SNK, simply the masters of the 2D fighting genre, have a had an amazing track record of fantastic game after fantastic game. Samurai Spirits, Last Blade, King of Fighters, Metal Slug. The list goes on. Since 1990, SNK has both developed and published their own work, with no deadlines to answer to. Only the desire to make great arcade games that are done when they are DONE! 

Now, with all this greatness, there must be the occasional slip up. The one or two games that really don't live up to the legend (See the Art of Fighting Series). Well my friends, SNK has delivered their turd in the form of Neo Geo Battle Colosseum.

This title could have been fantastic, joining fave characters from top SNK games into a smorgasbord of fighting goodness. But alas, we are left with the most lack-luster experience SNK has ever delivered. Everything about it feels as though all their inspiration had been stolen while asleep. Anything you would expect from the fighting gods is missing here: exciting game play, beautiful graphics, perfect control, groovy music. All gone. As Ralphie from X Mas story once said : "Son of a b***h!"

After two hours of play plagued by inconsistent control, horrid load times, and boring interaction, I decided that this was their red-headed step child that should be locked in the basement (wait, I'm a red-headed step child). every company with a great reputation has these (Beat Down anyone?), but I can forgive them for that. It just became a larger disappointment in that you have realistic expectations from certain developers.

Oh, well. They have Samurai Spirits 6 coming to make it up!