Though multiple versions of Neo-Geo mini consoles have been released over the last several years, now Austrian company, Plaion, has announced that something just a little more faithful is on the way. Apparently inspired by the popularity and success of their outstanding 2023 ‘70s throwback, the Atari 2600+, Plaion has decided to do the same thing for SNK’s mythical home arcade console. Dubbed the Neo-Geo AES+, the system will be an HDMI-ready 1:1 replica of the original early '90s gaming machine.

Like the Atari 2600+, the Neo-Geo AES+ will be fully compatible with all original cartridge titles, and Plaion has further announced that they will even be rereleasing physical versions of 10 legendary Neo-Geo classics, such as Metal Slug, Pulstar, The King of Fighters 2002, and Shock Troopers. The console will be available on November 12th of this year in classic black, as well as a new "Anniversary Edition" white. Though we, like most people at the time, couldn't even dream of affording the bonkers $650 price tag of the original hardware, the $250 starting price of the Advanced Entertainment System+ is sounding decidedly more palatable (especially these days). Jump past the break to see the announcement trailer for yourself.

In 1988, after helping to create such notable titles as Moon Patrol and Kung-Fu Master for Irem, and the original Street Fighter, for Capcom, Japanese game designer, Takashi Nishiyama, was invited to join the video game company, SNK. Soon after his arrival, he - - along with close SNK partner, Alpha Denshi Corporation - - would become involved in the development of a new form of arcade system for the two companies. In order to make arcade hardware more marketable in certain countries, Nishiyama came up with the idea of creating a system that could utilize interchangeable ROM cartridges, just like a home console.

Alpha Denshi would handle much of the development for the hardware, and would incorporate some fairly sophisticated sprite scaling capabilities into its design, as well as support for high-data cartridge sizes and (then) top of the line sound hardware. SNK would dub the arcade system the "Neo-Geo", and would release it, in both Japan and North America, on April 26, 1990. While single-slot machines were also sold, the more popular versions of the hardware came with multiple cartridge slots, allowing for game-switching between 2, 4, or even 6 different titles. For this reason, the Neo-Geo arcade system would also soon come to be known as the "Multi Video System", or "MVS" for short.

In addition to the arcade system, a television console with identical hardware specs, dubbed the "Advanced Entertainment System" or "AES", would also be released by SNK. Though it was initially only intended for rental purposes - - as SNK assumed that its incredibly high manufacturing cost would price it well out of the normal retail market range for home consoles - - in response to high demand, it was later made available for sale to the general public as well. While the AES wouldn't end up performing quite as well on the "home" front, largely owing to its (then) astronomically high retail price of $649.99 (US), the MVS would prove to be a fairly massive hit in the arcades - - and would also end up ushering in some of the most popular gaming franchises of the early to mid- 90s in the process. In honor of the anniversary of the Neo-Geo's North American debut, we have assembled a list of some of the most outstanding entries of those storied franchises - - in addition to the other greatest titles to have ever graced the platform - - which we proudly present to you below.

Well, we're three months into the year now and there's been a fairly steady flow of interesting new titles to play, in addition to a few re-released and/or reimagined classics. This past week saw the release of another Marvel collection, this one featuring an assortment of legendary beat 'em ups, including Konami's 1992 X-Men arcade smash hit; as well as multiple versions of Data East's 1991 arcade title, Captain America and the Avengers; and Acclaim's 1994 Spider-Man and Venom 16-bit console release, Maximum Carnage. For those not in the know, these were not only the greatest Marvel titles to come out of the first half of the '90s, but some of the greatest games of that era, period.

Also out in the past two months, a pretty epic-looking high fantasy action-adventure title from South Korean studio, Pearl Abyss; a Tribute-developed follow-up to the(ir) incredible 2010 beat 'em up, Scott Pilgrim vs the World (the game); and a scary-good new entry to the monster Resident Evil franchise. EXperience the definitive retro archive, then jump past the break to see more new releases from the last 8 weeks.

Happy 2026! Well, its the end of January and the new releases are starting up again, now that the holidays are well behind us. Additionally, we have a few to add in that we never got to in December.

The big new release from this past week, however, would probably have to be the indie title, Cairn. A cel-shaded climbing sim/adventure game, Cairn looks to be one of the first great indie games of the year. And since we got it in January, 2026 looks to be shaping up pretty nicely so far.

Also out in the last 8 weeks: the latest installment to Falcom's long-running Legend of Heroes series; a PS5 (and 4) playable version of Namco's incredible PlayStation 2 classic, SoulCalibur III; and a small bundle of Final Fantasy GOG ports. Embark on the ascent of a lifetime, then jump past the break to see more new releases from the last 56 days.

