NEW NEO GEO PORTABLE

[Estebang]

Turns out that this is real, and Tommo has the U.S. distribution rights. They won't release it in the US if they don't think there's enough interest, so send them an email.

BigBen is handling it for Europe.

[Moniker]

Any word on the romset, hardware or price? If it's cheap, has good microswitch controls, a large library, and is USB-ready, it might just be worth getting. Otherwise...

[Estebang]

SNKP is still staying hush-hush with this, unfortunately. I'd have to say that if it's just a small preloaded romset with no USB/SD card port, it won't be worth bothering with.

Shouldn't be too expensive--knowing Tommo's retail partners, this will probably be sold at Walmart and Toys R Us alongside the Leapfrogs and plug-and-play crap if it makes it here.

[D]

Tommo has U.S. rights, Blazepro has Asian rights, and BigBen has European rights. Its expected for a late March/Early April release

If someone sees it in the wild, please report back here

[scrilla4rella]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-57398 ... ack-in-q2/

Here's a article on Cnet confirming its existence. I hope this gets a broad release, is reasonably priced, and eventually has Pulstar and Blazing Star on it.

[Estebang]

Some more solid info on the Neo Geo X.

The preloaded games are the usual old fare SNKP keeps trotting out for these rereleases, but! SD CARD SLOT (and A/V output) CONFIRMED. It'll be out sometime in Q2, with no confirmed price yet. So far it's just going to be a UK thing. Not a fan of the A + B buttons being on the top of the cross, though.

Also, it looks like the UK is getting a rebranded Dingoo from the same distributor. I hope Blaze isn't actually handling the design of either of these devices, because they apparently have a reputation for making some real shoddy crap. I also hope they don't have the exact same guts--ideally, the NGX wouldn't even use emulation. The presence of shoulder buttons on the NGX seems to suggest it'll just play whatever. And the stick better have microswitches.

Here's a site to "Register Your Interest."

[Skykid]

Blaze's Megadrive handheld also contains an SD slot in which you can load whatever roms you like. It's not a bad package but the button layout is ridiculous and the sound emulation is completely screwed. It's a shame, because it's a cost effective device with plenty of potential.

[Jeneki]

Any videos or pics if this actually being played? I'm curious if they're really going to stretch everything to widescreen.

[cools]

Blaze's Megadrive handheld also contains an SD slot in which you can load whatever roms you like. It's not a bad package but the button layout is ridiculous and the sound emulation is completely screwed. It's a shame, because it's a cost effective device with plenty of potential.

Do you have one? I've got one of the SMS ones and the screen is TERRIBLE.

[Estebang]

This was announced on a Japanese site first, right?

I guess we have to hope that SNKP are the ones actually designing this thing, and Blaze are just manufacturing/distributing. I'll certainly wait for impressions before I consider getting one.

Found a video of that GameGadget, which confirms that it is in fact a Dingoo (same menu design).

[Skykid]

Blaze's Megadrive handheld also contains an SD slot in which you can load whatever roms you like. It's not a bad package but the button layout is ridiculous and the sound emulation is completely screwed. It's a shame, because it's a cost effective device with plenty of potential.

Do you have one? I've got one of the SMS ones and the screen is TERRIBLE.

No I was put off by the sound problem in all the youtube reviews, it's really poor. Otherwise I would have dealt with the buttons.

Such a pain in the ass they get 80% right and fuck the rest up.

[Stealthlurker]

This was announced on a Japanese site first, right?

I guess we have to hope that SNKP are the ones actually designing this thing, and Blaze are just manufacturing/distributing. I'll certainly wait for impressions before I consider getting one.

Found a video of that GameGadget, which confirms that it is in fact a Dingoo (same menu design).

The GameGadget is a different device. I've been watching this one for a while also here and there. It seems to be a European based stab on the portable emulation boom. The NeoGeoX may turn out be a Dingoo clone, but we can't be sure yet.


.

[E. Randy Dupre]

Other way around. The GameGadget is the Dingoo clone, as it's a multi-emulation device. It also shares some major design sensibilities with the Dingoo.

I can't see much point in either. Blaze haven't exactly built themselves a shining reputation with their previous handhelds - it's not just the sound issues, you can find a significant number of people complaining about them kicking the bucket outright - and you know for a fact that the options on these things are going to be bare minimum.

The games line-up for the NeoGeo device is the same limited, basic batch that SNK have been pushing for an age on other machines. When you take into account the deathly pace with which they've supported their emulated re-releases on the PS3, after the (relatively) big hoo-hah of the initial batch, I wouldn't have any faith in this new handheld seeing any further games made available for it until months down the line, if at all. And as Blaze are guaranteed to lock the hardware down, you're not even going to have the option of playing homebrew during the wait for new content.

[Skykid]

And as Blaze are guaranteed to lock the hardware down, you're not even going to have the option of playing homebrew during the wait for new content.

They didn't lock it with the MD one, you can access roms via SD slot out of the box (or so I understand.)

[Estebang]

Yeah, and I don't think the GameGadget is locked down either, since they're advertising its ability to play "over 100,000 games."

I have some faith that Blaze is aware of the exacting standards of the Neo fan community (Guys on Neo-Geo.com talk about those carts like original comic art) and will deliver a higher quality piece of hardware than usual. SNKP is also somewhat less willing to whore out their old games than Sega. Well, the Sega Ages collections are pretty luxurious at least.

[Estebang]

And there goes any hope of Blaze selling more than five of these things.

[Sandlegs]

£500?! Someone must have covered their eyes and punched some numbers on a calculator.

