neo geo

[spanks_4]

what is the difference between them? the only one i have ever seen is the NGPC, but i want the original systems.

also how can you tell if the cart is a fake?

how much do the memory cards for the system go for?

[CosmicMonkey]

You should post this exact same thread over at neo-geo.com forums. You'd surely get a warm response and made to feel right at home ;)

*sits back and waits for the evening's entertainment*

[Wolf]

Yea....real serious topic! nice avatar btw:p

[Blur2040]

First of all, going to neo-geo.com with this will probably get you about five pages worth of mocking, and telling you you should do your research first. And you should...theres an internet chock full o' information out there...and you door to it is Google.

That said:

The handheld is nothing like the console hardware. Great games on NGPC though...

If you want the console, you want Neo Geo AES...that's the big Black system with the giant controllers.

With regards to the faking of AES games, only the rare ones are ever faked. They're converted from MVS carts. Most people won't try to pass off a fake AES cart for a real one...and they'll sell it as "converted" they'll still probably cost you 150+ though...considering that the games they're duplicating usually cost from many hundreds to a thousand.

I wouldn't worry much about spotting fake AES carts...you're probably not in the market to blow 1000+ on a Metal Slug yet anyway...

MVS is the arcade board. Can't use that unless you consolize it (lame, in my humble opinion) or build/buy a supergun. Games are cheaper, but they don't cost pennies either. More boots, but they're easy to spot. Just crack it open...you can usually tell...Most ebay sellers tell you whether it is a boot...or has a fake label...or whatever.

Be aware, neo-geo is a farily high level video game collectible...be ready to have your pocketbook raped if you want AES stuff...espcially if you want it in nice condition...MVS isn't as bad...but still spendy...

Really, if you're a beginning type video game collector, I wouldn't recommend Neo Geo...why waste hundreds upon hundreds...if you haven't experienced...a Saturn...or a Dreamcast...N64...or some other overlooked system?

Edit: Memory cards don't cost much at all...I believe they tend to hover at about 30 bucks...but you don't need one. Really. Theres nothing worth saving. They're all arcade games.

[kaedesdisciple]

Good solid advice so far, but I cannot stress enough the use of the search feature at neo-geo.com. It will save you lots of flaming and insults, guaranteed. There's actually a whole thread called "boot or no boot" there that I am sure could answer any question you might have about bootleg Neo carts.

If you do decide to dive further into the realm of the Neo, choose your path wisely. Trust me, your bank account will not thank you for it, especially if you go in without doing proper research.

I agree with Blur. On that note, the Neo is not for the faint of heart, and certainly not for a green collector. There are many other systems that can be had for a lot cheaper, and the SNK ports for other systems like the PS2 and DC aren't THAT bad, despite what hardcore Neo fans will tell you. I do disagree with him on his statement concerning consolized MVS as I own one and love it, but that's his opinion and he's certainly entitled to it.

Whichever road you choose, just make sure that you're well informed before you travel.

[tholly]

in my opinion, the only way to Neo Geo is with a full size MVS cab

sure you need to have the space, but it is an amazing experience.....I love the one I have and I would never get rid of my cab.

[spanks_4]

i know all the systems and im not a green collector by any means. i have been doing this since i was a kid, but sold everything about 5 years ago and just got back into it. i never knew much about neo geo besides the kick ass arcade games.

anyways my main thing i was wondering is how you spot a boot or fake on ebay if its not listed as so.

[XYXZYZ]

Asking "what is the difference between them" lets us think you don't know anything about the different Neo Geo consoles. So, I assume you know what AES, MVS, CDZ, pocket color etc. are?

Anyway the neo-geo.com forums have a subforum dedicated to bootleg detection. Generally, if you open the cartridge and its full of generic EEPROMs and none of the boards have SNK (or whoever) written on them, it's probably a boot. (in general) There are some professional looking boots and some cheap, bootleggy looking real games. If a seller describes his cartridge as "100% working", it's probably a bootleg.

Memory cards usually go for $40-60 US on the Bay of E. I assume you know you don't really need one, all they do is transfer your high score from and MVS to an AES, and I think there are some functions arcade operators can use with book keeping.

