Alpha Mission II / ASO II - Last Guardian (NGM-007 ~ NGH-007)

Alpha Mission II, known in Japan as ASO II - Last Guardian, is a fast-paced, vertically scrolling shooter released by SNK in 1991 for their Neo-Geo MVS arcade system. Two players can cooperate to navigate through increasingly challenging levels filled with enemy formations and imposing bosses. Players control specialized craft, utilizing button combinations to fire lasers, launch missiles, and deploy defensive armor – each player having slightly different attack mappings. The game presents a full-screen experience as the environment scrolls upwards, demanding quick reflexes and strategic use of available weaponry. A limited-edition soundtrack album accompanied the original release in Japan, showcasing the game's audio design. This installment builds upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, ASO - Armored Scrum Object, offering an intense aerial combat experience for up to two players. Alpha Mission II runs on SNK’s Neo-Geo MVS hardware and features a prototype version with altered attract mode gameplay sequences. Later releases of the game appeared on other SNK platforms including their AES and CD systems, as well as later appearing digitally on the Sony PlayStation Store.