Neo Geo X - The new handheld console licensed by SNK Playmore

If you are an old school gamer like me who has fond memories of spending time at the arcades with friends then you definitely know the name SNK and Neo-Geo. There are some of us who still play some of those old Neo-Geo games on an emulator on PC. Well, now you can play all those games within the palm of your hands.

The Neo-Geo X is an upcoming handheld video game console licensed by SNK Playmore and the latest console released as part of the company's Neo Geo brand. Information about the Neo-Geo X was first reported in January 2012 and the console was later confirmed in March. It marks the first Neo-Geo branded console in 13 years, following the Neo Geo Pocket Color in 1999.

The device runs games that ran on the original Neo Geo AES/MVS hardware and comes with 20 original Neo Geo games pre-installed. Additional titles are to be made available on memory cards. The console is to be released in December 2012 as part of a bundle called the Neo-Geo X Gold package, which includes a docking station modeled after the original Neo Geo AES console and a replica of the Neo Geo AES joystick that can be used as a controller for the handheld.

Price

Initially, the device was reported to retail for about $800, but the price of the Gold package was revealed to be $200, far less than the original Neo-Geo console.The handheld by itself, without the docking station and controller was later priced at $129.99. However, links on the official website to the standalone handheld were subsequently removed and the official FAQ now reads that the Docking Station is required in order to charge the device.

Games

A Ninja Master's game card has been offered as a bonus for early buyers. 20 games come pre-loaded on the system including titles from signature SNK series such as Metal Slug, Fatal Fury and The King of Fighters:


Hardware

The device is slated to include a a 4.3-inch LCD screen, SD card slot, A/V output, internal stereo speakers with a 3.5mm headphone jack. The system is being released on December 6th, 2012 as part of the "Neo-Geo X Gold" package, which includes the Neo-Geo X Station, a replica of the original Neo-Geo AES console that functions as a charging/docking station with its own A/V out and HDMI output along with a functioning replica of the original AES joystick controller.The system will be distributed by Tommo Inc. in North America and Blaze Europe in Europe.

Original Neo Geo AES joysticks and games are not compatible with Neo Geo X. In comparison to the Neo Geo AES there are new buttons on the handheld - L1, L2, R1 and R2.