KRONOS
Hardened Shock Trooper
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2004
- Posts
- 425
I got my Neo Geo Mini the other day, and thought I'd post my thoughts on it and how it compares to the Neo-Geo X:
-Physical Build Quality (system & controller) Neo-Geo Mini (NGM) > Neo-Geo X (NGX)
Both products' build quality is good with some favor going to the mini since the mini setup is less than what the NGX launched as. Beyond the shell, the NGX had cheap components going on with it; handheld screen, wiring in the base unit, etc. There's been a lot of gnashed teeth over the lack of clickiness of the NGM controller. As someone who's owned all Neo-Geo systems since the early 90's I actually like NGM controllers and have no issues performing moves in fighting games. The controllers are different yes, but work fine for me.
-User Interface NGM < NGX
The NGM should have gotten a red cab for it's international version, with the exception of select territories this is what the world got. NGM screen is sharp but too small. The NGX made better use of it's small screen by being truly portable, whereas the NGM's screen is great but defeated by being too small and in a non-portable form. The NGX had a great concept and look, but cheap execution with shitty video quality.
-Video Quality NGM > NGX
NGM in console mode is sharp and pixel perfect. The output on a TV is a disappointment by being blurry. The NGM video output quality is just a hair better than the NGX with the latest update. However, NGM console mode video quality is much better than the NGX. I know people hated the NGX handheld's aspect ratio, but I don't see anything wrong with offering the option to switch back and forth. I hope that SNK releases a downloadable patch that can be installed on the NGM to sharpen the HDMI video output to SNES Classic level quality. Do it SNK. I don't want to hear your excuses.
-Sound Quality: NGM = NGX
Both systems offer robust and clear sound. No complaints here.
NGM Warranty?
Yeah. There doesn't seem to be any mention of this anywhere. Shady and weak. It's like saying you don't have faith in your products and don't respect the people buying them. There should be a 90 day limited warranty here. Come on SNK.
-NGM Improvements: Embrace each Neo-Geo regions' unique heritage both physically and in software image. Instead of floppy disk icons, why not little memory card icons to represent save states? Also, the navigation screen is generic without music. They should have thought more about the Neo-Geo image legacy and worked this into the software image. This is a missed opportunity.
-NGM International (games I wish were included)
-Fatal Fury (yeah, play mechanics aren't the best, but dammit it's fun, and deserves to be in there over controller-destroyer 3 Count Bout)
-Real Bout Fatal Fury Special or Real Bout Fatal Fury 2 (replace KOF '97 or 2000 with either of these)
-Neo Turf Masters (Top Crap Golf? They chose this shit over NTM? Seriously?)
-Art of Fighting 2 (2 is more refined than 1)
-Super Sidekicks 2, 3, or Neo-Geo Cup '98 (1 is weak compared to all of it's sequels. Why SNK, why?)
-Baseball Stars Professional (no baseball game? This is fuckin' 'Merica, though I do appreciate Frenzy being tossed in)
-The King of Fighters 2003 (trade '97 and 2000 for this since '98 and 2002 offers all these characters)
-World Heroes 2 or Jet (was the refinement of the series preceding WHP)
-Physical Build Quality (system & controller) Neo-Geo Mini (NGM) > Neo-Geo X (NGX)
Both products' build quality is good with some favor going to the mini since the mini setup is less than what the NGX launched as. Beyond the shell, the NGX had cheap components going on with it; handheld screen, wiring in the base unit, etc. There's been a lot of gnashed teeth over the lack of clickiness of the NGM controller. As someone who's owned all Neo-Geo systems since the early 90's I actually like NGM controllers and have no issues performing moves in fighting games. The controllers are different yes, but work fine for me.
-User Interface NGM < NGX
The NGM should have gotten a red cab for it's international version, with the exception of select territories this is what the world got. NGM screen is sharp but too small. The NGX made better use of it's small screen by being truly portable, whereas the NGM's screen is great but defeated by being too small and in a non-portable form. The NGX had a great concept and look, but cheap execution with shitty video quality.
-Video Quality NGM > NGX
NGM in console mode is sharp and pixel perfect. The output on a TV is a disappointment by being blurry. The NGM video output quality is just a hair better than the NGX with the latest update. However, NGM console mode video quality is much better than the NGX. I know people hated the NGX handheld's aspect ratio, but I don't see anything wrong with offering the option to switch back and forth. I hope that SNK releases a downloadable patch that can be installed on the NGM to sharpen the HDMI video output to SNES Classic level quality. Do it SNK. I don't want to hear your excuses.
-Sound Quality: NGM = NGX
Both systems offer robust and clear sound. No complaints here.
NGM Warranty?
Yeah. There doesn't seem to be any mention of this anywhere. Shady and weak. It's like saying you don't have faith in your products and don't respect the people buying them. There should be a 90 day limited warranty here. Come on SNK.
-NGM Improvements: Embrace each Neo-Geo regions' unique heritage both physically and in software image. Instead of floppy disk icons, why not little memory card icons to represent save states? Also, the navigation screen is generic without music. They should have thought more about the Neo-Geo image legacy and worked this into the software image. This is a missed opportunity.
-NGM International (games I wish were included)
-Fatal Fury (yeah, play mechanics aren't the best, but dammit it's fun, and deserves to be in there over controller-destroyer 3 Count Bout)
-Real Bout Fatal Fury Special or Real Bout Fatal Fury 2 (replace KOF '97 or 2000 with either of these)
-Neo Turf Masters (Top Crap Golf? They chose this shit over NTM? Seriously?)
-Art of Fighting 2 (2 is more refined than 1)
-Super Sidekicks 2, 3, or Neo-Geo Cup '98 (1 is weak compared to all of it's sequels. Why SNK, why?)
-Baseball Stars Professional (no baseball game? This is fuckin' 'Merica, though I do appreciate Frenzy being tossed in)
-The King of Fighters 2003 (trade '97 and 2000 for this since '98 and 2002 offers all these characters)
-World Heroes 2 or Jet (was the refinement of the series preceding WHP)
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