SNK Neo Geo CDZ - Rare Variants - Adam Koralik 

Neo Geo would have been the best system of the 90's if there were third party support.

Great video! I once found the Neo Geo front loader in the junk section at Hard Off a few years ago, for basically next to nothing. Totally regret buying it, even though I have an AES today.

I own a Japanese neo geo AES and an MVS arcade cabinet, but still after all my years of collecting I don't have any variant of the Neo Geo CD. That's why this is my favorite series that you do, because I can learn more about what I don't have as well as what I do have. Thanks for another good one Adam!

Before getting an AES (and a multi-cart) I used my CD2 more than you'd expect. Especially since it has no copy protection and i added a language switch to mine so I can flip back and forth between JP and EN. Now i dont use it much at all since getting the AES as well as the various other Neo units like the mini and the arcade stick which both can be hacked to play everything. But for its time it was something to behold. And one that many of my friends were jealous of.

These rare variant episodes are always so cool, and I enjoy your speculating on how it might have succeeded. Great job as always, Adam, I hope you're having a good holiday week.

Gotcha bro. No worries. Still having fun seeing you in action no matter what my good man. 8^) Anthony..

I have the first top loader variant and despite its agonising load time I cannot bring myself to get angry at this console , I love it SO much!

Front was preorder up to serial 30k. It wasn't discontinued due to faults as you said. Top loader was simply cheaper to make. It's nice that you have all 3 variants. I had the 2x version but the pivot that holds the inner ring of the cd broke so I sold it along with my games. I only bought games that have limited loading like metal slug, shooters, puzzle. I bought the big games for mvs. It would have been better to double the systems ram to 12 Meg or so.

I love the Neo Geo CDZ unit Adam. I enjoy how cool this unit looks and use this unit the most when playin NGCD games for the Neo-Geo. Thank yo for sharing this awesome video with us. I posted this up for you on the Neo-Geo thread on the forums over on the site on AtariAge for others to benefit and enjoy. Thank you for sharing this with us again Adam and keep up the great work bro. 8^) Anthony..

The reason why the cdz overheats is beacuse the vents at the bottom are blocked by the RF shield, so if you want to avoid that problem you need to take appart the console and remove it.

Always great to see another Adam Koralik video, wishing you and your channel a wonderful 2023 sir!

I learned a ton I didn’t know about this platforms CD hardware just now. Really cool! Didn’t know the 3rd one existed at all. Thanks, Adam. Always educational, and I appreciate what you do, brother. Till next time! 🙂👍🏻

9:14 I like how you quickly add "Which is a store chain over there." Just to avoid people thinking you got it from a pole dancer or something. :P

You're welcome Adam. Always a pleasure doing so for you. 8^) By any chance Adam, do you take video game request to play onto your channel for reviews? If so, would you be interested on doing one regarding "Magician Lord" for the Neo-Geo. Such a timeless classic this very challenging game is. It also happens to be the game that introduced me to the Neo-Geo 32 years ago in 1990 and made me a buff even since. 8^) Anthony..

Hey Adam great vid- NOW LOADING PLEASE WAIT

The front loader looks so cool. Very similar to the 3DO.

the neogeo was expensive cause it was like selling arcade cabinets and the cartridges were arcade boards, the AES was initially the "rental" version of the arcade cabinet.. by the time of the CD they tried to push it as a console but still i dont think they would have a chance against 3D gaming

definitely a cool little unit! shame it didn't get the chance to take off more here in the states, I'm sure $50 CDs would have probably done better than the $300 carts! apparently a few of these NGCD games have additional extras over the cart versions as well, like Neo Turf Masters apparently has a whole extra super challenging course? so I could definitely see them banking on 'stuff not found in the AES/MVS version of the game' as a nice extra. even if it's just something little like a re-arranged version of the soundtrack.

13:30 the launch model Japanese OG PlayStations had native composite and S-video outputs, when it was released in the US (and maybe PAL territories), it only had native composite.

Adam cranking out videos left and right this holiday season 😊 🤗

The Saturn has a nice new internal power supply replacement I keep seeing videos on. The Neo Geo CDs really need this treatment.

