Conflicted About Neo-Geo

[lisalover1]

I'm indecisive about buying a Neo-Geo AES. I never really liked fighting games all too much, but I still want to play some good arcade games. Also, the console itself intrigues me. There are some very good SHMUP's on the system, which I would really like to play. I think the main problem is cost. Is the Neo-Geo really worth it? I don't want to go off spending $300 on a console I won't use. The main genres I am mostly intrested in are: RPG, Action, SHMUP, and Platformer. The games are also still expensive no matter how you slice it, so I think this would have to be a really good console to invest in. What is your opinion? Do you think I should get the console, and what's your particular opinion on it?

[indecks]

Hello. I'd suggest checking this thread out: http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5191

It's got viewpoints of all kinds, mine is in there as well. I'll paste it here.

I've had several AES consoles, a couple of MVS machines, and even a MAMECab. Every time I sell it to get "something else" I *always* regret it. To decide which way to go (AES or MVS) you have to take a look at yourself and see WHY you're getting one.

Do you just want to PLAY King of Fighters 98 with your friends and a few beers? Or, do you want your friends to come over and comment on how all of your NeoGeo games look so sexy on your shelf?

If you just want to jam on a game, get an MVS. As previously mentioned, it's wicked cheaper, most games range from the $10 to $75 range (except for some really rare or really new games). But with MVS games, you get a black cartridge with a lable that has "GameName" on it, and the MVS boards are just PCBs, and range in size depending on how many slots you get. With an MVS you either need a JAMMA cabinet, or a SuperGun like the MAS SuperNova or you can build your own pretty cheaply. The purpose of MVS is playing games - TO PLAY GAMES.

The AES on the other hand is way prettier (we're not talking graphics here), is a better conversation piece, and the games are much more expensive, and can get EXTREMELY expensive if they are rare. Metal Slug has sold for over $1000 on ebay, and Kizuna Encounter - there are only 2 known HomeCart copies in existence and have sold for about $25,000. That's not a typo. Twenty five thousand. The AES market is saturated with what I like to call douchebags. Everyone else refers to them as 'collectors'. And because of these douchebags, prices get inflated beyond what they should be. Seriously, $25k for an AES cart that costs $20 on MVS? There are games you can get on the cheap if you find them at the right time. I got King of Fighers 95 and 98 complete and mint for $150 once on ebay. Games like Blue's Journey will go easy for $20/$50, but like I said, other games can get crazy expensive.


Sorry for the crazy amount of typing, but it boils down to what you want it for. Just to play, get an MVS. To show people that 'you have a NeoGeo', get an AES. Also, don't even get me started on 'MVS collectors', what with their 'complete MVS kits' and so on.

[ott0bot]

^
Listen to this man. He is wise.

[lisalover1]

That thread helped me with some decisions, but I'm still going to think about it. I'm on a budget for getting a Neo-Geo [Yeah, isn't that th stupidest thing you've ever heard ] so, the MVS would be good. However, I AM an arrogant douchebag, so the AES seems like a nice decoration. No, seriously, I'm getting an MVS.
Thanks!

[indecks]

Well, just to clarify, I don't see anything wrong with collecting. What irritates me about collectors is when they inflate game prices to astronomical proportions. I collect Transformers, but the thing with my small collection is that they are all open and I actually transform them here and there, and sometimes play with them. The only 'collectors piece' I still have in it's original box is my Robotech Masterpiece Skull One Valkyrie. But I have opened it and I DO play with it (seriously, play) and then put it away.

I would *love* to have every NeoAES homecart made, but only so I could play the games themselves. There are NeoGeo fans that are incredibly ANAL about the condition of things. Insertion marks, sticker placement/alignment - whether or not the baggie that the instruction booklet came with is included! - things like that. And those things make no difference to me. I was happy with my meager collection (only about 15 carts) and none of them were in pristine condition, but they all worked. That's why I moved on to MVS. Same game, just cheaper. There's nothing wrong with collecting, even if it is for a bit of prestige, but when collecting becomes so rabid that it denies other people the ability to ever own the game/toy/comic/film, that's just stuff getting out of hand.

I know you'll be happy with your MVS choice lisalover1. The Neo is a great, great system, even if you're not that into fighters. It's a piece of gaming history that everyone should be able to enjoy, regardless of how much they can afford to pay.

[NotBlaine]

The topic has been pretty well covered, but I just want to do a quick mention that as far as a good looking solution goes... consolized MVS systems can be really, really nice. They're a little more work and cost more, but the results are usually worth it.


This one is actually for sale this moment. I think the seller is asking for $575. It might sound really high but the builders are highly regarded in the neo community so it's made out of quality components.



Nice wooden one.



One built into a NeoCD case.



Again, these would be expensive or time consuming, but the point is... just because you go consolized MVS, doesn't mean you can't have a nice conversation piece.

[mrtie]

As these other fine folks have stated, the AES outside of being a die hard collector is very hard pill to swallow when the MVS exists. To put it in the simplest terms, if your interest lies with Neo shooters, You can buy a mint 6 slot big red cab, and all the best Neo smups on MVS for less then metal slug AES and a a home system would cost you, and in the end you would be playing the games with the finest controllers, and video possible. Also like the others have stated if space is an issue, a supergun is a relatively cheap and easy project, depending on the revision of the motherboard, it can literally be as simple, as wiring up the jamma power lines from a pc psu, wiring out sound and video too a small cheap converter(think 50-$180 depending on what you need), and plugging in AES control pads and you are good to go. I love my super gun, you will too.

[RCBH928]

if price is no problem, get the real thing
if you are on the poorer side of society

I say, get an arcade stick that will work with a pc, and emulate your way through this..
buy a dedicated PC, hook it to the TV and thats it...
it might cost like $500? But in the end you get a neo-geo like experience with almost all games, for that same price you might get 1 neo-geo and 2 games.

to be totally honest I think you can buy a used pc and the price will be more like $200-300

[Niode]

I STILL think the best way is MVS.

Build a cabinet, stick a PC PSU in there, hook up the JAMMA harness. Wire the sound to some speakers, some old Hi-fi ones will do. Hook the controls up to the JAMMA harness, and buy/salvage an old 15Hz arcade monitor/TV. Plug your MVS in there. Better still get a 4/6 slotter and then buy 4/6 games and install an extra button to your JAMMA harness to cycle through games. Easy as pie.

Plus you get the REAL arcade experience, not some 'home experience'. That's real bread and butter Arcade gaming in your home, no emulation. Perfect controls, perfect screen, perfect feel. All for less than an X-arcade will cost you. NOTHING will feel better than your own arcade cab.

[lisalover1]

Where do you think I could buy an MVS? I can't find one on Ebay and other sites like that. Is there a good site where I can get one?