Neo Geo Terra Onion Question

[teerazzler]

I am completely new to the Neo Geo game and going the flashcart route because there is just no way I am ever going to afford the actual games. It's just realistically never going to happen unless I win the lottery lol. Is the Neo Geo AES or consolized MVS a better option to use Terra Onion's NeoSD PRO AES/or PRO MVS with? Should I get the AES console or consolized MVS, which specific AES serial numbers are the best, and which Terra Onion Neo Geo flash cart should I get specifically? Or should I get something else that I am unaware of to be able to play every single game on real hardware? I saw a Game Sack video where he mentions the AES console is unreliable, but didn’t explain why which left me wondering what the "best" route is to go since I would be spending about $700-800 to get a Neo Geo console + Terra onion flash cart + scart cable. My current setup is 11 consoles using scart running through 2 daisy chained gscarts, and going into a PVM 20M2U, I am looking for the best picture quality so any info depending on what's better on what to do with either the AES or MVS would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[Fudoh]

If you've not yet started any NG collection and don't intend to buy any carts, there's HARDLY any reason to buy a Neo Geo at all these days. You will end up with $700-1200 for a consolized MVS (or AES) plus Flash Cart any way you look at it, while a $200 MiSTer setup will deliver exactly the same (plus a lot more).

[Bassa-Bassa]

I don't own a MiSTer (yet), but supposedly the NG core still has issues with certain games. Though I guess it's likely that it'll get a 100% compatibility soon enough (not sure what's preventing it from getting there?) I agree that there's no point these days to buy an AES (not-too-good video output) or even a consolized MVS if you'll be taking the virtual ROMs route when there's Groovymame.

[it290]

I own a consolized MVS and a MiSTer. I never use the MVS anymore, even though I have a bunch of original carts. I haven't really noticed any issues other than super minor visual glitches on the MiSTer core, and most/all of those have been fixed from what I can tell. I agree with Fudoh.

Whatever you do, though, _do not_ purchase one of those 151-in-1 carts. Damn thing fried my MVS power supply and I had to replace it.

[Gunstar]

I have an AES and have been thinking of getting a flashcart for a while but the MiSTer has pushed that idea back, I might still get one eventually but right now I'm pretty happy gaming on the Neo Geo core. If you have to go real hardware and a flashcart I'd say AES from a purely aesthetic point of view.
Stock RGB ratings from JammanationX

nfggames also has a guide with a serial number breakdown here.

[teerazzler]

If you've not yet started any NG collection and don't intend to buy any carts, there's HARDLY any reason to buy a Neo Geo at all these days. You will end up with $700-1200 for a consolized MVS (or AES) plus Flash Cart any way you look at it, while a $200 MiSTer setup will deliver exactly the same (plus a lot more).

Awesome! Thank you all for the information. Since I am super new to anything Neo Geo, could you please explain what the Mister is? I web searched and it’s very confusing to me. Is it a console itself? Do I need to get an AES and insert the Mister into it? Is it a memory card? I am so baffled as to what the best option is here. Also keep in mind I am using gscarts, I don’t want to fry it out as I have read that using a consolized MVS will blow up a gscart so I would like to avoid that if the Mister will destroy the gscart as well. Also I am a purist and want to play on real deal hardware, so if the Mister is not playing on real hardware I would prefer the flash cart route.

[Overkill]

Search on Google for MiSTer FPGA and you'll get a lot of quick info. RetroRGB site can be a good starting point. You can buy one pre-built or build yourself only with your present needs.

For the NeoGeo core, better to grab the 128mb ram, to be able to play all the library and be future proof.

[teerazzler]

Well as I previously mentioned, I would like to play on real hardware and plug in to my gscart. After reading about the Mister on retrorgb it looks like it is emulation and not real hardware, and the scart cables look hard to come by and I fear it might nuke my gscart.

It looks like the best route for me is to get an AES with the Terra Onion flash cart. It's pricey, sure, but I am cool with splurging on this since I have always wanted this since my cousin got an AES in the early 90's.

