NEO-GEO CD

GAME LISTS &

LOAD TIMES
Contents...
CD Games -> A-Z - p3

CD Games -> Date - p5

CD Games -> Publisher - p7

Unofficial CD Games - p9

MVS To CD Ports - p10

Loading Times -> A-Z - p11

Loading Times -> Speed - p15

Fighting Game Comparison - p17

CD Version Differences - p19

English on Jap Console - p21

Neo-Geo Games Info - p25

CD Burning - p27

Neo-Geo CD Games By Numbers:

Official Releases - 97
Unofficial Releases - 5
MVS To CD Ports - 15
PD/Homebrew Games - 8
Total - 125 Games
CD Games -> A-Z
A-Z of the official Neo-Geo CD releases, 97 games in total, list is using the English name for
the games that had a Western release.

#-2 K - 10
2020 Super Baseball - 2.25.95 Kabuki Klash - 11.24.95
3 Count Bout - 4.21.95 Karnov’s Revenge - 12.22.94
King of the Monsters 2 - 9.9.94
A-8 King of Fighters ‘94 - 11.2.94
ADK World - 11.10.95 King of Fighters ‘95 - 9.29.95
Aero Fighters 2 - 9.29.94 King of Fighters ‘96 - 10.25.96
Aero Fighters 3 - 12.8.95 King of Fighters ‘96 Collection - 2.14.97
Aggressors of Dark Kombat - 1.13.95 King of Fighters ‘97 - 10.30.97
Alpha Mission 2 - 9.9.94 King of Fighters ‘98 - 12.23.98
Art of Fighting - 9.9.94 King of Fighters ‘99 - 12.2.99
Art of Fighting 2 - 9.9.94
Art of Fighting 3: Path of the Warrior - 9.14.96 L-4
Last Blade - 3.26.98
B-5 Last Blade 2 - 2.27.99
Baseball Stars 2 - 9.9.94 Last Resort - 9.9.94
Baseball Stars Professional - 4.21.95 League Bowling - 9.9.94
Blue’s Journey - 10.31.94
Breakers - 4.24.97 M-7
Burning Fight - 9.9.94 Magical Drop 2 - 5.24.96
Magician Lord - 10.31.94
C-3 Mahjong Kyoretsuden - 9.9.94
Crossed Swords - 10.31.94 Master of Syougi - 10.20.95
Crossed Swords 2 - 5.2.95 Metal Slug - 7.5.96
Cyber-Lip - 4.21.95 Metal Slug 2 - 6.25.98
Mutation Nation - 2.25.95
D-1
Double Dragon - 6.2.95 N-7
NAM 1975 - 9.9.94
F-6 Neo Driftout - 7.26.96
Fatal Fury - 9.9.94 Neo Geo CD Special - 12.22.96
Fatal Fury 2 - 9.9.94 Neo Turf Masters - 5.1.96
Fatal Fury 3 - 4.28.95 Ninja Combat - 10.31.94
Fatal Fury Special - 9.9.94 Ninja Commando - 10.31.94
Football Frenzy - 9.9.94 Ninja Master’s - 9.27.96
Futsal 5-on-5 Mini Soccer - 7.19.96
O-1
G-2 Over Top - 7.5.96
Galaxy Fight - 4.21.95
Ghost Pilots - 3.17.95 P-4
Power Spikes 2 - 3.18.95
I-2 Pulstar - 10.27.95
Idol Mahjong Final Romance 2 - 8.25.95 Puzzled - 9.9.94
Ironclad - 9.20.96 Puzzle Bobble - 4.27.95
Q-2
Quest of Jong Master - 3.31.95
Quiz King of Fighters - 4.7.95

R-7
Ragnagard - 8.23.96
Rally Chase - 10.31.94
Real Bout Fatal Fury - 2.23.96
Real Bout Fatal Fury 2 - 7.23.98
Real Bout Fatal Fury Special - 3.30.97
Riding Hero - 5.26.95
Robo Army - 4.21.95

S - 15
Samurai Shodown - 9.9.94
Samurai Shodown 2 - 12.15.94
Samurai Shodown 3: Blades of Blood - 12.29.95
Samurai Shodown 4: Amakusa’s Revenge - 12.27.96
Samurai Shodown RPG - 6.27.97
Savage Reign - 6.16.95
Sengoku - 3.17.95
Sengoku 2 - 3.17.95
Soccer Brawl - 3.31.95
Stakes Winner - 3.23.96
Street Hoop - 1.20.95
Super Sidekicks - 3.31.95
Super Sidekicks 2 - 9.9.94
Super Sidekicks 3 - 6.23.95
Super Spy, The - 9.9.94

T-3
Top Hunter - 9.29.94
Top Player’s Golf - 9.9.94
Twinkle Star Sprites - 2.21.97

V-2
Viewpoint - 2.25.95
Voltage Fighter Gowcaizer - 11.24.95

W-5
Windjammers - 1.20.95
World Heroes - 3.17.95
World Heroes 2 - 4.14.95
World Heroes 2 Jet - 11.11.94
World Heroes Perfect - 7.21.95

Z-1
Zintrick - 3.22.96
CD Games -> Date
A total of 97 official games were released for the Neo-Geo CD systems, 5 other unofficial
games (either new or licensed) have been sold since bringing it to 102 games.
The format is using the American date system (month/day/year).

1994 - 31 1995 - 38
Alpha Mission 2 / ASO II : Last Guardian - 9.9.94 Aggressors of Dark Kombat / Tsukai Gan Gan
Art of Fighting - 9.9.94 Koshinkyoku - 1.13.95
Art of Fighting 2 - 9.9.94 Street Hoop / Dunk Dream - 1.20.95
Baseball Stars 2 - 9.9.94 Windjammers / Flying Power Disk - 1.20.95
Burning Fight - 9.9.94 Mutation Nation - 2.25.95
Fatal Fury - 9.9.94 Super Baseball 2020 - 2.25.95
Fatal Fury 2 - 9.9.94 Viewpoint - 2.25.95
Fatal Fury Special - 9.9.94 Ghost Pilots - 3.17.95
Football Frenzy - 9.9.94 Sengoku - 3.17.95
King of the Monsters 2 - 9.9.94 Sengoku 2 - 3.17.95
Last Resort - 9.9.94 World Heroes - 3.17.95
League Bowling - 9.9.94 Power Spikes 2 - 3.18.95
Mahjong Kyoretsuden - 9.9.94 Quest of Jong Master - 3.31.95
NAM 1975 - 9.9.94 Soccer Brawl - 3.31.95
Puzzled / Joy Joy Kid - 9.9.94 Super Sidekicks - 3.31.95
Samurai Shodown - 9.9.94 Quiz King of Fighters - 4.7.95
Super Sidekicks 2 - 9.9.94 World Heroes 2 - 4.14.95
Super Spy, The - 9.9.94 3 Count Bout / Fire Suplex - 4.21.95
Top Player’s Golf - 9.9.94 Baseball Stars Professional - 4.21.95
Aero Fighters 2 / Sonic Wings 2 - 9.29.94 Cyber-Lip - 4.21.95
Top Hunter - 9.29.94 Galaxy Fight - 4.21.95
Blue’s Journey / Raguy - 10.31.94 Robo Army - 4.21.95
Crossed Swords - 10.31.94 Puzzle Bobble - 4.27.95
Magician Lord - 10.31.94 Fatal Fury 3 - 4.28.95
Ninja Combat - 10.31.94 Crossed Swords 2 - 5.2.95
Ninja Commando - 10.31.94 Riding Hero - 5.26.95
Rally Chase - 10.31.94 Double Dragon - 6.2.95
King of Fighters ‘94 - 11.2.94 Savage Reign / Fu’un Mokujiroku - 6.16.95
World Heroes 2 Jet - 11.11.94 Super Sidekicks 3 - 6.23.95
Samurai Shodown 2 - 12.15.94 World Heroes Perfect - 7.21.95
Karnov’s Revenge / Fighters History Dynamite - Idol Mahjong Final Romance 2 - 8.25.95
12.22.94 King of Fighters ‘95 - 9.29.95
Master of Syougi / Shogi no Tatsujin - 10.20.95
Pulstar - 10.27.95
ADK World / ADK Special - 11.10.95
Kabuki Klash - 11.24.95
Voltage Fighter Gowcaizer - 11.24.95
Aero Fighters 3 / Sonic Wings 3 - 12.8.95
Samurai Shodown 3: Blades of Blood - 12.29.95
1996 - 16
Real Bout Fatal Fury - 2.23.96
Zintrick / Oshidashi Zentrix - 3.22.96
Stakes Winner - 3.23.96
Neo Turf Masters / Big Tournament Golf - 5.1.96
Magical Drop 2 - 5.24.96
Metal Slug - 7.5.96
Over Top - 7.5.96
Futsal 5-on-5 Mini Soccer - 7.19.96
Neo Driftout - 7.26.96
Ragnagard - 8.23.96
Art of Fighting 3: Path of the Warrior - 9.14.96
Ironclad / Chotetsu Bri’kinger - 9.20.96
Ninja Master’s - 9.27.96
King of Fighters ‘96 - 10.25.96
Neo Geo CD Special - 12.22.96
Samurai Shodown 4: Amakusa’s Revenge - 12.27.96

