 | |
 The top loading Neo Geo CD system with controller | |
| Manufacturer | SNK |
|---|---|
| Type | Home video game console |
| Generation | Fourth |
| Release date | |
| Introductory price | |
| Discontinued | 1997 |
| Media | CD-ROM |
| CPU | Motorola 68000 @ 12 MHz |
| Predecessor | Neo Geo AES |
TheNeo Geo CD (ネオジオCD,Neo Jio Shī Dī) is ahome video game console produced bySNK Corporation, released on September 9, 1994. The system is the same platform as the cartridge-basedNeo Geo released four years earlier, but converted to the cheaperCD media format which retailed at$49 to 79 per title compared to over $200 for the equivalent cartridge.[1]
The Neo Geo CD was launched with a bundledcontrol pad instead of a joystick like the AES version of the Neo Geo came with; however, the system was compatible with controllers from the AES. The Neo Geo CD had met with limited success due to it being plagued with slow loading times that could vary from 30 to 60 seconds between loads, depending on the game. As of September 30, 1997, there had been 570,000 Neo Geo CD units sold worldwide;[2] production of all Neo Geo hardware was discontinued in 1997, while new software continued to be released until 2004.
The Neo Geo CD was first unveiled at the 1994 Tokyo Toy Show.[3] The console uses the sameCPU set-up as the arcade and cartridge-based Neo Geo systems, facilitating conversions. SNK planned to release Neo Geo CD versions of every Neo Geo game still in the arcades.[4]
Three versions of the Neo Geo CD were released:
The front loader is the original console design, while the top loader version was developed shortly before the Neo Geo CD launch as a smaller, cheaper alternative model.[5]
All three versions of the system have noregion lock, but they are region aware, and some games will display English or Japanese depending on the console's region setting. The system can also playAudio CDs.
The system itself was originally priced atUS$399.[6] Approximately one month after launch, SNK reported that they had sold the Neo Geo CD's entire initial shipment of 50,000 units.[7]
Criticism of the system's generally long loading times began even before launch; a report inElectronic Gaming Monthly on the Neo Geo CD's unveiling noted, "At the show, they were showing a demo ofFatal Fury 2. The prototype of the machine that they showed was single speed, and the load time was 14-28 seconds between rounds. You can see that thescreen[shot] on the right is a load screen."[3]
In response to criticism of the Neo Geo CD's long load times, SNK planned to produce a model with a double speed CD-ROM drive for North America, compared to the single speed drive of the Japanese and European models.[1] However, the system missed its planned North American launch date of October 1995, and while SNK declined to give a specific reason for the delay,[8] in their announcement of the new January 1996 launch date they stated that they had decided against using a double speed drive.[9] Their Japanese division had produced an excess number of single speed units and found that modifying these units to double speed was more expensive than they had initially thought, so SNK opted to sell them as they were, postponing production of a double speed model until they had sold off the stock of single speed units.[10]
The CDZ was released on December 29, 1995[11][12] as the Japanese market replacement forSNK's previous efforts (the"front loader" and the"top loader").
The CDZ was only officially sold in Japan during its production; however, its faster loading times made it a desirable import for enthusiasts in both Europe and North America.[citation needed] The system's technical specs are identical to the previous models except that it includes a double-speed CD-ROM drive,[13][14] and different CD controller circuitry.[15]
Reviewing the Neo Geo CD in late 1995,Next Generation noted SNK's reputation for fun games but argued that their failure to upgrade the Neo Geo system with 3D capabilities would keep them from producing any truly "cutting edge" games, and limit the console to the same small cult following as the Neo Geo AES system although with less expensive games. They gave it 1 1/2 out of 5 stars.[16]
In response to reader inquiries about Neo Geo CD software,GamePro reported in an issuecover dated May 1997 that SNK had quietly discontinued the console by this time.[17] It was also the last home console produced by SNK.
The system is also capable of readingRedbook standard compact disc audio.
In addition to the multi-AV port (nearly identical to the one used on theSega Genesis model 1, though they are not interchangeable), all Neo Geo CD models had composite RCA A/V and S-Video out jacks on the rear of the console.
The CD system's 56 Mbit / 7MB of RAM[1] was split accordingly:
While the Neo Geo CD library consists primarily of ports ofMVS and AES titles, there are a few MVS arcade games which were not officially released for the Neo Geo AES and ported instead to the Neo Geo CD. These includePuzzle Bobble,Janshin Densetsu: Quest of Jongmaster (aMahjong game also released for thePC Engine),Power Spikes II,Neo Drift Out: New Technology, andPleasure Goal: 5 on 5 Mini Soccer (Futsal: 5-on-5 Mini Soccer).
A few games which were unreleased in MVS and AES formats were also released exclusively for the Neo Geo CD. These includeIronclad: Tesshō Rusha (Chōtetsu Burikingā,BRIKIN'GER),Crossed Swords II,ZinTrick (Oshidashi Zintorikku),ADK World,Neo Geo CD Special,The King of Fighters '96 Neo Collection,Samurai Shodown RPG (Shinsetsu Samurai Spirits: Bushidō Retsuden; anRPG spin-off of theSamurai Shodown series that was also released for theSony PlayStation andSega Saturn), andIdol-Mahjong Final Romance 2 (anarcade game which is not an MVS game, but was ported directly to the Neo Geo CD).
Two prototype games were in development:Bang² Busters [Bang Bang Busters] (Made byVisco in 2000. Released in 2010 for Neo Geo CD byN.C.I.) andTreasure of the Caribbean [Caribe no Zaihō] (Made byFace in 1994. Released in 2011 for Neo Geo CD by N.C.I./Le Cortex).