NEOGEO mini launch details: what you need to know

Old consoles have been resurrected by they are only a fraction of their former selves. Literally too. Inspired by the success of Nintendo's NES/SNES Classic (Famicom/Super Famicom mini, respectively, in Japan), SNK has decided to put out a mini arcade cabinet to celebrate its 40th birthday. Those who have been waiting for NEOGEO mini piece of nostalgia need not wait much longer. Unless you're not in Japan, in which case the wait is a bit more indefinite.

Announced last month, the NEOGEO mini puts a slight twist to the mini console trend. Since the original Neo Geo was an arcade cabinet first before a home console, the mini version is designed similarly as well. It is literally an arcade cabinet that you can place on the palm of your hand.

Instead of a handheld controller, you get a joystick and buttons to mash. And unlike the NES/SNES Classic, this one naturally comes with its own screen. A teeny one at that, though, 3.5 inches only. You can still output to a larger screen via HDMI or plug in external controllers, but where's the fun in that? Besides, despite it's size, it's something you will want to play on a table or flat surface anyway.

The NEOGEO mini launches July 24 and will sell for 11,500 yen, around $105. That includes 40 classic NEOGEO titles, though the full list hasn't been revealed yet. If the price is any clue, this launch is only for Japan, so international buyers will have to wait to get their turn.