> have been away from the emu scene for a while. what is the best currewnt neogeo
> emulator? I just tried winkawaks but it dont' seem to reconize or play the
> newer games like metal slug 5 or snk vs capcom
>

Either wait a year or or find a 'forbidden' build of MAME.
But don't expect help in finding an emulator that plays them here...
Sorry...