Welcome to the historical appreciation section of the NGF web site. In here, we will try to focus our attention on the historical relevance of the NEO*GEO entertainment system, as well as the impact it had on various members of the gaming community.

"Summer. 1992. A euphoria awaits me. I am being recalled to video game perfection.                 Do I have to go back to regular gaming again?"

Words cannot properly express the overwhelming amount of attention I felt when I walked out of Babbages Electronics Store in the Miami International Mall carrying my NEO*GEO home entertainment system in one hand, and a bag of neo carts in the other. All eyes were looking on me, and on that huge box that I was carrying. My life would never be the same!

My name is Billy Pitt. I am 28 years old. I was born in Miami Florida. I currently live in Gainesville Florida (moved here in January 1996) but will be moving to Orlando sometime before the end of this year. I am a huge fan of video games in general. I own practically every game system and a huge library of software support for all of them. Among the selection of game systems I own, is the NEO*GEO Entertainment System. It is by far the most powerful home system. I only have a small library of carts: 109 so far (71 on home and 38 on MVS). But despite this small library, I nonetheless rank the Neo as the best of the best in my collection.

I do not consider myself the number one authority on the NEO*GEO, that I leave to Dion Dakis whom I feel deserves that recognition more then anyone. However, I do feel that I have much to say and can contribute to the community in many ways. I will be talking NEO*GEO here through historical accounts of the systems launch, discussions about the console itself, as well as spotlights on certain titles which have had major impact in the gaming world. Keep checking back here every so often for more updates.

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The following is a brief history on the NEO*GEO Advanced Entertainment System (Neo AES). It serves to reflect on the systems introduction and impact on the home video game market. It is intended primarily to entertain the reader. It may be somewhat subjective in its content, and it may also stress points which may seem exaggerated, but then if you want objectivity and simplicity, your on the wrong web site; so go home and cry to your mommy.

In October of 1990, the SNK Corporation unleashed the wondrous NEO*GEO MVS arcade system  to the world and then followed with the NEO*GEO advanced entertainment system. I choose the term unleashed because in essence it attacked the (consumer) video game market with the ferocity of a pit-bull. This system was, and still is, unlike any other (consumer) game system ever made. Unlike other game systems, it was designed with the serious gamer in mind. The specifications of the hardware are impressive. It was structured in that way so that it would be able to outlast existing as well as future competitors. To this very day it is unrivaled in its ability to produce incredible graphics and sounds resulting in excellent games. Since its introduction, many game systems have come and gone. The NEO*GEO is no flavor of the month. Its intensity and replay value is light-years beyond that of the others and so when you plug in your carts and turn on your console, you better be rough and ready.

Ten years after its initial release, SNK continues to support the NEO*GEO with software. The software library is absolutely incredible. It covers all the major categories and genres in the gaming world, and a vast majority of its games have received worldwide recognition from video game enthusiasts. Landmark shooters like Aero Fighters, Viewpoint and Pulstar games. As well as fighting masterpieces such as the King of Fighters, Samurai Shodown, Fatal Fury, World Heroes, Last Blade, and more. Coupled with ground-breaking puzzle titles like Bust-a-Move, and action titles like Metal Slug. As well as the most famous soccer games of the 90’s, the Super Sidekicks series.

You name it…sports, shooters, plat-formers, puzzlers, fighting and driving games. We got it all. Literally a Disneyland of over 130+ titles to choose from. You can’t go wrong.

The NEO*GEO has exceeded the highest expectations of the critics. It has proven itself consistently over the years. It has the highest re-sale value of any game system. Its games not only retain their value, but they are slowly rising in value as the years pass. It cannot be compared to any other system because it is not like any other system. It has secured its place in the history books as the most innovative and gutsy move made by a company in the history of the video game industry. NEO*GEO means that when you want the best game system in the world, quality is what you can expect and get from SNK.

So if your’ ready for some intense gaming. And if you’ve had it with all those other lame-ass systems and me-too software, then come on up and join the BIG BOYS. But better bring your Visa card. Because around here, quarters don’t fly and BIG BOYS don’t cry.

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Many people keep asking us why NEO*GEO enthusiasts have such a loyal devotion towards the NEO*GEO Advanced Entertainment System. And when taken into consideration just how many advantages the best has over all the rest, it would be very difficult for us to narrow it down to just one thing! I have always felt that the bottom line regarding the NEO*GEO is that it gave us the ARCADE feel. It didn’t just promise…it delivered. One thing is certain, no matter what happens in the future for SNK and/or the rest of the video gaming industry, the NEO*GEO will always reign supreme among it’s fans. Fans, which are most commonly referred to, as NEO*GEO FREAKS.

