CD or Cart System?

ryans · Apr 16, 2003

I'm curious which system is better to get? The CD system or the Cartridge based system? Also, are the japanese cd games compatible with the english systems?

Thanks!

fatal fury fan #1 · Apr 16, 2003

I think that u need to get a aes or a mvs.

beelzebubble · Apr 16, 2003

my 2 cents:

cart = no load time, easy to find, can be expensive, easy to use
cd = some games have bad load times, easy to find, cheap, easy to use
mvs = no load time, harder to find than the other 2, mid range in price, can be harder to use than the other 2.

Michael Yagami · Apr 16, 2003

The CD system is great for the Neo gamer on a budget.
The home system is good if you're into the collecting aspect.
MVS is the probably the best route for most. Same cart format as the home system, which means no loading. MVS cabs can be had from $350 and up or you can get a Neo deck and a phantom 1.
Either way you choose, its all good as long as you Neo!

Mike

ryans · Apr 17, 2003

Thanks for the responses. I should have asked this in my first question.

How is the quality difference if any from the Cart based and CD versions? Since the CD version came out later, does it have better graphics and sound, or is it pretty much the same? I want to try to take advantage of my surround sound.

If they're pretty much the same, it looks like it would be better to buy the CD version, as the neostore here has a huge selection at an affordable cost.

Also, I've been trying to research the specs on the differences between systems. They mention a CD version and a CDZ version. From what i've gathered the Z version uses a double speed cdrom.

right now i Neo, pocket version that is. I'm ready to upgrade!

beelzebubble · Apr 17, 2003

cdz was advertised as having a double speed rom but ppl who have opened it up confirmed it actually only has more memory which speeds up loading by around x2 in some cases (not all instances of loading are sped up from what ive heard) definitely worth getting for the speed boost but is considerably more expensive, rarer and the drive is not meant to be very hardy...

graphics wise i could be wrong.. some one correct me if i am but i think the cd version has slight cuts to some games frames... if this is true it would only be a very slight downgrade due to memory limits, again someone correct me if i am wrong.

some cd games do however get bonuses like training mode in samsho 4 which is cd exclusive from what ive heard...

hope that helps...

Plisken · Apr 17, 2003

how could you miss out the fact that the CD games have brilliant arranged soundtracks?

beelzebubble · Apr 17, 2003

i never really pay attention to the music sorry.... i know a lot do though.

buster_broon · Apr 17, 2003

beelzebubble:
graphics wise i could be wrong.. some one correct me if i am but i think the cd version has slight cuts to some games frames... if this is true it would only be a very slight downgrade due to memory limits, again someone correct me if i am wrong.

correct and i believe the ram buffer is alittle bigger so it can hold more information than the normal cd system

for me the aes rulez supreme - mvs just as good

but on a budget you cant go wrong with the cd system and as Mike has pointed out it has arranged tracks all over the place generally much better than the cart versions

but you can also get some games that the aes system doesnt have like Bri 'kinger or crossed swords 2

unless you ask Dion to ask Playmore if he can have his lost proto back - just for a little loan

Takumaji · Apr 17, 2003

Time for the ole' link I guess...

<a href="http://www.lupa.de/ne-o-rama" target="_blank">Tak's Ne-o-rama & NGCD Faq</a>

c.t.h · Apr 17, 2003

If you want to play the old games and shooters for cheap - ie, metal slug, pulstar, etc. the cd system is great.

If you want fighters, you need to go MVS/AESw/phantom.

JengsterBoogie · Apr 17, 2003

I agree with C.T.H. completely. I got my Neo Cd first, and it made me hate games like KOF, and Last Blade. But shooters and sports games are great on the CD system. It used to make me angry though that you cant get shock troopers, MSX, 3, or 4, Blazing Star, and many other NEO essentials for the CD system.

Trust me though, you wil spend twice as much time in the loading process of KoF games,than the playing process, which is EXTREMELY frustrating.

I will say this though, Neo is as much a collecting hobby as a playing hobby. It's frustratng to not be able to have everything you want right away, but it's worth the wait. You have to work within your budget. And trust me, it's not fun to get a bunch of Neo games at once because you wont enjoy them as much.

I have been neo collecting for over 5 years now, and I have all the systems (AES, MVS, CD, and Pocket) and a pretty good collection of games.. but I still have a long way to go. That's what makes it s fun though.

Just be patient, and have fun. You wont build world class collection in just a year or two.

ryans · Apr 17, 2003

I've seen some great responses here. I really appreciate them all. As part of my research, before buying a system, I have one more request. Does anyone know where you can buy a Neo Geo Arcade System. I'm leaning more on the CD system, but I do have a small business that we could probably write it off if we make it accessible to customers

thanks again!

