Neo Geo Pocket Color Countdown to Complete Collection (ngpccd) [Archive]

Press_Start

06-30-2009, 10:03 PM

Collecting is one of my favorite pastimes in gaming. Nothing screams Nerd-pride than showing off to your friends your sealed Chrono Trigger or that CIB Stadium Event or one of 26 Golden Nintendo World Championship 1990 cartridges in existence literally cost you an arm and a leg. Needless to say, none of these gold bricks are in my possession. v_V; But no prob, the great thing about collecting is the hunt and sharing the experience with you guys. This will be a series of blogs depicting my ventures in obtaining a complete boxed collection. Where every game is accounted for box, manual, case, and game and featuring all 32 games (offically its 30 but that's for another time) counting down to a complete zero. Without further ado, let's me introduce the star of the show...or blog, the Neo Geo Pocket Color.

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/8915/ngpccountdown.jpg

When you hear Neo Geo, the thought instantly pops in of those 4-in-1 game machines found at your local arcade, movie threatre, or department store. (My local Bradlees had one, when they were around.) SNK, the same guys behind the Neo Geo AES and MVS, decided to take on Nintendo's behemoth color handheld with their color handheld. Originally, the handheld was like the GBC's predecessor, it was monochrome. Properly named Neo Geo Pocket (sans Color), the device was only available in Japan. They added Color to the end of the name by the time it reached the states a year later.

http://www.gameclassification.com/files/machines/neogeo-pocket-color.jpg

At first glance, the NGPC looks like a shrunken Game Gear. Fortunately, two AA batteries and a sub-battery (more on that in a minute). There's a small grove behind on the bottom, makes a resting place for your fingers and give ya a good grip.

Now onto the front, it has A and B buttons and OPTION for your pseudo-start button. Unlike the Gameboy, SNK replaced the D-pad with an analog stick. Kinda weird. Guess they wanted the player that joystick motion feel experience as if they were at the arcade. Arcade on the go! That's a great way to describe this device. It requires little effort to move and does make a clicking sound everytime but doesn't bother me too much. And finally the power button.

Besides playing games, SNK tacked on a few other features including:

-calender
-clock and language settings
-alarm clock
-horoscope

Yeah, that's right a horoscope, take that Gameboy. These additions run on the sub-battery and not something to fret over. As it's not necessary because the double AA supply the power to play the games.

That's enough with the introduction. Let's get to the games!

Metal Slug 1st Mission....(complete w/box)

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/7002/p1010384t.jpghttp://img41.imageshack.us/img41/7867/p1010385kty.jpg

Every gamer loves Metal Slug (except blowing your whole allowance on it). Majority of NGPC titles are throwbacks to the great staples in the Neo Geo library. For the case of Metal Slug, it is an original title and does hold the same run n' gun charm with several exceptions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3ngsvL451s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3ngsvL451s) (Video by toneman)

Unlike its arcade counterpart, players have a life bar and won't die from one shot. Picking up dropped hamburgers and canned food restore health the same way gas restores your vehicles's vitality. You only have one life and pay up in 10 coins to continue. It's not necessary game over as long as there's coins to spare and continue from the last saved point.

1st mission's non-linear progression has lots of replay value and a great plus, IMO. Though most of the missions require to find the POW with a flash without fighting a boss. The biggest gripe from the game is the absense of a pause button. Yeah, there's an OPTION button in there for its switching between your bombs and main weapon. Inconvinent if someone's at the door and got to take a call. Don't get me started on the parachute mini-games.

The soundtrack is great considering it's a handheld game. The theme from the Metal Slug series sounds alright supporting that militia upbeat well.

That's all for now. One down...

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/6840/ngpccountdown31.jpg

megasdkirby

06-30-2009, 10:19 PM

I only need one game to finish my US CIB set....Magical Drop Pocket. It's been a complete bitch to get...sure, I can get it right now, but at an isanely high price. So I hold off until another copy surfaces.

At the same time, I am trying to obtain those UK games not sold in the US, or those that are sought after, like Faselei! and Last Blade. So far, I manage to snag those two mentioned previously, Coolboarders, Evolution, and Cotton. Still missing a few here and there.

In the future, I plan on getting those Japanese titles not released either here or in the UK. I know this will be very hard, though.

Speaking of which, I need to catalog which games I have repeats of, which I plan on selling. Repeats like Sonic, Dive Alert Matt, and Dark Arms.

Good luck on the collection!

Tupin

06-30-2009, 10:58 PM

I only have Match of the Millennium, Sonic, Pac-Man, and Fatal Fury: First Contact, all of which are loose. Not that many Neo-Geo Pocket Color games around here, but I hope to acquire a lot more, great system.

old_skoolin_jim

07-01-2009, 12:18 AM

I used to have a decent, albeit small, NGPC collection in very good shape, but I sold the lot on GameTZ.com back in 2002 for a heck of a lot less than it was worth, because I needed money to buy my first car. I was 18 at the time and needed $600 for an '88 Chevy Celebrity� with a brand-new CD player� and I wound up selling my whole lot for I think $150 or 200 to some lucky person.
My collection, all CIB, included:
Black ("Anthracite" was its pretentious color, I think?) NGPC system & inserts
Nyko Worm Light accessory
King of Fighters R-2
SNK vs Capcom: MotM (still my fave portable fighter; I wish I still had it!)
SNK vs Capcom: CardFighters SNK version, with every card obtainable w/o a Capcom version to link to
Faselei! - Euro import
Ogre Battle - JP import (I was so mad this didn't get an english translation)

I thought I had more than that, but I guess it was actually really small... heh. Oh well.
On a side note, my friend still hates me because I convinced him to buy an NGPC and the week after SNK recalled all their games for it... to this day, all he had was Metal Slug 1st mission and Pac-Man. :p

Bojay1997

07-01-2009, 12:42 AM

Properly named Neo Geo Pocket (sans Color), the device was only available in Japan. They added Color to the end of the name by the time it reached the states a year later.