The NEO*GEO represents the cutting edge in video gaming entertainment. There is no disputing this among its supporters. However, there is a slight variation among its fans, which roughly results in separating us into two classifications: the gamers and the collectors. Both the gamers and the collectors enjoy playing the games. But their passions are not equal. The gamers are mostly into it for the fun of it. They love playing the games and they can become very competitive in them. They write up FAQ’s with all the moves and codes and they offer up many strategies and various techniques, which result in improved game play. The collectors on the other hand tend to focus more on the aesthetics, such as the actual carts themselves, promotional materials, and memorabilia. They are also known for getting together and enjoying some of the older titles where many of their most fond memories reside. The number of serious "big gun" collectors is increasing steadily. Passing the 100 mark or even the 120 mark is an honor that has now graced a small hand full of serious collectors. Pioneers like Dion Dakis and Chris Ray led the way and others, such as myself, will undoubtedly soon follow. Today, with the Internet boom, which has resulted in better communications, many dedicated collectors are starting to come out of the woodwork. We welcome them with open arms. They look for assistance and guidance, and NGFUSA is ready for them.

With the release of the breathtaking Metal Slug 3, the NEO*GEO cart collection now weighs in at a hefty 134 titles. Toss in the remaining as of yet undiscovered titles, and the 150 mark is respectfully passed. It is unknown just how many more titles the NEO*GEO will continue to pump out, but rest assured NGF will be here to report on them as they are released.

One cannot truly appreciate just how impressive a complete collection is. As a collector myself, and having been in the hobby of collecting games for over 20 years, I can tell you that a picture does not accurately show how impressive a great collection is. Seeing them up close and personal is far more impressive. I know I speak for myself, and perhaps others, when I say that I get pleasure from looking at my carts. Much the same way those who collect baseball cards do. I love to pull out the titles and look them over from front to back as I slide them back into place. Not to mention that collecting them is much more fun then baseball cards because you can actually play them as well!

NGF has stepped up to the plate to take the full swing, grand slam, game-winning hit. NGF has positioned itself to take over the NEO*GEO market once it is no longer supported by SNK USA. This landmark decision not only proves to the community the serious devotion that NGF has towards supporting the NEO*GEO market, but more importantly, it secures guaranteed future software support for the system. NGF all the way!

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                                                                                                                    April 28, 2000

My "opinions", or should I say "facts", carry more weight then yours or anyone elses. Because I am in a better position then most. I CAN have my cake and eat it too because I can play my MVS carts in any one of these THREE ways.

1. I can play them on my dedicated 4 slot with RGB monitor.
2. I can play them on my one slot pcb via my Supergun.
3. I can play them on my AES console via the MVS adapter.

              
                MVS to AES adapter plugged into the Neo. Notice the connections.

That being the case, I am less biased then the average fruitcake. Just like in the early nineties when it was SNES versus GENESIS. Those who owned one or the other would downplay the one they did not have. I owned BOTH. Therefore my UNbiased opinion of which was better for what carried more weight then theirs. Everybody knocks what they don't and/or can't have or want. So their opinions on the things they do not have or want are worthless. I can honestly say that maybe as of now with the current adapters on the market not being 100% compatible with the newest carts, that they are not "worth it" for those of us who want to be playing the latest carts like Metal Slug 3. But then for that, an MVS is useless as they are $500-$800 carts!

Only the AES console would be affordable at this time. But then, how many more new carts do you really think SNK is going to make at all...for any format? The end is near anyways. And in time, new revisions will be made on future adapters ensuring 100% compatibility anyways. (maybe) (and you can get NGF carts)

Its a matter of time and patience. The adapters are 80% or better in compatibility right now anyhow. And they are the BEST way to enjoy the carts if your on a budget. "someone said that each MVS to AES adapter should cost $300! > Last time I heard it costed about $90-$110." What difference does it make what they cost? Hell they only cost less then $60 to manufacture for that matter. When you go to the store and buy a brand new computer game for $50, the CD it is on is worth less then a dollar. It is the VALUE which you get from it not what it costs that matters. Just ONE game can MORE then make up for the cost. Metal Slug for example. So even if you pay $1000 for the damn adapter...so what? Metal Slug, Pulstar, Ninja Masters, (insert any over-valued expensive AES cart name here), etc. will cost you WAY more to get on AES format and yet on MVS format they will only set you back $50 a piece. (AES carts have the nicer cosmetic packaging of box, insert, cart sticker, and manual) (better for display)    

           
                    MVS to AES adapter docked with a Pulstar MVS cartridge.

