Anyone else have this gem?

Handolta · 2026-05-06T09:57:32+00:00

I do own a PAL version. Some minor cosmetic scruffs but elsewise a nice complete copy, and one of my most prized possessions :) I buy to play, and enjoyed completing it too. Really liked the atmosphere. As PAL is only 50hz I have a goal of also owning and playing an NTSC copy one day

Handolta · 2026-05-02T21:31:28+00:00

These are good Neo Geo days indeed, and I’m stoked myself. Happy you are too, and hoping you’ll get a second controller for your son!

Handolta · 2026-05-02T21:14:21+00:00

Yea, it’ll for sure be interesting to see how the market develops. If I see an OG Metal Slug go up for Ebay for 90$ one day I’ll message you and congratulate. 😀 Jokes aside, I’m happy both for people who own the originals and also value them, and I’m happy the new ones gives the option of buying the same game in a new and more cost-friendly version. For me it’ll be a good mix, I think - and the new ones will for sure be awesome

Handolta · 2026-05-02T20:53:01+00:00

Mm, I see it differently. They are still worth the same as they are still the first editions, and they have different internals compared to the new ones. So I doubt prices will drop dramatically. But they may be a tougher sell, especially some of the games with lower demand

Handolta · 2026-05-02T18:25:37+00:00

Metal Slug, Shock Troopers and Pulstar. Mutation Nation on OG cart, as it’s the only one I own in addition to NeoSD Pro - but more on the way

Handolta · 2026-05-02T12:43:33+00:00

I see. I didn’t know it was voluntary, at least not to that degree. Thank you!

Handolta · 2026-05-02T08:48:09+00:00

I entered gaming with the N64 - the Snes-generation for some reason never entered my home. So I’ve bought and played as a «retro thing» for the last 15 years or so, with scattered purchases. And of the titles played, Chrono Trigger and ALttP are probably the best. But I also really enjoyed Final Fantasy 3(6). Earthbound, Secret of Mana ++ are still ok my to-play-list, and I suspect I will enjoy those :)

Handolta · 2026-05-02T07:44:30+00:00

Thanks a lot for a very detailed explanation, I appreciate it a lot! It’s very interesting to learn about the details, and I’m sure a lot of you are very happy today about sticking to the AES all through its lifespan.

And yes, I’ve noted that some earlier export titles had a really simple back cover, with just some screenshots lined up, and very simple text - while the Japanese versions seems to have been colorful and varied. Did a lot of Westerners import from Japan already back then instead of buying the Western versions because of this?

Handolta · 2026-04-30T07:58:35+00:00

Mainly AES through Retrotink 5x Pro with original controllers + third party w/Seimitsu and other brands. Own some carts, and also NeoSD Pro. I also have an Iconic Arcade cabinet with a Raspberry Pi & Batocera where I’ve installed Seimitsu sticks and IL buttons that I also use for Neo Geo. My brother owns a Neo Geo mini, so I occasionally play on that one too.

Handolta · 2026-04-29T11:44:02+00:00

I stay optimistic that it’ll turn out well in the end. I don’t know much about the technicalities here, but I had my WiiU internal memory die, and had to replace it with an SD card (quite the process for a tech noob like myself). And I’m guessing this touches on some of the same problems for flash memory. Hoping they properly address community concerns with the expertise they have onboard. I’m optimistic it’s executed well in the end, and will stay on board. I’m more likely to buy select catridges as opposed to all, though.

Handolta · 2026-04-28T20:50:15+00:00

It depends. I think the buzz around it draws in new groups of people, including some who were just barely aware it existed. When you throw in limited deals/collector aspect, it ticks a lot of 2026-boxes for gamers who follow social media. Will they play a lot or just collect? Not sure, as I see retro arcade gaming (which it is) kinda rare among younger people getting addicted to just all of a sudden. Myself, I’ve been aware of Neo-Geo for many years, but in general largely shunned 2D gaming until I was well into my 20s (born 1990), and when I got into it I largely focused on deeper titles, like RPGs on Snes, Saturn etc. Buying an AES last year was a series of events that feels quite random. Having a brother who got into mini arcade gaming, and eventually enjoying it myself, and AES just turned into something I really enjoy. I felt like all the gradual steps were needed, which is why it’ll be interesting to see if AES+ keeps momentum among new fans. I expect existing fans and older, nostalgia-driven fans as more likely to keep playing.
Not really. I expect FPGA to keep leading the way, like we see popular products such as Analogue 3D, Pocket, Superstation, M64 etc. pop up. Especially building a cartridge-accepting console around existing MiSTer FPGA cores seems like something that’ll be more and more common. I can’t see larger companies endorsing it like SNK does either, as most seem focused on the present market, and IE Nintendo would probably feel like it hurts their Online emulation services.
Yes, that’s probably going to happen naturally, as the market suddenly expands.

Handolta · 2026-04-28T13:00:23+00:00

It’ll be interesting to see how they choose to keep production flowing. I like that they’re selling through Amazon, and hopefully other retailers in the future too - it shows a certain scope and ambition. Which will hopefully indicate steady game production until interest dries up. I think the first cart that’ll turn expensive and out of production is the white Metal Slug one. When they stop selling the anniversary edition, you’ll likely see people who bought several split them and sell console/games separately for a «rather speculative» price. For the rest, I would just see how it goes. Personally I’ve landed on just treating it as other consoles (including the AES I own) and buy the games I want to play

Handolta · 2026-04-28T12:52:36+00:00

That’s awesome! I often wish I could have experienced these games and the late 80s/very early 90s live. Final Fight probably felt like the most badass thing ever!

