NeoGeo Pocket Color

[Untamed]

I've been really interested in picking one of these up lately because I've heard quite a few good things about them.

Can anyone suggest somewhere I can pick it up for a reasonable price?
I know I can get one off eBay for a decent price, but eBay is more hassle than it's worth to me. (Too many snipers, argh.)

I'd also be interested in some suggestions of good games.

Thanks.

[RetroYoungen]

Look online for the system, the easiest way to find one. They're not too pricey too, and likely it'll come with a few games (when they were being phased out they were packaged with a handful of games, like Faselei and Bust-a-Move Pocket), if in that package probably about sixty bucks or so. Now, to the games.

-Cardfighters Clash (one of the best RPGs I've played, and definately the best card-playing game on a console ever)
-SNK vs. Capcom: Match of the Millenium (best fighting game on the system, probably the best portable fighting game ever)
-King of Fighters R-2 (great fighter)
-Metal Slug (any of them)
-Puzzle Bobble Mini / Bust-a-Move Pocket
-Pocket Tennis Color

There are more, don't want to take ALL of the suggestions from everybody. :)

[Untamed]

Great, thanks.

I have heard of some of the games, but not so much of the others.

:)

[RetroYoungen]

No worries, bud. The great thing about the NGPC is that the library actually is chock-full of GREAT games, only a few serious stinkers (and even they aren't typically THAT bad). Awesome handheld.

[Untamed]

It's also fairly easy to get a complete library for, right?

Are there any games that go for over 40$?

[CosmicMonkey]

Over £20? Yep, quite a few.

Gals Fighters and Last Blade were the last two games I wanted; they're a bit elusive and cost me way over £20 each.

Evolution goes for lots on eBay, I've seen it at about £70. And then there's Pocket Reversi.

I'm talking UK released clamshell games though. US cardboard case games are probably a different matter.

[Crazy Climber]

I've owned one, great system but I have one major problem with it. The screen is not lighted which totally bugs me. It reminds me of the first run of GBA's Nintendo made, no backlight screen equals bad. Just my opinion though since I play handhelds at work and the envirement is poorly lit, if you play directly under a powerful light you should be alright though.

[Vectorman0]

It's also fairly easy to get a complete library for, right?

Are there any games that go for over 40$?

For US games, no. Most US games should be had for less than $30, I'd say you could get every game for that price if you were patient. As far as European and Japanese games go, there are a fair amount over that price point.

As far as finding a NGPC, besides ebay, I would suggest posting a WTB thread in the Buying & selling forum here.

[Cryomancer]

I suggest Dark Arms and perhaps Biomotor Unitron. Sonic Pocket Adventure is also about the only version of Sonic 2 I'll even play anymore.

[Untamed]

I thought the screen was backlit. That's kind of disappointing, but the last time I saw a NGPC was at the Toy 'R Us demo station around 2000, so kind of hard to remeber.

There was a great import store in Metrotown, had NGPC, Dreamcast and Wonderswan stuff and I really regret not shopping there, but I was younger and had no money and now it's closed down.

Still want one though, although I've had the original GBA and couldn't stand it because I never had a light bright enough.

I hope they finish the PSP NGPC emulator soon, because that would compliment a NGPC nicely. Lately all I've been doing is playing Chrono Trigger on that wonderful screen. :P


Woo, tangents.

[RetroYoungen]

I thought the screen was backlit. That's kind of disappointing, but the last time I saw a NGPC was at the Toy 'R Us demo station around 2000, so kind of hard to remeber.

There was a great import store in Metrotown, had NGPC, Dreamcast and Wonderswan stuff and I really regret not shopping there, but I was younger and had no money and now it's closed down.

Still want one though, although I've had the original GBA and couldn't stand it because I never had a light bright enough.

I hope they finish the PSP NGPC emulator soon, because that would compliment a NGPC nicely. Lately all I've been doing is playing Chrono Trigger on that wonderful screen. :P


Woo, tangents.

I wish I lived near a place like the one you described, I don't know of any import shops around here (the closest is Fry's, which has some import titles, but no imported systems... and I really want a Wonderswan).

The only NGPC game I've spent more than fifteen dollars on was a complete hard-shell of Melon-chan's Growth Diary (I desperately wanted some import games, so I bought it for about thirty or so. I don't even play it much, it's a Tamagotchi-esque game and completely in Japanese).

[cyberfluxor]

NGPC is a fun little handheld and not too many people know what the hell you have 99% of the time. In regards to >$40 games, I bid on an Evolution EU clam complete earlier this year or last on eBay and it ended up snipping to nearly $200. :-/ Didn't get it, max bid of $100. :p

[Sweater Fish Deluxe]

I thought the screen was backlit. That's kind of disappointing, but the last time I saw a NGPC was at the Toy 'R Us demo station around 2000, so kind of hard to remeber.
No, not backlit, but it's by far the best reflective TFT screen I've ever seen. The comparison to the original GBA is way off. That thing had a really horrible screen that barely even showed up under direct artificial light, you needed like midday sunshine to see it properly. The Neo Pocket screen is always easy to see in just about any light. I've really never found myself wishing it was backlit.


I hope they finish the PSP NGPC emulator soon, because that would compliment a NGPC nicely.
*GASP* The thought of playing Neo Pocket games on the PSP's ridiculous dpad instead of the Neo Pocket's absolutely perfect clicky stick sends a chill down my spine.


...word is bondage...

[smork]

*GASP* The thought of playing Neo Pocket games on the PSP's ridiculous dpad instead of the Neo Pocket's absolutely perfect clicky stick sends a chill down my spine.

Agreed! The NGPC stick is the model of how a handheld should be controlled.

Now a PSP + dual clicky sticks -- that would be perfect for running FPSs and the like on that system. But I digress.