I am not supporting nor endorsing the adapter for everyone. Hell I will even ADMIT that for some it is not the best choice. But don't go knocking it down for its use or its price just cause you yourself don't like it. It IS a good value as proven by the above words. Well, I just wanted to get this out to everyone. It is important that we are all informed of the facts.

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                                                                                                                    April 29, 2000

                       The Missing Links

I will be placing many theories here in this section regarding the "missing" and as-of-yet undiscovered NEO*GEO products. The purpose for this section is two-fold. First, to maintain the most up to date and comprehensive list of games. Second, to start up a "research lab" specifically designed for placing all of our ideas and theories together for the main purpose of trying to solve the biggest mystery which still eludes us…

How many games have been made, and what are their names? J

Every product made at SNK for the NEO*GEO is assigned a product number. Whether it is for the AES, the MVS, or the CD system, it is cataloged. As of this writing, NGF has confirmed 141 NGH products. With a logically predicted current roof of 156 products, this leaves 15 "unknown" entries. (most of which have already been found by NGF) Now for security reasons, NGF is not at liberty to discuss any particulars in regards to this subject. However we can explain some of it briefly, leaving out the more vital details, so that it can be understood by all. Some of those entries could be explained as having been canceled, re-assigned, or reserved. Others could have been second-runs of existing carts. However despite these possible explanations, we do know that many of the entries are indeed unreleased games. Some of the more familiar titles are Sunshine, Mystic Wand, and Dunk Star. Products for which we have 100% visual confirmation but are at a loss for the product numbers. L

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                                                                                                                    April 29, 2000

Cotton is now being discussed among the staff here at NGFUSA as a possible entry in the NGH undiscovered product line. Released for the NEC PC Engine and Turbografx game systems back in 1991, this odd-ball comedic shooter may have been scraped. Most likely because the product was a "gamble" for that time period. Fast forward to today’s more liberal SNK Pocket market, and the unreleased game becomes economically viable. With the previous NEO*GEO program code already written, and it being the property of SNK, the rest is history.

The credit given on the neo pocket title screen is reported as c. 1991 Success. A NEO*GEO licensee which is incidentally responsible for another NEO*GEO game, the lost variety game QP.

Additional supportive evidence can be found with the Pac-man game, now available for the pocket. A prototype beta NEO*GEO version (property of Dion Dakis) introduces the possibility that Namco was apparently under negotiations with SNK some years back. Again, as with Cotton, a new market is formed with the pocket, and the product is released.

SIDENOTE: Remember that SNK (as any company will do) was/is scrambling to get software support for a system’s release. These long-since scraped NEO*GEO products are perfect as they are quick, easy, and financially affordable additions to the growing software library.

Crystalis is also currently once again in the limelight as a possible NEO*GEO game. It was recently released for the gameboy color system. Strong rumors have always floated around suggesting that either Crystalis or a Crystalis sequel would appear on the NEO*GEO.

Attention Readers:
More entries will be added here when I get the chance.

                                                                                                                                                              May 9, 2000

Now before I begin, I must state the following disclaimers.

First off, the views expressed here are those of Billy Pitt. They do NOT necessarily reflect the views of the NeoGeoFreak web site or NGFUSA. Secondly, a TRUE collector is all about having a collection. And the bigger the collection, the more impressive the results. I own over 100 arcade video games, But I actually only have a few machines. I simply buy the boards and play them on my other cabinets. It would be far more impressive to see 100 machines all with their dedicated marquees, control panels, and side-art decals side by side then to have only a few generic machines with generic labels and stickers and plug the different games into them. Granted, you get the same game-play either way, but the experience is more entertaining and has more impact when it is dedicated. Just as owning an AES cart complete with cart sticker, insert, and manual is nicer then a loose, black, or MVS cart. With this in mind, here it comes.

