The year was 2003, approximately 20 years ago, and the memory remains vivid. During a break in junior high school, we would sneak off to the local video arcade. I was 15, actually underage according to the regulations which aimed to protect children’s allowances from being devoured by the ever-hungry coin-operated machines. However, such rules were easily disregarded as it was nearly impossible to differentiate between a 15 and a 16-year-old without identification. The older players (20+) occupied the cabinet that consistently featured the most impressive and cutting-edge games from Japan – the NeoGeo from SNK. Each play cost 5 SEK, and the expenses quickly accumulated. Crowns easily turned into 100 SEK bills within a month. The unique appeal of the NeoGeo was its unparalleled experience and playability, especially at a time when the 16-bit Amiga still held considerable sway, and PCs were just beginning to enter homes with modest 386 or high-end 486 processors at 16/33 MHz. While the Amiga offered numerous arcade conversions of classics such as Double Dragon, Toki, and Golden Axe, the NeoGeo provided the unique opportunity to replicate the complete arcade experience at home. The console sold to consumers was identical to the one found in the arcade cabinets, featuring the exact same games. The price? 6,000 SEK for the console with a controller (a significant sum in 1992!) and an astounding 2,000 SEK each for the games (!!!). However, at the time, it was the definitive way to enjoy the full arcade experience in your living room. We could only dream of having 10,000 SEK to purchase a console and two of our favorite games (although we calculated that the same amount would buy us 200 plays at the arcade…).
Fast forward 20 years. The manufacturer Tommo has created and is selling the NeoGeo X Gold from SNK – a recreation of the NeoGeo AES (as the home version was known) featuring a similar design and appearance, an arcade controller, a portable version of the console (which docks into the base for TV play) and an HDMI connection for straightforward setup and high-quality signal output. Priced at $200 + tax (approximately 1400 SEK at the current exchange rate) in the USA, it includes 20 pre-installed games plus a bonus game on the memory card while the limited Gold version remains available (Ninja Masters, until April 2013). Here is senses.se’s review of the Neo Geo X.
Photo: Tommo
The NeoGeo was marketed as a 24-bit console in the 90s, but it actually utilized a 16-bit Motorola 68000 processor running at 12 MHz, supported by an 8-bit Zilog Z8 processor at 4 MHz. The console was capable of displaying 4096 colors (or more precisely, shades) simultaneously and 380 sprites at once. A notable feature was the Yamaha sound chip with 15 channels, delivering immersive Japanese pop music and classic arcade sound effects such as “yeah!”, “score!” and “hurry up!”. The architecture and the bespoke games provided an unmatched gaming experience at the time, even though the specifications are now comparatively primitive and easily surpassed by any modern smartphone. However, the quality of a console is not solely determined by its technology, chips, and megahertz, but by its games and playability – and the NeoGeo X offers a substantial amount of both.
First and foremost, it is important to state that if you have no affinity for arcade games, Nintendo 8-bit (NES), or retro gaming in general, then the NeoGeo X is likely not for you. If you prioritize cutting-edge graphics, advanced sound design, and complex gameplay, contemporary consoles such as the PlayStation 3 and Wii U offer ample alternatives. The NeoGeo X is designed for individuals with fond memories of, or a strong interest in, simple yet engaging arcade games.
A defining characteristic of arcade games is their fast-paced and concise nature – partially to incentivize players to continue inserting coins, and partially to prevent excessively long queues from forming behind a single player. Many of the NeoGeo X games share similarities in design and gameplay, falling into the Beat’em-up genre (fighting games) which continues to thrive today with titles such as Street Fighter IV, Tekken, and King of Fighters. King of Fighters is an SNK staple and is included here, with similarities to the bonus game Ninja Masters and Samurai Shodown. In addition to beat ’em ups, there are side-scrolling shoot ’em up classics like Metal Slug, arcade sports such as Baseball Stars, League Bowling and Sidekick Soccer, and platformers such as Magician Lord.
Given the inclusion of 21 games in the Gold edition, providing a detailed review of each would be impractical. Instead, here’s a concise overview:
3 Count Bout – A wrestling-themed beat ’em up. Challenging.
Alpha Mission II – A vertically scrolling shoot ’em up (shmup). Possesses old-school charm, but prepare for finger fatigue.
Art of Fighting – A classic arcade beat ’em up. Features large character sprites with a storyline and bonus stages.
Baseball Stars 2 – A favorite from the arcade era. Most enjoyable in two-player mode. Very “arcade-like”.
