The Dog Tag was, IMO, a lame attempt from SNK USA to capitalize on the trailer trash mentality of the general US public by having a reputedly violent animal (deserved reputation or not, public opinion becomes reality) represent their gaming console. The idea was that the Neo Geo was the Pit Bull of the gaming scene and that all other consoles were weak by comparison, which we would probably all agree with, even though the marketing was to the lowest common denominator.
SNK USA, like most US distributors, was under the dellusion that the nice clean "Neo Geo" at the top of the cart spine just wasn't "hip" and "with it" enough for the US market, so they came up with the mean doggie as a way try and look "cool." For that matter, the "Fates" that appear on the top of the Japanese cart spines didn't cut it for them either. I actually like that logo the best, as it is the actual Neo logo, but why would a US marketing company begin to make sense.
In any case, the Pit Bull was supposed to induce the low brow, NASCAR, hillbilly crowd (again, most of the US population) into buying a system that they couldn't afford. It was later dropped because A) it was ugly and B)...well I don't have a "B," but thank God they quit making them.
There, I've shown my hand as the elitist wine sipper that I am.
If you are reading this and are fan of the Dog Tag...I'm sorry (not for saying what I said, but because you are a fan). Please return to your Pork Rinds and Bologna sandwiches.
There, was that condescending enough?
(BTW, Pichai, none of that was directed at you personally. I was just spouting on my impression of the Dog Tag in general.)
[ May 07, 2001: Message edited by: RyoGeo ]