Oh man, what a place to start in the 16-bit era. SNK’s Neo Geo AVS MAX 330 MEGA PRO-GEAR SPEC home console system. Hot damn I get excited just saying the name! It was revolutionary at the time for bringing arcade quality graphics to the home, and novelty gigantic cartridges to boot. It was a console of extremes; Bigger games! Bigger cartridges! Bigger controllers! The arcade experience right at home, an expensive dream that only the Neo Geo could fulfil, after it emptied your wallet.
It was marketed as 24-bit in 1990 when it was released to edge out the market on other 16-bit units like the Turbografx-16 and the Sega Megadrive, back when that crap actually mattered to people. It was actually a 16-bit parallel processing CPU with another 8-bit CPU dedicated to sound. Think of it like a dual core system in a market full of single core units, it was ahead of the pack.
The controllers came in all shapes and sizes, all reminiscent of an arcade machine. Four buttons and an extremely clicky micro-switch laden joystick. These are absolutely fantastic to use with fighting games, or any game for that matter. They have just the right amount of travel on the stick to feel comfortable, but not enough so that inputs are delayed. The revision above which looks closer to a traditional controller has a joystick so clicky and beautiful to use I wish I could use it for modern games.
The powerful hardware made it crazy expensive at launch, retailing for about $650 (USD) while other more popular systems like the Super Nintendo retailed for about $200 (USD). The games were also very expensive, coming in big fancy “shock boxes” with elaborate labels and marketing. Games were about $200(USD) a pop and today they vary wildly in prices. Some of the more common games can be as cheap as $50 (USD) today, while some of the other uncommon ones can be as high as $800 (USD). It does get quite ridiculous though, some games got a very limited release and today are priced anywhere from $4000 (USD) to $30,000 (USD) for the absolute rarest of rare.
So why are the cartridges so big? In the most simple of terms, it was to hold a bigger game. The biggest Super Nintendo game weighs in at 64Mbit, in comparison, one of the biggest Neo Geo games for the AES is an insane 334Mbit! The cartridges are big because inside there are about two dozen ROM chips which hold the game data. It was a proper arcade game you were buying. In fact, the only difference between a Neo Geo MVS arcade game, and the one people got to take home was a simple pin swap. The cartridges are otherwise identical.
Which is absolutely insane because the arcade games are actually cheaper to buy because they are more common! Nowadays you can buy a common arcade cartridge for as little as $5 (USD) for the most common games. The MVS cartridges did allow for larger games via bank switching memory technology, which increased the size to about 716Mbit, dubbed on the start screen “GIGA POWER PRO-GEAR SPEC” as they booted up. Some enthusiasts today make a device called a “Super Gun” to plug an MVS board and game directly into a television. Basically an arcade machine in a box. Since 90 percent of arcade boards use the standardised plug, it’s easy to plug directly into your television.
Ok, so I’ve paid a billion dollars for the unit and some games, are they any good? Short answer, yes! If you are into some really eclectic fighting games, then the AES has you covered. Classics such as Fatal Fury and the lesser known ultraviolent Samurai Shodown series are some of our picks for games you definitely should try. Although you should seek out the MVS cart for Samurai Shodown because all the violence is censored in the console release, and that’s just lame.
But of course we couldn’t forget the Metal Slug series. Possibly the best and most revered 2D run and gun series ever. Beautiful sprites and animation are only the side dish to truly fun and addictive gameplay. You will die a lot though, this game, like most of the Neo Geo arcade games were designed to take your money. Metal Slug especially because their carts happen to fall in the exceedingly rare category, so a set of Metal Slug may cost you thousands. Other picks are Strikers 1945+, a vertical plane shooter, and Neo Drift Out, an overhead rally driving game. Both are awesome, both we don’t own because lack of money.
If you’re into the arcade experience at home, you can’t beat the Neo Geo. It has such a fan following that people are still making games for it despite being discontinued early 2004. A group called the Neo Geo dev team still make homebrew cartridges to order in extremely limited quantities. If this hasn’t inspired you to collect for the Neo Geo, I honestly don’t blame you. This is super expensive and majorly impractical. But if this does piqué your interest, I recommend this website as it is a great resource to seek out all this retro goodness.
