Not to call you all out, beloved readers, but many of you called that really slick Neo Geo handheld fake when we told you about it earlier this year. To be fair, the images we had looked pretty janky, but even then I would have bet you 1,000 Megas that it was real.
Now we know that this is a real product, set to ship later this year, following the 20th anniversary of the original console. It’s called NeoGeo X, and it was created by Blaze, the “retro gaming specalists” behind similar Sega Genesis-based handhelds. 20 games have been licensed from SNK to be packed inside, and a SD card slot will presumably hold even more. You’ll play them on that sexy d-pad while looking at a 3.5″ LCD screen. If that’s not big enough, an A/V output will let you connect this device to a television. Your Vita can’t do that!
There’s no price set yet, but there’s a webpage that lets you register your interest.
I registered.
NEOGEO Handheld Games Console Officially Announced
Tommo Inc and BLAZE set to release Limited Edition NEOGEO Handheld for Worldwide sale Q2 2O12
Los Angeles
The “NEOGEO X” will be released in Q2 2012 following the 20th anniversary of the ground breaking NEOGEO AES console. This Limited Edition handheld console will feature 20 officially licensed NEOGEO games including retro classics such METALSLUG, THE KING OF FIGHTERS and FATAL FURY.
Along with these 20 built in NEOGEO classic titles, the NEOGEO X will also feature, SD card expansion, a 3.5″ LCD screen, A/V output, internal stereo speakers and a headphone socket.
The full game list is as follows:
1. ART OF FIGHTING
2. BASEBALL STARS
3. CYBER LIP
4. FATAL FURY
5. FATAL FURY SPECIAL
6. FOOTBALL FRENZY
7. KING OF THE MONSTERS
8. LAST RESORT
9. LEAGUE BOWLING
10. MAGICIAN LORD
11. METAL SLUG
12. MUTATION NATION
13. NAM 1975
14. SAMURAI SHODOWN
15. SENGOKU
16. SUPER SIDEKICKS
17. THE KING OF FIGHTERS’94
18. THE ULTIMATE 11
19. TOP PLAYERS GOLF
20. WORLD HEROES
Jonathan Wan of Tommo commented
“I am very proud to be working with SNK PLAYMORE, as NEOGEO is a strong brand with an excellent gaming pedigree”
Jason Cooper of BLAZE commented
“The NEOGEO console has always been a personal favorite of mine and I am delighted to be involved with the development of this new handheld console. We hope to re-ignite the excitement many of us felt twenty one years ago, in a more affordable manner, to a much wider audience.”
The Limited Edition NEOGEO X will be distributed by Tommo Inc in the United States and retro gaming specialists BLAZE throughout Europe, Middle East and Australia. A distributor for Japan and the Far East will be confirmed shortly.
To register your interest go to www.neogeox.com
About SNK PLAYMORE CORPORATION:
Founded by Eikichi Kawasaki in Osaka Japan, SNK (Shin Nihon Kikaku) has been delighting gamers for over 30 years. Since it’s early days as a developer and manufacturer of coin operated arcade games through to it’s growth in home gaming with the NEOGEO and NEOGEO POCKET. SNK has always driven success through innovation and quality.
About Tommo Inc:
With over 20 years of experience in logistics and sales, a knowledgeable staff and sales representatives available nationwide, Tommo Inc. is one of North America’s largest distributors of video gaming merchandises.
Founded in 1989, Tommo has grown from a wholesaler of imported video games to becoming one of the nation’s main suppliers of video gaming content to national retail chain stores as well as independent retailers.
About BLAZE:
Founded by Jason Cooper over 20 years ago, BLAZE now specialise in the creation and distribution of retro gaming devices. BLAZE currently distribute SEGA and ATARI branded consoles and, in Q1 2012, are set to release the “Gamegadget” games console, billed as the “ipod for games”
