Neo-Geo???

[JR]

Ok I want a Neo-Geo! Now Ive been trying to get the dirt on the AES systems and how they vary, but havent found a good site that breaks down the AES like std/gold and I know thers a difference in low0 serial #'s vs high serial #'s but to what extent? I dont want to drop $300+ and get screwed on the deal. Any help/links appreciated. Ive tried googling, but sometimes that gets nowhere quick. Ive also read through Neo-geo.com to find some ok posts, but most are not the info Im looking for.

Thanks!

[Habeeb Hamusta]

Wish I could help but I don't know much myself. :(

[Algol]

The standard set came with the console and one controller. The gold set came with two controllers and a pack in game.


I know thers a difference in low0 serial #'s vs high serial #'s but to what extent?

Something about the higher serial numbers have more colors, but I'm not exactly sure.

[doubledownon11]

The only 2 sites that you'll need.

http://www.neo-geo.com/

http://www.neogeousa.com/

[max 330 mega]

psst....
supposedly neo-geo.com is getting a batch of sealed neo geo systems sometime near november/december... the numbers are in the 300,000 range.
but thats only if your willing to pay a hefty amount of money.
and also, dont even bother to buy an original neo geo, mega neo's are the way to go definitely, they look MUCH better with more vivid tones of color than the originals without the upgrade.

[Ed Oscuro]

No offense, Doubledown, but I wouldn't trust those sites in this matter.

http://nfg.2y.net/games/neorgb/

That's better.

@ Max330Mega: Read that article and find out WHY the colors look "better."

I'm sticking with my low-serial unmodded Gold System.

[JR]

Money Is kinda a non issue here since it is a Neo-Geo! Im looking for a very clean functioning unit that will deliver me many hours of oldschool gaming. Im still boggled at all the controversy of the video output of the neo-geo's. Ahh let the reading commence.

[doubledownon11]

I first found out about the Neo Geo around 2000, I was just searching Ebay for consoles that I didn't have or that were somewhat obscure. The insane prices of the Neo Geo obiviously attracted it to me. I got my console off Ebay shortly after S/N 148361. I have personally modded it with A/V and S-Video outputs and I love it. The whole controversary between high and low serial numbers, I think, is rediculous. If the unit has been kept clean and well cared for it's goining to give you a good picture. Neo-Geo.com is a great site for information about games and accessories, and of course availability of new games. Not to mention an entire forum board dedicated to sales and information. I bought all of my new games and a couple of used games from them, but mostly common games like Riding Hero and Thrash Rally (greatest racing game ever). As far as NeoGeoUsa goes they offer some unique services that you'd be hard pressed to acheive through any other avenue. Case in point; where are you going to find a English version of Super Dodge Ball AES. Unfortunately you can't, it was never made. So if you're like me you absolutely love the game you have 4 choices. Play the game through sucky emulation, buy a Phantom 1 Converter and the MVS kit, buy a SuperGun and the MVS kit, or buy a MVS Conversion made from the fine people at !Arcade Solutions! (NeoGeoUsa). My Super Dodge Ball MVS Conversion is number 30 of 50 and one of my top five games of all times. It is still to this day the most expensive game that I've bought. That's not to say it's the most "valuable" game in my collection, it's just the one that I paid the most money for. So wether you buy from either one of these sites or not, they do offer a wealth of information, and don't worry about the high/low serial number, just make sure the console works. It can always be cleaned and modded for a better picture.

[max 330 mega]

No offense, Doubledown, but I wouldn't trust those sites in this matter.

http://nfg.2y.net/games/neorgb/

That's better.

@ Max330Mega: Read that article and find out WHY the colors look "better."

I'm sticking with my low-serial unmodded Gold System.
what were you trying to prove to me?
my serial number is 91643, and its modded, and i dont play thru an RGB monitor, so i have the best console to suit my needs, and give me the best graphics under my situation.
i dont see why you wanted me to read that...

[Ed Oscuro]

I didn't actually ask you to read it...I was making a statement that the link was a better source of information.

Some people actually care about things like video quality on an unmodded system, believe it or not! When you've dropped that much money on a Neo Geo, RGB monitors aren't really that great an extra expense.

[max 330 mega]

I didn't actually ask you to read it...I was making a statement that the link was a better source of information.

