# Over Top

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1996 video game

Not to be confused with [Over the top](/source/Over_the_top_(disambiguation)).

1996 video game

Over Top Developer ADK Publishers SNK ADK (NGCD) Director Takashi Egashira Producer Kazuo Arai Programmer Yukinori Nishikata Composers Keiichiro Segawa Takao Oshima Platforms Arcade, Neo Geo AES, Neo Geo CD Release Arcade JP: April 26, 1996 Neo Geo AES JP: May 24, 1996 Neo Geo CD JP: September 26, 1996 Genre Racing Mode Single-player Arcade system Neo Geo MVS

***Over Top***[a] is a 1996 [racing](/source/Racing_video_game) [video game](/source/Video_game) developed by [ADK](/source/ADK_Corporation) and published by [SNK](/source/SNK) for [arcades](/source/Arcade_video_game).[1][2] It is the [spiritual successor](/source/Spiritual_successor) to *[Thrash Rally](/source/Thrash_Rally)*, which was released earlier in 1991 on [Neo Geo](/source/Neo_Geo) [platforms](/source/Video_game#Platforms).[3]

Themed around [rallying](/source/Rallying), *Over Top* pits players against [AI](/source/AI)-controlled opponents in races across various locations. Directed by *[Magician Lord](/source/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 MVS](/source/Neo_Geo) (arcade), the title was later released for both [Neo Geo AES](/source/Neo_Geo) (home) and [Neo Geo CD](/source/Neo_Geo_CD) respectively, in addition of being re-released through download services for various [consoles](/source/Video_game_console). *Over Top* was received with mixed reception from critics and reviewers since its initial release.

## Gameplay

Screenshot

*Over Top* is a [top-down](/source/Video_game_graphics#Top-down_perspective) [rally](/source/Rallying) racing game where players observe from above and race across various locations by participating in a single race against AI-controlled opponents.[4][5][6] Each location has their own [weather conditions](/source/Weather_conditions) that change how the car is controlled through the track, as well as shortcuts to gain advantage against opponents.[7][8][9]

The title uses a [checkpoint](/source/Saved_game#Checkpoints) in which the player gains extra time by reaching a tunnel at the end of each location.[7] Failing to reach the checkpoint results in a [game over](/source/Game_over) screen unless players insert more credits into the arcade machine to [continue](/source/Glossary_of_video_game_terms#Continue) playing. If a [memory card](/source/Memory_card#Video_game_consoles) is present, the player is allowed to save their progress and resume the last point the game saved at.[7]

## Development and release

*Over Top* was created by most of the same team that previously worked on several projects at [ADK](/source/ADK_Corporation),[10] with *[Magician Lord](/source/Magician_Lord)* designer Takashi Egashira acting as its [director](/source/Video_game_creative_director) alongside [producer](/source/Video_game_producer) Kazuo Arai.[11] Yukinori Nishikata served as chief [programmer](/source/Video_game_programmer), while the [soundtrack](/source/Soundtrack#Video_game_soundtracks) was composed by Keiichiro Segawa and Takao Oshima.[11] Several other people also collaborated in its development.[11]

*Over Top* was first released by [SNK](/source/SNK) for the [Neo Geo MVS](/source/Neo_Geo) on April 26, 1996, and was then released for [Neo Geo AES](/source/Neo_Geo) on May 24 of the same year.[1][2] The Japanese AES release has since become one of the more expensive titles on the platform, with copies of the port fetching over [US$](/source/US%24)4500 on the secondary video game collecting market.[12] The game was later re-released in the same year for the [Neo Geo CD](/source/Neo_Geo_CD) by ADK on September 26.[1][2] [Hamster Corporation](/source/Hamster_Corporation) released the game as part of their [*ACA Neo Geo*](/source/ACA_Neo_Geo) series for the [Nintendo Switch](/source/Nintendo_Switch), [PlayStation 4](/source/PlayStation_4), [Windows](/source/Windows) and [Xbox One](/source/Xbox_One) in 2017, with SNK releasing it on [iOS](/source/IOS) and [Android](/source/Android_(operating_system)) in 2022.[13][14]

## Reception

Reception

Review scores Publication Score AllGame (Neo Geo) [15] M! Games (Neo Geo) 33%[16] Nintendo Life (Switch) [3]

*Over Top* received mixed reception from critics and reviewers since release.[17][18] *[AllGame](/source/AllGame)*'s Kyle Knight commended its graphics, gameplay and replay value but criticized the introductory CGI sequence for being poorly done.[15] *MAN!AC*'s Andreas Knauf compared the game negatively with *Neo Drift Out: New Technology*, criticizing the [Sega Mega Drive](/source/Sega_Mega_Drive)-esque visuals and sound design, as well as the simple controls.[16]

Reviewing the Nintendo Switch re-release, *[Nintendo Life](/source/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.[3]

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [Japanese](/source/Japanese_language): オーバートップ, [Hepburn](/source/Hepburn_romanization): **Ōbā Toppu**

