Neo-Geo Pocket Color Games - ranked by preference

Release Date: May 27, 1999 (JP)
Publisher: SNK
Developer: Ukiyotei
Genre: Shooter - Third-Person

Metal Slug: 1st Mission is a little different in comparison to the other Metal Slug games that came before it. In this handheld entry in the series, there is a health meter. No more one-shot kills, you can keep playing so long as you have some health left in your meter. Also worth noting are the branching paths. Branching paths weren't new to the series when this game was released, but the number of branching paths in this game really brings up the replay factor. It's not as pretty as previous entries in the series, due to the hardware it's running on, but it's just as fun. If you own a Neo-Geo Pocket Color, this is definitely a game that you should have in your collection.

Release Date: January 27, 2000 (JP)
Publisher: SNK
Developer: Yumekobo
Genre: Fighting

SNK Gals Fighters is an all-ladies fighting game with females beating the ever-lovin' snot out of each other in the handheld fighting perfection that SNK was known for. This is one of the best handheld fighting games that I've personally played. The game controls like a dream, the graphics are quite nice for an 8-bit handheld, and you've got the convenience of playing this wherever you feel like playing it...Like on a tree branch, a seat in a city bus, or in a port-a-potty.

Release Date: April 15, 1999 (JP)
Publisher: SNK
Developer: Yumekobo
Genre: RPG

Biomotor Unitron is a unique RPG where your main goal is to simply obtain money through dungeon exploration and winning battles in the arena so that you can upgrade your robot more and more until you have the most powerful robot around. The game can feel kind of bland at times, like on the background-less battle screens, and it can also feel repetitive while you're trying to amass enough cash to upgrade your robot, but it also fun enough where you can shrug off those shortcomings and enjoy this game for what it is...And that is a solid, portable RPG.

Release Date: July 6, 2000 (JP)
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Fighting

Rockman Battle & Fighters is a port of two arcade games (RockMan: The Power Battle and RockMan 2: The Power Fighters) all in one little package. I think it's amazing how well two full-sized arcade games were translated into one 8-bit cartridge. That said, if you want to know how the games play, just imagine any Mega Man game with the platforming levels taken away. The platforming is gone and this game is purely boss battles. It's a unique take on the fighting genre and an overall enjoyable experience, especially if you're a Mega Man fan.

Release Date: November 23, 2000 (JP)
Publisher: SNK
Developer: S-Neo
Genre: Fighting - Wrestling

Big Bang Pro Wrestling is a decent wrestling title for the Neo-Geo Pocket Color handheld. It's not overly great by any means, but what it does, it does well. It's worth noting that aside from the basic match type that one would expect from a wrestling title, BBPW also has a casket match, where the goal is to knock your opponent into the casket located on the outside, as well as what may be the first "On A Pole" match type in the history of wrestling video games, as your goal is to climb the pole on the outside of the ring to obtain the bag of money located up top. These match types help make this game fun in a novelty sort of way, but they aren't enough to make this game any better than being simply average.