The 8-Bit Revival & 16-Bit War · 1985â1994
SNK Neo Geo
Sought After?
Extremely â this was "arcade hardware for the home" and priced like it ($650 at launch, with $200 cartridges). Original hardware and carts are now among the most expensive retro collectibles that exist.
Downsides
Prohibitively expensive for nearly its entire life â a rental program even existed because so few people could afford to own it outright.
Why It Faded
Its price point kept it a luxury/enthusiast niche product for its entire run; it never competed for mainstream market share.
Trivia
Because it used genuine arcade boards, a Neo Geo could run the exact same code as the arcade cabinet version of a game â no downgrades, a rarity for the era.