Skip to content

Neo-Geo CD

Neo-Geo CD icon Neo-Geo CD logo

Overview

SNK's Neo-Geo CD brought arcade-perfect games to discs in 1994 by reusing the same hardware as the MVS/AES platforms while adding CD storage.

Quick reference

  • ROM folder: /userdata/roms/neogeocd
  • Accepted formats: .cue, .iso, .chd
  • Emulators: libretro: neocd, libretro: fbneo
  • System group: neogeocd, arcade

Technical specifications

  • CPU: Motorola 68000 at 12 MHz with a Zilog Z80 co-processor, mirroring the arcade MVS architecture.
  • Memory: 64 KB main RAM, 64 KB video RAM, supplemented by CD streaming buffers for sprites/textures.
  • Display: 320×224 resolution, 4096 simultaneous colors, Neo Geo-style sprites.
  • Sound: Yamaha YM2610B FM/ADPCM with dedicated stereo DACs plus CD audio playback.

BIOS

Install the required Neo-Geo CD BIOS files in /userdata/bios/neocd/. Having multiple revisions lets you select the desired system variant through the advanced system options. For REG-Linux v34+, the recommended list includes:

MD5 checksum Share file path Description
8834880c33164ccbe6476b559f3e37de bios/neocd/neocd_f.rom Front-loading
043d76d5f0ef836500700c34faef774d bios/neocd/neocd_sf.rom Front single-fed
de3cf45d227ad44645b22aa83b49f450 bios/neocd/neocd_t.rom Top-loading
f6325a33c6d63ea4b9162a3fa8c32727 bios/neocd/neocd_st.rom Top single-fed
11526d58d4c524daef7d5d677dc6b004 bios/neocd/neocd_z.rom CDZ
08ca8b2dba6662e8024f9e789711c6fc bios/neocd/uni-bioscd.rom Universe 3.3

Earlier REG-Linux releases (v33 and lower) used the single bios/neocd/neocdz.zip bundle for the CDZ BIOS.

ROMs

Organize your Neo-Geo CD library inside /userdata/roms/neogeocd. Supported formats include .cue, .iso, or .chd archives sourced from the official MAME set. Match each archive to the BIOS you copied so the core can boot it reliably, and keep the collection aligned with the REG-Linux release you are running.

Emulators

RetroArch

RetroArch runs the libretro: neocd and libretro: fbneo cores. Use the Quick Menu ([HOTKEY] + south face button) to tune video, controller assignment and per-core overrides per title.

libretro: neocd

NeoCD is the accuracy-focused Neo-Geo CD core. Key options include:

Setting Description
global.neocd_region Switch BIOS region (Japan/USA/Europe).
global.neocd_bios Choose between CDZ, CDZ (MAME) or Universe 3.3 BIOS binaries.
global.neocd_per_content_saves Use per-game saves (saves .nvram per title).

libretro: fbneo

FBNeo will load Neo-Geo CD ROMs as well. Leverage the FBNeo option set for CPU clock tweaks (global.fbneo-cpu-speed-adjust), frameskip, Neo Geo mode selection (neogeo.fbneo-neogeo-mode-switch, neogeo.fbneo-memcard-mode) and the lightgun crosshair toggle (global.fbneo-lightgun-hide-crosshair).

Controls

Neo-Geo CD input uses the same overlay as other AES/MVS platforms; view ../images/controller-overlays/neogeo-1.png to confirm mappings.

  • When a title refuses to boot, confirm the ZIP/CHD name matches the expected MAME ID and that the chosen BIOS matches the disk version.
  • Switch between OpenGL and Vulkan (if supported) via RetroArch’s Quick Menu for compatibility.
  • Consult the generic support pages for additional help.

Troubleshooting

  • If a game fails to start, ensure the ZIP/CHD name matches the expected MAME ID and that the BIOS selection matches that release.
  • Toggle between OpenGL and Vulkan through RetroArch’s Quick Menu when a renderer refuses to cooperate.
  • See the generic support pages if further assistance is needed.
  • When a title refuses to boot, confirm the ZIP/CHD name matches the expected MAME ID and that the chosen BIOS matches the disk version.
  • Switch between OpenGL and Vulkan (if supported) via RetroArch’s Quick Menu for compatibility.
  • Consult the generic support pages for additional help.