School Me On NEO GEO...

[EX-Soldier]

Sooooo im thinking about getting into neo geo & starting a collection but I dont even know where to start, i've seen a couple of variations in systems not including the cd loading units

which is the superior version to watch out for, heard there was one that was prone to breaking if i heard right, also what are some games that i should definitely check out? i wont lie, metal slug is the main driving force behind my interest in this system as from my understanding has the best versions of :)

how much should i expect to spend cuz if ebay is any indication, I am fucked =(

[ubersaurus]

Sooooo im thinking about getting into neo geo & starting a collection but I dont even know where to start, i've seen a couple of variations in systems not including the cd loading units

which is the superior version to watch out for, heard there was one that was prone to breaking if i heard right, also what are some games that i should definitely check out? i wont lie, metal slug is the main driving force behind my interest in this system as from my understanding has the best versions of :)

how much should i expect to spend cuz if ebay is any indication, I am fucked =(

If you're shooting for metal slug games, go for the arcade MVS unit. The games are WAY cheaper.

[EX-Soldier]

If you're shooting for metal slug games, go for the arcade MVS unit. The games are WAY cheaper.

is there any difference in how it plays?

[bust3dstr8]

AES, MVS, and CD all have some slight differences from game to game.
The CD may have remixed music and the AES might have a different intro.

The way to go is a MVS 2 slot. It is the best board. Then depending on space
and what else you may want to do, figure out if you want to consolize it, use it with a supergun,or just get it in a Big Red or Gold Cab.

Later you can add a Unibios to the MVS board to play in AES mode for most games.

CD is cheap also, but the load times are long enought to finish a sandwich and a beer.

[ubersaurus]

is there any difference in how it plays?

Nope. Same game...as far as I know the AES mode has limited continues, but the arcade MVS you can set to free play.

[PapaStu]

No. There is no difference.

Basically the AES is the 'home' unit. The MVS is the 'arcade' unit. The games are the same play-wise, but the carts won't just plug into either system. AES games arn't cheap for the most part and many of the really good and in demand games will not be easy to find, let alone remotely close to affordable. You like Metal Slug 1, you want an AES Metal Slug 1.... do you have the 1k+ its going to take to get one if and when one shows up on the market? Probably not.

What many people do is they get an AES home unit, mod it so it has UniBios and some other video related perks and they then get a Phantom-1 convertor which will allow them to play the MVS versions of the games, thus being allowed to buy cheaper MVS games and many of the cheaper AES games should they also choose. Others will get a consolized MVS or a Supergun (basically conversion units with controllers that will let them play the MVS games on a TV). MVS games on the whole will run you much less than their AES counterparts. We're talking 50 bucks for an MVS version vs a few hundred for the AES version (in many cases).

The NeoCD systems arn't bad... they just have nasty nasty load times, and lack in the overall selection of the AES and MVS library.


Since Metal Slug is your driving point for the system (and is one for me in regards to the NeoGeo, but we're going a 4-slot MVS once we've got a house), ask yourself what else must you really have for the system to involve the investment this system really is. Can you live with the Metal Slug Anthology for the Wii,PS2,PSP instead? Spot on 100% perfect its not, but its pretty good. SNK has been releasing comps like water lately, and 20-30 a pop for 3-5 games at a time is much easier to stomach than oddles of monies many of the fighters alone could cost you.

I highly recommend that you hit up some of the many threads that have come up here over the years and to also check the Neo-geo.com forums to see a little more of what you'd be getting yourself into.

[Jorpho]

We've done this before, but of course you can't search for the word "neo" or "geo".

I searched for "brain". :D

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=110122

[Kevincal]

Honestly, you're probably better off picking up the various Neo Geo compilations on systems such as the PS and PS2. One recently came out called "SNK Classics" and it has a bunch of games on it that would cost you a fortune if you bought the AES or MVS carts. Still, it is an awesome feeling the first time you see an AES and the mammoth sized carts in person...

[retro junkie]

I have the Neo Geo CD. The older games really play great with only the one load for the game. It is the newer games that has the problem with the load times. But if you have ever had a Sega CD, Saturn, and some early PS1 games, then you will know what load times are. Really the old style PSP has longer load times than the NGCD. The KOF and Last Blade series suffer the most. Inbetween fights or rounds with having teams and two players can get frustrating just waiting. If you are use to the arcade or cart gaming then you would not tolerate the load times.

I really enjoy my NGCD and think nothing of the load times. But if you want the true Neo Geo experience then the Super Gun and MVS is the route to go.

[EX-Soldier]

We've done this before, but of course you can't search for the word "neo" or "geo".

I searched for "brain". :D

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=110122


but if i did that i wouldn't be able to get my post count any higher =(

[EX-Soldier]

....damn you neo geo...damn you to hell

[Tron 2.0]

Honestly, you're probably better off picking up the various Neo Geo compilations on systems such as the PS and PS2. One recently came out called "SNK Classics" and it has a bunch of games on it that would cost you a fortune if you bought the AES or MVS carts. Still, it is an awesome feeling the first time you see an AES and the mammoth sized carts in person...
Compilations are still 50/50 either the emulation can be,perfect or just awful or you won't all ways get the games that you want.

As for owning a,NeoGeo being a fortune naw that is reverse for the aes market.

MVS is the opposite while the setup can add up the games can be dirt cheap..and be a pay off in the long run.

Still i say this EX-Soldier here's how i break it down.

AES if you have the money want some thing that looks nice.

