Neo Geo CD

[jay_red]

I just picked up a Neo Geo CD and am really enjoying it. After having an AES system for like a minute before I ended up selling it, I have been more and more curious about the Neo Geo scene. I read up on the CD, and about its "horrible" load times, but figured that the savings compared to AES games would make up for it.

I didnt get it with any games, I plan on purchasing some, but for the time being I burned some of the more popular titles to get a feel for the console and its games. So far only one game has had loading times that killed the game for me, that was King of Fighters 98. It has to load everything! When the match starts it pauses for a split second to load the music, after you win the match it jumps straight to a load screen, only to show you the winning message from your fighter. Out of the 6 games I have tried though, this is the only one that loads like it.

So far I am very impressed with the games I have played, I wanted to see what it had besides fighters, and really enjoyed aero fighters 2 and pulstar. I tried Last Resort and found it a little difficult for my liking.

I am currently stuck with only the control pad until I can get a joystick controller for it, but it isnt too bad honestly, just the button mashing in the shoot em up's was a little tiring.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to get into the Neo Geo scene without dropping too much money (the Cd console is still pretty expensive compared to most consoles) and the games can be had for tons cheaper.

[Ziggy]

I had a Neo Geo CD for a while, I really liked that system. I got it in a trade and kept it for a while, but ended up selling it because I rarely used it (my favorite games for it could be played on other systems).

I really like the NGCD controller, with that clicky D-pad! It was probably my favorite thing about the console! FYI, those D-pads can get a little gummed up over time and require cleaning, there's a nice guide here: http://www.gamesx.com/controldata/neopadfix.htm

I never really mind the loading times for most games. Like most things, it wasn't nearly as bad as the internet makes it out to be. But yeah, games are cheap compared to AES! And even for the more expensive ones, you can just play burns! Or you can use burns to test out a game before buying.

Also, if you didn't know, a USA/JPN region switch is dead simple for the NeoGeo CD. If you pop the top off the console and look at the board, there's some jumpers to set the region of the console. There's even a diagram on the board that shows you how to set a region. JPN has no jumpers, USA has one single jumper. So to make a switch, that's all you have to do is hook up that jumper wire to a simple SPST switch.

[cookie monster]

I agree i picked up a mint boxed cd for the bf's birthday last year he plays with it a good bit he has not complained to much about load time just that i won't play fighting games with him

[d123456]

What? No Garou MOTW for the neo cd?
ouch

[jay_red]

Also, if you didn't know, a USA/JPN region switch is dead simple for the NeoGeo CD. If you pop the top off the console and look at the board, there's some jumpers to set the region of the console. There's even a diagram on the board that shows you how to set a region. JPN has no jumpers, USA has one single jumper. So to make a switch, that's all you have to do is hook up that jumper wire to a simple SPST switch.

The region switch was the first thing I did with it since it is a JPN region console. Had a bit of a scare when it wouldnt read discs after I put it back together, turns out the lid switch was jammed!

[Ziggy]

Yeah, mine turned out to be a a JPN model console as well.

Another thing I like about the system is that in addition to its multi AV out it has standard S-Video and composite AV out, with which you can use standard cables.

[valgalder]

Neo CD is a great and inexpensive way to get into the Neo Geo.. I bought one when SNK marked them down in the 90's and played it a lot. However, since obtaining an MVS it has been boxed away (for obvious reasons) but if I didn't have the MVS or had to sell it, i'd bust out the CD again or get a consolidated MVS.