It was 1992. I was scrounging up some more cash so I could go pick up another title for my AES. I went to go see a movie that night and passed by my favorite arcade Flipper’s Game Emporium. The operator was having some problems with his 4 slot and the cabinet was open as he was working on it. I peeked inside and noticed the 4 carts plugged into the console. I believe they were Ninja Combat, Burning Fight, Cyber Lip and Ghost Pilots. I asked him if I could get a closer look at one and he handed one of them to me. As I caught my first glimpse of an MVS cartridge, I carefully looked it over. I began thinking to myself "wow what a cool deal, they look compatible". Being that old MVS carts could be bought for half as much or even less then that of AES carts, I was beginning to get really excited. I got some paper and pencil and took some measurements of the cart shell as well as the number of pins on the edge connectors. Much to my dismay, once I arrived at home, and checked with one of my own AES carts, I realized that they were not the same. Not only were the plastic outer shells slightly different sizes, but more importantly, the home carts had 2 pcbs with 50/100 pin out on each for a total of 200 pins, while the MVS carts had 2 pcbs with 60/120 pin out on each for a total of 240 pins. I then dismissed the idea and forgot about it for several months.

About a year later, I was heavily into the Super Gun. Incidentally I was one of the pioneers in this area as well. I was one of the first people I knew to have games saying insert coin on my television screen. J (More on this in a future article). Anyhow, being as most of my favorite arcade games were pre 1987, (when jamma standard was introduced to the arcade industry) I was getting familiar with building jamma adapters and harnesses for my non-jamma boards. It was these experiences which made me re-think my position on the MVS adapter project. I theorized that much like the famicom to NES adapter (which merges a 36/72 pin configuration into a 30/60 pin configuration) that the same strategy could be applied towards the NEO*GEO carts. With this in mind, I grabbed my multi-meter, a pencil, and some graph paper and started to outline a crude rough draft schematic detailing which pins on the edge connectors went where. I only got so far before realizing that I was in over my head. Without the proper board layout schematics, the task would be extremely time consuming and frustrating guess-work which would result in little if any results. I knew in my heart that it was possible, but I lacked the much needed information about both formats of hardware and software to proceed.

   
    Billy with both the MVS and AES Pulstar carts.             "MVS carts don't fit into the home AES unit?"

Another year or two passed by. Then one day I heard about a guy named Tao who worked at MAS Systems. It was reported that he was "converting" carts from MVS to AES formats.

Apparently he was an ex-employee of SNK and so he possessed the intricate knowledge regarding the procedure which I lacked. I decided I would give him a call and talk to him. However, since the very first day I spoke with him on the telephone, as well as a few subsequent conversations, I was skeptical as to what he was saying and doing. Why was he painstakingly de-soldering and re-soldering chips from one board to the other and jumping wire connections and bridges on a game by game basis? It made no logical sense! My idea and proposal of a stand alone adapter (a ONE time labor of love) J was much more efficient and professional and it made a lot more sense then doing one at a time for each and every game. (an infinite task of hate) .L His ONLY reply to me on the telephone was: "It cannot be done…IMPOSSIBLE!"  

(NGF edited out some derogatory comments about MAS Systems which we felt had no bearing on this great report and should not have been said. Nothing else was changed.)  

                              
           Billy was always thinking that there had to be a way to get MVS carts to play on the AES.

Well, if there is one thing I know in life, then it is what Disney taught me in 1979 that the word impossible is to be found only in a dictionary of fools. IMHO Tao was either one of two things; uninformed or a business man. More likely than not, he was the second. More on this later.

So I began to explain this to the neogeo community and it was met with much critisism and ridicule. Hey everyone thought Columbus was an idiot for thinking the world was round. Even the "BIG BOYS" like Dion Dakis and Chris Ray were skeptical. Nobody really supported me and I stood alone in taking my position. But I refused to give up. I knew it could be done. And so the battle began. It would be an easy victory. J I didn’t have to do much labor…I simply opened my wallet J I finally obtained the adapter in December of 1999.

There are now many adapters on the market. The Pranslation, the Doublespace, and the Reality Storm are the three most popular ones. If you want to buy one, you just need to look around. You need to be determined like me. I did at one point have the intention of replicating and mass producing my own, but I have changed my mind about it over and over.

       
           Look, my adapter dreams have come true.         This goes out to all the people that didn't help me.

Nobody lifted so much as a finger to help me, hell they didn’t even believe in me! So as a result of that, I am NOT going to help anyone else. I am NOT obligated nor do I feel compelled to do so. You want an adapter? Then go find one yourself. That may sound mean, but multiply it by 100 and you may come close to understanding how mean everyone was to me.