[Vexorg]

£500?! Someone must have covered their eyes and punched some numbers on a calculator.

Somehow I suspect that's how much they have to charge in order to be able to afford whatever it is they're smoking over there...

[Skykid]

There's no way on earth it will retail for that price. Don't believe the hype, the future was then.

[Marc]

Already confirmed as completely incorrect according to Eurogamer. If it isn't locked down, I'd pony up £100 depending on the screen quality. If it is, then I'm off to Game for a pre-owned PSP.

[idchappy]

I'm quite looking forward to this

[Krimzon Kitzune]

If the games are accurately emulated, I'll totally get one. Portable Magician Lord? OH YEAH.

[Casey120]

Already confirmed as completely incorrect according to Eurogamer. If it isn't locked down, I'd pony up £100 depending on the screen quality. If it is, then I'm off to Game for a pre-owned PSP.

Blaze confirms £500 price tag for NeoGeo X , it's Eurogamer that spreads incorrect info !

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/blaze-co ... o-x/092841

So they are still smoking pot .

[Estebang]

At that price, it sure better have:

- A stick equal or better than the NGPC stick, with microswitches
- No DRM requirements
- Configurable controls, customizable shoulder button macros, no multi-input issues like the Dingoo has
- No screen tearing with no input lag
- Hardware that allows it to play every MVS and AES rom in 100% accuracy without emulation (this is the trickiest part)
- OLED screen
- Component video out
- USB port for external controllers, compatible with USB hubs for multiplayer
- Solid as hell build quality
- Battery life of at least 7 hours
- Support for Neo CD disc images (there were some exclusives, like Crossed Swords 2 and Zintrick) and excellent NGPC emulation

If it could live up to all of these things, I would seriously consider splurging on one. But it won't. It just won't.

[gameoverDude]

Already confirmed as completely incorrect according to Eurogamer. If it isn't locked down, I'd pony up £100 depending on the screen quality. If it is, then I'm off to Game for a pre-owned PSP.

Blaze confirms £500 price tag for NeoGeo X , it's Eurogamer that spreads incorrect info !

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/blaze-co ... o-x/092841

So they are still smoking pot .

It may be crack. $800 for that thing- Sure someone along the chain didn't mistakenly type in an extra zero?
For that price, it better contain EVERY existing Neo game- right down to licensing Fast Striker and Gun Lord from NG:Dev. If it costs 50 quid or $80, fine.

I have doubt that NGX will cost more than $150. It shouldn't be priced to make the PSVita look like a bargain. $150 is a tad too close to 3DS.
If there's component video out, it needs a scanline option (like Shock Troopers on PS3 and I assume other NG ports done by M2).

[E. Randy Dupre]

At that price, it sure better have:

- A stick equal or better than the NGPC stick, with microswitches
- No DRM requirements
- Configurable controls, customizable shoulder button macros, no multi-input issues like the Dingoo has
- No screen tearing with no input lag
- Hardware that allows it to play every MVS and AES rom in 100% accuracy without emulation (this is the trickiest part)
- OLED screen
- Component video out
- USB port for external controllers, compatible with USB hubs for multiplayer
- Solid as hell build quality
- Battery life of at least 7 hours
- Support for Neo CD disc images (there were some exclusives, like Crossed Swords 2 and Zintrick) and excellent NGPC emulation

You forgot one:

- The ability to shit gold bars on demand.

Seriously, there's no way in hell that this can possibly be £500. The only people who'd buy it at that price are the insane, the stupid or the disgustingly rich. At a guess, what's happened here is the MCV writer fucked up his original story and, having already had to correct two errors after it went online, is trying to pretend that the price he quoted wasn't a third cock-up. Notice that he doesn't include any actual quote from Blaze confirming the potential price point, he just claims that he's been told it's true.

Of course, the alternative is that Blaze *have* confirmed it, because it's free publicity. The original story was that the unit could cost anything "up to" £500, so it's not factually incorrect, unless it comes in at £501 or above. The name NeoGeo doesn't have the massmarket appeal or recognition that Megadrive does, so they've got to try and do something to make people more aware of it.

[Ed Oscuro]

insane,

Probably would go into spasms at the mere sight of the Apple-like shiny surface, possibly even before noticing this monstrosity's four-button diamond pad and widescreen aspect

the stupid

Don't know about the Neo Geo.

the disgustingly rich.

Can go to Ben Heck Forums and commission one using a real system

At a guess, what's happened here is the MCV writer fucked up his original story and, having already had to correct two errors after it went online, is trying to pretend that the price he quoted wasn't a third cock-up.

I'm with you there; however, I challenge you to look up some prices for the Sigma SD-1 (and the Merrill branded version). Originally sold (to maybe 50 people worldwide) at roughly $6500, now down to $2299; both prices are seen side-by-side in Google Shopping results. For months people were (naturally) completely bug-eyed at the price, and couldn't believe it wasn't misreported.

The hilarious thing, and perhaps eerie for this discussion, is that manufacturer Sigma is well-known as a value manufacturer.

[Blade]

Grrr...when is NeoGeoStation gonna release another title?!?

I want my Samurai Spirits and Last Blade games on PS3 NAO!!

[gameoverDude]

It's a crime that Top Hunter isn't in the list of NGX games. And where in the hell is a PS3 version?

[Super Laydock]

Portable Magician Lord? FUCK YEAH.

Even getting it for free on PS3 didn't make me appreciate this game.
I can't even begin to imagine paying for any hardware to play this junk.

It's a bad joke and an insult if the price is over $100