Neo Turf Masters

Neo Turf Masters is the handheld version of the golf classic players knew from Neo Geo arcade machines, and it's one of the most enjoyable sports games on the Neo Geo Pocket Color. The philosophy is simple: no lengthy simulation with dozens of parameters, just brisk arcade golf where a single hole takes a minute and a whole round can be played on the way home. The player chooses from several golfers with different attributes, plays through various courses, and tries to get as far under par as possible, or beat computer opponents in a tournament.

At its core is the classic three-press system. The first press starts the power meter, the second confirms the power, and the third fine-tunes the accuracy of the shot, with a mistake on the last step sending the ball into the rough or a bunker. On top of that comes club selection, reading the slope of the green, and above all accounting for the wind, which on some holes can turn a sure shot into a disaster. It's precisely this combination of simple controls and depth of decision-making that keeps the game interesting long after you've picked up the basic rhythm. A two-player duel over the link cable turns calm golf into pleasantly spiteful fun.

Visually, the game cleverly handles the small screen: the course is displayed clearly, with grass, bunkers, and water all clearly distinguished, and before every shot you can check the hole's layout map. The sound is understated, with soothing melodies and the distinctive sound of a well-struck ball, which accounts for half the fun. At the time, the game was seen as a fine conversion of a beloved arcade classic and as a title that offered something relaxing on a handheld console. Today it's one of the games that best demonstrates why arcade golf was so popular: you learn the rules in a minute, yet you can still spend weeks working toward the perfect round. The handheld's battery life also suits the play style perfectly, since round after round goes by without ever needing to hunt for a charger. Of all the sports titles on the platform, this is the one people come back to most often, and most gladly.