On the Neo Geo CD..before I do something stupid like buy one.

So I was exploring the idea of using my Dreamcast as a Neo Geo CD or at least one of my 3 Dreamcasts as a Neo Geo CD. But apparently Neo4all can't play retail discs? This true? A few old forum posts from Neo-Geo.com and Racketboy say so but that was a few years ago.

So Idea 2...XBOX as a Neo Geo CD. Will a Modded XBOX allow me to use legit Neo Geo CDs?

Idea 3 wait for the CD based Emuboxes.

Idea 4.... Everything is on PS4 already just use that.....(aside from having legit SNK Product)

And Lastly, just spend the money and get a Legit Neo Geo CD and give it it's new home right next to my Saturn, and buy lots of coffee to make between those load times (Which according to Gamesack aren't that bad unless it's Last Blade)

While I'm here, is the Saturn Version of Fatal Fury 3 really THAT bad?

 

I like my NGCD. The load times really aren't the end of the world (except in a couple fighting games as mentioned). Games like Sonic Wings 2 & 3 have loading screens that last like a second once the game is up and running.

Some PS1 games had long loading times too, people don't seem to care so much on that console.

 

As for the Dreamcast, I confirmed you can use retail Neo Geo CD discs if you run Neo4All first, just don't forget to put the BIOS before burning the disc, last year I used to play World Heroes Perfect and King of Fighters 97 without problem.

 

So I'd have to configure the Boot disc with the bios myself if I want to run legit unburnt Neo Geo CD games?

 

Yes, Neo4All will not work witout the Neo Geo CD BIOS. At least that's why I remember searching for the file NEOCD.BIN and looking which directory it should go along with the emulator, that was last year so I can't remember exactly what I did before, only the happy moments with the result.

Trying to remember a little more, I think I used a batch file to create the burnable image with Neo4All and the BIOS. After booting that disc on the Dreamcast I could play the retail games with faster loading times than the original Neo Geo CD console, I also burned a copy of Windjammers and that worked too, but then noticed some elements not appearing like the stages names on the stage select screen, that would have happened even if I used an retail disc, the emulation is pretty good but not perfect, I believe it's more enjoyable than the original console for the loading times, only the Dreamcast controller could use some tweaking to make it more comfortable.

 

Next time I'll try doing the same with a GDEMU, I'm curious to see how the loading screens will last.

 

I looked on the Neo4all website burning Instructions but the site with the directions is "Currently suspended"
There's an Iso on Theisozone but you roll the dice on that site.

 

You can find it here, even the downloads are functional:
http://archives.dcemulation.org/chui.dcemu.co.uk/chui.dcemu.co.uk/neo4all.html

However, the RC-4 only contains the 1st_read.bin, you'll need to get the BIOS and something to build the image from somewhere else. Try the ISO Zone, it might be easier that way, propably the dice will bless you this time.

 

Yeah that's the site with the broken instructions link.

 

Ah, you mean the selfboot inducer download link in the instructions, I found it here:
http://sizious.com/download/dreamcast/#selfboot-inducer

 

Awesome time to Turn my Dreamcast into a Neo Geo CD

 

As an owner of a top loading Neo CD, seriously the loading times are really not all that bad. I've gone through worse on PS1/Saturn/PSP. Why I feel people make such a huge deal over them is 1) they're neo geo fanboys with MVS/AES so of course they will shit on load times, 2) it's the frequency issue in fighters then the actual loading period.

I own a few games that past the initial load there isn't much else to deal with. There are also quite a few games that got smart with data balancing to only load what they need, so not all load delays are the same.

-edit-
Also if you're going to get into a Neo CD (games or system). I would say now is the time as I have seen prices creep up over the past year after I got mine.

 

I think I am just going to get one and be done with it. Games seem to be stable based on videos about the system made in 2015.

 

The load times aren't bad, especially if you're playing with a buddy to shit talk.

Only issue I've had with Neo Geo CD's (only owned top loaders) is that the spindle will loosen and the disc won't read without re-allignment. For my main console I've purchased a replacement spindle unit that works well, but just be aware if it stops reading discs this is probably the issue.

 

I'll keep that in mind if I go that route. The Dreamcast route is a no go, some games I want are listed as having issues.

 

You could just get an MVS and a cheap supergun.

 

I've looked at that option too. The Arranged soundtracks appeal to me and I can get some favorites that aren't on the Dreamcast or Saturn, or have bad saturn ports.

But mostly it's cost. $275 tops and done. Put it right next to my PS4 and done buy some cheap CDs games and make good burns.

That and Ninja Masters is cheaper on Neo CD than even MVS.

 

I might be experiencing this issue but I also think it could just be the grease on my drive is dried up. The reason I think this is because when it gives me issues the most is when I have not used it in a while and after I get it to run and boot a few times all starting issues go away. Also my system I'm pretty sure was NOS (none of the tape had been pulled or removed, including the one across the lid, and everything was unused. plus I got it off yahoo so I might have misted a note that it was NOS).

My only issue is buying becomes more of a hassle since you have to deal with boots and the likes. It's one of the main reasons I picked up a Neo CD over MVS a few years ago. Plus as mention some games are just cheaper on CD even against MVS carts.

 

If you were experiencing this spindle issue it would be a constant issue, not just when it's been unused for a while. I wouldn't try to move the spindle unless you were certain it's the issue.

There's a site in hong kong that sells entirely new drive units minus the laser, might try just replacing the entire thing rather than just greasing it. Can't remember the site name though.

 

You could get an MVS and a supergun for less than that. Maybe $150-170 total.

That is a concern, but it isn't too difficult to tell if a cart is a bootleg or not by looking at the boards. There are websites that have board pictures of most MVS carts, so you just have to compare your cart to the pictures. Sometimes sellers will show pictures of the boards. If you're worried about bootlegs, just make sure that the seller accepts returns - then you can just return it if it's a bootleg, or get reimbursed through PayPal. I have 5 MVS games, most of which I got from eBay, and they're all real, original carts.