# Best Neo Geo emulator: FinalBurn Neo, the Gold Cartridge pick

Page: https://whichemulator.wtf/neogeo/ · Reference: WEM-NEOGEO-GM3A

The Ask API at `GET https://whichemulator.wtf/ask` answers questions from the same data as this page, and it is the only place the setup steps are published. It takes `q` (the question, 3 to 500 characters) and an optional `page` (a local path such as `/neogeo/`). It returns JSON `{answer, consoles, sources, follow_ups}`, or Markdown when the request sends `Accept: text/markdown`. No key; 30 requests a minute per IP. Guide: https://whichemulator.wtf/skill.md

SNK Neo Geo AES / MVS, SNK, 1990. AES at home, MVS in arcades.

## Recommended: FinalBurn Neo

whichemulator.wtf calls its recommendation for each system the Gold Cartridge pick. For the Neo Geo, the Gold Cartridge pick is FinalBurn Neo.

FinalBurn Neo runs the whole Neo Geo library well, is light enough for almost anything, and has netplay, run-ahead and other features that suit fighting games. It is what most people already use for Neo Geo, and its RetroArch core is excellent. Its source is public but under a non-commercial licence, so it isn't open source in the strict sense.

Runs on Windows · Mac · Linux. Closed source. Download: https://github.com/finalburnneo/FBNeo/releases

**BIOS required:** Every Neo Geo game needs neogeo.zip, the system BIOS set, matching the version your emulator expects. Dump it from your own hardware.

**ROM sets must match:** Arcade emulators expect a ROM set that matches their version. If a game refuses to load, the usual cause is a set from a different FinalBurn Neo or MAME release.

## Alternatives

- [MAME](https://www.mamedev.org) (Windows · Mac · Linux, open source): The reference for accuracy and the source of the ROM sets everyone else follows. Pick it if you also play a lot of other arcade hardware. Official binaries are Windows-only; macOS and Linux get it through Homebrew or distro packages.
- [ares](https://ares-emu.net) (Windows · Mac · Linux, open source): Neo Geo support exists but is marked experimental. Interesting if you already use ares, not yet a reason to switch.

## RetroArch cores

- FinalBurn Neo: The default choice. Best route on Linux and Android.
- Geolith: Accuracy-focused AES/MVS/CD core, but needs games in the .neo format.

Put neogeo.zip in the ROM folder or the system/fbneo folder.

## Hardware

- Colours: 3,840 on screen / 65,536
- Resolution: 320×224
- Sound: Yamaha YM2610
- Sprites: 380 on screen
- Library: ~156 games

## Notes

### Why FinalBurn Neo

The Neo Geo isn't hard to emulate any more. The differences between the good emulators are about convenience: FinalBurn Neo is quick to set up, low on overhead, and built around playing rather than preserving, which is what most people want from Metal Slug or King of Fighters.

On Windows use the standalone build. On macOS there is a standalone build too, but the developers say the Mac and Linux ports get little attention, so the RetroArch core is the better bet there and on Android.

### AES or MVS

Both run the same games. MVS is the arcade version with coin and DIP-switch settings, AES is the home console. Some games change difficulty, blood or content depending on which BIOS you pick, and you can switch between them in the emulator settings.

## Support the developers

- [Star on GitHub](https://github.com/finalburnneo/FBNeo)

## Questions the Ask API answers

- [Which Neo Geo emulator should I use on Android?](https://whichemulator.wtf/ask?q=Which+Neo+Geo+emulator+should+I+use+on+Android%3F&page=%2Fneogeo%2F&via=page)
- [Which RetroArch core should I use for the Neo Geo?](https://whichemulator.wtf/ask?q=Which+RetroArch+core+should+I+use+for+the+Neo+Geo%3F&page=%2Fneogeo%2F&via=page)
- [Does Neo Geo emulation need a BIOS?](https://whichemulator.wtf/ask?q=Does+Neo+Geo+emulation+need+a+BIOS%3F&page=%2Fneogeo%2F&via=page)