Don't forget Neo Turf Masters if you like golf at all. It's amazing how with 10% of the technology of the full Neo setup they made a handheld game that feels like its big brother, right down to the music.

[Untamed]

*GASP* The thought of playing Neo Pocket games on the PSP's ridiculous dpad instead of the Neo Pocket's absolutely perfect clicky stick sends a chill down my spine.

Unfortunately, I have only handled a NGPC many moons ago, so I can't really compare. But, I was basing my hope of NGPC emulation on the PSP to make use of the wonderful screen. :P

(Just got my PSP a few months ago, and it's gotten more attention than my DS. Mainly because I've beaten Phoenix Wright and now I've been addicted to Lumines and Chrono Trigger emulation. I need some better DS games. =/)

[Vectorman0]

I won't talk about NGPC stick since there is really no contest regarding the superiority of it. Oh well, I guess I just did.


(Just got my PSP a few months ago, and it's gotten more attention than my DS. Mainly because I've beaten Phoenix Wright and now I've been addicted to Lumines and Chrono Trigger emulation. I need some better DS games. =/)

The solution is right in front of you!

(get a NGPC!)


(DS has plenty of quality software too)

[DOL_001]

Does anyone have any experience with modded frontlit NGPCs? This site has them for sale or you can send in your NGPC to have them install a frontlight:

http://mash-mods.com/products/Frontlit%20Systems%20&%20Services/Frontlit%20Neo%20Geo%20Pocket%20Color

[Aussie2B]

No, not backlit, but it's by far the best reflective TFT screen I've ever seen. The comparison to the original GBA is way off. That thing had a really horrible screen that barely even showed up under direct artificial light, you needed like midday sunshine to see it properly. The Neo Pocket screen is always easy to see in just about any light. I've really never found myself wishing it was backlit.

Yeah, I'll ditto that. Not only is it infinitely better than the original GBA, but it's also easier to see than the original brick Game Boy, the Game Boy Pocket, and the Game Boy Color. I can't think of a single handheld that lacks a backlit screen that's easier to view than the Neo Geo Pocket Color.

And as for that clicky stick, you could put that thing on every controller in existence and I'd be happy. :P

[diskoboy]

Gameliquidation.com has 'em for $70 - free shipping. And it comes with 6 games.

http://www.gameliquidation.com/product_info.php?products_id=383

[c0ldb33r]

$70.00?

Is that a good price?

[Vectorman0]

$70.00?

Is that a good price?

Not really, you could do much better on ebay without too much of a wait. I've sold that amount of stuff on here, complete in boxes, for not much more than that. Those 6 game and system packs are always over-priced.

[Untamed]

Not really, you could do much better on ebay without too much of a wait. I've sold that amount of stuff on here, complete in boxes, for not much more than that. Those 6 game and system packs are always over-priced.

That's good to know, because that's the route I was thinking of going.

[XianXi]

Does anyone have any experience with modded frontlit NGPCs? This site has them for sale or you can send in your NGPC to have them install a frontlight:

http://mash-mods.com/products/Frontlit%20Systems%20&%20Services/Frontlit%20Neo%20Geo%20Pocket%20Color

Be careful with Mash Mods, Greg is a very cool guy BUT his old Neo Pockets are modded with an after burner kit which provides excellent lighting but his new front light kits are no where near the same quality but for some strange reason on his site he shows a picture of one with an after burner kit mod. Greg please fix that misleading picture. The front light kit he offers has 3 hot spots on the light distribution.

You can always mod your NGPC with the front light from a Gameboy SP1, I made a guide to help with the process.

http://home.cogeco.ca/%7Elogicdustbin/NGPC_light_mod.html

[mailman187666]

I got a NGPC and I played it a few times, haven't touched it in about a year. I guess its maybe because more of my attention goes to PSP and DS. Or maybe I don't have the really good games for it. That cardfighters clash looks cool, but other than that, I don't know what else I'd seek out for it.

[Untamed]

Be careful with Mash Mods, Greg is a very cool guy BUT his old Neo Pockets are modded with an after burner kit which provides excellent lighting but his new front light kits are no where near the same quality but for some strange reason on his site he shows a picture of one with an after burner kit mod. Greg please fix that misleading picture. The front light kit he offers has 3 hot spots on the light distribution.

You can always mod your NGPC with the front light from a Gameboy SP1, I made a guide to help with the process.

http://home.cogeco.ca/%7Elogicdustbin/NGPC_light_mod.html


That's a pretty cool mod.

Wish I had soldering skills. urg

[snes_collector]

Gameliquidation.com has 'em for $70 - free shipping. And it comes with 6 games.

http://www.gameliquidation.com/product_info.php?products_id=383

That's where I bought mine, pretty good place to buy.

But my friend, NGPC is worth it for Card Fighters Clash alone.

[Sweater Fish Deluxe]

Don't forget Neo Turf Masters if you like golf at all. It's amazing how with 10% of the technology of the full Neo setup they made a handheld game that feels like its big brother, right down to the music.
Last Blade just blew me away as well. It's freaking identical to the MVS version (with the addition of all kinds of extra features and bonuses). I guess it shouldn't really be so surprising, though. I mean, aside from the graphics, why shouldn't a handheld game be just like the console or arcade version? Just too used to the dumbed down versions of their games most companies released on the Gameboy, I guess.


And as for that clicky stick, you could put that thing on every controller in existence and I'd be happy. :P
Yep. The dpad had a good run. For 20+ years it was the best option, but SNK definitely made a huge improvement in digital control with the clicky stick. It's just too bad other companies didn't seem to notice. It's also possible that it's just too expensive to do it right since other attempts at the same thing like the GP32's stick or some third party Playstation controllers I've seen don't feel as great as the Neo Pocket's stick.


...word is bondage...