Editing Neo Geo CD (section)

==History==
[[file:Neo-Geo-CD-FrontLoader-wController-FL.png|thumb|The front-loading version: the first to market, and only released in Japan]]
The Neo Geo CD was first unveiled at the 1994 Tokyo Toy Show.<ref name=EGM61>{{cite magazine |title=Neo Geo CD Brings Arcade Home|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=61 |publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=August 1994|page=60}}</ref> The console uses the same [[CPU]] set-up as the arcade and cartridge-based Neo Geo systems, facilitating conversions. SNK planned to release Neo Geo CD versions of every Neo Geo game still in the arcades.<ref name=GPro69>{{cite magazine |title=The Neo Geo CD: An Arcade in Your Home|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=79 |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=April 1995|page=16}}</ref>

Three versions of the Neo Geo CD were released:

# A tray-loading Japan-only version, colloquially known as the "front loader"
# A top-loading international version, colloquially known as the "top loader"
# An upgraded Japan-only faster-loading double-speed version

The front loader is the original console design, while the top loader version was developed shortly before the Neo Geo CD launch as a smaller, cheaper alternative model.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=SNK CD for Spring|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=63 |publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=October 1994|page=62}}</ref>

All three versions of the system have no [[regional lockout|region lock]], but they are region aware, and some games will display English or Japanese depending on the console's region setting. The system can also play [[Compact Disc Digital Audio|Audio CD]]s.

The system itself was originally priced at {{US$|399}}.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=September 1995 |title=Neo Geo CD to Debut in October |magazine=[[GamePro]] |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]] |page=138 |issue=84}}</ref> Approximately one month after launch, SNK reported that they had sold the Neo Geo CD's entire initial shipment of 50,000 units.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Gaming Gossip|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=65|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=December 1994|page=56}}</ref>

Criticism of the system's generally long loading times began even before launch; a report in ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' on the Neo Geo CD's unveiling noted, "At the show, they were showing a demo of ''[[Fatal Fury 2]]''. The prototype of the machine that they showed was single speed, and the load time was 14-28 seconds between rounds. You can see that the [[screenshot|screen[shot]]] on the right is a load screen."<ref name="EGM61"/>

In response to criticism of the Neo Geo CD's long load times, SNK planned to produce a model with a double speed CD-ROM drive for North America, compared to the single speed drive of the Japanese and European models.<ref name=GPro85/> However, the system missed its planned North American launch date of October 1995, and while SNK declined to give a specific reason for the delay,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Neo-Geo CD Delayed|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=88 |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=January 1996|page=22}}</ref> in their announcement of the new January 1996 launch date they stated that they had decided against using a double speed drive.<ref name=GPro89>{{cite magazine |title=Neo Geo CD Back on Track |magazine=[[GamePro]] |issue=89 |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=February 1996|page=16}}</ref> Their Japanese division had produced an excess number of single speed units and found that modifying these units to double speed was more expensive than they had initially thought, so SNK opted to sell them as they were, postponing production of a double speed model until they had sold off the stock of single speed units.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Neo CD to Be Single Speed |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=79|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=February 1996|page=20}}</ref>

[[file:Neo-Geo-CDZ-wController-FL.png|thumb|left|The CDZ, only released in Japan and featuring faster CD loading than the previous models]]

The CDZ was released on December 29, 1995<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.neogeocdworld.info/html/fiche/fichetechniqueneogeo.htm |title=Neo Geo CD World |access-date=2015-12-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217052443/http://www.neogeocdworld.info/html/fiche/fichetechniqueneogeo.htm |archive-date=December 17, 2010 |df=mdy-all |language=fr}}</ref><ref>http://www.obsolete-tears.com/snk-neogeo-cd-machine-226.html {{in lang|fr}}</ref> as the Japanese market replacement for [[SNK]]'s previous efforts (the ''"front loader"'' and the ''"top loader"'').

The CDZ was only officially sold in Japan during its production; however, its faster loading times made it a desirable import for enthusiasts in both Europe and North America.{{citation needed|date=December 2014}} The system's technical specs are identical to the previous models except that it includes a double-speed CD-ROM drive,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=SNK Brings Out New Neo CDX |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=80 |publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=March 1996|pages=16–17}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Neo Geo Short Stories|magazine=Maximum: The Video Game Magazine |issue=3 |publisher=[[Emap International Limited]]|date=January 1996|page=117}}</ref> and different CD controller circuitry.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Neo Geo CDZ |journal=[[Retro Gamer]] |date=May 2022 |volume=232 |page=62 |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A704057678/ITOF?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=39856c9a |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref>

Reviewing the Neo Geo CD in late 1995, ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' noted SNK's reputation for fun games but argued that their failure to upgrade the Neo Geo system with 3D capabilities would keep them from producing any truly "cutting edge" games, and limit the console to the same small cult following as the Neo Geo AES system although with less expensive games. They gave it 1 1/2 out of 5 stars.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Which Game System is the Best!?|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=12|publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|date=December 1995|page=75}}</ref>

In response to reader inquiries about Neo Geo CD software, ''[[GamePro]]'' reported in an issue [[cover date]]d May 1997 that SNK had quietly discontinued the console by this time.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Survival of the Coolest|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=104 |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=May 1997|page=16}}</ref> It was also the last home console produced by SNK.