NEO-GEO: A visual history: Collector’s edition book by Bitmap books is the ultimate guide to probably one of the best consoles ever released. The Neo-Geo was release in the early 90’s its premise was arcade gaming in the home, it actually took arcade boards and placed them into a home console. Costing an eye-watering £600 for the console and £150 per game it makes todays cutting edge consoles and games look cheap. I dreamt of having one as I child and never did, I did buy one in the mid 2000’s and I still think it is the one of the best machines in my collection. I own the Neo-Geo AVS cartridge machine, two Neo-Geo CD machines and the Neo-Geo pocket colour. This book comes in two editions, standard and collector’s, there is another one above collector’s that comes with a t-shirt and letter and is limited to 330 pieces but I went with the regular collector’s edition. As always lets get into the details:
![NEOGEO: A visual history: Collector's edition book by Bitmap books](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/L1050800-682x1024.jpg)
The collector’s edition has a hard cover sleeve with the Neo-Geo logo on the top, the book is substantial and heavy.
![NEOGEO: A visual history: Collector's edition book by Bitmap books](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/L1050801-1024x682.jpg)
On the spine of the book you have gold writing of the title which looks great against the black background.
![NEOGEO: A visual history: Collector's edition book by Bitmap books](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/L1050802-1024x682.jpg)
On the other side you have white writing which matches the back of the book.
![NEOGEO: A visual history: Collector's edition book by Bitmap books](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/L1050804-682x1024.jpg)
The back of the sleeve gives you a brief history of what the book is about. I really do like the sleeve it is a nice touch to the collector’s edition.
![NEOGEO: A visual history: Collector's edition book by Bitmap books](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/L1050805-682x1024.jpg)
Sliding the book out of the cover reveals more gold writing and some classic characters from the King of Fighters Neo-Geo game.
![NEOGEO: A visual history: Collector's edition book by Bitmap books](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/L1050806-682x1024.jpg)
I like the cover of the book, it is completely different to the sleeve, a great contrast.
![NEOGEO: A visual history: Collector's edition book by Bitmap books](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/L1050809-1024x682.jpg)
The back of the book has another history section explaining what the book is about etc.. I’m not sure back the figure in the hat!
![NEOGEO: A visual history: Collector's edition book by Bitmap books](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/L1050799-1024x682.jpg)
The collector’s edition also comes with two stickers and a pin badge, however for some reason I didn’t receive my pin badge and instead got three stickers! I think Bitmap books should explain!
![NEOGEO: A visual history: Collector's edition book by Bitmap books](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/L1050815-1024x682.jpg)
The collector’s edition also contains 5 posters which are in a envelope inside the the book. The prints are of good quality and of iconic artwork from Neo-Geo games.
![NEOGEO: A visual history: Collector's edition book by Bitmap books](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/L1050814-1024x682.jpg)
![NEOGEO: A visual history: Collector's edition book by Bitmap books](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/L1050813-1024x682.jpg)
![NEOGEO: A visual history: Collector's edition book by Bitmap books](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/L1050812-1024x682.jpg)
![NEOGEO: A visual history: Collector's edition book by Bitmap books](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/L1050811-1024x682.jpg)
![NEOGEO: A visual history: Collector's edition book by Bitmap books](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/L1050810-1024x682.jpg)
![NEOGEO: A visual history: Collector's edition book by Bitmap books](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/L1050816-1024x682.jpg)
Opening the book you are presented with the Neo-Geo SNK logos and a cute figure at the bottom holding his Neo-Geo game pad.
![NEOGEO: A visual history: Collector's edition book by Bitmap books](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/L1050817-682x1024.jpg)
This page explains it all, this console has always been a collectors and gaming fans dream.
![NEOGEO: A visual history: Collector's edition book by Bitmap books](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/L1050818-1024x682.jpg)
The first part of the book focuses on the Neo-Geo hardware, discussing the different versions of the machine such as the Neo-Geo pocket colour shown above.
![NEOGEO: A visual history: Collector's edition book by Bitmap books](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/L1050819-1024x682.jpg)
The MVS was the Neo-Geo arcade machine where it all started.
![NEOGEO: A visual history: Collector's edition book by Bitmap books](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/L1050820-1024x682.jpg)
This is a image of the box that the cartridge console came in, it looks exactly like the console which is very square!
![NEOGEO: A visual history: Collector's edition book by Bitmap books](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/L1050821-1024x682.jpg)
The book then moves onto the games and the gaming covers, the cartridges for the Neo-Geo machine are the biggest gaming cartridges ever, bigger than VHS tapes, they came with amazing cover art and manuals.
![NEOGEO: A visual history: Collector's edition book by Bitmap books](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/L1050822-1024x682.jpg)
The book then discusses character artwork including lots of original drawings.
![NEOGEO: A visual history: Collector's edition book by Bitmap books](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/L1050823-1024x682.jpg)
The next section is character pixel design showcasing the characters moves within games.
![NEOGEO: A visual history: Collector's edition book by Bitmap books](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/L1050824-1024x682.jpg)
Further pixel artwork of key figures from Neo-Geo.
![NEOGEO: A visual history: Collector's edition book by Bitmap books](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/L1050825-1024x682.jpg)
The book moves into magazines and press coverage provided at the time the console was released. I would have loved a subscription to Neo-Geo world!
![NEOGEO: A visual history: Collector's edition book by Bitmap books](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/L1050826-1024x682.jpg)
Finally the book focuses on advertisement campaigns that were run around the world.
![NEOGEO: A visual history: Collector's edition book by Bitmap books](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/L1050827-1024x682.jpg)
To conclude I feel Bitmap books have done a excellent job on this Neo-Geo book, the book is very detailed and provides a lot of information on the history of SNK and the Neo-Geo. The regular edition is available for £30, both collectors versions have now sold-out. For my extra £20 I got a hardcover sleeve, 5 prints and 3 stickers. This isn’t bad but I think most people would be more than pleased with there regular edition, highly recommended for any retro gaming fan.