Neo-Geo Help

[Alfador]

I know nothing about the Neo-Geo, the only thing I do know is that I want one. However, I want to make sure I get the right thing and not get ripped off. On ebay it seems like they don't come around very often and when they do they're mostly Japanese or modded, are the Japanese ones the same as the US ones? What are the mods? Do I want the mods? I try to keep my stuff as close to original condition as possible, but I still want to play it. How much is a good price to pay or how much is too much? Do I need any accessories or anything, and which ones? AHHHHH....sorry, any help is greatly appreciated. :eek 2:

[Princess-Isabela]

have you considered this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120192385710&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=002

depends whether you want to go cd, cdz, mvs or aes.

[Alfador]

I think I want to start with the AES, and work my way up to getting all of them, since I'm pretty poor.. What's the difference between the CD, CDZ, and AES?

[Princess-Isabela]

I think I want to start with the AES, and work my way up to getting all of them, since I'm pretty poor.. What's the difference between the CD, CDZ, and AES?

substantial, CD systems naturally use CD as a medium, CD(Top Loader and Front Loader) are known for relatively long load times(1x speed), CDZ fixes this issue partially because it loads its games faster(in most cases 2x), some games still do take a while to load though.
AES uses cartridges(same goes for MVS), therefore no load times involved.
carts are huge.
doesn't matter which way you'll go, Neo Geo gaming should not be missed.

[Jorpho]

I know nothing about the Neo-Geo, the only thing I do know is that I want one.

I'm pretty poor..

Ow, my brain.

[Chuplayer]

since I'm pretty poor

Go with the MVS. That's the arcade hardware. You may be able to find a consolized MVS motherboard or a cheap MVS cabinet for the same price as an AES system, and the MVS carts are in most cases much cheaper than AES carts. Metal Slug 1 on the AES is super expensive, but the MVS version is dirt cheap in comparison. Even later games like Garou: Mark of the Wolves and Metal Slug 4 can be had for under $100.

[Trebuken]

Ow, my brain.


:)

MVS or build a MAME PC...

[RadiantSvgun]

Go with the MVS. That's the arcade hardware. You may be able to find a consolized MVS motherboard or a cheap MVS cabinet for the same price as an AES system, and the MVS carts are in most cases much cheaper than AES carts. Metal Slug 1 on the AES is super expensive, but the MVS version is dirt cheap in comparison. Even later games like Garou: Mark of the Wolves and Metal Slug 4 can be had for under $100.

I agree. I am in the same boat as you are, Alfador. But the members of the site here told me to go the MVS route if you aren't rich. And based on my research, it is cheaper in the long run to get a MVS setup. Plus, if you get a JAMMA cabinet or a Supergun rig, you can play other arcade boards as well. The only issue with cabinets vs AES is shipping and finding one. Personally, I am saving up for a MVS setup.

"doesn't matter which way you'll go, Neo Geo gaming should not be missed."
You should take that quote to heart. Especially after you play Blazing Star.

[Alfador]

I have noticed some cheap MVS on Craig's List and ebay, but I also have a space problem (I live in a studio apartment), and I move a lot, so I'm trying to hold off on that until I get a house or more permanent residence at least. I was under the impression that the MVS and AES played the same carts? Not true then, eh?

[RadiantSvgun]

I have noticed some cheap MVS on Craig's List and ebay, but I also have a space problem (I live in a studio apartment), and I move a lot, so I'm trying to hold off on that until I get a house or more permanent residence at least. I was under the impression that the MVS and AES played the same carts? Not true then, eh?

AES with a phantom converter can do that, but I don't know how well they work; I've never used one.

[Chuplayer]

AES with a phantom converter can do that, but I don't know how well they work; I've never used one.

There were multiple revisions of the converters, and some worked better than others. Still, the very latest games have problems no matter what converter you use, if I'm not mistaken.

There have been sacrificial carts where the chips from the MVS cart are moved into an AES cart PCB, but it's a pain in the ass.

[XYXZYZ]

the only thing I do know is that I want one.

Why? I have an AES for that "I own a coveted NEO GEO!" feeling. The Neo was like some untouchable holy grail back in the day, and having one is like realizing a childhood dream. And it always tends to impress people who have heard about it but never seen one; AES owners will hear "Oh my god, these cartridges are huge!" more than once. The few games I have for it are the classics- Samurai Shodowns, Fatal Furies, , early KOFs, etc. Cheap games, none of that $100+ stuff. And I never even play them, my AES stuff is to "have" and to show.

Now for actually playing Neo Geo games, I got an MVS arcade cabinet. :D (If you want to play arcade games, do it right!)
Much more economical in the long run; the games I have for it would easily rack up over $1,000.00 for the AES carts, and I've never paid more than $60.00 for a single game.

[Tron 2.0]

AES with a phantom converter can do that, but I don't know how well they work; I've never used one.
He be better off with a super mvs converter II.
http://www.neostore.com/detail.asp?ProductID=1178
Has a better track record then a phantom 1.

Still,Alfador having a cab to play the mvs at home is not the only way.

The board can be run through a supergun or the board can be consolized.

MVS is the best way to play the neogeo if your on a budget.

The aes market isn't too bad right now since it's in a slump lately.

Still..it does add up in the end if you don't have the money.

[smokehouse]

I have a “consolized” MVS and love it…I have a UniBios chip so I can not only load cheats, I can switch between the MVS/AES/US/Japanese versions of the game, I also have RGB out as well as S-video and stereo.

I think I paid $400 for it (and it came with a standard Neo controller as well)…

To get an AES with the same features and a converter would cost more than that.

The like many here have said, if you’re looking to play the really good later games, you’ll 100% want a MVS…games like the Metal Slug titles, the later Samurai Shodowns, Fatal Fury titles, shumps etc would cost many $1000’s of dollars to own on the AES.

[kaedesdisciple]

I have a “consolized” MVS and love it…I have a UniBios chip so I can not only load cheats, I can switch between the MVS/AES/US/Japanese versions of the game, I also have RGB out as well as S-video and stereo.

I think I paid $400 for it (and it came with a standard Neo controller as well)…

To get an AES with the same features and a converter would cost more than that.

The like many here have said, if you’re looking to play the really good later games, you’ll 100% want a MVS…games like the Metal Slug titles, the later Samurai Shodowns, Fatal Fury titles, shumps etc would cost many $1000’s of dollars to own on the AES.

QFT. If you want a Neo and don't have huge bank or a lot of space, consolized MVS is certainly the way to go. If you are careful, you can get a well-made unit for a few hundred $$ that will work on your TV. I have one that was made pretty early on in the MVS consolization era and it still works like a champ. The games are dirt cheap compared to their MVS counterparts, plus if you can get ahold of some Shockboxes to hold the games and get some inserts printed, you can have a pretty looking shelf of MVS games for your collection to boot!