{{Short description|1996 video game}} {{Distinguish|Over the top (disambiguation){{!}}Over the top}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2025}} {{Infobox video game | title = Over Top | image = Neo Geo AES Over Top cover art.jpg | developer = [[ADK Corporation|ADK]] | publisher = [[SNK]] <br /> ADK <small>(NGCD)</small> | director = Takashi Egashira | producer = Kazuo Arai | programmer = Yukinori Nishikata | composer = Keiichiro Segawa <br /> Takao Oshima | platforms = [[Arcade video game|Arcade]], [[Neo Geo|Neo Geo AES]], [[Neo Geo CD]] | released = '''Arcade'''{{vgrelease|JP|April 26, 1996}} '''Neo Geo AES'''{{vgrelease|JP|May 24, 1996}} '''Neo Geo CD'''{{vgrelease|JP|September 26, 1996}} | genre = [[Racing video game|Racing]] | modes = [[Single-player]] | arcade system = [[Neo Geo MVS]] }}
{{nihongo foot|'''''Over Top'''''|オーバートップ|''Ōbā Toppu''||lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1996 [[Racing video game|racing]] [[video game]] developed by [[ADK Corporation|ADK]] and published by [[SNK]] for [[Arcade video game|arcades]].<ref name="GTech11">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/GamesTechMagazine/GamesTech%2011#page/n58/mode/1up|title=Dossier: Neo Geo Y SNK — Deportivos|magazine=GamesTech|issue=11|publisher=Ares Informática|date=July 2003|pages=61|lang=es}}</ref><ref name="TC-NGM">{{cite web|url=http://neogeomuseum.snk-corp.co.jp/english/catalogue/|title=Title Catalogue - NEOGEO MUSEUM|publisher=[[SNK#2003–2016: SNK Playmore|SNK Playmore]]|date=2010|access-date=2020-05-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828035857/http://neogeomuseum.snk-corp.co.jp/english/catalogue/|archive-date=2018-08-28|url-status=live}}</ref> It is the [[spiritual successor]] to ''[[Thrash Rally]]'', which was released earlier in 1991 on [[Neo Geo]] [[Video game#Platforms|platforms]].<ref name="NLifeNSot" />
Themed around [[rallying]], ''Over Top'' pits players against [[AI]]-controlled opponents in races across various locations. Directed by ''[[Magician Lord]]'' designer Takashi Egashira, the game was created by most of the same team that previously worked on several projects at ADK. Though it was initially launched for the [[Neo Geo|Neo Geo MVS]] (arcade), the title was later released for both [[Neo Geo|Neo Geo AES]] (home) and [[Neo Geo CD]] respectively, in addition of being re-released through download services for various [[Video game console|console]]s. ''Over Top'' was received with mixed reception from critics and reviewers since its initial release.
== Gameplay == [[File:NEOGEO Over Top.png|thumb|left|Screenshot]] ''Over Top'' is a [[Video game graphics#Top-down perspective|top-down]] [[Rallying|rally]] racing game where players observe from above and race across various locations by participating in a single race against AI-controlled opponents.<ref name="OTg160">{{cite magazine|author=Zuruzuru|title=紹介 - オーバートップ|magazine=[[Gamest]]|issue=160|publisher=[[Shinseisha]]|date=15 January 1996|page=207|lang=ja}}</ref><ref name="OTg164">{{cite magazine|author=Zuruzuru|title=紹介 - オーバートップ|magazine=[[Gamest]]|issue=164|publisher=[[Shinseisha]]|date=29 February 1996|page=242|lang=ja}}</ref><ref name="OTg165">{{cite magazine|author=Zuruzuru|title=紹介 - オーバートップ|magazine=[[Gamest]]|issue=165|publisher=[[Shinseisha]]|date=15 March 1996|page=218|lang=ja}}</ref> Each location has their own [[weather conditions]] that change how the car is controlled through the track, as well as shortcuts to gain advantage against opponents.<ref name="OTNGAESmanual">''Over Top'' user's manual (Neo Geo AES, JP)</ref><ref name="NGF14">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/Neo-Geo_Freak_1996-07_Geibunsha_JP#page/n57/mode/2up|title=攻略ーン - オーバートップ|magazine=Neo Geo Freak|issue=14|publisher=Geibunsha|date=July 1996|pages=56–57|lang=ja}}</ref><ref name="NGF17">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/Neo-Geo_Freak_1996-10_Geibunsha_JP#page/n70/mode/1up|title=オーバートップ|magazine=Neo Geo Freak|issue=17|publisher=Geibunsha|date=October 1996|pages=69–71|lang=ja}}</ref>
