NeoCD/SDL
- Android app
- Not listed
- Free plan
- Yes
- Runs on
- Linux, Windows
Summary
NeoCD/SDL is a port of the NeoCD NeoGeo CD emulator to the SDL library. It can run many original NeoGeo CD games, and the project lists Windows, Linux, BeOS, and Dreamcast among its supported systems, with additional ports for Xbox and PlayStation 2. Two players can each use a keyboard or a separate joystick. Keyboard shortcuts provide controls for fullscreen display, video effects, frameskip, sound, screenshots, and quitting. Running the emulator requires an uncompressed system ROM named neocd.bin that is 512kb. The documentation says users are not entitled to a copy of the copyrighted BIOS unless they own an original NeoGeo CD console. The emulator and its source code are free, but selling is not permitted, and it cannot be distributed on the same physical medium as NeoGeo game software. Source code and technical knowledge may be reused only for non-commercial purposes. Downloads include source and binary files. Windows builds require MinGW, MSYS, SDL development libraries, and NASM; Linux builds require SDL source and NASM. The program is distributed without warranty.
Who it is for
NeoCD/SDL may suit people seeking to run original NeoGeo CD games on a listed system and who have the required BIOS. Building from source may suit users able to meet the listed Windows or Linux build requirements.
What is good
- Can run many original NeoGeo CD games.
- Two players can use separate keyboards or joysticks.
- Provides keyboard controls for video, sound, and screenshots.
- Source and binary downloads are listed.
What to know first
- Requires an uncompressed 512kb neocd.bin system ROM.
- BIOS use is restricted by the documentation.
- Source reuse is limited to non-commercial purposes.
- Distributed without any warranty.
Verdict
NeoCD/SDL offers a free route to playing many original NeoGeo CD games, with keyboard and joystick input. The required BIOS, reuse restrictions, and platform-specific build requirements are important constraints.
NeoCD/SDL plans and pricing
All plansCompared on neo geo emulators
- Free plan
- Yesgithub.com
- Neo Geo CD support
- Yesgithub.com
- Supported platforms
- Windows, Linux, BeOS, Dreamcastgithub.com
Facts
- Purpose
- NeoCD/SDL is a port of the NeoCD NeoGeo CD emulator to the multiplatform SDL library.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Game support
- It can run many original NeoGeo CD games.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Supported systems
- The repository says it can compile and run on Windows, Linux, BeOS and Dreamcast.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Additional ports
- The project page lists ports for Dreamcast, Xbox and PlayStation 2.pacifi3d.retrogames.com · 30 Sept 2026
- SDL implementation
- SDL portions were written by Fosters in 2001 and 2003–2004.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Input
- Player 1 and Player 2 can each use a keyboard or a separate joystick.pacifi3d.retrogames.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Controls
- The emulator provides fullscreen, video-effect, frameskip, sound, screenshot and quit controls through keyboard shortcuts.pacifi3d.retrogames.com · 30 Sept 2026
- BIOS requirement
- Running the emulator requires a system ROM named neocd.bin that is 512kb and not compressed.pacifi3d.retrogames.com · 30 Sept 2026
- BIOS ownership
- The documentation says users are not entitled to a copy of the copyrighted BIOS unless they own an original NeoGeo CD console.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Distribution restriction
- The documentation says NeoCD and its source code are free, selling is not allowed, and NeoCD cannot be provided on the same physical medium as NeoGeo game software.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Reuse restriction
- Source code and technical knowledge may be reused only for non-commercial purposes.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Downloads
- The listed downloads include both source and binary files.pacifi3d.retrogames.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Build requirements
- Windows builds require MinGW, MSYS, SDL development libraries and NASM; Linux builds require SDL source and NASM.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Warranty
- The program is distributed without any warranty, including implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.pacifi3d.retrogames.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Contact
- The project page gives fosters at retrogames dot com as a contact address.pacifi3d.retrogames.com · 30 Sept 2026
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Where it ranks on Everything Xiaomi
- Best Neo Geo Emulators in 2026#3 of 18
Is NeoCD/SDL yours?
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Sources
- github.com/joolswills/neocdsdl· checked 30 Sept 2026
- pacifi3d.retrogames.com/neocdsdl/· checked 30 Sept 2026
- github.com/joolswills/neocdsdl/blob/master/compile· checked 30 Sept 2026