The high cost of the Neo Geo Advanced Entertainment System in the 1990s kept it out of reach for many, yet enthusiasts can now relive the experience through a contemporary version suited for those with greater financial flexibility. SNK, partnering with Plaion—a firm known for its black-colored Commodore 64 recreation—has revealed an accurate reproduction of the premium vintage gaming machine, dubbed the Neo Geo AES+.
To adapt the classic hardware for today's standards, the partners incorporated HDMI support reaching resolutions of 1080p, along with DIP switches located on the device's underside for choosing languages, enabling overclocking, and altering video settings. Additional enhancements feature a built-in memory card slot to save top scores indefinitely and an energy-efficient operation option. Traditionalists will appreciate that the Neo Geo AES+ maintains compatibility with bulky older CRT televisions via its authentic AV port.
Orders are now being accepted for two variants of the Neo Geo AES+, such as the white 35th anniversary package that bundles an Arcade Stick, a special Metal Slug cartridge, and a memory card, priced at $349.99. The basic black model includes just the Arcade Stick and costs $249.99. Alongside the system's launch, Plaion plans to offer 10 refreshed cartridges with titles like Metal Slug and The King of Fighters 2002, each at $89.99. While these figures may seem steep, they pale in comparison to the original Neo Geo AES's $649.99 launch price. Deliveries of the Neo Geo AES+ begin on November 12.