Some people actually care about things like video quality on an unmodded system, believe it or not! When you've dropped that much money on a Neo Geo, RGB monitors aren't really that great an extra expense.
how bout 300 for a modded neo with 2 controllers , free shipping and samurai spirits 1 and 2?? thats what mine cost me. ;)
i think id rather play thru my 61 inch big screen than a computer monitor anyday LOL

[Ed Oscuro]

how bout 300 for a modded neo with 2 controllers , free shipping and samurai spirits 1 and 2?? thats what mine cost me. ;)
i think id rather play thru my 61 inch big screen than a computer monitor anyday LOL
You did a lot better than I did - which is why I want to make sure that the real story about the system gets out, good and bad. No sense dropping three figures on hardware of any sort if it's not going to work quite properly :P

[omnedon]

I've S-video modded low and high serialed units.

The low serialled units have the best S-video output, with less noticeable scanlines. The high serials still have a great picture, but when compared side by side with a low serial unit, the differences are noticeable to anyone with eyes. same mod, same TV. The mod can be altered to minimize this effect, but it is still present.

You want one modded with a socketed BIOS. If it is not socketed, WHEN you want to upgrade the BIOS, you will have to have it remodded. If it is socketed, you could put the new BIOS in yourself.

S-video is great. Stereo output from jacks in the back is nice. Bt the REAL reason to mod, is the Universe BIOS. The old Debug BIOS lets you use unlimilited credits, and change regions. The Universe BIOS lets you do virtually ANYTHING. Uni 2.0 restores the censored fatalities from the home release of Samurai Shodown V Special and is the ONLY way to view said censored fatalities. English language AND red blood, easy with Uni BIOS.

Most already modded systems have the old Debug BIOS in. Better than nothing, but still only a tenth of what is possible.

I can understand why someone wouldn't want to mod their AES with new external jacks (though I disagree), but by not having a BIOS mod, your AES is chained. Pure and simple.

I mod AES's, but just sold my two spare systems to local friends. They saw a modded system in action, and had to own one. In the USA, your best bet for a mod job is Jeff Kurtz, who goes by JMKurtz on neo-geo.com .

[Geddon_jt]

I've S-video modded low and high serialed units.

The low serialled units have the best S-video output, with less noticeable scanlines. The high serials still have a great picture, but when compared side by side with a low serial unit, the differences are noticeable to anyone with eyes. same mod, same TV. The mod can be altered to minimize this effect, but it is still present.

You want one modded with a socketed BIOS. If it is not socketed, WHEN you want to upgrade the BIOS, you will have to have it remodded. If it is socketed, you could put the new BIOS in yourself.

S-video is great. Stereo output from jacks in the back is nice. Bt the REAL reason to mod, is the Universe BIOS. The old Debug BIOS lets you use unlimilited credits, and change regions. The Universe BIOS lets you do virtually ANYTHING. Uni 2.0 restores the censored fatalities from the home release of Samurai Shodown V Special and is the ONLY way to view said censored fatalities. English language AND red blood, easy with Uni BIOS.

Most already modded systems have the old Debug BIOS in. Better than nothing, but still only a tenth of what is possible.

I can understand why someone wouldn't want to mod their AES with new external jacks (though I disagree), but by not having a BIOS mod, your AES is chained. Pure and simple.

I mod AES's, but just sold my two spare systems to local friends. They saw a modded system in action, and had to own one. In the USA, your best bet for a mod job is Jeff Kurtz, who goes by JMKurtz on neo-geo.com .

I second just about all of that.
Especially the stuff about the Unibios and Jeff doing great mod work.

Honestly, I think people make too much of a point about Neo video quality. Composite video is pretty bad across the board on these systems, and Svideo mods almost always make the video better ,regardless of your system's serial #.

It's also my understanding that the Neo outputs native RGB in its unmodded state, and I know people who have constructed RGB cables to take advantage of that. (Or if you have a PAL system, SNK SCART cables are available). RGB is really where you get the best video quality, obviously.

[le geek]

Or you could go Consolized MVS or Supergun! :D

Metal Slug MVS is around 20!!! times more affordable on MVS...

Cheers,
Ben

[buttasuperb]

No offense, Doubledown, but I wouldn't trust those sites in this matter.

http://nfg.2y.net/games/neorgb/

That's better.

@ Max330Mega: Read that article and find out WHY the colors look "better."

I'm sticking with my low-serial unmodded Gold System.

lol www.neo-geo.com can't be trusted.

care to explain why?

the tech forum there is fantastic.

