Natural gas is a promising alternative fuel to meet strict engine emission regulations in many countries. Natural gas engines can operate at lean burn and stoichiometric burn conditions with different combustion and emission characteristics. In this paper, the fuel economy, emissions, misfire, knock and cycle-to-cycle variations in indicated mean effective pressure of lean burn natural gas engines are highlighted. Stoichiometric burn natural gas engines are briefly reviewed. To keep the output power and torque of natural gas engines comparable to that of gasoline engines, high boosting pressure should be used. High activity catalyst for methane oxidation and lean deNOx system or three way catalyst with precisely control strategies should be developed to meet stringent emission standards.