I'm a Neo Geo newbie and need help.

BilZ · Dec 6, 2002

ok, I never new what SNK was untill I brought Capcom vs SNK 2 for the ps2 (sorry don't kill me) and I've been doin a bit of research and I've deided to try and by a AES console, actually I'm biding on one now with two neo cd pads a game (art of fighting -cart only-) without a box for £92, and I was wondering if ou guys could answer some of my questions. ok
1) Why the hell are the games so damn expensive!! I mean $290 for KOF2001 what the hell!!

2) What's happened to SNK?

3) Do Japanese carts have a English language option.

ForeverSublime · Dec 6, 2002

Carts are arcade perfect. They are very low production run, so naturally, there is a combination between the distributor's need to sell for a higher price and the public's demand. For these new releases, there are around 500 pieces made in the world if I'm not mistaken.

SNK went bankrupt. I've been trying to find out where the employees went, but nobody can give a straight anser because... well, nobody seems to know (they all just say "they went to so and so" without REALLY knowing).

The language your system displays depends on the country your system is from. If you have an english system, the games you play will be in english (even if the cart is japanese).

Edit: Welcome aboard!

[ December 06, 2002: Message edited by: ForeverSublime ]

Takumaji · Dec 6, 2002

Hi, and welcome to the board.

I will try to find short answers for your questions, but before I start, I suggest you browser this site for a while and read some FAQs about the Neo which will give you some more insights. There are also some links to other Neo-related sites worth checking out.

Okay, here we go...

1.) Neo games are expensive because

a) they aren't mass products like next-gen console stuff, their production numbers are comparatively low

b) they're cart-based, which means extended cost for handling/manufacturing

c) they're worth it.

2.) The core of SNK, SNK Asia ltd., went bancrupt in October 2001 due to mismanagement, failed projects (e. g. the Hyper 64, SNK's only 3D arcade system) and fraud.

After SNK's demise, a Japanese slot machine company with the name Aruze jumped aboard, looted SNK once more and left again, later to be sued by Playmore, the current holder of copyrights of a certain number of SNK's intellectual property (rights to use and make money with SNK's artwork and concepts).

3.) Yes, *some* of them have an English language option, but most of the older games (made before 1995) have not.

kernow · Dec 6, 2002

welcome fellow uk'er, to the world of neo-geo

Magician · Dec 6, 2002

Originally posted by kernow:
welcome fellow uk'er, to the world of neo-geo<hr></blockquote>

Stop scarin the new-comers with your mantastic welcomes kernow <img src="graemlins/loco.gif" border="0" alt="[Loco]" /> <img src="graemlins/tickled.gif" border="0" alt="[Tickled]" />

...oh yah...welcome...

rarehero · Dec 6, 2002

Originally posted by BilZ:
1) Why the hell are the games so damn expensive!! I mean $290 for KOF2001 what the hell!!
<hr></blockquote>

thats what i d like to know.
especially since 2001 sucks so hard.
if youre a big fan of the games then save up.
if you can afford it then you just have to wait
a year or two for SNK to port it if they even do
which is happening more thank goodness.

robert-gamble · Dec 6, 2002

If you're concerned about the cost of games it might be worth considering MVS instead of AES. Either through an arcade cabinet (if you have room), or by buying/building a supergun (but that's a whole new subject).

MVS is definitely the "gamers option", whilst AES seems to be more for collectors...

...which is why many games are so expensive. Metal Slug on AES sells for a grand or two (right?), because people (crazy) are prepared to pay that as it's "collectable". Whilst arcade/MVS carts don't really have a collectable value.

[ December 06, 2002: Message edited by: robert-gamble ]

MrMonk · Dec 6, 2002

The Neo Geo is a system for people who seriously appreciate what games used to be before the advent of 32-bit consoles and the era of 3D/polygons that we're in now. It definitely has a nice old school feel that I appreciate since I'm not too fond of 3D games and grew up with hand drawn sprites and animation.

I'm a hardcore gamer and have been into the Neo Geo since it was new. I actually prefer the home console (AES/NGH) to messing around with a pure MVS setup. The games have always been expensive, but there are ways to get around that somewhat.

Since you have a home console, you'll probably want to invest in a MVS to console converter like the Phantom 1, which allows you to play the cheaper MVS cartridges on the home console.

You can always start buying and playing older more common titles that sell much cheaper than the newer, rarer releases.

FeelGood · Dec 6, 2002

Since you're a new neo fan, it shouldn't be too hard to get into the neo - there are a lot of great game that aren't too expensive. I would recommend buying a home system with Samurai Shodown 2 and KoF 98. That's pretty much all you need for a while. They are probably the 2 most appreciated games in the neo geo library.

kernow · Dec 6, 2002

Originally posted by EvilWasabi:
I would recommend buying a home system with Samurai Shodown 2 and KoF 98. That's pretty much all you need for a while. They are probably the 2 most appreciated games in the neo geo library.<hr></blockquote>

true dat, along with SS1 for nostalgia, those are the only home carts I plan on keeping as I go to MVS.

m_bish0p · Dec 6, 2002

I'm gonna piss everyone off and suggest you look into an MVS arcade system. It'll cost about the same as an AES in the long run and there's nothing like an arcade machine of your very own!

BTW, Welcome to the boards!! If you have any questions on arcade machines, let me know and I'll do what I can to help.

tsukaesugi · Dec 6, 2002

Japanese home (AES or NGH depending on who you talk to) carts are also often a little cheaper than the English versions. You can buy those and play them in your English machine as well.

