Is a Neo Geo AES/MVS really worth the money?

[Zork]

For a while now, I've always considered buying a Neo Geo of either type, but what always prevented me from doing so was just their expensive price tags. I can't really justify spending that much money on a console that has games that are comparable to a Genesis' or a SNES'. Not to mention some of the games prices...man...

I figured with all of these SNK Compilations and the fact that a lot of their other games are coming here via digital download that the demand and prices for these things would go down but it doesn't seem to be the case at all. I really like the KoF and Fatal Fury games but I can usually get these on another console with a better controller in my opinion so those are immediately out. Metal Slug is eliminated with the Metal Slug collection, so really what is left other than the huge glut of shooters on the console? I know Samurai Shodown/Spirits hasn't gotten a collection yet and Last Blade 1 and 2 are supposed to be great but more than likely the games are over $50 a piece.

Really if I can help it I don't want to spend more than $200 for something like this, and if you can recommend any other kinds of games that are supposed to be great, I'd appreciate it.

[MrPopo]

So my Neo Geo is arriving early next week, and I don't have a lot of fond memories of playing SNK games in the arcade, so I should be able to provide you with a nice unbiased opinion when it gets here.

[nickfil]

I know Samurai Shodown/Spirits hasn't gotten a collection yet

not true- one is coming out soon. March 10th for wii psp and ps2. From wal*mart's site on the wii version "The complete collection of the SAMURAI SHODOWN series contains seven games: Samurai Shodown, I, II, III, IV, V, V Special and VI."

So no last blade, but a good chunk of the series. I'd be surprised if last blade ever gets collected with SShowdown, or at all. Spiritual successors are more of a hardcore fan thing and not really something that sells to the general public well.

[RCBH928]

Do not buy it
You can emulate this console on PC, psp, and more
you can play a lot of games using the VC.
Not to mention the games are old, you are paying many times the price
of a new HD game and console for a game that is like 20 years old, I think psx might be
more powerful.

It is money gone to waste. I do not have to mention that its old hardware so expect that it might have problems or show problems in the future, try fixing it.

It would be cool as hell to own it back in the mid-90's , but today you can emulate it for free.

I guess people who pay such high price value gaming so much, that they want to actually say I OWN a NEO-GEO system. You are basically getting the same game and same fun on emulation or VC , but you pay hundreds more just to say I played it on the real thing!

I guess its like baseball cards or something, its like just a card with a picture. It doesn't do much. But those who want to say "I have it" have to pay a lot.

[IcKy99]

i owned a AES once, its a great system if you can get it for a reasonable price, dont pay over $250 for one. Its big its Sexy the games are awesome, but those prices hurt! even for MVS to AES conversions or converters!!!

so its all on you

do you like spending money?
then buy a NEo GEO

would you like all the games for free?
emulation

[jfrost]

Probably the Neo Geo is not for you. NG is for folks who do not want ports of arcade games, but the real thing at home. If you are OK with the several ports SNK has put out for its games, go for them.

[BigTinz]

Hell yes MVS is worth the money!

AES is basically for collectors...most games cost $100-$500.

MVS is great, most games are $20-60 and has a wider selection.

[Zork]

I know Samurai Shodown/Spirits hasn't gotten a collection yet

not true- one is coming out soon. March 10th for wii psp and ps2. From wal*mart's site on the wii version "The complete collection of the SAMURAI SHODOWN series contains seven games: Samurai Shodown, I, II, III, IV, V, V Special and VI."

So no last blade, but a good chunk of the series. I'd be surprised if last blade ever gets collected with SShowdown, or at all. Spiritual successors are more of a hardcore fan thing and not really something that sells to the general public well.

Ah well it looks like SS is out now too, I've pretty much given up on such a thing then. I can get good shooters on pretty much every other console I own so I guess it's pointless to even attempt to get one now.

@kingmohd84

I know you can emulate pretty much everything but in my opinion, there is nothing like sitting down in front of your TV with the actual console below it, the actual game inside the console, and the actual controller in your hands, and you actually playing the game. The experience is genuine and nothing can really replace that.

That or maybe I'm just a sentimental loser.

[futuramaguy42]

I wouldn't buy one, they are really expensive and the games are pricey too, so you will be paying a lot for a little.

[nickfil]

I know you can emulate pretty much everything but in my opinion, there is nothing like sitting down in front of your TV with the actual console below it, the actual game inside the console, and the actual controller in your hands, and you actually playing the game. The experience is genuine and nothing can really replace that.

That or maybe I'm just a sentimental loser.

now i wouldn't go THAT far. I also enjoy playing things on the original hardware if i can (duh, I wrote about it), but the neo hardware is just so dang expensive it makes it super hard to justify. However, it gives the neo geo a kind of forbidden flare. It appeals to the collector in me, but not the player. Plus, the reason i play things on original hardware is because i have nostalgic memories of it. With the neo geo, the only nostalgia i have is for the arcade cabinets, so i lean to those rather than the aes console. I don't know if you are the same way. I'll get one eventually, but i just don't have anywhere to put it in the place I'm renting. Waiting is rough, but it'll be worth it. For that amount of cash i want to get exactly what i want and not settle.

until then- the collections/emulation is a nice way to get your fix!