Top Hunter

Top Hunter: Roddy & Cathy is one of those titles that prove the Neo Geo wasn't just about fighting and shooting games. This colorful action platformer from SNK bets on snappy fun, cartoon humor, and a clever idea that sets it apart from the flood of similar games from the nineties.

The player controls bounty hunters Roddy or Cathy, who set out across varied worlds full of enemies. The key mechanic is stretchy arms: the characters can extend their hands, grab enemies and objects, and hurl them around. This elastic interaction gives both the fights and the platforming parts a playful, rubbery character that's instantly likable. On top of that comes the option to play in pairs, making Top Hunter a pleasant cooperative affair.

Visually the game benefits from a bold, almost cartoon-like style with large and adorable sprite characters. The levels aim to be varied and imaginative, alternating ordinary platforming sections with ideas that break up the routine. Here SNK shows a sense for lightness and humor that we don't see nearly as often in their later, more serious fighting games.

At the time of release Top Hunter got somewhat lost among the Neo Geo's flagships, so it remains more of a hidden gem for those who aren't afraid to dig deeper into the system's catalog. But it's precisely this relative obscurity that makes it a rewarding discovery for retro players looking for something lighthearted and original.

Thanks to re-releases within Neo Geo collections, the game can be tried more easily today than ever before. Anyone who enjoys platformers with a good idea and a pinch of humor shouldn't overlook Roddy and Cathy.

Why play: A lighthearted cooperative platformer with the witty mechanic of stretchy arms, showing the more playful face of the Neo Geo.