News Archive - March 1999 (Launch)

3.30.99
Coming Soon
The Coming Soon section has been updated with new titles, as reported by the ever so dope Magic Box.
Sales Report
Hello pocket gamers, this is Torture yet again with some very exciting news. Magic Box had a very brief update about the sales charts. They just posted news from the week of March 15th through March 21st. KOF R-2 ranked 19th overall, with sales of 16,920 units sold in Japan. The fact that R-2 made a big splash on the sales charts is exciting enough, but considering they did that in only a few days, since it didn't launch until late in the week, makes it even more impressive. This is really good news for SNK, and for us Neo Geo Pocket fans, as now it is obvious that SNK has done a good job launching their new portable in Japan.

3.29.99
Games
A review of King of Fighters R-2 by substance J has been added to the games section, PLUS another fantastic KOF R-2 FAQ from our good friend Kelvin Koh!
General
We're working on adding a new Hardware section, with system specs, a system FAQ, developer list, etc. Also some new reviews should be on the way soon, including Baseball Stars, Samurai Shodown, and Tsunagete Pon. We still need YOUR help! Reviews are always needed...keep us in mind! :) And, the news has been archived ("Graveyard" section) and we're testing new layouts. Enjoy!

3/25/99
Setting the Facts Straight
This is Torture once again, and this isn't really news, but rather a response...damage control perhaps...to an article Next Generation Online posted. I'm sure many of you have seen it, and the news doesn't bode well for the Neo Geo Pocket color....Or does it?

The thing here is, I question NGO's interpretation of the Famitsu article. Their source is legit, but since they have been consistantly inaccurate regarding the new Neo Geo Pocket color, forgive me if I remain skeptical of all that they alone report on this topic.

NGO posted this about Dreamcast's sales figures:

"But Sega can take solace in the fact that it's not the big loser for the week. That honor goes to SNK, with its new NeoGeo pocket selling 294 units (it launched late in the week)."

Rather grim, isn't it? There are two strange things, though. Gameboy's sales figures are separated into two categories: the original, and the color. This leads me to believe that the 294 units are original Neo Geo Pocket units, as consumers want the color version. But here is the best part of NGO's article, the date of these sales figures:

"Weekly Famitsu's report on sales in Japan for the week of March 8 through March 14."

Of course we all know the machine didn't debut until about the 18th(it was a day early if I recall). I wonder how NGO concluded that it was the new version that sold so terribly, as the facts are there...the listing doesn't mention color, and the date of the report is too early.

Consider that Neo geo Pocket Color was a popular Tokyo Game show attraction, and has a guaranteed seller in SNK vs. Capcom. 294 sales for the color version is impossible(the black and white version didn't even have that slow of a start). Madman's cafe and the Euro Asia Gameboy page both reported that SNK's booth enjoyed much traffic, so SNK probably sold hundreds of units at the show(if they were there) or inspired people to do so. Plus, 294 units wouldn't cover import demand at all. SNK themselves said the unit is doing well. The reason for this rant, of sorts, is not to blatantly slam NGO, but to set some things straight. NGO has painted NGPC in a bad light at least two times now, and I think they're jumping the gun on this. Hopefully we'll get sales figures for the weeks of 3/14 AND 3/21 soon, because that's the list to watch. I apologize for going so long.

Games Update
A preview of Fatal Fury: 1st Contact has been added to the Games section, with brand new pics

SNK news
Today SegaNet (www.seganet.com) posted this official Press Release from SNK USA, which confrims SNK's plans for a US Neo Geo Pocket Color launch in April. Here's part of the article:
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SAN JOSE, Calif. [sJ's note: my home town! :)] Moving aggressively to capitalize on the resurging popularity of handheld game systems, SNK will make the Neo Geo Pocket Color available for purchase directly to U.S. consumers on the company’s Web site starting in April. SNK’s high-performance system is smaller and lighter than Nintendo’s Game Boy and Game Boy Color systems, boasts a larger screen and, with its 16-bit graphics processor, can simultaneously display nearly three times as many colors at a higher resolution, in varying degrees of light.

Following an extremely successful March 19 launch of the system in Japan, SNK made the decision to offer the Neo Geo Pocket Color for direct orders in the U.S. Beginning in April, the hardware will be available at www.snkusa.com, for a price of $79.99.

Approximately 10 titles will be available when the system goes on sale, including "King of Fighters - R2," "Puzzle Bobble Mini (Bust-A-Move)," "Samurai Shodown," "Baseball Stars Pocket," "Pocket Tennis," "Neo Cherry Master," "Neo Dragon’s Wild," "Neo Mystery Bonus," "Crush Roller Pocket" and "Neo Geo Cup ’98." Approximately 15 more software titles are expected to be released throughout the next few months. The hardware will be available in different casings including Platinum Silver, Platinum Blue and Anthracite. "U.S. consumers have been clamoring to get their hands on the Neo Geo Pocket Color since we first announced the product months ago in Japan, some even going to great lengths to obtain a system from overseas," Susan Barone, vice president, SNK’s consumer division, said. "By making the product and software available to the public for direct online orders, we’re giving gamers an easy way to experience first-hand what a significant step forward in handheld gaming the Neo Geo Pocket Color represents."
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Fantastic news. I know I'll be purchasing software from SNKUSA.com come April. Also, being one of those consumers to go to "great lengths to obtain a system from overseas," I (substance J) have recived my NGPC unit from www.tronixweb.com, along with a copy of KOF R-2. I am utterly impressed with SNK's fantastic work, yet again. The system is a design masterpeice, and amazingly fun to play. The color sceen does wonders for playability. So, expect a review of KOF R-2 and some system impressions on Saturday afternoon

3/25/99
Today we paid a visit to SNK's US Home Page and discovered they have gone all-out in promotion the Neo Geo Pocket Color! Many pics and little bits of info can be found, so we suggest you take a look. One of the more interesting items is the gif of Biomotor Unitron (!!!). Could this awesome RPG be headed for an English translation? We sure hope so!!

