Intro
Plaion Replai and SNK have formally announced the Neo Geo+ Advanced Entertainment System (Neo Geo+ AES), a hardware revival of SNK’s 1990 home console format.
The Neo Geo+ AES is scheduled to launch on 12 November 2026, with pre-orders opening on 16 April 2026.
Plaion Replai, known for replica systems such as the Atari 2600+ and Atari 7800+, is positioning the Neo Geo+ AES as a modern, cartridge-compatible recreation of the original AES experience.
Hardware and compatibility
Plaion Replai states the Neo Geo+ AES will play original Neo Geo AES cartridges natively; MVS arcade cartridges are not supported due to different cartridge boards and contacts.
The company says the new console does not rely on software emulation or FPGA approximations.
Instead, Plaion describes the machine as powered by newly manufactured legacy ASIC chips that have been re-engineered to replicate the original hardware and software behavior.
The original Neo Geo architecture used a Motorola 68000 main CPU alongside a Zilog Z80A coprocessor.
Plaion notes those chiplineages remain in production in 2026 (with modern clones of the 68000 in manufacture), and that the Neo Geo+ AES is designed to match the look, feel and play characteristics of the AES hardware.
Features and modern upgrades
The Neo Geo+ AES includes modern conveniences such as low-latency 1080p HDMI output, an on-screen BIOS selection, bottom-mounted DIP switches for region and settings, overclocking options, display modes, and persistent high-score saves.
Plaion says the platform will ship with support for a “full ecosystem of games and accessories.”
Launch games and accessories
Ten titles will be re-released at launch (priced at £69.99 / €79.99 each): Metal Slug; The King Of Fighters 2002; Garou: Mark of the Wolves; Neo Turf Masters (Big Tournament Golf); Shock Troopers; Samurai Shodown V Special; Pulstar; Twinkle Star Sprites; Magician Lord; and Over Top.
Launch accessories include a 1:1 replica Arcade Stick with wired and wireless options, a Memory Card redesigned without a cell battery (and compatible with original hardware), and a 1:1 replica gamepad with micro-switched thumbstick and four-button layout.
Pricing and SKUs
The standard Neo Geo+ AES will retail at £179.99 / €199.99 / $249.99 / ¥32,800.
An Anniversary Edition bundle is priced at £269.99 / €299.99 / $349.99 / ¥49,800 and includes an ice-white console, a wired Arcade Stick, a Metal Slug cartridge exclusive to the bundle, and a Memory Card.
An Ultimate Edition bundle is listed at £799.99 / €899.99 / $999.99 / ¥150,000 and includes all ten launch games, two arcade sticks, a gamepad, a memory card and special packaging.
Industry context
SNK’s Neo Geo originally launched in AES (home) and MVS (arcade) formats in 1990 and continued to see official game releases through 2004.
The original AES was notable for delivering arcade-quality power at a premium price—the console initially retailed for $649.99 in the U.S. Plaion’s commercial director, Ben Jones, said the company aims to reintroduce the Neo Geo to modern gamers without compromising the integrity of the original hardware.
Availability
Pre-orders opened directly from Plaion Replai on 16 April 2026, with the full release on 12 November 2026.
For collectors and retro enthusiasts, the Neo Geo+ AES offers a cartridge-native path to the AES library alongside existing options such as cartridge collections on platforms like Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 and dedicated retro hardware like Evercade’s Neo Geo collections.
Plaion Replai and SNK have formally announced the Neo Geo+ Advanced Entertainment System (Neo Geo+ AES), a hardware revival of SNK’s 1990 home console format.
The Neo Geo+ AES is scheduled to launch on 12 November 2026, with pre-orders opening on 16 April 2026.
Plaion Replai, known for replica systems such as the Atari 2600+ and Atari 7800+, is positioning the Neo Geo+ AES as a modern, cartridge-compatible recreation of the original AES experience.
Hardware and compatibility
Plaion Replai states the Neo Geo+ AES will play original Neo Geo AES cartridges natively; MVS arcade cartridges are not supported due to different cartridge boards and contacts.
The company says the new console does not rely on software emulation or FPGA approximations.
Instead, Plaion describes the machine as powered by newly manufactured legacy ASIC chips that have been re-engineered to replicate the original hardware and software behavior.
The original Neo Geo architecture used a Motorola 68000 main CPU alongside a Zilog Z80A coprocessor.
Plaion notes those chiplineages remain in production in 2026 (with modern clones of the 68000 in manufacture), and that the Neo Geo+ AES is designed to match the look, feel and play characteristics of the AES hardware.
Features and modern upgrades
The Neo Geo+ AES includes modern conveniences such as low-latency 1080p HDMI output, an on-screen BIOS selection, bottom-mounted DIP switches for region and settings, overclocking options, display modes, and persistent high-score saves.
Plaion says the platform will ship with support for a “full ecosystem of games and accessories.”
Launch games and accessories
Ten titles will be re-released at launch (priced at £69.99 / €79.99 each): Metal Slug; The King Of Fighters 2002; Garou: Mark of the Wolves; Neo Turf Masters (Big Tournament Golf); Shock Troopers; Samurai Shodown V Special; Pulstar; Twinkle Star Sprites; Magician Lord; and Over Top.
Launch accessories include a 1:1 replica Arcade Stick with wired and wireless options, a Memory Card redesigned without a cell battery (and compatible with original hardware), and a 1:1 replica gamepad with micro-switched thumbstick and four-button layout.
Pricing and SKUs
The standard Neo Geo+ AES will retail at £179.99 / €199.99 / $249.99 / ¥32,800.
An Anniversary Edition bundle is priced at £269.99 / €299.99 / $349.99 / ¥49,800 and includes an ice-white console, a wired Arcade Stick, a Metal Slug cartridge exclusive to the bundle, and a Memory Card.
An Ultimate Edition bundle is listed at £799.99 / €899.99 / $999.99 / ¥150,000 and includes all ten launch games, two arcade sticks, a gamepad, a memory card and special packaging.
Industry context
SNK’s Neo Geo originally launched in AES (home) and MVS (arcade) formats in 1990 and continued to see official game releases through 2004.
The original AES was notable for delivering arcade-quality power at a premium price—the console initially retailed for $649.99 in the U.S. Plaion’s commercial director, Ben Jones, said the company aims to reintroduce the Neo Geo to modern gamers without compromising the integrity of the original hardware.
Availability
Pre-orders opened directly from Plaion Replai on 16 April 2026, with the full release on 12 November 2026.
For collectors and retro enthusiasts, the Neo Geo+ AES offers a cartridge-native path to the AES library alongside existing options such as cartridge collections on platforms like Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 and dedicated retro hardware like Evercade’s Neo Geo collections.
