Here’s one for retro gaming fans: the NEOGEO AES+ is coming out later this year. It’s a 1:1 replica of the classic console that was originally released by SNK in 1990. The new version arrives in celebration of its 35th anniversary, with HDMI output and a few more quality-of-life features. Preorders are live now (see it at Amazon), with a price starting at $249.99 and a release date of November 12.
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If you want to see all the upcoming NEOGEO AES+ items in one place, you can click over to Amazon, or scroll through the catalog above. They’re also available at Plaion Replai.
NEOGEO AES+
NEOGEO AES+
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Just like the original hardware, it comes with a chonky arcade-style controller that’s almost as big as the console itself. (Note that the pack-in arcade stick is wired, while additional arcade sticks sold separately can be played either wireless or wired). It also comes with a power supply and an HDMI cable. While it supports HDMI output, it also has the same AV output connectors as the original hardware, so you can easily plug it into a CRT TV if you still have one sitting around.
Unlike most new devices designed to play retro games, the NEOGEO AES+ isn’t based on emulation. It’s powered by “re-engineered ASIC chips,” so it runs old and new NEOGEO games just like the original console would.
NEOGEO AES+ 35th Anniversary Edition
NEOGEO AES+ 35th Anniversary Edition
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The standard NEOGEO AES+ comes in black, just like the original hardware. However, for $100 more, you can get the Anniversary Edition, which comes in white. It also includes an exclusive white Metal Slug cartridge, a wireless white controller, and a white memory card.
NEOGEO AES+ Games
SNK is releasing a good number of classic games for this thing. While the console can play original NEOGEO games, you can also pick up new releases of classics like Metal Slug, Samurai Shodown V Special, and many more. At $89.99 apiece, they’re not cheap, though.
NEOGEO AES+ Accessories
Those who want extra controllers and a memory card can pick up as many as they’d like. The controllers come in the form of arcade sticks as well as the more standard gaming controller form. All controllers are 1:1 replicas of the original hardware. Buying a memory card (also a 1:1 replica) will let you store your save game data, high scores, and progress across compatible games.
I find this release intriguing. While I played plenty of NEOGEO games at the arcade back in the 1990s, I never actually played a NEOGEO at home, because I didn’t know anyone who had one. I remember seeing it on store shelves, selling for upwards of $600 (and those were ‘90s dollars!). Games could cost over $200 each. There was no way I was going to be able to afford one, and I was content with my SNES and PS1 anyway.
It might be hard for younger folks to imagine, but back then there was huge appeal in the idea of playing arcade-level games at home, because arcade games looked way better than anything on home consoles. They were advanced, which is probably why the marketing people at SNK called it the NEOGEO AES. I learned while researching this article that the “AES” in the name stands for “Advanced Entertainment System.”
So whether you had a NEOGEO back in the day, or you wanted one, or you just want to get a taste of high quality retro gaming, you can preorder a NEOGEO AES+ for yourself right now.
Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert for IGN. He also runs IGN’s board game and LEGO coverage. You can follow him on Bluesky.
