SNK TO END SUPPORT FOR NEO GEO CONSOLES
I remember the first time I saw a Neo Geo AES at retail. It was back in 1992 or 1993 – I was in my local Software Etc looking for some new games to purchase and I noticed that large black Neo Geo box on the wall. Now, I had heard about SNK’s system, but until that day I had never actually seen one out in the wild. I recall looking over the packaging and being really impressed by the quality of the arcade style controllers as well as being intrigued by the idea of a console that could provide the exact same experience one would get in the arcade.
Ultimately, two things stopped me from buying the AES that day… the fact that SNK didn’t exactly have the deepest catalog of games and more importantly, the fact that each game for the system cost $199.99 apiece. Needless to say, I never purchased an AES, though I search Ebay listings for a deal on them from time to time.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about the AES is just how long SNK has continued to support the console. Call it loyalty, or maybe the fact that the cartridges were pretty much the same as the ones they used in the arcade, virtually eliminating conversion costs, but since the AES’ inception, most of SNK”s arcade releases though 2004 were brought over to the console – including ones sold directly by SNK following the console’s discontinuation in 1997. In addition, the company still offers repair and maintenance services on the console as well as all the other systems and accessories in the Neo Geo line (such as the Neo Geo CD, Neo Geo Pocket, etc.) – or at least they will until the end of August.
According to Insert Credit, a notice on SNK Playmore’s Japanese website has announced that effective August 31st, 2007 they will cease all support for the Neo Geo line of consoles, handhelds and accessories. Apparently it’s becoming harder and harder for the company to obtain replacement parts for the consoles and as such, they’ve decided to finally end all support for the consoles.
- SNK Playmore – Official U.S. website
- Neo Geo (Console) – Wikipedia entry
- SNK Playmore to stop maintenance support for Neo Geo – Insert Credit
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