Actually, the NGP was released in the United States, but it was available mail order only from SNK. They basically produced an English version for Asia, Europe and the US and five English version games. I have a near complete set (four of the games and a sealed console) that I bought from SNK back in the day.

Press_Start

07-01-2009, 02:06 AM

Actually, the NGP was released in the United States, but it was available mail order only from SNK. They basically produced an English version for Asia, Europe and the US and five English version games. I have a near complete set (four of the games and a sealed console) that I bought from SNK back in the day.

You sure?

For what I've read, the NGP got discontinued before the NGPC was released due to poor sales numbers. Only four games for NGP were distributed: Neo Turf Masters, Puzzle Link, Pocket Tennis, and Neo Cup 98. A Baseball Star colored version was released. Still, if they intended to bring the NGP over, wouldn't King of Fighters R-1 and Samurai Showdown 1 be on the official US release list?

Mayhem

07-01-2009, 05:31 AM

There's still debate about exactly where SNK released the NGP and the English language games; some claim only Asia/Hong Kong, some claim that they made it into Europe and the US. One thing for sure, I got all of my English language NGP titles from people in Europe.

There are five English language NGP games: Baseball Stars, KoF R1, Pocket Tennis, Samurai Shodown and Neo Geo Cup 98 Plus. The last one is unusual in the fact that while a colour version was later made, the b/w version is ONLY available in the English release; there was no Japanese release of the game.

There are a few Japan only b/w titles also such as Master of Syougi and Melon Chan for example.

smork

07-01-2009, 08:30 AM

I've got an Asian NGP + Asian Neo Geo Cup 98, FWIW. Bought in Malaysia maybe 4-5 years ago for $10 or so as they were sitting at the bottom of some junk cabinet at a junky store.

Still occasionally see NGP systems running around dark corners of electronics shops in SE Asia now and then.

swlovinist

07-01-2009, 09:17 AM

Good luck with Neo Geo Pocket. It is a fun collection to do. I am two boxes away from a CIB set. I have had a blast collecting it.

PapaStu

07-01-2009, 02:06 PM

Just so you know, you've got a European copy of Metal Slug in your US box.

Every time i see these threads as of late, I get a little jab in my side to wrap up the system box variants I need. I guess its time to polish them off.

Press_Start

07-01-2009, 03:29 PM

Just so you know, you've got a European copy of Metal Slug in your US box.

LOL You're right! Can't believe I let that slip!

You'd think an American box would come with an American manual and an American game. Man, the NGPC is more deceptive than I thought. :confused:

Mayhem

07-01-2009, 06:21 PM

I have complete European and Japanese sets myself... debating whether to go for a US set or not heh...

Spazmonkey

07-01-2009, 10:02 PM

Aussie2B

07-02-2009, 12:11 AM

megasdkirby

07-02-2009, 12:18 AM

I'm kinda, sort of done with my Neo Geo Pocket Color collection. I still need to get the packaging for Sonic and replace my UK Neo Cherry Master with a US cart, but other than those bits and pieces, I'm sitting on a full CIB US set.

I actually have a spare box and manual for Sonic, but the box is pretty beat up and old, unfortunately.

I will however check to see if I have another spare around here. I thought I did...

The 1 2 P

07-02-2009, 02:48 AM

My NGPC collection is a mixture of US and Japanese releases. It's far from done though. It is my most played handheld system even to this day.

Mayhem

07-02-2009, 05:49 AM

I have a pocket tennis cart I got at a play and trade for a dollar. It's the black and white version, so I'm pretty sure it was released here, what idiot would import and then let something go to a game store for pennies.

Well I can't speak there, but I have found a Japanese b/w version of Pocket Tennis in a US gamestore during my travels.

megasdkirby

07-07-2009, 10:45 AM

Mayhem

07-07-2009, 10:48 AM

I might still have a loose copy of one of the pirates here, will have to check my trades box.

megasdkirby

07-07-2009, 12:09 PM

Sweet!

But they came with boxes? Would love to see a picture of that! :)

Icarus Moonsight

07-07-2009, 02:04 PM

I saw this thread and heard "The Final Countdown" in my head... Anywho, I'm pretty much done with the US stuff. I'm wanting to get the imports Cotton and maybe Ogre Battle. Possible the KoF that didn't make it out here. I can pass on the board game one though.

Great little system, deserved much better than it got at retail.

Bojay1997

07-07-2009, 04:35 PM

You sure?

For what I've read, the NGP got discontinued before the NGPC was released due to poor sales numbers. Only four games for NGP were distributed: Neo Turf Masters, Puzzle Link, Pocket Tennis, and Neo Cup 98. A Baseball Star colored version was released. Still, if they intended to bring the NGP over, wouldn't King of Fighters R-1 and Samurai Showdown 1 be on the official US release list?

I am 100% sure. SNK put the systems and games up for sale on their old website, but they didn't actually have a web store. I had to actually call their number in California, speak to a sales manager and she took my order, along with some other items I wanted including an AES memory card and a couple of Neo Geo CD games. They shipped the next day and I had them in 48 hours as I was living in San Diego at the time. Obviously they weren't shipping from outside of the US or it would have taken a lot longer.

They stopped selling the NGP direct as soon as the NGPC hit the stores. There were a number of NGP games distributed, but the English ones were Samurai Showdown, KOF R-1, Pocket Tennis, Neo Geo Cup 98 and Baseball Stars. I am only missing Pocket Tennis right now.

fishsandwich

07-08-2009, 11:21 AM

Speaking of NGPC... is the UK clamshell version of Pocket Reversi still the rarest game or is there a Japanese game that's even rarer?

?

Press_Start

07-08-2009, 11:43 AM

So how is the collection comming along?

