Question for the NEO GEO Experts/Collectors

[RadiantSvgun]

I've wanted a Neo Geo since I was a kid. Now that I finally have a few games, I want to find a system. How much does that usually run? Are they pretty reliable as most cartridge systems go?

Second question- Metal Slug.
I know this is probabl way outta my price range, but I've seen it come up on ebay for some outrageously low prices (100-190) range. Does anyone have a picture of the cover for Metal slug one? Each listing has a different one, so I have no idea which is bootleg, even though I'm sure at those prices, its a really crappy bootleg.

Last Question- Which games are good that won't break my wallet?

[CosmicMonkey]

Those cheaper versions of Metal Slug are conversion carts. Someone's taken the ROM chips from the MVS version and replaced the ROM chips in an AES cart. Hopefully. That's the most 'legitimate' way to do a conversion. The other is to use eeproms, that's a proper boot. You can't be sure unless you see the PCBs.

I personally don't like conversions. If you're gonna get an AES, at least check Ebay/AES price guide on NeoGeo.com. Can't afford original Metal Slug and Blazing Star? Unlucky. Buy an MVS.

[Darren870]

I've wanted a Neo Geo since I was a kid. Now that I finally have a few games, I want to find a system. How much does that usually run? Are they pretty reliable as most cartridge systems go?

Around $150 seems to be the going rate in okay condition with a controller. Very reliable system Id say, however you should explore the MVS route over the AES route as it will be much cheaper.


Second question- Metal Slug.
I know this is probabl way outta my price range, but I've seen it come up on ebay for some outrageously low prices (100-190) range. Does anyone have a picture of the cover for Metal slug one? Each listing has a different one, so I have no idea which is bootleg, even though I'm sure at those prices, its a really crappy bootleg.

Metal Slug 1, if authetic will fetch over a grand every time, no matter what region.

http://neo-geo.com/snk/carts/us/metalslug.jpg

What you are seeing are conversions.


Last Question- Which games are good that won't break my wallet?

Baseball stars, Samurai shodown 2, early KOF.

http://neo-geo.com/guides/aesguide.html

Thats a price guide for AES games, however it might be out of date a little. You get the idea though.

[Nez]

First off every metal slug you see in your pice range will be a boot leg. Dont even bother looking for it on ebay.

Here an official one

http://www.neo-geo.com/snk/carts/us/metalslug.jpg

A US neogeo aes will set you back about 200 bucks. This should include an ac and av cable and one controller. Expect the pirce to just as you add more accessorys to it like another controller and mods such as s video and the uni bios. Dont bother with debug bios as those are way out dated and are almost pointless at this point.

[JLukas]

Neo-geo.com is a great resource, especially if you browse through the older foum posts.

I might be a little off on the prices, I haven't been keeping up with the Neo scene.

A standard AES system will probably run you in the $200-300 range depending on condition, and whether it has the original box, etc. For the $300-500 you can get a modded system that has a debug BIOS, s-video/component outputs, digital output, LED power light.

Because of the high collector value, a number of genuine AES carts fetch huge $$$. A USA Metal Slug will sell for $2000+. There are conversions in the $200 range like you saw, someone gutted a MVS cart and transferred the chips to an AES cart. It can be made of all real SNK parts but yes, it can be considered a bootleg.

The most cost effective way to enjoy a lot of the Neo library is to pick up a MVS->AES converter. A new brand was just released at the Neo store and Arcade Shock. The initial cost for one is expensive, in the $200-300 range, but once that's out of the way you can pick up lots of great MVS games for cheap...like Metal Slug for $50. That sure beats the conversion or AES prices!

Or you might want to forget AES entirely, and buy a consolized MVS - an arcade MVS board that you can hook to your TV. It all depends on your budget.