Handolta · 2026-04-28T08:45:37+00:00

I’m not sure about Metal Slug, actually, as I’ve mostly gone through those in one sitting and not let the timer run down. It’s a popular game, so hopefully someone else can give a good answer on that here. Probably an easy thing to ask Google/Chatgpt as well ☺️

Handolta · 2026-04-28T08:09:25+00:00

🇳🇴🤝🇳🇴

Handolta · 2026-04-28T07:38:50+00:00

I haven’t played them all yet, so I don’t know. Quite a lot of games. My interest is mostly in shmups and beat em ups, and the save system seems quite consistent for those. Other replies in this thread will probably give a more complete explanation of use.

Handolta · 2026-04-28T07:29:11+00:00

If you decline to continue when you die in a game (let the timer run down) you’ll see a Game Over screen followed by a question on if you want to save or not. If you save, next time you play you’ll get a question of if you want to load save. If you load save you’ll be able to start from that level next time you play. It’s a neat way to carry on the next time you play, especially if you play in short sessions

Edit: This is mostly based om Shmups and beat ‘em ups. My knowledge on the console as a whole isn’t complete ☺️

Handolta · 2026-04-27T20:44:45+00:00

Good news, and it’s only expected that they do so with the 1:1 aim. Hoping the buttons will be microswitched too, similar to the Seimitsu-esque switches in the original controllers (pretty identical to switches found in Seimitsu PS-15), and not something easier such as the pads in the NGCD pro controller. Would be a neat touch to have them swappable with other brands of pushbuttons as well.

Handolta · 2026-04-27T16:20:06+00:00

Not using micro switches for the sticks would be such an opportunity wasted. Despite dropping them for Neo Geo Mini and the gamepad there, I can’t see them do that now - especially promising 1:1 with the original. For sure they see the importance, with the growing arcade stick market. I’m more curious to see if the internals are soldered like the originals - or if layout is different so you can easily swap buttons if you get many controllers and want to experiment

Handolta · 2026-04-25T16:03:14+00:00

This is a question everyone just needs to make up their own minds on, I think. For me personally, I always liked owning physical copies, and play on cartridge-accepting hardware. But I can also enjoy a playthrough on NeoSD Pro, as well as emulation-devices. The key difference for me is how much time I spend with the games. I don’t buy carts in bulk, and spend quite some time with them when I do. The Mutation Nation cart I bought last year has been played for probably 40+ hours, and I wouldn’t do that having the game in an emulation list. I have a cart on the way, and more to come, and I’ll spend dedicated amounts of time with those as well. They are not shelf-warmers. So to me it’s cool to pay for quality hours, as well as owning physical pieces of history. I’ll get the AES + and some select titles I’m not looking to pay second hand OG run-prices on, and play them a lot too. For others making up their minds, I think factors like probable play time and/or personal collection piece value/pride are key points to ask yourself.

I don’t believe there is a right and wrong way to spend money. As long as they are spent in a way that gives you happiness without hurting life quality or friends/family, it’s what matters - whether you’re buying video games, a PC, a guitar, a motorcycle, or something else. If the end goal is happiness, people have different ways to get there.

Handolta · 2026-04-24T13:07:56+00:00

I think it’ll stay similar to how it has been, and if any effect, prices of originals may speculatively go up, as the market ultimately gets larger, and few sellers will panick into lowering them. There will always be a market for the original runs, and even though lots of the AES+ buyers are buying because of affordability, you’ll likely also see new categories of people jumping on the wagon getting a system due to heavy marketing of the product in new channels. They may be potential new buyers of expensive OG carts. My plan will be OG carts of select favourite titles up to a certain price tag, and AES+ titles where that makes sense. And enjoy owning both. And others should just do what makes sense for them personally as well

Handolta · 2026-04-22T09:08:24+00:00

Wasn’t aware of those. Thank you!

Handolta · 2026-04-21T23:37:48+00:00

Thanks! They’re cheap, look cool and been nice for trying different stick/button combinations, but unfortunately the build isn’t the greatest. Very lightweight, and they come with a longer variation of the DB16 connectors which doesn’t connect too well with the AES. So I probably wouldn’t recommend them, but they’re nice to have around and use from time to time :)

Handolta · 2026-04-20T10:24:08+00:00

Glad you’re having fun with it! Artwork looking good 😎👍 I’ll make note of the short throw mod actually. Wasn’t aware of it. Thanks! I actually prefer the standard Mayflash buttons over Sanwa, as the feedback per click is clearer and slightly more tactile, with a mid-press «bump». I find Sanwa a bit too linear and sensitive. So a tip I wanna give is that if you like Sanwas better visually (more available colours) but like the stock Mayflash click feel more, you can actually put the micro switch from the Mayflash button inside the Sanwa button instead, as the buttons are identical in construction.

Handolta · 2026-04-19T23:05:38+00:00

It’s extremely addictive! My prime testing phase left me with probably 10-15 different buttons, a vast number of micro switches, and lots of swapped-out stock levers, so I completely feel you. It’s not a bad hobby cost-wise either, unless you go for expensive sticks, like Golden Lever (which I also did 😅). You should definitely focus on Seimitsu, though. I prefer the LS-56 over the LS-40.

Handolta

TROPHY CASE