I was finally able to snag a CIB copy of Magical Drop Pocket for $15! So when the game arrives (when it's in my hands), I would have finally finished my NGPC collection!!!! :D

But yeah, Magical Drop is by far, IMO, the hardest game to get for the system. I pray everything pans out, because once it's in my hands, I am going to throw a beer party at home. LOL

However, I am still looking for certain UK and JPN games, as well as those multicart pirate games. I would love to get those pirated games...maybe one day.

Doh! Yeah, I saw it on Ebay. Can't believe I missed out on Magical Drop Pocket and Gal Fighters. :frustrated:

Oh well, managed to Samurai Showdown and Crush Roller.

Nice catch, btw. :rocker:

I am 100% sure. SNK put the systems and games up for sale on their old website, but they didn't actually have a web store. I had to actually call their number in California, speak to a sales manager and she took my order, along with some other items I wanted including an AES memory card and a couple of Neo Geo CD games. They shipped the next day and I had them in 48 hours as I was living in San Diego at the time. Obviously they weren't shipping from outside of the US or it would have taken a lot longer.

They stopped selling the NGP direct as soon as the NGPC hit the stores. There were a number of NGP games distributed, but the English ones were Samurai Showdown, KOF R-1, Pocket Tennis, Neo Geo Cup 98 and Baseball Stars. I am only missing Pocket Tennis right now.

What did the boxes look like? Were they like Japanese boxes with the English cart?

Vectorman0

07-08-2009, 11:44 AM

Speaking of NGPC... is the UK clamshell version of Pocket Reversi still the rarest game or is there a Japanese game that's even rarer?

I would say it is still the most valuable game across all regions, but it is far from the rarest. I see some other less valuable games less often, such as Mezase Kanji Ou, Cool Boarders Pocket UK, or any of the English non-color games. It has steadily been going down in value, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was eclipsed by Evolution in the near future.

Bojay1997

07-09-2009, 02:07 AM

Doh! Yeah, I saw it on Ebay. Can't believe I missed out on Magical Drop Pocket and Gal Fighters. :frustrated:

Oh well, managed to Samurai Showdown and Crush Roller.

Nice catch, btw. :rocker:

What did the boxes look like? Were they like Japanese boxes with the English cart?

They were hard clamshell cases for the games, but both the box for the system and the box for the games are fully in English. I believe they just made English versions of the carts and console and sold them in the US, Japan and English speaking markets in Asia.

tom

07-09-2009, 03:39 AM

Neo Geo pocket B&W games (Japanese instr. only, but Mayhem previously posted the Jap/Eng covers if I remember right):
http://www.videogamecollectors.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=201497&g2_serialNumber=1 http://www.videogamecollectors.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=201495&g2_serialNumber=1 http://www.videogamecollectors.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=201493&g2_serialNumber=1

I wonder why they went with cardboard boxes for their colour games in Japan?
http://www.videogamecollectors.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=201504&g2_serialNumber=1

Mayhem

07-09-2009, 06:23 AM

Is Pocket Reversi the rarest NGPC game complete? No. Is it still the most valuable? Probably.

As for Cool Boarders, it was all over eBay when I was gathering my UK set, so it must have dried up considerably if Vectorman says he thinks it will be harder to find in the future (then again I do have it listed as a 6 in the DP guide).

I'd say Koi Koi Mahjong, perhaps Nige-ron-pa, are harder on the Japanese front. On the UK front, Neo Geo Cup 98 Plus b/w is stupidly rare, along with Neo Baccarat (that was the last UK colour game I needed!). I do agree on Evolution though, that is getting harder to source complete (and as such I have it listed as an 8 currently).

I wonder why they went with cardboard boxes for their colour games in Japan?

Not all of them; some of the early colour games come in clamshell in Japan.

This was the shot I had of my five b/w English NGP games...

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q167/MayhemUK/ngpuk.jpg

tom

07-09-2009, 06:54 AM

This begs the question: Did the Neo Geo B&W handheld have a UK release after all? And 5 English games were released? Are the instr. in English?
None of the UK gaming magazines have any info on this (maybe it's time to dig out those old C&VGs, Games Master, Edge etc again).

kgenthe

07-09-2009, 08:54 AM

My NGPC collection is small. I have a boxed Neo Geo Pocket Platinum Silver Pack with Sonic, Bust-A-Move Pocket (US) and Cool Boarders Pocket. Bought the NGPC and Bust-A-Move from Toys R Us before it was discontinued and imported Cool Boarders from the internet back when it was new.

smork

07-09-2009, 09:27 AM

I wonder why they went with cardboard boxes for their colour games in Japan?

Many of the color games are clamshell; here's a few from my collection.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3024/3703533299_f58780ef0f_b.jpg

megasdkirby

07-09-2009, 10:09 AM

Doh! Yeah, I saw it on Ebay. Can't believe I missed out on Magical Drop Pocket and Gal Fighters. :frustrated:

Oh well, managed to Samurai Showdown and Crush Roller.

Nice catch, btw. :rocker:

Thanks man. :) I almost pooped when I saw it....I did a quick inspection and once that was done, I hit the BIN button so fast, I think it was my newest record. LOL

Did not know he had Gal Fighters! Was it also $15? I would have picked it up just to replace my existing copy. :)

Congrats on Samurai Showdown and Crush Roller! :)

I would say it is still the most valuable game across all regions, but it is far from the rarest. I see some other less valuable games less often, such as Mezase Kanji Ou, Cool Boarders Pocket UK, or any of the English non-color games. It has steadily been going down in value, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was eclipsed by Evolution in the near future.

I've noticed Evolution has gone up in price considerably recently. I was lucky to snag it at a low price, but last one went for over $160! But I will be honest...the game I rarely saw was Evolution Pocket...and Cotton. I've only seen the UK version of Cotton once (which I managed to pick up) but never again.

As for Cool Boarders, it was all over eBay when I was gathering my UK set, so it must have dried up considerably if Vectorman says he thinks it will be harder to find in the future (then again I do have it listed as a 6 in the DP guide).