1997 - 6
King of Fighters ‘96 Collection - 2.14.97
Twinkle Star Sprites - 2.21.97
Real Bout Fatal Fury Special - 3.30.97
Breakers - 4.24.97
Samurai Shodown RPG - 6.27.97
King of Fighters ‘97 - 10.30.97

1998 - 4
Last Blade - 3.26.98
Metal Slug 2 - 6.25.98
Real Bout Fatal Fury 2 - 7.23.98
King of Fighters ‘98 - 12.23.98

1999 - 2
Last Blade 2 - 2.27.99
King of Fighters ‘99 - 12.2.99

2007 -1
Last Hope - 11.19.07

2012 -3
Treasure of the Caribbean - 2.24.12
Bang Bang Busters - 6.28.12
Time’s Up - 11.16.12

2013 -1
Andro Dunos - 10.29.13

1994 = 31
1995 = 38 (Inc 3 exclusives)
1996 = 16 (Inc 3 exclusives)
1997 = 6 (Inc 2 exclusives)
1998 = 4
1999 = 2
2007 = 1
2012 = 3
2013 = 1
CD Games -> Publisher

Neo-Geo CD games listed by Publisher. (36 published by 3rd parties / 61 by SNK)

HUDSON - (1) (1=1995) ADK - CONT...

Kabuki Klash - 11.24.95 Master of Syougi - 10.20.95
ADK World - 11.10.95
SUNSOFT - (1) (1=1995) Zintrick - 3.22.96
Galaxy Fight - 4.21.95 Over Top - 7.5.96
Ninja Master’s - 9.27.96
TECHNOS - (2) (2=1995) Twinkle Star Sprites - 2.21.97
Double Dragon - 6.2.95
Voltage Fighter Gowcaizer - 11.24.95 SNK - (61) (22=1994 / 22=1995 / 7=1996 /
4=1997 / 4=1998 / 2=1999)
VISCO - (2) (1=1996 / 1=1997) Alpha Mission 2 - 9.9.94
Neo Driftout - 7.26.96 Art of Fighting - 9.9.94
Breakers - 4.24.97 Art of Fighting 2 - 9.9.94
Baseball Stars 2 - 9.9.94
DATA EAST - (4) (1=1994 / 2=1995 / 1=1996) Burning Fight - 9.9.94
Karnov’s Revenge - 12.22.94 Fatal Fury - 9.9.94
Street Hoop - 1.20.95 Fatal Fury 2 - 9.9.94
Windjammers - 1.20.95 Fatal Fury Special - 9.9.94
Magical Drop 2 - 5.24.96 Football Frenzy - 9.9.94
King of the Monsters 2 - 9.9.94
VIDEO SYSTEMS - (4) (1=1994 / 3=1995) Last Resort - 9.9.94
Aero Fighters 2 - 9.29.94 League Bowling - 9.9.94
Power Spikes 2 - 3.18.95 Mahjong Kyoretsuden - 9.9.94
Idol Mahjong Final Romance 2 - 8.25.95 NAM 1975 - 9.9.94
Aero Fighters 3 - 12.8.95 Puzzled - 9.9.94
Samurai Shodown - 9.9.94
SAURUS - (5) (1=1995 / 4=1996) Super Sidekicks 2 - 9.9.94
Quiz King of Fighters - 4.7.95 Super Spy, The - 9.9.94
Stakes Winner - 3.23.96 Top Player’s Golf - 9.9.94
Futsal 5-on-5 Mini Soccer - 7.19.96 Top Hunter - 9.29.94
Ragnagard - 8.23.96 King of Fighters ‘94 - 11.2.94
Ironclad - 9.20.96 Samurai Shodown 2 - 12.15.94
Aggressors of Dark Kombat - 1.13.95
ADK - (17) (7=1994 / 6=1995 / 3=1996 / 2020 Super Baseball - 2.25.95
1=1997) Mutation Nation - 2.25.95
Blue’s Journey - 10.31.94 Viewpoint - 2.25.95
Crossed Swords - 10.31.94 Ghost Pilots - 3.17.95
Magician Lord - 10.31.94 Sengoku - 3.17.95
Ninja Combat - 10.31.94 Sengoku 2 - 3.17.95
Ninja Commando - 10.31.94 Quest of Jong Master - 3.31.95
Rally Chase - 10.31.94 Soccer Brawl - 3.31.95
World Heroes 2 Jet - 11.11.94 Super Sidekicks - 3.31.95
World Heroes - 3.17.95 3 Count Bout - 4.21.95
World Heroes 2 - 4.14.95 Baseball Stars Professional - 4.21.95
Crossed Swords 2 - 5.2.95 Cyber-Lip - 4.21.95
World Heroes Perfect - 7.21.95 Robo Army - 4.21.95
SNK - CONT....
Puzzle Bobble - 4.27.95
Fatal Fury 3 - 4.28.95
Riding Hero - 5.26.95
Savage Reign - 6.16.95
Super Sidekicks 3 - 6.23.95
King of Fighters ‘95 - 9.29.95
Pulstar - 10.27.95
Samurai Shodown 3: Blades of Blood - 12.29.95
Real Bout Fatal Fury - 2.23.96
Neo Turf Masters - 5.1.96
Metal Slug - 7.5.96
Art of Fighting 3: Path of the Warrior - 9.14.96
King of Fighters ‘96 - 10.25.96
Neo Geo CD Special - 12.22.96
Samurai Shodown 4: Amakusa’s Revenge - 12.27.96
King of Fighters ‘96 Collection - 2.14.97
Real Bout Fatal Fury Special - 3.30.97
Samurai Shodown RPG - 6.27.97
King of Fighters ‘97 - 10.30.97
Last Blade - 3.26.98
Metal Slug 2 - 6.25.98
Real Bout Fatal Fury 2 - 7.23.98
King of Fighters ‘98 - 12.23.98
Last Blade 2 - 2.27.99
King of Fighters ‘99 - 12.2.99
Unofficial CD Games
This list contains unofficial Neo-Geo CD games, be it newly programmed, licensed or
unlicensed re-releases, beta’s they are all listed here.

