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Console encyclopedia

SNK · 1990

Neo Geo

Neo Geo Emulator Online

Home consoleGeneration 4

SNK’s Neo Geo family connected the cartridge-based MVS arcade system with the AES home system.[1]

Game CapsulePlanned
Explore the details
Neo Geo hardware artwork
Neo Geo · SNK
First launch
1990
Manufacturer
SNK
Category
Home console
Generation
4
Media
Large ROM cartridges
01

The console story

SNK developed Neo Geo with Alpha Denshi, later ADK. The MVS allowed operators to offer multiple cartridge games in one cabinet; AES brought closely related hardware into homes.[1]

Home and arcade cartridges used different physical formats. Neo Geo CD later offered a disc-based alternative, with loading behavior unlike the cartridge machines.[1]

02

A history in milestones

  1. 1990
    Japan

    [1]

  2. 1991
    North America

    [1]

  3. 1991
    AES retail release

    Home cartridge system.[1]

  4. 1994
    Neo Geo CD

    Separate disc-based member of the family.[1]

03

Technical profile

Processor
Motorola 68000 + Zilog Z80[2]
Memory
64 KB work RAM + 68 KB video RAM[2]
Display & graphics
Dedicated sprite hardware[2]
Media
Large ROM cartridges[2]
Audio
Yamaha YM2610[2]
Power
External AC adapter (AES)[1]
Input & connectivity
Two home controller ports; memory-card interface[2]
05

Why it mattered

Arcade hardware at home

Large sprite-based games and a sustained fighting-game library gave Neo Geo an unusually long software life across its arcade and home forms.[1]

Neo Geo occupied an arcade and premium home-hardware niche rather than competing through mass-market console pricing.[1]

06

Defining games

Years refer to the earliest release of the named version. Games are historical references; GameCapsule does not distribute them.

01

Samurai Shodown

Weapon-based fighting on Neo Geo.[3]

02

The King of Fighters ’94

Team fighting with characters from multiple SNK series.[4]

03

Metal Slug

Sprite-based run-and-gun action.[5]

07

Hardware variants

MVS

Multi Video System for arcades.[1]

AES retail release

Home cartridge system.[1]

Neo Geo CD

Separate disc-based member of the family.[1]

08

Accessories & ecosystem

Memory Card
Transfers supported game progress.[1]
Arcade-style controller
Home stick with four main action buttons.[1]
09

System family

Related systems in the collection. These links do not imply technical compatibility.

Neo Geo Pocket hardware artwork

1998 · Related platform

Neo Geo Pocket

PlannedNeo Geo Pocket Color hardware artwork

1999 · Related platform

Neo Geo Pocket Color

PlannedArcade hardware artwork

— · Related platform

Arcade

Planned
10

Hardware gallery

Neo Geo hardware artwork

Neo Geo

Neo Geo

Neo-Geo-AES-Console-Set.png — Evan-Amos, Wikimedia Commons; CC BY-SA 3.0. Downloaded at 960px width. CC BY-SA 3.0

Console artwork from the Game Capsule collection. No gameplay screenshot is shown.

11

GameCapsule support

Planned

This system is represented in the catalog. Its emulator, file import and gameplay are not available today. There is no announced release date.

Expand beyond Game Boy while preserving a coherent collection. Other consoles remain catalog-only.

Bring your own compatible game files. Game Capsule does not include commercial games.

Explore the roadmap

Sources & further reading

  1. Historical overview and model chronology ↗

    Historical narrative, regional release precision, model chronology, commercial context and accessories

    Reviewed 2026-09-30
  2. MAME · documented hardware implementation ↗

    Processor, memory, graphics, audio and hardware interfaces

    Reviewed 2026-09-30
  3. Samurai Shodown · release history ↗

    Named game/version release year; descriptive context

    Reviewed 2026-09-30
  4. The King of Fighters ’94 · release history ↗

    Named game/version release year; descriptive context

    Reviewed 2026-09-30
  5. Metal Slug · release history ↗

    Named game/version release year; descriptive context

    Reviewed 2026-09-30