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The Neo Geo AES+ is a modern take on classic hardware with no emulation in the picture

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The early 1990s were some of the greatest moments of innovations and games in video game history. Ever since the video game crash of 1983 and the release of the NES, video games started to reformulate into something that everyone can enjoy. In the arcades however? They were still booming with their cutting edge technology. Around the turn of the decade, SNK changed the game with the Neo Geo MVS and AES, arguably delivering some of the most authentic arcade experiences ever brought to the living room. Despite a premium MSRP of around $649 for the console and around $200 per game, the AES delivered on its promise, allowing fans to play the exact same MVS arcade software at home without compromise.

Fast forward to 2026, and with a collaboration project with PLAION Replai, a new system geared towards improving this system furthermore is born under the name Neo Geo AES+, a system that is a 1:1 hardware recreation of the original AES. No emulation or FPGA resources were used in the making of this, and it's set to launch on November 12th of 2026 with a price of $249.99. A special white Anniversary Edition will also be available for those willing to pay an additional $100, with you at least getting a Metal Slug cartridge for that price too. Rounding out the lineup is the Ultimate Edition, which includes the full launch lineup along with additional accessories, coming in at $999.99.

The system is set to launch alongside ten games:
  • Metal Slug
  • The King of Fighters 2002
  • Garou: Mark of the Wolves
  • Big Tournament Golf
  • Shock Troopers
  • Samurai Shodown V Special
  • Pulstar
  • Twinkle Star Sprites
  • Magician Lord
  • Over Top
Individual cartridges will be priced around $70 with more titles planned post-launch.

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SuffahBish said:
Nobody cares bro. NeoGeo was/is considered astronomically expensive even back then. Same reason why nobody bought a 3DO.
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There were several good reasons why nobody bought a 3DO, the high price was probably just the first thing on the list.
It was also kind of a piece of junk and the games were not very good, so there's that.
At least Neo Geo had good hardware and good games. And a lot of them were (authentic) arcade ports IIRC, which was a selling point.
 
The Real Jdbye said:
There were several good reasons why nobody bought a 3DO, the high price was probably just the first thing on the list.
It was also kind of a piece of junk and the games were not very good, so there's that.
At least Neo Geo had good hardware and good games. And a lot of them were (authentic) arcade ports IIRC, which was a selling point.
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There were some good titles on the 3DO. It's not all cringe softcore p***. Assuming it sold well it may have gotten more. But yeah the hardware wasn't very good. That's what happens when you only license out to other companies to make your hardware.
 
enarky said:
To anyone saying 80 USD per game is expensive, here's current pricecharting prices for the ten launch games:

Metal Slug - $3,208.60
Big Tournament Golf - $2,220.50
Garou: Mark of the Wolves - $2,148.09
Twinkle Star Sprites - $594.33
Pulstar - $1,992.58
King of Fighters 2002 - $555.18
Shock Troopers - $74.99
Over Top - $224.76
Magician Lord - $249.38
Samurai Shodown V Special - $2,331.25

Surprisingly Shock Troopers is cheaper when you buy it as a loose cart. Some of the others are ridiculously expensive. If these games indeed play on an original system, are officially licensed and don't take 3.3V/5V shortcuts like some early flash carts that potentially damage consoles, then these games are absolute steals at 80 USD.
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I can't believe this is technically a good deal because of this.:rofl:
 
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The Real Jdbye said:
Not sure if "no FPGA" is a good thing although they are trying to market it as if it is.
Fully hardware also means fully limited by the capabilities of that hardware, FPGA is a lot more flexible and can be extended with additional functionality through updates, while still being cycle accurate.
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This product is an AES, basically a FPGA which can not be reprogrammed.

An AES is what a ROM is to a RAM.

Sorry mates, I mean ASIC the «ReadOnly» FPGA
 
Last edited by impeeza,
Lumstar said:
The actual game library isn't for me either.
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From what i know this is the majority takeaway, i will admit alot of the neo geo games do have charm but alot them quality wise are kinda eh

most you ever here about neo geo consoles in general is sonic pocket adventure and how IGN gave it a 10/10
and the some of the fatal fury games.
 
Lumstar said:
This product is not emulation, and its end user experience has no resemblance to emulation.
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Emulation by definition is supposed to resemble the "end user experience". How else would you define emulation?

Technically the control stick of this new unit only "resembles" that of an authentic AES – but I very much expect they hope to sell these units to people who have never been anywhere near an AES.