A few titles to recommend:
Fighter: Samurai Showdown 2, MOTW, Last Blade, KOF Series, SVC Chaos
Puzzle: Puzzle Bobble/Bust a Move, Money Puzzle Exchanger:
Action: Metal Slug series, Magician Lord
Shmup: Blazing Star, Pulstar
Side Scroller beat-em-up: Sengoku series

[udisi]

if you go the AES route, consider a moded aes, unless you're a purest. I have a US un-moded AES, and it's fine for what I want, I payed aroun $150 for it with one arcade stick. If you want some of the bonuses of the JP version, like blood in the fighting games, you can buy a modified aes, along withe the bios chip , they're usually moded for RGB output, and such which makes them look that much better.

If you're on a budget you can get a consolized MVS system, More expensive system, MVS games for the most part are cheap compared to AES counter parts and you'll make up the initial cost. Metal Slug one can be had for $60 or so, and it's the same game as the 3k AES one. You could even get an MVS-AES converter and play MVS games on your AES, allowing you to buy which games you actually want to buy for the AES and allowing you to buy the the cheaper MVS version when the AES ones are priced too steep for your tastes. You can also play the games that were only available in MVS format.

Conversions imo are fine, I own a few myself, just make sure you know who made them, as the quality of the cart is usually only as good as the person who made it.

[RadiantSvgun]

Thanks for our help everyone, but isnt the MVS the stand up arcade machine? I had no idea that Metal slug was in the 2000+ range, so bootlegs here I come. I've seen the JP AES go for e bit cheaper, around 120-100. It's correct that the carts are region free?

[CosmicMonkey]

Yes, the MVS board is what goes inside an arcade cabinet. It's possible to run one of these through your TV by either using a Supergun or consolizing it. Then you can play legitimate versions of the games at a fraction of the cost. If you install a UniBIOS, you can play the AES version of the game from the MVS cart. Metal Slug on MVS will cost you about 20 - 40 quid. Add in a Shockbox and insert and it's all good.

Consolized MVS is the way to go.

[udisi]

yes the MVS is the stand up machine, but the machine ran of cartridges similar to the home system, people have made home consoles out of the arcade board cartridge slots, and thus you can buy the arcade cartridges for a fraction of theprice of most actual AES carts. The MVS cartridges are the exact same chips that are in the home AES cartridges, just much cheaper.

And no even a real JP Metal Slug AES is a couple grand to buy. Any AES Metal Slug 1 you see for 100-150 is a conversion or bootleg. Neo-Geo cd version is around 100

[cyberfluxor]

http://www.neo-geo.com/snk/carts/us/metalslug.jpg
*drool*

[Nez]

Just go with a Uni bio AES. Then get a BLUE phantom-1 converter. It will turn your aes into a MVS so you can play MVS games with almost no problem.

There is another MVS AES converter but its still not proven yet and I cant recommend it.

If you go this rout you wont need a crappy conversion assome of those are eproms that are basicaly shit. Garbled picture no sound stuff like that, go with the authentic NEO GEO stuff.

[BocoDragon]

Wow... I'm sorry guys... I must MAME on this one.... $2000+ dollars? WOW.................

I would love to have a Neo Geo and collection of games..... I probably never will.

[CosmicMonkey]

Wow... I'm sorry guys... I must MAME on this one.... $2000+ dollars? WOW.................

I would love to have a Neo Geo and collection of games..... I probably never will.

There's certainly no need for MAME. MVS and Neo CD are cheap.

If you're not bothered about original hardware, most/all of the Metal Slugs, KoF, SamShos etc have appeared on Xbox, PS2, DC etc.

[XianXi]

Go MVS, you will thank us later.

MVS
------
System Board(Bare)- $20-100
Consolized System - $200-600+

You can buy a cheap board and consolize it yourself for cheap. If you buy a consolized unit it will run you anywhere from $200-600+ for a 1 slot or 2 slot.

Consolizing is super easy especially if you buy an MVS board that has joystick ports and a socketed bios. Everything you need can be pulled off the JAMMA edge or you can do hidden solder points for a cleaner looking job.

