DOOM Raycaster Runs on Neo Geo AES Console with Sprite-Scaling

A custom port of DOOM now runs on the SNK Neo Geo AES console through a modified raycaster. This achievement marks one of the first attempts to render 3D gameplay on hardware originally designed for 2D sprite graphics.

Retro gaming enthusiast modifies raycaster engine for legacy console

The DoomGeo project builds upon work by retro gaming YouTuber Modern Vintage Gamer (MVG). MVG initially demonstrated a basic raycaster that rendered environments using vertically stretched sprites for walls, floors, ceilings, and corridors. The DoomGeo team expanded this foundation to include full gameplay elements like a heads-up display, monsters, and weapons.

The Neo Geo AES operates on an architecture built strictly for 2D sprite pushing rather than 3D rendering. The game utilizes a raycasting engine, which demands substantial computational resources to render three-dimensional depth and perspective in real time. The hardware struggles with these calculations, resulting in very low frame rates.

MVG reported that the retro raycaster runs at approximately eight frames per second using sprite-scaling techniques. This performance level confirms the technical limitations of the console when handling 3D geometry. The project demonstrates how far creators can push legacy gaming systems through custom software modifications.