As a former AES and NGPC owner, as well as having spent far too much time and money in front of MVS machines across this beautiful planet (well, Japan, Hawaii and the East Coast), I bid farewell to my long-loved friend.
For those of us who are sappy about such things, this is indeed a year of transition and moving on. The new generation is finally here, Sega is discontinuing support for the Dreamcast and now SNK is ending support for the Neo Geo. Some of you might not understand the cult-like love many hardcore and niche players had for the Dreamcast (a system that has been called the last true gamer's system by some). Even less might understand the awe and admiration held for a now 17 year old , highly expensive, 16-bit arcade and home cartridge-based system.
That's okay.
The best part of that particular era is becoming available for the various consoles via collections and downloads, in addition to Gametap. If you get a chance to play them, by all means do so. Ignore the graphics unless you plan to compare them to what was then, not now. Look at the detail, the personality, the art, the... dammit... LOVE that the developers lavished into each game made. Be it the original Metal Slug to Top Hunter, or running through Crossed Swords, revisiting the Art of Fighting trilogy, going through the Fatal Fury saga, or enjoying the King of Fighters Orochi or NESTS trilogies, take time to admire and savor what was done. Attempt to triumph over Magician Lord, play through Nam 75 with a buddy, go an inning or two with Baseball Stars 2, or cross blades in the various Samurai Shodown titles. Whatever. Go through them all, looking back at both part of our rich gaming history and a major influence in my life as a gamer.