MiSTer FPGA Ultimate Neo Geo Setup! Hardware Guide and Game Recommendations!

[@martinevans1206]

It’s a joy to see how SNK developed games for the Neo Geo in the later years of its life. A rare combination of one company developing the system AND the games, with a long lifespan.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Longest arcade life span of any platform unless NAOMI has eclipsed it but I still think the MVS has the title

[@Darkbeatdk]

Neo Geo is truly amazing. Back in the 90’s, when I first got into emulation, it began with Neo Geo and I’ve enjoyed all your recommendations for years. Like fine wine, I think you start to appreciate them more as time goes by, looking at the amazing detail in the pixel art of something like Metal Slug which nobody have ever been able to top. Great video as always. 💪💪💪

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Yes these style of graphics are super well. They go from “awesome when released” to “even better now”

[@mbertolijr]

Man, that’s an impressive Neo Geo collection.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Thanks. 15 years worth of collecting

[@DataHombre]

Been getting into MiSTer more, and more lately, after being an original hardware type guy for so long. The ease of use, quick pick up and play ability, and accuracy is absolutely amazing. I personally can't tell the difference with most retro game consoles, computers, arcade cores that I've used. Love the Neo Geo core especially. It has made me purge my original hardware collection and downsize 70%, and I'm considering letting go of the remainder, too, as honestly it feels like what's the point at this time... MiSTer reproduces the experience 1:1, without all the clutter required to use all the original gear, spend time setting it up, maintaining it, etc.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

I agree 100% with that except I will still never get rid of my original hardware and game collection. It's nostalgia for sure but I love browsing my library, working on my consoles, and holding the originals.

[@dorfus]

Huh, and here I thought my drink choices for Neo Geo play were just because I was an alcoholic.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Nope. It's a Neo Geo must!

[@tommorgan8053]

Great video with one glaring omission. Neo Turf Masters is not only my favorite Neo Geo games, it is one of my favorite arcade games.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Haha I love Turf Masters. I just couldn’t fit every Rec

[@jasonpittman7183]

NeoGeo is superb on the mister, so good I put my original hardware in the cupboard and just use my Mister to play it now.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

I'd never go that far but glad you enjoy it :)

[@TheRelen222]

I still find about a 25% crt filter useful on an LCD. The reason being because it softens the pixels just enough to act like anti-aliasing.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

I can’t get enough big chunky pixels in my life but I hear where you are coming from

[@balohna]

Yeah for most 16 bit consoles I prefer a 5x scaled raw pixel look, but for Neo Geo there's a lot to be said for some subtle scan lines. Makes the sprites in something like KOF just look that little bit more detailed by forcing your brain to fill in some gaps. Might also have something to do with Neo Geo not using traditional background layers... on other consoles I want to see the sprites pop off the background, not so much a factor here.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Yes NG handles the backgrounds differently than pretty much any other console so it always has a distinct look

[@RetroMoments]

The only reason I like KOF98 more than 2002 is because of the stages!

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

The good thing is deciding between 98 and 2002 is easy because both are 10/10s

[@blackvulcan3]

I went to Super Potato in Japan in 2017. The stench of cigarettes was overwhelming and the attached arcade was even worse. You are exactly right on controller layout, NEO GEO games just dont feel right on a 6 button. I have a NEO CD controller stick and I love it. I play mine on Supergun & VGA CRT monitor but I am looking to move to MiSTer for convenience now that there is a fantastic console option out of England.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

CD controller is the only non-arcade stick setup I can play Neo Geo on...and yep on the cigarette smell. It’s not Neo Geo if you don’t get a whiff of old cigarettes from years past

[@kipschumm1849]

My “budget” version of this setup is the MiSTer connected to a commercial CRT TV over active composite adapter and an 8bit Do arcade stick upgraded with Sanwa parts to resemble an MVS cabinet layout. Unfortunately I missed the affordable PVM boat by a few years

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

They can still be found for cheap but you’ve just gotta be a bit lucky

[@RetroFili81]

If you’re ever looking for a topic, I’d love to see how to set up MRA loading for Neo-Geo on the MiSTer so that we could load the games as arcade cores for use in an arcade cabinet. That way you can boot straight to a game. Maybe it’s a niche topic but everything I have tried to do from what I’ve read online has been unsuccessful. Thanks, and love your vids!

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

I can look into it but you are right…that’s very niche. I wish I had an outlet for smaller videos that could run adjacent to the main line stuff but sadly that’s not something YT has

[@RetroFili81]

@@VideoGameEsoterica No worries, keep up the great work!!

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Plenty more coming!

[@ninetendopesaitama2107]

I use the neo geo mini controller for playing neo geo on my MiSTer. Its excellent even without clicky dpad.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

I need that click LOL

[@philexile2954]

Have you tried the Blister for your NeoGeo controllers?

