Neo Geo

The Neo Geo, released by SNK in 1990, was the undisputed king of arcade-quality home gaming. Available in both the AES (home console) and MVS (arcade) formats, the Neo Geo offered identical gaming experiences in both venues—a revolutionary concept at the time. The system's powerful 24-bit graphics processor delivered unmatched sprite scaling, vibrant colors, and silky-smooth animations that put other home consoles to shame. The Neo Geo became the definitive platform for fighting game enthusiasts, housing legendary franchises like The King of Fighters, Fatal Fury, Art of Fighting, Samurai Shodown, and World Heroes. The console also excelled at run-and-gun shooters with Metal Slug becoming its crown jewel—a series renowned for its hand-drawn animation and dark humor. Other standout genres included baseball games, sports titles, and puzzle games. While the high price of cartridges (often $200-300) limited its mainstream appeal, the Neo Geo built a devoted following among hardcore gamers who demanded the authentic arcade experience. Today, the Neo Geo library remains highly collectible and its games continue to be celebrated as some of the finest 2D gaming ever created.