Compatability

O

Omega-NEO

Guest
Hey everybody. I wanted to know something. Is the United States version of the Neo-Geo cart system (the one I own) different than the Japanese or European versions? Is there even a European version of the Neo? I know that the old 16-bit systems that were released in different countries were all different from one another. Like the Genesis (US) was different than the MegaDrive(Japan??). And the Super Nintendo was different than the Super Famicom. Famicom, thats kind of a stupid name, eh? And my favorite 16-bit system of all time the Turbo-Grafx 16 was different than the Japanese counterpart the PC Engine. In fact my TG-16 and TurboExpress could not play Jap games as I have been recently informed. Anyway, I have never ordered a game from Japan for any of my systems... so I don'know if they're compatible with the US system or not. And what about the European editions? I don't know much about the Europe versions, although I love Europe and have traveled to Germany, Italy, and Spain. I never played video games while overseas, I was too busy sight-seeing and eating the delicious foreign foods. I also sampled some foreign narcotics while overseas... but thats a personal habit that you wouldn't understand. So anyway... whats the deal with the compatability of the Neo? Are there any significant differences that I don't know about? Also... just for the hell of it, I am gonna admit I bought the all-American 64-bit monster, the Atari Jaguar!! Not that any of you would care or be impressed, but I am proud to be an American, and I gladly bought an American video game machine. The only American product I won't buy is a car... I own a 1984 Saab 900 and I love it. American cars suck. But other than that, America rocks!!
 
N

NeoLord

Neo-Geo FAQs Editor
Joined
Aug 26, 2000
Posts
2,429
Originally posted by Omega-NEO:
Hey everybody. I wanted to know something. Is the United States version of the Neo-Geo cart system (the one I own) different than the Japanese or European versions? Is there even a European version of the Neo? I know that the old 16-bit systems that were released in different countries were all different from one another. Like the Genesis (US) was different than the MegaDrive(Japan??). And the Super Nintendo was different than the Super Famicom. Famicom, thats kind of a stupid name, eh? And my favorite 16-bit system of all time the Turbo-Grafx 16 was different than the Japanese counterpart the PC Engine. In fact my TG-16 and TurboExpress could not play Jap games as I have been recently informed. Anyway, I have never ordered a game from Japan for any of my systems... so I don'know if they're compatible with the US system or not. And what about the European editions? I don't know much about the Europe versions, although I love Europe and have traveled to Germany, Italy, and Spain. I never played video games while overseas, I was too busy sight-seeing and eating the delicious foreign foods. I also sampled some foreign narcotics while overseas... but thats a personal habit that you wouldn't understand. So anyway... whats the deal with the compatability of the Neo? Are there any significant differences that I don't know about? Also... just for the hell of it, I am gonna admit I bought the all-American 64-bit monster, the Atari Jaguar!! Not that any of you would care or be impressed, but I am proud to be an American, and I gladly bought an American video game machine. The only American product I won't buy is a car... I own a 1984 Saab 900 and I love it. American cars suck. But other than that, America rocks!!
Click to expand...


Well, Famicom stood for 'Family Computer' back in the day.
smile.gif
The biggest difference
between US, Euro and Jap Neo's were their language settings, power supply voltage, and
display frequency (US is NTSC, Euro is Pal, and Asia is Scart). Any Neo game from any
territory will work on ANY Neo system because SNK never included a regional lock out
chip in their systems.

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NeoLord
Neo-News and much more!

[This message has been edited by NeoLord (edited December 20, 2000).]
 
S

Silent_Scope

Guest
Omega-Neo:
Remember I told you to get a PC Engine convertor? Keep in mind that Japanese Duo/Turbo Express/PC Engine will not play American Hucard games even you have convertor. The circuit inside the US Hucard is different from Japanese one. Be careful.

As for Genesis, the first generation console can play Japanese game by removing the cover or modified the cartridge slut to make it wider. Later version Sega placed a lockout so you'll get a message saying you can't play the game due to different territory lockout. SNES is much easier. All you need to do is cut out the two plastic things inside cartridge slot and you'll be able to play Japanese game at no problem.
 
