© SNK / CapcomFor anyone old enough to consider the first release of SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium in 1999, the recent surprise arrival on Switch was a real event. This crossover fighter is part of a celebrated series that pits the best fighters from the stables of both companies’ fight series against each other, and this entry in particular has not appeared on any console platform in an official capacity since its launch on Neo Geo Pocket. Color more than twenty years ago.
For Neo Geo Pocket Color series producer Adam Laatz and assistant director Lionel Ackah, the collaboration with Capcom that led to a return of this series gives hope for further releases in the future.
“Capcom was instrumental in the re-release of SvC: The Match of the Millennium on Nintendo Switch,” Laatz told us when asked how involved Capcom was in this re-release. “While it can be challenging to license games and sometimes work with third parties, we are very grateful that our good friends at Capcom helped us make the transfer of this title a reality. we hope that the re-release of this SvC title after so many years will be an opportunity for more releases in the future! “
While licensing games and sometimes working with third parties can be challenging, we are very grateful that our good friends at Capcom helped us make porting this title a reality.
Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection Vol.1 was released a month after the arrival of SNK vs. Capcom launched on Switch and collected the previously released NGPC titles on Switch, adding a few more to the bargains. Since Code Mystics’ Neo Geo Pocket Color emulation framework is apparently running on Switch, you could assume that getting Match of the Millennium from the eShop was a relatively basic exercise. We asked how long it was from the start ‘well, we do this’ to buncle – it’s ready to go! ‘.
“We understand that if you’re not involved in game development, you might think emulation is easy,” said Lionel Ackah, the series’ assistant director. “However, it takes a lot of hard work and effort to bring it to a high level of quality. We can proudly say that Code Mystics has always responded to the call here and once again lived up to our fans’ expectations on this release. the mechanics of linkplay need to be tuned for every game, and every game we’ve implemented needs to be thoroughly tested and often refined. In that regard, the emulator that Code Mystics has provided is more accurate to the NGPC than any previous attempt. Once, our first batch of Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection titles took about a year to develop from start to finish. “
Fans of this game and the console in general have waited a long time to play them on modern platforms – why did it take until now for them to be re-released? “The two main reasons,” says Ackah, “were to find a developer we can trust and obtain the license for our joint titles.”
Since the original console’s microswitch stick was clearly not an option, we asked Ackah how he preferred to play on Switch – with the analog stick, D-pad / buttons, or touchscreen? “While of course not as perfect as the original microswitch joystick … the D-pad would be the closest to the original experience.”
development took about a year from start to finish for our first batch of Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection titles
Considering that the Switch release will allow a whole new generation of players to experience the game, we wondered if it was reasonable to assume Others entries in the SNK vs Capcom series could come to Switch over time. Ackah played it reluctantly with his answer (“Let’s hope!”), but the outlook for further Neo Geo Pocket Color appears to be a bit brighter, at least in the short term according to Laatz. “We are currently planning future releases, and thank you for your support of SvC: The Match of the Millennium and Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection Vol.1! Stay tuned for future announcements!”
After two decades (yes, it’s really been that long!), It’s been great to see Match of the Millennium finally coming to another platform, and we were curious if we would bring third-party NGP (C) games to Switch. see it coming. at a given moment? “We can’t say too much,” replied Ackah, “but it’s a possibility.”
And to conclude, we asked Ackah for his favorite fighter in The Match of the Millennium. “It’s always hard to pick a character with such a fantastic selection,” he replied diplomatically. “I would say Mai Shiranui, because she has a certain skill and movement that sets her apart from most typical fighting game archetypes.”
We are sure that many fans will agree with him on that.
SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium and NEOGEO POCKET COLOR SELECTION Vol.1 are now available on Switch eShop.