SNK NEO GEO
Shin Nihon Kikaku (SNK)

MVS
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1989 |
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Multi-Video System
The cartridge-based arcade system that allows one to six games to
be loaded. Comes in many different cabinets but basically consists
of an add on board that can be linked to a standard Jamma system.
If more than one game is available, players are able to select the
title of their choice, some cabinets also imposed a timelimit much
like the Nintendo system.
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AES Cart System
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1990 |
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Took the arcade motherboard and placed it in a
console shell to create the Neo Geo Advanced Entertainment System, otherwise known as the
Home Cart System. The original system features a Motorola 68000 16-bit processor.
Other innovations include Multi-Link where two Neo-Geo home systems can be linked
together, via a cable. Interestingly, this allowed for play on two separate televisions.
Also, one of the first systems to use a memory card for use on other Neo-Geo consoles
and with any MVS arcade cabinet featuring the same game.
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Neo-Geo CD
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1994 |
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The same hardware as the original platform but CDs are a
much cheaper medium for releasing games. Unfortunately,
the Neo-Geo ROM drives are single-speed and it takes a
long time to load the games compared to the cartridge system.
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Neo-Geo CDZ
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1994
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Increased the CD speed up to a Double-speed CD-ROM drive
for shorter loading delays. Unfortunately, the CDZ was
only released in Japan.
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NEO GEO GAMES
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Truely brought the arcade into the home with loads of great
games available on CD and Cartridge. Probably best know for
its huge range of Fighting games. There are also some classic
shootem-ups such as Blazing Star and Platform games such as
Metal Slug. Many Neo Geo games were re-released onto the Neo
Geo Pocket and Pocket Colour.
Prices vary on Neo Geo home carts with some available from around
£30-45 while some of the better games such as Blazing Star have
been know to sell for up to £1000. Surpisingly, games are still
being released -with Metal Slug 4 being the latest. A cheaper
route to playing games is to get the arcade versions which while
being exactly the same game are usually a lot cheaper. However,
the cheapest option overall is to get the CD version but loading
times for games is quite long and not all games are released on
CD format. Availabilty is quite good considering how much they
originally cost on import but prices are still quite high.
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Blazing Star
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Horizontal scrolling shooter with sprite based 2D graphics. Up to two players
can simultaneously fly their way through seven levels. Features some
impressive end of level bosses. Players can choose from six fighters
which all handle differently and have different shooting abilities.
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Samurai Shodown
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One of the first weapons-based 2D Fighters.There is also a sequel, Samurai Shodown II.
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King of Fighters
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Released in loads of different versions,
probably one of the best known neo geo games. Now also available on the Neo Geo Pocket.
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Last Blade
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Another weapons based 2D fighting game from SNK. Players can choose from
twelve fighters as well as two modes to fight in. Power mode another game
now available on the Neo Geo Pocket.
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