If you are a fan of the arcade style gaming, then you probably know the Neo Geo console. Considering it was literally the arcade machine at home, which was reflected in the price, it was a unique console. Independent developers are keeping the console alive with new entries, such as Hyperblaster.
SNK were in a unique situation with their Neo Geo console. When it was released in arcades, they were a third-party developer for the Nintendo brand (Nintendo Entertainment System and Game Boy at this time). When the home console was launched, I believe they had foregone releasing games on any platform other than their own.
One genre that was popular with arcade fans of the time was the scrolling shooter. From Ghost Pilots (overhead) to Last Resort (side scrolling), the genre was well represented on the Neo Geo platform. Then came along fighting games but they were not able to super kick shooters off the platform (they were able to KO action platformers though).
Other than a few edits, gamers that could afford a few hundred dollars per game (in the 1990s) you basically got the arcade game at home. There were a few games that received edits that could be removed with a special code. Personally, shelling out a few hundred bucks per game, I take it personally having to input a code to make the game “whole” again.
Hyperblaster, full name is Inviyya II – Hyperblaster, is a sequel to Inviyya on the Commodore Amiga. According to Indie Retro News, there could be a version of this available for the Amiga 1200 computer. So, if you are not able to play this on a Neo Geo, you have another option. Ultimately, it would be great to see a digital release as well (not everyone has either platform laying around).
Hyperblaster II is a side scrolling shooter featuring lots of things that blow up. Graphically, it is not as detailed as commercially developed Neo Geo shooters, it is still impressive.
Cost will be an issue, I believe. It was expensive back in the day to create physical Neo Geo carts, I can only imagine it is no cheaper today. That leaves grabbing the Amiga version for anyone that is financially strapped.
Are you a fan of scrolling shooters? Personally, I enjoy stuff like Firepower 2000 (SNES), Last Resort (Neo Geo), and M.U.S.H.A. (Genesis).