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-GTech11_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-GTech11_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-GTech11_2-2) ["Dossier: Neo Geo Y SNK — Deportivos"](https://archive.org/stream/GamesTechMagazine/GamesTech%2011#page/n58/mode/1up). *GamesTech* (in Spanish). No. 11. Ares Informática. July 2003. p. 61.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-TC-NGM_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-TC-NGM_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-TC-NGM_3-2) ["Title Catalogue - NEOGEO MUSEUM"](http://neogeomuseum.snk-corp.co.jp/english/catalogue/). [SNK Playmore](/source/SNK#2003–2016:_SNK_Playmore). 2010. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180828035857/http://neogeomuseum.snk-corp.co.jp/english/catalogue/) from the original on August 28, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-NLifeNSot_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-NLifeNSot_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-NLifeNSot_4-2) McFerran, Damien (May 3, 2017). ["Over Top Review (Switch eShop / Neo Geo) — Let's go next stage!!"](https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/over_top_neogeo). *[Nintendo Life](/source/Nintendo_Life)*. Nlife Media. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190225213801/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/over_top_neogeo) from the original on February 25, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-OTg160_5-0)** Zuruzuru (January 15, 1996). "紹介 - オーバートップ". *[Gamest](/source/Gamest)* (in Japanese). No. 160. [Shinseisha](/source/Shinseisha). p. 207.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-OTg164_6-0)** Zuruzuru (February 29, 1996). "紹介 - オーバートップ". *[Gamest](/source/Gamest)* (in Japanese). No. 164. [Shinseisha](/source/Shinseisha). p. 242.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-OTg165_7-0)** Zuruzuru (March 15, 1996). "紹介 - オーバートップ". *[Gamest](/source/Gamest)* (in Japanese). No. 165. [Shinseisha](/source/Shinseisha). p. 218.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-OTNGAESmanual_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-OTNGAESmanual_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-OTNGAESmanual_8-2) *Over Top* user's manual (Neo Geo AES, JP)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NGF14_9-0)** ["攻略ーン - オーバートップ"](https://archive.org/stream/Neo-Geo_Freak_1996-07_Geibunsha_JP#page/n57/mode/2up). *Neo Geo Freak* (in Japanese). No. 14. Geibunsha. July 1996. pp. 56–57.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NGF17_10-0)** ["オーバートップ"](https://archive.org/stream/Neo-Geo_Freak_1996-10_Geibunsha_JP#page/n70/mode/1up). *Neo Geo Freak* (in Japanese). No. 17. Geibunsha. October 1996. pp. 69–71.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NGF11_11-0)** ["サードパーティーリレーインタビュー 1: ADK"](https://archive.org/stream/neogeofreak0011#page/n80/mode/2up). *Neo Geo Freak* (in Japanese). No. 11. Geibunsha. April 1996. pp. 58–61.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-OTStaff_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-OTStaff_12-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-OTStaff_12-2) [ADK](/source/ADK_(company)) (April 26, 1996). *Over Top* ([Neo Geo MVS](/source/Neo_Geo_MVS)). [SNK](/source/SNK). Level/area: Staff.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Reichert, Nick (April 27, 2020). ["The Rarest & Most Valuable Neo-Geo Games"](http://www.racketboy.com/retro/the-rarest-and-most-valuable-neo-geo-games). Racketboy. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20191209210829/https://www.racketboy.com/retro/the-rarest-and-most-valuable-neo-geo-games) from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Brian (April 11, 2017). ["Neo Geo lineup on Switch adding Over Top at the end of this month"](https://nintendoeverything.com/neo-geo-lineup-on-switch-adding-over-top-at-the-end-of-this-month/). *nintendoeverything.com*. Nintendo Everything. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180121191232/http://nintendoeverything.com/neo-geo-lineup-on-switch-adding-over-top-at-the-end-of-this-month/) from the original on January 21, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Carter, Chris (April 27, 2017). ["Nintendo Download: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Also, Puyo Puyo Tetris"](https://www.destructoid.com/nintendo-download-mario-kart-8-deluxe-433306.phtml). *[Destructoid](/source/Destructoid)*. [Enthusiast Gaming](/source/Enthusiast_Gaming). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170603080513/https://www.destructoid.com/nintendo-download-mario-kart-8-deluxe-433306.phtml) from the original on June 3, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-AGNGot_16-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-AGNGot_16-1) Knight, Kyle (1998). ["Over Top \[Japanese\] (Neo Geo Advanced Entertainment System) - Review"](http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=17041&tab=review). *[AllGame](/source/AllGame)*. [All Media Network](/source/All_Media_Network). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20141115224301/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=17041&tab=review) from the original on November 15, 2014. Retrieved May 1, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-M!NGot_17-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-M!NGot_17-1) Knauf, Andreas (August 1996). ["Spiele-Tests – NG: Over Top"](https://archive.org/stream/MANiAC.N034.1996.08#page/n68/mode/1up). *[MAN!AC](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/M!_Games)* (in German). No. 34. Cybermedia. p. 69.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-PO63_18-0)** Delpierre, Christophe; Daniel, François; Sedikki, Reyda (April 1996). ["L'arcade dépasse les bornes! - AOU'96, l'arcade se lève à l'est: SNK - Over Top"](https://archive.org/stream/playerone-magazine-063#page/n32/mode/1up). *[Player One](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Player_One_(magazine))* (in French). No. 63. [Média Système Édition](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A9dia_Syst%C3%A8me_%C3%89dition). p. 33.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-BSNSot_19-0)** Osange, Elliott (October 4, 2017). ["ACA NEOGEO OVER TOP Review"](https://www.bonusstage.co.uk/2017/10/04/aca-neogeo-over-top-review/). Bonus Stage. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190410223303/https://www.bonusstage.co.uk/2017/10/04/aca-neogeo-over-top-review/) from the original on April 10, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2020.

## External links

- [*Over Top*](https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/arcade/575811-overtop) at [GameFAQs](/source/GameFAQs)

- [*Over Top*](https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=8946) at [Killer List of Videogames](/source/Killer_List_of_Videogames)

- [*Over Top*](https://www.mobygames.com/game/overtop) at [MobyGames](/source/MobyGames)

[Portals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals):
- [1990s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:1990s)
- [Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Japan)
- [Video games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Video_games)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Over Top](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Over_Top) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Over_Top?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.