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Neo Geo (system)

This article is about the original Neo Geo arcade and console systems. For the Neo Geo brand as a whole, see Neo Geo.
Neo Geo

Neo Geo AES console (top) and 4-slot MVS arcade cabinet (bottom)
ManufacturerSNK Corporation
Product familyNeo Geo
TypeArcade system board
Home video game console
GenerationFourth
Release date
Introductory priceUS$649.99
Discontinued1997[3]
Units sold1.18 million[a]
MediaROM cartridge
CPUMotorola 68000 @ 12MHz, Zilog Z80A @ 4MHz
Memory64KB RAM, 84KB VRAM, 2KB Sound Memory
StorageMemory card
Display320×224 resolution, 3840 on-screen colors out of a palette of 65536
SoundYamaha YM2610
Power8 W older Systems
5 W newer Systems
Dimensions325 × 237 × 60 mm
SuccessorNeo Geo CD
Hyper Neo Geo 64

The Neo Geo (Japanese: ネオジオ, Hepburn: Neojio), stylized as NEO•GEO and also written as NEOGEO, is a ROM cartridge-based video gaming system released on April 26, 1990, by Japanese game company SNK Corporation. Designed as both an arcade system board (Multi Video System; MVS) and home video game console (Advanced Entertainment System; AES), the Neo Geo was marketed as the first 24-bit system; its CPU is actually a 16/32-bit 68000 with an 8-bit Z80 coprocessor, while its GPU chipset has a 24-bit graphics data bus. It was a very powerful system when released, more powerful than any video game console at the time, and many arcade systems such as rival Capcom's CPS, which did not surpass it until the CP System II in 1993.[6] Neo Geo hardware production lasted seven years; it was succeeded by Hyper Neo Geo 64.

The Neo Geo MVS coin-operated arcade machine offers owners the ability to put up to six different cartridges into a single cabinet. This unique feature was a key economic consideration for operators with limited floorspace, as well as saving money long term.[7] The Neo Geo AES was originally released solely as a rental console for video game stores in Japan called the Neo Geo Rental System, with its high manufacturing costs causing SNK not to release it for retail sale. This was later reversed due to high demand and it was released at retail as a luxury console. Adjusted for inflation, it was the most expensive home video game console ever released, costing US$649.99 (equivalent to $1,454 in 2023).[8] The AES had identical hardware to the MVS, allowing home users to play the games exactly as they were in the arcades;[9] however, cartridges are not inter-compatible due to different physical sizes, meaning that software releases differed for the two systems. In 1994, SNK released the Neo Geo CD console which utilizes cheaper compact disc media as opposed to the cartridges used on the AES.

The Neo Geo MVS was a success during the 1990s due to the cabinet's low cost, multiple cartridge slots, and compact size. Several successful video game series were released for the platform, such as Fatal Fury, Art of Fighting, Samurai Shodown, World Heroes, The King of Fighters, Twinkle Star Sprites and Metal Slug; game software production lasted until 2004,[10] making Neo Geo the longest-supported arcade system of all time.[11] The AES had a very niche market in Japan, though sales were very low in the U.S. due to its high price for both the hardware and software, but it has since gained a cult following and is now considered a collectable. Worldwide, one million Neo Geo MVS units have been shipped[b][12] and 980,000 Neo Geo AES and CD units combined.[c][13]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Specification was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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  4. ^ "Hardware Totals". Game Data Library. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  5. ^ "Tokyorama". Consoles + (in French). No. 73. February 1998. pp. 46–7.
  6. ^ "Neo Geo History". Neo Geo, Arcade & Retro Games. Archived from the original on 2012-12-31. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
  7. ^ "SNK Neo-Geo 101: A Beginner's Guide - RetroGaming with Racketboy". 20 May 2011.
  8. ^ Plunkett, Luke (December 17, 2013). "36 Years of Console Prices, Adjusted for Inflation". Kotaku. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  9. ^ Slaven, Andy (2002). Video Game Bible, 1985-2002. Trafford Publishing. pp. 338–. ISBN 978-1-55369-731-2.
  10. ^ Hirohiko Niizumi, [1], GameSpot, July 23, 2004, Accessed June 8, 2008.
  11. ^ "Longest support for an arcade system". Guinness World Records.
  12. ^ "Overseas Readers Column - SNK To Intro "NEO•GEO 64" In Summer". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 539. Amusement Press, Inc. 15 April 1997. p. 22.
  13. ^ "Japon Previews: Tokyorama - Les Ventes De L'année". Consoles + (in French). No. 73. M.E.R.7. February 1998. p. 47.


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