Pressed Disc unofficial releases - 5

Last Hope - 11.19.07 - NG:Dev.Team -
Loading (CDZ) Main Load 10 Secs / First Level 6 Secs.

Treasure of the Caribbean - 2.24.12- NCI (Licensed Beta) -

Loading (CDZ) Main Load 21 Secs

Bang Bang Busters - 6.28.12 - NCI (Licensed Beta) -

Loading (CDZ) Main Load 21 Secs

Time’s Up - 11.16.12- NGFDev.Inc -

Loading (CDZ) Main Load 14 Secs

Andro Dunos - 10.29.13 - NCI (Licensed Conversion) -

Loading (CDZ) Main Load 15 Secs

Unofficial ‘Hacked’ Games - 2

Puzzle Bobble Crazy - 2009 - Elrayzeur (Hack that added a ‘Crazy’ difficulty setting)

Metal Slug 2 Turbo - 2015 - System11 (Hack that reduced the amount of slowdown in MS2)

PD / Homebrew Games - 8
Columns - 2004 - Neo Bitz - Loading (CDZ) 8 Secs.
Frog Feast - 2006 - Rastersoft
Tetris - 2008 - Crim - Loading (CDZ) 5 Secs.
Poker Night - 2009 - Neo Bitz - Loading (CDZ) 8 Secs.
NEO-Pang - 2010 - NGF.Dev (Sold on CD-R originally)
Neo Thunder - 2012 - Sebastian Mihai - Loading (CDZ) 10 Secs.
NGD::Ark - 2012 - NGD::DevGroup - Loading (CDZ) 9 Secs.
Santaball - 2012 - NeoHomeBrew

Only publically available games that boot on real hardware are included.
As the title says, these are MVS games that have been ported to the Neo-Geo CD, they are all ‘one-load’
games as the data has to all load into the 7MB (56Mbit) RAM unless a complete rewrite is done, and as
such only games with the main program data around this size have been possible to ‘port’.

Sadly as the NGCD has less RAM allocated for sound (it was decided companies could stream the music
and/or parts of the SFX from CD to save on valuable RAM usage) so on a quite a few of the games there
are sound issues with these hacks. On a couple of these games there are some graphical issues too, all
information for each game listed below.

15 MVS ---> CD Games:

Eightman - Pallas - 1991 - 46Mbit - Loading (CDZ) 20 Secs - SFX Issues in-game, but bearable to leave
sound on.

Gururin - Face - 1994 - 40Mbit - Loading (CDZ) - Secs?? - perfect?? (Unconfirmed at present)

King Of The Monsters - SNK - 1991 - 55Mbit - Loading (CDZ) 24 Secs - SFX Issues all through game -
turn sound off!

Magical Drop III - Data East - 1997 - 174Mbit - Loading (CDZ) 22 Secs - GFX garbled on menus / SFX
errors on menus, No sound in-game - fine to leave sound on.

Mahjong Bakatonosama Manyuki - Monolith - 1991 - 48Mbit - Loading (CDZ) 23 Secs - SFX Issues all
through game - turn sound off!

Mahjong Minnasano Okagesamadesu - Monolith - 1990 - 54Mbit - Loading (CDZ) 27 Secs - No Issues.

Money Puzzle Exchanger - Face - 1997 - 78Mbit - Loading (CDZ) 20 Secs - GFX garbled on menus /
SFX Issues all through game - turn sound off!

Neo Mr. Do! - Visco - 1996 - 50Mbit - Loading (CDZ) 23 Secs - No Issues.

Panic Bomber - Hudson Soft - 1994 - 46Mbit - Loading (CDZ) 12 Secs - SFX minor Issues - bearable to
leave sound on.

Pop ‘N Bounce - Video System - 1997 - 58Mbit - Loading (CDZ) 21 Secs - No Issues.

Puzzle De Pon! - Visco - 1995 - 30Mbit - Loading (CDZ) 10 Secs - No Issues.

Puzzle De Pon! R - Visco - 1996 - 32Mbit - Loading (CDZ) Menu 5 Secs, Main Load 9 Secs - No Issues.

Zedblade - NMK - 1994 - 110Mbit - Loading (CDZ) 20 Secs - GFX garbled on title & menus - minor sound
Issues - but bearable to leave sound on.

Zupapa! - Face - 2001 - 46Mbit - Loading (CDZ) 22 Secs - SFX Issues all through game - turn sound off!

Ghostlop (Unreleased Beta) - Data East - 1996 - Loading (CDZ) 20 Secs - GFX garbled on menus & In-
game bg’s / SFX Issues all through game - turn sound off!
 LOADING TIMES!

These are my findings of load times on a Neo-Geo CDZ console,

timings were made when the loading screen appeared to when it
disappeared on the first load of a game, thereafter when disc access is
heard to when it finishes.

Single-Load games have been added into a single list at the bottom of
the page.

Finally, one of the games that gets verbal abuse for being slow to load is Last Blade and its sequel, yet
many people don’t know in the options you can set a demo mode to reduce loading by upto 29 secs a
fight, making them faster to load then alot of the other fighters released at the time, if people want to
lament a game then Samurai Spirits RPG is it!

On with the timings!

#
2020 Super Baseball - Menu Load - 22 secs, No Other Loading
3 Count Bout - Menu Load - 9 secs, First Fight - 16 secs

A
ADK World - Menu Load - 8 secs, (Mini Games - 19YY - 19 secs / Neo-Quiz - 11 secs / ADK Dome - 16
secs / Cafe De ADK - 16 secs / Brown Academy - 12 secs / ADK Corner - 10 secs / Mysterious Shack -
14 secs)
Aero Fighters 2 - Menu Load - 25 secs, First Level - 3 secs Aero Fighters 3 - Menu Load - 24 secs, First
Level - 3 secs
Aggressors of Dark Kombat - Menu Load - 21 secs, First Fight - 20 secs
Alpha Mission 2 - Menu Load - 22 secs, No Other Loading
Art of Fighting - Menu Load - 23 secs, First Fight - 9 secs
Art of Fighting 2 - Menu Load - 12 secs, First Fight - 15 secs
Art of Fighting 3: Path of the Warrior - Menu Load - 10 secs, First Fight - 36 secs

B
Baseball Stars 2 - Menu Load - 22 secs, No Other Loading
Baseball Stars Professional - Menu Load - 25 secs, First Match - 3 secs
Blue’s Journey - Menu Load - 22 secs, No Other Loading
Breakers - Menu Load - 18 secs, Select Screen - 9 secs, First Fight - 9 secs
Burning Fight - Menu Load - 20 secs, No Other Loading

C
Crossed Swords - Menu Load - 21 secs, No Other Loading
Crossed Swords 2 - Menu Load - 27 secs, Select Screen - 6 secs, First Level - 6 secs
Cyber-Lip - Menu Load - 30 secs, No Other Loading

