Neo Geo CD Video Game Load Times

The Neo Geo CD game loading times are calculated from the moment the game screen says “Loading” until the Loading Screen disappears. For additional support and discussions, visit the dedicated Neo Geo CD Forum.

Game Loading DescriptionNeo Geo CDNeo Geo CDZNotes
 
 
 
 
KOF 94
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
24 secs
?
Hardly a problem. There is no loading screen when introducing new characters either.
To load ‘Team play select’ from start menu
16 secs
?
Loading 1st fight
25 secs
?
 
 
 
 
KOF 96
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
35 secs
?
It seems that every time a new character is introduced it has a load time of 15 seconds. So after every round this happens. Unless you have a single play game where the rounds will be continuous.
Team Play Round 1 loading time
35 secs
?
Team Play Round 2 loading time
15 secs
?
Team Play Round 3 loading time
15 secs
?
 
 
 
 
KOF 99
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
21 secs
?
Out of all the Neo Geo CD games we have played the gameplay of this game is shattered by the loading times as they just take too long. It would not be so bad but every round nearly has to load – even in single play it takes approx. 14 secs to load in a new background. The load times are admittedly annoying in this game but that still doesn’t take anything from the actual great game itself – when the game does stop loading your in for a fighting treat. Probably worth the wait then, anyway.
Character select load time
9 secs
?
Team Play Round 1 loading time
53 secs
?
Team Play Round 2 loading time
20 secs
?
Team Play Round 3 loading time
28 secs
?
Single Play Fight load time
48 secs
?
Single Play Round 3 load time
14 secs
?
Load comment after fight
22 secs
?
 
 
 
 
Fatal Fury
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
45 secs
?
Not a problem. Basically the same as the Home Cart version because after the initial load there is no more loading!
Load between fights
0 sec
0 sec
 
 
 
 
Fatal Fury 2
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
35 secs
?
Not bad really although you would expect it take quicker than 20 seconds to load between fights as the game is old.
Load 1st fight V Terry
20 secs
?
 
 
 
 
Fatal Fury 3
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
35 secs
?
Again rather disappointing. Fully playable and bearable just.
Loading 1st fight V Bob Wilson
55 secs
?
Loading 2nd fight V Franco Bash
26 secs
?
 
 
 
 
Sonic Wings 2
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
50 secs
?
Fantastic! Once initially loaded, it only takes 7 seconds between levels. You hardly notice the load time at all!
Load Level one
7 secs
?
Load Level two
7 secs
?
 
 
 
 
Super Sidekicks 2
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
36 secs
?
Fine. Not a problem at all really.
Load 1st match
16 secs
?
 
 
 
 
Super Sidekicks 3
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
32 secs
?
A tad disappointing but still not a big problem. Loading the 1st game is annoying though. Still a Great game for two players.
Load 1st match
56 secs
?
After Final Whistle of 1st match
12 secs
?
Load 2nd match
26 secs
?
 
 
 
 
Samurai Shodown 2
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
58 secs
?
Fine after the initial load up.
Loading fight one
22 secs
?
Loading fight two
18 secs
?
 
 
 
 
Samurai Shodown 4
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
32 secs
?
Takes a long time to get to fight – especially the first one and this is a problem. Once you get past the first level however , things start getting just about bearable.
Load 1 player intro
36 secs
?
Load fight one
25 secs
?
Load fight two
33 secs
?
 
 
 
 
Neo Turf Masters
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
40 secs
20.7 secs
Turf Masters is a great game on CD and not a problem once getting to the first hole. It takes only 9 seconds to load each new hole in so this game is a must for all Neo CD fans. Also the game has a great remixed CD sound track – not to be missed.
Select type of game screen
11 secs
3.7 secs
Load USA course
18 secs
9.1 secs
Load each hole
9 secs
4 secs
 
 
 
 
Last Resort
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
38 secs
?
Excellent! Once initially loaded, its game on – just like the cart version. No problem here then.
level one load time
0 sec
0 sec
 
 
 
 
Magician Lord
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
32 secs
?
Once again great stuff. No loading between start up and level one. Spot on.
level one load time
0 sec
0 sec
 
 
 
 
World Heroes 2 Jet
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
28 secs
?
No big problem here really – especial as its a fighting game. There is no loading at all when introducing new characters between rounds.
Loading Fight one
38 secs
?
 
