- Plaion Replai and SNK have announced a new retro console
- The Neo Geo AES+ brings back the seriously pricey ’90s system
- This re-release costs $249.99 / £179.99 / AU$329.99 and launches on November 12, 2026
Retro video game brand Plaion Replai has announced a new retro console in collaboration with publisher SNK, and it’s a revival of the infamously expensive Neo Geo AES.
Originally released in the 1990s, the Neo Geo AES was basically the PlayStation 5 Pro of its age – a luxury enthusiast console aimed at the most hardcore gamers. One of the most powerful consoles on the market at the time, it retailed for $649.99 in the US, which is roughly just over $1,600 in today’s money when adjusted for inflation.
Luckily, its modern incarnation, the Neo Geo AES+, which is set to hit shelves on November 12 this year, is considerably cheaper at $249.99 / £179.99 / AU$329.99. It maintains the exact look of the original console and doesn’t rely on emulation. Rather, it’s powered by re-engineered ASIC chips that should deliver an experience as close to the original hardware as possible.
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Despite this, the Neo Geo AES+ has been upgraded with a number of quality-of-life features, namely the addition of a modern HDMI display output, though CRT owners will undoubtedly be pleased to hear that the original AV output is still there too.
There’s also an overclocking mode, language selection switches, and the ability to save high scores with a compatible memory card accessory.
Loads of classic Neo Geo games are being re-released too, including the original Metal Slug, King of Fighters 2002, Garou: Mark of the Wolves, and more. I’m particularly keen to try Twinkle Star Sprites, a top-down shooter with some adorably colorful graphics.
The titles I’ve named all retail for $89.99 / £69.99 / AU$139.99 a pop, which is pretty pricey for such old games, but still significantly cheaper than buying most of the original cartridges second-hand. They’ll also work with the original Neo Geo AES.
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dash.wood@futurenet.com (Dashiell Wood)