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Not yet no

[@TraitorLegions]

Neo Geo 4 life! My all time favorite console also. I had an AES with a fair collection, but sold it and built a consolized 2-slot MVS board. Prices on MVS carts are (or at least, were) much more palatable. Mark of the Wolves is amazing, and one game you didn't mention, Samurai Spirits Zero Special (SS 5 special in the US) may just edge out Shin Samurai Spirits (SS2) as my favorite for playing with friends due to the huge roster.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

I will talk more about my fav Neo Geo games in the future :) so many more I wanted to talk about but the video would have been SO LONG had I done that lol

[@Charlie-Cat.]

Excellent video VGE. Keep up the great work you do for the community bro. was going to post it up on the Neo-Geo thread, but you have a thread for it and don't want to clutter and you have a dedicated thread for it on the arcade section on Atariage. Glad to see you in action bro. 8^) Anthony...

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Thanks! Appreciate it as always. Say hi to Odie for me

[@DfknG85]

What about the NeoGeo X stick? Thats USB out of the box?

[@adventuretaco7140]

But is it a quality stick ?

[@nukerecoil]

The stick is good, but the buttons suck so remove and replace them with mini acade buttons then it's good

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

No the buttons are junk

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Exactly. That's why I modded my AES stick years ago with Seimitsu buttons and suggest doing that vs the X

[@inubass]

I have one of the hori arcade sticks for the 360, is not a straight 4 button row but it's made so you play it at a slight angle. I like it better than the bean stick... but it's just my preference.

[@yllib2012]

I use my MiSTer FGA for several retro consoles. Just being able to play the entire Neo Geo library with a high degree of accuracy is worth the cost of a MiSTer. All the other console cores are a great added bonus but I would have got into MiSTer for Neo Geo alone. I don't have an AES but I can't tell any gameplay difference between playing on the MiSTer and my consolized MVS. I love the MiSTer so much, my MVS now stays in a box.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

I really can’t tell much of a difference myself and I’ve been playing Neo Geo for two decades and collecting for 15 years

[@dimviesel]

Funky Esaka for K.O.F.95’ was the best opening jam

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Always a good song!

[@AE-bm4no]

Speaking of controllers, the hori neo geo 1 and 2 are supposed to be the best at the time. The neo geo bean shape controller is also original hardware worth considering.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

The beam is a decent option too for sure

[@kingting1395]

like your content man ! , can you tell me how the NeoGeo MVS version is doing ?, I read there are issues with the MVS version, is that true?

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

I haven’t had a single issue

[@kingting1395]

@@VideoGameEsoterica ok , Thanks

[@GarmrNL]

I played my MiSTer with USB SNES controllers, since I’m used to gamepads since I was 11. I started a NeoGeo collection a while ago because I kept coming back to NeoGeo games on MiSTer and I love playing on original hardware. NeoGeo games really need an arcade stick, it’s just amazing how much better the games play (in my opinion) as opposed to a gamepad. I’m definately going to check out the demonbite adapter, just to be able to play arcade games the “right” way :-)

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

The only “controller” I can use for Neo Geo is the CD pad from the Neo Geo CD. I don’t prefer it over the arcade stick but I need a real microswitch and not a D pad or else I just can’t hang

[@GarmrNL]

@@VideoGameEsoterica I’ve been looking at those pads but I don’t think I’ll buy one anytime soon, a big box filled with Seimitsu hardware on my lap and I’m happy for the next few hours :-D

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Haha nice. Enjoy it

[@spiritualastralsoul]

Scanlines look great on my HDTV to be honest. I use them sharp @ 20% and that seems good for me, obviously it's also set to integer. Nothing Bests a good CRT TV/ PVM but unfortunately it's an expensive option that most of use can't offered or find the space for. Great Video though.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Yes I get the CRT / PVM crowd is a small percentage of everyone. I’m doing more research / testing on scanlines to talk about them in a later video

[@JasonZnack]

@@VideoGameEsoterica The new shadow mask filters on the Mister are starting to look pretty good when combined with a scan line filter. 1440 on a 4k OLED and it's starting to look pretty close minus all the flaws and downsides of an actual CRT.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

I’ll be looking into the shadow mask next month

[@TheRealJoelKolb]

Your link for VGA to component points to the same BNC cable as your link for VGA to RGB. I would love to see your solution for VGA to component.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

ahh maybe I copied the wrong link. I'll take a look!

