The conversions from the Neo Geo Pocket are always interesting from the standpoint of seeing what could be pulled off on such a relatively limited portable, but their quality and staying power tends to vary wildly. In the case of The Last Blade it’s a weapon-based series I’m not familiar with so that added to the learning curve, though with some repetition I was able to start to understand the core moves. Granted, among the few modes there’s a Training Mode option but with it being a 2-button fighter I figured it should be relatively easy to pick up cold as at least a casual-ish fighting game vet of sorts. Surprisingly, no, but checking things out afterwards it mostly made sense. A bit like the Samurai Shodown 2 pocket conversion there’s a more strategic element to the fights here rather than blunt action so blocking and countering tends to be more effective than outright aggression. The character roster is a bit thinner than some of the other SNK fighters from the portable so unless you’re a fan of the series this may not be the fighter you’re looking for.