Also once you learn how to consolize an MVS board you basically just learned how to build a supergun as well.

[BocoDragon]

Wow... I'm sorry guys... I must MAME on this one.... $2000+ dollars? WOW.................

I would love to have a Neo Geo and collection of games..... I probably never will.

There's certainly no need for MAME. MVS and Neo CD are cheap.

If you're not bothered about original hardware, most/all of the Metal Slugs, KoF, SamShos etc have appeared on Xbox, PS2, DC etc.

I'll probably pick up the Metal Slug Collection on Wii. ;)

[dcescott]

Go to an arcade auction. Find a neo geo cab, workking or not and get it. This is what I did. Final auction price 285 after fees and tax. I put in about 100 for new sticks, and a recapp on the monitor. MVS games are cheaper than aes hands down. I usually pay between 25-50 bucks per cart. Some go for way higher like KOF 2003 and newer titles. The popular ones go high too. Bust a move always goes high, so does Aero Fighter 2 or 3. It's all how you want to do this. Be patient for a great deal. Beware of Yaton's stuff (Y-Plus) on ebay. He does tell you if it is real or a bootleg (100% original or 100% working) He sells fake shock boxes but hhis website has some great deals. Be sure to clean the living crap out off the contacts before inserting them in your cab. I swear , he lives in a desert. They will not work until the are cleaned good. www.neo-geo.com is a great place. Google for other sites, but that is the main one. imo, some folks over there are a little arrogant, rightfully so for the amount they shell out for some of those sought after titles. But get a cab, it's very cool. My wife and 4 year daughter dig it too.

[erehwon]

What are some good sites for MVS boards and carts?

[Pico956]

Jesus this system is pricey.

Did people actually buy this when it was out?

[alec]

Some go for way higher like KOF 2003 and newer titles.

dude kof03 is way cheap! www.excellentcom.net has bare carts for $20 and yaton has them for $40 a kit. Really the only expensive newer game is Samurai Spirits Zero Special, which had a really low print run.

@the original poster: DON'T BUY A BOOTLEG! You would be better off downloading a rom of metal slug instead. Seriously, AES is probably the easiest way to get started because the consoles are so cheap these days and there are many great games that can be had for less than $100. But after a while you'll realize that most of the games you want to play are probably over that amount. For about the cost of a converted Metal Slug cart and a Homecart system, you can buy a Supergun, a 1 slot MVS board and a Metal Slug MVS cart. Then you would have a better set up, and a legit version of the game you want to play.

[DreamTR]

Just get an MVS System. You need a JAMMA compatible cabinet, or a Super Gun/Nova from www.Massystems.com for $275. A one slot MVS will run you around $80-100. In the long run, this is much better than getting a console system just because the carts are stupidly expensive for the same hardware. I honestly wish I could just trade all of my home stuff and get the arcade games, but I'm a bit scared to start selling everything!

[RadiantSvgun]

I have no idea how to make a consolizied MVS. However based on the price guide and my searches on ebay, I think I am going to go with the Japan AES games. They are more in my price range as of right now. Ive seen some of the US AES games go for about as much as a semester of my college. The Japanese AES also seems to be a bit cheaper, and the only games Im really looking for to add are the old school games. Art of fighting 1,2: Fatal Fury series, Samurai Showdown, Metal slug series, and King of Fighters. Thanks for all this help!

[dcescott]

Yeah youre right on KOF 03. SSVspecial is insanely high, and yes I want it! But I HATE Yaton's shipping and dirty contacts, aarch. I'd rather buy through a US seller. Much easier to deal with. I just saw a KOF 03 end at 61 plus shipping on ebay today. It was a kit.

[Darren870]

the JPN AES Metal Slug games will all run between $500-$2000. KOF not as much but 2000 and up is all over $100.

You have no idea what you are getting into...

[alec]

Cool dude! Best of luck with your AES adventures! Don't forget though that Japanese AES carts will play in English on a US system, and US carts will play in Japanese on a Japanese system. If you see good deals on US carts, you should not hesitate.

