Neo Geo and variants

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SNK Neo Geo
Neo Geo full on.png
Neo-Geo-AES-Console-Set.png
Neo Geo CD.png
Top: The Neo Geo MVS.
Middle: The Neo Geo AES.
Bottom: The Neo Geo CD.
Developer SNK
Type Home video game console, arcade system board
Generation Fourth generation
Release date 1990 (Neo Geo Multi Video System, Neo Geo Rental System)
1991 (Neo Geo Advanced Entertainment System)
1994 (Neo Geo CD)
1997 (Hyper Neo Geo 64)
Discontinued 2004 (Neo Geo Multi Video System)
1999 (Hyper Neo Geo 64, Neo Geo CD)
Successor Hyper Neo Geo 64, Neo Geo CD
Emulated

The Neo Geo MVS (Multi Video System) arcade system was first released by SNK Corporation on January 1990 in Japan and on August 22, 1990 in NA. The Neo Geo AES (Advanced Entertainment System) home console was released on July 1, 1991. MVS and AES are technically the same systems, but their cartridges are not compatible with each other due to a different layout. The AES was retailed for $649.99. It had a Motorola 68000 at 12MHz and a Zilog Z80A at 4MHz with 64KB RAM and 84KB VRAM.

Neo Geo CD (NG-CD) was the CD version of the AES (not compatible with the game cartridges) released in January of '96 and $399. It had a Motorola 68000 CPU at 12 MHz with another CPU that being a Zilog Z80 at 4 MHz. It had 7MB of RAM.

Hyper Neo-Geo 64 (HNG-64) was the successor to the Neo-Geo with 3D graphics, there was no home console release. It was released in September of 1997 and had an NEC VR4300 at 100 MHz with 16MiB of RAM.

When emulating Neo-Geo games with RetroArch, the Neo-Geo BIOS files need to be in the game directory.

Emulators[edit]

Name Platform(s) Latest Version NG NG-CD HNG-64 Enhancements FLOSS Active Recommended
PC / x86
MAME Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD git artifacts[N 1]
0.263
libretro core[N 2]
~* ~
FinalBurn Neo Windows Linux macOS libretro core
nightly
stable
~ ~ NC
RAINE Windows Linux macOS 0.96.7 ~ ~
NeoCD
neocd_libretro
Windows Linux macOS libretro core ~ ~
ares Windows Linux macOS v136 ~ ~
FinalBurn Alpha Windows 0.2.97.43 ? NC
Xe Windows Linux 2.16.2 ?
Kawaks Windows 1.65 ?
GnGeo Linux git ?
NeoRAGEx Windows 5.4e ?
Nebula Windows 2.25b ?
Geolith Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD 0.2.1 ? TBD
Mobile / ARM
FinalBurn Neo Android iOS libretro core ~ NC
MAME Android iOS libretro core[N 3] ~* ~ ~
NeoCD
(neocd_libretro)
Android iOS libretro core ~ ~
NEO.emu Android 1.5.73git ? ~
FinalBurn Alpha Android iOS libretro core ? NC
Consoles
NJ-EMU PSP git ?
Virtual Console Wii N/A ?
AES4ALL Dreamcast Dingoo Beta 4 ? ~
GxGeo Wii r23 ?
NEO4ALL Dreamcast Dingoo RC4 ? ~
  1. CI-Windows CI-Linux CI-Macos
  2. As 0.251, 0.139 (2010), 0.78 (2003), 0.37b5 (2000)
  3. As "mamearcade_libretro and mame_libretro_ios.dylib", 0.139 (2010), 0.78 (2003), 0.37b5 (2000)

Comparisons[edit]

NeoCD (neocd_libretro)
NeoCD is a S(ingle) A(rcade) M(achine) E(mulator) for libretro, just like Same CDi (same_cdi_libretro) forked from MAME libretro, which is in turn a fork of MAME. It includes only the Neo Geo CD driver, and simplifies the loading of CD content to provide a 'plug and play' experience.
ares
Neo Geo emulation has undergone the most dramatic improvement out of any core with v132 version release; with a significant portion of the library jumping from "Nothing" state to "Completable".

Enhancements[edit]

Name MAME FinalBurn Neo Ares RAINE NeoCD_libretro
Graphics Resizable Internal Resolution ? ? ? ? ?
Sprite Replacement ? ? ? ? ?
Widescreen hack ? ? ? ? ?
Performance Internal Framerate Hack ? ? ? ? ?
Overclock ? ? ? ? ?
Frame generation technologies
(LSFG, DLSS-G, ExtraSS and AFMF)
Implementing frame generation technology in an emulator is unfortunately quite challenging and unlikely to be feasible in the near future, however post-processing techniques such as motion interpolation is quite possible. Input latency will be a crucial factor, but its impact likely varies depending on the specific technique employed, it's recommended to use after applying the "Internal Framerate Hack".
While AFMF or LSFG can be used with MAME, please be aware that some visual glitches and artifacts may occur at this time.
Post-Processing Filters ? ?
AI-powered filter compatible
(Freestyle)
? ? ? ? ?
Shader Chain ~[N2 1] * ?
Inverse tone mapping compatible ? ? ? ? *
TAS features Macros/Scripts/Lua ? ? ? ? ?
Rewind ? ? ? ? ?
Fast-Forward/Turbo Speed ? ? ? ? ?
Savestates ? ? ? ? ?
Movie recording/playback ? ? ? ? ?
Controls Input lag-mitigating technique * ? ? ? ?
Quality of life Built-in Graphics mod editor/manager
Built-in Cheat Manager ? ? ?
Built-in Custom resolution/CRTSwitchRes
For using this on Windows OS you need CRT Emudriver.
Another option is using EDID editor tool such as "Custom Resolution Utility".
Exclusive to libretro cores and GroovyMAME at the moment.
Also there is a project for achieving software emulators like libretro cores and GroovyMAME send the raw RGB data over a network to a core running on MiSTer, it basically turns the MiSTer into a GPU for the emulator allowing for easy setup and use with CRT TVs/Arcade monitors.
Streamable compression format ? ? ?
Per-Game Profiles ? ? ?
Command Line Options ? ? ?
Big Picture Mode ~[N2 1] ?
Misc Netplay ? ? ?
EmuVR support Exclusive to libretro cores at the moment.
RetroAchievements
NG-CD, NG
[N2 2] [N2 3] ?
Debug Features ? ? ? ?

Emulation issues[edit]

  • Hyper Neo-Geo 64 is mostly emulated. MAME is the only available option and, since 0.240, all games are mostly playable with only bad audio emulation. There was a notable update for the MAME driver by Haze in 2018 and in early 2023 The Hyper Neo Geo 64 has had some welcome fixes for both 2D and 3D graphics with 0.252 version and there should be more coming in the next release. 0.263 version compatibility status or you can use this link. Hyper Neo-Geo 64 is one of the last pre-2000 Arcade platforms not playable on emulators by a "big" arcade company.