JengsterBoogie · Apr 17, 2003

I'm sure a lot of people will have better information for you than I, but I recommend eBay, and massystems.com.

genjiglove · Apr 18, 2003

Try looking up "Amusement Devices" in your phone book, and give some of the places a call. That's how I found the one I've been thinking of buying.

ryans · Apr 18, 2003

I found one guy. He had a nice 4 MVS system with 55 games for $2000. he sold it last week

<a href="http://classifieds.yahoo.com/display/merchandise?ct_hft=detailnp&intl=&cc=merchandise&cr=San+Francisco+Bay+Area&cids=merchandise-1038305369-7562832&refsrc=search" target="_blank">http://classifieds.yahoo.com/display/merchandise?ct_hft=detailnp&intl=&cc=merchandise&cr=San+Francisco+Bay+Area&cids=merchandise-1038305369-7562832&re fsrc=search</a>

c.t.h · Apr 18, 2003

There are some cabs on ebay, but then again you have to take shipping into account :/

Electroman · Apr 20, 2003

Personally, while I have never played the CD system, I feel that the AES is the epitome of what is grand about the NEO. I mean with almost CD-quality music/sound but no CD player, that is impressive.

And you say that you haven't paid much attention to music and OST's.... well play NEO and you may convert.

However if you want to buy a cab for your business, perhaps that is where you could get your fix. You could always just play your own cabinet at your business. And if you wanted to play games at home, get another MVS setup for home or a supergun or AES + Phantom 1 to play the same MVS games at home. This is sounding expensive however.

Also, go here:
<a href="http://www.neo-geo.com/snk/masterlist.htm" target="_blank">http://www.neo-geo.com/snk/masterlist.htm</a>
This link specifies what games go to which format.

Lastly, with CD games, of course they can scratch and be rendered unplayable in worst case scenarios. I'd hate for my minty Pulstar CD go bad because I dropped it, peanut butter side down on the carpet. And its semi-sequel, Blazing Star is not available on CD at all, however the sequel to AES/MVS games like Crossed Swords are available.

Decisions decisions...

AES_MVS · Apr 20, 2003

I Feel more comfortable with my AES system ...
i Like the CD and the CDZ system too ...but when i play Last Blade .....woooww!!!! the loading time at the CD system on that game is awfull !! ....at least 4 min waiting ....well so save your money to buy a AES system instead !

c.t.h · Apr 20, 2003

Hehe, Last Blade is indeed a killer. Although, I found the Dreamcast port of LB2 to be essentially the exact same thing - definitely a good pick up for about 20 bucks.

Mefffisto · Apr 20, 2003

JengsterBoogie:
I agree with C.T.H. completely. I got my Neo Cd first, and it made me hate games like KOF, and Last Blade. But shooters and sports games are great on the CD system. It used to make me angry though that you cant get shock troopers, MSX, 3, or 4, Blazing Star, and many other NEO essentials for the CD system.

I will say this though, Neo is as much a collecting hobby as a playing hobby. It's frustratng to not be able to have everything you want right away, but it's worth the wait. You have to work within your budget. And trust me, it's not fun to get a bunch of Neo games at once because you wont enjoy them as much.

I have been neo collecting for over 5 years now, and I have all the systems (AES, MVS, CD, and Pocket) and a pretty good collection of games.. but I still have a long way to go. That's what makes it s fun though.

Just be patient, and have fun. You wont build world class collection in just a year or two.

I am completely ok with you. I am collecting on the Neo Geo systems since 1994... First I bought a Neo Geo AES... but it was too expensive, I sold it and bought a NGCD front loading when it was out... there is just one system I am not collecting on: MVS... I don't know if I will collect one day on it...
I just finished my Japanese CD collection 3 weeks ago, with 2 years late... Sengoku 1, Ninja Combat... it was really hard to find them complete... But now I took the time, I'm really proud to have the 97 games on it... you were right: "it's as much a collecting hobby as a playing hobby" and we still have a long way to go, because now that my CD is complete, and now that I am working, I began 2 weeks ago my japanese AES collection. Road to the final victory ;-) will be long, but it is worth it.

To reply to our friend Ryans who is asking what is the best system? I would answer both: AES for no loading time, for the beauty of the cartridges; CDs for the price, good for beginning and discovering the Neo Geo world, for the musics (Fatal Fury 3, King Of Fighters'96, Real Bout games, Samurai Shodown IV, Pulstar...).

And to conclude, if you are in Europe, I'm selling a Neo Geo CD 2nd edition, and I've got games too (used one and factory sealed one).

ryans · Apr 22, 2003

Hi, nope I'm not in Europe. I would check it out if i was though. I found a site selling cabinets and motherboards. They're a few hours from me so I mightjust go with them. Here is the link:

<a href="http://www.arcade-infinity.com/stock.htm" target="_blank">http://www.arcade-infinity.com/stock.htm</a>

I'm emailing them for more info.

Gamefan · Apr 22, 2003

Arcade Infinity is an awesome place. I bought both my MVS-4U 25" cabinets there with motherboards. Jeff and Jack are really nice to deal with also. Great price and shipping was cheap (as long as you are in CA).

On a side note, I would say if you can get a cabinet or a really nice SuperGun, get into MVS. The games are cheaper than NGH carts, but can be harder to get now.

GAMEFAN

CD or Cart System?

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