Super Sidekicks is the original and best, just like Kellogg's Corn Flakes. Shitty scaling ruins the others for me.
You know what, I agree with that to a point about the very first Super Sidekicks, because I dig the music in the game compared to the "realistic" crowd sounds of the rest in the series, (which is why I loved Soccer Brawl as well, great music), and the scrolling playing field is a bit on the iffy side. It looks cool to an extent, but, the flat playing field is just easier to look at for a few hours. The thing that ruined the first Super Sidekicks for me, is this recurring sound effect that is loud, and obnoxious, and I have no clue what the fuck it is supposed to be. If they removed that strange sound effect, (I guess it is from the crowd or something), then the game would have been much more enjoyable.
I actually agree 100% here.
The first gen titles for the neo are extremely unique & varied. They just never bothered to make games like them once the neo found its groove as both a fighting game system as well as a coin op based system. So that initial round up of different genres of game titles will always be special.
Also, in regards to Golf, I also enjoy Top Players Golf more then Turf Masters. I have never understood the widespread praise by the community for that game. I find the music & sound to be very loud & obnoxious. The play field feels very cluttered & busy to me. Not as simple, slow paced, and relaxing as Top Golf.
And as for best sports game, it was always Baseball Stars 2 among my friends. Windjammers & Street Slam saw lots of play as well. Also had a heated rivalry with one of my friends in Football Frenzy. To the point where I have a video we made in 1994 of one of our games that is pretty hilarious. I should post it up someday. It was rough. I lost badly.
Oh, and we never played any of the soccer games. Sorry.
Yes, the first run of games was not only unique, but they were so much fun! Magician Lord, Nam 1975, Riding Hero RPG Mode, Sengoku, Baseball Stars, League Bowling, etc.. were just really well made, and they felt like games that were not only top end, but, they had something that most games made after 1994 just did not seem to offer. I do believe Sengoku 2, Spinmaster, and Top Hunter were the last ones that came out that were really amazing games, that were not flat out "1vs1 fighters", and straight up Arcade style games. No doubt about it, there were some others that were great as well, but as far as that "unique" feel, the games that first came out were indeed special.
As to your reply about Top Players vs Neo Turf... agreed. It might only be us, but graphics didn't make Neo Turf the better game. Neo Turf is still really good, and looks amazing, but I find Top Players Golf to just be more enjoyable on the whole.
I did forget about Street Hoop, and yes, I even loved that game as well, even though I despise basketball in general. I guess I am NOT into Sports games, but, I have always loved the ones on the Neo-Geo. They have a feel and a sound that is quite different than any others.
If you never played Soccer Brawl, break that game out, and hit that shit bro! That game is full of awesome, and every time I play it, it takes me back to when I first bought it, and took it to high school to show my friends. Needless to say, I had friends over all night long, and everyone liked the game quite a bit. I don't recall anyone not liking Soccer Brawl. It's futuristic and bad to the bone!