[Fudoh]

If you decide against a MiSter setup (which is FPGA like the Analogue SNES and Genesis machines, not software emulation), there's nothing wrong with going with an AES. It's a beautiful machine, very durable. The only downside is that the TO NeoSD Pro currently isn't available for the AES.

[teerazzler]

If you decide against a MiSter setup (which is FPGA like the Analogue SNES and Genesis machines, not software emulation), there's nothing wrong with going with an AES. It's a beautiful machine, very durable. The only downside is that the TO NeoSD Pro currently isn't available for the AES.

Oh weird, I thought the pro just came out? Or is it just the pro for the MVS? What is the potential benefits of having the pro (MVS or AES if it’s out, could have sworn I saw it on the Game Sack video) or waiting out for the pro for the AES?

[Fudoh]

The MVS one just came out (and is now sold out as well).

AES has a refresh rate which is a little more compatible than that of the MVS.

[Bassa-Bassa]

AES has a refresh rate which is a little more compatible than that of the MVS.

Now you mention it, I remember reading that MiSter's NG core only output at AES refresh rate without the possibility to revert it back to the original MVS's refresh? Is that true?


As I mentioned, I have no experience with the MiSTer, but I've had a Neogeo console for many years - "software emulation" can be as good as the real thing if properly done (namely a good Groovymame setup). In particular with the Neogeo, if anything, you'll only find minute differences in very few games due to some features not being properly implemented. The MiSTer has the advantage of not requiring too much technicalities to get it working, but this generalized frame of mind developed recently that FPGA solutions are inherently better or different to traditional emulation is just wrong (low-end Linux/Android-based systems are generally crap, so those aren't included in my rant.)

[Josh128]

I am completely new to the Neo Geo game and going the flashcart route because there is just no way I am ever going to afford the actual games. It's just realistically never going to happen unless I win the lottery lol. Is the Neo Geo AES or consolized MVS a better option to use Terra Onion's NeoSD PRO AES/or PRO MVS with? Should I get the AES console or consolized MVS, which specific AES serial numbers are the best, and which Terra Onion Neo Geo flash cart should I get specifically? Or should I get something else that I am unaware of to be able to play every single game on real hardware? I saw a Game Sack video where he mentions the AES console is unreliable, but didn’t explain why which left me wondering what the "best" route is to go since I would be spending about $700-800 to get a Neo Geo console + Terra onion flash cart + scart cable. My current setup is 11 consoles using scart running through 2 daisy chained gscarts, and going into a PVM 20M2U, I am looking for the best picture quality so any info depending on what's better on what to do with either the AES or MVS would be much appreciated. Thanks!

I can sell you a cool consolized MVS for $275. The terraonion stuff is great, but expensive. A 161 in 1 cart costs $70 and has almost everything you need on it, and no boot times.

[teerazzler]

I can sell you a cool consolized MVS for $275. The terraonion stuff is great, but expensive. A 161 in 1 cart costs $70 and has almost everything you need on it, and no boot times.

I appreciate the offer, but I am going to go the AES route and get the Terra Onion flash cart. I have been informed a couple times to absolutely stay away from the 161 in 1 carts, and I am looking to play on real hardware anyways.

[Josh128]

I can sell you a cool consolized MVS for $275. The terraonion stuff is great, but expensive. A 161 in 1 cart costs $70 and has almost everything you need on it, and no boot times.

I appreciate the offer, but I am going to go the AES route and get the Terra Onion flash cart. I have been informed a couple times to absolutely stay away from the 161 in 1 carts, and I am looking to play on real hardware anyways.

A consolized MVS is real hardware. Most MVS units you buy (mine included) will have RGB and/or component out, far superior to the composite of the AES, so you will have to mod the AES to get the same picture you get on real Neo Geo arcades.

I understand people are weird about the multicarts, but I have both a NeoSD for MVS and a 161 in 1, and I go to the 161 in 1 more often because of zero boot times. I think the caution is overblown as mine works fine and I havent experienced any weirdness with it vs the NeoSD.

[war3zlod3r]

I can sell you a cool consolized MVS for $275. The terraonion stuff is great, but expensive. A 161 in 1 cart costs $70 and has almost everything you need on it, and no boot times.

I'm interested if the offer is still out there