The title uses a [[Saved game#Checkpoints|checkpoint]] in which the player gains extra time by reaching a tunnel at the end of each location.<ref name="OTNGAESmanual"/> Failing to reach the checkpoint results in a [[game over]] screen unless players insert more credits into the arcade machine to [[Glossary of video game terms#Continue|continue]] playing. If a [[Memory card#Video game consoles|memory card]] is present, the player is allowed to save their progress and resume the last point the game saved at.<ref name="OTNGAESmanual"/>
== Development and release == ''Over Top'' was created by most of the same team that previously worked on several projects at [[ADK Corporation|ADK]],<ref name="NGF11">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/neogeofreak0011#page/n80/mode/2up|title=サードパーティーリレーインタビュー 1: ADK|magazine=Neo Geo Freak|issue=11|publisher=Geibunsha|date=April 1996|pages=58–61|lang=ja}}</ref> with ''[[Magician Lord]]'' designer Takashi Egashira acting as its [[Video game creative director|director]] alongside [[Video game producer|producer]] Kazuo Arai.<ref name="OTStaff">{{cite video game|title=Over Top|developer=[[ADK (company)|ADK]]|publisher=[[SNK]]|date=April 26, 1996|platform=[[Neo Geo MVS]]|level=Staff}}</ref> Yukinori Nishikata served as chief [[Video game programmer|programmer]], while the [[Soundtrack#Video game soundtracks|soundtrack]] was composed by Keiichiro Segawa and Takao Oshima.<ref name="OTStaff"/> Several other people also collaborated in its development.<ref name="OTStaff"/>
''Over Top'' was first released by [[SNK]] for the [[Neo Geo|Neo Geo MVS]] on April 26, 1996, and was then released for [[Neo Geo|Neo Geo AES]] on May 24 of the same year.<ref name="GTech11"/><ref name="TC-NGM"/> The Japanese AES release has since become one of the more expensive titles on the platform, with copies of the port fetching over [[US$]]4500 on the secondary video game collecting market.<ref>{{cite web|last=Reichert|first=Nick|url=http://www.racketboy.com/retro/the-rarest-and-most-valuable-neo-geo-games|title=The Rarest & Most Valuable Neo-Geo Games|publisher=Racketboy|date=April 27, 2020|access-date=2020-04-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209210829/https://www.racketboy.com/retro/the-rarest-and-most-valuable-neo-geo-games|archive-date=December 9, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The game was later re-released in the same year for the [[Neo Geo CD]] by ADK on September 26.<ref name="GTech11"/><ref name="TC-NGM"/> [[Hamster Corporation]] released the game as part of their [[ACA Neo Geo|''ACA Neo Geo'']] series for the [[Nintendo Switch]], [[PlayStation 4]], [[Windows]] and [[Xbox One]] in 2017, with SNK releasing it on [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] in 2022.<ref>{{cite web|author=Brian|url=https://nintendoeverything.com/neo-geo-lineup-on-switch-adding-over-top-at-the-end-of-this-month/|title=Neo Geo lineup on Switch adding Over Top at the end of this month|work=nintendoeverything.com|publisher=Nintendo Everything|date=April 11, 2017|access-date=2020-05-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121191232/http://nintendoeverything.com/neo-geo-lineup-on-switch-adding-over-top-at-the-end-of-this-month/|archive-date=January 21, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Carter|first=Chris|url=https://www.destructoid.com/nintendo-download-mario-kart-8-deluxe-433306.phtml|title=Nintendo Download: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Also, Puyo Puyo Tetris|work=[[Destructoid]]|publisher=[[Enthusiast Gaming]]|date=April 27, 2017|access-date=2020-05-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603080513/https://www.destructoid.com/nintendo-download-mario-kart-8-deluxe-433306.phtml|archive-date=June 3, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Reception == {{Video game reviews |Allgame = (Neo