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.
Neo Geo Anniversary Edition (AES+)
ReplyDeleteI’ve been a gamer for as long as I can remember. Ever since booting up my very first computer — the legendary ZX Spectrum — video games have been a huge part of my life. From loading games on cassette tapes to spending entire weekends in smoke-filled arcades chasing high scores, gaming wasn’t just a hobby… it was an obsession.
The arcades were magical back then. Walking in and hearing the sounds of explosions, digitised speech and attract screens blasting from every cabinet was something special. Some of my all-time favourite arcade games were classics like Battlezone, Out Run, Turbo, Space Harrier, Operation Wolf, Chase H.Q., Shinobi and my absolute favourite of all time — R-Type.
As much as I loved my home systems like the PC Engine and the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, there was always one thing missing — that true arcade experience. We got amazing home ports, and when Final Fight and later Street Fighter II arrived on the SNES, it finally felt like the arcade was making its way into our living rooms…
…and then the gaming gods unleashed the Neo Geo.
The Neo Geo AES wasn’t just another console. It was THE console. This was the real deal — genuine arcade hardware sitting under your TV. No watered-down conversions. No compromises. These were the exact same cartridges the arcade machines used, and owning one in the early ‘90s felt like joining an elite club.
Out of all the consoles I’ve owned over the years, the Neo Geo remains the one I was most proud to own. I slowly built up my collection with games like Fatal Fury 2, League Bowling and Viewpoint. Every cartridge felt special. Every game night felt like having my own private arcade at home. Friends would come round, controllers in hand, and we’d battle for hours trying to beat each other’s scores.
Back then, owning a Neo Geo was a serious flex.
Of course, there was one major problem — the price. The system itself was expensive enough, but the games? Some retailed close to £300 EACH! That kind of money was insane at the time and made the Neo Geo completely out of reach for most gamers.
Luckily for me, I worked in a gaming shop, surrounded by consoles, games and fellow gaming addicts every day. I saved for ages just to afford the games I owned, which meant every purchase mattered. Researching which title to buy next became part of the experience because honestly, the system had so many incredible games.
One game I always dreamed of owning was Samurai Shodown. Somehow, despite all those years with the Neo Geo, I never managed to add it to my collection. Maybe now, with this new system, I can finally make that dream a reality 😊
So when the new Neo Geo Anniversary Edition was announced, I couldn’t resist. I ordered the White Version immediately because I’ve always loved collecting special editions and reproductions of classic systems. Plus, it comes bundled with one of the Neo Geo’s greatest arcade legends — Metal Slug — which instantly sold it to me.
What makes this release so exciting is that it finally gives gamers the chance to own a piece of gaming history that was simply unattainable for most people back in the day. That’s what makes the Neo Geo special. It wasn’t just a console — it was an arcade dream machine.
Yes, these games are available on modern systems now. Yes, emulation exists. But none of that compares to owning a Neo Geo system itself, even in this beautifully reimagined form. For gamers like me who lived through that era, this is pure nostalgia injected straight into our veins.
Back in the ‘90s, we eventually moved on to newer systems as technology evolved, but the Neo Geo always stayed legendary. Now I get the chance to relive those incredible memories all over again — only this time at a price that doesn’t require selling a kidney.
Now all we need is the release of the original Samurai Shodown 😊
It Games! Good times!
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