How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (Metacritic) | – | 79 | 20 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | – | – | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 0 reviews sampled · 0 total reviews in window · weighted 0 up / 0 down · computed 5h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (22)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 70
“Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection Vol. 1 will be a letdown for those who’ve already purchased some (or all) of the fighters released prior. But if you’ve been wondering why SNK hasn’t bundled these handheld games together, wonder no more. While very much a mixed bag, there’s enough here for the curious, and more so for fans. Bring on Vol. 2.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“A strong showing for the Neo Geo Pocket Color, this is an eight-game compilation with seven avowed recommendations. That's a pretty high ratio, and that tantalising "Vol. 1" in the title makes us hope and pray that more SNK handheld goodness is to come. Now that Match of the Millennium has been accounted for, after all, there's surely no reason to hold out on us vis-a-vis Card Fighters Clash, the absolute best game on the system. Sonic Pocket Adventure would be ace, too. But that's all speculation, in the here and now, Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection Vol. 1 is a great little compilation and all the better if you didn't buy all the previous standalone releases. If you did, is it worth the money? To this writer, yes, but you can quietly seethe about the financial imposition.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“For those who didn't make the Neo Geo leap with the excellent SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium (which is included here anyway), Neo Geo Pocket Colour Selection Vol.1 is where to start. With an excellent range of titles as well as the only way currently to play two superb Metal Slug titles outside of picking them and a handheld up, it's an easy decision to p-p-p-pick up a pack. It's always going to be a tough sale to take a leap if not familiar with the handheld and lacking that deep nostalgic love, but even with some strange additions outside the recognisable (honestly, Dark Arms is bonkers, fantastic fun), there really is a lot to make that purchase totally justifiable.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection Volume 1 is a great value proposition for those looking to play these games because the individual games available are priced at $7.99 each while the collection with 10 games is priced at $39.99. Those who already bought a few or all of the games will not be too pleased about having to buy a collection for four games but those games would likely be priced at $7.99 on their own so this is like buying five individual games to get all 10. As a retro collection, Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection Volume 1 is easily one of the best of the lot on Nintendo Switch right now.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“You’re getting a lot of good games in this collection, Dark Arms seems to be the edge case here, and if you don’t have any experience with the NeoGeo Pocket Color, this is probably the next-best way to experience its library. I’m still a little annoyed that it’s so fighter-heavy but that arguably tracks with SNK’s arcade output.”
read full review ↗ - 83
“The elephant in the room for some will be, “is it worth buying these games again if I already have them?” Now, taking the collection for what it is, considering both the quality of the games as well as the new additions, alongside the features that have been included, it’s a resounding yes. For those who already own the games that have previously been released as part of the NGPC Selection lineup on Switch, there is still reason to pick up this compilation. ”
read full review ↗ - 70
“A very retro collection of games from an obscure portable system of the past is probably a hard sell for most gamers. For those with an affection for the Neo Geo Pocket, this is a fine bit of nostalgia. The fighting and Metal Slug games included are still remarkably fun and show off the precise controls of the system. Beyond nostalgic charm, though, the original Neo Geo arcade versions are also available in the Switch store and probably a lot more appealing. ”
read full review ↗ - 80
“On the whole, the Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection Vol. 1 is a tidy and important package of gaming history that really should have been released as a self-contained bundle in the first place. It’s worth bearing in mind that a physical release is promised a little later on down the line, and with this particular collection labelled as a first in a series, it will surely be interesting to see whether or not the next entry in the Neo Geo Pocket Color line-up will skip directly towards a second volume.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Ultimately, as is the case with a lot of retro rereleases, the NeoGeo Pocket Color Selection Vol. 1 is a nostalgic collectors piece first and foremost. While these games still hold up from a historical perspective, there are much better options for anyone looking for arcade-y experiences on the Switch. Still, it's great that, in addition to moving forward with franchises like The King of Fighters, SNK seems eager to present all eras of its history through various rerelease efforts. The Vol. 1 in this particular title hints that more of the Neo Geo Pocket's library could end up in modern hands soon, and that can only be a good thing in the long run.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Really, the only thing I don’t like here is that you’re left to adjust the scaling yourself. It would be nice if there were preset modes to get perfect scaling rather than having to tweak with the analog stick until you get it just right. Not the end of the world, but it’s something annoying you have to do for each game once. Otherwise, this is a fantastic set with lots of great games at an affordable price. The”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection Vol 1 is a welcome history lesson for anyone who thought portable play at the turn of the millennium was all about Nintendo. SNK had a good thing going with the Pocket Color - and given half a chance, with better backing and more third-party support (a fantastic Sonic game aside, which sadly isn't on this set, non-SNK games were thin on the ground), you wonder if it might've given the Game Boy a decent run for its money. ”
read full review ↗ - 75
“The collection is a great entry way to get some underrated portable fighting game, however the genres being represented are a bit lopsided. The presentation is somewhat underwhelming but you can’t deny the value of the collection versus buying these titles piecemeal. That said there’s still some gems in the NEOGEO Pocket library and let’s hope volume 2 will include a certain crossover card game, that’s all I ask!”
read full review ↗
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