Neo Geo AES+: elitism, gatekeeping, and pure salt in the Spanish retro scene
What is happening right now in my country’s gaming community regarding the launch of the Neo Geo AES+ is astonishing. Many long‑time AES owners are complaining, insisting that everything will now be “reproductions,” that people shouldn’t buy the new system, and that it will have no value. It’s obvious they’re upset because, for the first time, everyday players will be able to enjoy licensed, physical versions of games like Metal Slug 1 in excellent condition.
Messages like this one are becoming common:
“I find it unbelievable that after so many years of serious collecting, you’re now going to buy a console that is basically the original hardware modified with modern components, and cartridges that will be like PlayStation Platinum editions.
It’s fine if you already own an AES and don’t want to pull out your MVS every time you want to play something… but please, let’s not start buying compulsively like casuals. And buying all the titles just because they look like the originals is the height of absurdity. Please, everyone… a bit of common sense!”
In my personal case, I chose to collect MVS because AES prices were simply prohibitive. Today I own 52 MVS titles and I’m perfectly happy with them. I also have 8 AES games, and now I finally have the opportunity to own a functional, original AES‑compatible system to play them on. I never saw myself paying the absurd amounts people ask for a boxed console from the 90s.
For me, this new release completely changes the landscape. I genuinely don’t understand the hostility some people are expressing. The old, original hardware will remain exactly what it is — nothing about its value or identity changes. The only difference is that regular players now have another legitimate way to own physical, licensed titles.
If you want to see the kind of reactions I’m referring to, you can read this thread from a Spanish forum (where I live). It speaks for itself:
https://foro.spinecard.com/t/oficial-nueva-neo-geo-aes/33320