When I started getting NGPC games, I noticed that Coolboarders did appear quite frequenly...and this was just a few months ago. I saw it at least three times total, so I would not consider it as rare. Cotton, on the other hand, I only saw once. Same as a complete Rockman Battle (JPN).

On the UK front, Neo Geo Cup 98 Plus b/w is stupidly rare, along with Neo Baccarat (that was the last UK colour game I needed!). I do agree on Evolution though, that is getting harder to source complete (and as such I have it listed as an 8 currently).

I noticed that Evolution only appeared three times, and I bet it was because people saw how much the first one went for ($150+), so another two sellers decided to part with theirs. The second one went for $60+ (with free shipping, acquired by yours truly) and then the third reached $160+! Why the inconsistency, I have no idea.

I wish I had those B&W games!

Mayhem

07-09-2009, 10:48 AM

Yeah, Cotton is another tricky one to find. Most of the Europe only (non US) late releases are, including Picture Puzzle, Neo Baccarat, Evolution and the infamous Pocket Reversi.

This begs the question: Did the Neo Geo B&W handheld have a UK release after all? And 5 English games were released? Are the instr. in English?
None of the UK gaming magazines have any info on this (maybe it's time to dig out those old C&VGs, Games Master, Edge etc again).

Well that's the $64,000 question as noted earlier. Were the b/w games actually released outside Asia/Hong Kong? The one thing I can say for sure, as I own the games, is that everything is in English: inlay, manual and in-game text.

megasdkirby

07-09-2009, 10:52 AM

Yeah, Cotton is another tricky one to find. Most of the Europe only (non US) late releases are, including Picture Puzzle, Neo Baccarat, Evolution and the infamous Pocket Reversi.

You are right, I've never seen a UK CIB Neo Baccarat. Nor a Picture Puzzle, for that matter.

Does this mean that they may fetch an insanely high price? If Evolution fetched $160+ in it's last run, I fathom to think what those titles might fetch!

Vectorman0

07-09-2009, 10:59 AM

You are right, I've never seen a UK CIB Neo Baccarat. Nor a Picture Puzzle, for that matter.

Does this mean that they may fetch an insanely high price? If Evolution fetched $160+ in it's last run, I fathom to think what those titles might fetch!

About $50 each for those titles. Picture Puzzle is a great game and definitely worth the cost.

megasdkirby

07-09-2009, 11:03 AM

About $50 each for those titles. Picture Puzzle is a great game and definitely worth the cost.

Thanks Vectorman!!! ^_^

Makes perfect sense, though. The other games I got from the UK fetched around that price as well.

I hope one day I manage to snag a copy of those games. Got money saves up for such an occasion. :)

What about those pirated games? Do they fetch "a pretty penny"?

Bojay1997

07-09-2009, 11:08 AM

Yeah, Cotton is another tricky one to find. Most of the Europe only (non US) late releases are, including Picture Puzzle, Neo Baccarat, Evolution and the infamous Pocket Reversi.

Well that's the $64,000 question as noted earlier. Were the b/w games actually released outside Asia/Hong Kong? The one thing I can say for sure, as I own the games, is that everything is in English: inlay, manual and in-game text.

Well, we know for sure that the games and system were released in the US, although only through mail order from SNK. I can't speak to the European situation.

tom

07-09-2009, 06:23 PM

megasdkirby

07-09-2009, 06:53 PM

There is a difference of 'being released' in USA and 'offerered through mail order'.
We had 'Madden' offered through mail order for the VCS way back, that game never happened.
So if anyone actually has a USA Neo Geo B&W unit, can he/she post a picture please.

There was a Madden for 2600? O_o

What are the hardest US games to get? For me it was Magical Drop, Puzzle Link 2, Sonic, and Fatal Fury.

PapaStu

07-09-2009, 07:58 PM

I'd recommend if we're going to go down this route (rarest games, is NGP US or not) much more that we start a separate thread so we don't hijack the OP's countdown to NGPC madness.

IMO the Magical Drop Pocket was the only hard to get game for me, as i've said in other threads numerous times. Others have said that Pocket Tennis was a toughie as well, but I had that from the get-go so it was never an issue for me.

Mayhem

07-09-2009, 08:08 PM

I hope one day I manage to snag a copy of those games. Got money saves up for such an occasion. :)

What about those pirated games? Do they fetch "a pretty penny"?

Yeah, they're in the category of "rare but not desired as much hence not as valuable". As stated earlier Neo Baccarat was the last UK Color title I needed for the set of 39.

As for the two pirate carts in general circulation, I paid $75 each for my "complete" (box with inlay and cart) copies.

Bojay1997

07-09-2009, 11:47 PM

There is a difference of 'being released' in USA and 'offerered through mail order'.
We had 'Madden' offered through mail order for the VCS way back, that game never happened.
So if anyone actually has a USA Neo Geo B&W unit, can he/she post a picture please.

As I stated earlier, I ordered and still own a sealed English NGP unit and four of the five games. They came straight from SNK in Torrance. Judging by other pictures I have seen on the net, they are identical to the European/Asian English versions. They were advertised on SNK's website and sold mail order by SNK via phone. So, by any definition they were released, but just didn't have retail store distribution that I know of.

tom

07-10-2009, 01:50 AM

So you own an 'English' NGp B&W, can tell us something about it please.
Here's my Japanese NGp B&W, is it the same looking except Japanese writing on the box? Does it have English instructions (OK yours is sealed, so you wouldn't know)?
http://www.videogamecollectors.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=201490&g2_serialNumber=1

slapdash

07-11-2009, 01:07 AM

There is a difference of 'being released' in USA and 'offerered through mail order'.
We had 'Madden' offered through mail order for the VCS way back, that game never happened.

There was a Madden for 2600? O_o

Er, no, that was his point... There were references to a game called "Maddenness", but they never actually made it. So it was "offered for sale", but... not really.