From what I've read, your machine will automatically switch to the default language it is set for. If you put an English cart in an English machine it will automatically play English, and if you want to play in Japanese you just switch over in the options section.

However, if you put a Japanese cart in an English machine it will still play English even though the setting will say Japanese, if you want to play in Japanese you switch the setting to English in the options section. (Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.)

Sometimes the Japanese and English versions are slightly different, in Samurai Shodown, the blood is green when the game is set to English, and red when set to Japanese.

FeelGood · Dec 6, 2002

Originally posted by tsukaesugi:
Japanese home (AES or NGH depending on who you talk to) carts are also often a little cheaper than the English versions. You can buy those and play them in your English machine as well.
<hr></blockquote>

If I could get Andro Dunos, Magician Lord, and the rest of the homecarts I need for less than their US counterparts, I'd be surprised. I think that the whole US vs Japanese business works differently for anything not KoF, SamSho, Garou, or Metal Slug.

Parallax Abstraction · Dec 6, 2002

Originally posted by BilZ:
1) Why the hell are the games so damn expensive!! I mean $290 for KOF2001 what the hell!!

The best advice I can give you in this regard is to just judge your purchases on what you think is worth it. Many people can't justify the cost of some games (I admit, if I had $2,000US to spend on Metal Slug, I'd probably rather put it against my car loan), but many of the greatest games for the Neo-Geo are inexpensive. One of my favourite games is Magician Lord which is one of the most common AES titles around and generally is only about $30US. If you think something is too expensive, then just avoid it and try to find the cheaper titles that you enjoy. For a decent size initial investment, you can also take the advice of many of the other guys and buy a Phantom-1 which allows you to use the much cheaper MVS cartridges.

2) What's happened to SNK?

This has generally been covered. Playmore is basically SNK The Sequel. They are trying to broaden their focus a bit, but the Neo-Geo is still their primary product. I'm not sure how much ex-SNK staff is there, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was a fair bit. Many of SNK's internal development teams (like ADK and Saurus) vanished when SNK did. I'm hoping that one day, we might see titles from them again, but who knows. Personally, I'm really glad that Playmore is going after Aruze. Aruze just bled SNK dry and then hoped to be able to use their intellectual property without anyone noticing or caring. The amount Playmore is suing them for has the potential to seriously damage or even ruin Aruze. Hopefully, they can get somewhere with it.

3) Do Japanese carts have a English language option.

Some do, many don't. Some games even have the option for Spanish. Most titles that I've played just determine the language based on the region of your AES deck, but some give you the option to choose if you want. Many collectors prefer to buy the Japanese carts. Personally, I have no preference one way or another, but the Japanese versions of some titles are cheaper than the English versions so you may be able to save some money that way.

Hope this helps and welcome to the scene!

<hr></blockquote>

aria · Dec 7, 2002

Welcome.

Check out the Glossary when you get a chance (it's on the side bar) -it should help with some of the terminology we're throwing at you.

If you want the games, are concerned about prices, and aren't into the whole "pristine" collector thing -then I highly recommend either:

(1) Getting an arcade (MVS) board (see glossary for ways to turn it into a "home system" via a SuperGun)

(2) Getting a Home (AES) system and investing in the Phantom-Convertor which allows MVS carts to play on home systems.

My advice never changes on these. They're both a good, relatively inexpensive bet.

BlackSpy · Dec 7, 2002

Also, this board can be a good way to find some rarer carts or just titles that don't come up for sale very often.

Don't be nervous of asking after someones reputation as a seller or buyer either, no one will be offended and they will often be quite proud of the tide of compliments that will come their way if they are reputable.

I'd also point you towards MVS either through a supergun or the marvellous Phantom 1.

Parallax Abstraction · Dec 7, 2002

Originally posted by BlackSpy:
Also, this board can be a good way to find some rarer carts or just titles that don't come up for sale very often.

That's very true. You can often find both rare and common carts at good prices here if you watch the Sellers board often and are patient when you're looking for something. I have made several purchases here for less than the price guide value. eBay also has lots of Neo-Geo stuff though some scammers do hang out there and you have to be careful who you deal with. I've personally never been burnt, but I know a lot of guys here unfortunately have.

Don't be nervous of asking after someones reputation as a seller or buyer either, no one will be offended and they will often be quite proud of the tide of compliments that will come their way if they are reputable.

Yep, people wear those like badges. When you're browsing them forums, check people's signature files as well. Many forum dwellers use those as a mini eBay feedback type thing. It's a good way to tell who is worth buying from around here. Most of the sellers here I think we'd agree are pretty reliable. The ones who have a bad reputation you will almost always find on the grill somewhere so they're easy to spot.<hr></blockquote>

tsukaesugi · Dec 7, 2002

Oh yeah, and you should probably avoid buying from the NeoGeoFreak and NGF-USA sites. They have a bad reputation for selling bootlegs or altered cartridges. You can read more about their shenanigans:

<a href="http://www.shaolin-venoms.com/ngf_bible/ngf_blues.html" target="_blank">here</a>

Parallax Abstraction · Dec 7, 2002

Yes indeed. Avoid them like the plague.

BeefJerky · Dec 7, 2002

Welcome. I hope you're a good newb.

I'm a Neo Geo newbie and need help.

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