Neo Geo Accessories
Memory Cards
The Neo Geo Home Cart and MVS systems have no internal storage for game saves or high scores. Instead, SNK released a removable memory card interface. These cards may be used with either the console system or the MVS cabs. Game saves are also interchangeable. In other words, you may play a game of Samurai Shodown at home and save your game. Then go to the arcade and load the game from the memory card. A very cool feature for its time although common place in Japan now.
There are two memory cards that maybe be used with the Neo Geo. Both are pcmcia interface cards.
The first card is the official memory card from SNK.
This card holds 2kb of storage memory. More than enough for Neo games.
Before you ask, no, you can't plug them into your laptop and mess with them. (Yet.)
The second is from Panasonic. It holds a whopping 1MB.
I have heard that the battery lifespan of these cards are suppose to be about 5 years.
I've had my card for a decade now and its still works fine. (Knock on wood)
Joysticks
There are three official joysticks released by SNK: old style, gamepad, Pro Controller. The original "old style" stick was released with the Home Cart system a decade ago. It is, in my opinion, the best of the three. With the Neo Geo Cd-rom system, SNK released its game pad. Much later, SNK phased out the original stick and replaced it with the "Pro Controller".
I don't personally like the Pro stick. It feels light and unbalanced.
RGB Cable
SNK released a RGB cable for the Neo. RGB gives the highest quality video image available.
This cable is for scart capable televisions only. Unless you have a scart connector you can not use this.
Mah Jong Controller
Mah Jong is a Japanese game. It uses tiles and is a pretty intricate looking game. Sort of like Backgammon. However, I have no idea how to play, but if I did I might just want this special controller. It's designed solely for Mah Jong games of which the Neo Geo has quite a few. This controller is very rare. Most people selling it ask in the range of $900 to $1000. Is it worth it? Not to me, but you be the judge.
Controller Extension Cables
You can actually use a DB15 cable. These cables are commonly used as IBM joystick extension cables.
The only thing you'll need to do is trim back the rubber sheath a few millimeters on the female connector.
This will allow it to insert far enough into the the Neo's connector to make a good contact. This takes only a minute and is very easy. You can buy these at almost any computer store or direct from the manufacturer Belkin for $15.
Neo Geo Controller Pinout
- Common
- Not Used
- Select
- D Button
- B Button
- Right
- Down
- Not Used
- D Button
- Not Used
- Start
- C Button
- A Button
- Left
- Up
Note: The Neo controller uses +5volt instead of ground for its common connection.