The games included on that version are: 3 Count Bout, Art of Fighting, Blazing Star, Blue’s Journey, Crossed Swords, Fatal Fury Special, Foot Ball Frenzy, Garou: Mark of the Wolves, Ghost Pilots, King of the Monsters, King of the Monsters 2, Kizuna Encounter: Super Tag Battle, Last Resort, Magician Lord, Metal Slug, Metal Slug 2, Metal Slug 3, Metal Slug 4, Metal Slug 5, Metal Slug X, Mutation Nation, Ninja Master’s, Puzzled, Real Bout: Fatal Fury, Robo Army, Samurai Shodown 2, Samurai Shodown IV, Samurai Shodown V Special, Sengoku 3, Shock Troopers, Shock Troopers: 2nd Squad, Super Sidekicks, King of Fighters ’95, King of Fighters ’97, King of Fighters ’98, King of Fighters 2000, King of Fighters 2002, Last Blade 2, Top Player’s Golf and World Heroes Perfect. Thankfully, the international version's roster addresses this issue somewhat. (Image credit: Tech Radar / Damien McFerren) This perhaps shouldn't be surprising given SNK's fame within the genre – during the '90s, it seriously challenged Capcom for the fighting genre crown – but the lineup ignores some of the hidden gems within the console's library. That's a rather fighting-heavy selection of titles, with over half the games being brawlers. The games included with the Japanese version are (deep breath): the entire King of Fighters series ('94 through to 2003), Samurai Shodown 2, Samurai Shodown IV, Samurai Shodown V Special, Fatal Fury Special, Real Bout Fatal Fury, Real Bout Fatal Fury 2, Garou: Mark of the Wolves, World Heroes Perfect, Kizuna Encounter, Art of Fighting, Last Blade, Last Blade 2, Ninja Master's, Aggressors of Dark Kombat, King of Monsters 2, Cyber-Lip, Shock Troopers: 2nd Squad, Top Hunter, Ninja Commando, Burning Fight, Metal Slug, Metal Slug 2, Metal Slug 3, Sengoku 3, Alpha Mission 2, Twinkle Star Sprites, Blazing Star, Top Player's Golf, Super Sidekicks and Joy Joy Kid. The Japanese version – which we're reviewing here – comes with a different selection of titles to the international version.

The Neo Geo Mini comes with 40 pre-loaded games to tie-in with the fact that the company is 40 years old. (Image credit: Tech Radar / Damien McFerren) Games Thankfully, a 3.5mm headphone socket is included and things sound much better when using a pair of headphones. Games look superb on it, but sadly the stereo speakers aren't quite as impressive – they're quite weak and lack bass. The 3.5-inch LCD screen completes the 'mini-arcade' feel, and is bright, sharp and has excellent viewing angles. Special moves aren't a problem, put it that way. The joystick and four-button setup works much better than you might expect SNK's prestigious line of one-on-one fighting games provide the perfect test, and it's surprising how quickly you adapt to that stubby-looking stick. It's small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and, despite its diminutive stature, is perfectly playable on any flat surface. Weighing 390 grams and made mostly from plastic, the Neo Geo Mini is, from a purely aesthetic perspective, a lovely object to behold. Readers can expect to pick one up from Funstock when it's released later in the year. The international version doesn't launch until September and is expected to retail for around $130 / £100 the Japanese version recently launched and costs 11,500 Yen (around $103 / £79).

Neogeo mini pro player