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Neo-Geo Pocket

Neo-Geo Pocket icon Neo-Geo Pocket logo

Overview

SNK launched the monochrome Neo-Geo Pocket in 1998 as a precursor to the Color handheld, bringing simplified arcade titles to a portable form factor.

Quick reference

  • ROM folder: /userdata/roms/ngp
  • Accepted formats: .ngp, .zip, .7z
  • Emulator: libretro: mednafen_ngp
  • System group: ngp

Technical specifications

  • CPU: Toshiba TLCS-900H at 6.144 MHz with a Zilog Z80 at 3.072 MHz for audio duties.
  • Memory: 12 KB main RAM, 4 KB for the audio chip, 64 KB ROM for the system.
  • Display: 2.7-inch reflective 160×152 LCD with 4,096 palette entries.
  • Sound: T6W28 PSG with 6-bit DACs for stereo playback.

Supported ROM extensions

ngp, zip, 7z

BIOS

No external BIOS files are required for Neo-Geo Pocket emulation.

ROMs

Keep .ngp files inside /userdata/roms/ngp. If you prefer to keep ROMs zipped, make sure each archive wraps exactly one .ngp file that matches the base filename.

Emulators

RetroArch

The libretro: mednafen_ngp core (Beetle NeoPop) supports the Neo-Geo Pocket. Open the Quick Menu ([HOTKEY] + south face button) to tweak video options, controller mappings and audio latency per title.

Shared options

  • The core exposes ngp.videomode, ngp.ratio, ngp.smooth, ngp.shaders, ngp.pixel_perfect, ngp.decoration, and ngp.game_translation.
  • Use ngp.gfxbackend to choose between OpenGL or Vulkan, adjust ngp.audio_latency for lag, and toggle ngp.video_threaded when you need threaded rendering.

Controls

Use ../images/controller-overlays/ngp_controller_mapping.png to understand how the REG-Linux Retropad maps to the Neo-Geo Pocket buttons and menu controls.

Troubleshooting

If you hit a snag, double-check that the ROM name matches the archive and that the emulator is using the latest libretro: mednafen_ngp core. The generic support pages offer additional guidance.