Well... do you mean how long will the system hardware last? Or how long will the system's support last? If you mean the supporting of the system, then smurphy570 is right, its on its last leg and a swift kick to the back of the knee is coming soon. If you are referring to the hardware istelf, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. I have owned two Neo-Geo Cart systems in my life. I am 20 years old currently, and received my first at the age of 11. I got my second one (brand new, in the box from Incredible Universe) at the age of 15. Believe it or not the second one is STILL unwrapped and in the box waiting to be played for the very first time. My first one is going strong still. The only reason I bought the second one is because I was worried my parents were getting a divorce (my sister told me they were) and so I used up all of my allowance and babysitting money to purchase a Neo to go in my second house while the original would remain in my first house so when I was at my mom's or dad's I could play the system without having to unplug it and carry it in a bag during the trip. As fate would have it my parents never split up and so I never needed to open the new Neo. I never expected to keep it unopened this long, but as the years passed I never needed to replace my original system. Now, at my wise age of 20 I realize that the unopened system will probably be in perfect, working condition the day I finally open it up. Therefore I am keeping it closed up in a sealed box to insure that I will always have a replacement for my Neo-Geo home cart system no matter what. My kids will never receive this unopened Neo as a gift though. Even if it is unopened when they are old enough to play games I will not give it to them. I may hook it up and show them what their dad used to play back when he got no respect from adults and had to go to bed before the 10 o'clock news. But I certainly will not give it to them outright. They'll probably pawn it off for a new system (whatever it may be it will never top the Neo in my book). So they will get the chance to play it, but they won't take it with them when they leave the house. Thats for damn sure.