Kaiju Karnage
Hamster, continuing their ongoing weekly missions to return of all the classic SNK titles to modern platforms, has re-released a particularly popular game this week, asKing of the Monsters 2is now available to purchase on PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.
Released in arcades in 1992, before being ported to the Neo Geo platform and certain 16-bit consoles, the amusingly titledKing of the Monsters 2: The Next Thingis essentially a pro-wrestling game with kaiju overtones. One or two players pick from a selection of big beasties – including “not Godzilla” Geon, “not Ultraman” Astro Guy and “not King Kong” robotic ape Cyber Woo.
Players can battle it out in city-wrecking rumbles against each other, or team up to take on CPU-controlled opponents. The surrounding environment can be used to violent effect, as well as a choice of strikes and over-the-top wrestling maneuvers, before finally pinning your opponent for a three-count. I wasn’t joking when I said it was a wrasslin’ game.
AlthoughKotM 2has a strong, nostalgic reputation, and isstreaksahead of its abysmal predecessor in terms of gameplay and aesthetics, beyond the rose-tinted specs it remains a shallow and clunky fighting title. TodayKotM 2is a fun curio, good for a few nostalgia-fueled rounds, but its appeal will wear thin quickly, especially once the cheating A.I. starts having its way with you.
King of the Monsters 2is available now on PS4 in Japan and Xbox One and Nintendo Switch worldwide, priced at around $8