Geo) {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="AGNGot">{{cite web|last=Knight|first=Kyle|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=17041&tab=review|title=Over Top [Japanese] (Neo Geo Advanced Entertainment System) - Review|work=[[AllGame]]|publisher=[[All Media Network]]|date=1998|access-date=2020-05-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115224301/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=17041&tab=review|archive-date=2014-11-15|url-status=live}}</ref> |MG = (Neo Geo) 33%<ref name="M!NGot">{{cite magazine|last=Knauf|first=Andreas|url=https://archive.org/stream/MANiAC.N034.1996.08#page/n68/mode/1up|title=Spiele-Tests – NG: Over Top|magazine=[[:de:M! Games|MAN!AC]]|issue=34|publisher=Cybermedia|date=August 1996|page=69|lang=de}}</ref> |NLife = (Switch) {{Rating|5|10}}<ref name="NLifeNSot">{{cite web|last=McFerran|first=Damien|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/over_top_neogeo|title=Over Top Review (Switch eShop / Neo Geo) — Let's go next stage!!|work=[[Nintendo Life]]|publisher=Nlife Media|date=May 3, 2017|access-date=2020-05-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225213801/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/over_top_neogeo|archive-date=February 25, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> }}
''Over Top'' received mixed reception from critics and reviewers since release.<ref name="PO63">{{cite magazine|last1=Delpierre|first1=Christophe|last2=Daniel|first2=François|last3=Sedikki|first3=Reyda|url=https://archive.org/stream/playerone-magazine-063#page/n32/mode/1up|title=L'arcade dépasse les bornes! - AOU'96, l'arcade se lève à l'est: SNK - Over Top|magazine=[[:fr:Player One (magazine)|Player One]]|issue=63|publisher=[[:fr:Média Système Édition|Média Système Édition]]|date=April 1996|page=33|lang=fr}}</ref><ref name="BSNSot">{{cite web|last=Osange|first=Elliott|url=https://www.bonusstage.co.uk/2017/10/04/aca-neogeo-over-top-review/|title=ACA NEOGEO OVER TOP Review|publisher=Bonus Stage|date=October 4, 2017|access-date=2020-05-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410223303/https://www.bonusstage.co.uk/2017/10/04/aca-neogeo-over-top-review/|archive-date=April 10, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[AllGame]]''{{'}}s Kyle Knight commended its graphics, gameplay and replay value but criticized the introductory CGI sequence for being poorly done.<ref name="AGNGot"/> ''MAN!AC''{{'}}s Andreas Knauf compared the game negatively with ''Neo Drift Out: New Technology'', criticizing the [[Sega Mega Drive]]-esque visuals and sound design, as well as the simple controls.<ref name="M!NGot"/>
Reviewing the Nintendo Switch re-release, ''[[Nintendo Life]]''{{'}}s Damien McFerran criticized the CGI graphics and introduction but commended the music and simple controls, also saying that the game lacks longevity that will not occupy players for long.<ref name="NLifeNSot"/>
== Notes == {{notelist}}
== References == {{reflist|30em}}
== External links == * [https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/arcade/575811-overtop ''Over Top''] at [[GameFAQs]] * [https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=8946 ''Over Top''] at [[Killer List of Videogames]] * [https://www.mobygames.com/game/overtop ''Over Top''] at [[MobyGames]]
{{Portal bar|1990s|Japan|Video games}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Over Top}} [[Category:1996 video games]] [[Category:ACA Neo Geo games]] [[Category:ADK (company) games]] [[Category:Arcade video games]] [[Category:Hamster Corporation games]] [[Category:Neo Geo CD games]] [[Category:Neo Geo games]] [[Category:Off-road racing video games]] [[Category:Single-player video games]] [[Category:SNK games]] [[Category:Top-down racing video games]] [[Category:Video games developed in Japan]] [[Category:Video games scored by Keiichiro Segawa]] [[Category:Video games scored by Takao Oshima]] [[Category:Video game spiritual successors]]