Press_Start

07-17-2009, 11:46 PM

Gamers, I've made a mistake. In my opening post of the US NGPC countdown, the first entry was Metal Slug First Mission...the UK version! Fortunately, the American version came in the mail recently. Just to give you a better idea,

Here's a picture:

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/9571/p1010432sgl.jpg

How did I let it happen in the first place? Two things:

1. The auction that I won it in only showed the box, so didn't get a good look on the inside until it was mailed in. Yet still couldn't tell assuming an American box implies having an American manual and American game inside it. My
bad. But I'm NOT blaming the seller, put that on the record.

2. I was starting out, didn't realize how deceptive the handheld and its "changlings" 'til it was too late. So, I'm sharing the information I've learned with you guys using today's entry.

Neo Turf Masters (complete w/box)

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/8716/p1010405a.jpghttp://img21.imageshack.us/img21/8624/p1010406j.jpg

Below a pic of US and UK loose carts for Neo Turf Masters. (Left: US, Right: UK).

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/1094/p1010449h.jpg

How to tell the US NGPC games?

1. The ESRB rating. This is the single most important and helpful identifier as shown on the left. Most should be big enough to see on most auction pics, where even sellers may confuse with its UK counterpart.

2. Not as important as 1 but just as helpful. The Neo Geo Pocket Color rainbow shown on the right in the top corner of the label is one way to verify the game is NOT US. Only printed on JPN/UK games.

3. No Japanese characters. (No Hiragana, Katagana, and Kanji) Dead give-a-way there.

What about manuals?

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/5823/p1010440c.jpg

Same deal as above. However, some US manuals will lack the ESRB rating. Look on the back and chech for an US address.

And the boxes?

Let's dissect for each region.

US: All boxes are cardboard, have the ESRB stamp, and the NGPC rainbow is only on the sides.

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/4672/p1010421tex.jpg

UK: All black plastic clamshell cases. Think DS.

http://moeroshop.net/bmz_cache/c/cdaa654a8875bff428231fb186ad272c.image.225x220.jpg

(Don't have one myself, had to use somebody else')

JPN: Mix of the other two. Some are cardboard. Some are plastic. No ESRB and Japanese characters are still a dead giveaway for these.

https://moeroshop.net/bmz_cache/f/fc8bff48559050c35567857758393cd6.image.225x208.jpg https://moeroshop.net/bmz_cache/7/71b77ade48fd4dc638c63c4238e05614.image.170x162.jpg

Truth of the matter, you'd shouldn't concern too much as NGPC is region free and plays all JPN/US/UK games. This guide was written to help gamers currently or thinking about collecting to not make the same mistake I have and probably help sellers identify their product in preventing them from accidentally misleading buyers.

Another game down...30 more to go.

http://img60.imageshack.us/img60/5869/ngpccountdown30.jpg

SegaAges

07-17-2009, 11:50 PM

Down to 30, but I still think this is an awesome idea.

It will help people encompass what it is like to go for a complete collection

PapaStu

07-18-2009, 03:14 AM

How to tell the US NGPC games?

1. The ESRB rating. This is the single most important and helpful identifier as shown on the left. Most should be big enough to see on most auction pics, where even sellers may confuse with its UK counterpart.

2. Not as important as 1 but just as helpful. The Neo Geo Pocket Color rainbow shown on the right in the top corner of the label is one way to verify the game is NOT US. Only printed on JPN/UK games.

3. No Japanese characters. (No Hiragana, Katagana, and Kanji) Dead give-a-way there.

Just look for the ESRB on the cart. If you see the rainbow on the label, its either Japanese or UK. Remember that there are 2 US games that will have no box what-so-ever. Fasalei! and Last Blade both came out after SNK America went under, the boxes were destroyed and the games made it out later thanks to resellers.

And the boxes?

Let's dissect for each region.

US: All boxes are cardboard, have the ESRB stamp, and the NGPC rainbow is only on the sides.

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/4672/p1010421tex.jpg

Not 100% true actually.

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k252/PapaStu/NGPC/IMG_1110.jpg Yes the Sam-Sho's ESRB is a sticker (also notice that mine has a european country tax sticker on it, but it was ESRB stickered (by who i'm not sure, don't know if it was a shop or SNK) to be sold stateside), BUT the Bust-A-Move, thats printed on the insert.

tom

07-18-2009, 03:19 AM

What I wanna know is: Who cares if you have the UK/Europe or US version of the game?

PapaStu

07-18-2009, 03:30 AM

What I wanna know is: Who cares if you have the UK/Europe or US version of the game?

Collectors might. If I was buying someones games/set and I ended up getting something I wasn't expecting (like a foreign game) I might not be very happy. I guess it comes down to personal preference. Some people only want US games (or what was available stateside) while others just want one of each.

Personally I wanted US releases and thats what I collected. I don't think I really plan on going after a UK or Japanese set, unless I get everything US released (the last few US variant system boxes I don't own) and I still want to throw money at the collection. If I do start that, i'll end up getting everything, all UK games/systems as well as all Japanese games/variants/systems because i'll just feel shorted if I start down that path and don't follow it through like I did with my US stuff.

Press_Start

07-18-2009, 03:39 AM

Just look for the ESRB on the cart. If you see the rainbow on the label, its either Japanese or UK. Remember that there are 2 US games that will have no box what-so-ever. Fasalei! and Last Blade both came out after SNK America went under, the boxes were destroyed and the games made it out later thanks to resellers.

Was going to cover that topic later with Faselei. And...wait a minute. There were boxes?! I thought only the carts were made. Is there proof the boxes existed?

Yes the Sam-Sho's ESRB is a sticker (also notice that mine has a european country tax sticker on it, but it was ESRB stickered (by who i'm not sure, don't know if it was a shop or SNK) to be sold stateside), BUT the Bust-A-Move, thats printed on the insert.

Wow. Things get stranger and stranger. When did US games get plastic clamshells? More importantly, where did you get them?

EDIT: BTW, PapaStu, I clicked the collection link in your sig and got an ad for Dorney Park. Is it possible to fix that?

