Neo Geo AES Questions.

[Barbarianoutkast85]

Alright I know very little about the Neo Geo AES console but I'm interested in shelling out alotta dough-flow to pick one up and start collecting. Anyway here's what I think I know, if any of it is wrong please correct me.
1. The Neo Geo AES is the home console correct?
2. The games are expensive correct?
3. In the online rarity guide for example it says Metal Slug Complete is R9 and worth $999, but in the description it says "The MVS version of this game (loose) is $50/R3." So my question is what is the MVS version? Is it a different cartridge I can play in the Neo Geo AES?
4. What is the average cost of a Neo Geo AES game complete?
5. Where should I look to buy a Neo Geo AES?
6. Does it use memory cards?
7. Is the Neo Geo AES worth collecting for?
8. What are some of the better games for the AES?

[JLukas]

Alright I know very little about the Neo Geo AES console but I'm interested in shelling out alotta dough-flow to pick one up and start collecting. Anyway here's what I think I know, if any of it is wrong please correct me.
1. The Neo Geo AES is the home console correct?
2. The games are expensive correct?
3. In the online rarity guide for example it says Metal Slug Complete is R9 and worth $999, but in the description it says "The MVS version of this game (loose) is $50/R3." So my question is what is the MVS version? Is it a different cartridge I can play in the Neo Geo AES?
4. What is the average cost of a Neo Geo AES game complete?
5. Where should I look to buy a Neo Geo AES?
6. Does it use memory cards?
7. Is the Neo Geo AES worth collecting for?
8. What are some of the better games for the AES?

1. Yes
2. AES, yes. MVS (Arcade), not so much
3. It's the arcade cart that plugs into an MVS motherboard. You can, however, use an adapter like the Phantom-1 (costs around $200) to play MVS carts on an AES home system
4. It varies a lot. A number of the early launch games sell for around $50, but newer games released after 2000 can costs hundreds.
5. Neo-Geo.com Marketplace forums
6. Yes, but they're not really useful. Ex: save what stage you were on in a fighting game
7. No, unless you don't mind spending a fortune. The better route is a AES + adapter + loose MVS carts, or a consolized MVS board/supergun setup
8. There's lots of great games. KOFs, Samurai Showdowns, Blazing Star, Pulstar, Metal Slug series, Bust A Move/Again, etc.

[Barbarianoutkast85]

Here's some more questions after reading a response

1. Whats the average cost of the AES console?
2. The MVS arcade board, can you hook that up to a TV to play like a normal console.
3. Would I get the Phantom1 adapter at the same place you suggested to get the AES console.

Here's what I think I'll end up doing. Buy a Neo Geo AES console, and a Phantom1 adapter and just buy MVS carts to play. Just to get a small collection going and have some variety, then as time goes on pick up the expensive AES games.

[Dangerboy]

Memory Cards are very worth it.

Other than that...

7. Is the Neo Geo AES worth collecting for?
Only if you have an INSANE amount of cash lying around. With some carts going for $500 - $1000, when you can get the same game in the loose Arcade MVS cart for like $30 to $40, it's way better to just collect loose MVS.

I was about 25+ AES carts in when i was a teenager (my local mom and pop place charged nuthin' for 'em), and then sold them off when I realized it'd be costing me hundreds to just play another fighting game.

I was all over MVS collecting, but with Virtual Console bringing them home, even the $30 MVS carts are now looking 'eh' compared to $9 VC versions.

I'd still love all of the MVS carts though >_<

8. What are some of the better games for the AES?
- Samurai Shodown 1,2,3,4, with 2 being the best play and 4 being the most gore
- Art of Fighting III
- Ninja Commandos (button mashing extreme)
- Metal Slug anything
- King of Fighters 94, 95, 98
- Top Hunter
- Puzzle De Pon
- Magical Drop (just watch out for Katchoo...she'll whomp on you o_O;;)
- Mutation Nation
- Fatal Fury Special
- FF Real Bout 2 (one of the best combo animation styles ever)
- Baseball Stars 2
- League Bowling
- Pulstar (R-Type in a fresh coat of paint)
- Panic Bomberman (odd puzzle game)

Just to name a few... :)

[JLukas]

Here's some more questions after reading a response

1. Whats the average cost of the AES console?
2. The MVS arcade board, can you hook that up to a TV to play like a normal console.
3. Would I get the Phantom1 adapter at the same place you suggested to get the AES console.

