AES vs Neo Geo CD

[Rurouni_Fencer]

Hey everybody!

I've always wanted a Neo-Geo system ever since I was a young teenager. In the coming months, I'd like to get one after many years of pining for one. But I'm not sure which I should get. I know the AES has more games available and is the same as the arcade unit, but the CD is so much more affordable. Is this the only thing factor - cost, (and load times?) Can somebody point me to a link either here on racketboy, or on the web for comparisons and facts to aid my decision? I'll eventually have both systems one day, but wanna know which I should start out with first.. Thanks in advance for any help!

[Breetai]

The main differences are load times, less games available on the CD format (although there are a few CD exclusives) and, of course, cost. A few of the newer games have had a few frames of animations removed from the AES/MVS version due to the smaller memory cache on the NG-CD (I believe), but this, as far as I know, is very minimal. The Neo Geo CD can read backups and plays games from all regions, but plays the version of the game based on hardware, not software (the US version of Samurai Shodown will have red blood and be in Japanese on a Japanese system, but not have red blood and be in English on a US system, for example). This can be overcome by a very simple mod (no soldering needed!). There is also the Neo Geo CDZ system which has faster load times, but apparently a higher failure rate, is more expensive, and playing back-ups on it is a bit complicated. Finally, a stock CD system has s-video, which is very nice. A stock AES only has a very poor quality composite out. If any system was worth getting a video mod done on, it is the AES (or the Genesis/Mega Drive). Both the AES and CD systems have the same controller ports, so an AES arcade stick will work on a CD console and the CD pads will work on the AES.

If you are looking for a Neo Geo CD system, I'm selling a top-loader with a couple games and controller for $90OBO. Someone else here is selling a front-loader (rarer, but functions the same as the top-loader) with 9 games and a couple controllers for $200. I also have a front-loader with a couple controllers and 18 games, but haven't put it up for sale (yet). All three of these systems are Japanese (front-loaders were only released in Japan). Feel free to make me an offer via PM if you'd like.

[lisalover1]

Just save up for a consolized MVS; I bought an AES, and I'm regretting it, because the games are so expensive. An MVS will be much cheaper in the long run.

[Dakinggamer87]

I would go with an AES or MVS over the CD due to slow loading times.

[Cronson]

Isn't there a MVS cart out there for sale with like 100 and some games on it? If you had a consolized MVS, and were just looking to play Neo Geo games, this would be the cheap route in the long run.

[itsmattxp]

Never had an AES because that is just a huge money sink. Most of the games that you can buy cheaply for the AES are just garbage. You can't get any of the Slugs for less than $100 maybe even $200. Most of the great fighting games are way up there in price. If you're looking for AES than you most likely will be blowing money rediculously or have a very limited collection because of price. The no load times are nice though, but MVS does the same thing.

I had a top loader CD unit. I actually really liked it a lot. The games were cheap and there was a pretty decent selection of them too. Only problem which is the hugest problem is the fact that there are rediculous load times in some games such as KoF 99' and The Last Blade, both versions. They just kill the game and are a major buzz kill. The CD system plays fine with shmups and older fighting games, and is actually managable. They never bothered me in SS4 or SS2. The games are much cheaper than the AES version and if I were you I'd go with the CD between the two options.

You should really consider getting a CMVS. Thats what I currently own right now and they are awesome. The games are much cheaper than AES and a little more expensive than CD. There are no load times, and most games are exactly like the AES.

[Bloodandbourbon]

metal slug 1 on the aes goes for like 2grand

[fastbilly1]

I think this is an adequate example of the loadtimes on the CD:

[Hatta]

Less than 2 minutes. That's not so bad. What's everyone's problem?

[Gamerforlife]

Less than 2 minutes. That's not so bad. What's everyone's problem?

Load times seem so wrong in 2-d games. As someone who remembers the good old days of Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Genesis and classic 2-d arcade games, it always makes some part of my soul cry whenever I have to wait for a modern game to load