To this day, I wonder what the target audience of the Neo Geo AES actually was. Like you, my friends and I were all completely aware that the AES existed growing up. For some reason, the Babbage's at my local mall even sold the console and a few games (at around $200 each) for many years. And yeah, it was the Rolls-Royce of consoles. We would gawk at that console every time we passed by Babbage's, talking about how we'd buy it if our parents ever won the lottery. I did have some friends whose family had a lot of money, and even they couldn't convince their parents to get them one. Not only did I never know anyone who owned one, I never knew anyone who even claimed they knew someone who owned one. Crazy that the console apparently sold well over 1 million units. Back in the 90's, there really wasn't many adults into gaming enough to purchase an AES, so my best guess is the market was mostly *super* wealthy parents who could afford to buy their kids one. Seems like there are far more Japanese consoles and games in existence than English version, so I assume the market skewed towards wealthy Japanese parents.

ahhhh classic Adam Koralik breaktime lunch videos

Neo Geo will always be that console that we spoke about in reverence at the playground because we knew it was the best console though none of us never seen one, knew where or how it would be possible.

I love the design of Neo Geo CD Front loading but I prefer play on CDZ, the loading are ok 😉😉😉

Wow I never saw the gray one in the middle good video Adam 💯🎮

I think you're right, had the CDZ come in 94 in NA, you may have seen it do really well, I mean I know I was obsessed with Neo Geo as a kid, loved the arcade games and a lot of my friends knew about them as well. With the right cost, it could have carved out a nice little slice in the market. Plus it would have had a nice little lead on the PS1 and Saturn. Maybe they would have received good support from third parties. Imagine if Konami had made games for it? It could have blown minds!

I always enjoy this series. Thanks Adam. I hope you had a nice Christmas.

CDZ was cool, much better than the standard Neo CD.

Its such a cool console, I wish it was talked about more often. I enjoy the design aspect of this console- including the controller and CD. Too bad they fucked up hard with the load times, imagine if this console had a life of a traditional console- would've been nice to look back on.

Nice video! One thing on the disc drive speed of the CDZ, though, I had read from a few different sources that it's actually still the same 1x drive but they increased the RAM or something. Regardless, it's definitely an improvement in the load time department! Cheers.

Was running around in Akihabara today looking for some Neo Geo goodness and almost expected to run into you at some point. Leaving the comment here that in case it happens I can call myself a prophet. A Neo Geo prophet.

Good video as usual keep it up

Used to see it advertised in Edge magazine (UK) from games shops that sold imported stuff. A limited run version of a super niche console was only ever going to appeal to the hardcore, especially when the next gen landed.

I never owned or played a Neo Geo CD but as I'm watching this vid with a Neo Geo MVS t-shirt on you can tell I'm a big fan of that era of gaming. That system I think had no chance much like the AES it's just something in my life at the time of when it was around you never saw it in a store or heard much about it, if you played Neo Geo it was strictly an MVS cab in your local pizza place or laundromat or something

I'd say the original neo geo CD would probably take about a year and a half to load games

Keep ‘‘em coming Adam

I remember one of the rare video game shops in Hamburg (Germany) that imported NeoGeo Hardware and games. It was so damn expensive. I tried to but hat to face the reality. A 14 years old can’t save so much money without being criminal 😂. So I ended up with a MegaDrive and later a CD addon. But man, the NeoGeo was every boys wet dream 😂.

Happy holidays adam🖒

I think including two games would have made a difference.

Good stuff man 👍

I would remove the metal RF shield from the bottom of that CDZ. Otherwise in all likelihood it will begin overheating at some point. I keep my removed metal shield in a box full of random old Neo Geo parts.

I love the design of the CDZ. Sure it's bulky but it screams 90's in a similar fashion as the PS1 (not PSOne) does. Too bad it didn't released first and with a 2X or even 4X drive as well as better ventilation because I could see this thing being very popular all around the world.

CDZ nuts

"Hey guys it's Adam here. I just got done terrorizing the Flying and Eating with Adam Koralik comment section. Today we're going to look at a version of the Neo Geo CD, the CDZ. CAX117 is gonna be looking for one when he goes to Japan in April. Fat chance. I bought them all. "

Great Video 👍

Another obscure console demystified by Mr. Koralik‼️👍💯

Great video

Looking good bro- the weight loss is evident- Matt Damon would be proud.

