King of Monsters Arrives to Crush Virtual Console

Kris Erickson • Jul 7, 2008 • Comments ()

The Virtual Console just keeps getting better and better. This week we are being treated to an old gem from the Neo Geo, that fancy arcade console that nobody could afford when it first went on sale. Most retro gamers already know about hits like Metal Slug and King of Fighters, but there was an entire catalogue of great games for the system, as this week's Virtual Console update proves.

King of Monsters is an overhead perspective brawler featuring recognizable monsters from Japanese B-movies and an entire city to destroy. Released in 1991, it features city-destroying battles between the likes of Geon (Godzilla) and Astro-Boy. Players can choose one of six monsters and travel around Japan, stopping to fight in various famous cities with the aim of becoming the "King of Monsters". In addition to punches, kicks and other regular moves, each character has the ability to use more devastating maneuvers, like throwing flames and shooting laser beams. When you run out of ranged attacks, you can get up close and personal with melee attacks; even environmental objects like building can be used as weapons. Multiplayer options allow you and a friend to enjoy one-on-one matches and two-on-two tag-team matches against the computer.