Here's what I think I'll end up doing. Buy a Neo Geo AES console, and a Phantom1 adapter and just buy MVS carts to play. Just to get a small collection going and have some variety, then as time goes on pick up the expensive AES games.

1. Around $200-300 for the average console depending on condition, whether it has the box, etc. Systems can go up to $500 if they have mods like component, s-video, stereo jacks, debug BIOS.
2. An average arcade board, no. But people consolize them to add video out jacks and a power supply so you can hook it up and play it like a "normal" console.

If you want to play both formats, get an AES, and it would be a good idea to get a loaded one with all extras like component and debug BIOS. There's actually a newer AES-MVS adapter than the Phantom-1, you might want to look into that, too.

That setup will probably cost you in the $600 range I'm guessing. A consolized system will be at least a few hundred less, but you won't have the option to play and collect both formats. Hope that helps.

[Barbarianoutkast85]

Thanks everyone for the answers and advice. I'm going to start looking into buying one.

[Dangerboy]

1. Whats the average cost of the AES console?

Usually $180 to $400 depending on whats with it / any modding

The MVS arcade board, can you hook that up to a TV to play like a normal console.

Only if it has been consolized - meaning ports / TV out / and something else are modded to it.

3. Would I get the Phantom1 adapter at the same place you suggested to get the AES console.

Yes, it's about $250...if you shop around ebay, or on the neo-geo forums, you can sometimes get one for cheaper. I snagged mine for about $150 and love it like a long lost girlfriend. It needs to be babied slightly, but just make sure you get the blue board version.

[smokehouse]

Get a “consolized” MVS…with the Neo it’s the only way to go. I got mine from this guy here:

http://www.neotropolis.net/33465.html

OR, you can buy a generic MVS board and a supergun from this guy here:

http://www.multimods.com/

Either way you’ll spend a bit more $$ now and save HUGE $$ later. I sold my AES and games to get a MVS collection started. Since then I’ve gained quite the collection of games that for the AES, would have cost me a fortune.


On top of that, you can purchase a “shock box” for your MVS cart and with some professionally printed labels, have one hell of a nice display.


Shock Box with insert
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/smokehouse/neo%20review/finishedbox.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/smokehouse/Toy%20Room/Neo_Geo.jpg

[Barbarianoutkast85]

Thanks for the advice Smokehouse.

[Princess-Isabela]

just listed one today with buy it now option:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120161056152&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=002

awesome bundle,

cheers!

[CosmicMonkey]

The only games really worth owning:

Metal Slugs 1 - 5 & X
Last Blade 1 & 2
King of Fighters '98 & '02/'03
Garou: MotW
Blazing Star
Pulstar
Shock Troopers
Sengoku Legends 2001
Windjammers
Matrimelee

There's a couple of others like Rage of the Dragons and Viewpoint that I enjoy, but you're already on several thousand dollars so far for these on AES.

Yes, the AES is an awesome machine to behold but it's really gonna cost you. Fair enough if you have the best part of $10k to throw around, but you'll never get the money back. Especially if you dare to actually play those games and get insertion marks on that $3k copy of Metal Slug.

Just consolize an MVS board, get a UniBIOS and enjoy cheap Neo Geo gaming. If you really wanna spend some cash and get something impressive go for an Arcade Cab.

[smokehouse]

Just consolize an MVS board, get a UniBIOS and enjoy cheap Neo Geo gaming. If you really wanna spend some cash and get something impressive go for an Arcade Cab.


Oh yeah...UniBIOS FTW...Like a built in Game Genie but better...

[Ze_ro]

When it comes to NeoGeo stuff, I recommend sticking to emulation. No matter what way you go about attempting to collect NeoGeo stuff, it's pretty much guaranteed to get messy and/or expensive.

