SNK and PLAION Announce the Return of the King: The NEO GEO AES+
The 90’s Neo Geo is back!
Dust off those oversized cartridges and clear some space on your shelf, because the "Rolls Royce of Consoles" is officially making a comeback. SNK, in collaboration with PLAION REPLAI, has announced the NEOGEO AES+, a faithful hardware revival of the legendary 1990s powerhouse.
Set to launch on 12th November 2026, this isn't just another "Mini" console loaded with a handful of ROMs. This is a 1:1 hardware reimplementation designed for the purists who demand nothing less than arcade perfection.
Zero Compromise
While most modern retro revivals rely on software emulation, the NEOGEO AES+ takes a different path. It utilizes re-engineered ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits) to replicate the original hardware’s behavior at a molecular level.
The best part? It features a fully functional cartridge slot. It’s compatible with the new range of cartridges being produced, but more importantly, it is natively backward-compatible with your original AES library from the 90s.
Modern Polish for a Classic Icon
While the look and feel remain untouched, the "Plus" in the name brings some much-needed quality-of-life updates for 2026:
Dual Output: Low-latency 1080p HDMI for modern displays, but it still includes the original AV out for the CRT enthusiasts.
Persistent High Scores: Finally, your name stays on the leaderboard after you power down.
DIP Switch Controls: On-screen BIOS and physical switches allow you to toggle regions, languages, and even overclock the system to eliminate original slowdown.
Refined Accessories: The system ships with a 1:1 replica Arcade Stick (now with both wired and wireless support) and a replica Memory Card.
Editions and Pricing
SNK is leaning into the premium heritage of the brand, though thankfully not at the eye-watering original 1990 prices.
The base, black console will start at £179.99 and includes a black arcade stick and memory card.
While the 35th Anniversary Edition will start at £269.99 and include a white arcade stick and a copy of the Metal Slug cartridge.
Individual game cartridges are expected to retail around £69.99, with ten titles confirmed for the launch window, including Metal Slug and The King of Fighters 2002.
Out of Sync Gaming Take
The Neo Geo was the ultimate "wishlist" item for many of us growing up. While the price of cartridges is still a bit of a "100 Mega Shock" to the wallet, the prospect of a brand-new, HDMI-ready AES that plays original carts is enough to make any retro collector's heart skip a beat.
Are you ready to drop the coins on a new AES+, or are you sticking to your original hardware? Let us know in the comments or join the chat over on our Discord!