This is where the controversy lies. The Neo Geo X is an emulation device. It does not contain original Neo Geo hardware (like the 68000 CPU). Instead, it runs on a Linux-based OS utilizing a generic emulator (widely believed to be a modified version of FinalBurn Alpha).
Performance: Most games run at full speed with full sound. The library includes heavy hitters like Fatal Fury, Art of Fighting, Metal Slug, King of Fighters '94-'97, and Samurai Shodown.
The Expansion Slots: The system has a slot on the top that looks like a game cartridge slot. However, it did not accept original Neo Geo MVS or AES carts. Instead, Tommo released "game cards" (SD cards in custom shells) that added 5 games each. The library was limited, and production eventually ceased, rendering the slot mostly useless for homebrew or original carts.
The Neo Geo X launched as the "Gold Limited Edition." It was a premium package that mimicked the original Neo Geo AES home console aesthetic. It included: neogeo x
For collectors, the presentation was stellar. It looked the part of a high-end luxury item, fitting perfectly on a shelf next to original SNK hardware.
The dock is a unique selling point. You slide the handheld into the AES-shaped cradle, plug it into your TV via the AV cable (Composite only—no HDMI, which was a major missed opportunity for a 2012 device), and you can play on the big screen using the included joystick.
While cool in theory, the execution is flawed. The joystick included is mediocre; the buttons feel spongy, and the stick itself is loose. Furthermore, playing on a modern HDTV via composite results in a blurry, laggy mess. This is where the controversy lies
The console came loaded with 20 games. While the list included heavy hitters, it also had glaring omissions.
The Great:
The Head-Scratchers:
The Missing:
The Neo Geo X had an SD card slot, and SNK promised downloadable game cards (sold physically as tiny SD cards). Only two were ever released (Vol. 1: Garou + 3 others; Vol. 2: Sengoku + 3 others). After that, silence. Then, in a bizarre twist, SNK Playmore sued the manufacturer (Tommo) for breaching contract, and the console vanished from shelves.
The Neo Geo X is infamous in the retro community for its abrupt death. The Expansion Slots: The system has a slot
The marketing promised "20 classic games." But savvy buyers immediately realized that Metal Slug 2 was present, but Metal Slug X (the superior, less laggy version) was not. King of Fighters '94 and '95 were there, but the fan-favorite '98 was relegated to a secondary slot. Worse, users discovered that the internal storage was capped. You could not add more than one or two additional games via the SD card slot without hacking the firmware.