D
Double Dragon - Menu Load - 15 secs, First Fight - 14 secs

F
Fatal Fury - Menu Load - 24 secs, First Fight - 3 secs
Fatal Fury 2 - Menu Load - 16 secs, First Fight - 10 secs
Fatal Fury 3 - Menu Load - 18 secs, First Fight - 26 secs
Fatal Fury Special - Menu Load - 21 secs, First Fight - 9 secs
Football Frenzy - Menu Load - 21 secs, No Other Loading
Futsal 5-on-5 Mini Soccer - Menu Load - 21 secs, First Match 12 secs
G
Galaxy Fight - Menu Load - 12 secs, First Fight - 10 secs
Ghost Pilots - Menu Load - 22 secs, No Other Loading

I
Idol Mahjong Final Romance 2 - Menu Load - 16 secs, No Other Loading
Ironclad - Menu Load - 21 secs, First Level 9 secs

K
Kabuki Klash - Menu Load - 13 secs, Select Screen - 6 secs, First Level - 10 secs
Karnov’s Revenge - Menu Load - 13 secs, First Fight 9 secs
King of Fighters ‘94 - Menu Load - 10 secs, Select Screen 8 secs, First Fight 14 secs (Solo), 21 secs
(Team)
King of Fighters ‘95 - Menu Load - 21 secs, First Fight 12 secs (Solo), 18 secs (Team)
King of Fighters ‘96 - Menu Load - 18 secs, First Fight 23 secs
King of Fighters ‘96 Collection - Menu Load - 10 secs + various for other disc features.
King of Fighters ‘97 - Menu Load - 19 secs, Select Screen - 8 secs, First Fight 30 secs
King of Fighters ‘98 - Menu Load - 14 secs, Select Screen - 10 secs, First Fight 23 secs
King of Fighters ‘99 - Menu Load - 10 secs, Select Screen - 3 secs, First Fight 28 secs
King of the Monsters 2 - Menu Load - 24 secs, First Fight 3 secs

L
Last Blade - Menu Load - 16 secs, Select Screen 3 secs, Fighter Intro 10 secs, Stage Intro 8 secs, First
Fight 28 secs
(Demo mode - removes animated select screen, and player and stage intros, player start animation,
reducing loading by 25 secs)(Mask mode - removes on screen life and power bars, reducing loading on
average by around 8 secs)
Last Blade 2 - Menu Load - 11 secs, Select Screen 9 secs, Fighter Intro 11 secs, First Fight 39 secs
(Demo mode - removes Intro, player Intro animation, reducing loading by 29 secs)
Last Resort - Menu Load - 19 secs, No Other Loading
League Bowling - Menu Load - 9 secs, No Other Loading

M
Magical Drop 2 - Menu Load - 12 secs, First Game - 6 secs
Magician Lord - Menu Load - 16 secs, No Other Loading
Mahjong Kyoretsuden - Menu Load - 12 secs, No Other Loading
Master of Syougi - Menu Load - 20 secs, No Other Loading
Metal Slug - Menu Load - 23 secs, First Level - 6 secs
Metal Slug 2 - Menu Load - 14 secs, First Level - 22 secs
Mutation Nation - Menu Load - 23 secs, No Other Loading

N
NAM 1975 - Menu Load - 21 secs, No Other Loading
Neo Driftout - Menu Load - 12 secs, First Stage - 8 Secs
Neo Geo CD Special - Menu Load - 6 secs, Demos - various, Info on demo titles - 10 secs, Game
Trailers - 6 secs, Music player - 5 secs
Neo Turf Masters - Menu Load - 20 secs, Game Select - 4 secs, First Hole - 17 secs
Ninja Combat - Menu Load - 17 secs, No Other Loading
Ninja Commando - Menu Load - 22 secs, No Other Loading
Ninja Master’s - Menu Load - 17 secs, Select Screen 3 secs, First Fight 22 secs

O
Over Top - Menu Load - 10 secs, Car Select 10 secs, First Race 15 secs, Each Stage 10 secs
P
Power Spikes 2 - Menu Load - 21 secs, No Other Loading
Pulstar - Menu Load - 9 secs, Intro 10 secs (can turn off in settings), First Level 18 secs
Puzzled - Menu Load - 7 secs, No Other Loading
Puzzle Bobble - Menu Load - 8 secs, No Other Loading

Q
Quest of Jong Master - Menu Load - 26 secs, No Other Loading
Quiz King of Fighters - Menu Load - 27 secs, Board Screen 10 secs

R
Ragnagard - Menu Load - 6 secs, Select Screen 8 secs, First Fight 23 secs
Rally Chase - Menu Load - 18 secs, No Other Loading
Real Bout Fatal Fury - Menu Load - 23 secs, Select Screen 5 secs, First Fight 29 secs
Real Bout Fatal Fury 2 - Menu Load - 29 secs, Select Screen 6 secs, First Fight 21 secs
Real Bout Fatal Fury Special - Menu Load - 18 secs, Select Screen 18 secs, First Fight 24 sec
Riding Hero - Menu Load - 16 secs, No Other Loading
Robo Army - Menu Load - 20 secs, First Level 3 secs

S
Samurai Shodown - Menu Load - 22 secs, First Fight 12 sec
Samurai Shodown 2 - Menu Load - 32 secs, Story Screen 6 secs, First Fight 10 secs
Samurai Shodown 3: Blades of Blood - Menu Load - 19 secs, Select Screen 9 secs, First Fight 28 secs
Samurai Shodown 4: Amakusa’s Revenge - Menu Load - 17 secs, Select Screen 8 secs, Fighter Intro 21
secs, First Fight 16 secs
Samurai Shodown RPG - Menu Load - 34 secs, Select Screen 14 secs, First Level 1 min 23 secs
Savage Reign - Menu Load - 24 secs, Select Screen 14 secs, First Fight 20 secs
Sengoku - Menu Load - 27 secs, No Other Loading
Sengoku 2 - Menu Load - 24 secs, First Level 4 secs
Soccer Brawl - Menu Load - 21 secs, No Other Loading
Stakes Winner - Menu Load - 20 secs, First Race 3 secs
Street Hoop - Menu Load - 22 secs, No Other Loading
Super Sidekicks - Menu Load - 22 secs, No Other Loading
Super Sidekicks 2 - Menu Load - 22 secs, First Game 14 secs
Super Sidekicks 3 - Menu Load - 16 secs, First Game 28 secs
Super Spy, The - Menu Load - 21 secs, No Other Loading

T
Top Hunter - Menu Load - 22 secs, First Level 9 secs
Top Player’s Golf - Menu Load - 23 secs, First Course 3 secs
Twinkle Star Sprites - Menu Load - 17 secs, First Level 10 secs

V
Viewpoint - Menu Load - 24 secs, No Other Loading
Voltage Fighter Gowcaizer - Menu Load - 8 secs, Select Screen 8 secs, First Fight 13 secs

W
Windjammers - Menu Load - 20 secs, First Game 2 secs
World Heroes - Menu Load - 24 secs, No Other Loading
World Heroes 2 - Menu Load - 16 secs, First Fight 14 secs
World Heroes 2 Jet - Menu Load - 14 secs, First Fight 22 secs
World Heroes Perfect - Menu Load - 19 secs, First Fight 11 secs

Z
Zintrick - Menu Load - 20 secs, No Other Loading
Any CD owner loves a game that loads all in one game, meaning no more loading during the game,
surprisingly the amount of games that do this may be larger than you thought too, a decent 33 games
in total, over a third of the entire Neo-Geo CD library.

