Day 2 of TGS brought something much more exciting for the NEOGEO AES+: we can finally see the console physically running games, using real cartridges and original-style arcade controllers.
After the recent delay to September 16, 2027, this is exactly the kind of progress people wanted to see.
One of the biggest surprises is Zero Wing. The Toaplan shooter was never originally released for Neo Geo AES, but at TGS it is already playable on the new hardware and shown with a physical cartridge. That immediately makes the AES+ more interesting, because it suggests the system could receive ports of arcade games that were never part of the original AES library.
The booth also shows games such as Big Tournament Golf and Magician Lord running directly from cartridges, reinforcing that the project is keeping the classic Neo Geo physical experience.
Another interesting discovery is the 8-position DIP switch on the console. It appears to provide additional hardware/configuration options, although we still need an official explanation of what every switch controls. This is definitely something worth watching for enthusiasts who want deeper access to the system.
The rear connections also show the mix of old and new: traditional A/V output, HDMI output, and modern power input. The console itself keeps the familiar AES design, including the memory-card area.
For me, this second showing is much more encouraging. The delay is still disappointing, but now we are seeing real hardware, real cartridges and playable games instead of only promotional images.
And the most exciting part may not even be the console itself — it is the possibility of new AES releases like Zero Wing.
If PLAION is opening the door to arcade games that never received an AES version before, I really hope this is just the beginning.
I’m still hoping to see more games and a few more surprises before TGS is over, but Day 2 changed the feeling around the AES+ quite a bit.
Seeing the console physically running, real cartridges already produced, and even a brand-new Neo Geo release like Zero Wing makes it feel much more likely that PLAION’s biggest problem really is on the production side—especially the current difficulty securing enough components and chips at the scale they need.
From that perspective, the delay starts to make more sense. If PLAION pushed out a limited number of units just to meet the original date, it could create exactly the situation collectors hate: shortages, scalpers buying everything immediately, and consoles appearing online at inflated prices.
Waiting longer, producing enough units, and trying to launch with healthier availability could ultimately be the better decision for customers.
It is still disappointing to wait until 2027, but after what was shown at TGS, I feel more confident that the project itself is moving forward. Now I just want PLAION to keep showing progress, keep expanding the game lineup, and hopefully give us a few more surprises before the show ends.
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