Neo Geo Pocket

For the system with the same name featuring color graphics, see Neo Geo Pocket Color.
Neo Geo Pocket
ManufacturerSNK
Product familyNeo Geo
TypeHandheld game console
GenerationFifth
Release date
  • JP: October 28, 1998
Lifespan1998–99
Discontinued
MediaROM cartridge
CPUToshiba TLCS900H @ 6.144 MHz
SoundToshiba T6W28 (Z80 & SN76489 compatible) + two 8-bit PCM DACs
PowerTwo AAA batteries for 40 hours of play, CR2032 for backup memory and clock
SuccessorNeo Geo Pocket Color

The Neo Geo Pocket[a] (NGP) is a monochrome handheld game console released by SNK. It was the company's first handheld system and is part of the Neo Geo family. It debuted in Japan in late 1998 and was primarily sold in Japan and Hong Kong. The system and all five English games saw limited distribution in the West, where it could be ordered directly from SNK USA.

The Neo Geo Pocket received lower-than-expected sales and was discontinued in 1999, immediately being succeeded by the Neo Geo Pocket Color (NGPC), a full-color device allowing the system to compete more easily with the dominant Game Boy Color handheld, and which also saw an American and European release. Though the system enjoyed only a short life, there were some significant games released on it such as Samurai Shodown! and King of Fighters R-1.

History

It was the company's first handheld system and is part of the Neo Geo family. It debuted in Japan in late 1998 and was primarily sold in Japan and Hong Kong.[1] Neo Geo Pocket was scheduled to release on October 22, 1998 with eight titles at launch.[2] The system and all five English games saw limited distribution in the west, where it could be ordered directly from SNK USA.[3]

The Neo Geo Pocket received the Good Design Award in 1998.[4] It received lower-than-expected sales and it was discontinued in 1999.[5]

Technical specifications

Neo Geo Pocket motherboard

SNK released the Neo Geo Pocket in eight color variations: Platinum Blue, Platinum Silver, Platinum White, Carbon Black, Maple Blue, Camouflage Blue, Camouflage Brown, and Crystal White.[6]

Neo Geo Pocket cartridges are smaller than Game Boy cartridges.[7]

Games

Main article: List of Neo Geo Pocket Color games

Only nine monochrome games were released for the Neo Geo Pocket before it was discontinued. The Neo Geo Pocket is forward compatible with 39 Neo Geo Pocket Color titles, although games for the color system will play in monochrome on a Neo Geo Pocket. Likewise, the NGPC is backward compatible and the entire Neo Geo Pocket library can be played on the color system. After the release of the NGPC, six titles received re-releases, updated to include color.

One additional game, a remake of the 1979 SNK arcade game Yosaku, can be played by inserting the NGPC game The King of Fighters: Battle de Paradise into a Neo Geo Pocket.[8]

Title Developer(s) Publisher(s) Re-released for NGPC Release date
Baseball Stars Saurus, SNK SNK Yes October 28, 1998
King of Fighters R-1 SNK SNK No October 28, 1998
Melon-chan's Growth Diary ADK SNK No October 28, 1998
Neo Cherry Master DYNA SNK Yes December 25, 1998
Neo Geo Cup '98 Plus SNK SNK Yes October 28, 1998
Pocket Tennis Yumekobo SNK Yes October 28, 1998
Puzzle Link Yumekobo SNK Yes October 28, 1998
Samurai Shodown! Saurus, SNK SNK No December 25, 1998
Shōgi no Tatsujin: Master of Syougi ADK SNK Yes November 20, 1998

Notes

  1. ^ Japanese: ネオジオポケット, Hepburn: Neo Jio Poketto

References

  1. ^ Kotaku (2012-02-12). "Screw the Vita, Let's Talk About the Other NGP". Kotaku. Retrieved 2023-09-06.
  2. ^ "「SNK「ネオジオポケット」モノクロ版は10月22日 同時発売ソフトは格闘ゲームなど8作」" (PDF). Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 571. September 1, 1998. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  3. ^ "NEOGEO POCKET". SNK USA. 1999-10-05. Archived from the original on 1999-10-05. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
  4. ^ "Neo Geo Pocket NEOP 10010". Japan Design Promotion Association (in Japanese). 1998. Archived from the original on May 14, 2015. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  5. ^ Snow, Blake (2007-07-30). "The 10 Worst-Selling Handhelds of All Time". GamePro. Archived from the original on 2008-09-18. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
  6. ^ ネオジオポケット [Neo Geo Pocket]. ハンディゲームマシンコンプリートガイドデラックス ゲームギア・ワンダースワン・ネオジオポケットEdition [Handy Game Machine Complete Guide Deluxe: Game Gear, WonderSwan, Neo Geo Pocket Edition] (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. October 2020. p. 142, 143. ISBN 9784074447602.
  7. ^ IGN Staff (2000-09-15). "NeoGeo Pocket Color". IGN. Retrieved 2018-07-26.
  8. ^ "Retro Re-release Roundup, week of November 10, 2022". Retronauts. 2022-11-09. Retrieved 2023-09-06.