Neo-Geo Question.

[Habeeb Hamusta]

I was under the impression that when snp when bankrupt many of the employees went to work for capcom.

[XianXi]

When SNK went backrupt they were bought out by Aruze a japanese pachinko company which developed some NGPC gambling games and then later they killed SNK in 2000. The chairman wanted to revive SNK but couldnt use the name as they didnt own them anymore so he started a new company called "Playmore". Later they were able to buy back the IP properties for the original SNK characters and later changed their name to SNK-Playmore.

[Flack]

But this was years ago; surely even home technology has long overtaken the Neo-Geo in any practical sense? How did the Neo-Geo enjoy such a long lifespan?

One reason for the system's continued success is the way the hardware itself is designed. Arcade operators are constantly swapping out their game inventory, depending on what's hot and what's not. Worst case scenario, entire cabinets are bought and sold. Even a JAMMA conversion takes effort, especially for operators who change sideart, control panels, etc.

Swapping out a Neo Geo cart can be done in literally seconds. If a game isn't bringing in cash, you can pick up another cartridge inexpensively and easily swap them out. And to an operator, a 4-in-1 cabinet is free real estate for 3 cabs!

The other reason I think the system survived so long was due to the vast variety of game types. Fighting, driving, sports, puzzle ... the Neo Geo really has it all.

[greedostick]

One reason for the system's continued success is the way the hardware itself is designed. Arcade operators are constantly swapping out their game inventory, depending on what's hot and what's not. Worst case scenario, entire cabinets are bought and sold. Even a JAMMA conversion takes effort, especially for operators who change sideart, control panels, etc.

Swapping out a Neo Geo cart can be done in literally seconds. If a game isn't bringing in cash, you can pick up another cartridge inexpensively and easily swap them out. And to an operator, a 4-in-1 cabinet is free real estate for 3 cabs!

The other reason I think the system survived so long was due to the vast variety of game types. Fighting, driving, sports, puzzle ... the Neo Geo really has it all.

Except a good rpg for the Homecart or MVS system. And no, Crossed swords is not a rpg.

[XianXi]

Except a good rpg for the Homecart or MVS system. And no, Crossed swords is not a rpg.

On a side note, I'm glad that finally someone is translating Samurai Shodown RPG into english for the Neo CD.

[CosmicMonkey]

RPGs aren't exactly your standard arcade game though. I've always thought of the Neo CD as more of your standard home console than the AES, which is just a home MVS essentially.

SNK should have done a lot more forward planning with the CD system. Aside from blessing the machine with a faster drive and a greater RAM cache, SNK should have made more CD exclusive games to tap the growing casual market. Platformers, RPGs and Metroidvania style games would have helped. But then the system was up against the Saturn, Playstation and the Sony 3D hype machine. Bad timing overall then, no matter what.

[XianXi]

Makes me wonder if SNK never had the hard times it did if they would have released a new cd or DVD based system by todays standards.

[Jorpho]

It is my understanding that system RAM was actually included on each cart rather than inside the system itself, which I suppose would make it much more expandable than other cart-based systems. Is this actually the case?

[XianXi]

Not from what I remember. But the Neo carts had 2 seperate PCBs.

[Habeeb Hamusta]

Back to the question at hand....most of the SNK employees went to work for capcom and stayed their after playmore came about right?

[attilathehun]

The Neo was definatly ahead of its time. It was suppose to be able to only hold 300 megs in a single game. That was what SNK planned anyway in its inital release. To be able to make games up to 300 megs. However that goal was destroyed in 2003 when KOF 03 was released at a unheard of 716 megs. More then double the inital expectations. Not to mention MANY other games around the same meg count. Samurai Showdown 5 special and a few others hitting the 707 mark.

SNK did go bankrupt in the 90's and all of the remeaining stock was sond to Chris Ray and Dion Dakis who took all the games and stamped them with there so called official "Neo Geo Freaks" stamps on the manuals and inserts. That is a entirely different story though.

Here is a good place to start reading up on the neo. Go to the tab entitled Glossery and read up. There are some interesting links in the glossery in the chris and dion areas.

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

Yeah but weren't they just megabits and the games were dominated beatem up side scrollers and shooters. Not much of other quality genres to try to really harness it's capabilities. Snes and Genny were tapped out better from super mario cart to sonic 3d blast.

[hbkprm]

get your facts straigh, everyone! the most recent title i heard of is metal slug anthology and there should be more games to come.

[PapaStu]

get your facts straigh, everyone! the most recent title i heard of is metal slug anthology and there should be more games to come.

Ummmm They are talking about what is/was out on the AES/MVS. Not what SNK|Playmore has been releasing for newer systems. If your going that route, Art of Fighting Collection for the PS2 and SNK Vs. Capcom Card Fighters Clash DS are the most recent titles here in the states. In Japan theres other things that are actually getting them some real sales (the DS touch the witch title).

[Darren870]

get your facts straigh, everyone! the most recent title i heard of is metal slug anthology and there should be more games to come.

Ummm....yeaa.

Re-read everything

[cyberfluxor]

get your facts straigh, everyone! the most recent title i heard of is metal slug anthology and there should be more games to come.

You're kidding right?