What's the cheapest way to get into Neo Geo?

[dsheinem]

If I wanted to start playing Neo Geo games on original hardware, what would I need? I know some carts fetch several hundreds of dollars, and I can't see myself paying that on a per game basis. I know that MVS carts are a cheaper alternative and require an adapter, and I also know there are multi-game carts out there. Perhaps there are also some flashable carts or something? If you wanted to get going with a Neo Geo on a budget (a bit of an oxymoron, I know), what would you recommend?

[d123456]

Forget about multi game cartridges, although tempting I've heard about issues with them (or correct me if I am wrong)
forget about AES alltogether.
Get a simple cheap cab. you might want to throw some new Japanese sticks and buttons in, the monitor should be 100% though
And then get a 2 slot or 4 slot or even 6 slot motherboard and some MVS games on ebay. They're cheap.
Start with Garou and take it from there.
Please don't tell me you do not have 1 square meter of space to put the cab somewhere.
It is great, you walk whenever to the machine. flip one switch (that is great!) and within 10 seconds you are selecting your favorite character!
done?
flip the power switch again and you're done!
Actually I am now the one who does not have any space anymore

[Nullface]

I use my Wii for all my emulation. It's just perfect and an awesome console once you unlock it and use it for Homebrew. Neo Geo plays great. You can use the classic controller or the Wiimote. With most emulators you turn the Wiimote sideways so it's not as akward and the controls are already mapped to it. You can even have two players etc with another controller. The Nunchuck acts like a faux analog/arcade stick. It's saved me alot of money than buying the real hardware or building an arcade cabinet. Try it out

[fedexin]

If I wanted to start playing Neo Geo games on original hardware, what would I need? I know some carts fetch several hundreds of dollars, and I can't see myself paying that on a per game basis. I know that MVS carts are a cheaper alternative and require an adapter, and I also know there are multi-game carts out there. Perhaps there are also some flashable carts or something? If you wanted to get going with a Neo Geo on a budget (a bit of an oxymoron, I know), what would you recommend?

Try and get an AES, and get some cheap games! They're not all Metal Slug money. =) You can find fun and high quality games for $25 on ebay or craigslist. I love playing Burning Fight, a solid beat 'em up, and I picked it up for a song. Save up some more and get an adapter if you really need to play Metal Slug on original hardware.

[Breetai]

Cheapest? Neo Geo CD.
The AES isn't as expensive as you think if you look around and keep to older games, like the above poster was alluding to.

[Chris Leach]

I own an AES with an MVS converter and a CD system. I used to play the AES all the time and play with the converter alot, but I found a mame program with all the neo geo games loaded in it, so thats where I play my neo geo games now....I can hook it to any monitor and the play is the same.....great system, but cant pony up the funds..Over the last 20 years I have only found about 50 games for all three systems...reasonably priced.

My last Neo Aes Japan game cost me 65$

Price of a new ps3 game or x360 game

[crux]

The best option, for the cost concerned consumer (alliteration!), is a Supergun and a MVS board. The Supergun could be used for other arcade systems down the line, but if you're not interested in that, consolized boards are oh-so-beautiful.

Ignore the advise to get an AES. Sure, not all games for AES are expensive, but almost none of them are any cheaper and some of the best games are cost prohibitive. Not to mention a number of games aren't available for AES. Neo Geo CD is an option, and offers better sound for many games, but many purists prefer not to deal with the loading times. It also suffers from quite a few releases that aren't available for the CD system, though it also has a few exclusives (the most popular of which have finally been made available to MVS and AES conversions). MVS is definitely the way to go for the true arcade experience.

[chupon]

I've been doing a lot of reading up on the topic as well over the last month. Although I haven't pulled the trigger yet, my plan is to get an JP Neo Geo AES. The selection of JP games is better then the US and they are almost all cheaper and more readily available. Since I'd be purchasing it primarily for fighting games I figure I don't need English carts.

I almost purchased a 6 slot MVS CAB with 9 games for $500 but upon inspecting the machine the monitor was really messed up. I passed. Those cabs are very large. Unless another MVS cab shows up in the next few months is great condition I'm probably gonna go JP AES.

[fedexin]

The best option, for the cost concerned consumer (alliteration!), is a Supergun and a MVS board. The Supergun could be used for other arcade systems down the line, but if you're not interested in that, consolized boards are oh-so-beautiful.

Ignore the advise to get an AES. Sure, not all games for AES are expensive, but almost none of them are any cheaper and some of the best games are cost prohibitive. Not to mention a number of games aren't available for AES. Neo Geo CD is an option, and offers better sound for many games, but many purists prefer not to deal with the loading times. It also suffers from quite a few releases that aren't available for the CD system, though it also has a few exclusives (the most popular of which have finally been made available to MVS and AES conversions). MVS is definitely the way to go for the true arcade experience.

It's true that the AES games aren't getting any cheaper, even with emulation/digital re-release making it easier to play classics RIGHT NOW (See: Marvel Vs Capcom 2). I consider this a good thing; its nice to know the game I spend $65 on today, will be worth about the same or even more in the future.

[crux]

That's fine, but it still ignores the fact that a AES owner wouldn't be able to play the best Metal Slugs, Garou: Mark of Wolves, Last Blade, Blazing Star, Pulstar, and other top tier Neo Geo titles without paying an extreme premium (the cheapest among those is about $300), or getting a converter to play arcade cartridges anyway.

Besides, the MVS cartridges keep going up in price too.