List of Single-Load Games - 33

--------------------------------------------

2020 Super Baseball - Menu Load - 22 secs, No Other Loading

Alpha Mission 2 - Menu Load - 22 secs, No Other Loading
Baseball Stars 2 - Menu Load - 22 secs, No Other Loading
Blue’s Journey - Menu Load - 22 secs, No Other Loading
Burning Fight - Menu Load - 20 secs, No Other Loading
Crossed Swords - Menu Load - 21 secs, No Other Loading
Cyber-Lip - Menu Load - 30 secs, No Other Loading
Football Frenzy - Menu Load - 21 secs, No Other Loading
Ghost Pilots - Menu Load - 22 secs, No Other Loading
Idol Mahjong Final Romance 2 - Menu Load - 16 secs, No Other Loading
Last Resort - Menu Load - 19 secs, No Other Loading
League Bowling - Menu Load - 9 secs, No Other Loading
Magician Lord - Menu Load - 16 secs, No Other Loading
Mahjong Kyoretsuden - Menu Load - 12 secs, No Other Loading
Master of Syougi - Menu Load - 20 secs, No Other Loading
Mutation Nation - Menu Load - 23 secs, No Other Loading
NAM 1975 - Menu Load - 21 secs, No Other Loading
Ninja Combat - Menu Load - 17 secs, No Other Loading
Ninja Commando - Menu Load - 22 secs, No Other Loading
Power Spikes 2 - Menu Load - 21 secs, No Other Loading
Puzzle Bobble - Menu Load - 8 secs, No Other Loading
Puzzled - Menu Load - 7 secs, No Other Loading
Quest of Jong Master - Menu Load - 26 secs, No Other Loading
Rally Chase - Menu Load - 18 secs, No Other Loading
Riding Hero - Menu Load - 16 secs, No Other Loading
Sengoku - Menu Load - 27 secs, No Other Loading
Soccer Brawl - Menu Load - 21 secs, No Other Loading
Street Hoop - Menu Load - 22 secs, No Other Loading
Super Sidekicks - Menu Load - 22 secs, No Other Loading
Super Spy, The - Menu Load - 21 secs, No Other Loading
Viewpoint - Menu Load - 24 secs, No Other Loading
World Heroes - Menu Load - 24 secs, No Other Loading
Zintrick - Menu Load - 20 secs, No Other Loading
Loading Times -> Speed
Just for comparison, I’ve taken all the loading times from the main page and consolidated the loading
times for each game to the start of the first level/fight/stage.

Here are the results (tested on a Neo-Geo CDZ) with the longest loading games at the top and
quickest at the bottom.

Over 60 Seconds - 2
-----------------------------
Samurai Shodown RPG - 2m 11 Secs
Samurai Shodown 4: Amakusa’s Revenge -1m 2 Secs

31-60 Seconds - 31
---------------------------
Real Bout Fatal Fury Special - 60 Secs
Savage Reign - 58 Secs
Real Bout Fatal Fury - 57 Secs
King of Fighters ‘97 - 57 Secs
Samurai Shodown 3: Blades of Blood - 56 Secs
Real Bout Fatal Fury 2 - 56 Secs
Samurai Shodown 2 - 48 Secs
King of Fighters ‘98 - 47 Secs
Art of Fighting 3: Path of the Warrior - 46 Secs
Super Sidekicks 3 - 44 Secs
Fatal Fury 3 - 44 Secs
Ninja Master’s - 42 Secs
Neo Turf Masters - 41 Secs
Last Blade 2 (Demo Mode) - 41 Secs
King of Fighters ‘99 - 41 Secs
King of Fighters ‘96 - 41 Secs
Aggressors of Dark Kombat - 41 Secs
Last Blade (Demo Mode) - 40 Secs
Crossed Swords 2 - 39 Secs
Ragnagard - 37 Secs
Quiz King of Fighters - 37 Secs
World Heroes 2 Jet - 36 Secs
Super Sidekicks 2 - 36 Secs
Metal Slug 2 - 36 Secs
Breakers - 36 Secs
Over Top - 35 Secs
Samurai Shodown - 34 Secs
King of Fighters ‘95 - 33 Secs
Futsal 5-on-5 Mini Soccer - 33 Secs
King of Fighters ‘94 - 32 Secs
Art of Fighting - 32 Secs
Top Hunter - 31 Secs
30 Seconds Or Under - 63
------------------------------------
World Heroes Perfect - 30 Secs ADK World - 22 Secs (18-27 secs depending on
World Heroes 2 - 30 Secs mini-game, average is 22 secs)
Ironclad - 30 Secs 2020 Super Baseball - 22 Secs
Fatal Fury Special - 30 Secs Super Spy, The - 21 Secs
Cyber-Lip - 30 Secs Soccer Brawl - 21 Secs
Voltage Fighter Gowcaizer - 29 Secs Power Spikes 2 - 21 Secs
Metal Slug - 29 Secs NAM 1975 - 21 Secs
Kabuki Klash - 29 Secs Football Frenzy - 21 Secs
Double Dragon - 29 Secs Crossed Swords - 21 Secs
Sengoku 2 - 28 Secs Zintrick - 20 Secs
Baseball Stars Professional - 28 Secs Neo Driftout - 20 Secs
Aero Fighters 2 - 28 Secs Master of Syougi - 20 Secs
Twinkle Star Sprites - 27 Secs Burning Fight - 20 Secs
Sengoku - 27 Secs Last Resort - 19 Secs
Pulstar - 27 Secs Rally Chase - 18 Secs
King of the Monsters 2 - 27 Secs Magical Drop 2 - 18 Secs
Fatal Fury - 27 Secs Ninja Combat - 17 Secs
Aero Fighters 3 - 27 Secs Riding Hero - 16 Secs
Art of Fighting 2 - 27 Secs Magician Lord - 16 Secs
Top Player’s Golf - 26 Secs Idol Mahjong Final Romance 2 - 16 Secs
Fatal Fury 2 - 26 Secs Neo Geo CD Special - 13 Secs (11-16 secs
Quest of Jong Master - 26 Secs depending on feature, not inc demos, average is
3 Count Bout - 25 Secs 13 secs)
World Heroes - 24 Secs Mahjong Kyoretsuden - 12 Secs
Viewpoint - 24 Secs King of Fighters ‘96 Collection -10 Secs +
Stakes Winner - 23 Secs various for other disc features.
Robo Army - 23 Secs League Bowling - 9 Secs
Mutation Nation - 23 Secs Puzzle Bobble - 8 Secs
Windjammers - 22 Secs Puzzled - 7 Secs
Super Sidekicks - 22 Secs
Street Hoop - 22 Secs
Ninja Commando - 22 Secs
Karnov’s Revenge - 22 Secs
Ghost Pilots - 22 Secs
Galaxy Fight - 22 Secs
Blue’s Journey - 22 Secs
Baseball Stars 2 - 22 Secs
Alpha Mission 2 - 22 Secs
Fighting Series Comparison
Just a brief look at each series and see where each series improved (or not) on their loading times
throughout their series.

A respectful time for the first in the series with a combined time of 32 seconds, number two split the
loading, improving the initial main load, but adding 6 seconds to the fight load, but overall reducing the
loading by 5 seconds.
Where as number 3 again improved the main load down to a great 10 seconds, but coming off worse
with a huge 36 seconds for each fight.