Jackal

Jackal

SouthTown StreetSweeper
Joined
Oct 30, 2000
Posts
1,093
SNK systems do have a language chip in them that tells the game to display text in a certain language. If you have the Japanese Neo-CD or AES, it will display Japanese text. A US or Euro one shows English text. Some Neo-Geo titles will have a language select that overrides this (Art of Fighting 2, KOF'98, and Samurai Shodown 2 are some that offer that feature).

Jackal
gameoverdude.jpg
www.gameoverdude.com
 
S

Silent_Scope

Guest
I used to have a US copy of SS and it does have language selection. When I got JPN version, it only displays Japanese and Language selection is gone
 
O

Omega-NEO

Guest
Well... thanks for the info guys. Silent Scope can you elaborate on this HuCard difference between the Japanese and US versions? I guess there is no way to get around this? I would never have guessed Famicom stood for Family Computer... thats cool. Thanks for the info. I wonder why Sega included a territorial lockout in their games? I'm not very smart when it comes to techy stuff... so this all is kind of above me... but I am very interested in learning more about it...
 
S

Silent_Scope

Guest
There is a hardware difference between the US and JPN machines which HuCards can read. Most TG-16 HuCards won't work on a PCE even with an adapter. I've tried to play US Splatterhouse, Ninja Spirit on my JPN Duo, wont' work. I can play JPN Street Fighter 2 CE HuCard on my US Duo by using an adaptor. Weird, huh?
Yes, Sega and other companies have put a lockout chip/device/code to prevent player buying games from black market (overseas, import stores...etc) for copyright, content (cultural issue), profit, and so on. I dont think you can play JPN game on Genesis 2 machine (or some model after 1991, I think so...not sure)
 
M

Mentor

n00b
Joined
Aug 29, 2000
Posts
40
Going back a few posts ^_^

1. The neo geo does NOT have a lanuage chip (in the home sys atleast and quite presumablely so in the cd sys aswell). Also there is NO US lanuage setting. The lanuage is determined in the bios (0 & 1 values if I remember right) japanese and english, if the system is english it then looks to the frequency it's running at to determine if it's a US or English cart (eg Puzzle Bobble or Bust a move as it's known in the USA)

2. Scart is Asia?? Scart is a european input standard. There is also a variation of it in japan aswell if I'm correct. Asia is NTSC, nothing more nothing less.. Pal is a format that is also used in the austral asian countries aswell as europe eg Australia, New Zealand ect.. (Inicidentally the Neo geo was never officially released here..)

Omega-Neo --> Since I'm looking for a cheap Jag and Tempest 2k presently I AM impressed with your purchase ^_~ Incidentally you getting a NUON then like me? =)

Mentor...
 
O

Omega-NEO

Guest
Mentor, you're looking for a Jaguar? I own a Jaguar. It awesome man! I'll probably be slammed for saying that around here but it is the first 64-bit system and it is very cool if you have the few games that utilize its power. Tempest 2000 is a must have. Period. Its badass man. Alien vs. Predator is a must have. Being the Alien is maybe the most fun I've ever had playing a video game. It might not be the most fun, but its close to it. Being the Marine sucks. Being Predator is okay, but if you pick the Alien you are in for a treat dude! Lets see... Zool 2 is fun, its got graphics that belong on a Genesis but its fun nevertheless. If you like fighting games you gotta get Ultra Vortek. Its like Mortal Kombat graphics but better. Defender 2000 is very cool if you're into retro-type games. For controller pads its hard to top the Jag pad. Its very easy on your hands, easy to use. Rayman is a must buy for the Jag system as well. In fact when other video game companies saw the Jag version of Rayman they immediately licensed a copy for their own system. Its very impressive visually. If you got the funds you gotta get the Jag CD. The games all suck except for Myst but the Virtual Light Machine is psychadelic and is a must have if you have ever tripped before. You'll know what I mean by that if you have. Okay.. well if you need help finding yourself a Jag e-mail me. I recommend buying a brand new Jag, as it just makes the whole experience better. Opening the box, pulling out the system, its just a thrill man. One thing though, the cartridge slot has got no cover! Its totally bullshit man! I always leave a game in the slot because I fear dust will get in their and crash my console. Just a warning...
 
