NeoGeo CD optical drive replacement - SD card game loader
When arriving at the station, choose to prevent an early termination ending.
After completing this chain, you have passed the prologue and the real investigation begins. You will be free to explore the town, talk to different characters, and work toward the main quest of dismantling the town's secret ring.
: To pass their trial, you must answer their riddle based on Bavarian folklore. Choose the option detailing local town history rather than relying on modern logic. 👥 Major Character Routes & Key Decisions unteralterbach 2.1 guide
: If you reach an unsatisfactory conclusion, reload a save prior to your last major interaction with a key heroine.
Guide last updated for Unteralterbach 2.1. All puzzle solutions tested on Windows 10 and Linux (Wine 6.0). When arriving at the station, choose to prevent
A: No. Many have asked. The developer confirmed in a 2021 interview that Manfred is “strictly a grandfather figure.” The fan patch “Manfred Route” is unofficial and buggy.
Silke appears only on Day 2, Evening, at the train station. She claims to be a journalist. She’s lying. : To pass their trial, you must answer
: Before making a major choice, use a quick-save. This allows you to immediately see the consequence and revert if it leads to a "Game Over" or an undesirable narrative path.
Due to its complex choices, sudden bad endings, and intricate branching logic, clearing the game without assistance can be highly challenging. This comprehensive outlines the critical gameplay mechanics, step-by-step route requirements, and investigation strategies needed to unlock every conclusion, including the elusive True Ending. Core Gameplay Mechanics
(formally Bernd und das Rätsel um Unteralterbach ) is a highly controversial German satirical visual novel known for its heavy political commentary and dark themes. The following guide covers essential mechanics and strategies for version 2.1 to help you navigate its complex narrative paths. Game Overview
The Neo CD SD Loader could be called an ODE (Optical Drive Emulator) because the benefits are similar, but technically speaking it isn't really one. It doesn't simulate an optical drive. It provides the console with a direct interface to an SD card and patches the BIOS to load games from it instead. From an user standpoint though, the functionality is the same !
Front-loader |
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Top-loader |
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CD-Z |
 Maybe one day |
Installation requires some soldering, but nothing too hard except one delicate part (see instructions). There's no need to cut the plastic shell of the console.
If ever needed, the whole kit can be cleanly removed and the console restored to its original form.
Yes, just like you could run them by burning CD-Rs. The loader doesn't circumvent any anti-piracy features since the NeoGeo CD doesn't really have any. However, some games implement copy-detection measures that may be triggered. Patched versions of the games do exist.
If you like indie games, please buy them :)
Yes. The original CD drive can be kept operational if needed but you will only be able to use microSD cards, not full-size ones.
No, except if a conversion exists. A few games have been converted by enthusiasts, but not all.
The loader can't automatically split a cartridge game to add in loading screens.
This is a very complex process which can't be done automatically.
No, however the loader's menu itself brings similar features such as cheats, region and DIP-switch settings.
The full NeoGeo CD library fits in a 64GB SD card. Speed (class) isn't important, any will do.
Installs on which the CD drive is kept in place only allow microSD cards.
Only SDSC, SDHC and SDXC cards are supported. WiFi-capable and other weird SDIO cards may work but are NOT tested.
Both can be updated by placing an update file on the SD card. Updates are provided for everyone and for free.
Yes. If you burn it to a CD and it works on an un-modded console, then it will work with the loader.
No guarantees that it'll work perfectly if you only tried it in an emulator. Making it work on the real console is up to you !
The firmware doesn't rely on a list of known games. It will load any CD image as long as its file structure matches the one required by the console's original BIOS. This means existing and future homebrew games can be loaded without having to update the firmware.
Using an ultra-fast luxury SD card won't improve loading times. The speed is limited by the console's memory. Even my oldest and slowest 128MB card currently isn't maxed out.
No. The devices may serve a similar purpose (replacing a storage medium with a more modern one) but the companies and people involved are different. The NeoCD SD Loader only works on CD systems.
No. I only keep an anonymous list of the serial numbers of the kits I built. This is used to keep track of which hardware version is each kit to make customer service easier.
Yes, see https://github.com/furrtek/NeoCDSDLoader. Be sure to read the rules !