PapaStu

07-18-2009, 04:04 AM

Fasalei! was done and complete and ready to ship out from my understanding when SNK went under. The boxes were either not 'assembled' with the games or they were removed when/before the resellers got the games. I think the same thing happened with Last Blade, but don't hold me to that.

Well Bust-A-Move and SamSho were basically launch titles, so its conceivable that SNK had intended to keep the plastic cases that were the UK standard for release here in America. I don't know why they rolled over, except to think that maybe they wanted them to seem more like GBC/GBA games with cardboard boxes. That might be better documented over on the Neo-Geo forums.

I clicked on my link and it eventually loaded my old IGN ( now called club.ign it would seem) collection list (its real big and IGN doesn't like lists with 1400+ games on them that can be edited and i'm easily 600+ past that now). Thats so far out of date now its not even funny. I had a up to date DP list when we had that ability here, but now i just do it all on my excel list. I guess I could finish my RF Gen list, but again, hours of adding games isn't high on my to do list most days/nights. Is there something you particularly wanted to see?

I got Bust-A-Move off eBay. They do show up there every blue moon, and I got the SamSho from Vectorman awhile back (actually he spotted the Bust-A-Move for me too, he's good peoples like that).

Pics of my NGPC collection over at the Room of Doom site (http://www.videogamecollectors.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=135987). If that doesn't load i've got those pics on Photobucket as well, if you follow my posted picture back, you can see that sub collection.

Press_Start

07-18-2009, 11:37 AM

Thanks, man. Nice collection by the way.

snes_collector

07-18-2009, 04:41 PM

This reminds me, I've been meaning to get some of the four packs that I still need. Better pick those up sometime soon.

I've got 2 systems and 16 games and love the thing to death. Probably my favorite handhled.

I would like eventually to own every game released for the thing(region or box/manual doesn't matter to me).

crazyteknohed

08-02-2009, 05:29 AM

My copy of Evolution is up on t'eBay now if anyone fancies it ;)

Press_Start

08-10-2009, 01:04 PM

Sonic Pocket Adventure...(complete w/box)

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/6141/p1010358j.jpghttp://img41.imageshack.us/img41/4956/p1010359cbj.jpg

What?! A Sonic game not on a Sega system?! With Sega dropping out of the console race, Sonic has done things his 90's fanbase never dreamed were possible. Come on, the mere thought of Sega's blue superstar on the big N's console was crazy, ridiculous, and laughable. Like a retro metaphor for Halo on the Wii. The strange thing is Sonic Pocket Adventure came out a few years before Sega waved the white flag.

Always find it odd how first party all-stars land themselves on systems besides their own. Stranger still Sonic on the NGPC is nothing new. Rewinding back to 16-bits, NEC's Turbo Grafx some of you may remember (yes, all 5 of you) hit the scene first followed by Sega Genesis shortly there after. Two of Turbo's earlier titles were Fantasy Zone and Space Harrier, coincidentally at the same time were Sega property.

We all remember that era for the mascots wars. For the Turbo Grafx, their's came in the form of a cute, cueball-headed kid caveman by the name of Bonk. Cause he bonks enemies with his hard head and the occasional roid rage from eating too much raw meat. Funny how he's on just as many games for Turbo as Nintendo, including NES, Game Boy, and SNES. Let's not forget Nintendo "pimped" Mario and Zelda to Philips CD-i and PC tutorial games. Now, lend them occasionally for Sega's Olympic games and come full circle.

As for the game itself, it's a throwback to Sonic 2 with some new levels, different bosses, and no Tails (in single player mode, at least). But stage selection is built in as well as a multiplayer mode is added granted you find someone nearby having a NGPC, a copy of the game, and link cable. Screw it, easier to buy a 2nd set (no problem getting them cheap) and persuading a friend to join in the fun. ;D

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/342/ngpccountdown29.jpg

tom

08-10-2009, 01:16 PM

Sonic Pocket Adventure...(complete w/box)

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/6141/p1010358j.jpghttp://img41.imageshack.us/img41/4956/p1010359cbj.jpg

What?! A Sonic game not on a Sega system?! With Sega dropping out of the console race, Sonic has done things his 90's fanbase never dreamed were possible. Come on, the mere thought of Sega's blue superstar on the big N's console was crazy, ridiculous, and laughable. Like a retro metaphor for Halo on the Wii. The strange thing is Sonic Pocket Adventure came out a few years before Sega waved the white flag.

Always find it odd how first party all-stars land themselves on systems besides their own. Stranger still Sonic on the NGPC is nothing new. Rewinding back to 16-bits, NEC's Turbo Grafx some of you may remember (yes, all 5 of you) hit the scene first followed by Sega Genesis shortly there after. Two of Turbo's earlier titles were Fantasy Zone and Space Harrier, coincidentally at the same time were Sega property.

We all remember that era for the mascots wars. For the Turbo Grafx, their's came in the form of a cute, cueball-headed kid caveman by the name of Bonk. Cause he bonks enemies with his hard head and the occasional roid rage from eating too much raw meat. Funny how he's on just as many games for Turbo as Nintendo, including NES, Game Boy, and SNES. Let's not forget Nintendo "pimped" Mario and Zelda to Philips CD-i and PC tutorial games. Now, lend them occasionally for Sega's Olympic games and come full circle.

As for the game itself, it's a throwback to Sonic 2 with some new levels, different bosses, and no Tails (in single player mode, at least). But stage selection is built in as well as a multiplayer mode is added granted you find someone nearby having a NGPC, a copy of the game, and link cable. Screw it, easier to buy a 2nd set (no problem getting them cheap) and persuading a friend to join in the fun. ;D

Yeah, but Sonic 'had' already appeared on Tiger game.com years earlier:
http://www.videogamecollectors.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=192330&g2_serialNumber=1

Way back in the VCS days, Nintendo and Sega always were present on other consoles/computers (Mario did appear on VCS first, you know).