If you go the MVS route, then you're stuck with a relatively ugly consolized MVS or a full-size arcade machine (which is pretty cool, but not necessarily practical), and you're also stuck with ugly cartridges (shockboxes are nice, but pricey if you have a large collection, and it still leaves you with cartridges that look like ass).

If you go the AES route, things look amazingly professional, but you're stuck paying through the nose for everything... and that's assuming you can find what you want, since a number of games never made it to AES.

I've gone the AES route, but with the addition of a Phantom-1 converter to play MVS games. I paid something like $240 for the converter, but then I can cheap out and get the MVS versions of the super-expensive games, and the AES versions of the more easily attainable ones. Sort of the best of both worlds I guess, though I'm still stuck with a stack of ugly MVS cartridges.

Also, if you get really deep into the NeoGeo scene, there's a lot of drama... there's also a lot of other BS like converted cartridges and other types of fraud to worry about. Unless you really really love the system, I think you're better off just buying yourself a nice arcade stick and playing the games on your PC with an emulator instead. You avoid all the problem inherent in the situation.

--Zero

[Barbarianoutkast85]

Alright thanks again for all the help and advice. Some time next week I'll be geting a laaaarge lump some of inheritance money from my grandfather that recently passed away. It's a very large amount of dough flow becuase his only daughter (My mother) passed away in January, 2007 because of medical complications so all his properties, and money got split between my brother and me. So I figured since I'm set for a long while I might as well pick up a Neo Geo AES.

[Tron 2.0]

I realy avoid the phantom 1 since it suffers from compatibility issue.

If you go the AES route and you wanna play mvs carts on it.

Then i suggest this converter instead.
Super MVS Converter II
http://www.neostore.com/detail.asp?ProductID=1178

It has a better track record then what the p1 has from,what i've herd about it.

Btw..i own a aes once as well and i had a p1 too and i found it to be junk.

[jsiucho]

I realy avoid the phantom 1 since it suffers from compatibility issue.

If you go the AES route and you wanna play mvs carts on it.

Then i suggest this converter instead.
Super MVS Converter II
http://www.neostore.com/detail.asp?ProductID=1178

It has a better track record then what the p1 has from,what i've herd about it.

Btw..i own a aes once as well and i had a p1 too and i found it to be junk.

I think it has something to do with the boards, I had a P1 for over 3 years and its work flawlessly so far, I think they are only 3/4 games that cant be played on it. I like the AES P1 route, I like the look of the AES and its carts, and whenever I feel like some MOTW or Slugs the P1 is there for me.

ps my is modded with component out and bios chip


JS

[Trebuken]

I've looked at AES units in the past and asked similar questions. One thing not mentioned that came up then (which these others may be able to debunk) is that you want a unit with an early production numer (under 100,00 or something) because it had superior video output. Not sure this is true or significant but thought I give a heads up.

[omnedon]

I've looked at AES units in the past and asked similar questions. One thing not mentioned that came up then (which these others may be able to debunk) is that you want a unit with an early production numer (under 100,00 or something) because it had superior video output. Not sure this is true or significant but thought I give a heads up.

The video issue with earlier version AES boards is negated if you get the system modified for S-Video, component, etc. If you are sticking with composite (no mod) the newer boards (serial 150 000 +)have better composite video output than the early boards.

This Phantom stuff Vs MVS converter is rife with ignorance. Most people can only test with what they have, and are unable to test the same converter and games on multiple AES's.

We have done tests like that with the Phantom-1, and have generally discovered that the Phantom-1 is great for all but the last 7 or 8 releases on MVS. However, if you have a high serialled AES (serial 80 000 and up) you can expect artifacting with the Phantom-1 on MVS games with scaling features, like Samurai Shodown. My personal AES is low serialled, so the Phantom just works. However, those with a high serialled AES who have a Phantom-1 should simply get the scaling games on AES instead of MVS. Fortunately, most of them (like Samurai Shodown series) are not pricey games.

FYI, every NEO GEO AES OSG modifies or services gets a free Phantom-1 compatibility report.

