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.