Over the past 2 months, we at Retro Game Network have been reporting to you details about the upcoming Neo Geo X Gold handheld console, which is scheduled to be released by the end of this year. It seemed that as fast as details were coming our way, we had more and more questions in regards to what the system was exactly going to offer, including the TV Out port, other compatibility, and the big question we had around here was how to get additional games onto the device, and whether or not it would be compatible with original cartridges via a loading dock. Today, we have a few answers.

Before we answer those long awaited questions, we have some new specifications that we wanted to share with you. First off, the new device will have a battery life of approximately 3-4 hours on a single charge, and will include a special dock for charging the batteries that are built in to the system. It will support two player game play (previously unconfirmed), and is safe for use in “sensitive” areas, such as airplanes and hospitals. We also can now confirm that the new joysticks that are available for the console (if you wanted to hook it up to a television set), are in fact wired, and no wireless versions are planned. With that all said and done, let’s continue with some of the more hardcore specs that you all have been waiting for.

We knew that the limited edition console was going to include a docking station that seemed to mimic the original Neo Geo console. It was assumed that the dock would act as some sort of an expansion module that would allow you to use original Neo Geo hardware and software on the new device, if you were going to use it on a television set as opposed to using it as a handheld system. According to an updated FAQ on the official Neo Geo X website, we have these answers for you, and unfortunately, a lot of it may not be what you want to hear.

First off, lets talk about media for a moment. The big question was how to get new games onto the system, so you could play titles other than the 20 that come pre-installed on the device. The new media format seems to be a type of standard memory card that you would use on computers, cell phones and digital cameras. According to the website, the Neo Geo X Gold “uses specially formatted Neo.Geo X Game Cards.” While the photo of the new media shows a media card that we are all accustomed to, we don’t know if this means that it uses a standard media card that has been formatted specifically for the system, or if the media that we all know of is completely incompatible. If the type of card you use is in fact the type you can buy at any electronics shop, chances are they don’t want you to know about it, since it could lead to future software piracy. But if anything else, we now know for a fact that the system uses media cards to add new games, as opposed to using an internet downloading system.

With that same idea in mind, the other big question was if there would be a way to play your existing library of cartridges on the new device. (Obviously, since the cartridges for the original system were so massive in size, it was assumed that this could be done with the loading dock.) Again, according to the new FAQ section, “there is no ability to load original AES cartridges on the Neo Geo X Gold System. The NEOGEO X Station can only house the NEOGEO X Handheld inside as a docking station.” Considering the fact that this new handheld is supposed to be in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the original console, this is very surprising indeed. I know a few people with the original console that were very much looking forward to having a new, more reliable way of playing those huge carts, but now it looks like those dreams were shattered, since the original games will not be compatible. Of course, this will also mean that you will have to re-purchase the games that you already have if you want to play them on the new portable. (Didn’t they learn anything from the recent PSP Go, which didn’t support the UMD discs?) Again, very well could be another strike, sad to say.

One of the things that we noticed when we began to see video of the item in action, was that there were never any details about the TV output jack, which would allow you to play the games on a full sized television. We noticed that it had both A/V and HDMI jacks, which was very exciting, knowing that the new device would support high definition. But again, this bring up a new issue. When asked about the resolution of the HDMI output, the FAQ states that “the NEOGEO X outputs a 480p signal to the TV via HDMI. A HDMI cable is also included…You can change the aspect ratio of the screen between 16:9 and 4:3. The games are in their original format and resolution, not High Definition. On HDMI-compatible TV’s, the TV’s themselves will usually have the option to switch between 16:9 mode and 4:3 mode.” So in other words, they went through all of the trouble to offer HDMI connectivity, but didn’t at least make the games up-convert to an HD quality signal? The aspect ratio I can completely understand, and I probably wouldn’t have used widescreen mode anyway. But if you are going to pick between HDMI or A/V, and get the same type of resolution, let’s face it. The component connection would probably end up looking better than the HDMI. I can only compare it to watching a standard definition TV show on my HD set. Sometimes acceptable, most of the time, inadequate.

Finally, one more piece of information to share with you, that again is going to have people standing on end. Another question people had was whether or not the new loading dock would be compatible with original Neo Geo joystick controllers. Well, guess what? Yep. According to the FAQ file, when asked if original controllers could be used, the response was: “No, but we have created a 1:1 all new NEOGEO X Arcade Stick. The experience is 100% the same.” At this point, were you at all surprised? I have to say, that this has given me a lot of personal disappointment.

So basically, this incredible homage to the original system, is more or less, 100% incompatible with the system it is supposed to celebrate. If you buy this new console, you will more or less be buying a brand new handheld format, and not be able to utilize anything that you may already own in your (guaranteed pricey) collection. On the upscale, it has been announced that brand new games for the console will be released in the near future, on that media card format. (Which I would assume would have to happen, if you want to give the consumer a true reason to buy the console with its lack of compatibility.)

The Neo Geo X Gold is scheduled to be released on December 6, 2012, and carry a retail price of $199.99 USD. For that price, you get the console, charging and dock station, 1 Arcade Stick, power supply, HDMI cable, A/V cable and a quick start guide. If you pre-order, you also will get a “Ninja Masters” game card at no extra cost. The price of future game cards, as well as the cost of an additional Arcade Stick for two player gaming is still to be determined.

Neo Geo X Gold Official Website: http://www.neogeox.com/