[Kevincal]

I had an AES...overpriced and overhyped for the most part. Ya it has nice and colorfull graphics and effects, but for the most part the games resemble 16-bit games from the early to mid 90's. A lot of the games are really basic as they are all arcade games. Most of the games are insanely difficult and just plain not very fun. Ya you can use the memory card to save at any location, but dying every few minutes isn't my idea of fun. Maybe with tons of practice it wouldn't be that way but I myself don't want to invest that kind of time in a game. :/ Not making money playing games... Oh and Barbarian, prepared to be floored by the size of the AES console in person and even moreso with the carts. They are way bigger in person than you'd imagine them to be. ;)

[TurboGenesis]

…
Here is what I like to say to someone considering to purchase an AES.
1. What kind of games do you like? Neo Geo is vastly 2d vs. fighting games.
2. Many of those fighting games are available on other platforms (ie DC, PS2, Xbox)
3. It costs money. More than most other platforms.
4. Who will be playing with you? Neo Geo is best with 2 players.

Neo Geo AES USA is really the worst way to go about playing Neo Geo. The price doesn't make cents.

I had posted this in the last Neo Geo topic.

[Tron 2.0]

I think it has something to do with the boards, I had a P1 for over 3 years and its work flawlessly so far, I think they are only 3/4 games that cant be played on it. I like the AES P1 route, I like the look of the AES and its carts, and whenever I feel like some MOTW or Slugs the P1 is there for me.

ps my is modded with component out and bios chip


JS
Yup it depends what model ya have for the p1 to work right.

That's why i see the converter as overated and i think it cost to much.

Beside the 'fact it won't play snkp titles due to there encryption.

Realy it's a gamble for the p1 even if ya have the,blue one like i had once.

Still since my current setup is a cmvs these days..i don't have to worry about that bs any more.

[otaku]

I'm a big neo fan but am also a poor bastard. Played all the games either in arcades or via emulation. Only neo system I've owned is neo geo pocket. AES is damned expensive its actually cheaper to own/collect MVS! Not as practical in terms of moving the collection though or in terms of space. I intend to someday get myself a MVS cab (big red 4-6 slot) god that would be awesome!

[kazuo]

OP, I will make this easy for you: Get a consolized MVS, unless your intention with this is solely to collect. MVS carts are cheap and generally worthless, with a few exceptions.

If your intention is solely to collect... you're nuts!

Either way, best of luck.

[DeputyMoniker]

A consolized system will be at least a few hundred less, but you won't have the option to play and collect both formats.

True. My consolized MVS is the centerpiece system of my collection but to be perfectly honest, it doesn't solve my want for an AES. I remember looking it it while on vacation. I was at the big ass mall in texas standing outside Babbages. I was looking at the different packages they had and wondering what I'd have to do to get one. I was about 11 or 12 at the time. Once I got back home to Oklahoma, I started going to the Babbages in our area, just to drool over an unopened Neo box. Still to this day, when I see an AES, it sparks that kid in me. Games seem like they'll be more fun on an AES. lol. I desire familiarity and my consolized MVS doesn't scratch that itch.

If you have the $, get the AES with a Phantom. If you really have the money, get an AES & a consolized MVS. If you really have the money and you have the space...get an AES, consolized MVS, and an SNK arcade cab to play your favorite MVS games on!

[smokehouse]

I had an AES...overpriced and overhyped for the most part. Ya it has nice and colorfull graphics and effects, but for the most part the games resemble 16-bit games from the early to mid 90's. A lot of the games are really basic as they are all arcade games. Most of the games are insanely difficult and just plain not very fun. Ya you can use the memory card to save at any location, but dying every few minutes isn't my idea of fun. Maybe with tons of practice it wouldn't be that way but I myself don't want to invest that kind of time in a game. :/ Not making money playing games... Oh and Barbarian, prepared to be floored by the size of the AES console in person and even moreso with the carts. They are way bigger in person than you'd imagine them to be. ;)


I’d say that statement is true to a small point but the later Neo Games are nothing short of amazing. The later Samurai Shodown titles, many of the shooters, the Metal Slug titles, Garou MotW, there are others but you get the point. These games blow anything that any 16-bit system has ever done away.

