Edit* I just bought a 2 slot Neo Geo MVS arcade machine
Congrats on your new Purchase!
I just saw this post, but I was going to recommend you go with a super gun, but you already bought a cab.
The one thing you have to watch with buying MVS carts is that there are TONS of boots floating around out there. Be very suspicious on Ebay.
Go to www.neo-geo.com and start reading the threads and learn who the notorious boot sellers are on ebay. Oh and not everybody there is an elitist snob as stated earlier, but a lot of people like to flame, so just keep a low profile until you get the feel of the forum.
As for reliability being a problem that is bullshit. I have a JP AES system, two 4 slot cabs, and a CDZ and have never had a problem with any of them.
The reason the home cart prices are so high is that you have to remember how advanced this system was for its time. You were playing actual arcade games in your home. That was a big deal back then. Also, all the ROM chips in those carts weren't to cheap back then, combine that with the fact it was a niche system that didn't get mass sales like Nintendo, or Sega. The carts were $200 and up back then new. So of course the highly sought after home carts are expensive now, and the new releases are still high because it is such a niche market now. They have to recoup their money with very minimal sales.
If you have any questions feel free to PM me
Yeah, the MVS arcade machine with 2 games was cheaper than a loose AES system The cab looks awesome, I can't wait!!