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Giant Bomb News

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Hey, Remember That Weird Handheld Neo-Geo Thing? It Actually Exists

That Neo-Geo handheld device is a real life item that you will be able to buy in real life. How bizarre is that?

A number of you were incredibly skeptical when we reported a month or so ago that some mystery hardware manufacturer had licensed the Neo-Geo brand to create some kind of handheld device...thing...and frankly, you were right to be. While the reports came from reputable sources, the lack of an identified manufacturer, as well as the fact that the initial images of the device looked like a Photoshopped iPhone 4, certainly didn't build confidence in this being anything but a crappy bootleg, at best.

Holy hell, this thing is real.
Holy hell, this thing is real.

So how totally bananas is it that this thing is apparently real? A press release went out this morning confirming the device's existence (evidently it is called the "Neo-Geo X"), and its manufacturer. As it turns out, Blaze, the makers of a number of different Genesis/MegaDrive-related handhelds, is putting the thing together, with official licensing from SNK. The system will come with 20 Neo-Geo classics of varying levels of classic-ness. The official list reads as follows:

There will also be an SD card slot on the device, presumably for the sake of adding additional games down the road, or maybe just so you can load photos onto it or something. No pricing has been announced yet, but it seems safe to assume it'll be a tad more expensive than Blaze's previous devices, but probably at least a bit cheaper than an actual Neo-Geo.

The Neo-Geo X is loosely scheduled for a Q2 2012 release. You can "register your interest" via this website, if so inclined. Or you could just go and make us Ultimate 11 and Top Players Golf pages, because we apparently still don't have those, which is shameful, I think.

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mike

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Edited By mike

Wait, it comes with the handheld, a Neo Geo joystick, and a docking/charging station with HDMI output...AND 20 games...for $199? If the emulation is decent, I think I'll be buying this. Here's the press release:


NEOGEO X GOLD ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM Announced for Worldwide Distribution

Tommo Inc. sets release date and price for revolutionary gaming "system within a system"

Los Angeles, Calif. - August 13, 2012 - Tommo, Inc.,in partnership with SNK PLAYMORE, today confirmed that the NEOGEO X GOLD entertainment system is scheduled for a worldwide release this December. Following the 20th anniversary of the ground breaking NEOGEO AES console, the NEOGEO X GOLD entertainment system provides players with all of the features of a home arcade and the convenience of a handheld gaming device. The NEOGEO X GOLD entertainment system is set for a worldwide release on December 6, 2012 for a suggested retail price of $199.99 (USD).

The NEOGEO X GOLD entertainment system comes complete with the NEOGEO X Station, the NEOGEO X Handheld with 20 pre-loaded NEOGEO classic titles, and the NEOGEO X Joystick. In addition to coming pre-loaded with 20 NEOGEO classic titles, the NEOGEO X Handheld device features a crisp 4.3" LCD display, an expandable game card slot, internal stereo speakers, and a 3.5mm headphone jack for a personal gaming experience you can take anywhere. The NEOGEO X Handheld device works with the NEOGEO X Joystick and NEOGEO X Station to charge the handheld device and transfer the action directly to a television set or monitor, via HDMI or A/V out, for a true arcade experience right at home.

The full list of NEOGEO X Handheld pre-installed games is as follows:

3 COUNT BOUT

LEAGUE BOWLING

ART OF FIGHTING II

MAGICIAN LORD

ALPHA MISSION II

METAL SLUG

BASEBALL STARS II

MUTATION NATION

CYBER LIP

NAM 1975

FATAL FURY

PUZZLED

FATAL FURY SPECIAL

REAL BOUT - FATAL FURY SPECIAL

THE KING OF FIGHTERS '95

SAMURAI SHODOWN II

KING OF THE MONSTERS

SUPER SIDEKICKS

LAST RESORT

WORLD HEROES PERFECT

"Great game consoles don't die; they're just reborn in much more affordable and convenient packages," said Tommo CEO Jonathan Wan. "The NEOGEO X GOLD is a love letter to one of my favorite consoles of all time, and working with SNK PLAYMORE to acquire the NEOGEO license, Tommo Inc. looks to provide gaming and entertainment enthusiasts with a classic arcade experience both at home and on the go."

