Need an opinion on a trade - Laseractive for Neo Geo AES

[erehwon]

I recently got an offer on gametz to trade my laseractive for a US neo geo aes. I was wondering what you guys thought about that. It's probably one of my rarer items. I want to keep it, but I really haven't used it and I haven't tracked down any games for it. Are there any good games for that system? There are likely better games for the AES, I'd just have to pay a bit for them or get a mvs converter.

I haven't really posted much here in a while, but this a good place for it. The collector in me wants to keep it since its probably rarer than the AES. I'm also tempted by the AES since I've heard it has some good games. I'm not excited about shipping the laseractive though, since it weighs 25 pounds from what I heard. I haven't been collecting as much lately. I've just been picking up good games for the systems I have.

[celerystalker]

AES does have a way better library, but you're talking a ton of money for just about anything other than early fighters, and MVS converters cost a lot as well... and while MVS carts are generally cheaper than AES carts, they still aren't peanuts. You might do better going right for an MVS cabinet, which can often be had for less than a converter for a 1 slot.

[erehwon]

Yea, I realize the AES is very expensive. The laseractive stuff is as well. I probably won't be getting much for either system. I'm just tempted since the AES is a desirable system to have in one's collection.

I didn't realize how much those converters were for the mvs carts. $250 to $350 is a lot of money.

[celerystalker]

I do have an AES and 30 or so games for it, but I got into it at a low point in cost. No way I'd do so now, but I do occasionally buy a cart for it. If it's about collecting AND playing for you, the best way to go is get your AES, and snap up some really fun games that don't cost crazy money-Magician Lord, 'Nam 1975, Blue's Journey, Crossed Swords, Real Bout Fatal Fury, Samurai Shodown II... most of those can be had at $70 or less CIB, and AES carts look great and play great. Then, when you just have to play MVS carts to play Windjammers for less than $600, build a supergun for about $70 in parts with a real switching power supply and buy an MVS one slot pcb for about $50 if you don't have room for a cabinet, or if you do, watch local ebay and craigslist and buy a cabinet. I bought one last year for $150 with Metal Slug, and it works great with a 25" monitor. They come up for less than $300 very often.

[understatement]

I have them both, I think there's a few fun games on the laseractive but there's way more on an AES.

What do you have with the laseractive? Personally if all I had was the laseractive itself and none of the PACs for it I'd probably do the trade but if you have the Genesis PAC with it (and definitely if you have the turbo PAC) I'd probably keep it. Just because it seems like it would be easier to get/find a JAP AES and mod the bios chip to play the games in English.

[erehwon]

I have them both, I think there's a few fun games on the laseractive but there's way more on an AES.

What do you have with the laseractive? Personally if all I had was the laseractive itself and none of the PACs for it I'd probably do the trade but if you have the Genesis PAC with it (and definitely if you have the turbo PAC) I'd probably keep it. Just because it seems like it would be easier to get/find a JAP AES and mod the bios chip to play the games in English.

I found the laseractive by itself at a garage sale listing a laserdisk player. It has the genesis module with it. I doubt I'll ever use it for playing genesis games since I have all three Genesis models, a boxed JVC X'Eye, and a Sega nomad.

I do need to check the laseractive before I consider the trade. It's been a few years but I just remembered it having issues with the disk tray. It wouldn't want to eject. I think I need a new drive belt or have to lubricate something.

[understatement]

My reasoning was pure price point you can get a JAP AES for around $250 (with patients) that's about what a working laseractive goes for then the Sega PAC seems to be around $150 putting the combo closer to $350~400. If is a US AES like you say it's a pretty even trade but if in the future you'd want both I think it will be easier to find a JAP AES as it plays any region NEO GEO games and if you want them in English just get a universal bio chip than tracking down a working laseractive with a Genesis PAC. That's just my opinion.

[erehwon]

My reasoning was pure price point you can get a JAP AES for around $250 (with patients) that's about what a working laseractive goes for then the Sega PAC seems to be around $150 putting the combo closer to $350~400. If is a US AES like you say it's a pretty even trade but if in the future you'd want both I think it will be easier to find a JAP AES as it plays any region NEO GEO games and if you want them in English just get a universal bio chip than tracking down a working laseractive with a Genesis PAC. That's just my opinion.

Thanks for the info. I'm mainly thinking about keeping the laseractive from a collecting stand point. It's not something I'm going to come across a second time. I only paid $40 for it. I don't see myself spending $250 for a system with a very small library. I'm a very frugal gamer/collector. I could probably get an AES when I have more cash to spend or find something else to trade.

[Greg2600]

Tough choice. I'd just keep the Laseractive, and run Neo Geo on one of many emulators or get the Neo Geo X Gold.

[Gameguy]

Personally I would want the Laseractive more than the Neo Geo. It really depends on what games you'd rather play. The games on laserdisc are pretty cool.

[theclaw]

For me, Laseractive. Genesis module adds the most games I'd like.
But even then I'd prefer a Genesis capable of RGB output than laserdisc playback.

It's too bad you have to give up something regardless of PAC. No original setup plays both Supergrafx and LD-ROM games, or both 32X and Mega LD games.
Apparently Master System support was retained if you can find an adapter that fits.

[retroman]

I would sell the Laseractive and get a NeoGeo AES and a MVS converter hands down. The Neo has so much more to offer than the Laseractive ever will. Or you could go with the NEOGEO X and game pack and get 36 games for around 150$. They are not as good as the carts, but not a bad choice if you dont want to spend a lot of money.

[Graham Mitchell]

Aes's aren't worth that much, but the games are. I wouldn't trade a laseractive for one unless it came with some good games (not magician lord and kof).

What I would do is sell the laser active and get an omega:

https://www.arcadeworks.net/omega-neo-geo-mvs-home-console

My friend makes these. They're a home system that plays mvs carts. Outputs in rgb or component. S-video and composite are also supported.

Any Neo Geo joystick can be used with them, and the build quality is great.

They're made from real MVS boards, so you won't have any compatibility issues. This is the best way to play neo games, in my opinion.

[Niku-Sama]

i'd probably keep the laseractive too.
I hear they make good LD players instead of just for games and I have a few LD movies that are better than the newer releases.

if your wanting to get into neo geo stuff get the Japanese AES or find a single slot MVS board and consolize it, games are cheaper for MVS any how