Omg I think I'm going to get one before the price gets out of control, looking at cd games they're 10× cheaper than the carts. I think I can still afford to get it to this. The carts are just never going to be in budget imo and this is great, I bet I can burn cds too lol

If you thought the Neo Geo CD consoles had terrible load times, try playing on the *Neo Geo 8-track*

Oh you finally got one

From the thumbnail I just noticed Neo-Geo font is exactly like Evangelion's font.

I have a NeoGeo cd top loading with something like 80 games and playing on it has always been 1 a pleasure but 2 a real pain due to loading times you are totally right. Now there is a solution about this aside from buying a cd Z which will increase the pleasure even more (and cd Z are harder and harder to get nowadays). There is a modified version of the NeoGeo top loading where the cd drive is replaced (or sometimes cohabiting depending on the version of the modification board) with an sd card slot. Add a 64GB sd card to store all NeoGeo cd games and then a miracle happens... you get a NeoGeo cd with the equivalent of a 4x cd drive no kidding. The games remain 100% the same afterwards except ALL loading times are reduce x4 compared to the NeoGeo top loading and x2 compared to the NeoGeo cd Z. This is called the NeoGeo sd loader, it costs less than $100 but needs some setup (tutorials available on RU-vid). I was even able to buy one directly ready to go from a special store. It's definitely worth it.

I see the older one on japanese auction sites for pretty cheap occasionally. But it sounds like if I get it, it'll just be to flex and thats it

The CDZ actually doesn't have a 2X drive. It has bigger cache memory and a more responsive lens and motor.

The one that you got from Super Potato was in Junk Bin because the AV output was broken you didn't find out till years later though because you use RGB Scart LOL Until your friend modified it you never use AV composite

I have 2 and they both work fine!

I don't know if I will ever get one of these but I do want that Neo Geo arcade cabinet by Arcade 1 Up. That has 50 games on it which is what, close to half their games for this console? It is expensive but I do like having arcade cabinets.

Got me a CDZ and love it!

For anyone in the 90s with limited cash, a Sega Saturn would have been a much better investment given its faithful port of many Neo Geo games thanks to the expansion slot. The Playstation also had some decent ports albeit with reduced frames of animation and longer load times.

I was never aware of it but i knew about neo geo cd. The design is appealing. Seems to be a machine id wouldve liked to have when it came out. Had they tested it further and fixed what you pointed out it would have been a great console! Snk CDZ. Too bad. They shouldve given it a shot. Looks like a proper console.

Legend in the house.!

Did we get this in Australia? Never played a neo geo but still enjoyed your video

Neogeo cd paired with the SD loader improves the loading exponentially and it’s a great way to enjoy the console.

Thisll be good 😊🙏❤️

This version together with third party support would have had a good chance to compete with Nintendo and SEGA I guess.

I suggest you that you try a top loader with an sd loader, that for me was a gamechanger

Ironic how the CDZ was the smallest version of the system. Still sucks that it didn't come out in America, though.

Devil's advocate the load times are only really bad on KOF's from 95 onwards ( ok all of them apart from from 94 heh ), avoid them and Last Blade, a few later fighting games - a wonderful way to play the classic Neo Geo library, imo the arranged soundtracks on some titles are the best on any system. Nice to see it getting some video love here.

I’m getting a CDZ, but it doesn’t have a power cord. Do you know if the power supply for the Neo Geo Cd works or fits on the CDZ? Have you tried?

Adam you ever worry about recapping any of your older consoles? I know some around certain years are prone to issues. I’ve done a few but mainly high use ones like Xbox and a dreamcast. I have a like new non yellow snes I may do one day. In a decade I may rethink some.

The original run of the CD model was discontinued because of the CD ROM speed, I'd always heard. The load times on the original were far worse. I can remember the advent of Ebay, the original CD console was actually cheaper than the Z because of this, rarity and tech hoarding hadnt quite made these things unreasonably expensive at that point.

