NeoRAGEx vs NeoCD-Libretro

NeoRAGEx8.8Visit NLNeoCD-Libretro7.6Visit

Higher score NeoRAGEx #3 in Neo Geo Emulators 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 6 features Visit NeoRAGEx

vs

NL NeoCD-Libretro #8 in Neo Geo Emulators 7.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 6 features Visit libretro

• NeoRAGEx fits best

  Free Windows AES/MVS emulation

• NeoCD-Libretro fits best

  Free Neo Geo CD emulation with save features

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Side by side

Feature	NeoRAGEx 8.8/10 Visit ↗	NLNeoCD-Libretro 7.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	7.6
Ranking	#3 in Neo Geo Emulators	#8 in Neo Geo Emulators
Best for	Free Windows AES/MVS emulation	Free Neo Geo CD emulation with save features
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Windows, Linux
Support	Docs	Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features NeoRAGEx 3/6 · NeoCD-Libretro 2/6
AES emulation	✓ (best)	—
MVS emulation	✓ (best)	—
Neo Geo CD support	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Related SNK arcade	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Netplay	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Save states	✓	✓
Specs
Supported platforms	Windows 10, Windows 11	Windows, Linux, Raspberry Pi
Our review
Pros	Supports both Neo Geo MVS and AES game software Save states, rewind, scaling, shaders, and controller remapping Portable executable requires no installation	Hardware-level Neo Geo CD-ROM emulation Supports CUE and MAME CHD disc images Savestates, rewind, region selection, and CD speed controls
Cons	Supports 64-bit Windows PCs rather than multiple operating systems ROM and BIOS files must be supplied by the user Unofficial project with compatibility limited to supported titles	Requires RetroArch as a libretro core host Does not support Neo Geo AES or MVS Platform support centers on Windows, Linux, and Raspberry Pi
Our verdict	NeoRAGEx is a free, portable emulator for Neo Geo MVS and AES game software on 64-bit Windows PCs. It is aimed at players who want a focused Windows option with display controls, controller support, and convenient game-state management.… Read the review →	NeoCD-Libretro is a free, open-source libretro core for emulating Neo Geo CD software through RetroArch. It is aimed at players who want Neo Geo CD support across Windows, Linux, or Raspberry Pi, with options for both disc-image handling… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• NeoRAGEx — where it wins

  • Supports both Neo Geo MVS and AES game software
  • Save states, rewind, scaling, shaders, and controller remapping
  • Portable executable requires no installation

  Where it doesn't

  • Supports 64-bit Windows PCs rather than multiple operating systems
  • ROM and BIOS files must be supplied by the user
  • Unofficial project with compatibility limited to supported titles

• NeoCD-Libretro — where it wins

  • Hardware-level Neo Geo CD-ROM emulation
  • Supports CUE and MAME CHD disc images
  • Savestates, rewind, region selection, and CD speed controls

  Where it doesn't

  • Requires RetroArch as a libretro core host
  • Does not support Neo Geo AES or MVS
  • Platform support centers on Windows, Linux, and Raspberry Pi

• NeoRAGEx8.8/10 · Free plan

  A portable, feature-rich choice for free Neo Geo AES and MVS emulation on Windows.

  Visit NeoRAGExFull verdict →
• NLNeoCD-Libretro7.6/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source Neo Geo CD core with broad image, audio, and save support.

  Visit libretroFull verdict →