MVS if your on a budget and your not worry 'about the looks and you just wanna play the games.

Right now i use a 2-slot that's been consolized and so far it has payed off.

Pretty much i can aford the games i want without spending a fortune.

The only time mvs adds up if you try to buy the carts as kit's.Where loose carts are the ones that are dirt cheap for the most at price.

[Tommy]

That or if you were going to take the "el Cheapo" route, providing you have a xbox, you could just load up KawaX which plays Neo/CPS1/CPS2 games really good. Cost is non-exsitent if you have a xbox already and know how to do this.

[venturousviking]

We've done this before, but of course you can't search for the word "neo" or "geo".

I searched for "brain". :D

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=110122

In google type this "neo geo site:www.digitpress.com" . That's a way of getting around the character limit.

[smokehouse]

I agree with many here...you only have 3 real choices:

1-compilation discs on various platforms...not Neo perfect but most of the flavor and a low price.

2-MVS (arcad system)...break out the wallet. Personally I have a "consolized" MVS 1-slot with S-vid/stereo outs and a UniBIOS chipset. It's a bit costly up front but you can play the MVS (arcade) titles for FAR less $$ and with the new BIOS you can access the AES/MVS versions as well as different languages, dip settings and even in game cheats. For example, Metal Slug 1, X and 3 set me back less than $200 for all three...compare that to the AES versions.

3-AES (home system)...get a second mortgage if you want the later titles. The system is not too costly but the games can be insane...especially Metal Slug which will set you back a small fortune. As a matter of fact, this is just a rough estimate but acquiring MS1, X and 3 will set you back some $3500+.



Personally, I just don't recommend getting a Neo CD system...it's still not cheap, many of the units are flaky and the load times are beyond insane...if that is the direction you want to head in, save your $$ and get the other system compilations.

[Kid Ice]

Start with MAME. At least you'll get familiar with the games.

[Alfador]

We've done this before, but of course you can't search for the word "neo" or "geo".

I searched for "brain". :D

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=110122

Hey that's my post, and since then I've picked up 3 AES units (One w/Uni-BIOS and component) and a 2-slot MVS, and about 24 AES games and 9 MVS games, maybe I'm not as poor as I lead on...or I'm just dumb and spend all my money.

[skaar]

Hey that's my post, and since then I've picked up 3 AES units (One w/Uni-BIOS and component) and a 2-slot MVS, and about 24 AES games and 9 MVS games, maybe I'm not as poor as I lead on...or I'm just dumb and spend all my money.

I hear you on that. Me and a friend went halfers on a candy cab back in 2001, it's been stuck in his basement for the last few years though. I've gotta get a van to get it over to my place sometime this summer.

I miss our KOF-a-thons. :D (We bought it for KOF 99 - it's got a 6 slot board in it :D)

[tholly]

Yes, MVS is the way to go. I have a 4-Slot in mint condition, a memory card, and seven or eight games, including Metal Slug 1. Set me back maybe $425 total. If you bargain shop, you can get excellent stuff very very cheap.

[EX-Soldier]

I agree with many here...you only have 3 real choices:

1-compilation discs on various platforms...not Neo perfect but most of the flavor and a low price.

2-MVS (arcad system)...break out the wallet. Personally I have a "consolized" MVS 1-slot with S-vid/stereo outs and a UniBIOS chipset. It's a bit costly up front but you can play the MVS (arcade) titles for FAR less $$ and with the new BIOS you can access the AES/MVS versions as well as different languages, dip settings and even in game cheats. For example, Metal Slug 1, X and 3 set me back less than $200 for all three...compare that to the AES versions.

3-AES (home system)...get a second mortgage if you want the later titles. The system is not too costly but the games can be insane...especially Metal Slug which will set you back a small fortune. As a matter of fact, this is just a rough estimate but acquiring MS1, X and 3 will set you back some $3500+.



Personally, I just don't recommend getting a Neo CD system...it's still not cheap, many of the units are flaky and the load times are beyond insane...if that is the direction you want to head in, save your $$ and get the other system compilations.


im conflicted, while my brain tells me mvs is the smarter choice the collector in me wont settle for anything less than the aes, i cant describe it, it just feels more authentic, i see me getting the system soon and games like a year after the fact lol


anyway i have a question about unibios....uhhh....what the hell is it & how do u get it? do u flash it? is it a modchip???

[tholly]

im conflicted, while my brain tells me mvs is the smarter choice the collector in me wont settle for anything less than the aes, i cant describe it, it just feels more authentic, i see me getting the system soon and games like a year after the fact lol


anyway i have a question about unibios....uhhh....what the hell is it & how do u get it? do u flash it? is it a modchip???


I would say, if anything, the MVS is more authentic. All of the SNK Neo Geo games are pretty much arcade games (credits, etc.) I could imagine playing Metal Slug on an AES with gasp, just a controller. Arcade stick on a stand-up cabinet all the way.

[ubersaurus]

Neo Geo AES has an arcade stick for a controller.

[tholly]

Neo Geo AES has an arcade stick for a controller.

I know. But still, it is just that....a controller, not an arcade cabinet......not a true feel.

[EX-Soldier]

I know. But still, it is just that....a controller, not an arcade cabinet......not a true feel.



...touche' :(

[Jorpho]

anyway i have a question about unibios....uhhh....what the hell is it & how do u get it? do u flash it? is it a modchip???

I'm pretty sure you have to pull the existing BIOS chip out of the system and plug in a new one.
http://unibios.free.fr/