Why did no one get MS1 originally in 1996?

My Neo-holic friends and I often consider this topic, but we have never really come up with a definitive answer for it.

My theory is that few people were in to the Neo Scene in 1996. Playstation was still pretty new. Saturn was also still new. People were excited about these two platforms. The Neo also started to slow down that year, with only 3?! games, Metal Slug, Samurai Shodown 4, and KoF 96 being released (on cart) to my knowledge.

I think the Neo's popularity peaked in 1994, with Samurai Shodown II, and KoF '94 leading the pack.

Most people who didn't play Metal Slug at the time also probably thought it was just another side-scroller.

Any thoughts?

Look at this way:
Even though Neo may have strong sell in 1994 but people might think it's outdated (just my opinion). 16/24 bit console was outdated and people were prepared for 32 bit console (Playstation, saturn and so on) People're willing to spend money on "next generation" rather than Neo. At least I was thinking that way back in 94. I almost sold my Neo AES and CD system because playstation and Saturn were so cool at that time. I sold at least 7 Cart games to videogame store at very cheap price (like brand new Nam75 for only $15, I'm serious.) I started collecting Neo Cart once again after 5 years.....can you believe it?

Plus even though MS 1 was good but 3D game surprised people at that time.....gamers thought 2D platform was old and outdated....
I should get MS 1 at that time coz it's hard to find one now.........:<

I think it also had something to do with the NEO CD. This system was relatively new back then and a lot of NEO fans thought it was going to replace the cart system. I bet a lot of people bought the Metal Slug CD over the cart because it was a lot cheaper. It wasn't until later that people realized that the CD was inferior to the cart with missing animation and smaller sprites, etc.

Folks, there's nothing you can do about the MS1 shortage. SNK made very few MS1 carts and when they were generating a lot of money in arcade, most PCB boards were allocated to MVS, it's common sense for any business. There're only 50 copies or so US version (real one, non-converted that is), no more than 200 for Japanese version.

As far as not enough games in 96, not true.
There're many more games coming out in 1996, it's actually the best year in terms of software release. Unfortunately, most are rare except KOF 96 and Art of Fighting 3, these excellent softwares include:

-Real Bout (very rare for US version)
-Chibimaruko Chan Delux Quiz (best quiz game for the system)
-Neo Turfmasters (I've only come across 2 copies in 4 years)
-Magical Drop 2
-Art of Fighting 3 (IMO, the top 5 fighters for Neo)
-Kizuna Encounter
-Ninja Masters (play this game and yo;ll worship Neo-Geo)
-Neo Driftout (much better than Overtop, CD and MVS only)
-Overtop
-Ultimate 11 (very different than other -Super Sidekicks rehash)
-Brikinger (need I say any more)
-Breakers
-Ragnagard
-Waku Waku 7
-Stakes Winner 2 (best game music)
-Samurai 4
-Metal Slug (almost forgot)
-Zintriks (CD only, but very homurous)

Look at them, all these games in one year, compared to just 3 rehashed games this year. It was a golden age of Neo-Geo

Vince, I have yet to see ANY proof that there are only 50 US Slug 1 carts in existence. This claim reeks of propaganda... nobody knows how many of any game are truly produced!

You see this game for sale all the time. As far as Im concerned its value and rarity are totally falsified. But, like many things, if you say something enough in the neo community everyone starts believing it (10 official breakers revenge carts ring a bell?)

John

Originally posted by Geddon_jt:
Vince, I have yet to see ANY proof that there are only 50 US Slug 1 carts in existence. This claim reeks of propaganda... nobody knows how many of any game are truly produced!

You see this game for sale all the time. As far as Im concerned its value and rarity are totally falsified. But, like many things, if you say something enough in the neo community everyone starts believing it (10 official breakers revenge carts ring a bell?)

John

Click to expand...

i agree with John..i cannot believe SNK,at THAT TIME ( 1996 ),made a run of 250 carts only...for me there is a minimum of 1000,a MINIMUM!
how could such a BIG COMPANY like snk,couldhave made 250 carts only ( considering the us carts are too produced there,even if packaging is different )?!