[jsiucho]

i know all the systems and im not a green collector by any means. i have been doing this since i was a kid, but sold everything about 5 years ago and just got back into it. i never knew much about neo geo besides the kick ass arcade games.

anyways my main thing i was wondering is how you spot a boot or fake on ebay if its not listed as so.


First of all what are you looking at,, MVS carts or Home carts. For MVS the only way is to ask the person selling them to open it up and check, for home carts like our friend said most pp wont sell them as fake but as conversion, and its usually really expensive carts too likemetal slug, Kizuna, Ninja Masters or carts that never made it to home version. I really sugest you post this ? up in the Neo-geo.com forums, they are very helpfull bunch


JS

[TurboGenesis]

On Memory Cards;

Memory cards DO NOT save high scores. They save the last stage that was played. At least that is how it works in:
Andro Dunos
Last Resort
Alpha Mission II
Metal Slug 5
Aero Fighters 2
Viewpoint
Magician Lord
Baseball Stars 2

The above titles I can confirm. I am very sure it is the same in many more titles. I am sure there may be some titles that do save high score but most don't.

[spanks_4]

ok let me refraise my previous statement! when it comes to neo geo stuff i don't know anything hardly. i haven't spent much time with neo geo stuff because it just cost so damn much!

i know most of the other systems pretty well, but i do not know everything. i am trying to learn and wasn't looking for a "do your research" lecture. sorry i don't know every damn thing about every damn system out there.

[loopyeddie]

Go to http://www.southtown-homebrew.com

There is a how to spot bootlets guide link in the lower left corner of the main page written by your's truly.

[gameofyou]

I had always heard 2 things about the NEO GEO AES system. 1) It is very expensive, and 2) the library consists mostly of fighters.

After completing my Saturn collection, I decided to look into the AES. I finally ended up purchasing one a few months back. I have since been able to amass a sizable collection of games for very reasonable prices. Games like Samurai Shodown 2 and World Heroes 2 only cost $20. Many other games were under $40 (Magician Lord, Nam 1975, King of Monsters, Sengoku, ...ect.). I was also able to buy 2 shooters brand new (Ghost Pilots & Alpha Mission 2) for under $50 each shipped.

So far, I have been very pleased with the system & quite happy with the game prices. Out of all the games I have bought, only 2 were fighters. The NEO GEO has an underrated selection of action games in addition to the fighters.

Granted there are some VERY expensive NEO GEO games out there (Metal Slugs, Blazing Star, Shock Troopers, ...ect) that I will never purchase because of the price. But it's a really nice retro arcade console for those who can bargain hunt.

[ubersaurus]

On Memory Cards;

Memory cards DO NOT save high scores. They save the last stage that was played. At least that is how it works in:
Andro Dunos
Last Resort
Alpha Mission II
Metal Slug 5
Aero Fighters 2
Viewpoint
Magician Lord
Baseball Stars 2

The above titles I can confirm. I am very sure it is the same in many more titles. I am sure there may be some titles that do save high score but most don't.

In a sense you can use it to keep Ryo unlocked on Fatal Fury Special. Since you have to beat him in single player mode, having a save file right at Ryo means you can unlock him in no time flat.

[le geek]

QFT! I was going to link it, but the man beat me to it...

Cheers,
Ben


Go to http://www.southtown-homebrew.com

There is a how to spot bootlets guide link in the lower left corner of the main page written by your's truly.

[jajaja]

More info here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo_Geo

:)

[swlovinist]

Neo-Geo AES is a hard one to collect for. I have a boxed system and 14 games....and have spent will over $1000 on it in the years collecting. The cheap games go for $30, the exPensive games go for $300 on up from that. Patience is the key with collecting a system like this. You may go to a convention and be happy with either buying a bucketfull of classic games for other systems, or decide to buy one Neo Geo game. In the end, I would say it is more bragging rights than anything else. Only the insane hardcore collector goes after collecting this one.

[TurboGenesis]

In the end, I would say it is more bragging rights than anything else. Only the insane hardcore collector goes after collecting this one.