Also, Gamefan Online (www.gamefan.com) has posted an unconfirmed article stating that the Neo Geo Pocket Color will be released in America in April, with a number of launch titles. But we are slightly skeptical, because this report does conflict with other sources such Magic Box and Madman's Cafe, who have stated the unit will be relased in the Fall. We'll have to wait and see on this one. We'll report the latest info on this story as it develops

In site related matters, previews of Puzzle Bobble and Fatal Fury: 1st Contact will be added within the next yet days, along with KOF R-2 and NGPC impressions

3/24/99
This is Torture, and I just have a brief news update. "Madman's Cafe" (http://www2.telnet.or.jp/~mmcafe/ ) updated with detailed information on certain Tokyo Game Show impressions, including some great information about SNK's TGS showing. There is also a first hand account of the SNK vs. Capcom announcement. Major points included in the article:

-The partnership happened because of internet rumors about the game.
-SNK vs. Capcom is under SNK's control, which means they are designing the engine, fighting system, etc. They plan to incorporate some good systems from Capcom as well.
-there are indications that arcade and DC versions will happen, but nothing definite.

I urge you all to check out the full report. It is at the "Soup Du Jour" section at Madman's site.

3/23/99
Although it is hardly worth reporting, SNK has announced NGPC will indeed be coming to America in Spetember, as previously speculated. One could imagine that the Sep. date was chosen because of the Dreamcast launch taking place at the same time...but I don't know of any plans to bring DC KOF99 to America, so there goes that theory. Expect the same units to be sold in the US that are selling in Japan now - they fully support english

An impressive King of Fighters R-2 FAQ has been added to the Games section. Thanks to LitPhonix for mailing it to us. Now I'm more curious to see what KOF R-2 looks like than ever...! We should have some new impressions of KOF R-2 and a new review or 2, tomorrow afternoon. Just a few hours and NGPC will be at my house...I can hardly stand it!

3/22/99
2 more BIG titles announced!! And quite frankly, I have goosebumps just thinking about these 2 games...each for different reasons.

First of all, Densha De Go! 2 is under license from Taito, and being developed by a faction of SNK! This will no doubt be guaranteed Killer App for NGP.

And secondly, a real shocker is the announcement of SNK Gal Fighters, an all-female fighting game spanning the entire roster of SNK's characters!

No dates are available, but it's reasonable to expect them in the Summer/Fall. It's so funny that Densha 2 would be announced, because we were just specualting about it lastnight! With Densha 2, SNK vs. Capcom, Sakura Taisen, and handfuls of other great titles, it's obvious that SNK is no fool, and plans to claim a large part of the marketplace. It will be interesting to see what the sales figures look like, with titles like this one way.

Thanks to the crack news reporting of Magic Box for the above info. Also, on a side note, lastnight Torture was able to confirm that Cool Boarders for NGP will be linkable with the Dreamcast version. Looks like those summer Japanese lessions paid off!

3/20/99
Another update!! This time, about the game we've all been waiting for: SNK vs. Capcom
As reported by Gamespot, SNK vs. Capcom will actually be 2 games...released in the Summer and then in the Winter. The version released this Summer will be a Card Battle game, much like Namco's Tekken Card Battle for Wonderswan. A bit disapointed? Well, just wait for the Winter version: a Fighting game!! Yes, it's true - we really will see our favorite rival characters going at it.

A sheet announcing the games was handed out in SNK's booth. Also confirmed is Capcom's Rockman (Megaman), being developed specifically for Neo Geo Pocket. This is some fantastic news for SNK's NGP and fans alike. The 2 biggest Fighter developers coming together will madly boost NGPC's sales, no doubt. Both games are NGP exclusives, and sure to be a major blow to Bandai and Nintendo's handhelds. While the the release of the fighting version is a bit disapointing, due to the fact it's quite a ways off...this is WONDERFUL news for us all. No other information was available, but you'll be the 1st to know when things surface.

A new review of Samurai Shodown, by Torture, has been added to the Games Section! Be sure to have a look. Also, expect a few more updates tonight.

3/19/99
The Grand Opening! Hello everyone, and Welcome to Sector: NGP!

A few months ago, we were offered an opportunity to expand on "sJ's NGP Info Project." We thought the perfect time to launch Sector: NGP would be on March 19th, the day Neo Geo Pocket Color was to be released in Japan (Technically :). After months of drooling over NGPC information, the unit is finally here - on the same day as the fantastic Tokyo Game Show, where we expect NGPC to be promoted heavily, with quite a few surprises. In the coming days, we will be reporting all the news we can get our hands on. We have also ordered NGPC units, along with King of Fighters R-2. Expect reviews and impressions of the system and games very soon!

A fresh Editorial has been added, dealing with the interesting portable battle taking place like never before, A preview of Samurai Spirits! 2 has been added, with all-new, high quality pictures, and tons of other great sections have been updated with new content - and tons more is on the way (which can be expected over the weekend and next week).

We also seek well written reviews, FAQs, etc. Or rather, Need! Why not help keep Sector: NGP the best Neo Geo Pocket site around by submitting your content? Feel free to email me (sJ)

In closing, we just want to thank you for visiting "sJ's Info Project," and now Sector: NGP. It's a great time for portable gaming, SNK, and fans alike. Have fun out there!