When the Neo-Geo AES arrived in France in the early ’90s, I was barely ten years old. Like many gamers of my generation, I spent hours flipping through gaming magazines, daydreaming as I looked at the pages dedicated to this extraordinary machine. The screenshots looked like they were from the future, the cartridges were enormous, and the games seemed far superior to anything you could find on home consoles at the time. Yet, despite how fascinated I was by it, the Neo-Geo AES was in a league of its own. Its price made it unaffordable for most families, which ultimately only served to further fuel its legendary status.
The Rolls-Royce of video game consoles
When the Neo-Geo AES was released, it represented a true revolution in the gaming industry. For the first time, players could enjoy the same games at home that were available in arcades. At a time when you regularly had to slip coins into the machines to keep playing, the idea of having that experience at home seemed incredible (minus the smell of cigarette smoke).
Games like Fatal Fury, Samurai Shodown, Metal Slug, and The King of Fighters boasted graphics and smooth gameplay that seemed out of reach for other consoles on the market. The Neo-Geo didn’t just offer simple adaptations of arcade games; it ran the actual original versions, exactly like the ones found in cafes, arcades, and shopping malls.
Very quickly, the console earned a nickname that still sticks with it today: the “Rolls-Royce of consoles.” With a price tag of around 3,500 francs at launch—equivalent to more than 800 euros today—not to mention the cost of the cartridges, it was reserved for only a handful of wealthy enthusiasts. This image of an unattainable console has never left it. More than thirty-five years later, retro gaming enthusiasts know this well: owning an original Neo-Geo AES and a few of its games still represents a significant investment, as collectors quickly snap up models in good condition.
Neo-Geo AES+: the return of the king of home consoles
That’s exactly what makes the announcement of the Neo-Geo AES+ so interesting. PLAION, best known as a video game publisher and distributor, has decided to venture into hardware with a system aimed directly at retro gaming enthusiasts. The goal is clear: to let players relive the experience of the original console while enjoying the benefits of modern technology.
Compatible with original AES cartridges, this new console lets you rediscover the games of that era under optimal conditions. Purists can continue playing on a CRT TV thanks to the classic video output, while gamers with modern screens will enjoy an HDMI output with high-definition display. The console also comes with its famous arcade joystick, an integral part of the Neo-Geo experience. For anyone who spent hours playing SNK fighting games, it’s hard to imagine a better way to relive the arcade experience. The icing on the cake is that the anniversary edition is available for less than €300 and the original edition for under €200!
Cartridges that no longer require a bank loan
Owning an original Neo-Geo AES is already a luxury. Building a collection of games is an even greater one. Some cartridges now fetch several hundred, or even several thousand, euros on the secondhand market. This surge in prices is due as much to the quality of the games as to their rarity. Many titles have become true collector’s items sought after around the world.
PLAION plans to take advantage of the launch of the Neo-Geo AES+ to re-release several classics on cartridges. Among the announced games are 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, and Over Top. This is great news for gamers who want to discover or rediscover these titles without having to scour auction sites for months on end. If the console continues to be a success, it’s entirely possible that other games will gradually be added to the catalog.
Two editions designed to appeal to retro gamers
The Neo-Geo AES+ is available in a black version that faithfully replicates the look of the original console, as well as in a particularly elegant white anniversary edition. The latter includes a Metal Slug cartridge and is aimed specifically at collectors. Players can also complete their setup with an additional arcade stick, priced at less than €100, which is also available in black or white to ensure a perfect match with their chosen console.
35 years of history in a single console
The return of the Neo-Geo AES is great news for retro gaming enthusiasts who have long dreamed of seeing this legendary machine make a comeback. But this new console isn’t just for those feeling nostalgic. Younger players who never experienced the golden age of arcades will also have the opportunity to discover an important part of video game history. More than thirty-five years after their creation, SNK’s great classics continue to prove that the joy of gaming doesn’t depend solely on technical power. Their gameplay remains incredibly effective in 2026, and that is undoubtedly the best proof of their quality. The console is already available for pre-order and will be released on November 12, 2026. Thank you, PLAION!
