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| The standard black NEOGEO AES+ sits alongside the limited Anniversary Edition, both re-engineered to run original 90s cartridges with 1:1 accuracy. |
By Jon Scarr
Growing up in the 80s and 90s, the NEOGEO was the "Rolls Royce" of consoles that almost none of us could actually afford. I remember staring at the ads in the back pages of EGM and GamePro, knowing that a single cartridge cost more than my entire Nintendo collection.
It was the ultimate "someday" machine. That "someday" is finally coming back on November 12, 2026. Pre-orders are officially live today, April 16, exclusively at Amazon Canada and the US. I can honestly say I haven't been this excited for a console launch in years.
SNK and PLAION are launching the NEOGEO AES+ at a price point that finally puts arcade perfection within reach. The standard black console is priced at $249.99, while the ice white Anniversary Edition sits at $349.99. Both versions are available for pre-order right now exclusively on Amazon Canada and Amazon USA.
The Anniversary Edition is a true collector's piece, featuring an ice white design for the wireless arcade stick and an exclusive white Metal Slug cartridge that won't be sold anywhere else. I’m already eyeing it for my own collection.
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| The packaging mirrors the luxury arcade-grade build that defined the original home experience in the 90s. |
Re-Engineered Internals for Authentic Play
The big draw here is that this isn't another tiny "mini" console running software emulation. The NEOGEO AES+ uses re-engineered ASIC chips to behave exactly like the original 1990 machine. This is the return of the "100Mega Shock" era, where 1:1 replicas of arcade boards run without making any compromises. It natively supports original cartridges via low-latency HDMI output at 1080p resolution. It also preserves the original AV output for anyone who still keeps a CRT in their gaming room.
The machine adds a level of control we only dreamed of back in the day. Physical BIOS and DIP switches located on the bottom of the console allow for instant overclocking, territory language selection, and different display modes. It even permanently saves high scores for every game. Even the new memory cards are improved; they have the exact same functionality as the originals but don't require a lithium battery to hold your data.
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| The NEOGEO AES+ packaging stays true to the arcade-grade luxury of the early 90s. |
Launch Lineup and Accessories
If you are starting your collection from scratch, the 10 built-in games cover the best of SNK’s history. The list includes:
- 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
PLAION is also releasing individual physical cartridges for an SRP of $89.99 each. You can pick up extra wireless arcade sticks for $119.99. A wireless gamepad—a 1:1 replica of the NEOGEO CD controller—is also joining the lineup for $59.99 to round out the experience.
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| Shock Troopers is a top-down masterclass in run-and-gun action. It looks just as intimidating on your shelf as it does on screen. |
NEOGEO AES+ Is the Console Every Retro Fan Has Been Dreaming Of
The NEOGEO AES+ is more than just a nostalgia trip; it is a way to bridge the gap between classic arcade power and modern living room setups. The standard package offers an entry point into a library that used to be gated by a massive price tag.
Seeing these cartridges run with 1:1 accuracy on modern displays at 1080p is exactly what this community has been waiting for. I can’t wait to get my hands on one and see how those ASIC chips handle my original collection.
Pre-order NEOGEO AES+ from Amazon Canada
Pre-order NEOGEO AES+ Anniversary Edition from Amazon Canada
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