Over Top

Over Top (オーバートップ) is a rally racing game developed by ADK and released in 1996 for the Neo Geo and later ported to the Neo Geo CD.

Gameplay
Over Top is a top-down rally racing game with an isometric view where players race against the clock. Eight different vehicles are available to choose, each being more suited to a different environment. Each track has their own weather conditions that changes how the car is controlled through the track, as well as shortcuts to gain advantage against opponents.

Development & Release
Over Top was created by most of the same team that previously worked on several projects at ADK, with Magician Lord designer Takashi Egashira acting as its director alongside producer Kazuo Arai. Yukinori Nishikata served as chief programmer, while the soundtrack was composed by Keiichiro Segawa and Takao Oshima. Several other people also collaborated in its development.

Over Top was first released by SNK for the Neo Geo MVS on April 26, 1996, and was then released for Neo Geo AES on May 24 of the same year. 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. The game was later re-released for the Neo Geo CD by ADK on September 26, 1996. The title has received multiple re-releases in recent years on various digital distribution platforms such as the Nintendo eShop, PlayStation Network and Xbox Live.

Critical Reception
Over Top received mixed reception from critics and reviewers since release. AllGame 's Kyle Knight commended its graphics, gameplay and replay value but criticized the introductory CGI sequence for being poorly done. 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.

Reviewing the Nintendo Switch re-release, Nintendo Life 's Damien McFerran criticized the CGI graphics and introduction but commended the music and simple controls, regarding it to be "a very average racing title which lacks longevity and won't keep you occupied for very long." Pure Nintendo Magazine 's Trevor Gould and Heath M. Shusterman-Zimmerman gave the Switch re-release a mixed outlook.