Agree with everybody. I was thinking that Neo CD will replace the cart system and why should I stupid enough to spend more $$ on cart? Dang...I was stupid.
To MS 1 production quantity issue: there is no way that a company will only produce small quantity game (like 50 or 250 something like that) because the overhead cost will kill them.

Personally I have concluded the following:

At the time, the Saturn & Playstation were gaining popularity & ports were made for both systems, elmiminating the need for a costly cartridge version. Now let's not forget about the Neo·Geo CD version. The NCD was also still sort of new, with special games being released for it and as always, it offered $50~$70 CD's over $200~$260 cartridges. I mean, if the game was unpopular, it never would have seen three arcade sequels, so it must have sold at least somewhat well on the four consoles on which it appeared.

The only pitiful year for the Neo·Geo was 2000, with only Metal Slug 3 & The King of Fighters 2000 released for MVS. 1994 was really the beginning of the Neo's spike in popularity, let's have a look at that year's releases:

Art of Fighting 2
Windjammers
Karnov's Revenge
Super Sidekicks 2
World Heroes 2 Jet
Top Hunter
Gururin
Fight Fever
Janshin Densetsu
Aero Fighters 2
Aggressors of Dark Kombat (ADK)
The King of Fighters '94
Zed Blade
Power Spikes II
Samurai Shodown II
Street Hoop
Bust-A-Move

And then, in 1995:
Bomberman Panic Bomber
Galaxy Fight: Universal Warriors
Quiz King of Fighters
Double Dragon
Super Sidekicks 3
Fatal Fury 3: Road to the Final Victory
Savage Reign
Crossed Swords II
World Heroes Perfect
Kabuki Klash
The King of Fighters '95
Idol Mah Jong: Final Romance 2
Pulstar
Voltage Fighter Gowcaizer
Stakes Winner
Master of Syougi
Aero Fighters 3
ADK World
Samurai Shodown III
Maruko's Deluxe Quiz
Puzzle De Pon!
Real Bout Fatal Fury
Neo·Geo Special

and finally, in 1996:
Neo Turf Masters
Art of Fighting 3: The Path of the Warrior
Oushidashi Zintrik
Magical Drop 2
Samurai Shodown RPG
Metal Slug
Over Top
Ninja Masters
Ragnagard
The King of Fighters '96
Kizuna Encounter Super Tag Battle
Stakes Winner 2
Ultimate 11
Samurai Shodown IV
Waku Waku 7
Pleasure Goal: 5 on 5 Mini Soccer
Neo DriftOut: New Technology
Ironclad
The King of Fighters '96 Neo·Geo Collection
Twinkle Star Sprites
Breakers

So, these were harly dead years for the Neo·Geo but rather, it's most successful in terms of software released.

Well All I can say is why I didn't buy one. I never say it come out. Usally I am pretty good about catching stuff but 96 was a bad year for me anyway (not a lot of cash) and when I bought neo carts I ordered from game dude back then directly. I never saw a preorder for slug 1 home cart. I did preorder the CD though which I still fell is a better game but if things in 96 were like they are now with neo carts, online preordering. I would have picked one up.

I believe that MS was produced in greater number as well.

I din't get Metal Slug, simply because I was broke then, and I was into Neo Geo cd (some people called that a poor man's Neo Geo )

I have always fallen for CD's over cartridges. With my Atari Jaguar I bought the Jag CD once it came out. With my SNES I always waited and wished for the CD add-on that never came. I passed up the N64 because it wasn't CD-based. CD games or GD-ROMS (Dreamcast) just seem to deliver a better game IMO. Cartridges just became outdated, I had been using them since my Atari 2600 and it was time for a change. By the time 1994 rolled around I had 2 Neo systems. One in the box unopened, one hooked up to my TV since 1991. I was ready for the Playstation experience. Unfortunately I opted to pass up the Saturn. The Saturn, as I now hear from many people is a quality system that was outgunned by the PSX. But the Saturn has its own great games and visual treats. The 2 Neo's I owned seemed dead by then to me. But I rarely sell my systems or games because I get ripped off (people use my long hair stoner-look to their advantage). So I hold onto to my toys forever it seems. I never really lost interest in the Neo because I am a huge fighting game fan and King of Fighters kept my faith alive... by the way, anybody out there wanna trade a Saturn for a PSX? I'll give you my Playstation for a Saturn! For real... my e-mail is omegajc@Hotmail.com...
just a desperate plea for the Saturn system..

