The Neo Geo CD game console from SNK was released in 1994, four years after its cartridge-based equivalent, in an effort to reduce manufacturing costs.

It is the second model with a CD drive, replacing a front loading machine, and the third of the home Neo Geo family of consoles. The system was originally priced at around US$300. It has a single speed CD-ROM drive making loading times relatively long as a result.

However, the trade-off was that Neo Geo CD game prices were much cheaper at $50 each, whereas the the Neo Geo AES game cartridges could cost as much as $300 each.

The system can also play Audio CDs and all three versions of the system have no region-lock.

The Neo Geo CD was bundled with a control pad instead of a joystick like the AES version. However, the original AES joystick could be used with all three Neo Geo CD models, instead of the included control pads.

Our Neo GEO CD is on long term loan from Jason Fitzpatrick.

Manufacturer: SNK
Date: 1994

This exhibit has a reference ID of CH21343. Please quote this reference ID in any communication with the Centre for Computing History.