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Monoprice is always good. Usually cheaper on Amazon too

[@TheRealJoelKolb]

@@VideoGameEsoterica Monoprice does have a VGA to component cable that you can also find on Amazon. But it basically just converts the physical connectors from one to the other. It doesn't do anything to convert the RGB signal to YPbPr. This cable exists because some devices use a DE-15 connector (used by VGA) to carry a YPbPr signal (used by component). These require the type of breakout cable that Monoprice sells. But that wouldn't work for connecting the VGA on a MiSTer setup to a TV with component in. There are converter boxes to go from VGA to component but I'm always interested in seeing what other people use.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

I personally don’t convert from VGA to component so I don’t have a recommendation on that

[@wizdude]

@@TheRealJoelKolb the DE15 port on the MiSTer Analogue I/O board is an analogue video output connector. It supports RGBs, YPbPr and VGA. Mister Addons sells a component cable and you can also use the Startech VGA to RCA breakout cable from Amazon. There is a specific review on this Amazon product from a MiSTer FPGA user.

[@16bitfightclub34]

The Neo Geo Gold x has USB Neo sticks that are just about as good as the original sticks

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

The buttons IMO are not great. They need to be swapped out for it to be good enough for me to want to use it.

[@jonniefast]

i wasn't too thrilled with the Xgold, the portable was nice - but no user replaceable battery & the sticks\dock felt fragile imo for neogeo i use genesis adapters or my own built custom supergun sticks 🥲

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

It was a very weird system

[@NinjaRunningWild]

The component link is the same as the PVM connector.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Gotta fix that. Thanks

[@skins4thewin]

A real shame that the Neo Geo didn't have more Beat-Em-Ups, it would have been an AMAZING genre for the system considering the spritework possible on it!

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Yes it has a few but def less than Capcom boards of the era and the PGM

[@ciaranmccarthy]

Would you consider doing a series on Neo Geo games like you are doing with the CPS stuff?

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Are you people looking over my shoulder or something? ;)

[@VideoGameVictims]

Great video! I don't get why so many people are luke-warm on Sengoku 3. Looks great, interesting characters, solid mechanics and combo system, good difficulty curve. Easy to play, hard to master. I think it's one of the better arcade beat em ups.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

It’s fun but the stages just drag to me. My only complaint

[@ryanmichalski7420]

Awesome video as always I wonder if the mistercade board with Jamma connections would be as good as the adapter you mentioned. Also looking forward the mister vs software emulation for neo geo.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Possibly. I haven't tested Mistercade yet as I honestly don't need it for my setup and it's $$ enough where I can't justify acquiring it just for a review

[@HornHeaDD]

Ive got a JAMMA expander by IrkenLabs and its killer.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

I’d love to review these at some point in time but my channel budget isn’t unlimited lol

[@HornHeaDD]

100% agree on Garou > Third Strike. Plus... comeon ... its got Terry.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Exactly! But I’m sure others feel very different lol

[@BrunoSXS]

I'm still having problems setting my mister to run neogeo... It simply does not identify the roms. I tried for a week, but gave up, need to go back at that at a later date

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

you can always join my Discord and I can help you more here, or the main MiSTer discord. My link is in the video description

[@SiincereARC]

The closest I got to the neo geo setup is the Drone stick for Ps3/Ps4/PC just for the fact that you can have 4 buttons in a row. I know it's not the same angle, but times are a rough! I hate that PVM/BVM access has been super scarce in the New England area (im sure if I had money to burn I might find one over $200). I got a Trinitron with the MisTer RGB output, which I personally like and am curious on the proper upgrade for my situation (from a "real-world" perspective and not "on paper"). Neo Bomberman on 27inch is lovely through my stereo receiver. I think Martial Masters might be the best looking 2D sprite game but Garou is the best playing 2D fighter for beginners and advanced players. I think 3rd Strike is more like the best 2D fighter for advanced players. Watching Japanese players play that game is almost like watching a real life martial arts tournament. It's so quick and fluid. Continue being great sir.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Martial Masters mention...clearly you are a man of tastes! Wait till spring ;) I may be doing something on the PGM

[@SiincereARC]

@@VideoGameEsoterica I spent months on the system16 website when I started making a Windows 7 computer that would output to my CRT. I'm decent at the game but man is it beautiful! You'll have my full attention for PGM games.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

LOL I think most people discover random gems through the System-16 site. It’s an amazing resource

[@SiincereARC]

@@VideoGameEsoterica definitely needs more updates but appreciative of it's existence

[@SiincereARC]

@@VideoGameEsoterica I hope you know there's going to be requests asking for you to try and do the same for SNES/NES(I need an option for a better controller then the xbox one)/GEN/ARC

[@skins4thewin]

Just curious, how accurate would you say the MISTer Neo Geo core is to real hardware? You're clearly a connoisseur of the system so I figure you'd be a good judge of that. Both video and audio wise, how accurate do you think it is? You have yourself a new subscriber by the way. Always love finding those who have a real knowledge & passion for gaming hardware!

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

1:1. I couldn’t tell the difference in a blind play test if I had to

[@skins4thewin]

@@VideoGameEsoterica Good to hear. Am excited to give it a try.

