VISCO Collection review (PS5)

Offering another dive into the world of arcade nostalgia, the VISCO Collection, published by QUByte Interactive for the PlayStation 4, resurrects seven classic titles from the NEOGEO lineup by VISCO Corporation. With a more polished presentation, this one stands out in QUByte’s lineup of classics, and the inclusion of online support for a few of these games is a lovely surprise as well.

The seven games in the collection offer a surprisingly diverse range of experiences across different gameplay genres. Andro Dunos, a side-scrolling shoot ’em up, delivers fast-paced action and impressive visuals, challenging players’ skills and reflexes with swarms of aliens and bosses. Bang Bead introduces intense one-on-one battles in an addictive arcade-style fighting game, with epic showdowns and various moves to master. The competitive nature of this one adds replay value too, making it a standout title in the pack.

Captain Tomaday, a quirky and challenging shooter, stands out with its unique concept of transforming into different forms to navigate colorful levels and enemies, whereas FlipShot brings a futuristic twist to the classic pinball formula, providing a thrilling multiplayer experience – including a multiplayer angle where players can challenge friends or AI opponents on various tables.

Ganryu, a ninja platform action game, offers a colorful and well-animated adventure, albeit with slightly rough controls by today’s standards. Goal! Goal! Goal! brings some soccer action to the collection, with some nice arcade soccer action – though it falls short of the likes of Super Sidekicks – a better known NEOGEO soccer game.

Last but now least, there’s Neo DriftOut, a racing game that challenges players to drift their way to victory on diverse tracks – though unfortunately this one doesn’t support multiplayer. There’s a great mix of genres here, but in terms of museum-like content, the absence of additional assets or historical information about the games and VISCO itself is a missed opportunity, especially when you compare it to what’s been done with Atari’s catalogue.

Visually, the games impress with their colorful and detailed graphics, capturing the essence of what the NEOGEO was about with some lesser-known but worthwhile titles. The inclusion of online multiplayer for some of these titles really enhances the collection’s appeal, providing a chance for players to compete globally. The VISCO Collection succeeds in offering a fun and accurately emulated set of seven solid arcade games, making it a worthwhile choice for retro gaming enthusiasts seeking a diverse experience – without breaking the bank.

Score: 7.3/10