CD universal?

Is the neo cdz universal? Or does one need a converter of some type?

Originally posted by Gentori, disciple of Jubei:
<STRONG>Is the neo cdz universal? Or does one need a converter of some type?</STRONG>

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....hhhmmmmm....the neo geo cdz - if you meant this unit being able to play all the neo cds out there whether its JPN, USA, or EUR version then yes its universal coz it'll play all the cds in this japanese only unit. but the differences lies on the language. the cdz is japanese version and all games will boot on japanese text. if the neo cd games you have doesn't have option of changing the language then you're stuck with nipongo in there. but at least you'll always get the censorship turned off...

So the cdz is japanese only? What cd systems were made for the English speaking world? And will they play Japanese games too? I'm curious because I'm thinking of getting one(some cool carts are just too expensive). Thanks!

The std CD unit can be mod'ded to any language/country setting (US/JPN/EU), and with a simple three-way switch you'd be able to choose your fav tongue and white/red blood/fatalities, etc.

The mod is fairly easy. Click
here to get started.

AFAIK, the mods shown on the site can be done on all CD models (CD/CDZ/front loader).

Thank you! So let me get this strait, I could mod any system to play in english language and the censorship removed? Also what would be the best system to get and what is a good price on it?

Why not go for a mvs cabinet or supergun plus a 1 slot board, not too much money, no cencorship , english language option on games and most games are cheap too <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

Originally posted by Gentori, disciple of Jubei:
<STRONG>Thank you! So let me get this strait, I could mod any system to play in english language and the censorship removed? Also what would be the best system to get and what is a good price on it?</STRONG>

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The mods can be done on CD and CDZ, but I'm not sure about the front loader.

The Japanese mode is the only uncensored one, so if you set your CD console to JPN you will get all the blood and gimmicks. US and EU modes are both censored.

In JPN mode, all games will start in Japanese by default, and wether or not the game can be set to English depends on the game's options; not all of them offer a language option, i. e. most older titles. Newer ones (>=1994/95) mostly have one.

IMO, the most reliable CD console variant is the standard single-speed NeoCD top loader, which can be had for $50 (console and one pad) and up. The CDZ (which does not have a double-speed drive, just more and faster cache mem) is said to have heat problems, and the front loader's loading mechanism is also a pain in the ass if it breaks, because you won't find too many affordable spare parts for it. Also, the front loader has been released in small quantities only, so it's much more expensive and hard to find.

There's also a CD repair kit available (for the standard CD unit), which contains a drive motor, pcb and a spare lens. Nice to have, just in case.

A good price range for a std CD console with two pads and a couple of games would be somewhere between $100 and $200.

A good time to look for CD consoles are when new MVS/AES carts are released. Some CD owners then sell their stuff to buy an AES console and the new game. Wait for the release of KoF2k1 in March and check eBay afterwards... <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

Thanks tak! One more dumb question: would I have to mod an english(basic top loading)system to play japanese games and vice versa?
Lee, I do plan to get a cabinet when we get a house. I haven't seen a frieght company that will deliver to my upstairs apartment, and I don't fancy the idea of hauling it down when we move. <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"> Also the superguns I've seen have been a little pricy. <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0">

Originally posted by Takumaji:
<STRONG>The CDZ (which does not have a double-speed drive, just more and faster cache mem.</STRONG>

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r u kidding me?
according to da old EGM mag (96 i think), this unit runs on double. <IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0">
well, if some1 can clarify clearly for me. <IMG SRC="smilies/spock.gif" border="0">

Originally posted by Wolferaizer:
<STRONG>r u kidding me?
according to da old EGM mag (96 i think), this unit runs on double. <IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0">
well, if some1 can clarify clearly for me. <IMG SRC="smilies/spock.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

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It's a legend.

The drive used for the CDZ is from the same manufacturer than the std CD one, just with higher revision standard and a revised control pcb unit.

SNK used twice as much cache RAM for the CDZ, and this results in about a 550k/sec data transfer rate (330k/sec for a std unit), which "feels" a little like double speed, but isn't (ds would be 660k). The drive itself is still the same old 1x.

The speed benefits of a CDZ are minimal. The older games load faster, but they also load fast on the std unit, while the newer games (specially LB1+2, AOF3 and SS4) only load 15% to 20% faster. This IMO isn't a CDZ feature worth the xtra bucks.

However, I like the design of the CDZ, it nearly looks like a Saturn, which is cool anyway.

Originally posted by Gentori, disciple of Jubei:
<STRONG>Thanks tak! One more dumb question: would I have to mod an english(basic top loading)system to play japanese games and vice versa?
Lee, I do plan to get a cabinet when we get a house. I haven't seen a frieght company that will deliver to my upstairs apartment, and I don't fancy the idea of hauling it down when we move. <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"> Also the superguns I've seen have been a little pricy. <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

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evasyar mentioned it already, all CD units are universal and play any game of any country, regardless of the default language setting.

If you have a console with a US setting, the games will start in English (if available) and with white blood/no fatalities.

Some games (like Samurai Spirits RPG) don't have an English language option, so these games are Japanese only, even on an US console.

If you want to have red blood and all the uncensored bells and whistles, set the console to Japanese. Of course it will still play all games (JPN/US/EU).

Thank you all so much for the info! I think I'll keep my eyes open for a std system that needs a home.