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NeoCD/SDL
What it is
NeoCD/SDL is a port of the NeoCD NeoGeo CD emulator to the SDL library. It can run many original NeoGeo CD games and is listed for Windows, Linux, BeOS, and Dreamcast, with project ports also listed for Xbox and PlayStation 2. Player 1 and Player 2 can each use a keyboard or a separate joystick. Keyboard shortcuts control fullscreen display, video effects, frameskip, sound, screenshots, and quitting. To run the emulator, users need an uncompressed system ROM named neocd.bin that is 512kb. The documentation says users are not entitled to a copy of the copyrighted BIOS unless they own an original NeoGeo CD console. The emulator and source code are free, but selling is not allowed, and the software cannot be distributed on the same physical medium as NeoGeo game software. Source code and technical knowledge may be reused only for non-commercial purposes. Downloads include source and binary files. Windows builds require MinGW, MSYS, SDL development libraries, and NASM; Linux builds require SDL source and NASM. The program is distributed without warranty.
For and against
For
- Can run many original NeoGeo CD games.
- Supports keyboard or separate joystick for each player.
- Includes keyboard shortcuts for display, sound, and screenshots.
- Source and binary downloads are listed.
Against
- Requires an uncompressed 512kb neocd.bin system ROM.
- BIOS entitlement is limited to owners of an original console.
- Reuse is limited to non-commercial purposes.
- Distributed without warranty.
The verdict
NeoCD/SDL offers emulator controls for two players and is listed for several systems, but it requires a separately held BIOS ROM. Its distribution and reuse terms restrict sale and commercial reuse.
Who it suits
NeoCD/SDL may suit people who own an original NeoGeo CD console and want to run supported games on a listed system. It also provides keyboard or separate joystick input for two players.
Plans and prices
Free
selling is not allowed · source-code reuse and technical knowledge limited to non-commercial purposes · requires an original NeoGeo CD BIOS
Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Additional ports
- The project page lists ports for Dreamcast, Xbox and PlayStation 2.pacifi3d.retrogames.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- BIOS ownership
- The documentation says users are not entitled to a copy of the copyrighted BIOS unless they own an original NeoGeo CD console.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- BIOS requirement
- Running the emulator requires a system ROM named neocd.bin that is 512kb and not compressed.pacifi3d.retrogames.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Build requirements
- Windows builds require MinGW, MSYS, SDL development libraries and NASM; Linux builds require SDL source and NASM.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Contact
- The project page gives fosters at retrogames dot com as a contact address.pacifi3d.retrogames.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Controls
- The emulator provides fullscreen, video-effect, frameskip, sound, screenshot and quit controls through keyboard shortcuts.pacifi3d.retrogames.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Distribution restriction
- The documentation says NeoCD and its source code are free, selling is not allowed, and NeoCD cannot be provided on the same physical medium as NeoGeo game software.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Downloads
- The listed downloads include both source and binary files.pacifi3d.retrogames.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Game support
- It can run many original NeoGeo CD games.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Input
- Player 1 and Player 2 can each use a keyboard or a separate joystick.pacifi3d.retrogames.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- NeoCD/SDL is a port of the NeoCD NeoGeo CD emulator to the multiplatform SDL library.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Reuse restriction
- Source code and technical knowledge may be reused only for non-commercial purposes.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- SDL implementation
- SDL portions were written by Fosters in 2001 and 2003–2004.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Supported systems
- The repository says it can compile and run on Windows, Linux, BeOS and Dreamcast.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Warranty
- The program is distributed without any warranty, including implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.pacifi3d.retrogames.com · read 30 Sep 2026