Distribution of the NEOGEO X GOLD entertainment system for European and Asian territories will be handled exclusively by BLAZE and Success Company. North American distribution of the NEOGEO X GOLD entertainment system will be handled exclusively by Tommo, Inc..

For the latest news as it is released, and for additional information regarding the NEOGEO X GOLD entertainment system, please visit: www.NEOGEOX.com.

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Orbitz89

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Edited By Orbitz89

@laserbolts said:

Because this is bound to do well.

My exact, sarcastic, thoughts good sir.

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Roddykat

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Edited By Roddykat
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BestUsernameEver

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Edited By BestUsernameEver

Never played NEO GEO, so no real interest, unless I should play the games I missed, in that case.

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Redhorn

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Edited By Redhorn

Gonna buy the hell out of this.

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futrstyl

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Edited By futrstyl

Hm... I'm interested, depending on the price. Love that it will have an SD card slot for side loading media, possibly.

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BurningDoom1

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Edited By BurningDoom1

A new Neo-Geo handheld would be awesome, if it could actually play more than 20 Neo Geo games that we can already get on collections. They should build in the capability to download games to the console and even more awesome (and more unlikely) would be for them to build in Neo Geo Pocket game support.

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deerokus

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Edited By deerokus

These guys sell the SEGA things like this in clothes shops and department stores in the UK for the equivalent of about $60 in US money. I expect the neo geo one will be the same. And I will buy it.

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alternate

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Edited By alternate

I read that MVC thing about it being £500. They claim it is official from Blaze but someone at the company told another site something along the lines of "selling for £500 but be suicide".

This needs to be less than £100 or is it dead in the water. You can emulate NG games on a smartphone ffs.

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keoskey

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Edited By keoskey

I cant help but mention that it looks like the Wii U controller.

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Noct

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Edited By Noct

This seems like a majorly blown opportunity if you asked me. What with the resurgance of the fighting genre in the past couple years, they should really market this thing in that direction, especially considering how synonymous SNK/NG is with fighters...

Sell this thing as the ultimate handheld fighting machine, and put the games in there that we actualy want. SamShow 2, Garou, (newer then 94) KOTF, SNK Vs Capcom, Last blade 2, etc... There are so many amazing fighters on their hardware, and they are ignoring almost all of them.

This thing could have been a juggernaut if they marketed it right; at best now it's going to be another Nomad.

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clientkiller

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Edited By clientkiller

How come Blaze can make and sell a mega drive handheld for less than £30 and this costs £500? I understand the neo geo was much more powerful at the time but not THAT much more powerful surely? Thats more than a small jump in cost for the same era hardware.

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Trondood

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Edited By Trondood

I mean.. I guess.. Maybe?

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dropabombonit

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Edited By dropabombonit

As Alex would say it's a thing

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RareDropRadio

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Edited By RareDropRadio

That's pretty nifty!

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buzz_clik

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Edited By buzz_clik

Inclusion of Cyber-Lip, Last Resort and Metal Slug: Good.
Exclusion of Super Spy and Ninja Combat: Bad.

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unsolvedparadox

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Edited By unsolvedparadox

Ooh, Metal Slug!

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doomocrat

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Edited By doomocrat

@Slay3r1583 said:

No Windjammers

No sale

But dude. League Bowling on the toilet. C'mon.

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Alston2reel

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Edited By Alston2reel

It's rumored to be about 800 bucks. If this is true then i'll pass.

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HIGH_STICKING

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Edited By HIGH_STICKING

@PenguinDust: I remember spending all my tickets at the arcade for one of those...

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Spiritof

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Edited By Spiritof

I own Metal Slug in, like, 7 different forms. Might as well keep that train a chugging.

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penguindust

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Edited By penguindust

So this thing has 20 different games pre-installed? Remember when those collection handhelds could only offer 20 variations of Tetris and Pong?

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sirdesmond

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Edited By sirdesmond
@MattClassic Oh wow. I'll most definitely be passing on it then.
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Pepsiman

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Edited By Pepsiman

@Mirado said:

If you can homebrew the shit out of it, I'd be all for it. How many people are actually going to pick this one up? I'd buy one just to satisfy any hipster cravings I'd ever have over the next few years.

