The original Neo Geo AES, released in 1990, was a famously rare console, spoken about in hushed tones. Mostly because it was a famously expensive console, and so you almost certainly didn’t own one. The high cost was for good reason, though. While other systems made do with wildly inconsistent arcade ports, the Neo Geo brought genuine arcade games right into your living room.
Since then, there have been several attempts to resurrect the platform, including a mini bartop, an arcade stick with built-in games, a home arcade cab and the adorable Neo Geo Super Pocket. But the Neo Geo AES+ is the most authentic take yet, because it effectively is the original console.
When I first heard about this ‘replica AES’ – compatible with original carts, yet with the odd nod to Space Year 2026 – my mind went straight to the Atari 2600+. But while the AES+ echoes that device’s blend of nostalgia and modern convenience (HDMI!), it doesn’t achieve its goals via emulation or FPGA. Instead, it’s a hardware-faithful reimplementation, powered by chips based on the originals. I can’t decide whether this is wonderfully purist or completely unhinged.
Plug and pay
Either way, all this authenticity would be pointless without controllers and carts. Fortunately, then, those are being resurrected too. The AES+ will ship with a wired arcade stick. Additional controllers and memory cards will be available for the 12 November 2026 release.
Best of all, if you’re a Neo Geo fan who’s been having heart palpitations at the prospect of splashing out a grand on Twinkle Star Sprites, you’ll be glad of the new boxed editions. Alongside that game, the lineup includes Metal Slug, The King of Fighters 2002, Garou: Mark of the Wolves, Big Tournament Golf, Shock Troopers, Samurai Shodown V Special, Pulstar, Magician Lord and Over Top.
Not that they’ll come cheap, mind. None of this does. The standard Neo Geo AES+ console will set you back $249.99/£179.99. (There’s also a white Anniversary Edition – bundled with Metal Slug and a wireless arcade stick – for $349.99/£269.99.) The games? $89.99/£69.99. Each.
If you’re flush, you can even drop $999/£899 on the Ultimate Edition, which throws in one of everything. Then you can mull over how the new Neo Geo really is authentic in every sense – including its ability to drain your bank account.
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