[omnedon]

MVS is the most practical way. Cheaper games. A supergun or consolized MVS is cool. It's no game console, it's a contraption. A cool contraption, but a contraption.

I use a Phantom with my AES, and I can play everything. EVERYTHING. MVS games. AES games. Boots. Conversions. Anything.

A supergun or consolized MVS can't do that. My AES is elegant. 8-)

The most cost effective way to go is MVS, whether with a cab, or a well made contraption.

Neo-geo.com is a great place for info. Once you learn to filter out the noise ratio. LOL

[D-Lite]

MVS is the most practical way. Cheaper games. A supergun or consolized MVS is cool. It's no game console, it's a contraption. A cool contraption, but a contraption.

I use a Phantom with my AES, and I can play everything. EVERYTHING. MVS games. AES games. Boots. Conversions. Anything.

A supergun or consolized MVS can't do that. My AES is elegant. 8-)

The most cost effective way to go is MVS, whether with a cab, or a well made contraption.

Neo-geo.com is a great place for info. Once you learn to filter out the noise ratio. LOL

Ah, but you see with an MVS setup you don't need any AES carts as more games were released on MVS anyways. And are always cheaper than the AES counterparts.

[dethink]

unless you're a hardcore collector who needs all the case candy, and doesn't mind paying $1200+ for games like metal slug, MVS is the way to go.

if you want elegant and simple, a little cube PC with an AV out and MAME is probably your best bet. ;)

i'm going with a consolized MVS setup...not quite as tidy as an AES, but a lot tidier than a supergun, and better than emulation...

plus, for the first time, i'm not horribly anal about scratches on my games... LOL

[D-Lite]

unless you're a hardcore collector who needs all the case candy, and doesn't mind paying $1200+ for games like metal slug, MVS is the way to go.

if you want elegant and simple, a little cube PC with an AV out and MAME is probably your best bet. ;)

i'm going with a consolized MVS setup...not quite as tidy as an AES, but a lot tidier than a supergun, and better than emulation...

plus, for the first time, i'm not horribly anal about scratches on my games... LOL

Which reminds me. Your consolized 1-slot is done! Will be shipping today!

[dethink]

:D :D :D

sweeeeeet...

thanks D!

[JR]

Anybody care to say what a mint in box AES, or a AES gold would be worth?? I dont want to overspend, but am willing to pay a fair price for one.

[Ed Oscuro]

Anybody care to say what a mint in box AES, or a AES gold would be worth?? I dont want to overspend, but am willing to pay a fair price for one.
http://www.japangamesnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=1099

It's modded.

I'm touchy about Neo Geo recommendation threads because I paid $650 for one earlier in my collecting career with a rather beat up box (has a tear in the side somewhere).

[D-Lite]

Anybody care to say what a mint in box AES, or a AES gold would be worth?? I dont want to overspend, but am willing to pay a fair price for one.
http://www.japangamesnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=1099

It's modded.

I'm touchy about Neo Geo recommendation threads because I paid $650 for one earlier in my collecting career with a rather beat up box (has a tear in the side somewhere).

That price is ASSININE. A mint Gold System will run you $400 or so. If not buying from a retailer. Those mods will cost you about $125 to have someone do.

I myself just modded an AES with all those same mods (including the UniBios 2.0 that I installed a socket for future upgrades), but with a blue LED in the reset button. I was thinking $325 myself, of course not boxed. But definitely nice.

I think many of the sellers are ridiculous these days. Kenny Boy at NG.com does pretty nice work, but charges quite a bit for it with Buy It Now. Boxed Neo systems, like the Silver System (one controller) get anywhere from $250-300 in decent condition, which is "reasonable".

Definitely a fickle market.

[Ed Oscuro]

That price is ASSININE. A mint Gold System will run you $400 or so. If not buying from a retailer. Those mods will cost you about $125 to have someone do.
Thought so. Thanks for catching that so quickly! ON the other hand, I've heard JGN's cartridge prices are pretty competitive, and I believe that to be mostly true.

[D-Lite]

That price is ASSININE. A mint Gold System will run you $400 or so. If not buying from a retailer. Those mods will cost you about $125 to have someone do.
Thought so. Thanks for catching that so quickly! ON the other hand, I've heard JGN's cartridge prices are pretty competitive, and I believe that to be mostly true.