Press_Start

08-10-2009, 03:29 PM

Heard about it. These games makes me recall those crazy "Mario's on Genesis and Sonic's on SNES" rumors buzzing the playgrounds, (or to be up to date, "Mario on PS3 and Zelda on 360" LOL).

tom

08-10-2009, 04:57 PM

Stop right there, Mario on Nintendo's own is bad enough, we really don't need it on PS3 nor 360 nowadays.

Press_Start

09-09-2009, 06:02 PM

One month and no updates....time for a double header. ;)

Baseball Stars....(complete w/box)
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/5191/p1010343j.jpghttp://img14.imageshack.us/img14/4109/p1010344n.jpg

Neo Geo Cup '98 Plus.....(complete w/box)
http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/3841/p1010353n.jpghttp://img40.imageshack.us/img40/2153/p1010354h.jpg

Also, started my own blog. Check it out: http://blockmangamer.blogspot.com/

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/3609/ngpccountdown27.jpg

megasdkirby

09-09-2009, 06:30 PM

Mayhem

09-09-2009, 06:52 PM

I've got everything Japanese and European/Hong Kong... what's the query?

Press_Start

09-09-2009, 07:00 PM

Congrats! You will be there in no time! :)

Remember to snag Magical Drop as quickly as it appears! :)

Speaking of which, I got a new game for the console...the "english" version of King of Fighters R-1. Problem is, I want to verify it's authenticity. Who was the member who has these games/versions? I forgot. :(

:lol: Don't worry. My collection has grown "a little" in this hiatus. ;)

Trouble is the countdown need to kick into overdrive to catch up.

As for KoF R-1, I'm sure it's brought up on this thread cause there was talk and someone (don't remember who) posted pics. Check the previous posts. Don't forget to check out my blog and leave a comment.

Icarus Moonsight

09-10-2009, 09:47 PM

Thanks to the info in this great thread, I was able to recognize and snag myself a Magical Drop today. Sure it's a loose cart with the protective shell only, but I paid $5 so I can't complain. Next on the list, is that blasted Cotton!

Thanks guys, keep the updates coming PS. :)

Press_Start

09-15-2009, 10:23 PM

Metal Slug 2nd Mission....(complete w/box)

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/7041/p1010351d.jpghttp://img40.imageshack.us/img40/8434/p1010352g.jpg

Missions, machine guns, mayhem....and martians (cue the 50's outer space music).

Remember that nonexistent pause button I said before. Well, I found it. Too bad it's the same one used to hurl grenades (the Option button). Oh why didn't SNK add a Select button? v_v

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/536/ngpccountdown26.jpg

Press_Start

09-28-2009, 01:20 AM

Shanghai Mini......(complete w/box)

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/1326/p1010355i.jpghttp://img40.imageshack.us/img40/1219/p1010356ijt.jpg

When it comes to video gaming, collecting is time-consuming, space-consuming, and more important, wallet-consuming. Let's face it, we're not all millionaires. At least, I know I'm far from that milestone. What's Shanghai Mini got to do with it? To answer, the game was one of a 6-game lot I bought to jump start my NGPC collection and touches a subject what I refer as lot buying.

Lot buying is group of games bought with a single purchase. Nothing special in it of itself but hold a few distinct advantages:

1. LOTS of games! (duh!)
2. Save money on games.
3. Save costs on shipping. (Yeah, I'll go into details shortly.)

1. The first good step in collecting, I believe, when it comes to getting all the games for a system is obtaining a good chuck in the first purchase. Saves yourself time in getting everything in fewer swoops as opposed going after each game individually. A great way to get to establishing a base and there's always something heavenly about a tonload of gaming goodness, like Christmas, except, it comes more than once a year. :D

2. Remember the old saying: "More is less." It's true for video games, in a monetary sense. Assuming Gamestop and the like are excused, half the beauty of lot buying is getting more bang for my buck. Whenever a seller has a game I like, I always check his/her other wares to pile on cause (and true for most conventions) they'll opt a better deal in your offer or gives you leverage to haggle.

At Too Many Games, a vendor was selling GB Megaman 2, 3, and 4 with manual plus Ninja Warriors for $70 altogether and managed to persuade him to sell $52 total. However, the "trick" won't work its magic every time but most, from my experience, don't mind trimming the bucks to get the sale, so it doesn't hurt to ask.

Ebay is another shining example as veterans know group lots tend to sell below what they go for individually. Back to Shanghai Mini, I paid $40 for that 6-game boxed lot plus the NGPC handheld, $6 per item! On that note, group auctions are always a good place to start for collectors, however, I dealt with resellers in the past placing high bids on these. So, don't go overboard.

3. Shipping is something when ignorantly overlooked will avoidably take a big bite out of your wallet, the same way a man believes a $30 game with $15 shipping is a better deal than buying $40 locally. To give you a better idea:

Let's say I want to get 100 NES games for as little money as possible and have narrowed it to two options. For argument's sake, one method is buying one game from 100 non-local people paying a penny each. The other is buying from one guy offering $150 for 100 NES games. Obviously, the former gives a LOT of bang for your buck, saving ya $149 in the process. But when taking into account shipping and handling fees, it's a whole new ballgame.

To give the best possible chance, let's say S&H is $3, $2.50 for bubble envelope and 50 cents for the stamp. (Yeah, stamps are 42 cents but things are simpler this way.) Add in the price of the game, that's $3.01 per item and for 100 people, the total comes to $301. (The math: 3.01 x 100 = 301) Unless the other guy's asking $151 for shipping, it's a safe bet lot buying 100 games from him is the better deal.

I realize my example has a snowball's chance happening in real life, but think about it, especially those who frequently buy their stuff online. Imagine if the cost was 5 or 6 bucks. X_x

It's something I always ponder in the back of my head. On occasion, I've backed out cause S&H put the whole thing over my budget price.