 
 
 
Nam 1975
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
47 secs
?
Again – another version just like the cartridge ones – no load times between levels!
level one load time
0 sec
0 sec
 
 
 
 
League Bowling
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
18 secs
?
The best loading game we have ever tried. Only 18 seconds then thats it – no loading anything once the game is on! You cant ask for anything more than this!!!
Any other loads
0 sec
0 sec
 
 
 
 
Soccer Brawl
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
40 secs
?
Soccer Brawl is yet again another version that is like the home cart version. No load times between start menu and the match.
Loading 1st match
0 sec
0 sec
 
 
 
 
Rally Chase
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
34 secs
?
Rally Chase as another example. It seems that the older games that were not fighting ones were all like this. Excellent news for Neo Geo CD gamers.
Loading 1st race
0 sec
0 sec
 
 
 
 
Metal Slug
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
43 secs
22.4 secs
Metal Slug is perfect on the Neo Geo CD. The load times are excellent – just 15 seconds between levels and there is a unique map of each mission screen. The game that does the machine justice!
Loading 1st mission
15 secs
7.2 secs
Loading 2nd mission
15 secs
7 secs
    
Metal Slug 2   
Loading initial start menu
28 secs
13.8 secs
Admittedly, Not as good as we first thought. As you progress through the game the levels load in 2 parts and sometimes 3 parts. Also on some levels the ‘boss’ needs to load in as well. This takes the flow out of the game a tad. Not as bad as it sounds though, as these load times are only around 10 seconds on average.
Loading 1st mission
41 secs
18.5 secs
Loading 2nd mission
20 secs
9.6 secs
Loading part 2 of 2nd mission
9 secs
5.9 secs
 
 
 
 

Conclusion: Judging by what we have found, the Neo Geo CD is fine for most games and the people that say the load times are a huge problem are somewhat mistaken. Granted, the load times on modern beat em ups are poor, but this is all. Take Metal Slug, an example of a more modern game that only takes 15 secs between levels – you will have to play on it to realize there is no problem. The only problem we can see is the fighting games, when a new character comes in they have to be ‘loaded’ or when a background slightly changes in a fighting game e.g. It starts raining – then this also has to be loaded. This is where the doubters do have a valid point. Maybe the modern fighters are best left on the cart system but for all other games the Neo Geo CD does an good enough job.

Game Loading DescriptionNeo Geo CDNeo Geo CDZNote
    
Last Blade 2
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
23 secs
?
You will feel the pain – this is about as bad as it can get.
To load ‘Character Select’
14 secs
?
Intro Level one
21 secs
?
Pre Fight posing
40 secs
?
Fight Level one
36 secs
?
Outro Level one
11 secs
?
Intro Level two
11 secs
?
Pre Fight posing
30 secs
?
Outro Level two
20 secs
?
 
 
 
 
Art of Fighting 2
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
25 secs
?
Not too bad. “Funny how time flies when you’re having fun”…
Level one
27 secs
?
Level two
20 secs
?
Level three
23 secs
?
 
 
 
 
Art of Fighting 3
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
24 secs
?
Could be better.
Level one
45 secs
?
Level two
30 secs
?
Level three
29 secs
?
 
 
 
 
Ninja Combat
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
34 secs
?
Painless – 34 secs and your set to go, without any more loading.
Level one
0 sec
0 sec
 
 
 
 
Mutation Nation
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
50 secs
?
One load fits all – no additional waiting. Good.
Level one
0 sec
0 sec
 
 
 
 
Samurai Spirits 3
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
31 secs
?
Could be better, but you won’t notice it. SS3 is too good.
Loading ‘Character Select’
10 secs
?
Level one
49 secs
?
Level two
30 secs
?
Level three
31 secs
?
 
 
 
 
Fighters History Dynamite
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
24 secs
?
Good loading, no problem here.
Level one
17 secs
?
Level two
10 secs
?
Level three
14 secs
?
 
 
 
 
Voltage Fighter Gowcaizer
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
25 secs
8.6 secs
Could be better, but it’s still one of the faster loading games. Kaedesblade adds: “There is no loading between rounds.”
Loading ‘Character Select’
17 secs
13 secs
Level one
23 secs
12 secs
Level two
21 secs
10.1 secs
Level three
26 secs
11.1 secs
 
 
 
 
Sengoku 2
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
48 secs
24.5 secs
Very quick, very balanced loading times. A great game too.
Level one
10 secs
5.3 secs
Intro: Level two
7 secs
3.5 secs
Level two
10 secs
6.5 secs
Intro: Level three
7 secs
2.5 secs
Level three
10 secs
6 secs
 
 
 
 
Kabuki Klash – Far East of Eden
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
26 secs
13 secs
Quite some loading for this little fighter. Kaedesblade adds: “There is no loading between rounds.”
To load ‘Character Select’
13 secs
7.5 secs
Level one
24 secs
15.8 secs
Outro: Level one
6 secs
2.7 secs
Intro: Level two
16 secs
6.2 secs
Level two
27 secs
13.2 secs
Outro: Level two
7 secs
2.8 secs
Intro: Level three
16 secs
7.5 secs
Level three
24 secs
15.2 secs
Outro: Level three
7 secs
?
 
 
 
 
Real Bout Fatal Fury
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
42 secs
?
The Demo-entry shows that there’s even more loading times to endure. One of my favorite part of the FF series, but you will have to be patient. Just listen to the fabulous sound!
Level one
52 secs
?
Level two
30 secs
?
Level three
26 secs
?
Demo: Level three
11 secs
?
Level four
36 secs
?
 
