SNK 40th Anniversary Collection (PlayStation 4) Review
SNK 40th Anniversary Collection (PlayStation 4) Review
Release Date: March 19, 2019
Publisher/Developer: NIS America/Digital Eclipse
Platform: PlayStation 4 (reviewed now), Nintendo Switch (reviewed previously)
Price: $39.99
After an exclusivity window on Nintendo Switch, SNK 40th Anniversary Collection is releasing for PlayStation 4. Containing 25 classic games from the early years of SNK, the collection is an archivist's dream. While it won't quench the thirst of more modern SNK aficionados, the beautiful galleries and archives provide a lot of fun even when you aren't playing the game.
All twenty-five titles that the Switch eventually got (some came in a patch, others as free DLC) are here from the get-go in the PS4 version: Alpha Mission, Athena, Beast Busters, Bermuda Triangle, Chopper, Crystalis, Fantasy, Guerilla War, Ikari Warriors, Ikari Warriors II, Ikari III, Iron Tank, Munch Mobile, Ozma Wars, Paddle Mania, P.O.W., Prehistoric Isle, Psycho Soldier, SAR: Search and Rescue, Sasuke vs. Commander, Street Smart, Time Soldiers, TNKIII, Vanguard, and World Wars. Great care went into this release, offering variations on each game if there were regional variations or even differences on the home releases. In the arcade some of the cabinets used a unique joystick that let you twist it while moving to aim. The developers did a great job of trying to recreate this via dual analog. It isn't precise, but it's still a pretty awesome way to bring these classic titles home. Variances between arcade and home console made a big difference as well. Classic Nintendo had no way to recreate the twisting control stick, so the games would play notably different at home. If you're a big fan of any one of these games you'll get twice the enjoyment as the game will offer a separate challenge in the different mode.
Within the museum gamers can get a history of SNK as a whole. Various print advertisements, arcade artworks, and general history information is contained and definitely fun for classic gamers to peruse. Perhaps the greatest feature that gives the title "museum" grade quality is the rewind button. Games from back in the day were purposefully hard. This was to better suck quarters out of your pockets. At home, you're more likely to get frustrated and walk away having to restart over and over. The rewind feature lets you go back up to several minutes at a time and watch your progress so you can choose the perfect spot to hop back in. Some may call this cheating, but they don't have to use it. It gives gamers a chance to enjoy these games for the content at the original difficulty rather than sacrificing patience or game quality. You can also watch a master play in View Mode, either to see all the game has to offer or learn skills to take it on yourself.
If you are a dual console owner, I would still press you toward picking this up on the Switch, given that portability and the second Joy-Con will make for quick pick up games easier than a PS4. While I haven't played the Switch edition, my understanding is it also has "Tate" mode, wherein you can rotate your screen for full effect on games that were originally released in the arcade in the vertical position (and is also compatible with the neato Flip Grip). I'd have loved to see that feature exist in the PS4, even if it would only be usable laying on your side, owning a fancy rotating wall stand, or dangerously balancing your TV sideways. It'd be nice to have the options. If you are a retro gamer and don't own a Switch, SNK 40th Anniversary Collection is a carbon copy of it's Switch bretheren and a wonderful emulation of several classic titles from gaming history.
(be sure to head over to John's original review of the Switch release!)
Pros:
-Deep collection of classic games from SNK history
-Rewind and Watch modes are super-useful for people wanting to see all a game has to offer
-Deep gallery for diving into system history
Cons:
-Switch version slightly edges superiority with portability and TATE mode
-Classic difficulty may put off new gamers
-Fans who love SNK from the Neo-Geo days will be disappointed without those titles included (this is a "deeper cut" of older titles)
Special thanks to NIS America and Digital Eclipse for providing a code for review!