If you can manufacture AES compatible cartridges that would cost less than these games, show me the design processes and bill of materials you utilized.
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But why, exactly, would anyone want to do that? Anyone who doesn't already have a hopelessly expensive AES, that is.

Even the people who do own an AES can just use a flashcart. If they insist on having officially licensed ROMs, they can buy them off Steam. It hardly matters if they get the actual ROMs for the flashcart from elsewhere or if they go through some convoluted process to extract identical ROMs from the Steam downloads.
 
Kwyjor said:
Emulation by definition is supposed to resemble the "end user experience". How else would you define emulation?

Technically the control stick of this new unit only "resembles" that of an authentic AES – but I very much expect they hope to sell these units to people who have never been anywhere near an AES.

But why, exactly, would anyone want to do that? Anyone who doesn't already have a hopelessly expensive AES, that is.

Even the people who do own an AES can just use a flashcart. If they insist on having officially licensed ROMs, they can buy them off Steam. It hardly matters if they get the actual ROMs for the flashcart from elsewhere or if they go through some convoluted process to extract identical ROMs from the Steam downloads.
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This may shock you but you can just say this isn't for me and not buy it rather than pretend nobody would want this.
 
I feel like for what it is, the price isnt too bad.

But the problem for me personally is that the Neo Geo games Id want to play arent a part of the re-release collection.
Meaning I still have to pay $1,000s to enjoy the games I like.

Now of course I can always buy a multicart or one of those Terraonion flash carts. But if Im not playing off of original carts, then why not just stick with a MisterFPGA?

I feel like this product makes the most sense to those that either already have a Neo Geo collection, or are looking to get into the hobby. If you're just looking to play casually, then theres more cost effective ways of doing it despite the fact that this new product isnt actually that expensive.
 
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Are they out of their minds? 250€ for a 37 yo system that is almost perfectly emulated on any potato?

And for the looks of it, made with old 68000's that were not sold or harvested from scrap parts. Mind blowing.
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Xzi said:
Yeah...The King of Fighters 2002 is currently sale priced at a little over two dollars on Steam. Mark of the Wolves is ten dollars as its non-sale price. Metal Slug is eight bucks, etc. Add in the fact that the controllers have too few buttons to be used on any other platform, and it becomes very hard to justify the price for a collector's item that's just gonna sit on the shelf.

Oh, and for those unaware: the Saudi royals own SNK now. Minimizing the profit margin here wouldn't exactly have bankrupted them.
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Wait what? The Saudis (aka the ones that bribed Trump into bombing Iran and like to kill journalists) own SNK ? F*ck that. Not giving my money to them.
 
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I'm glad they made another system, but the price isn't worth it in 2026.

Majority of all their games were released on Amazon Games, Steam, etc.

And can play on PC, even without emulators.

But $80 games and a limited library, out of all the games they have on the system is a no go!

The fact you can't add more with a SD Card or USB is a no for me!

Not worth it, I had a real one in the 90's and regret ever selling it, but I was young and needed the money for a hardship!

But now as an adult and well off financially, I honestly don't see the value!

NEO GEO Games are $7 and $10 on Steam, for the same games you're paying $80 to $90 for to play on official hardware!

Then talking about scalpers, charging into the 1000's for cartridges, if you're crazy enough to buy that just for a physical copy, that's your problem!

It's $7 to $10 digital...lol...

I'm loyal to my wallet, and does what makes sense! This system from $300 to $1000 for a limited library, doesn't make sense!

Especially when all these titles are available, multiple ways at 95% discounts!

This is my Amazon Games Collection Alone - And Majority I got free with Prime.

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Last edited by Ambers_Crimson_8K,
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I don't mind the price of the hardware itself, although it isn't even available in Europe.
The price of the games however, are atrocious. Giving 70€ for a new game is painful enough, for an old game? No way in hell (I've paid more than that for old games, but they were rare or uncommon old games, not this).
 
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Lets be honest. If the games were $40, people would still be complaining. You'd be hearing people say "Im not paying that for a rom in 2026".
This seems to make the most sense for Neo Geo collectors. And for them, $100 for a game would be a bargain when the going rate for the original releases are over $1,000 right now.
 
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A very nice and expensive toy but one I don't have any motivation to buy thanks to decent ports and emulation. I am not that much into fighting games as I was in the past and that and shooters is most of the Neo Geo library.
 
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