Yeah, his cart prices are pretty good. Many people wonder in fact how he makes much money on the carts. Even some of his systems are pretty cheap.

[Ed Oscuro]

While we're all here, The Collector (great seller by the way) has a Neo Geo CD unit in some special box for sale...I feel silly, but what's the breakdown of drive speeds/reliability (roughly, I guess) for Neo Geo CD/CDZ units? Yes, I'm heading over to neo-geo.com, but I'd like to see what folks have to say...I vaguely remember reading that the faster drives tend to burn out.

[omnedon]

D-Lite said:

Ah, but you see with an MVS setup you don't need any AES carts as more games were released on MVS anyways. And are always cheaper than the AES counterparts.


I thought I was pretty clear that it wasn't the most practical ;) . Just more versatile. Many AES games are the same price as MVS (SS2), or at least very very cheap, and you get the bookshelf eye candy.

I can buy whatever turns my crank. My MVS games are in shockboxes, and my AES games are complete.


I daresay that D-Lite's consolized MVS's are damn fine contraptions. If I wasn't a game console collector first and foremost, I'd consider trying to do one myself, or getting some of D-Lite's fantastic work. :D

[Anthony1]

Ok, I've bought a couple of Neo-Geo carts, even though I don't own the system yet!!! So I've forced myself down the path of buying a Neo Geo system. Now, the key factor for me is RGB picture quality.


What serial number do I need for the best RGB quality, and can I get stereo sound from the headset jack?

[Nez]

The best systems for rgb are any lower then 33,000. With 20,000 to 33,000 reportedly being the best for rgb.

And yes you can get sterio sound from the headphone jack, just like the gen.

[smokehouse]

It’s funny how these AES-vs-MVS topics come up. It’s the same system but in different packaging. The AES is nicer looking and makes for a better shelf trophy but the MVS is simply more functional. One of the big selling points of MVS is BigBear’s Shockboxes. With a little time and effort, a trip to Kinko’s and some cutting you get this:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/smokehouse/neo%20review/finishedbox.jpg

Here’s how they look on the shelf:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/smokehouse/neo%20review/MVS-titles.jpg

To me that’s pretty attractive. The only difference is when you pull the game out. But then, when you pop it in and turn it on it’s business as usual and you’re playing titles like Metal Slug for $2100 off the going price. Here’s some of the games that I now have on my MVS:

Metal Slug
Metal Slug X
Metal Slug 3
Blazing Star
SVC Chaos
Samurai Showdown IV
Bust-a-Move
Super Dodge Ball

What do these have in common? Some (Bust-a-Move, Super Dodge Ball) you can’t even get on an AES and others would be so expensive to attain that I would have to take out a loan to purchase just one. At the end of the game they play EXACTLY THE SAME, no difference. To me there is no argument, they are the same (AES/MVS) but one is infinitely cheaper to collect for.

[CosmicMonkey]

Yup, MVS is the way.

The last time I saw Blazing Star for sale, it was £850!! My consolized MV-1C, joystick (Sanwa stick/buttons) and 22 games (inc. Blazing Star and all 6 Metal Slugs) with inserts and Shockboxes haven't even reached that.

I have no problem with blasting cash on games. I mean, nearly every system has the odd game(s) that's £100+. I mean, AvP and Progear on CPS2 weren't cheap. But then, there's no other way to get those games. Why go AES, if you can get the same thing on MVS for 1/10 price?

Getting an AES and limiting yourself to cheap games you can afford is pointless. The whole point of NeoGeo is so you can have, say, SNK vs. Capcom. Not a crap PS2 conversion, but the real deal, the real SvC Chaos. Limiting yourself to the cheaper games like Magician Lord is pointless. Why go to all the effort in the first place?

But it's your money at the end of the day, spend it how you wish.

[Yamazaki]

A lot of people take all the effort because collecting Neo Geo Games is probably the most exclusive level of game collecting.

most of the good games cost a fortune and look the carts: they're friggin monsters.

so if someone is collecting say cars, Neo Geo is like collecting Ferraris or Monster trucks.

[Anthony1]

For me, it's not going to be a situation of me collecting the AES. It's more like a long term rental. I just want to see some of the flavor of the real machine. I actually had a Neo-Geo Gold sytem way back in like 1992 or so. When I had it, I only had a handfull of games. Cyber-Lip, Super Baseball 2020 and Football Frenzy. Don't ask me why those were the 3 games that I had, they just were. I think I might have had a couple of other Neo-Geo games, or I might have bought another one and had it for a few days and then returned it.