Art of Fighting - Menu Load - 23 secs, First Fight - 9 secs

Art of Fighting 2 - Menu Load - 12 secs, First Fight - 15 secs
Art of Fighting 3 - Menu Load - 10 secs, First Fight - 36 secs

Winner - Art Of Fighting 2 (27 Secs) / Loser - Art Of Fighting 3 (46 Secs)

Whilst the first two games in the series (and Special) had decent loading times of under 30 secs, the
third game in the series brought this up by 50% to a higher than average 44 seconds.

Things got even worse when SNK developed the Real Bout series with all three titles around the
minute mark, actually making FF3 quite decent in comparison.

Fatal Fury - Menu Load - 24 secs, First Fight - 3 secs

Fatal Fury 2 - Menu Load - 16 secs, First Fight - 10 secs
Fatal Fury 3 - Menu Load - 18 secs, First Fight - 26 secs
Fatal Fury Special - Menu Load - 21 secs, First Fight - 9 secs
Real Bout Fatal Fury - Menu Load - 23 secs, Select Screen 5 secs, First Fight 29 secs
Real Bout Fatal Fury 2 - Menu Load - 29 secs, Select Screen 6 secs, First Fight 21 secs
Real Bout Fatal Fury Special - Menu Load - 18 secs, Select Screen 18 secs, First Fight 24 sec

Winner - Fatal Fury 2 (26 Secs) / Loser - Real Bout Fatal Fury Special (60 Secs)
SNK’s flagship fighting series was always one of the titles people looked at when looking at what extras
there were and loading times for the CD version.
Whilst the first two games in the series had comparable times, KOF’96 added another 10 seconds to the
loading, whilst KOF’97 took it the extreme with the slowest loading of the series with a whopping 57
seconds, thankfully SNK addressed this by shaving 10 seconds off for KOF’98, and another 6 seconds
off for KOF’99 bringing it back down to 41 seconds.

King of Fighters ‘94 - Menu Load - 10 secs, Select Screen 8 secs, First Fight 14 secs
King of Fighters ‘95 - Menu Load - 21 secs, First Fight 12 sec
King of Fighters ‘96 - Menu Load - 18 secs, First Fight 23 secs
King of Fighters ‘97 - Menu Load - 19 secs, Select Screen - 8 secs, First Fight 30 secs
King of Fighters ‘98 - Menu Load - 14 secs, Select Screen - 10 secs, First Fight 23 secs
King of Fighters ‘99 - Menu Load - 10 secs, Select Screen - 3 secs, First Fight 28 secs

Winner - King Of Fighters ‘95 (32 Secs) / Loser - King Of Fighters ‘97 (57 Secs)

The first game in the Samurai Shodown series had decent loading times in comparison to other early
games in their respective series, unfortunately it does downhill from here onwards with the sequel
adding an additional 14 seconds to the loading, SS3 adds another 8 seconds, whilst SS4 tops the lot
and taking into account Last Blade’s option to reduce the loading time has the second worse loading of
any Neo-Geo CD game with a horrid 62 seconds!

Samurai Shodown - Menu Load - 22 secs, First Fight 12 sec

Samurai Shodown 2 - Menu Load - 32 secs, Story Screen 6 secs, First Fight 10 secs
Samurai Shodown 3 - Menu Load - 19 secs, Select Screen 9 secs, First Fight 28 secs
Samurai Shodown 4 - Menu Load - 17 secs, Select Screen 8 secs, Fighter Intro 21 secs, First Fight 16
secs

Winner - Samurai Shodown (34 Secs) / Loser - Samurai Shodown 4 (62 Secs)

The quickest overall loading fighting series is World Heroes, sure the game didn’t evolve as much as
other fighting series in terms of graphics, sounds and extras, at least the loading times were kept down
for CD owners.
Not alot in all 4 titles, the quickest being the first in the series, whilst the next two in the series added 6
seconds per game to the loading, the final game brought this back to a very respectful 30 seconds.

World Heroes - Menu Load - 24 secs, No Other Loading

World Heroes 2 - Menu Load - 16 secs, First Fight 14 secs
World Heroes 2 Jet - Menu Load - 14 secs, First Fight 22 secs
World Heroes Perfect - Menu Load - 19 secs, First Fight 11 secs

Winner - World Heroes (24 Secs) / Loser - World Heroes 2 Jet (36 Secs)
CD Version Differences
Here we show what differences the Neo-Geo CD version of a game had compared to the MVS or
AES version, be it extras in the game i.e more game options, extra characters or the like, or does it
have an enhanced CD soundtrack, find out here.

Out of the 89 games that were ported from either the MVS or AES systems (the other 8 games were
only on NGCD) 31 were straight ports (shovelware), 19 had an enhanced CD soundtrack, 14 had
extras only, 25 had extras and enhanced soundtrack, check out which ones below.

Straight Ports (Shovelware) - 31 Games with Enhanced CD Soundtrack - 19

2020 Super Baseball Aero Fighters 2

3 Count Bout Aggressors of Dark Kombat
Aero Fighters 3 Art of Fighting 2
Alpha Mission 2 Baseball Stars 2
Art of Fighting Blue’s Journey
Baseball Stars Professional Fatal Fury 2
Cyber-Lip Fatal Fury Special
Fatal Fury Karnov’s Revenge
Football Frenzy King of Fighters ‘95
Ghost Pilots Last Resort
King of the Monsters 2 Magical Drop 2
League Bowling Samurai Shodown
Magician Lord Savage Reign
Mahjong Kyoretsuden Street Hoop
Master of Syougi Top Hunter
Mutation Nation Top Player’s Golf
NAM 1975 Windjammers
Ninja Combat World Heroes 2
Ninja Commando World Heroes 2 Jet
Puzzled
Quiz King of Fighters
Rally Chase
Riding Hero
Robo Army
Sengoku 2
Soccer Brawl
Super Sidekicks
Super Sidekicks 2
Super Spy, The
Viewpoint
World Heroes
Games with ‘Extras’ - 14

Breakers - More game options. Extra Mode, Extra

playable character.
Burning Fight - More difficulty settings.
Crossed Swords - More difficulty settings.
Futsal 5-on-5 Mini Soccer - More game options.
Metal Slug - More game options, Gallery, Combat
School.
Metal Slug 2 - More game options, Gallery,
Combat School.
Neo Driftout - More game options.
Ninja Master’s - More game options.
Pulstar - Extra Intro animations, Full power mode.
Puzzle Bobble - More game options.
Quest of Jong Master - More difficulty settings.
Sengoku - More game options.
Stakes Winner - Horse Creation Feature.
Super Sidekicks 3 - More game options.

Games with Enhanced CD Soundtrack and Extras - 25

Art of Fighting 3: Path of the Warrior - More game options and extra characters unlocked.
Double Dragon - More game options inc Mini Mode.
Fatal Fury 3 - More game options inc Mini Mode.
Galaxy Fight - More game options.
Kabuki Klash - More game options inc Special Mode and extra characters playable.
King of Fighters ‘94 - More game options.
King of Fighters ‘96 - More game options and extra characters playable.
King of Fighters ‘97 - Art Gallery.
King of Fighters ‘98 - Art Gallery & Combat relations feature.
King of Fighters ‘99 - More game options & Art Gallery.
Last Blade - More game options, Survival Mode, Demo Gallery & Extra playable characters.
Last Blade 2 - More game options, Survival Mode, Demo Gallery, Quiz.
Neo Turf Masters - Extra Course.
Over Top - More game options.
Power Spikes 2 - More game options.
Ragnagard - More game options, Intro Animation.
Real Bout Fatal Fury - More game options.
Real Bout Fatal Fury 2 - More game options, Survival Mode.
Real Bout Fatal Fury Special - More game options, VS Mode.
Samurai Shodown 2 - More game options.
Samurai Shodown 3: Blades of Blood - More game options, Censorship removal option.
Samurai Shodown 4: Amakusa’s Revenge - More game options, Censorship removal option, extra
playable character.
Twinkle Star Sprites - More game options, Gallery.
Voltage Fighter Gowcaizer - More game options, Karaoke mode.
World Heroes Perfect - More game options, extra unlocked characters, Mini Mode.
English on Jap Console
For those who don’t know, Neo-Geo CD games are all the same, whatever region you buy a game
from it has the same code on the disc, the difference being depending on the console you insert it into
will depend on what language (and other things) will be displayed.

