Hardware Review: Analogue Interactive's Wooden Neo Geo MVS
Posted by Damien McFerran
The Analogue Interactive CMVS is quite possibly the sexiest piece of video gaming hardware we’ve yet laid eyes on, and it has single-handedly rekindled our love of SNK’s legendary system. However, it’s obvious that not everyone is going to be able to afford the $650 (plus shipping) asked for one of these machines. In anyone’s book that’s a lot of money – especially for a system that is now over twenty years old. However, as stupid as it may sound, this is actually astonishingly good value.
Most professionally-modded CMVS systems fetch a price that isn’t a million miles away from this price figure, and when you consider that you’re getting a hand-crafted casing that's practically a work of art, it makes the deal seem even more agreeable. MVS software is also reasonably cheap, so building up a collection for this beauty is actually easier than it sounds – certainly much cheaper than it would be if you were looking at amassing an extensive AES library.
Such a machine is clearly going to be out of reach for many gamers, but if you’re old enough to remember when the Neo Geo was spoken about in the school playground in hushed, reverent tones, then chances are you’re now approaching your thirties and have more than a little disposable income.
We’d also be willing to bet that you’re currently reaching for your credit card and are mentally totting-up how many months you can survive on just bread and water. While we naturally don’t condone starving yourself in order to afford such frivolous purchases, we will say this – Analogue Interactive’s marvellous walnut console not only provides years of vintage-themed gaming goodness, it’s an investment that's only going to gain value as time marches irresistibly onwards. And with that thought burning a hole in your mind (and wallet), we’ll get back to playing Metal Slug.
#1
Dazza said:
Wow, this is surely a thing of beauty!
When can these guys fashion me a wonderfully chiselled NES?
#2
turtlelink said:
Its wooden
#3
Corbs said:
That is a beauty. I vote Nintendo's new console should be made of wood.
#4
Chris720 said:
Haven't we seen this thing before? o.0 It looks familiar.
#5
antdickens said:
Hah, that's somewhat awesome... yet bizzare!
#6
DrCruse said:
If only I had a spare 1000 dollar bill lying around
#7
Wheels2050 said:
I'm a bit worried about these 'history lesions' you mentioned - have you seen the doctor?
On topic, this is a very nice-looking piece of kit. I'm not particularly familiar with the hardware so thanks for the write-up! I can't say I'm likely to ever get one, but it's good to know about it!
#8
Damo said:
Nice spot - fixed!
#9
nick_gc said:
They really should have put a logo on it.
#10
Damo said:
Logos are subject to copyright, though
#11
motang said:
That is cool! I want one!
#12
Angelic_Lapras_King said:
FIRE HAZARD! XD
#13
JamieO said:
I think that it is brilliant that Nlife are "one of the first sites on the face of the planet to get our hands on this wonder machine – in fact, in our clammy palms we currently have the only available example in the world."
That's incredible in its own right, this is such a lush bit of kit, I also like the way in which @Damo puts the cost of this wooden Neo Geo MVS into perspective by noting that it works out as an investment for a retro gamer.
I'm loving the depth of these multi-page Nlife articles too, guys.
Great work!
#14
komicturtle said:
Ice-sculptured Super Nintendo for me plz
#15
OldBoy said:
Great article dude.
#16
ColorsOfSonic said:
$649
I want it so bad.
#17
JebbyDeringer said:
Hmm I would buy one and have the logo laser etched into the wood.
Back in 1998/99 I wanted a Neogeo system pretty badly. They had an AES unit with games at a local pawn shop for $200 or $300 and I was tempted to trade in my computer (which probably wasn't worth a lot). I was still heavily into Negeo up until about 5 years ago but never bought an AES or MVS machine. I had seen some arcade cabinets for as low as $50 but never had the space for one. I even came across a 6 slot machine with Metal Slug 1 & 2 + other games for $250.
#18
JusticeColde said:
I would sell all of My Playstation 1 games to get My hands on that.
#19
JRAPOCALYPSE said:
Mvs housed every single game and the aes did not,and while i have an aes i also built something similar to this that my mvs is in but i used cherry oak,also a 4 slot in cherry oak to transform my mvs 1 slot into a 4 slot,this is pretty too but i prefer mine.My custom cab is also unlike any ever seen.When i get bored i make some pretty cool stuff,just takes a little time and skill.