Tommo Mobile’s Sega Hardware Series: Retro (But Modern) Gear For Your iPhone and More…

Posted on November 7, 2013 by geelw

Of course, I got a mighty (but appreciative and respectful) chuckle at Tommo’s really cool new iPhone accessories because as far as I know, there not a legal Sega Genesis emulator on the device (but Sega does have a bunch of games you can play if you’re an owner of Apple’s big deal popular everyphone). The iPhone 5/5S cases below cost $24.99 each and come in Genesis Controller, Genesis System, Game Gear and Saturn variants, all with a free themed screen protector. And yes, there are also clear cases for all the aforementioned consoles as well as a clear Sega Dreamcast case for those of you thinking that system would get passed over (nope- Tommo is on it, folks!)

As for those two Power Partner chargers below, as I don’t own an iPhone, but DO own many other devices that can use a charge from something worth showing off, yeah – I want one (or both!) of these babies. Just LOOK at them:

Yeah, I figured you diehard Sega fans would be licking your monitors and reaching for that wallet again. Anyway, each one is $69.99, comes with a free silicon case, has 2 USB type A outputs, up to 9000 mAh power, a Li-Polymer Lithium battery and PTC Smart Protection Chip to prevent overcharging. Nope, it won’t make you better at any games you’ll be playing on whatever you’re charging, but again, it sure looks really cool!

And how about that Genesis-themed Bluetooth speaker ($89.99)? It also looks incredible and made me laugh out loud because I imagine that kind of booming stereo sound would have made the Genesis or Mega Drive even more awesome with assorted game tunes and sounds warbling out of that Z80 chip from speakers that were better than those on TV’s of the era. Of course, given that it’s 2013, you can expect Bluetooth 4.0 compatibility and headphone jack support, NFC and aptX support, multi-pairing, A2DP Stereo Audio Streaming, AAC Audio Format as well as a built-in rechargeable battery. if this were 1989 or ’90, all that stuff would mean a set of speakers the size of a TV and the cost of a car engine most likely. So aren’t YOU lucky to live in the future?

Hmmm… that said… it would have been absolutely hilarious to have an AV output so those of us who still own a Genny could run a cable into that box and blow out a window or two playing Streets of Rage or Sonic and Knuckles, but I suppose that will be a DIY hack someone will get to eventually. Hmmmm… I wonder who could do that? Oh, right! *Crackle, Pop!* Paging Dr. Heckendorn!

NEOGEO X Mega Pack 1 & Classics 1-5: Fifteen More Hits, Served Two Ways…

Posted on June 24, 2013 by geelw

The wait for more NEOGEO X games is finally over as SNK/Playmore is giving you two ways to get this new set of arcade classics along with an update that allows save games and a bonus charging cable. NEOGEO X Mega Pack 1 features 15 titles, a firmware update and that Rocket transfer cable all for a mere $79.99. Now don’t get nuts about that price point, folks. Given the NEOGEO X Gold comes with 20 games installed, this should give you all a good idea of the value that was when it launched. That and a numbebr of actual NEOGEO games for the home console back in the day cost more (a lot more) when they were initially released and some command top dollar to this day…

Includes in the pack are Art of Fighting 3, Blazing Star, Blue’s Journey, Garou: Mark of the Wolves, The King Of Fighters ’96, Kizuna Encounter, The Last Blade, Metal Slug 2, Samurai Shodown III, Savage Reign, Sengoku, Shock Troopers, Super Sidekicks 3, Top Hunter: Roddy & Cathy, and World Heroes 2 Jet. The games in this collection will also be available in three-game NEOGEO X Classics Volumes (1 – 5), retailing for $24.99 with each package containing that firmware update on the game card and that Rocket transfer cable.

Obviously, the Mega Pack is the best deal here for NGX fans, but it’s great that SNK/Playmore is giving fans the opportunity to purchase this new set of 15 as three-packs. Granted, the hardcore collector might be ticked off at having to flip a coin, but I’ll bet some of them will end up with that Mega Pack and all the Classics (plus a bunch of extra Rocket transfer cales)…

NEOGEO X Classics Coming In April With Another Cool Bonus

Posted on February 21, 2013 by geelw

And so it begins (or continues, actually). In case you were wondering when and how SNK/Playmore was going to be getting new NEOGEO X games out, well the mystery has been solved. In late April, selected game retailers will stock the upcoming 3-game card NEOGEO X Classics: Volume I, which is the first of five three-game card compilations on the way. This next series of game cards will feature the following arcade hits from the company’s huge library:

ART OF FIGHTING 3
BLAZING STAR
BREAKERS REVENGE
FATAL FURY: MARK OF THE WOLVES
KIZUNA ENCOUNTER
THE KING OF FIGHTERS ’96
THE LAST BLADE 2
METAL SLUG 2
SAMURAI SHODOWN 3
SAVAGE REIGN
SENGOKU
SHOCK TROOPERS
SUPER SIDEKICKS 3 – THE NEXT GLORY
TOP HUNTER
WORLD HEROES JET

In addition, each card will ship with the “ROCKET” High-speed Data Transfer and Charging Travel Cable, at no additional cost. There’s also a system update on the way as well as a travel case for the handheld. More details will drop soon, so stay tuned for more. I’m quite happy with my X, so seeing it get more support is making me a happy camper indeed…

The NEOGEO X Gold Heads To Retail (You HAVE Been Doing Finger Exercises, Right?)