Before you run out and waste your time looking for one, you should understand that the MVS adapter is NOT for everyone. This device is intended to COMPLIMENT a NEO*GEO AES cart collection. It is NOT intended to SUBSTITUTE it. Being a collector myself, despite having the MVS adapter (2 of them actually) I still have a 71 and counting AES cart collection (soon to have them all). And I would most likely never sell them. Aesthetically they are my pride and joy and they look way too nice. Also the adapter does not play 100% of the games out there. (see previous article)

As a gamer, most people will find the adapter ideal for their gaming needs. Not only does it pay for itself with its ability to play the rare and hard to find games as they can now be had for much cheaper in MVS format, but it also allows access to all the "MVS-exclusive" games which would require costly conversions before being useable on a home console.

I could post up a FULL list of all the carts which the adapter does not work with, and may do so in the future. However for now, I will not waste my time for one simple reason. There are at least 3 different types of adapters out there right now, and perhaps more to come. The compatibility could very well vary from one to the other. So therefore this information would not be completely accurate nor usefull at this time.

NGF staff want to say that the adapters only work with about 85% of the Neo MVS cartridges. Games that don't work range from early games like Baseball Stars 2, 3 Count Bout, Windjammers, and Savage Reign,  to newer games like KoF98, Bust-a-Move Again EX,  and NONE of the new year 1999+ protected games like Ganryu will work. Sorry. Some games play with no sound and others won't even boot up. We'll have a list of which games do work soon.  There are 3 adapters, so some games may work on one and not the other.

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                                                                                                                                                   August 27, 2000

One of the best platform games ever made was the NES version of Ninja Gaiden. It spawned two sequels on the NES, which were both equally impressive as well as a great SNES compilation-cart appropriately titled Ninja Gaiden Trilogy. The series went down in history as one of the most entertaining games ever produced. Nothing like the arcade version (which was actually a double-dragon style beat-um-up, this game created a huge following and pretty much put TECMO on the map.

A lot of us have heard the rumors surrounding a Ninja Gaiden game having been made for the NEOGEO AES. And with TECMO having been one of the third party licensees for the console (Tecmo World Soccer ’96) it is a rumor which would seem easy to believe. However I can provide strong evidence that the game was never made, but rather that its announcement was simply a case of mistaken identity.

Back in 1994-1995 VISCO used the development hardware to make 3 NEOGEO games:

(Battle Flipshot, Captain Tomaday, and Musashi Ganryuki)

However for some strange reason, VISCO never got around to releasing them. Some screenshots of the games did however slip out, one of them being of the game Musashi Ganryuki AKA "Ganryu". The main character in the game bears a striking resemblance to Ryu Hayabusa, the hero of the Ninja Gaiden series by sporting the typical blue outfit and carrying the bladed sword.

Anyhow, put two and two together, and one can easily see how such a mix-up would occur. A screenshot of what is a platform game showing a character sporting the same outfit as RYU hayabusa…and the games name gan RYU.

It makes PERFECT sense that the conclusion or theory could have been made.

Anyhow, fast forward to present day (1999), amidst SNK’s much more liberal policy towards 3^rd party games, coupled with Visco’s desperation to close shop with the least possible financial disarray, as well as a much larger Asian and European market, and voila…SNK decides to go ahead and release the software titles. Since at the time, SNK’s current "board-set revision" happens to be the GIGA-shock style, despite being way less then 500 megs, the titles are released under the label.     :)

The first releases, Captain Tomaday and Battle Flipshot make it off the assembly line presses just in time before the changeover to the "KOF99" copy-protected board set…while Ganryu sadly does not. :(   As a result, they are NOT compatible with most current MVS to AES adapters. Therefore, the only way to play this great title as of this writing is either on an MVS board OR via NGF professional home cart conversions.

I recently obtained this great game for my collection, and got the chance to play it. And so I just wanted to quickly give my opinion on it. In the sea of fighting games on the NEO, it sure is great to have a platform like this. The game is excellent. It has absolutely everything that makes up a great game. It has two intros, great backgrounds, great music, a large weapon selection, a good story line, alternate paths, hidden rooms, bonus items, checkpoint memory card saves, etc. Need I say more! The game plays and feels just like a ninja gaiden. It is so nice to have a game like this on the neo. Not since Magician Lord have I truly enjoyed this type of game play on my NEO.

I would strongly recommend the game to anyone who is looking for a sweet new title to keep them entertained for a long time. Remember though…you will need to contact NGF if you would like to have an AES version as there is no official SNK AES version available. 
           
NGF ALL THE WAY!!  :)

Billy Pitt