Hell, Metal Slug is pure gaming perfection, down to the very last detail. Dare I say that it is flawless?

Sure.

It’s worth havng a consolized MVS just for the following titles:

Metal Slug 1,3,X
Sam Sho 1-4 (and 5 Special if you afford it)
Bust-a-Move
Pulstar, Blazing Star
Garou MotW
Aero Fighters 2,3
The later King of Fighters titles
Baseball Stars 2
Last Blade 1,2

That’s close to 20 titles worth owning not counting some of the other titles some may like (Shock Troopers, League Bowling, Top Hunter, etc)

Personally, the Neo is the jewel of my collection. It’s big, it’s excessive and it’s cool as hell.






Oh, a about the games being too hard. They were arcade games designed to much quarters so you’re right, some are hard as hell. Just get a UniBOIS chip installed and that’s taken care of.

[XianXi]

If you go the MVS route, then you're stuck with a relatively ugly consolized MVS.

Thats insulting to people's hard work.

[omnedon]

Though I more or less agree with Ze-ro's point of view, that's very much an aesthetic call. There are some very VERY nice and inspired consolized's out there.

As a console enthusiast and collector myself, would I ever consider trading the Ferrari of my collection, my NEO GEO AES, for a very nice looking homemade project that consists of a video encoder and controller ports wired into an enclosure?

Not in this lifetime. But that's just me. If it's just about playing the games, consolized is a good option, or a modded Xbox even, if it's just about the games. Why bother with all those huge carts at all, if the hardware is not important to you.

Lots of ways to skin that cat.

[smokehouse]

Here’s my CMVS:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/smokehouse/neo%20review/MVS-system.jpg


Some may think it’s fugly but it has great features and I’ve yet to hear any snide remarks when showing it to people. Mostly it’s “Wow, what is that thing?” I reply with “An arcade board converted for home use.” Rarely is someone not impressed.


I look at it this way, to get what I have now on the AES, I’d have to have:

-An AES console (probably a JP model because I’d get UniBIOS installed anyway)
-Socket BIOS mod (future upgrades) UniBIOS installed as well
-RGB, S-Video and stereo out mods
-MVS converter (let’s face it, I’d need one of these, I cannot afford games like Metal Slug AES)


All of these things combined would cot me a TON more than I spent on my CMVS. In the end, if the consoles were not sitting in front of you, you’d NEVER be able to tell the difference.

Long story short, that’s a ton of extra $$ for a nice looking case.

[CosmicMonkey]

Thats insulting to people's hard work.

Not at all. I'd much rather people tell the truth than lie.

Most CMVS units I've seen do look damn ugly: bare circuit boards with random connectors here and there and a big bare Jamma connector. If you're happy to have one of those connected to the living room telly than that's fine, but not me. I mean, these things were meant to be hidden away in arcade cabs, not on full display to people.

Now I have seen some absolutely gorgeous CMVS units, but very few in comparison. I've seen MV-1Cs in fully enclosed metal cases which look pretty damn good (like the one South-Town did), but I wish they'd use smooth headed coach bolts to attach the joypad sockets. Using normal screws really ruins it. I've also consolized a couple of 1 and 2 slot MVS units in my time. Fully enclosed wooden cases that look the absolute tits, with the cart slots centered, all the A/V connectors on the rear and 2 front joystick ports. As in a proper console. I've also seen some blatant copies of my CMVSs, and they certainly didn't look as good in comparison. But that's what happens when you don't have a Master Craftsman cabinet maker (my Step-Dad) making your wooden boxes.

[smokehouse]

Not at all. I'd much rather people tell the truth than lie.

Most CMVS units I've seen do look damn ugly: bare circuit boards with random connectors here and there and a big bare Jamma connector. If you're happy to have one of those connected to the living room telly than that's fine, but not me. I mean, these things were meant to be hidden away in arcade cabs, not on full display to people.