 
 
 
Real Bout Fatal Fury Special
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
36 secs
?
Quite balanced, and surprisingly faster than the first Real Bout. Game play of part one is better, but boy, this is one of the best OSTs I’ve ever heard, and if you win you will even see a complete music video, starring Blue Mary, with her Blue Mary’s Blues. Excellent!
To load ‘Character Select’
35 secs
?
Level one
36 secs
?
Outro: Level one
14 secs
?
Level two
33 secs
?
Outro: Level two
14 secs
?
Level three
33 secs
?
Outro: Level three
14 secs
?

Neo Geo CDZ Conclusion by Justin (Jaycee): “…of all the 15 games I tested and you have listed on your page they were EXACTLY half the load time of the original NGCD..so even though it’s not a true double speed drive it does indeed load the games in half the time…6 other games not on your load page I also tested with the results below:”

Game Loading DescriptionNeo Geo CDNeo Geo CDZNotes
    
Viewpoint
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
?
24 secs
 
Loading level one
?
0 sec
 
  
 
 
Windjammers
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
?
22 secs
 
Loading matches
?
01 sec
 
 
 
 
 
Baseball Stars 2
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
?
23 secs
 
No other Loading
 
 
 
 
 
Puzzle Bobble
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
?
10 secs
 
No other Loading
 
 
 
 
 
Street Hoop
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
?
25 secs
 
No other Loading
 
 
 
 
 
ADK World
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
?
14 secs
 
+ various other times on mini games
 
 
 
 
 
Breakers
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
?
18.8 secs
 
Loading Character select
?
9.8 secs
 
Load 1st stage
?
14.4 secs
 
Load 2nd stage
?
10.4 secs
 
There is no loading between rounds
 
 
 
 
 
Cyber Lip
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
?
27.8 secs
 
No other Loading
 
 
 
 
 
Iron Clad
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
?
21.2 secs
 
Load 1st stage
?
9 secs
 
Load 2nd stage
?
7.2 secs
 
Load 3rd stage
?
7.2 secs
 
Load 4th stage
?
8 secs
 
 
 
 
 
King of Fighters 98
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
?
15.3 secs
 
Team Play Round 1
?
25.7 secs
 
Team Play Round 2
?
10.1 secs
 
Team Play Round 3
?
10.3 secs
 
Win quote
?
7.3 secs
 
    
Magical Drop 2
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
?
12 secs
 
Loading game start menu
?
3.7 secs
 
Loading Mode Selection – Puzzle (Survival mode)
?
0 sec
 
Loading Mode Selection – VS. CPU
?
2.2 secs
 
 
 
 
 
Neo Drift Out
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
?
12.6 secs
 
Loading practice course
?
8.7 secs
 
Load 1st stage
?
4.3 secs
 
Load 2nd stage
?
7.3 secs
 
    
Ninja Masters
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
?
18.1 secs
 
Loading character select
?
3.4 secs
 
Loading Fight one
?
20.1 secs
 
Win quote
?
3.6 secs
 
Loading Fight two
?
20.4 secs
 
Win quote
?
3.6 secs
 
Loading Fight three
?
22.1 secs
 
There is no loading between rounds
 
    
Over Top
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
?
10.9 secs
 
Loading car select
?
10.8 secs
 
Loading Area one
?
14 secs
 
Loading Area two
?
10.3 secs
 
Loading Area three
?
10.7 secs
 
Loading Area four
?
10.2 secs
 
Loading Area five
?
13.1 secs
 
    
Pulstar
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
?
8.1 secs
 
Loading stage select
?
1.5 secs
 
Loading Stage 1 intro
?
9.9 secs
 
Loading Stage 1
?
18.1 secs
 
Loading Stage 2 intro
?
13.7 secs
 
Loading Stage 2
?
19.1 secs
 
Loading Stage 3 intro
?
5.1 secs
 
Loading Stage 3
?
17.8 secs
 
Loading Stage 4 intro
?
7.8 secs
 
Loading Stage 4
?
18.3 secs
 
    
Top Hunter
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
?
22.44 secs
 
Loading Stage 1 / Forest Planet
?
8.2 secs
 
Loading Stage 2 / Fire Planet
?
9 secs
 
Loading Stage 3 / Wind Planet
?
8.1 secs
 
Loading Stage 4 / Ice Planet
?
9.4 secs
 
    
Twinkle Star Sprites
 
 
 
Loading initial start menu
?
18.1 secs
 
Loading Story Mode
?
9.3 secs
 
Loading Character Mode
?
9.9 secs
 
Loading Competitive Mode
?
11.9 secs
 

The Neo Geo CD game loading times are calculated from the moment the game screen says “Loading” until the Loading Screen disappears. For additional support and discussions, visit the dedicated Neo Geo CD Forum.