If you plan to play MOTW though, I would recommend getting an MVS system. Newer KOF games are way cheaper on MVS as well. Also, have you ever played Last Blade? AoF3 can be expensive on AES as well.

If you want a Metal Slug game for AES I suggest Metal Slug 3! Its a very good game and should only cost about $200 or so. Any metal slug after 3 is absolute crap, and any metal slug before 3 will cost well over $200. Some people even say that Metal Slug 3 is the best Metal Slug game! Personaly I think X is, or maybe the original.

[alec]

the JPN AES Metal Slug games will all run between $500-$2000. KOF not as much but 2000 and up is all over $100.

You have no idea what you are getting into...

Not True. Japanese Metal Slugs 3 and up are all less than $500. Metal Slug 1 is the only one still selling for over a G.

Owning an AES can be frustrating, so many good games, such crazy prices. Thats why I sold mine.

[alec]

why is it when I use the quote button on this website my posts always look like that! (above)

(sorry for being off topic)

[Memnon]

$2K, or $50 for a less-cool looking cartridge shell? Wow, that seems like an easy choice. Unless you're a collector or investor, of course.


The most cost effective way to enjoy a lot of the Neo library is to pick up a MVS->AES converter.
It seems to me that this is the easiest route.

[Nez]

the JPN AES Metal Slug games will all run between $500-$2000. KOF not as much but 2000 and up is all over $100.

You have no idea what you are getting into...

Got my 2k for $80 :P

[Darren870]

the JPN AES Metal Slug games will all run between $500-$2000. KOF not as much but 2000 and up is all over $100.

You have no idea what you are getting into...

Got my 2k for $80 :P

Pwned twice I guess, Im just going by prices I remember buying them for 2 years ago.

I havn't bought an AES game since Metal Slug 5 came out.

And now I dont have more games.

Oh, and I prefer MS4 over 3.

[RadiantSvgun]

You say a blue phantom-1 bit will allow me to play MVS games? Kizuna Encounter, Blazing star, and Ninja Masters seem to be pricey. None of the recent releases are interesting to me. And is the bit something thats easy to install?

[Darren870]

Yes but the price you pay for a phantom 1 and the AES with the controller is practically the price of a Coinlized MVS.

[Nez]

It really boils down to if you want to only collect mvs carts, or do you want to have the best of both the aes and mvs systems. Thats how I look at the aes with the p1 converter.

A consolised mvs is all well and good but most of them don't have a finished look, and the ones that do go for a very pretty penny.

[Darren870]

Fuck it..just get a cab then...

[rick weis]

i got me a super convertor (from the Neo-Geo store) for my birthday this year and i have not had any problems with it at all, it boots up every game the first time i insert it. i heard the phantom 1 has problems booting up games, that it takes a few times to get the cart in just right.

Rick

[XianXi]

i got me a super convertor (from the Neo-Geo store) for my birthday this year and i have not had any problems with it at all, it boots up every game the first time i insert it. i heard the phantom 1 has problems booting up games, that it takes a few times to get the cart in just right.

Rick

Even the super convertor has problems. There have been a ton of returns on those. Anywhere from sound to video scaling and sync issues. Do you have the newer blue LED version?

Honestly if you are on a budget go for MVS, every single game on the AES was released on MVS, BUT there are some MVS exclusive titles that never made it to AES.

[rick weis]

i got me a super convertor (from the Neo-Geo store) for my birthday this year and i have not had any problems with it at all, it boots up every game the first time i insert it. i heard the phantom 1 has problems booting up games, that it takes a few times to get the cart in just right.

Rick

Even the super convertor has problems. There have been a ton of returns on those. Anywhere from sound to video scaling and sync issues. Do you have the newer blue LED version?

Yes i have the blue LED version. i did hear about the problems with the older ones. but thought they stopped selling those??

Rick