[@skins4thewin]

So does the Daemonbite adapter also let the Neo Geo stick be used with other Arcade cores?? Please tell me it's so!

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Yes. It just turns it into a usb controller. Use it with whatever core you want

[@skins4thewin]

@@VideoGameEsoterica Very nice, thanks for confirming that for me!

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

No worries :)

[@adventuretaco7140]

Love playing neo geo on my MIster ! ..got any advice for HDMI users ? … besides “get a pvm!” Lol

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

haha yeah, just plug it in. I am not a fan of the scanlines even if they look great on MiSTer. I Just like chunky pixels

[@adventuretaco7140]

@@VideoGameEsoterica word up , personally I really been digging the new shadow mask modes on top of scanlines for that Faux crt look..

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

I need to test that out. A few people have asked for videos on scanlines / shadow masks

[@adventuretaco7140]

@@VideoGameEsoterica I’d watch that fo sho!

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

I’ll look into it :)

[@BeatemupMaster]

How can you Play Neo Geo on MiSTer? Is this already on MiSTer ready??

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Yes the core is on MiSTer as a full release

[@Uzumaki82]

So great to hear such mister praise from a hardcore neogeo fan! I just fired it up for the first time last night and to my surprise it worked thanks to update all script! Do you recommend setting mister to AES or MVS mode? I assume unibios is best as well. Also what is the pixel width setting ?

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

MVS vs AES is subjective per game. JPN vs US is subjective per game too. Best thing to do is Google it on a game per game basic. Case in point : Matrimelee - JPN = amazing soundtrack. Matrimelee - US = changed soundtrack that isn’t good Normally I play MVS so I get unlimited continues w/o using the Unibios

[@Myako]

Great video as usual, and what an insane collection you have. 👏🏻👏🏻💪🏻💪🏻 I think the rarest genre for NeoGeo hardware would be RPGs. It's a shame the only one (Samurai Shodown RPG) is in japanese and has only ever been (partially) translated to French.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Yes I've always wanted to play the Shodown RPG but it's near impossible. Thanks...collection is 15 years in the making!

[@inubass]

You're absolutely right, NeoGeo pairs well with beer. And Waku Waku 7 is OK on ps4. The Saturn version is one of the few disappointing arcade ports on it's library.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Neo Geo requires a drink to fully enjoy its majesty lol

[@mbertolijr]

Metal Slug 3 is my favorite Neo Geo game, I love the fighters games but MS3 is my top.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

3 is my fav slug too

[@TitchgamerRG]

Stale ciggies required 😂😂

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Always required. If your Neo Geo games don’t smell like old Japanese cigarette smoke are they even real?

[@TitchgamerRG]

@@VideoGameEsoterica true. But I spent 3 days cleaning the cigie smoke stains from my Japanese import aero city as that was just a bit to potently real LMAO

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Haha yeah there’s a limit to the comedy charm of smoke smell on Japanese import stuff

[@jerryklein3]

you should do title overlays when listing games so we can read the titles. for some of these no matter how many times i replay you saying the title i can't understand or spell what you're saying.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

I'll keep it in mind for the future :)

[@Ill_look_back_on_in_disgust]

Best console of all time (besides PC if you consider that a console).

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

PC is a whole different category in my book. It used to be PC/Console/Handheld. Now it’s PC/Console/Handheld/VR

[@Ill_look_back_on_in_disgust]

@@VideoGameEsoterica then what's the Nintendo switch?? :P

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Handheld still. Or you could just call that category “hybrid”

[@kaidobattle]

This is cool... if de10 nano prices didnt skyrockted

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

or get scalped. I've seen some getting scalped too

[@sturmanaskie]

I have a Neo Geo AES my fav console ever … I also have a Saturn too and I love that as well. Love Garou love twinkle star love baseball love samurai love last blade … yeah street fighter 2 is nothing compared to these Neo Geo games

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

A man of taste I see

[@Jerome-C]

KOF 2002 ... you're fucking write !! best version :)

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Haha glad you agree

[@Charlie-Cat.]

Meow-Meow. I sure will VGE. 8^) Anthony..

[@keropon]

VGA to Component amazon link links to VGA to RBG cables...

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

I’ll fix it tomorrow. Been slammed all day

[@jeremygregorio7472]

Okay I'm sorry, no disrespect but are you mispronouncing Garou on purpose 🙂? It literally says it when you boot up the game. It's Ga-Row, like row row row your boat but with more Kung Fu

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

haha not on purpose. Pronunciation isn't my strong suit

[@MapleStoryPSN]

No Super Dodge Ball? Tsk tsk.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

LOL can’t fit them all

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

LOL can’t fit them all

[@adrianebattilana2949]

😍

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

:)