Another year, another ridiculously late Games of the Year article. Many apologies. It took much longer than expected to get to all of the standout 2023 unboxings on our YouTube channel. We plan to have all the 2024 unboxings done within the first few months of next year, and then we will hopefully be able to focus on getting caught up with 2025 by this time next December. If it's any consolation, as a result of taking so much time to determine the winners of 2023, we're feeling extremely confident in our picks (not that we haven't for most other years). Hopefully, you will too. Please read on to find out why we chose what we chose as the 12 best titles that 2023 had to offer:

After the massive success of Sony's original PlayStation, a follow-up console basically became a foregone conclusion. Rival Sega, which had utterly taken a beating with their ill-fated Saturn console, attempted to correct course with their next gaming system, the Dreamcast; even managing to get a jump on the competition by getting their new hardware to market over a year before anyone else. Sony, still enjoying their considerable lead in the race, was able to take some time in developing a proper successor to the PlayStation, and did ultimately succeed in delivering something truly worthy of following in that formidable console's footsteps.

The PlayStation 2 would officially be unveiled at the Tokyo Game Show on September 20, 1999, merely a week after the release of Sega's Dreamcast. Despite some savvy design decisions, a respectable library of new and upcoming titles, and the Dreamcast's modest early foothold in that generation's console race, it wouldn't be enough. The absolutely massive amount of hype leading up to, and then following, the October 26, 2000 North American launch of Sony's smartly-designed PlayStation 2 console would impact Dreamcast sales to the point that Sega would have to prematurely bring its run to an end, just five months later.

The hype was definitely warranted. In addition to doubling as a budget-friendly DVD player, and being backward-compatible with a massive collection of original PlayStation titles, the PS2 would boast its own substantial library of games - - one of the largest for any console, not only then, but ever. While a collection that large is bound to have at least a few stinkers, it also, of course, contained plenty of top-notch exclusives as well, both temporary, and permanent (at least for that generation). Please read on for a selection of 12 of the finest titles to ever grace the PlayStation 2.

Well, we're nearing the end of September and all the year's biggest titles have pretty much dropped by now. This very week saw the release of what has probably been the most-anticipated Switch title of the year, Echoes of Wisdom, a Legend of Zelda game that actually stars the titular character! As arguably the freshest title in the series since the multiplayer fun of 2004's Four Swords Adventures, this may have just been the most-anticipated game of the year for any platform.

Also out in the last 9 weeks, a follow-up to the surprisingly good 2011 Warhammer 40,000 title, Space Marine; an aquatic-themed follow-up to the outstanding 2015 robots-in-space action strategy game, SteamWorld Heist; and a collection of most of (if not all) of Capcom's incredible late 90s Marvel-themed arcade fighting titles. "Save Hyrule - - this time with Princess Zelda!" Jump past the break to see more new releases from the last 63 days.

A few days ago, Nintendo hosted yet another Direct presentation to showcase another selection of upcoming gaming announcements, and while a lot of them weren't particularly special, there were two that stood out from the crowd. The first was the Castlevania Dominus Collection from Konami. A compilation of all three excellent Nintendo DS Castlevania titles gathered into one fantastic package. That game, by the way, was actually released the same day as its announcement (on Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Steam), so go pick it up if you haven't already.

The second, and still forthcoming incredible title to be announced was one Capcom Fighting Collection 2. An assemblage of several of Capcom's greatest fighting games ever made, including both Capcom Vs SNK titles, both Power Stone releases, the upgraded final arcade version of Street Fighter Alpha 3, and Project Justice and Plasma Sword! A collection this good is enough to send any fighting game enthusiast into a frenzy.

Sadly, no specific release date has yet been provided beyond the general window of sometime in 2025. Luckily however, the Direct did provide a release date for Capcom's other huge upcoming fighting game compilation, the Marvel Vs Capcom Fighting Collection, which will be arriving digitally on September 12, and physically on November 22 (on multiple platforms). That should keep fighting fans pretty well occupied while they wait for the Capcom Fighting Collection 2 to drop.

For more information on the Marvel Vs Capcom Fighting Collection, you can watch that most recent Direct trailer here, or you can check out the Capcom Fighting Collection 2 Direct trailer after the break.

Well, we're past the midpoint of 2024 and quickly nearing the late summer/early fall harvest time of year where new game releases become just as plentiful as the farmers crops. Recently though, it's been just a steady trickle of thoughtful ports and the occasional interesting new title. Case in point, the standout offering of this last week was a PC, Switch, and PS4 port of the 2003 arcade fighter, SNK Vs Capcom: Chaos.

While perhaps not quite as solid as Capcom's two takes on the legendary fighting franchise mashup, as SNK's sole unique interpretation of the concept is still well worth checking out. If not for being one of SNK's first titles following their untimely 2001 closure and near-immediate resurrection, or one of the last to grace their legendary Neo-Geo hardware, then certainly for it's familiar, comfort food graphics and gameplay, and inspired roster of characters. Nearly any way you slice it, SNK Vs Capcom: Chaos is a title that earned its rightful place in the annals of gaming history and is pretty much a must-play for fans of either company (if not fighting games in general).

Also out in the last 9 weeks, console ports (and a GOG one for good measure) of last year's hit roguelike dungeon crawler, Darkest Dungeon II; the latest entry in the nearly annual Legend of Heroes franchise; and a switch port of Nintendo's fantastic 2013 3DS classic, Luigi's Mansion (2): Dark Moon. "When worlds collide . . . you get Chaos!" Jump past the break to see more new releases from the last 63 days.