{"id":2024,"date":"2013-01-30T18:21:41","date_gmt":"2013-01-31T02:21:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/senses-se-review-neogeo-x-bringing-the-90s-arcade-experience-home\/"},"modified":"2025-05-09T19:09:47","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T17:09:47","slug":"senses-se-review-neogeo-x-bringing-the-90s-arcade-experience-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/senses-se-review-neogeo-x-bringing-the-90s-arcade-experience-home\/","title":{"rendered":"senses.se Review: NeoGeo X \u2013 Bringing the 90s Arcade Experience Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

The year was 2003, approximately 20 years ago, and the memory remains vivid.<\/strong> During a break in junior high school<\/strong>, we would sneak off to the local video arcade. I was 15, actually underage<\/strong> according to the regulations which aimed to protect children’s allowances from being devoured by the ever-hungry coin-operated machines. However, such rules were easily disregarded as it was nearly impossible to differentiate between a 15 and a 16-year-old without identification. The older players (20+) occupied the cabinet<\/strong> that consistently featured the most impressive and cutting-edge games from Japan<\/strong> – the NeoGeo<\/em><\/strong> from SNK. Each play cost 5 SEK,<\/strong> and the expenses quickly accumulated. Crowns easily turned into 100 SEK bills within a month. The unique appeal of the NeoGeo<\/strong> was its unparalleled experience and playability<\/strong>, especially at a time when the 16-bit Amiga<\/strong> still held considerable sway<\/strong>, and PCs were just beginning to enter homes with modest 386 or high-end 486 processors at 16\/33 MHz. While the Amiga offered numerous arcade conversions of classics such as Double Dragon, Toki<\/em>, and Golden Axe<\/em>, the NeoGeo<\/strong> provided the unique opportunity to replicate the complete arcade experience at home<\/strong>. The console sold to consumers was identical to the one found in the arcade cabinets, featuring the exact same games. The price? 6,000 SEK for the console with a controller (a significant sum in 1992!)<\/em> and an astounding 2,000 SEK each<\/em> for the games (!!!). However, at the time, it was the definitive way to enjoy the full arcade experience in your living room<\/em>. We could only dream<\/a> of having 10,000 SEK to purchase a console and two of our favorite games (although we calculated that the same amount would buy us 200 plays at the arcade…).<\/em><\/p>\n

Fast forward 20 years<\/strong>. The manufacturer Tommo has created and is selling the NeoGeo X Gold<\/strong><\/em> from SNK – a recreation of the NeoGeo AES (as the home version was known)<\/em> featuring a similar design and appearance, an arcade controller, a portable version of the console (which docks into the base for TV play)<\/em> and an HDMI connection<\/strong> for straightforward setup and high-quality signal output. Priced at $200 + tax (approximately 1400 SEK at the current exchange rate)<\/em> in the USA, it includes 20 pre-installed games plus a bonus game on the memory card while the limited Gold version remains available (Ninja Masters, until April 2013).<\/em> Here is senses.se’s review of the Neo Geo X.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"NeoGeo<\/a>

Photo: Tommo<\/p><\/div>\n

The NeoGeo was marketed as a 24-bit console in the 90s, but it actually utilized a 16-bit Motorola<\/strong> 68000 processor running at 12 MHz, supported by an 8-bit Zilog Z8 processor at 4 MHz. The console was capable of displaying 4096 colors (or more precisely, shades)<\/em> simultaneously and 380 sprites at once<\/strong>. A notable feature was the Yamaha sound chip with 15 channels<\/strong>, delivering immersive Japanese pop music and classic arcade sound effects such as “yeah!”, “score!”<\/em> and “hurry up!”<\/em>. The architecture and the bespoke games provided an unmatched gaming experience<\/strong> at the time, even though the specifications are now comparatively primitive and easily surpassed by any modern smartphone.<\/strong> However, the quality of a console is not solely determined by its technology, chips, and megahertz, but by its games and playability<\/strong> – and the NeoGeo X offers a substantial amount of both.<\/p>\n

\"Promo<\/a><\/p>\n

First and foremost<\/strong>, it is important to state that if you have no affinity for arcade games, Nintendo 8-bit <\/strong>(NES)<\/em>, or retro gaming in general, then the NeoGeo X is likely not for you<\/strong>. If you prioritize cutting-edge graphics, advanced sound design, and complex gameplay, contemporary consoles such as the PlayStation 3 and Wii U offer ample alternatives. The NeoGeo X is designed for individuals with fond memories of, or a strong interest in, simple yet engaging arcade games.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A defining characteristic of arcade games<\/strong> is their fast-paced and concise nature<\/strong> – partially to incentivize players to continue inserting coins, and partially to prevent excessively long queues from forming behind a single player. Many of the NeoGeo X games share similarities in design and gameplay, falling into the Beat’em-up<\/em><\/strong> genre (fighting games)<\/em> which continues to thrive today with titles such as Street Fighter IV, Tekken<\/em>, and King of Fighters<\/em>. King of Fighters<\/em><\/strong> is an SNK staple and is included here, with similarities to the bonus game Ninja Masters<\/em><\/strong> and Samurai Shodown<\/em><\/strong>. In addition to beat ’em ups, there are side-scrolling shoot ’em up classics<\/strong> like Metal Slug<\/em><\/strong>, arcade sports<\/strong> such as Baseball Stars,<\/em> League<\/em> Bowling<\/em><\/strong> and Sidekick Soccer<\/em><\/strong>, and platformers<\/strong> such as Magician Lord<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Given the inclusion of 21 games in the Gold edition<\/strong>, providing a detailed review of each would be impractical. Instead, here’s a concise overview:<\/p>\n

3 Count Bout<\/em><\/strong> – A wrestling-themed beat ’em up. Challenging.<\/p>\n

Alpha Mission II<\/em><\/strong> – A vertically scrolling shoot ’em up (shmup). Possesses old-school charm, but prepare for finger fatigue.<\/p>\n

Art of Fighting<\/em><\/strong> – A classic arcade beat ’em up. Features large character sprites with a storyline and bonus stages.<\/p>\n

Baseball Stars 2<\/em><\/strong> – A favorite from the arcade era. Most enjoyable in two-player mode. Very “arcade-like”.<\/p>\n