(not picking on swlovinist)
Why is there this elitist attitude with Neo Geo?! What makes it so "hardcore". Is it because it has a higher price tag? It really bugs me to no end. I can't go on their neo-geo.com forum because they think they are Gods gift to video game collecting. Their attitude is horrible and some posts in this very thread is exactly the same fare the neo-geo forum is full of. You want to get into high dollar video game collecting? Go the PCB route. Just try to buy Ketsui right now.

Why do I have and play Neo Geo AES? When I was a kid, my friend and I were credit feeding Guerrilla War on NES while just learning the news that SNK was leaving the software end of NES and making their own console. When the Neo Geo was anounced I was like thats cool. Shortly after the local rental stores offered the system for rent - $20 got you the console, 2 nights, 2 controllers and 2 games. Many weekends to remember with my friends! Neo Geo is really best enjoyed with a friend. 99% of their games are geared toward 2 players.

Sorry to thread kill here I get mad when people talk like the Neo Geo is so hardcore and that Neo Geo people are "above" everyone else in the Video Gaming rank and file. Fuck that. "Oh I paid $12k for a game I superior everyone else inferior" Enjoy games for fucks sake.

[/end rant]

[swlovinist]

TurboGenesis, I speak of collecting for the Neo Geo as being hardcore due to many factors(System availability, Game prices, cost of system and system upgrades) Nobody is forcing you to collect anything. Anyone is welcome to collect the system, but I like to warn anyone getting themselves into the scene what they are facing. When I talk about bragging rights, we all like to have that something in our collection we are proud of and it is not to put anyone else down for it(at least that is how I look at it). I enjoy my Neo Geo very much so. For my 29th birthday, me and my close friends stayed up all night and beat Magician Lord(no easy task). It took over 8 hours and was one hell of a ride.

[Wolf]

I wouldn't really say it is only the hardcore insane collector who goes after neo geo.

There is a few things about it which do make it expensive, mainly the fact that not alot of people could afford them when they were out in the mainstream back in the day, the extreme high cost for the home carts back then and the fact some of the games are rare or in demand, not all the damn games are like 299+ now ( there is a few that are around 600 or even 2k hahaha ), some of the very popular ones may be but you can still find well known series for decent cash.

150-200 is not all that crazy if they are in very nice condition, I would easily plunk down 150 for an SS game anything over that I would have to reallllllly love the game alot and be a complete anal arcade 100% perfect freak to care, seeing as how the ps2 has alot of these games in 99% arcade perfection with remixed tracks and art galleries etc, for quite a bit less, its loads better than mame and cheaper than the carts, which while arcade perfect are missing newer features.

As far as it being a status bragging right symbol, thats kinda laughable...I mean sure some of the games do fetch a fair bit but you can find decent AES consoles for less than a ps3 if you really want to collect for it, now if you are trying to get a complete series or like all kof, all ss...all ms etc sure thats going to cost you an assload, if you have the money to burn thats great but it does not make anyone special or uber cool.

I can think of alot more ways to spend that kind of money on games and get more of them, at this point in time and with the ps2 releases there is no major reason to collect for it unless you want a 100% home or arcade experience...and the aes controllers are not exactly like a hrap...it limits you just to neo games, they even have neo controllers for the ps2 if you want that anyway, official ps2 ones.

[TurboGenesis]

TurboGenesis, I speak of collecting for the Neo Geo as being hardcore due to many factors(System availability, Game prices, cost of system and system upgrades) Nobody is forcing you to collect anything. Anyone is welcome to collect the system, but I like to warn anyone getting themselves into the scene what they are facing. When I talk about bragging rights, we all like to have that something in our collection we are proud of and it is not to put anyone else down for it(at least that is how I look at it). I enjoy my Neo Geo very much so. For my 29th birthday, me and my close friends stayed up all night and beat Magician Lord(no easy task). It took over 8 hours and was one hell of a ride.

As I said I wasn't picking on you. Your age is pretty close to mine so I am sure you remember the early 90's and all the hype around the Neo Geo (thanks Electronic Gaming Monthly). Nobody is forcing anyone to collect anything. I bought my very own AES in 2003 and it took me 4 months just to find the system I wanted (I have a bone stock US model). I own 9 games and the most "expensive" one is probably Last Resort which can hit $100 on a bad day. Honestly I am only after a few more games (Viewpoint, Aero Fighters 2, League Bowling) and I'll be all set. Folks from our time have memories of the Neo Geo. It was tough to get but now we are grown up and can afford to spend cash on it where our parents said no no.

