SNKGeneration 4
Neo Geo AES
1990
AU Release
1 January 1991
AU Launch Price
$1200 AUD
~$2950 today
Units Sold
1M
Technical Specifications
Processor
Motorola 68000 @ 12 MHz + Zilog Z80 @ 4 MHz
Memory
64 KB RAM + Custom 24-bit graphics data bus
Storage
None (cartridge-based)
Media
MVS/AES Cartridges
Best-Selling Neo Geo AES Games
Global lifetime sales
Cultural Impact
The Neo Geo AES was the Rolls-Royce of gaming — a home console that used identical hardware to SNK's MVS arcade boards, meaning every game was a true, uncompromised arcade port. At launch in 1990 the console cost AU$1,200 and cartridges ranged from $200 to $400 each, positioning it squarely for wealthy enthusiasts and arcade operators. Despite its eye-watering price, the Neo Geo AES attracted a devoted global following and created the fighting game golden age, with franchises like Fatal Fury, Samurai Shodown, King of Fighters, and Metal Slug defining the genre. The console outlasted many cheaper rivals, with official software releases continuing until 2004. SNK is relaunching the hardware in 2026 as the Neo Geo AES+, featuring HDMI output while retaining full compatibility with original cartridges.
Did You Know?
Neo Geo cartridges could hold up to 330 megabytes of data — vastly more than any contemporary console — because they used the exact same boards as SNK's arcade machines
The Neo Geo AES cost approximately AU$1,200 at launch and individual game cartridges sold for $200–$400 AUD — making it the most expensive mainstream console of its era by a significant margin
Metal Slug, one of the greatest run-and-gun games ever made, was developed for the Neo Geo and remains beloved 30 years later — SNK is actively developing Metal Slug titles in 2026
Original Launch Commercial
From the Same Generation (Gen 4)
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