Last Updated: February 5, 2014
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 5, 2014 at 12:33
Retro Wednesdays? I can dig it!
General JJ PanGirl
February 5, 2014 at 12:34
Me too. But they must must include some classic pc games every now and again.
Unavengedavo
February 5, 2014 at 12:41
Like Quest for Glory! 😛
General JJ PanGirl
February 5, 2014 at 12:46
And the original solitaire!!!!
JK
X-Wing
TiMsTeR1033
February 5, 2014 at 12:51
samurai showdown think it was!
General JJ PanGirl
February 5, 2014 at 12:59
yea
Captain GUZ
February 5, 2014 at 13:51
Quest for glory was the bees knees
oVg 60fps > 30fps
February 5, 2014 at 12:54
PC games are not classic, PC gamers can still play them 😛
General JJ PanGirl
February 5, 2014 at 12:59
Hmmm. We might need a definition of classic here.
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 5, 2014 at 13:02
Hmmm, true
So what you are saying is that PC games remain classic.
Ahhh, oVg, such wisdom!
General JJ PanGirl
February 5, 2014 at 13:05
So too their users.
Captain GUZ
February 5, 2014 at 13:53
Sorry the game you are trying to play is not supported in compatiblity mode, please install windows 95
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 5, 2014 at 13:02
CHOPIFTER
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 5, 2014 at 13:46
Chopperlifter HD, was playing it on Steam 😀
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 5, 2014 at 13:47
WHAAAAAAAAAAAT????
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 5, 2014 at 13:47
Believe it, it’s true.
Stephen Snook
February 5, 2014 at 13:02
Don’t you worry, it will.
TheBrain
February 5, 2014 at 14:04
Starcontrol 2, so huge!
Stephen Snook
February 5, 2014 at 13:02
Expect more. MUCH MORE (evil laugh)
Umar Hyakutaro [S]
February 5, 2014 at 13:07
Can you dig it?SUCKER!!!
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 5, 2014 at 13:46
*spin-a-roony*
Umar Hyakutaro [S]
February 5, 2014 at 13:48
LOL!!!! Nice!….thanx for not making me feel alone in that one
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 5, 2014 at 13:51
Never leave a brother hanging.
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 5, 2014 at 12:37
Saw last night Metal Slug 3 is coming to Steam.
Mark Vincer
February 5, 2014 at 12:40
Bought a new laptop the other day. First thing I did, installed my emulators. If a game doesn’t begin with the push of a physical start button, how good can it be?
Hammersteyn
February 5, 2014 at 12:44
Yeah, I got about 150 neo geo roms. Metal Slug and Top Hunter is till one of my favourite platform games on neo geo.
Mark Vincer
February 5, 2014 at 12:51
Aw dude! Top Hunter! I loved that game but could never remember what it was called! My friend built me an arcade controller for my birthday, guess I know what game I’m hitting next.
Hammersteyn
February 5, 2014 at 12:52
hehe, that game sucked my school allowance dry.
Hammersteyn
February 5, 2014 at 12:42
dat aussie accent 😛
Stephen Snook
February 5, 2014 at 13:02
It’s so good.
Umar Hyakutaro [S]
February 5, 2014 at 12:45
So….anyone knows who my avatar is? Even though the name is in my nick
General JJ PanGirl
February 5, 2014 at 12:45
Looks like I should know. But sadly I cannot remember.
Umar Hyakutaro [S]
February 5, 2014 at 12:46
Aww, he could’ve given you a new weapon 😉
Hammersteyn
February 5, 2014 at 12:48
I think it’s from Metal slug 3. You rescue a prisoner and he hadokens enemies along side you till you die.
Umar Hyakutaro [S]
February 5, 2014 at 12:49
Ding DIng!! Correct but he has been there from the start. The [S] in my nick is for my favorite weapon, Shotgun!
Hammersteyn
February 5, 2014 at 13:04
Right you are.
Hammersteyn
February 5, 2014 at 13:01
Do i get half a point for trying 🙂
Umar Hyakutaro [S]
February 5, 2014 at 13:03
50 NeoGeo points. Redeemable when the Neo Geo makes destroys the market with their new home console (I wish 🙁 )
Hammersteyn
February 5, 2014 at 13:04
You won’t find any microtransactions there.
