8 Handheld Consoles That Competed With Nintendo and How Each One Fared

3. Neo Geo Pocket Color (1999) - The Fighting Game Specialist

SNK's Neo Geo Pocket Color represented a focused approach to handheld gaming, leveraging the company's expertise in fighting games and arcade-style action to create a niche but passionate following. Released in 1999, the system featured a distinctive clicky analog stick that provided precise control unprecedented in handheld gaming, making it particularly well-suited for the fighting games that formed the core of its library. The console's crown jewel was "SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium," which successfully translated complex fighting game mechanics to a portable format while maintaining the depth and responsiveness that fighting game enthusiasts demanded. Other standout titles included "Metal Slug: 1st Mission," "Fatal Fury: First Contact," and "King of Fighters R-2," all of which demonstrated the system's ability to deliver arcade-quality experiences in a portable format. The Neo Geo Pocket Color also featured impressive battery life, lasting up to 40 hours on two AA batteries, and a surprisingly robust build quality that could withstand significant abuse. However, SNK's financial difficulties severely limited the system's potential. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2001, effectively ending support for the handheld just as it was gaining momentum in international markets. The limited game library, while high in quality, couldn't compete with the breadth of options available on Nintendo's systems. Additionally, SNK's focus on fighting games, while creating a devoted fanbase, limited the system's appeal to mainstream audiences who preferred platformers, RPGs, and puzzle games. The Neo Geo Pocket Color sold approximately 2 million units worldwide before being discontinued, leaving behind a legacy as one of the finest fighting game platforms ever created, portable or otherwise.