With upside, there's downside. Lot buying looks like a money saver but requires to invest big all at once. It's really doesn't suit those with tight budgets. You're kinda stuck with what your bought until finance allows, but play your cards right, you'll come out like a bandit. Hope this helps. ;)

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/4852/ngpccountdown25.jpg

Press_Start

09-28-2009, 01:26 AM

Bust-A-Move Pocket.....(complete w/box)

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/2249/p1010346olb.jpghttp://img14.imageshack.us/img14/1961/p1010347qfk.jpg

Pow! Zap! Kapow! Still jiving from all weekend 60's Batman Batfight marathon and busting serious moves all over the place! CRASH! Pam! Splat!

The idea of a top 10 Best Batfights is floating in my head. Good chance I'll work on that next after my latest video review.Though I'm seriously considering looking for the Neo Geo Pocket Dreamcast cable to showcase the nice bonus goodies. ;) Z-zwap!

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/5732/ngpccountdown24.jpg

Press_Start

10-04-2009, 11:40 PM

Pac-Man......(complete w/box)

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/1142/p1010422o.jpghttp://img199.imageshack.us/img199/5365/p1010424a.jpg

A straight port of the arcade 80's classic ventures to NGPC given the option of full screen or scrolling. Controls are a bit slippery, at least for me that is. When acquiring it, I got the box and manual first, then the game second. Why?

Boxes are first priority for my collection strategy more so than the actual games themselves. Yeah, I could get all the cartridges themselves and the boxes/manual later. Think about that. Remember people tended to throw the boxes and the chances of finding the box by itself is nearly slim. Finding one on sale is usually paired with matching manual and game and makes the whole buying games first idea seem redundant. Especially aiming for a complete boxed set.

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/3245/ngpccountdown23.jpg

Icarus Moonsight

10-05-2009, 01:55 AM

Did it come with the 4-way limiter adapter for the thumbstick? Need that piece for the ubercompletebutterness! LOL

I'd love one of them even for a few games outside of Pac-Man. Puzzlers mostly.

Press_Start

10-05-2009, 12:53 PM

Did it come with the 4-way limiter adapter for the thumbstick? Need that piece for the ubercompletebutterness! LOL

I'd love one of them even for a few games outside of Pac-Man. Puzzlers mostly.

Sorry haven't gotten my hands on those suckers. Maybe when I find a sealed copy and extract it. ;)

Aussie2B

10-05-2009, 05:53 PM

Looks like your collection is coming along nicely since the last time I checked out this topic.

I still haven't bothered to get those last couple pieces I need. :P

Buying lots was an important strategy as I was collecting too. Complete games can be tough to find, so sometimes the only option is to go with someone selling off a whole collection that probably has never left the seller's hands from when the games were bought new. I had some duplicates to sell off over the years, but it was worth the trouble I think. Magical Drop was a pain for me as well, and I don't know how much longer I would've waited if I didn't spot it in a large lot. Sure, I ended up buying a system with something like 14 games just to get that one single game, but after I sold off what I didn't need individually I probably ended up getting Magical Drop for free, maybe even making a profit.

Icarus Moonsight

10-06-2009, 01:51 AM

Sorry haven't gotten my hands on those suckers. Maybe when I find a sealed copy and extract it. ;)

Since you are aiming for completeness, if I encounter one I'll let you know. I'm fine with just carts and clams. Besides, there are always others. I also checked all my US extra carts from loose 4 paks... I only have Metal Slug 2nd... I think. LOL

Press_Start

10-20-2009, 01:10 AM

Crush Roller......(complete w/box)

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/784/p1010426i.jpghttp://img33.imageshack.us/img33/9679/p1010427nr.jpg

A little review.

What happens when Pac-Man crosses with a paintbrush and Pokemon add-in steroids and the scrutiny of a perfectionist? Answer: A raging, muscle-bound artist with an obsessive munching for cute furry creatures in convenient little balls....or Crush Roller.

Like Pac-Man? Good, its the same thing....except you're a paintbrush. Goal is to paint all the roads while the Inky-ghost reincarnations, simple right? Well. not so simple. Actually, it's harder than playing Mike Tyson's Punch-Out with the Power Glove while blindfolded. Remember the part about perfectionist scrutiny, I wasn't kidding. To pass the level, all parts from EVERY angle must be covered. The spot can be so miniscule that you'll end painting the whole stage over again just to be sure while fending off enemies.

The only weapon of attack is the crush roller, paint roller, or whatever to smash enemies within a selected path but used only as a last resort as Blinky comes back stronger, faster, and meaner than before and only gets worse each time. At some time during the stage, they release a Pokemon-esque creature to undo your work. You can "catch" it before disappearing and add to the gallery.

For all my griping, Crush Roller still holds a good game though a challenging good game. If you're looking for tons of replayability, then Roller's multipath worlds has got you covered.

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/9559/ngpccountdown22.jpg

Press_Start

10-31-2009, 12:42 AM

Dark Arms: Beast Buster 1999.....(complete w/box)

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/2364/p1010350q.jpghttp://img199.imageshack.us/img199/6183/p1010416h.jpg

The frightful time of ghost, ghouls, and sugary, gooey goodness draws near and keeping up with ToT tradition. Tonight's entry is a treat fit for the festivities. ( I would opt for Trick but hard to pull off thousands of miles away with a keyboard unless I use the ol' "Free 2 CDs" trap.)

Dark Arms: Beast Buster 1999 is by far the scariest and darkest (forgive the pun) addition to the Neo Geo Pocket family, at least on the US side. The whole thing give off the SMT aura (Shin Megami Tensei). For starters, you, as the hero, plunged into the underworld for the sake of power. The cover itself explains it all. Second, your boss is the Grim Reaper himself, on off days when he's not Drac's stooge. Searching for the ultimate weapon, ol' bag of bones here hands over a capture gun to 'harvest' roaming monsters and get this...feed it to your weapon in hope of evolving. It's Pokemon meets (insert horror cannibalistic/monster movie name here) and one of the best RPGs NGPC has to offer.

Happy Halloween, everyone!

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/5739/ngpccountdown21.jpg