Umar Hyakutaro [S]
February 5, 2014 at 13:06
Never..You will get FULL games…something which sadly uncommon these days
Craig "Crios" Boonzaier
February 5, 2014 at 12:46
I still have my NeoRageX emulator and still jam some old school King of Fighters.
Umar Hyakutaro [S]
February 5, 2014 at 12:46
2K2 for life!
Jason Ashman
February 5, 2014 at 13:13
The rage I have for that system…. My one was bricked by the firmware update
Umar Hyakutaro [S]
February 5, 2014 at 12:48
So I’m just gonna take this chance to spout random things like
.
.
.
POWER GEYSER!!!!!!!
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 5, 2014 at 12:49
That’s what she said.
Umar Hyakutaro [S]
February 5, 2014 at 12:50
That must’ve been an aggressive experience.
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 5, 2014 at 12:51
One of the little known benefits of using Steam.
Umar Hyakutaro [S]
February 5, 2014 at 12:53
Steam caused a power geyser in the sauna?….
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 5, 2014 at 13:03
Don’t judge me.
Hammersteyn
February 5, 2014 at 12:49
I can’t think of any one time I walked into an arcade and there weren’t at least 10 Neo-Geo games around,
Umar Hyakutaro [S]
February 5, 2014 at 12:51
Asobi wa owari da!!!!!!!
Hammersteyn
February 5, 2014 at 12:59
Lol you lived and breathed Neo-Geo games
Umar Hyakutaro [S]
February 5, 2014 at 13:02
Lol Yeah was a pretty huge fan, or well I still am, haven’t played in a while. Maybe should boot up some Samurai Showdown
TheBrain
February 5, 2014 at 13:54
Chrono trigger! Epicness! Must play again
Stephen Snook
February 5, 2014 at 13:55
I knew someone would appreciate that xD
That Tall Ork Norm
February 5, 2014 at 14:30
Most Neo Geo games still look better than A:CM…
Gerhard Davids
February 5, 2014 at 15:44
Samurai Showdown was one of the best fighters of my childhood. It’s a shame about that 3d version that ruined the franchise.
Skyblue
February 5, 2014 at 16:51
Agreed 100%. Samurai Shodown got me off my SF2 addiction and started a whole new one.
Brian Murphy
February 5, 2014 at 23:35
Loved Samurai Showdown back in the day, now it’s ALL about Capcom vs SNK II Mark of the Millenium. Hopefully Capcom extricates head from ass and teams up with SNK for another iteration.
CAE9872
February 6, 2014 at 08:06
Couldn’t agree more! Capcom vs SNK series are brilliant.
CAE9872
February 6, 2014 at 08:05
Out of all my consoles its my most cherished possession. I have but a few games but that’s irrelevant. It’s a beast of a machine, and that controller. There is also something about the size of the cartridges, and boxes.
I remember the very first Neo Geo game I bought (Samurai Shodown), unwrapping it and looking at the sheer size of the cartridge! It’s HUGE and no picture can do it justice.
I also own the Neo Geo CD which was their attempt at a “cheaper” version for games – and indeed games can be bought for much less. Downside = loading times! Personally dont think they that bad but yeah not great if you the impatient type. Saying that if you still like your old Commodore 64 and tapes and can sit through those loads then you will be fine with a CD.
And couldn’t agree more re: game prices. Ebay is best bet usually but prices are insane. As far as I know the rarest Neo Geo AES game is Kizuna Encounter – worth $10 000 dollars (US) last I looked which was a few years ago now. Apparently only 10 or so still exist (no idea how true that is though).
Stephen Snook
February 6, 2014 at 08:24
http://www.neo-geo.com/
Really good resource for all things Neo Geo. I believe Kizuna Encounter is priced at $15,000
Stephen Snook
February 6, 2014 at 10:48
Jason and I are having trouble picking the new system for the next Retro Wednesday. So I’m open to suggestions!
gumdeo
October 16, 2014 at 20:24
Samurai Shodown was a truly brilliant series.