If you’re a fan of SNK’s previously-released Neo Geo Pocket ports to the eShop, don’t hesitate to pick up The Last Blade: Beyond The Destiny. Despite making a few concessions to fit onto the Neo Geo Pocket’s 8-bit framework, the game does a remarkable job of staying true to its 16-bit roots. With snappy combat, charming presentation, and a wide selection of modes to enjoy, it’s a fine addition to the Switch library that no SNK fan should pass up.
Overall, The Last Blade: Beyond the Destiny is a good game. It wont blow your mind, but it will provide you with a lot of fun. Its charming pixel art is some of the best among any 8-bit hand held console. SNK made a super competent fighter that deserves to be played. Unfortunately a lot of people outside SNK fans don't know about this game. Luckily the release on Switch allows those who may have never heard of it to easily pick it up and play it.
The Last Blade: Beyond the Destiny is an easy to pick up but tough-to-master fighter that does more than expected with only two-buttons. This creates some unique matchups, but the shallowness of the overall design leans heavily on unlockables and rewards for the time you put in. It’s definitely not something that will keep your attention for more than a weekend, but it a significant title to experience.
Although The Last Blade: Beyond the Destiny is an excellent little thing, one must keep in mind that it is still a 2001 handheld fighting game, and very much of its time. On its original hardware, it was heaven-sent, but on your Switch you might be somewhat disappointed if you’re going in blind. For SNK aficionados and Last Blade fans, it will delight purely on historical value, but those with no experience of the Neo Geo Pocket or the SNK library will likely feel better served buying the actual arcade ports of Last Blade 1 and 2, which are also available on the eShop. To that end, this is a better bet for fans, collectors, and those enamoured by gaming curios. It’s dinky, it’s charming, and it’s a testament to the craftsmanship of old SNK. And, while imperfect, it plays like The Last Blade should. For certain gamers, that will be more than enough.
Overall The Last Blade: Beyond Destiny is a solid title for a retro handheld fighting game, I do not believe this release will be very popular with the general public but for the Retro Gaming community and Neo Geo fans this will be exactly what you are looking for. Also with plenty to unlock there will be plenty of replayability to this game which makes it a slightly more interesting prospect than your standard fighting game fair.
A fun piece of fighting game history. This curio might not turn many heads outside of those already acquainted with the lesser-known parts of SNK's line-up, but the fact that it's available at all will be a relief to fans. It's certainly more refreshing to see a game like this get a second life than some other already-popular Switch ports.
Although I still get a kick out of seeing these Neo Geo Pocket Color games on the Nintendo Switch, some fare better than others. THE LAST BLADE: Beyond the Destiny is my last choice. The combat’s a little too sluggish, the presentation a little too uneven, and the overall package a little too dated. I’d check out one of the prior NGPC releases instead.
SummaryOriginally released on the NEOGEO POCKET in 2000, "THE LAST BLADE" is coming to Nintendo Switch. The popular weapons-based fighting game: THE LAST BLADE, is now available in a special edition. Enjoy intense battles, an epic story, mini-games, and more.
- The game features a variety of modes, including STORY MODE, SURVIVAL, and TRAININ...