The Neo-Geo became the home of a number of terrific fighting games in its heyday. From King of Fighters to Samurai Shodown, it covered every base imaginable. And that was just with the first-party releases – third-party devs really opened up the smorgasbord. Among the releases were the 1995 brawler Double Dragon, based on…um, the movie? Still, it wasn’t bad. And then came its sequel, Rage of the Dragons NEO, which earned even more infamy. Even without the movie license.
And now Rage has come home to consoles with a nicely revamped port, complete with various features. This includes impressive rollback netcode for online match-ups (though without cross play, sadly) and other goodies. All for a reasonable price tag of around $20.
The fighter set is definitely on the quirky side, and the challenge is a bit much for some rookies. Still, for those that want a surprisingly deep and nostalgic brawl-a-thon, Rage of the Dragons NEO ain’t bad at all. Just make sure you’re ready for a beating.
Rage of the Dragons NEO Brings the Brawl For It All
Released in 2002 (!), Rage of the Dragons NEO finally gets a dedicated home port over two decades later. However, Qubyte Interactive gives it the proper respect it deserves.
You can tell right off the bat with the gameplay that this isn’t a typical brawler. It’s a team-based fighter, like King of Fighters before it. But, like the Versus games, you can switch out fighters at any time. This creates all sorts of offensive and defensive possibilities, including some slick combos. You can also parry and counter pretty nicely, and strike back for the chance to win a match. Don’t forget those lovely Supers either, as well as the ability to use different…jumping? Relax, it’s part of the system.
The gameplay is definitely on the overwhelming side, especially with so many systems in play. That could throw off rookies expecting a Street Fighter clone of sorts. But rest assured, there’s comfort here. A wonderful training tool guides you through everything with ease. In addition, you can modify the difficulty system any way you see fit. That allows you to grow into your skill set without getting destroyed so much.
As you finish training, you can try the game’s various modes. This includes a new Dragon Challenge, for those ready to step up. If you prefer, there’s good old’ Versus, for both local and online players. And, of course, that sweet rollback Netcode assures there are opponents waiting in the wings. Just don’t expect cross play, as it’s notably absent here.
With a nicely layered battle system and lots to do in modes and options, Rage of the Dragon NEO is surprisingly loaded. And for the given price tag of $20, that’s impressive.
There’s No Raging Against the Presentation
Qubyte Interactive did a bang-up job bringing this game’s Neo-Geo luster to consoles. The visuals are pretty solid, with great animations and quirky character design. No, seriously, some of these guys will throw you for a loop. Some better variety in backgrounds would’ve been better off. But, hey, this is a brawler that’s over two decades old. We can easily look past the static backgrounds and focus on the fun fighting.
On top of that, there are visual options aplenty. Those of you that savor the flavor of CRT will get it in spades. You can also make other adjustments however you see fit. So no matter how you want your fighting game to look, you can do plenty here.
I also thoroughly enjoy the soundtrack. It’s Neo-Geo quality for sure, but the rocking’ tunes deliver where needed. The character sounds are pretty good as well, though maybe not as distinctive as, say, Samurai Shodown. But you’ll have more than enough reason to pop on your headset. This one will definitely please the ears. (Yes, you can please the ears, calm down.)
The Neo-Geo Era Returns With Some Rage!
Dismissing Rage of the Dragons NEO as an “old” fighter would be a colossal mistake. There’s more to this game than the name lets on, and it surpasses Double Dragon in every category. It’s a blast to play, even with its heavy learning curve. And the way the options teach you everything you need to know is awesome. Then, once you’re ready, you can hop online and get ready for fierce competition.
That, backed by a superb presentation, make NEO a nice little must-own. Even if your library is already loaded with fighting games, there’s definitely room for Rage.
GAMERHUB RATING: 4 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to Qubyte Interactive for the review code! Rage of the Dragons NEO is available for Xbox, PlayStation,Nintendo Switch and PC.
Need more fighting goodness? Check out our review of Marvel vs. Capcom: Arcade Classics and Blazing Strike!
