Neo Geo AES... recommendations?

[tpivette]

So way back in the day when I was a kid, I remember reading various video game mags and seeing ads for Neo Geo systems and games. Man, and my parents thought the TG-16 was expensive! Always wanted one of those systems, gawked over the photos in those ads and dreamed... but of course, being 12/13 there was no way in hell I could ever afford one.

Fast forward to the present... I have some disposable income now and can possibly pick one of these systems up. I've done a little research and found that some of the games are SUPER expensive. Can anyone recommend me some of the inexpensive titles that are still fun to play? Also, I've heard alot of these games are being bootlegged and are almost impossible do discern them from the originals. Are these mainly the more expensive titles, or are even the cheaper ones being faked as well? Finally, are the Neo Geo forums the better placde to aquire such games & systems, or is there other places to check?

Thanks in advance for any advice

[Bloody Wolf]

So out of my league but I want one though!

[SuperDeadite]

The fakes are the $$$$ games only really.  MVS->AES conversions are time consuming and the parts to do it aren't cheap.  Nobody bothers making convincing boots of games under the $500 mark.  Most of the older SamShos and FFs are under $20.  The later fighters, shooters, and Metal Slugs are where things get really expensive.  But expensive is a very relative term.  If you want a rock solid shooter, get Last Resort.  Price is fair, and it's one of the best.

[tpivette]

The fakes are the $$$$ games only really.  MVS->AES conversions are time consuming and the parts to do it aren't cheap.  Nobody bothers making convincing boots of games under the $500 mark.  Most of the older SamShos and FFs are under $20.  The later fighters, shooters, and Metal Slugs are where things get really expensive.  But expensive is a very relative term.  If you want a rock solid shooter, get Last Resort.  Price is fair, and it's one of the best.

Thats good to know. I was worried people were faking all these games left and right. Wasn't really planning on spending more than about a $100 per game (even that is pushing it). Thanks for the quick response and advice!

[SuperDeadite]

If you don't want to go over $100, you'll be cutting out the majority of the better games, since I assume you don't live in Japan like I do.  You can probably snag Last Resort if you keep an eye out though.  For the KoF's in that price range, go with '96.  It might not be the best gameplay of the series, but it's the most fun to actually play imo, since it has the best aesthetics of the entire series.

[tpivette]

Well, we'll see... I always start out with a plan in mind, but usually it snowballs into something I wasn't expecting! I'm sure after I go through all the less expensive games, I'll start to luist for the more expensive ones. One thing at a time, though... got to get a system first!

[GohanX]

Honestly, my recommendation would be to either buy a CMVS system, or an MVS to home system converter (but be sure to read about the ups and downs of the converters first.)

With that out of the way, it's not impossible to stay fairly cheap with the thing, especially if you don't mind playing the older titles. Some good cheap games:

Samurai Shodown 1 and 2
Fatal Fury Special (best value on the system IMO)
Nam 1975
Art of Fighting 1 and 2 (some people don't like these, I love them)
KOF 94
Baseball Stars Pro (Not as good as BS2, but still fun)

You may also consider a CD system. The load times suck for fighters, but it's awesome for most other game types, I have a lot of shooters on mine that are too expensive for me on the home system or MVS setup.

[TheClash603]

I am a fan of beat-em-ups, so I say games like Mutation Nation and 8-Man are worth the price of admission.

Other cheapies that I like to play a lot are:
2020 Baseball
League Bowling
Baseball Stars
Cyber Lip (cheapo Metal Slug-ish)
Samurai Spirit 2
Super Sidekicks 2

[Tatsujin]

Yeah, last resort is an absolute must have on the AES.

[TheClash603]

Yeah, last resort is an absolute must have on the AES.

Not exactly a "value" recommendation though.  I don't have that pricey ass shitz.

[chany60126]

Nam 1975 is a game I find myself playing time and time again despite owning 20+ games on the AES. It's a cross hairs shooter similar to Wild Guns, Blood Brothers and Cabal if you have ever played those games. Nam is a ton of fun as it's action packed. The game is tough, especially at first. But once you master the sommersault/roll maneuver, the game really opens up to you. It can be had for cheap $20-30. I highly recommend it. There aren't too many games like this.