Here is what I like to say to someone considering to purchase an AES.
1. What kind of games do you like? Neo Geo is vastly 2d vs. fighting games.
2. Many of those fighting games are available on other platforms (ie DC, PS2, Xbox)
3. It costs money. More than most other platforms.
4. Who will be playing with you? Neo Geo is best with 2 players.

Neo Geo AES USA is really the worst way to go about playing Neo Geo. The price doesn't make cents.

[swlovinist]

Funny, your rare game is one of the rarest I own too(Last Resort). I agree with what others have posted about other systems that can do what the Neo Geo does. I personally think the Saturn import is the way to go for SNK stuff. I guess I do like to be proud of the things that I have bought, espically when all of my Neo Geo stuff was bought "in the wild". It makes me neither superior nor smart. In the end, I guess I just like any uncommon game or system.

[TurboGenesis]

In the end, I guess I just like any uncommon game or system.

Nothing wrong with that ;) so long as you are enjoy the games you play!
I like Last Resort, though it tough as nails. I got to level 4 once but the 3rd stage boss is tough! I think I pay $90 when I got it. I got a bunch of my games in flea market too, but had to get a few from auction :(

We should talk about our favorite Neo Geo games when we post!

Mine favorites are:
Last Resort and Andro Dunos.
(I am a little bias - I like shoot them up)

[swlovinist]

Nothing wrong with liking shooters, espically on the Neo Geo. I would have to say that my favorite game on the Neo Geo is Real Bout Fatal Fury 2, but a close second goes to Samurai Showdown 2. Classic great fighting games.

[Kevincal]

I bought a Japanese Neo Geo AES...and I don't know a lick of Japanese! (the text of Jap or US games is in Jap text on a Jap AES...) The only thing it has over the US system is that the blood isn't censored out. Of course you can mod the Jap system to play games with English text and blood, but it's quite pricey and risky... I bought about 10 of the cheaper games. Cheaper being $10-30 a game...I was impressed with the graphics and sound, but the game content was lacking in the most of the games. The difficulty level of almost all of them is insane, too. I also don't like using the big arcade stick, it just feels awkward. But, I've never been an arcade guy. I've always been a home game/control pad guy. I know the Neo CD pad works with the AES, but even that is pricey... I ended up having to sell my Neo and games recently, which sucks and I regret it. But I live paycheck to paycheck and I had no choice! But, next time I get an AES, I'm getting a US system so I can understand what the heck is happening in the game!

[ubersaurus]

I think turbo summed it up. A lot of the good neo geo fighters have ports on other consoles that range from crap, fairly good, nigh-indistinguishable, to superior. The older the game is, generally the worse the ports are, although SNK has taken to releasing compilations on the japanese PS2 of older fighters such as Fatal Fury collection, Real Bout collection, Last Blade collection, etc.

That said there's still some neo geo arcade fighters worth pursuing, either through price or lack of availability on other platforms. Matrimelee and Samurai Shodown Special come to mind, as both were late releases, still pricey, but unavailable on other platforms. What's more, if you don't mind load times, neo geo cd is probably a better way to go for a lot of 90s releases.

The other big genres on the neo geo, puzzle games and shooters, are similar stories. The best neo geo puzzle games are available on other home consoles(generally as imports) like Magical Drop 3, or Bust a Move, or Twinkle Star Sprites. Shooters are a bit different. Most of the best neo geo shooters STAYED on the neo geo, and the same goes for even the average ones. The Metal Slug games are multiplatform at the least, but stuff like Andro Dunos, Alpha Mission 2, Pulstar, and Ghost Pilots are all Neo.

And then there's other neo stuff like Windjammers, or League Bowling, or Baseball Stars 2, that are just awesome.

My neo buying policy is simple:
1) Is it available cheaper on another system?
2) Is the game good?
3) Is the game affordable?

At that point it's moot as to whether or not it's a US or Jap or Euro release...whichever is cheapest. I have 7 neo geo games right now, and there's only a few more I'm on the lookout to pick up.