So when buying a Neo-Geo CD, you can either buy a European or US ‘Top-Loader’ model to
guarantee English text in all the games that support it, but at the same time either have 50hz and
borders with the European model, and/or slower loading times with the European and US models that
the top loader brings.

Neo-Geo CD Models Overview

Euro Top-Loader - Slower Loading / 50hz / Censorship / English Text

US Top-Loader - Slower Loading / 60hz / Censorship / English Text
Jap Top-Loader - Slower Loading / 60hz / No Censorship / Japanese Text
Jap Front-Loader - Slower Loading / 60hz / No Censorship / Japanese Text
Jap CDZ - Faster Loading / 60hz / No Censorship / Japanese Text

So the ideal model to have is the faster loading CDZ, though sadly it was only released in Japan,
meaning Japanese text in the majority of the time, so there is no such thing as a perfect choice unless
you can read Japanese.

Of course now there is an option to have a Bios-Chip installed to have a choice on any of the above
models which solves the problem, but at a cost of course, so i thought i would make this list for those
without such-chip and owning a Japanese console.

This list tells us what games display English on a Japanese console. I’ve split them up into categories

* All in English by default. (as it says, any one off ‘how to play’ screens included.)

* Has English Language selectable in Options. (big thanks to the developers on any game with these
language options!)

* Has English top menu’s, but the rest is in Japanese. (in most cases this doesn’t affect gameplay in
anyway, be it a bit of prologue or taunting text, unless otherwise stated.)

* All in Japanese no English. (the games are still fully playable once you know the main menu’s,
unless otherwise stated.)
All in English by Default - 16

3 Count Bout
Burning Fight
Ghost Pilots
NAM 1975 - all in English bar the intro dialogue text, but is spoken in English anyway.
Ninja Combat - all in English bar the intro text.
Ninja Master’s
Power Spikes 2 - all in English bar the ‘how to play’ screen.
Rally Chase
Riding Hero
Soccer Brawl
Street Hoop
Super Sidekicks
Top Hunter
Viewpoint
Voltage Fighter Gowcaizer
Windjammers

Has English Language selectable in Options - 21

Art of Fighting
Art of Fighting 2
Art of Fighting 3: Path of the Warrior
Fatal Fury 3
Galaxy Fight
King of Fighters ‘96
King of Fighters ‘97
King of Fighters ‘98
King of Fighters ‘99
Last Blade - also changes to English logo on start screen.
Last Blade 2 - also changes to English logo on start screen.
Ragnagard
Real Bout Fatal Fury
Real Bout Fatal Fury 2
Real Bout Fatal Fury Special
Samurai Shodown 2
Samurai Shodown 3: Blades of Blood - also changes to English logo on start screen.
Samurai Shodown 4: Amakusa’s Revenge - also changes to English logo on start screen.
Savage Reign
Super Sidekicks 2 - also changes to English logo on start screen.
Super Sidekicks 3 - also changes to English logo on start screen.
Has English top menu’s, but the rest is in Japanese - 38

2020 Super Baseball

Aero Fighters 2 - ‘how to play’ and story screen in Japanese.
Aero Fighters 3 - ‘how to play’ and story screen in Japanese.
Aggressors of Dark Kombat -’prologue’ in Japanese.
Alpha Mission 2 - ‘how to play’ in Japanese.
Breakers -’fighters talk’ in Japanese.
Crossed Swords 2
Cyber-Lip
Double Dragon -’options’ in Japanese.
Fatal Fury - ‘fighters talk’ in Japanese.
Fatal Fury 2 - ‘fighters talk’ in Japanese.
Fatal Fury Special - ‘fighters talk’ in Japanese.
Football Frenzy - mix of Eng and Jap menu’s.
Futsal 5-on-5 Mini Soccer
Ironclad
Kabuki Klash
Karnov’s Revenge - ‘fighters talk’ in Japanese.
King of Fighters ‘94 - ‘fighters talk’ in Japanese.
King of Fighters ‘95 - ‘fighters talk’ in Japanese.
King of Fighters ‘96 Collection
King of the Monsters 2
Last Resort
Magical Drop 2
Metal Slug -’combat school’ in Japanese
Metal Slug 2 -’combat school’ in Japanese
Mutation Nation
Neo Driftout
Neo Turf Masters
Over Top
Pulstar
Samurai Shodown - ‘fighters talk’ in Japanese.
Stakes Winner- starting races is fine, making your own horse is a no go!
Top Player’s Golf
Twinkle Star Sprites
World Heroes 2 - ‘fighters talk’ in Japanese.
World Heroes 2 Jet - ‘fighters talk’ in Japanese.
World Heroes Perfect - ‘fighters talk’ in Japanese.
Zintrick
All in Japanese no English - 22

ADK World - the ‘19YY’ SEU mini-game is the only game playable without Japanese knowledge.
Baseball Stars 2
Baseball Stars Professional
Blue’s Journey
Crossed Swords
Idol Mahjong Final Romance 2 - unplayable without Japanese knowledge.
League Bowling
Magician Lord
Mahjong Kyoretsuden - unplayable without Japanese knowledge.
Master of Syougi - unplayable without Japanese knowledge.
Neo Geo CD Special
Ninja Commando
Quest of Jong Master - unplayable without Japanese knowledge.
Quiz King of Fighters - unplayable without Japanese knowledge.
Puzzled
Puzzle Bobble
Robo Army
Samurai Shodown RPG - unplayable without Japanese knowledge.
Sengoku
Sengoku 2
Super Spy, The
World Heroes

Overview
Even without a US or European model, or without a Bios-Chip for Japanese models, there is still
plenty of English options in the games, 16 games are in English by default, a further 21 have a
dedicated English option in the game’s options, the largest chunk of games (38) have English top
menu’s with, on the many occasions the only Japanese being the ‘how to play’ or ‘fighters talk’
screens, not being integrale to the actual game bar maybe Stakes Winner.

The final categories of ‘All in Japanese’ is the only worrying place at first glance, but fear not, as we
all know Neo-Geo was an arcade machine, with mostly arcade style games developed for it, 3/4 of
the games are still playable once you learn the odd menu or two to get you going, the only games
that aren’t really playable without any knowledge of Japanese are the Mahjong, Quiz and Syougi
games and the really only kicker is Samurai Spirits/Shodown RPG.