[Mishran]

CMVS is the way to go these days unless you have room for a real cab. MVS carts can be easily checked to see if they are authentic. Games are much cheaper too. You can obtain the whole Metal Slug line for under $200-300 if your patient and know where to look. I've gotten back into the Neo, and aside from an AES system and 4 games I got off here, I'm collecting MVS exclusively. If your not into all the glitz and glamour of expensive kits, most MVS carts (especially fighters) can be had loose for under $30. They aren't pretty like the AES carts though since they were meant to be kept unseen inside a cab.

[LameKat]

No love for Sengoku? For the price style and sound I think it's worth a grab at the start. Nam 75' also a must. Everyone is right though, if you can go MVS or CMVS you're far better off for the amount of affordable titles.

[Joe Redifer]

Don't feel ashamed about owning bootlegs or conversions, so long as they work and you didn't break the bank to get them.

[SignOfZeta]

Unless you own a Ferrari dealership AES just makes zero sense in 2012. Instead of being locked into a puny handful of the crustiest oldest AES carts, an MVS (consolozied or not) will let you basically play anything made for the Neo Geo for 1/10 the price.

Sure, I know you don't think you want to play Metal Slug 3, Rage of Dragons, KOF 2003, etc...but you eventually will. Either that or you are an idiot because those games are fantastic. Rather than buying a dead end AES machine with so-so sticks, invest in a nice CMVS or upright. The extra investment will pay for itself quickly...possibly with the first game you buy. You can have ALL the KOFs for less than $150 on MVS, and all the Slugs for $200.

Of course its possible that you are one of those "I HAVE TO HAVE THIS EXACT MACHINE BECAUSE I SAW IT IN EGM WHEN I COULDN'T AFFORD IT!" people. If so, well, I hope you are either much wealthier than me or you like Fatal Fury 2 a LOT.

To the %99, the AES is like a PC Engine Shuttle. It looks nice, I guess, but it can't play %75 of the best software. Its a dead end.

[SignOfZeta]

Don't feel ashamed about owning bootlegs or conversions, so long as they work and you didn't break the bank to get them.

Conversions are fine, outright bootlegs...not as much since cut-rate EPROMS have a way of just...not working eventually.

[Mishran]

Don't feel ashamed about owning bootlegs or conversions, so long as they work and you didn't break the bank to get them.

Conversions are fine, outright bootlegs...not as much since cut-rate EPROMS have a way of just...not working eventually.

Low end boots use EPROM chips, better made boots (multicarts for example) use standard PROM. I have a Metal Slug bootleg that came with my cab, and the thing is notorious for reseting the machine on a regular basis. As many times as I tried to finish it, never have due to resets. Surprisingly, you can find authentic carts that have EPROMS, though mostly found in repaired carts. I have a few.

It's often frowned upon, but multicarts are a great option. A 161-in-1 multicart has (I think) 97 original SNK games, while the remaining 63 are hacked versions of some games. It's a great way to an instant collection if you can get your hands on a reliable cart. Sometime you'll get hit with the occational reset, just like a bootleg, but it's rare and the 161 game cart can be had for around $100. It's unfortunately missing several of the best games on the system though, so purchasing the remainder as standalone carts is necessary if you want the entire line-up. I'm not ashamed to admit I own the 161-in-1 and don't regret buying it.

[Joe Redifer]

Just get an MVS-to-AES converter and one of those 160-in-one carts (or however many games they include.  That way you can play a bunch of MVS games on your AES which will work fine at a tenth (or less) of the price of buying them all on the MVS.  I'm kind of tired of the CONSTANT anti-AES whining I hear.

I have yet to get one, though and am not even sure of where to get it.

[Mishran]

Not all of the converters work with the multicarts. Only one I'm aware of that does is the new Daedalus, or whatever the hell it's called... and the thing is $400. For that price, a nice CMVS can be purchased.