Something I missed earlier, was why I never got the game. I wanted it so badly after playing it in the arcade several times, but like the previous year with Pulstar, and the year before with King of Fighters '94, I was left without a clue how to get the games, since no local stores that I knew of at the time stocked new Neo·Geo cartridges. The only place I could think of was all the way in New York City (I'm beside Toronto), so I missed out on pretty much every new release. And I got my net connection very late if you ask me thus I only had the chance to pick up games I didn't care for nearly as much as those I missed. I rather wish I knew about calling up SNK Corp. of America back in those middle years of the decade.

Good points, all of you..
Yea, many agree that the Saturn and NeoCD versions of Metal Slug were more than adequate. The artwork, and the training missions or whatever made it worth it..

I agree with DigiPunk,

The extra add ons made the MS CDs worth it (I found survival mode alone worth the smaller sacrafices).

Originally posted by Neo Bomber Man:
The only place I could think of was all the way in New York City (I'm beside Toronto)

Click to expand...

Just curios Neo Bomber Man, What was the name of the store in NYC that sold Neo Stuff?

Anthony



[This message has been edited by Neo Fan (edited December 23, 2000).]

That was Game Express, somewhere close to the Manhattan Mall?, on 34th or something? Ah I can't remember, but I heard they no longer stock Neo stuff. Worth trying anyhow I guess.

Master Terry Bogard:
I truely believe that you were broke in 96 (maybe you spent too much money on PC Engine...hehehehh)
Still regret that I didn't get MS 1 Cart....
too late. I dont' want to spend $900 on it...price is too high
I'm pretty satisfied with my CD version....in mint condition

Yeah. Me too. That's why I was not thinking about getting the cart. Unfortunatly, I don't know where I put my Metal Slug 1 cd, and looking to buy it again. I might just get the Metal Slug for MVS.

I was busy spending what money I had on various platforms. I don't believe I ran 4 miles (8 miles total) just to get the blasted 32x for Sega. Normally, I like exercise, but I spent $150+ for what...? The memories....



[This message has been edited by Master Terry Bogard (edited December 25, 2000).]

Well, it is a shame that so few people got MS1 for the cart system. As for me, it was a bad year for me financially as well, and although I had a pretty good cart collection (which I never sold, thank God!), I couldn't afford any at that time. And I remember playing Metal Slug in the arcades, and thinking how great an action game it was . . . but it never crossed my mind to try to find the home cart version.

As for the present, you should all do what I did to get a Metal Slug home cart: contact Jeff Kurtz, and have him convert one for you, using the arcade MS1 cart and an appropriate home cart as a sacrifice (best one would be either Samurai Shodown II, which are quite plentiful, or Fatal Fury 3).

The Metal Slug cart that I had converted by Jeff looks FANTASTIC, has a great cool looking insert (homebrew one made by Jeff!), and now includes (for a small extra price) a beautifully made, INCREDIBLE manual (done by Jeff and Keith). It truly is one of the most incredible, professional conversions I've ever seen, including the beautiful insert, cart sticker (yes Jeff made that too) and manual.

Anyway, Jeff can make one up for you for a reasonable price, or if you want to send him the necessary carts, he can just charge you to convert them, very reasonable. Once the conversion is done, it looks great, and even though it isn't an original SNK cart, I'm very happy and proud to have it in my collection next to all my other Metal Slug games!

In this case, the sad shortage of home MS1 carts can be partly balanced out by the abundance of arcade MVS MS1 carts, and by the great work of people like Keith, Jeff, and Trey who put their own time, effort, and talents into creating something incredible for the Neo community.

Can Jeff convert a MS MVS cart game into CD?
Maybe Master Terry can buy it from him
I'd like to have an official MS 1 cart game only if price is reasonable