I think its unfair that the Neo CD system gets so much hate. I own both an AES and CD, and the cd system gives me the freedom to play games I otherwise would NEVER purchase for the AES. (and yes, I know...people say get a consolized MVS, but at this point, its not in my budget)
Just last week I bought Pulstar on CD from Big Bear. I would NEVER purchase this on the AES, but on the cd its both affordable, and enjoyable. Once the stage loads (about two minutes total) its smooth gameplay w/ a red book soundtrack.
Sure...some games are painfully slow to load on the CD unit, but those games (if affordable) I tend to buy for the AES. But games such as Puzzle Bobble / Last Hope / Pulstar / Puzzled load fast and are much cheaper than their AES counterparts (or mvs for Puzzle Bobble).
I love both my AES and CD. Each gives me something different, and I don't consider the CD a "poor mans Neo-Geo"
Just my 2 cents. Now give me a Unibios so I can actually beat PULSTAR already