The Neo Geo CD (ネオジオCD, Neo Jio Shī Dī) is a home video game console made by SNK Corporation. It was released on September 9, 1994. This system is based on the same platform as the earlier Neo Geo, which used cartridges. However, the Neo Geo CD uses CD media instead, which was less expensive. Games for the Neo Geo CD cost between $49 and $79, while similar games for the cartridge version could cost up to $300.
The Neo Geo CD came with a bundled control pad, unlike the earlier Neo Geo AES version, which used a joystick. However, the CD system could still use controllers from the AES version. The Neo Geo CD had limited success because it had long loading times, which could take 30 to 60 seconds depending on the game. It also lacked 3D graphics, which were becoming common in video games at that time.
By September 30, 1997, 570,000 Neo Geo CD units had been sold worldwide. Production of all Neo Geo hardware ended in 1997, but new software for the system was still released until 2004.
History
The Neo Geo CD was first introduced at the 1994 Tokyo Toy Show. The console uses the same central processing unit (CPU) setup as the arcade and cartridge-based Neo Geo systems, which made it easier to convert games for the new platform. SNK planned to release Neo Geo CD versions of every Neo Geo game that was still available in arcades at the time.
The system was originally priced at US$399.
Because of complaints about the Neo Geo CD's long loading times, SNK planned to create a version with a faster CD-ROM drive for North America. This model would have a double-speed drive, compared to the single-speed drive used in Japanese and European models. However, the system did not launch in North America as planned in October 1995. SNK did not provide a specific reason for the delay, but in their announcement of a new launch date in January 1996, they said they had decided not to use the double-speed drive. Their Japanese team had produced too many single-speed units, and changing them to double speed would have cost more than expected. Instead, SNK sold the single-speed units as they were and delayed making the double-speed model until the existing stock was sold.
In response to questions about Neo Geo CD software, GamePro reported in a May 1997 issue that SNK had stopped selling the console by this time.
Reception
Before the Neo Geo CD was released, people began criticizing how long it took to load games. A report in Electronic Gaming Monthly described a demonstration of the game Fatal Fury 2 at an event. The early model of the system shown at the event had slower speed, and it took 14 to 28 seconds to load between rounds. A picture of the loading screen is shown on the right.
About one month after the Neo Geo CD was released, SNK announced that they had sold all 50,000 units in the first batch.
In late 1995, a review in Next Generation noted that SNK was known for creating fun games. However, the review pointed out that SNK did not update the Neo Geo system to include 3D technology, which limited the console’s ability to create very advanced games. Because of this, the console remained popular only with a small group of fans, similar to the earlier Neo Geo AES system. The review gave the Neo Geo CD a score of 1 and a half out of 5 stars.
Hardware
- Main Processor: The Motorola 68000, which runs at 12 million cycles per second. Although the original CPU was designed by Motorola, many of the 68000 CPUs in Neo Geo hardware are made by other companies. The most common CPU is the TMP68HC000, produced by Toshiba.
- Coprocessor: The Zilog Z80, which runs at 4 million cycles per second.
- Colors on screen: 4,096
- Colors available: 65,536
- Resolution: 304 x 224 pixels
- Max sprites: 384
- Max sprite size: 16 x 512 pixels
- Number of planes: 3 (128 sprites per plane, as the Neo Geo does not use tiles for its planes, unlike most game systems at the time).
The system can also read Redbook standard audio CDs.
In addition to the multi-AV port (similar to the one used on the Sega Genesis model 1, though not interchangeable), all Neo Geo CD models had composite RCA A/V and S-Video output jacks on the back of the console.
The CD system’s 56 Mbit / 7 MB of RAM was divided as follows:
• 68000 program memory: 2 MB
• Fix layer memory: 128 KB
• Graphics memory: 4 MB
• Sound sample memory: 1 MB
• Z80 program memory: 64 KB
• VRAM: 512 KB (for graphics attributes)
• SRAM: 2 KB (for high scores and general save data)
Three versions of the Neo Geo CD were released:
1. A front-loading version, only sold in Japan, with 25,000 units produced.
2. A top-loading version, sold worldwide, and the most common model.
3. The Neo Geo CDZ, an improved, faster-loading version, released only in Japan.
The front-loading model was the original design, while the top-loading model was created shortly before the Neo Geo CD’s release as a smaller, more affordable option.
The CDZ was released on December 29, 1995, to replace the top-loading unit in Japan. Its technical specifications match the previous models, except it includes a double-speed CD-ROM drive and different CD controller circuitry.
All three versions of the system have no region lock, but they can recognize regions. Some games will display English or Japanese text based on the console’s region settings. The system can also play Audio CDs.
Software
The Neo Geo CD game collection mostly includes versions of games originally made for the MVS and AES systems. However, a few MVS arcade games were not officially released for the Neo Geo AES and were instead made for the Neo Geo CD. These games include Puzzle Bobble, Janshin Densetsu: Quest of Jongmaster (a Mahjong game also available for the PC Engine), Power Spikes II, Neo Drift Out: New Technology, and Pleasure Goal: 5 on 5 Mini Soccer (also known as Futsal: 5-on-5 Mini Soccer).
Some games were never released for the MVS or AES systems and were only made for the Neo Geo CD. These include Ironclad: Tesshō Rusha (also called Chōtetsu Burikingā or BRIKIN'GER), Crossed Swords II, ZinTrick (also called Oshidashi Zintorikku), ADK World, Neo Geo CD Special, The King of Fighters '96 Neo Collection, Samurai Shodown RPG (also called Shinsetsu Samurai Spirits: Bushidō Retsuden; an RPG based on the Samurai Shodown series, also released for the Sony PlayStation and Sega Saturn), and Idol-Mahjong Final Romance 2 (an arcade game not originally made for MVS, but directly ported to the Neo Geo CD).
Two games were in development as prototypes: Bang² Busters (also called Bang Bang Busters), developed by Visco in 2000 and released for Neo Geo CD by N.C.I. in 2010, and Treasure of the Caribbean (also called Caribe no Zaihō), developed by Face in 1994 and released for Neo Geo CD by N.C.I./Le Cortex in 2011.