation errrrr i say any game made after 92 really.

Best fighters any or all the KOF series particuly 96/98,sam sho 1/2/4 are a must
havent played last blade but in view of others opinions last blade 1 or 2 i dont think you need both according to what people say.Aof 1,2 can be bought cheap, aof 2 is very difficult youll need to have had your caffiene before playing,not to forget fatal fury 2/special/ you could get fatal fury 3
but youd be better off skipping it and getting real bout 1/2 or special instead.

Best action game: Shock Troopers, hands-down. I'm one of the crazy few who will swear up and down it's better than the Metal Slug series. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> If you have an MVS there's no excuse not to get it.

Best animation: either of the Last Blades or Garou Mark of the Wolves. AoF3 has great animation too but it doesn't exactly deliver in the gameplay department...

Best fighting game: KoF '98, the last good KoF, with a stellar cast to boot.

Best action game outside of the Metal Slug series: I'd say Magician Lord, but that's the ONLY action game on the Neo I've played beyond MS, and even that was at least eight years ago <IMG SRC="smilies/crying.gif" border="0"> .

Best fighter?: Mark of the Wolves easily. Then maybe one of the Last Blades or Samurai Shodowns, followed by KoF'98 (great for your money, but just not as high-quality as the others IMO)

Best animation?: Art of Fighting 3. This game isn't as bad as it's reputation around here; you just need to practice the gameplay a bit. It plays more like a 3D fighter than a 2D fighter (less emphasis on jumping attacks and more focus on combos, chains, etc.). After that, MotW has the best animation, followed by SS3 and the LB series.

Glad to see another SNK fan! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">