The ultimate gaming console of the 90s, Neo-Geo, arrives on Wii Virtual Console this Friday. Its games are appearing on Xbox LIVE too but, hey, don’t knock it.

Let’s not pretend that you have the faintest clue what Neo-Geo is, unless gaming is more of a vocation than a pastime. Take it from us, though, Neo-Geo is the original hot banana when it comes to retro arcade games – the biggest, most colourful and fast moving graphics accompanied by super-synth sound effects and music. If Neo-Geo games were music they’d be Gary Numan & Tubeway Army, or maybe Prodigy. Take your pick.

Back in the day Neo-Geo was ridiculously expensive for what was effectively supped-up Megadrive. Games used to cost more than £100 (and now fetch even more in online auctions!). Because they’re arcade games, Neo-Geo titles were / are predominantly fighting games and shoot ’em ups but ranked among the very best at the time.

It’ll be three of the earliest ‘Neo’ fighters appearing on Virtual Console this month, starting with Fatal Fury, followed by World Heroes and Art of Fighting. You’ve got to love the names. 900 Wii Points is quite steep for these preliminary entries to long-running series, although well worth it for connoisseurs. You can already download Fatal Fury Special from Xbox LIVE Arcade y’see, which is far superior to the first instalment. But we wait with interest to see what shows up next. King of Fighters ’94, have no doubt, will be essential for fight fans, and Viewpoint for shooters.

140 VC games and counting, and nary a stinker among them.