On the positive side, the price has not increased.
Here’s some bad news for those eagerly awaiting the modern recreation of the iconic Neo Geo gaming console. The Neo Geo Advanced Entertainment System+ (AES+) has been pushed back to September 16, 2027. It was supposed to start shipping in November, so this is a significant delay.
Manufacturer Plaion Replai, which makes the console under license from SNK, says the delay is due to increased consumer demand from “fans, collectors and retail partners.” The company is struggling to meet this demand due to, you’d never guess, the AI-driven global memory shortage.
“Unprecedented global demand for memory chips, driven by investments in AI infrastructure, has created well-documented industry-wide supply constraints,” the company wrote in a press release. “Rather than proceed with the originally planned November launch with very limited global availability, Plaion Replai has chosen to take additional time to secure the component supply that is now needed to meet customer demand for pre-orders and a significantly larger global release.”
There is a glimmer of hope here. The console is delayed but the price will not increase. The standard edition in classic black still costs $250 and the all-white 35th Anniversary Limited Edition still costs $350. This one also comes with a game cartridge for Metal slug and a memory card. Retrofitted gaming carts will still cost $90, which is already ridiculously high.
Previous pre-orders were not affected by the delay and those customers are still at the front of the queue. Those who order the console early receive a free AES+ gamepad and some bundles include a 30% off game cartridge voucher.
This isn’t Plaion Replai’s first retro console rodeo. He was involved in a Commodore 64 remake and a limited edition yellow Atari 2600.
