SNK is making a rather unexpected return to the home console market, with a revamped version of their legendary NEOGEO AES console, in the form of the new NEOGEO AES+, which will be released by PLAION REPLAI in conjunction with SNK.
Originally released back in the 1990s, the NEOGEO AES (Advanced Entertainment System) was the home equivalent of SNK’s NEOGEO MVS arcade system, bringing arcade-quality games into the home, albeit with a hefty price tag.
And while NEOGEO titles have since been released on many other formats over the years, such as recent releases for Evercade, on which we previously reported, now, some 35 years on from the release of the original NEOGEO AES, SNK and PLAION REPLAI are reviving the NEOGEO AES in the form of the NEOGEO AES+.
In addition to regular AV out for CRT displays, the NEOGEO AES+ will also offer low-latency HDMI output for HD displays of up to 1080p.
As part of the NEOGEO‘s 35th anniversary celebration, gamers will also be able to purchase the exclusive Anniversary Edition bundle, presented in an ice white design which has been applied to the authentic wireless Arcade Stick, Metal Slug game cartridge and Memory Card, which come included as part of the bundle. The white Metal Slug game cartridge will not be available to buy anywhere else.
All versions of the NEOGEO AES+ come complete with power supply, HDMI cable and Arcade Stick, and in addition, the following NEOGEO AES+ accessories will also be available to purchase upon launch:
NEOGEO AES+ Arcade Stick: A 1:1 replica of the original classic controller, now updated to offer both wired and wireless capability
NEOGEO 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
NEOGEO AES+ Gamepad: A 1:1 replica of the original.
Launching alongside the console is a collection of ten classic NEOGEO games, with more releases expected to follow. On day one, gamers can purchase the following software:
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
Each game cartridge in the NEOGEO AES+ collection is expected to retail for an SRP of £69.99 (€79.99).
Commenting on the launch of the new NEOGEO AES+ console, software and accessories, Ben Jones, Commercial Director of PLAION REPLAI said, “NEOGEO 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 NEOGEO can provide.”
The NEOGEO AES+ is set for release on November 12th 2026, with pre-orders open now, for an SRP of Standard: £179.99 (€199.99) / Anniversary: £269.99 (€299.99).