Is it possible to have any sort of upgrade to a faster CD Drive ? Wonder If can support at least a 8x drive minimum

The Neo Geo CD what a mess. Too bad SNK didn't just decide that 2x should've been the minimum for Drive speed.

Hi Adam, great video. Do you know if the Neo Geo CD can play burned copies of games or does it have have copy protection? I'm just curious to know. Thank you

I love SNK

Maybe the cdz can be modded and maybe you can add heat sink to it or a small fan without moddimg the case...🤔

So what is the difference besides cost for the original massive cartridges and the CD? If cost didn’t matter why would I get the cd or the original? Basically are there more games on the cartridges or the cd or is it the exact same? The store near me actually has a few cartridges on the shelf.

What I dont understand of this whole story, is how is it possible that the 1x units were sold at all. What were they thinking? Its not like they were the first ones selling a CD gaming console, the ground had already been explored by SEGA and NEC before, they should have learned from them something.

Cool

Extreme emergency at 11:30

Leaving a comment for the algorithm

Adam I'd like for you to test this theory with the Original NEOGEOCD Model: Boot up the system, walk into the kitchen, make a small grilled cheese sandwich & then, after eating the delicious grilled chese sandwich, go back to the NEOGEOCD to see if the damn thing is STILL loading.

I have a model 2.. gave up collecting for it. Why those cds are so damn expensive is beyond me... Burnt the whole libary. 100 cds or so. I know there is a flash solution but having a whole library is cooler. RGB looks amazing. Forgot to mention it has a built in memory system. To bad it can't be backed it. The AES is better to a certain degree. Any of the king of fighter games, holy shit... load times are bad...

Adam, what would recommend for a first time Neo Geo hardware buyer....CDZ or AES? I'm so torn on the pros and cons, which you have highlighted in both videos. My heart says AES but my brain says CDZ.

I don’t think it was gonna really matter, the 3DO and PlayStation were getting near arcade perfect ports and it just didn’t seem appealing to get another device to play a handful of games that were starting to get long in the tooth at that time anyways.

I have a Neo Geo CD and it's a gorgeous looking console but the load times are ridiculous.

Been saying that for a while, if only…

did the Neo Geo CD have any 3D capabilities? Because all the games that I've seen are 2D games.

Given how big of a sell the 3D capabilities of other 5th gen systems were, I doubt that it would've done well even if the CDZ was the first impression. It would've probably ended up being just as niche as the AES.

If you are looking to get into Neo Geo Collecting and budget is a problem then CD>MVS>AES If you want the real deal MVS>AES>CD If you want the best ports collect MVS & CD, if you like to suffer with limited credits then get an AES If you are rich and want to brag about expensive games get an AES

A major misconception of the CDZ is that it has '2x' cd rom. That is not true. The drives for the CD and CDZ are exactly the same (other than the spindle). What the CDZ DID have, was an increased cd rom buffer...and possibly a bit faster buffer. Ive owed both unit's for years and tinkerd the hell out of them.

Isn't the CD drive in the CDZ still a 1x drive but with more cache? I had the luck to test it at the time and, even if much better than the regular CD model it was still a pain in many games... I remember we compared KOF 95 with the Saturn version and there was still too much difference in loading times were the Saturn version was almost instantaneous without much if any difference in animation frames... Unfortunately the Neo Geo CD was a really bad designed console, made like they never really tested. It was too expensive, too slow and a bad idea from every prospect because the Neo Geo games released after this were so much big in ROM size that the quantity of RAM mounted on the NGCD wasn't enough for arcade perfect conversions...

I was actually shocked you had a CDZ and thought you had barrowed it till you told the incredibly lucky story of it's acquisition. Not saying I think you seem remotely poor, just you do seem pretty adverse to lighting a pile of cash on fire to get something super desirable just because it's rare.

Solo el hyperscan es mas lento que una NeoGeo CD jajajaja

I play my favorite neogeo cd games on my Dreamcast, somehow they play flawlessly

The cost of a regular neo geo is eye watering I don't even wanna think about the cost of this.... I'll stick with my mister

I just found a CDZ, want to love the system, but the games are all fighters.... sucks!

Finally eh, also i'd say the front loader is more rare than the cdz. The cdz is just over priced.