r/neogeo

I’m looking at the official PLAION Replai website and their press server, and I’m confused about what’s actually included in the Neo Geo AES+ Anniversary Edition.

On the product pages and press assets, PLAION shows a white Metal Slug AES snap case, insert, and manual. But the official contents list for the Anniversary Edition only mentions the console, stick, cables, and the white Metal Slug cartridge — no case or manual.

Does anyone know for sure whether the Anniversary Edition bundle includes:

• A white AES snap case
• A printed insert
• A manual

Or are those images just marketing renders for the standalone AES+ game line?

I don’t want to assume something is included if it’s not, but the way PLAION presents it is pretty confusing. Has anyone gotten clarification from PLAION or seen something that confirms what will actually be in the box?

Hey everyone, as all of you, I'm excited about the upcoming release from Plaion. I immediately ordered both a Standard and Anniversary edition bundle from Plaion. The next day I realized the Ultimate Edition was an option, so I emailed them to cancel my order and then tried to order the Ultimate Edition and Anniversary, but it said it can't ship to my address in California. Seems a lot of other people are having the same issue...

So in short, two questions:

1. Should I keep my original Plaion order, which ended up being $620 with shipping (but an additional $60 will be charged if tariffs enforced)? Or order the same bundle from Amazon, which will be $660 (since it adds the 10% sales tax, but free shipping)?

2. Should I continue trying to order the Ultimate Edition, and is the Welcome10 discount people are claiming only on the EU website? Or is the Ultimate just glitched out for California buyers?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GXCPQ87W?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Available in white or black. Just ordered one so that I'll have a pair now.

I assume it comes with both the wireless dongle and a cable in case you don't want to use it wirelessly?

It’s now 4 days since I’ve placed an order and needed to cancel it for an amended order. I’ve placed a chat message, an email and filled out the online form and social media.

I think 48hours (2 full work days) should have been enough but I’m getting a feeling that I’m stuck with this order being shipped and having to return it as I enter the 3rd day of no response.

I’m posting this here to ask people if they have had any success reaching out and getting a response from Plaion and also in the hope that Plaion can see a thread about possible other concerns, so they could take action to help us out. I feel for example that between now and November it’s highly likely people would want to amend an address or add or cancel an order perhaps and it’s just feeling very cold on that front.

Please understand that I’m £1069 out of pocket with the order I placed, and since placed a follow up amended order. So it’s, to me, a lot of money that I don’t want to have to wait so long to get reimbursed for. I’m happy to keep my second order still but this initial order needed cancelling (white plus the ultimate), as soon as possible. I’d be totally happy if I even got a receipt that said “you are ticket number 101”, but not having any response is making me want to reach out to my card company tbh…

Has anyone else managed to see a response? I’m specifically after the uk store to respond if that makes any difference? Not sure if they are all the same person?

SOOOOOO frustrating. I just put in a random address in Indiana and it will ship no problem. I wonder if you can order and then change your address after the fact?

Doesn't make much sense but the response I got for not being able to pre-order the Ultimate Edition is it's sold out in my state?

Anyone else get that reply?

Hi all! I'd personally love to have an AES+. It's probably the most faithful console to the original compared to other console manufacturers that have released reissues/minis (emulation - yuck). However, being an original AES owner, is it worth getting? I can see it being worth it on a collector's level but other than my AES, the games, and a few other retro consoles, I've been selling off my collection.

I don't need the HDMI functionality because I play my AES on a Sony flat tube CRT. I have the carts for about 7 japanese-version fighting games, North American-version NAM-1975 and Magician Lord but most importantly, an original NEOSD which basically lives in my AES.

I suppose it would be a good way to to reduce the wear and tear on my AES but other than that I can't think of a reason.

Other AES owners - why or why not will you be getting an AES+?

Hey everyone,

I’m currently torn between getting the white Neo Geo (AES+ scheduled for late November 2026) and the black version, and I’d love some opinions.

A few questions:

• Do you think a white console with black cartridges looks good, or does it end up feeling mismatched?
• For a second stick, what would you go with: black (to match the carts / classic Neo Geo look) or white (to keep a clean all-white setup, but the cart.....)?

Thank you :)

Should I get Garou: Mark of the Wolves instead of Shock Troopers? Shock Troopers seems kind of bland.

I’ve been seeing a lot of takes lately about the Neo Geo AES+ and how it’s somehow “the downfall” for collectors because of the re-releases of a number of games. Honestly, I think that perspective completely misses what collecting is about, at least for many of us.

Most serious collectors I know (me included) aren’t in this hobby to flip carts or chase inflated resale values. We collect because we genuinely love the games, the history, the physical releases, and the feeling of owning a piece of that era. The value isn’t just monetary, it’s personal.

If anything, re-releases like this could actually be a positive. If prices on original carts stabilize or even drop, that just makes it easier for collectors to fill gaps in their collections without paying extreme premiums. That’s not a loss but rather an opportunity.

And for newer fans, this is a great entry point into the Neo Geo ecosystem, which only helps keep the community alive long-term.

At the end of the day, collecting isn’t about gatekeeping scarcity or treating games like stocks. It’s about appreciation. If you’re in it for the right reasons, nothing about AES+ changes that.

Just my two cents.

https://preview.redd.it/do1s9f2x66wg1.png?width=1536&format=png&auto=webp&s=01b06dfa9b6af4dd261847ae2cdd2694753c15ab

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

Hi guys,

New to Neogeo hardware (i have been emulating until now)

Thinking about pre-ordering on Amazon.de a white one but seems like it's charging upfront payment as the amount appeared on my card provider to be accepted, instead of charging at shipping time when i checkout.

Anyone already pre-ordered one through Amazon.de that can confirm ?

Thanks in advance.

Very tempted to pre-order the system plus a few launch games but would feel much better about the purchase if I knew I could ultimately just switched to the 161 in 1 multi cart for further gaming. Thanks in advance.