How much is a Neo CD worth?

Originally posted by The Chief:
<strong>Yes, but regarding problems is the top loading machine rugged or does it have some soft spots. Do I have to be worried about the laser or motor breaking or something like that?</strong><hr></blockquote>

If your worried about the CD unit breaking... the NeoStore has a CD System Repair Kit that includes:

CD Motor
Laser Reader
and Doughter Card
Price is $34.99

[ March 17, 2002: Message edited by: lslphish ]</p>

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Originally posted by The Chief:
<strong>Hey thanks everyone, I guess what I really wanted to know was how durable the machine was so I'm gonna go ahead and get one.</strong><hr></blockquote>

The top loader is very durable, holds up well. Load time for older games isn't bad, for some newer games it can be pretty awful. The front loader sucks, its very unreliable, and in my opinion the CDZ is not as reliable as the top loading "single speed" system. (The CDZ is not actually double speed, it has other enhancements that speed up the load time quite a bit over the regular Neo CD system).

Music and sound effects on the CD system are FANTASTIC, and the pic quality is also EXCELLENT (it has s-video as a standard output). So, the load time is the big issue, but if you stick with the older games you'll be OK. Carts load instantly of course, much better than CDs in that area.

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Originally posted by The Chief:
<strong>Hey thanks everyone, I guess what I really wanted to know was how durable the machine was so I'm gonna go ahead and get one.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I would'nt do it..you'll spend more time waiting for most games to load than playing playing the actual games.
The CDZ are very flaky and the TOP LOAD system has a design flaw...the way the joyports are on a ledge within the machine...It's pretty easy to damage the joyport board by yanking the joy cords in heated competition so get some extension cords if you decide to buy one anyway..
-BB

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Originally posted by The Chief:
<strong>I have been thinking about buying a Neo Geo CD system because of the cheap price ($150). I also like the controls it comes with so it seems like a good deal to me. It is a top loading CD machine and I was just wondering if there is anything I should be skeptical about.

Thanks,
The Chief</strong><hr></blockquote>

Again, here's quick overview for ya:

Neo CD top loader - the standard model, quite reliable, inexpensive and easy to get. It's recommended to get this version, since it's better than its predecessor (the front loader) and less fuzzy than the CDZ.

Neo CDZ - loads slightly quicker (not with all games, tho), but has intermittend problems with overheating. Also, bigger (newer) games have loading problems (resets, etc.). The unit looks very good, but I wouldn't spend the x-tra $$$ for it.

Neo CD front loader - the first SNK CD unit ever produced, only a 25000 pcs. production run, therefore sought-after and more expensive. Contains more mechanical parts which may be troublesome in some cases. Price tags commonly too high. Avoid it.

- Load times - yeah, this could be a serious headache if your patience is low; newer games (>=1996) spend lots of time loading stages, anims, etc. It's kinda subjective really, for me the loading is no real problem, YMMV.

Head over to <a href="http://www.neogeocd.com" target="_blank">www.neogeocd.com</a> for a list with some games' load times. You will notice that not all gamels have unbearable loading, some load for about 20 secs. and that's it.

$150 for a std. CD unit with two pads isn't a bad deal, but you may find it cheaper than that if you look long enough. I got one of my std CD models with two pads, one new-style stick and eight games for $120.

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