differences between neogeo CD models?

[c0ldb33r]

I've decided that I want a neogeo CD. I understand that the 1st gen was the front loader and the 2nd gen was the top loader.

Is one more reliable than the other? Are there any benefits of one over the other? I personally like the way the 2nd gen looks more - is this the only difference?

I know that there was also a CDZ released in Japan with better load times, but I don't want to spend the bucks required on this.

Also, has anyone played windjammers on CD? are the load times tolerable?

[BeaglePuss]

The best Neo CD is a dreamcast!

Using a boot disc, a DC can play many Neo CD games/roms. It also tends to have better load times.

[c0ldb33r]

...Using a boot disc, a DC can play many Neo CD games/roms. It also tends to have better load times.

Interesting. I'd prefer to use actual hardware and games though. Could a DC with a boot disc use actual neogeo CD games?

Also, I'm 99% sure that you can use the joystick controller from an AES with a CD unit. Is this right? I really like the neogeo CD controller, but I'd like to be able to use joysticks too.

[savageone]

Yes you can use any Neo Geo controller on any system. The AES sticks on the CD systems or the CD control pad on the AES system.. 3rd party sticks also work on all systems.

The only real difference is the original model is front loading and the 2nd model is top loading. It just comes down to preference, I prefer the front loader. For reliability go with the top loader.. Less things that can break there. :P

As far as load times go: NGCD load times are blown way out of proportion. The bad load times are mostly on fighting games, and only the later ones are really bad (king of fighters, last blade, etc). Early Neo Geo games, like Windjammers, load for maybe ~30 seconds on startup and don't load anything after that.

[Breetai]

I have the front-loader and have used the top-loader quite a bit. They're basically the same, although with the front-loader comes more mechanical parts and therefore a higher chance of something going wrong eventually. Mine works fine, but more parts means more things to break, right? One annoyance on the front-loader is that you can only open the CD tray via the on-screen menu. If you've used a model 1 Sega CD, it's the exact same. It's a bit annoying, but not a huge deal.

I own the Windjammers CD (called "Flying Power Disc" over here), and it's completely awesome on CD. The load times aren't bad at all. It's comparable to Playstation games. In fact, most of the early Neo Geo CD games are. Metal Slug is also fine! It's when you get into the huge fighting games that game out probably around '97/'98 or later that you get into the insane loading times. KoF '97 is tolerable, and I think '98 is as well (although it's getting borderline), but anything later than that and it's not worth it IMO. One bonus is that the NGCD can read copied discs. Try before you buy! Download and ISO and check the loading times. If it's alright for you, then buy.

I actually perfer a lot of the NGCD versions to the AES versions because the music and video quality (NGCD has S-video built in!!!) is usually much better.

I'll also confirm Savageone said in that the AES controllers work fine on the NGCD, and vice versa. I usually use the CD pads on my AES because I'm not a big fan on joysticks.

[c0ldb33r]

Awesome, thanks for the info.

One bonus is that the NGCD can read copied discs. Try before you buy! Download and ISO and check the loading times. If it's alright for you, then buy.

Will this wear out the laser faster than using authentic games?

[smork]

I think the CDZ is the least desirable unit, actually. It's far and away the most expensive, also the least reliable and gives only a marginal speed increase at best, and even then only only on some games.

I personally prefer the front loader; it's built more solidly than the front loader, IMO. I also have one game (Twinkle Star Sprites) that does not wok properly on my top loader but does on my front loader.

I will also third the compatibility between AES sticks and NGCD hardware. The NGCD pad is the best pad ever, though, so you might end up preferring that!

[WoodyXP]

Could a DC with a boot disc use actual neogeo CD games?

It sure can, but the games aren't completely spot-on. I prefer real hardware myself.

[Breetai]

Will this wear out the laser faster than using authentic games?

I've never seen any information about this, while I have for some other systems (most notably, any PC Engine CD system). My guess is that you'll be fairly safe running burnt discs on this.

[Darkman2K5]

I've never seen any information about this, while I have for some other systems (most notably, any PC Engine CD system). My guess is that you'll be fairly safe running burnt discs on this.

One recommendation for minimizing any impact reading burnt CD's will have on a laser is to burn them at the lowest possible speed allowed by your disc burner. This allows the die to sink in better and make it easier for the lasers on these systems to read the disc.

[otaku]

I haven't owned a cd system yet but want to. Have you owned an aes yet though? If you like collecting nothing better than a shelf of nice aes carts great looking system to. As expensive as it is I highly recommend it

[Breetai]

I haven't owned a cd system yet but want to. Have you owned an aes yet though? If you like collecting nothing better than a shelf of nice aes carts great looking system to. As expensive as it is I highly recommend it

Some of the games on the AES had be had for dirt cheap. Stick to pretty most of the pre-1995 games and you can built a nice collection without spending much at all.

[c0ldb33r]

Nope, I want to avoid AES. I'd actually prefer AES over the NGCD, but it's just too damn expensive

[Kitsune Sniper]

AOF3 loadtimes on the NeoGeo CD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64ArAUzvRGg

I suspect this is the worst possible case scenario, though. D:

[XYXZYZ]

Do it right- TAKE THE PLUNGE!

[c0ldb33r]

Do it right- TAKE THE PLUNGE!

You know what, that's actually not a bad idea. The MVS carts are a lot cheaper than the AES ones right?

The initial arcade cab would be an investment, but if I could get one local it shouldn't be too expensive.

The only things would be:
1) where would I get such a thing, we haven't have an arcade around here for years. I remember an old convenience store had a neo geo arcade unit, but it's long gone, and the store is closed too,
2) how much would such a thing cost? what is a good price? is upkeep a pain?

[Blur2040]

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[c0ldb33r]

I'd love to get a four slot, but I'd be happy with a two slot, provided that it's easy to switch games.

I think I'll end up with a Neogeo CD and a stand up unit. I used to waste hours on windjammers and SamSho 1 at an arcade unit and I'd love to play those again