Cyber Lip – One of the standout games in the collection! A platform action game akin to Contra / Midnight Resistance.
Fatal Fury: King of Fighters – The beat ’em up that established SNK’s prominence. Feels dated and sluggish by today’s standards, but offers a fun retro experience.
Fatal Fury: Special – A special edition of the highly popular beat ’em up. Not as refined as Real Bout, but includes animated backgrounds.
King of the Monsters – Entertaining in its simplicity. A beat ’em up featuring monsters; think Rampage meets wrestling.
Last Resort – An engaging and frantic side-scrolling shmup. Unforgiving; prepare for frequent replays.
League Bowling – Arcade bowling. Easy to pick up and play, reminiscent of Bowling on the Wii (without the motion controls). Features appealing arcade sound effects and animations.
Magician Lord – NeoGeo’s equivalent to Castlevania. A well-executed side-scrolling arcade adventure. Includes a save function.
Metal Slug – A timeless classic and a highlight of the collection. A playable, fun, and varied side-scrolling shooter.
Mutation Nation – An SNK-produced Double Dragon clone. More visually appealing but perhaps not as well-designed. Easy to play with only two buttons.
NAM – 1975 – SNK’s take on the arcade classic Cabal. Fun and challenging, with a compelling story and presentation.
Ninja Masters (Bonus game in Limited edition) – A beat ’em up with weapon-based combat. Good pacing, but most enjoyable in two-player mode.
Puzzled – SNK’s version of Tetris. Essentially Tetris, but with the added challenge of releasing a hot air balloon on each level.
Real Bout – Fatal Fury Special– A beat ’em up. One of the most accessible and fast-paced games in the genre. Developed by SNK, featuring impressive animations and dynamic backgrounds.
Samurai Shodown II – A weapon-based beat ’em up. The more damage you sustain, the faster your special attack meter fills.
Super Sidekicks – Two-button arcade football. Somewhat reminiscent of the first FIFA game released in 1994. A good pre-party game, but it highlights the advancements made in modern titles like FIFA 13.
The King of Fighters 95 – A Street Fighter-esque beat ’em up. Difficult.
World Heroes Perfect – Beat ’em up #744. Features weighty attacks, but slower-paced than titles like Ninja Masters.
Conclusion: The NeoGeo X is an enjoyable and, overall, well-executed product, primarily targeted towards nostalgic gamers and retro enthusiasts. However, many of the classic games are available through emulators and some are sold directly on platforms like PSN/XBLA (although at relatively high prices, around 70-100 SEK each, in our opinion). Therefore, this console is not strictly essential for playing those games. The build quality of the portable console and its 4.3″ screen is commendable, feeling robust. The games are presented well in 480px format, and its dimensions are comparable to an iPhone 5 (although significantly heavier). The remaining components are made of thinner, basic plastic and are primarily for aesthetics and feel. The system functions well overall, and the USB and HDMI connections are seamless (plus points for including an HDMI cable, which should be standard practice). The arcade stick utilizes digital switches and lacks the precision of modern analog sticks (think TAC-2 versus Wico in the Amiga era). However, it is accurate in the games and feels authentic. An additional stick can (and should) be purchased for two-player mode (priced at 50 USD in the USA, so expect around 500 SEK in Europe). Tommo has announced that more NeoGeo games will be released separately on memory cards, but the timeline and pricing remain unclear (it is difficult to predict the customer base; overly expensive games will deter purchases, while excessively cheap games may not be economically viable).
Note that the NeoGeo X is not a genuine Neo Geo console, but an emulator and, therefore, does not support original Neo Geo AES cartridges (the cartridge slot on top is purely decorative).
In Sweden, the NeoGeo X is available through British retailer FunStock, with a price tag of 192 GBP (approximately 1900 SEK) including shipping at the time of writing. This price is somewhat high, particularly given that the console competes with technically superior handhelds like the 3DS and PSVita and home consoles such as the PS3, Wii U, and Xbox 360. However, this is a package that would have cost approximately 50,000 SEK 20 years ago, and which a modern gamer can now own for a fraction of that price. Whether or not you are that gamer is a matter of personal preference. Personally, I am pleased to have it connected to my TV and to relive some classic arcade memories in their purest form, from time to time.
Update 2014: Due to ongoing rights disputes between Tommo and SNK, the future of the NeoGeo X Gold is uncertain. Given the lack of news regarding new releases, this console can likely be considered a collectible item that enjoyed a brief period of popularity. Those who still wish to experience Neo Geo and the golden age of arcade machines can build your own arcade machine with our guide to Retropie.
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