SNK's Neo Geo Advanced Entertainment System (AES), promoted by its hugely successful arcade incarnation, Neo Geo Multi-Video System (MVS), failed to challenge the dominance of Nintendo and Sega's 16-bit consoles in the early nineties.
This was due to the prohibitively expensive hardware aimed at rich kids (I was one myself, but my folks rightly said I had enough stuff) and the Nintendo/Sega duopoly. However, Neo Geo was home to Fatal Fury, Metal Slug and The King of Fighters franchises.
To celebrate the 35th anniversary of SNK's luxury console, the Neo Geo AES+ has been announced for the holiday season.
Commenting on the launch of the new Neo Geo AES+ console, software and accessories, Ben Jones, Commercial Director of PLAION REPLAI said, “Neo Geo remains peerless in the eyes of arcade enthusiasts who were never inclined to accept anything less than the authentic arcade experience. For 35 years, SNK’s hardware has continued to astonish gamers with the system’s game collection, which includes a wealth of great titles, somehow only improving with age, and remaining timeless classics to this day. We are beyond excited to reintroduce this legendary system to modern gamers, in a way that refuses to compromise on the integrity of the original hardware and collecting experience, now priced at a level which every gamer can finally afford. We look forward to unveiling more news throughout the year and cannot wait for gamers to get reacquainted with the 100Mega Shock that only Neo Geo can provide.”
All versions of the Neo Geo AES+ come complete with power supply, HDMI cable and Arcade Stick, and in addition, the following Neo Geo AES+ accessories will also be available to purchase upon launch:
Neo Geo AES+ Arcade Stick: A 1:1 replica of the original classic controller, now updated to offer both wired and wireless capability
Neo Geo AES+ Memory Card: A 1:1 replica of the original, performing in the exact same fashion as the original, but now updated to no longer require a cell battery
Neo Geo AES+ Gamepad: A 1:1 replica of the original
Launching alongside the console is a collection of ten classic 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
Response to the announcement of the Neo Geo AES+ has been overwhelmingly positive, says Lars Wingefors:
"As we reflect on how Neo Geo AES+ has been received over the past week, it's hard not to pause for a moment.
The reception from the global retro community over the past week has been nothing short of overwhelming. Within the first 24 hours, we took more paid preorders than our entire annual forecasted volume of the Neo Geo AES+. Since then, sales have continued strongly through our own channels, online retailers, and specialist stores. Seeing the console currently ranked #1 on Amazon US across the entire Video Games category is both humbling and deeply inspiring. The team are now updated our production forecasts ahead of the launch Nov 12."
As a nostalgia nerd, I've written about the Neo Geo previously, and am looking forward to unboxing a Neo Geo AES+ and playing Metal Slug.
Pre-order Neo Geo AES+ at Amazon (affiliate link).
Are you looking forward to the Neo Geo AES+? Which games would you like to see released in the future? Let me know in the comments below.
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