The AES is and awesome gaming monster, but the whining is well justified. The game prices are rediculously outrageous and the bootleggers and scammers have all but ruined collecting for the system. Who wants to pay a grand for a copy of Metal Slug AES, just to find out it's a boot??? For a good example, go over to N-G.com and see the bullshit that is currently boiling over.

[Joe Redifer]

A link would be better.

[Tatsujin]

I get nothing out of boots. For me it's the very same as playing some MAME etc.

[SignOfZeta]

Not all of the converters work with the multicarts. Only one I'm aware of that does is the new Daedalus, or whatever the hell it's called... and the thing is $400. For that price, a nice CMVS can be purchased.

Yeah, converters are possibly the stupidest solution of all. A buggy expensive converter combined with a shitty multicart that will probably shit out in 3 or 4 years and all the games set to Level 8 by default...fuck, I'd much rather just used MAME.

And yes, the whining is justified. Any Neo collection should have SamShowIV in it. What is the difference between AES and MVS price, probably $400/$50, something like that? That one game alone would save you enough money to buy an MVS.

This isn't 1991 anymore. I honestly can't think of one good reason to buy AES other than cases/manuals, and cases/manuals aren't worth hundreds, if not thousands, each.

And then there is the hardware itself. AES systems basically require some sort of video upgrade, and the serious player is going to build a pair of sticks so...you're 2/3 of the way to a CMVS right there.

An AES is more expensive than a CMVS, but a proper set-up, quality sticks, component video, and a copy of Mark of the Wolves, is WAY cheaper MVS-style.

[Joe Redifer]

Well, if people owning AES pisses YOU off (which it seems to), then nothing will ever make you happy.  Whine all you want, it changes nothing.  You're just wasting energy.

There's not really a lot in the Neo library I want.  I don't care too much for their fighters.  I have one conversion.  I wouldn't mind having the Metal Slugs, but there is really no reason to have them on the Neo since they are available EVERYWHERE else for way cheaper than any MVS cart.  The RGB bypass on my AES was simple and I used already existing hardware that I own to convert that to component, s-video or whatever the hell I want to convert it to.  I didn't molest my unit by putting jacks on it.

[Tatsujin]

Yeah, last resort is an absolute must have on the AES.

Not exactly a "value" recommendation though.  I don't have that pricey ass shitz.

well, it goes for a mere of about 100~120 bucks usually. You won't get much more excellent shewty entertainment for your bucks than with this one.
looked at that way, it is more of a bargain aquisition than a pricey ass shitz, because you really get what you pay for.

[SuperDeadite]

SamShoIV is expensive and out of reach?  LOL, the USA version maybe, but the Japanese version?  This is less then the price of 2 brand new PS3 games...
http://item.rakuten.co.jp/surugaya-a-too-plus/178441-1/  And yes, this place will ship straight to your door, no proxies needed.

If someone thinks that's too much for the game, fine for them.  But I'd say about 75% of the AES library is quite affordable these days.  I've said it many times, if you look around, you can find great deals for just about any system.  But you do have to actually look, and have patience.

[SignOfZeta]

SamShoIV is expensive and out of reach?  LOL, the USA version maybe, but the Japanese version?  This is less then the price of 2 brand new PS3 games...

Well the MVS version is less than the price of one used PS3 game. Either way, maybe that was a bad example. Since you live in Japan and know all the stores and prices that only %0.01 of the world can take advantage of, I'm sure you can think of another example, an AES game that goes for 10x the MVS equivalent. There are probably a few that go for 50x.

Well, if people owning AES pisses YOU off (which it seems to), then nothing will ever make you happy.  Whine all you want, it changes nothing.  You're just wasting energy.

There's not really a lot in the Neo library I want.  I don't care too much for their fighters.  I have one conversion.  I wouldn't mind having the Metal Slugs, but there is really no reason to have them on the Neo since they are available EVERYWHERE else for way cheaper than any MVS cart.  The RGB bypass on my AES was simple and I used already existing hardware that I own to convert that to component, s-video or whatever the hell I want to convert it to.  I didn't molest my unit by putting jacks on it.

