Best NEOGEO Pocket Games of 2025

James Ryan Avatar
James Ryan
Last Updated: Jan 10, 2025

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NEOGEO Pocket Games were a series of handheld video game consoles released by SNK in the late 1990s. These consoles were known for their impressive graphics and sound quality, as well as their extensive library of games which included popular titles like Samurai Shodown, King of Fighters R-2, and Metal Slug: 1st Mission. The NEOGEO Pocket Games were designed to compete with other handheld consoles of the time, such as the Game Boy Color, and were praised for their comfortable ergonomic design and long battery life. While the NEOGEO Pocket Games were not as commercially successful as some of their competitors, they remain a beloved and important part of gaming history.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Dark Arms: Beast Buster 1999 Cover #TOP 1
Dark Arms: Beast Buster 1999
ftb score rating icon 9.8
SNK vs Capcom - The Match of the Milllenium Game Cover #TOP 2
SNK vs Capcom - The Match of the Milllenium Game
ftb score rating icon 9.7
King's Bounty II Day One Edition Cover #TOP 3
King's Bounty II Day One Edition
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 4 NEOGEO Pocket Games

#TOP 1

Dark Arms: Beast Buster 1999

SNK
an-bing-106
Dark Arms: Beast Buster 1999 Cover
Dark Arms: Beast Buster 1999

Battle creatures of darkness to conquer the evil world and collect multiple weapons to defeat them. Explore and complete 4 main areas in this action/adventure thriller game.

What We Like
Multiple weapons to collect
4 main areas to explore
Action/adventure thriller game
#TOP 2

SNK vs Capcom - The Match of the Milllenium Game

SNK
an-bing-94
SNK vs Capcom - The Match of the Milllenium Game Cover
SNK vs Capcom - The Match of the Milllenium

This is a NEOGEO Pocket Game, featuring Olympic Mode and 2 player tag team. The Olympic Mode allows you to compete in various events and win medals while the 2 player tag team mode lets you play with a friend.

What We Like
Offers Olympic Mode for a competitive experience
Allows you to play with a friend in 2 player tag team mode
#TOP 3

King's Bounty II Day One Edition

KOCH MEDIA GMBH
King's Bounty II Day One Edition Cover
King's Bounty II Day One Edition - Day-One [GRA XBOX ONE]

The King's Bounty II Day One Edition offers an exciting gaming experience for players who enjoy strategy and adventure. This edition provides you with access to unique content right from the start, enhancing your gameplay. As a part of the NEOGEO Pocket Games category, it ensures compatibility with a wide range of gaming setups. With the backing of the trusted brand KOCH MEDIA GMBH, you can expect quality and reliability. Dive into this adventure and discover new worlds while enjoying the benefits of a special launch edition.

What We Like
Exclusive launch content
Quality from trusted brand
Compatible with NEOGEO Pocket
#TOP 4

The King of Fighters 96 - SNK

SNK
The King of Fighters 96 - SNK Cover
The King of Fighters 96 (Japanese Language Version) Import Neo Geo AES

The SNK King of Fighters 96 is an exciting NEOGEO ROM game cartridge that brings classic fighting action right to your console. Enjoy a seamless gaming experience with this high-quality cartridge designed specifically for the NEOGEO system. You'll appreciate the vibrant graphics and engaging gameplay that this title offers, allowing you to immerse yourself in intense battles. Whether you are a longtime fan or new to the series, this game enhances your collection and provides hours of entertainment.

What We Like
Classic fighting gameplay
High-quality graphics
Designed for NEOGEO
Hours of entertainment
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many games did Neo Geo Pocket have?

The Neo Geo Pocket had a total of 73 games on its list. Some games were backwards compatible with the monochrome Neo Geo Pocket, while others were specifically designed for the color system.

2. Can Neo Geo Pocket play color games?

Yes, the Neo Geo Pocket is forward compatible with most Neo Geo Pocket Color titles. However, when playing color games on a Neo Geo Pocket, they will be displayed in monochrome. On the other hand, the Neo Geo Pocket Color is backward compatible, allowing the entire Neo Geo Pocket library to be played on it.

3. Why are Neo Geo games so expensive?

Neo Geo games were relatively expensive because they were essentially the same as their arcade counterparts. These games were known for their high-quality 2D graphics and sound, and the system itself could handle large sprites and on-screen objects with ease. The combination of arcade-like gameplay and technical capabilities contributed to the higher price tag.

4. Did Neo Geo have any RPGs?

While the Neo Geo had a limited number of RPGs, there were a few notable titles. Biomotor Unitron and Evolution are considered true, traditional RPGs on the system. Biomotor Unitron is often regarded as the better game, but Evolution has elements of a roguelike. These RPGs added variety to the Neo Geo game library.

5. Is Neo Geo CD better than Neo Geo?

The Neo Geo CD differs from the Neo Geo in a few ways. One major difference is the inclusion of CD-quality music and varying load times. While the Neo Geo CD has some exclusive games, the Neo Geo AES (cartridge system) has more notable exclusives. However, a few CD games, such as Ironclad, are still worth experiencing.

6. Why did the Neo Geo Pocket Color fail?

The Neo Geo Pocket Color's failure can be attributed to its high price. Despite its capabilities and game library, the cost of the console was too expensive for many consumers. Inadequate marketing or a lack of games were not the primary factors for its failure, but rather the affordability of the system itself.

Editor's Notes

During our neogeo pocket game research, we found 16 neogeo pocket game products and shortlisted 4 quality products. We collected and analyzed 2,330 customer reviews through our big data system to write the neogeo pocket games list. We found that most customers choose neogeo pocket games with an average price of $104.97.

The neogeo pocket games are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of neogeo pocket games, including SNK, KOCH MEDIA GMBH. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 53 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

Written by
James Ryan Avatar

James Ryan is a young writer with a degree in journalism. He’s well-versed in topics such as literature, video games, and gaming devices. In his free time, he enjoys editing, playing games, exercising and photography.