So whilst it would be nice to play all the games in English, i still feel the benefits of the speed of the
CDZ has over the slow drive/censorship of the US model, or 50hz/slow drive/censorship of the
European model outweigh
Neo-Geo CD Games Info

Games on CD but not on AES System - 5

----------------------------------------------------------
Puzzle Bobble
Neo Driftout
Pleasure Goal 5-on-5 Street Soccer / Futsal
Power Spikes 2
Quest of Jong Master

MVS Only games not on NGCD - 25 (*unofficial converted to NGCD = 9)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bang Bead - 170 MEG (MVS)
Breakers Revenge - 242 MEG (MVS)
Bust-A-Move Again “EX” / Puzzle Bobble 2 - 46 MEG (MVS)
Captain Tomaday - 106 MEG (MVS)
Fight Fever - 98 MEG (MVS)
Flip Shot - 46 MEG (MVS)
Ganryu / Musashi Ganryuki - 178 MEG (MVS)
Goal! Goal! Goal! - 110 MEG (MVS)
*Gururin - 40 MEG (MVS)
Irritating Maze, The / Ultra Denryuu Iararabou - 106 MEG (MVS)
*Money Puzzle Exchanger / Money Idol Exchanger - 78 MEG (MVS)
Neo Bomberman - 138 MEG (MVS)
*Neo Mr. Do! - 50 MEG (MVS)
Nightmare in the Dark - 166 MEG (MVS)
*Panic Bomber - 46 MEG (MVS)
Pochi & Nyaa - ?? MEG (MVS)
*Pop ‘N Bounce / Gapporin - 58 MEG (MVS)
Prehistoric Isle 2 - 478 MEG (MVS)
*Puzzle de Pon! - 30 MEG (MVS)
*Puzzle de Pon! R - 32 MEG (MVS)
Shock Troopers - 346 MEG (MVS)
Strikers 1945 Plus - 681 MEG (MVS)
Super Dodge Ball / Nekketsu Toukyu Densetsu - 190 MEG (MVS)
*Zed Blade / Operation Ragnarok - 110 MEG (MVS)
*Zupapa! - 46 MEG (MVS)
MVS & AES games not on NGCD - 34 (*unofficial converted to NGCD = 6)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Andro Dunos - 32 MEG (MVS, AES)
Blazing Star - 346 MEG (MVS, AES)
Chibi Marukochan Deluxe Quiz - 118 MEG (MVS, AES)
*Eight Man - 46 MEG (MVS, AES)
Garou: Mark of the Wolves - 688 MEG (MVS, AES)
King of Fighters 2000 - 688 MEG (MVS, AES)
King of Fighters 2001 - 681 MEG (MVS, AES)
King of Fighters 2002 - 681 MEG (MVS, AES)
King of Fighters 2003 - 716 MEG (MVS, AES)
*King of the Monsters - 55 MEG (MVS, AES)
Kizuna Encounter / Fu’un Super Tag Battle - 242 MEG (MVS, AES)
Legend of Success Joe / Ashita no Joe Densetsu - 50 MEG (MVS, AES)
*Magical Drop 3 - 174 MEG (MVS, AES)
*Mahjong Bakatonosama Manyuki - 48 MEG (MVS, AES)
*Mahjong Minnasano Okagesamadesu - 54 MEG (MVS, AES)
Matrimelee / Shin Goketsuji Ichizoku - 646 MEG (MVS, AES)
Metal Slug X - 506 MEG (MVS, AES)
Metal Slug 3 - 708 MEG (MVS, AES)
Metal Slug 4 - 553 MEG (MVS, AES)
Metal Slug 5 - 708 MEG (MVS, AES)
Neo Geo Cup ‘98 - 162 MEG (MVS, AES)
Quiz Daisousa Sen - 34 MEG (MVS, AES)
Quiz Meitantei Neo & Geo - 50 MEG (MVS, AES)
Rage of the Dragons - 564 MEG (MVS, AES)
Samurai Shodown 5 / Samurai Spirits Zero - 708 MEG (MVS, AES)
Samurai Shodown 5 Special / Samurai Spirits Zero Special* - 708 MEG (MVS, AES)
Sengoku 3 / Sengoku Legends 2001 - 364 MEG (MVS, AES)
Shock Troopers 2nd Squad - 514 MEG (MVS, AES)
Spinmaster / Miracle Adventure - 90 MEG (MVS, AES)
Stakes Winner 2 - 178 MEG (MVS, AES)
Super Sidekicks 4: The Ultimate 11 - 226 MEG (MVS, AES)
SVC Chaos: SNK vs. Capcom - 708 MEG (MVS, AES)
Tecmo World Soccer ‘96 - 122 MEG (MVS, AES)
Waku Waku 7 - 259 MEG (MVS, AES)
CD Burning
I’m not going into much detail as there are plenty of full of guides on the net if you really don’t know how
to use a CD burning program, this page presumes you do already, Alcohol 120%, Nero and Imgburn are
all good programs to use.

CD-R Media
The type of CD-R media is very important, unlike some other CD based consoles in the nineties such as
the CD-i, 3DO, CD32 etc which I’ve had no trouble with most CD-R media, when it came to my CDZ it
refused to read some types of media, notably Maxell, so if you have any trouble i recommend Sony, sure
they cost a little more, but hey its Neo-Geo! even burning discs costs more!

CDZ Owners
This is more for CDZ owners, as you may or may not know the Neo-Geo CDZ has an extra layer of
protection on a certain number of games (listed below) it reads a part of the code on the disc and won’t
play the disc at all if the code is wrong.

Thankfully Fakk2 has written a program you can download so you can change the code yourself, you can
download it from this site. I know he had been working on that for a few years, i even helped test for him
way back when. If you aren’t able to do this yourself (or too lazy, i guess maybe the latter!) then there are
CDZ cracked games on the net if you look in the right places (don’t ask me!).

List of Neo-Geo CD games that have copy protection;

GAME [CDZ Protection] [In-Game Protection]

Art of Fighting 3 [ YES ][ YES ]
Breakers [ YES ][ NO ]
Brikin ‘ Ger / IronClad [ YES ][ NO ]
Fatal Fury 3 [ NO ][ YES ]
Fatal Fury Real Bout [ YES ][ YES ]
Fatal Fury Real Bout Special [ YES ][ YES ]
Fatal Fury Real Bout 2: Newcomers [ YES ][ YES ]
Futsal / Pleasure Goal 5 on 5 Soccer [ YES ][ NO ]
King of Fighters ‘95 [ NO ][ YES ]
King of Fighters ‘96 [ YES ][ YES ]
King of Fighters ‘96 NG Col. [ YES ][ YES ]
King of Fighters ‘97 [ YES ][ YES ]
King of Fighters ‘98 [ YES ][ YES ]
King of Fighters ‘99 [ YES ][ YES ]
Last Blade 1 [ YES ][ YES ]
Last Blade 2 [ YES ][ YES ]
Magical Drop II [ YES ][ NO ]
Metal Slug [ YES ][ NO ]
Metal Slug 2 [ YES ][ NO ]
Neo Drift Out! [ YES ][ NO ]
Neo Geo CD Special [ NO ][ YES ]
Neo Turf Masters [ YES ][ NO ]
Ninja Masters [ YES ][ NO ]
Ragnagard [ YES ][ NO ]
Robo Army [ NO ][ YES ]
Samurai Shodown 3 [ YES ][ YES ]
Samurai Shodown 4 [ YES ][ YES ]
Samurai Spirits RPG (Shinsetsu...Bushidouretsuden) [ YES ][ YES ]
Savage Reign [ NO ][ YES ]
Soccer Brawl [ NO ][ YES ]
Stakes Winner [ YES ][ NO ]
Super Sidekicks 3 [ NO ][ YES ]
Twinkle Star Sprites [ YES ][ NO ]
 This free PDF created by AmigaJay 2019
Please credit me if using any of my information within.