I’m an arcade gamer at heart and no genre gets my blood pumping more than a great one-on-one fighting game. If one system showcases the magnificence of beating the heck out of each other for bragging rights it’s SNK’s Neo Geo AES console.

Art of Fighting

This was SNK’s second series of fighting games following Fatal Fury and is set in 1970s Japan. It features detailed and large sprites that show off the power of Neo Geo, especially in the early days. The actual fighting is a little limited but is more about timing power moves correctly as opposed to frantic brawling like other fighting games of the time.

You can think of Art of Fighting as a thinking fighters game and this is also true of its story that feels deeper than most games of the time. The characters and story would later be fused with the Fatal Fury series to launch the King of Fighters as well as having two sequels in its own right. This one is worth playing for a different experience and dives into the back story of the King of Fighters tournament.

King of Fighters ’98

Compiling a list of Neo Geo fighting games was inevitably going to include a King of Fighters game. But given there is a whole series of them I just had to go with my gut instinct and pick the one that resonates with me the most. Also, worth noting that I’m choosing the enhanced Dreamcast port, titled Dream Match ’99, which includes new 3D backgrounds and 60 frames per second.

Part of the Orochi Saga, King of Fighters ’98 is arguably the most balanced fighting game on Neo Geo and is certainly a great place for newbies to start. It was also the game that catapulted the series into the eyes of fighting game fans and helped SNK gain some market share back from Capcom’s Street Fighter Alpha titles.

Waku Waku 7

While most fighting games tend to fall into the ‘serious’ category, once in a while a very silly or outright bizarre one enters the battle. Waku Waku 7 is a fighting game that parodies many of the popular titles of the day but still offers that deep Neo Geo gameplay. The characters may be out of this world but the challenge is very real.

The game is set around a group of fighters vying to control the seven Waku Waku balls so they can be granted their ultimate wish. The game uses the standard four-button mechanic of the other Neo Geo fighters of the day and it’s worth checking out just to see the madness unfold as the wacky characters perform outrageous specials.

Samurai Spirits II

Sequels don’t get much better than this. The first Samurai Spirits, or Samurai Showdown for those outside Japan, was revolutionary in the world of video gaming. It set a new bar for the quality of graphics and gameplay that helped the Neo Geo find new audiences beyond the arcade hardcore. The second game took everything great about the first and just amplified it all.

You could argue that Samurai Spirits II is the best game on the Neo Geo. It’s an absolute must-play for anyone diving into the world of Neo Geo fighters, even just to see the mind-blowing animations and awesome special moves. There is also enough depth to give longevity and finding all the Easter eggs is fun to do. Simply one of the best games of all time.

Garou: Mark of the Wolves

One of the final games to grace the almighty Neo Geo, Garou: Mark of the Wolves, or Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves for those outside Japan, is simply one of the greatest fighting games ever released. Everything about it, from the gorgeous pixel art to the genius combat system, is executed with quality and flair.

The game is set ten years after the death of Geese Howard with hero Terry Bogard now tasked with raising his son Rock Howard. It includes all the usual SNK features but introduces the ‘Just Defend’ mechanic which used correctly will regain health and an opportunity to counter-attack. Garou is one of my favourite games of all time, it’s worth checking out for the pixel art alone.