Anyways, the Neo has a very distinct flavor to it, and I never enjoyed it on a RGB monitor. I just think it would be pretty sweet to play games like Magician Lord and Baseball Stars 2, and stuff like that on a RGB monitor. Back then, when I had a Neo-Geo, I really didn't know much about RGB. That was like a year before I discovered RGB. I would be perfectly happy to have about 10 games and a system, and that's about it. Probably mess around with it for a year or so, and then maybe sell all of it to some other Neo-Geo newbie. So basically, like a 1 year rental.


The key, is I need to find a really cheap Magician Lord, Nam 1975 and Cyber-Lip. Those are 3 of the games I want to play. I want to try as many of the original games as possible. The cheap ones. Stuff like Top Players Golf and stuff like that. Heck, I still need to buy a Neo-Geo system, but I'm going to take my time and try to find one at a decent price. Trying to find one specifically with the serial number being between 20,000 and 35,000 or whatever, that is going to make things much more difficult.

[EnzoSangiorgio]

I'm going to be buying an AES system soon just for the lower end games. I love the cases and the system itself, so I'll be getting stuff like Ghost Pilots, Magician Lord, the first few KoFs and SamShos, and leaving the rest to MVS.

[MrSmiley381]

I got a high-licensed model from my flea market with two sticks and official AC adaptor. For $5 more I bought first party Genesis 1 cables.

I'm not bitching about it when comparing it to a Dreamcast. It's dandy as is. I'm happy without the modding.

As for setup, AES with Phantom or consolized MVS are the ways to go, cost-wise. AES is fun if you're insane collector wise. I only own three Neo games, but they cost me a whopping $165 total. You can damn well bet I played $100 worth of quarters on KOF98.

[vincewy]

For me, it's not going to be a situation of me collecting the AES. It's more like a long term rental.

Well that's what I intended to do back in 1994 when I got my first 2 Neo-Geo games, Magician Lord and Samurai Shodown, I thought I'd be content with just a few more games.

I know this is an old thread but most of the things said still hold true, I'd go MVS route, else this hobby will be money pit where you keep throwing cash with no end in sight, if you still want AES games, now it's probably a good time, Nov-Feb is when people dump games for holiday gifts, paying off credit card debt, prices tend to be lower.

[XianXi]

You know what it's up to you. Think of it this way you can get an AES and a Phantom 1 and buy just MVS games if you want. You have the less expensive games plus you have an AES.

Going Neo Geo is no doubt a little expensive either way, I mean I bought Super Dodgeball($50), Shock Troopers($40) and Garou:Mark of the Wolves($75) for MVS and still paid a pretty penny but of course MOTW was about 1/6 the going price for the AES version.

So far on my Neo Geo I have spent:

AES - $100
Neo Bitz Board w/connectors - $100
Phantom 1 - $200
Super Dodgeball - $50
Shock Troopers - $40
MOTW - $75

So I only spent just over $500 so far. But these are the games I actually play all the time, not just trophies. Plus on ebay MVS games go for cheap like $15 sometimes.

So it is your call my friend. You can still have an AES and buy MVS games.

[AB Positive]

Plus, with patience you can get some nice deals on eBay. I got Real Bout Fatal Fury 2 for $12 on eBay, and Garou for $40 shipped, both incredibly nice deals.

-AB+

[PDorr3]

I had a hard time at first grasping all the neo-geo lingo, but I finaly got one through a trade here and at a decent price. I still only own one game for it though.

[XianXi]

An AES on ebay just went for $57, partially working. The console was basically half modded and just needed to be finished. I was gonna win it but I was stuck at Sam's Club.

[Skyway_Recreation]

is it safe to buy a japanese AES if i buy one of those unibios chips? and how much is the chip? and besides soldering in the socket, wat else do you have to do to make it work? i've just check MVS prices, and they fuckin rock. so i could see spending some dough on it and playing mvs gmaes through one of those converters OR buying an arcade unit, (two socket available here for 400, totally within my spending limits if i save for 3 weeks) and it seems to come with bust-a-move and world heros 2. would you have to mod the MVS at all? like does it need one of those unibios chips too? also i hear that the phantom 1 doesn't work with newer games like Metal Slug 5, KOF 2003 and Capcom Vs SNK Chaos.