Neo Geo Turns 20: Happy Birthday!
By Jared Newman
Growing up, Neo Geo had a sort of mystical status in my eyes. I’d see those hulking arcade units, each bearing several games I didn’t quite understand — Metal Slug, The Art of Fighting, Aero Fighters 2. They looked amazing, but they kind of seemed like other games — Contra, Street Fighter, 1943 — and there was this home console that was just so unaffordable, it was off the radar as far as schoolyard conversation was concerned. But now the Neo Geo is 20 years old, and I think I’m old enough to appreciate it.
SNK, the maker of Neo Geo, has opened a virtual museum to celebrate the classic system. You can read more about Neo Geo’s history, check out a few advertisements (all in Japanese, though), browse the entire list of Neo Geo releases and even pick up some sweet t-shirts, if you don’t mind paying in yen. TinyCartridge notes that you can celebrate in your own way by picking up some Neo Geo games for the Wii’s Virtual Console or get into the seedy world of Neo Geo emulation on your Nintendo DS. Bonus points if you can find a Neo Geo cabinet in an arcade — or if you can find an arcade, for that matter. [via TinyCartridge]
Tuesday, March 2, 2010 2:53PM
It sure has been a while since I've seen those striking red, "all business" cabinets. They really have the look that "kids need not apply here." maybe: "better have a big allowance" I remember seeing those very rarely in arcades around the northeast united states. To this day, I think of one game; King of the Monsters when I see those units. That had a long run of being my most sought after game.