Posted on December 17, 2012 by geelw

Tomorrow is the big day many hardcore SNK fans have been waiting for as the NEOGEO X Gold Limited Edition system drops into selected retailers. I’m gathering the one I pre-ordered from Best Buy should pop up a few days afterward, but I can wait. Really. Still, the UPS guy here knows I’ll haunt his truck when it’s on the other side of the street early in the morning, as we get our ground deliveries here late in the afternoon (unless I happen to see him early in the morning and zip on over to save him some time later on).

Yes, I’ll post a review of the system once I get some quality time with it. I know I’ll still be awful at some of those 20 included games, but I’ve been practicing a bit over the last few weeks using the PS2 collection from a few years back and some of that rust is gone from my creaky fingers. Magician Lord, I’m coming for you! Well, it’s still more like the other way around, but one day… one day. At least I can complete Metal Slug without wanting to eat a couch cushion.

NEOGEO X Gold LE: Delay of Game Equals More Anticipation (As Well As Some Rustproofing)…

Posted on December 4, 2012 by geelw

Sometimes, delays are a good thing, provided you’re taking the glass half full approach. To wit: Best Buy notified me that my order would be delayed until the 18th, but no biggie. That gives me more time to practice playing a few games on that really fine PS2 collection from a few years back. After all these years I’m still absolutely, completely terrible at Magician Lord (and probably will still be), so I’m going to be spending a few hours trying not to die so much or jump up and down on a controller after losing that final life.

For newbies, let me very safely state that NeoGeo games aren’t for rage-quitters at all. Nope, if you get all Hulky and throw that big ol’ heavy arcade stick down, you’ll probably break a toe (and need to go spend a small fortune replacing it. Er, the controller, not your toe). The X’s replicated arcade stick seems to be of similar quality (and not inexpensive either), but I’m definitely NOT going to be tossing it around when I lose. Now you know why they call throw pillows THROW pillows. Just aim for something non-breakable (and not the family pet, lest you get that toe you didn’t break earlier chewed on while you sleep)…

NEOGEO X Update: Core Unit Revealed, Still Packing Software Heat

Posted on September 13, 2012 by geelw

In case you were somehow thinking SNK Playmore was going be silent about their new baby, here’s a new update. There will indeed be a standalone NEOGEO X handheld sold and yes, it’s still coming with all 20 free games the Gold units are bundled with. The core unit is $129.99 and looks quite sexy, don’t you think? Could this be the start of a handheld resurgence that has fans snapping up these units out of pure nostalgia plus the hope that it’s entirely possible that we may see SNK use the X as a launcher for its long line of classic arcade and home games? I sure hope so. Bumpy economy aside, it’s really been a damn great year for gaming, that’s for sure!

-g.

NEOGEO X GOLD: It Lives, it Breathes, It Has A Release Date (And A Damn Good Price)!

Posted on August 13, 2012 by geelw

“Great game consoles don’t die; they’re just reborn in much more affordable and convenient packages,” said Tommo CEO Jonathan Wan. “The NEOGEO X GOLD is a love letter to one of my favorite consoles of all time, and working with SNK PLAYMORE to acquire the NEOGEO license, Tommo Inc. looks to provide gaming and entertainment enthusiasts with a classic arcade experience both at home and on the go.”

Holy cats – not only was I right about the price of the unit NOT being the outrageously misreported nonsense other sites had listed a few months back, this is turning into a rather SUPERB value for SNK fanatics. Here’s a pic of the NEOGEO X GOLD In all its glory:

Not only do you get a handheld unit with a 4.3″ screen, expandable card slot, built-in stereo speakers and a headphone jack, the NGX GOLD comes with a base unit and arcade controller modeled after the original AES console allowing you to turn the handheld into a home system! Spectacular, and at $199.99 US, it’s a steal, and a great one at that. December 6, 2012 is the launch date and I expect this one to be a huge holiday hit this year. So much so, that it’s the first entry in this year’s Holiday Gift Guide. What’s in the box are the fun stuff above and 20 pre-installed games listed below the jump (and clipped from the press release, as I’ve been up too long working on some stuff and am about to keel over with a big grin on my face at this fantastic news).

Oh yeah, memo to SNK Playmore: If you can get as many NEOGEO Pocket games as possible AND Samurai Shodown RPG on the NGX GOLD at some point, you’ll make a LOT of fans very, VERY happy. Get on it (please!)…

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