M

Mentor

n00b
Joined
Aug 29, 2000
Posts
40
*Busy Xmas*

Omega-Neo : Yep I am indeed after a jag ^_^ Tempest 2000 and Defender 2000 since I'm an obsessive fan of Jeff Minter's games. VLM is also a creation of his aswell, if I remember rightly and the VLM 2 on the NUON is deffinately his.. Zool 2 was a straight port of the amiga/pc version so that explains the graphics (looks practiclely the same on the Amiga cd32 console too.. <-- another console I'm kicking myself for not picking up 6 months back).

As for help finding a jag, I'd certainly like that. Can't find any here in the land of Australia :-/

Mentor...
mentor@omninet.net.au
 
V

vincewy

Loyal Neo-Disciple,
20 Year Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2000
Posts
1,198
I have a Jag here for sale, just like new, email me with offers, I can even help you get games cheap here in US and ship everything to Australia.
 
P

peterr928

Old newfag
20 Year Member
Joined
Nov 26, 2000
Posts
338
i will trade my jaguar, it is mint with the box and i have: cybermorph, tempest 2000, wolfenstein 3d, and checkered flag. all games have box and instructions except cybermorph. email me at peterr928@cs.com and make an offer
 
N

NeoLord

Neo-Geo FAQs Editor
Joined
Aug 26, 2000
Posts
2,429
Originally posted by Mentor:
Going back a few posts ^_^

The lanuage is determined in the bios (0 & 1 values if I remember right) japanese
and english, if the system is english it then looks to the frequency it's running at to
determine if it's a US or English cart (eg Puzzle Bobble or Bust a move as it's known in the
USA)
Click to expand...

The Neo CD's language settings are not determined by the Bios chip -- they are determined by a simple jumper configuration. Observe:
http://www.gamesx.com/importmod/neocdcon.htm

I could purchase some Japanese Neo CD systems, change the jumper settings to English, and sell them as English units!
smile.gif


2. Scart is Asia?? Scart is a european input standard. There is also a variation of
it in japan aswell if I'm correct. Asia is NTSC, nothing more nothing less.. Pal is a format
that is also used in the austral asian countries aswell as europe eg Australia, New Zealand
ect.. (Inicidentally the Neo geo was never officially released here..)
Click to expand...

That was my mistake. In either case, you said there is a version of SCART available in
Japan, so I'm partially right on that one.
smile.gif



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terry1.gif

NeoLord
Neo-News and much more!

[This message has been edited by NeoLord (edited December 29, 2000).]
Click to expand...
 
M

Mentor

n00b
Joined
Aug 29, 2000
Posts
40
Neolord : Technically that is correct with the jumper setting, but take the bios chip out and you ain't a got a working setup with any regions ;-) Tankz for sparking the memory. The value is Determined by the bios through the jumpers/resistors values/setting.. We were both 1/2 right. lol

Anyway I should have remembered this as I did a few pal to ntsc neo cd conversions a while back now (4 years ago). Presumable apon bootup it appalies the same algo of a 0 & 1 values, by reading the jumper setting (Japan/euro or maybe japan/us this time, then euro/us) eg possible setting would be (assuming Japan is 0 by default & US/Euro = 1) O, (Now Us =0 euro = 1) 1&0 or 1&1.

Mentor...
 
M

Mentor

n00b
Joined
Aug 29, 2000
Posts
40
Now back to the jag ;-) Seriously how much does one of these puppies go for anyway? Since quite naturally I'd like to get one as cheap as possile, I don't want my offer to be insulting..

Incidentally anyone swap jag stuff for any of this neo stuff? League bowling mvs, 2020 super baseball mvs, near mint jap magician lord, top player golf...

Mentor...
 
N

NeoLord

Neo-Geo FAQs Editor
Joined
Aug 26, 2000
Posts
2,429
Originally posted by Mentor:
Neolord :Tankz for sparking the memory. The value is Determined by the bios through the jumpers/resistors values/setting.. We were both 1/2 right. lol
Click to expand...


LOL Oh well....
smile.gif
You're welcome.
 
P

peterr928

Old newfag
20 Year Member
Joined
Nov 26, 2000
Posts
338
mentor:

i will gladly trade my jag with tempest 2000, bruce lee, wolfenstein 3d,checkered flag, and cybermorph all complete with boxes for some of that neo stuff, email me at peterr928@cs.com
or my aim name is: peterr928
 
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