What I don't get is why you even have an AES. You seriously have a Neo but you don't have a single Metal Slug? That's just...sad. I mean, I actually feel sorry for you. Metal Slug 3 is, IMO, one of the top ten 16-bt games of all time, and its two player. Its my most played Neo game and it cost me $40.

So you don't want MS or KOF, and if games are available on other systems then you don't need the Neo versions...so what does that leave? What is the list of non-MS, non-KOF, Neo exclusive games that justify the purchase of an AES?

The Super Spy? Legend of Success Joe? And you are saying other people should buy an AES and put themselves in this position?

Actually, I think The Super Spy might actually be on PS2, I can't remember.

Its not that I'm angry at the existence of the AES, its just that if someone is getting in to Neo now they are painting themselves into a corner. They will wish for those $400 games and probably never buy more than one, which results in their Neo collecting dust until they eventually sell it. I'm saying this because I've seen it dozens of times. If these people had bought a cab off Craigslist or a CMVS for the price of a single AES game they could play any game they wanted, most for less than $50, many for $10.

I'm not telling people to burn their AES (although at this point I'm pretty sure there are 10x as many AES systems as there are people will to pay for a decent AES collection) I'm just saying that if, like the OP, you currently have nothing, and you actually want to play these games (instead of just wowing your imaginary friends by showing them the most bad-ass console ever) then it makes zero sense to by AES.

[Mishran]

Isn't worth buying the system for exclusively, but I like Crossed Swords. Can't recall ever seeing it on any other system except AES, MVS, and Neo CD. The sequel is good too, but CD exclusive.

Sengoku series is good too, with 3 being the best of the 3.

Mutation Nation and Robo Army are good beat-em-ups.

Also has some quality shooters worth playing.

None are worth the prices the AES games fetch now.

[Joe Redifer]

And you are saying other people should buy an AES

I am?  Where did I say that other people should buy an AES?  I just said it's pointless to whine about it.  Unless you have an AES, of course.  Then you can whine all you want.  I did have a Metal Slug once.  I think Metal Slug 4.  But I got rid of it.  I have the entire series elsewhere.

[SuperDeadite]

Did you not read my post Zeta?  That link I provided will ship anywhere in the world, you just need a credit card.  You know how I found that link? By doing a google search.  If it's really too difficult to copy paste the japanese name of a well known game into google, and see what comes up?  Yes I'm in Japan, but that is irrelevant here.  Yes some AES games are still very expensive.  But, they typically hold their value very well.  Some dude on NeoGeo found out I have a legit Blazing Star, and he offered me $2,000 for it, which is over 3 times what I paid originally.

[SignOfZeta]

Yes, I saw your link to a $123 copy of SamShow IV, and I agree that's not too bad, but there is a dude on eBay with 8 copies of the MVS version for $30 each or best offer. So for the same money you could have SamShow IV...or SamShow 1 through 4. These too will hold their value...because they really can't get any cheaper!

I paid $90 for my MVS Pulstar, and its the most expensive Neo game I own...at, evidently, 1/20 of what your AES version is worth.

[Drakon]

Yeah my most expensive mvs games were like....neo driftout and waku waku 7.  Both were around 100$.  MVS rules.

Yes, I saw your link to a $123 copy of SamShow IV, and I agree that's not too bad, but there is a dude on eBay with 8 copies of the MVS version for $30 each or best offer. So for the same money you could have SamShow IV...or SamShow 1 through 4. These too will hold their value...because they really can't get any cheaper!

I paid $90 for my MVS Pulstar, and its the most expensive Neo game I own...at, evidently, 1/20 of what your AES version is worth.

[meka]

I got a cmvs recently, It cost me $300+shipping, not really that much more than a AES, was thinking of buying a AES but decided the cmvs was the best option.

[Drakon]

I got a cmvs recently, It cost me $300+shipping, not really that much more than a AES, was thinking of buying a AES but decided the cmvs was the best option.

Excellent decision for sure.