There are so many retro gaming collections out right now that it’s insane. And, of course, that means a couple might get lost in the shuffle. Like VISCO Collection.
Obviously VISCO isn’t as recognizable a name as, say, Konami or Namco. But this company made some sweet Neo Geo games back in “the day” of old-school gaming, so if you’re a fan of that console, this collection is certainly worth your attention.
With seven titles spanning across a number of genres, VISCO Collection isn’t bad. It isn’t sorely overloaded with extras, but it does have some cool features, and emulation, handled by VISCO themselves, is well done. So, yeah, if you’re after some “curio” titles you might have missed – or have been hunkering for Ganryu like a bandit – this is a must-own.
What’s In the Collection?
The VISCO Collection spreads across seven key titles – the side-scrolling action game Ganryu; the shoot-em-up Andro Dunos; the sports enabled Flip Shot; its rare follow-up Bang Bead; the wild beat-em-up/shooter Captain Tomaday; the racing game Neo Drift Out; and the arcade soccer title Goal! Goal! Goal!
That’s really about it, and if you haven’t heard of some of these games, well, you clearly didn’t grow up in the Neo Geo era. But that’s fine, because there’s time to rediscover them now.
All of the games are a good time, though some have better mileage than others. I think I preferred playing the original Flip Shot to Bang Bead, despite the additional characters; Captain Tomaday is definitely something more of a “curiosity” set; and Goal! Goal! Goal! Isn’t exactly FC 24. But it is a blast.
However, Ganryu is an absolute gem, and a pure challenging title for those that are up for it. I also really enjoyed seeing Andro Dunos in its original form again after playing the sequel a while back (which you can still get, by the way); and Neo Drift Out is a terrific top-down racing game with graphics that hold up after all this time.
Overall, the collection is very good. A few more titles (maybe some “bonus” games) wouldn’t have hurt, but you get a great deal of value here.
What About the Extras?
To go along with the games, VISCO and QuByte have packed this compilation with some neat extras. You can mess around with the screen size a bit and even put up a few custom wallpapers with each game (though the selection is somewhat anemic); you can tweak options to make the game easier or harder as you wish; and you can even activate online play for some, which works surprisingly well. (That take, FC 24! Oh, I’m kidding.)
So, yes, for a budget priced compilation, VISCO Collection actually has quite a bit to offer, even with just seven games. That said, it would’ve been nice to have more history behind the company here, to give you an idea of just who VISCO is – or how they got their start in the Neo Geo era. Inquiring minds want to know.
The emulation is handled really nicely with each title, though some, like Flip Shot, do require a bit of practice with their setup. But the payoff for the long haul is excellent; and who knows, Captain Tomaday just might grow on you, like he did us.
Long Live VISCO!
Sure, there could’ve been more games and extras, but for a mere $20, you’re getting some Neo Geo playable history with VISCO Collection. What’s offered here is more than reasonable for the price; and the online play is a pleasant surprise. Plus, you won’t be able to take your hands off of Ganryu and Andro Dunosfor some time – unless you already own the sequels.
This is a must-play for classic fans, even if you have no idea who VISCO is. After this, you’ll have a better understanding.
