Neo Geo AES+ Delayed to September 2027 as AI Memory Shortage Persists
Plaion Replai delayed the Neo Geo AES+ to September 16, 2027, citing AI-driven memory shortages, with prices unchanged.
The delay is significant. The AES+ was supposed to start shipping this November. Plaion Replai said increased consumer demand from fans, collectors and retail partners was a factor, but the company has had trouble keeping up because of the global AI-induced memory shortage. It said in a press release: "Unprecedented worldwide demand for memory chips, driven by investment in AI infrastructure, has created well documented industry-wide supply constraints." The company added that rather than proceed with the previously planned November launch with severely constrained worldwide availability, it chose to take additional time to secure the component supply now needed to meet demand from pre-order customers and a substantially larger worldwide release.
The price will not increase. The standard edition in classic black still costs $250, and the limited-edition all-white 35th anniversary edition bundle still costs $350. That bundle also comes with a game cartridge for Metal Slug and a memory card. Modernized game carts remain priced at $90.
Previous pre-orders have not been impacted by the delay, and those customers remain at the top of the queue. Customers who order the console early get a free AES+ gamepad, and some bundles include a 30 percent voucher for game cartridges.
This is not Plaion Replai's first retro console project. The company had a hand in a remake of the Commodore 64 and a limited-edition yellow Atari 2600.