I'm contemplating picking one up, especially for the same reasons you've already stated. Whether or not I get one probably depends on my financial situation at the time of its release, but as a fan of the Neo-Geo in general, I wouldn't mind getting my hands on one of these things.

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Mirado

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Edited By Mirado

If you can homebrew the shit out of it, I'd be all for it. How many people are actually going to pick this one up? I'd buy one just to satisfy any hipster cravings I'd ever have over the next few years.

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Mihos

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Edited By Mihos

Screw it... I am in.

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billyhoush

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Edited By billyhoush

I'm obligated to buy this.

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Lunar_Aura

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Edited By Lunar_Aura

The only way I'd pay that price is if there was a code to unlock every NeoGeo game in existence

and then said device morphs into its own AES cartridge to play any game you choose

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worridge

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Edited By worridge

I'm not even sure the original NeoGeo existed.

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ThePhantomStranger

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Navarro snark is still some tasty snark...I can only hope that vidyagames can satiate the snark engine...

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ghostNPC

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Edited By ghostNPC
$800.  They really think they can get away with that?  Even if they knock that price down... this really shouldn't go for more than $200, if that.
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mattclassic

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Edited By mattclassic

@sirdesmond said:

This is cool. I may be up for it if the price is right.

It's £500. That's a little less than $800 at current exchange rates. I seriously doubt it'll be that expensive when (or if) it sees retail release in the US, but I'd be surprised if it was anywhere near what the Vita and 3DS cost. Probably much more. Like $350 at least.

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deactivated-5db763973ec51

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There will also be an SD card slot on the device, presumably for the sake of adding additional games down the road, or maybe just so you can load photos onto it or something.

The Mega Drive one Blaze released previously also had a SD card slot which was basically for Roms. The manual described it as being for 'Internet Games Download Feature'.

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prestonhedges

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Edited By prestonhedges

@SleepyDoughnut said:

I never had a NEO GEO. Can anyone tell me which of those games are good besides the fighting games?

Neo Turf Masters, which isn't on the list...

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MadaRenrut

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Edited By MadaRenrut

Early April Fools - - - - Hey yo

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SleepyDoughnut

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Edited By SleepyDoughnut

I never had a NEO GEO. Can anyone tell me which of those games are good besides the fighting games?

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MistaSparkle

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Edited By MistaSparkle

Finally, ABCD!

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Zabant

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Edited By Zabant

Still feels very bootleggy and Brazilian market to me.

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sirdesmond

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Edited By sirdesmond

This is cool. I may be up for it if the price is right.

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Slay3r1583

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Edited By Slay3r1583

No Windjammers

No sale

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sammo21

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Edited By sammo21

sweet....oh wait, I mean "lol".

@TyCobb: Nah, the SEGA Nomad had even that thing beat. I loved having all my Sega games on the go but that thing took like 16 batteries.

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Peanut

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Edited By Peanut

I was interested, even at an inflated price, but £500 is fucking RIDICULOUS! There's a line where I'm no longer willing to throw money down the drain for games and that price crosses that line. Several times.

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MildlyPsycho

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Edited By MildlyPsycho

OMG baseball stars!

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Sparky245

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Edited By Sparky245

I mis-read half the article as "Nat-Geo device". I envisaged a real life Pokémon Snap.

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soupbones

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Edited By soupbones

@BitterAlmond: From the press release:

Along with these 20 built in NEOGEO classic titles, the NEOGEO X will also feature, SD card expansion, a 3.5" LCD screen, A/V output, internal stereo speakers and a headphone socket.

http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/16/neo-geo-x-goes-official-celebrates-grandpas-20th-anniversary/

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deactivated-6050ef4074a17

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InfiniteSpark

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Edited By InfiniteSpark

@MisuseOfLasers said:

Get Match of the Millennium on there and I'm sold.

Yes! This and the card fighter game as well!

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alex

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Edited By alex

@tsigo: And yet, here I am. Crazy world, right?

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Pixelationist

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Edited By Pixelationist

Not trying to be a naysayer but... What are the chance this that this thing will actually be properly supported?

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xpgamer7

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Edited By xpgamer7

When GB first said it I though "huh, this is weird". My feelings are unchanged.