Now I have seen some absolutely gorgeous CMVS units, but very few in comparison. I've seen MV-1Cs in fully enclosed metal cases which look pretty damn good (like the one South-Town did), but I wish they'd use smooth headed coach bolts to attach the joypad sockets. Using normal screws really ruins it. I've also consolized a couple of 1 and 2 slot MVS units in my time. Fully enclosed wooden cases that look the absolute tits, with the cart slots centered, all the A/V connectors on the rear and 2 front joystick ports. As in a proper console. I've also seen some blatant copies of my CMVSs, and they certainly didn't look as good in comparison. But that's what happens when you don't have a Master Craftsman cabinet maker (my Step-Dad) making your wooden boxes.

Ah…so you’re a gaming bigot. If it doesn’t come in a fancy case it’s not worth a shit…guess you should notify the people that make the Aerial Atom that without some fancy bodywork their car isn’t worth a shit.





I take it games play better in a fancy case?






The fact is that my CMVS plays 1000% the same as one that has some 500 man hour custom made shell…


The guy who started this thread is clearly looking for some solid budget Neo gaming, not some one of a kind $800 CMVS.

[Mr. Smashy]

I ended up getting an AES with S-video and a socketed UniBIOS as well as a consolized MVS MV-1F board with S-video and a UniBIOS. Of these 2 systems, I find that the composite video output is much better on the AES (S-video is about equal). It's great being able to use the same standard AES controllers on both systems. My MVS board wasn't designed for use with a memory card reader. From the looks of things, a memory card slot doesn't even appear to be a common option on most consolized MVS systems. I know that I get a fair bit of use out of the memory card in my AES.

I'm not a fan of carts converted from MVS to AES. It seems a little wasteful. If it's AES, I need it complete (maybe sans manual baggie, preferably the US release). If it's MVS, I need at least the original label, preferably English without scratched out serial numbers. Either way, it doesn't really make any difference from a gameplay standpoint once the UniBIOS is in either system.

From my experience, getting an A/V modified AES with a UniBIOS and an adapter (like the Phantom-1) that lets you play MVS games is a pretty great solution. I'd have probably gone that route myself if the Phantom-1 was a little more readily available when I ended up buying my CMVS. Still, it's hard to beat the compatibility when you own both platforms.

[Cinder6]

Just consolize an MVS board, get a UniBIOS and enjoy cheap Neo Geo gaming. If you really wanna spend some cash and get something impressive go for an Arcade Cab.

Just wanted to point out here, an MVS cab isn't too expensive. They'll usually run you less than a fully-modded AES (I recently got a MVS-2-25 [2-slot] for $400, and that isn't even the best deal out there for them, just the best in my area). No denying it's impressive, though :)

[cyberfluxor]

Just wanted to point out here, an MVS cab isn't too expensive. They'll usually run you less than a fully-modded AES (I recently got a MVS-2-25 [2-slot] for $400, and that isn't even the best deal out there for them, just the best in my area). No denying it's impressive, though :)

True that, just does he have the space compared to a consolized unit?


I've been following this thread for awhile and really do think you should go with the AES with a MVS expansion cart. If you haven't already, go over to the Neo-Geo forums and read some more over there, maybe ask a few questions and you should be good to go.

Arcades are really nice, you just need the room.

[Cinder6]

There's always room for an arcade machine! Well, maybe not.

Anyways, as I myself am semi-considering getting an AES down the line to complement my MVS, is this, in general, the best of the converters to get?

http://www.arcadeshock.com/items/snk-capcom-sammy-hardware/super-mvs-convertor-ii-mvs-aes-blue-led-snmc-acc-detail.htm?1=1

[DeputyMoniker]

There's always room for an arcade machine! Well, maybe not.

Anyways, as I myself am semi-considering getting an AES down the line to complement my MVS, is this, in general, the best of the converters to get?

http://www.arcadeshock.com/items/snk-capcom-sammy-hardware/super-mvs-convertor-ii-mvs-aes-blue-led-snmc-acc-detail.htm?1=1

Nice. Once I got my CMVS I stopped monitoring the MVS-TV tech. I didn't even know they had these things. Very nice!