Since the announcement of Neo Geo AES+, a replica console launched by SNK in partnership with Plaion, one question has been swirling around: how does this machine work? Now as more technical information has surfaced, Plaion has previously confirmed that it does not use software simulation technology, but uses newly manufactured chips that are rebuilt based on the original design. These chips have been redesigned with modern engineering to replicate the hardware and software behavior of the original Neo Geo AES as closely as possible!
Officials also emphasized that this console can directly run new and old game cartridges, describing this as neither simulation nor FPGA approximation, but a “rebirth of a console that returns to the silicon layer.”
Technical team members exposed, accuracy attracts attention
Although Plaion has not officially announced the complete technical team, it has been confirmed that FPGA developers Jotego and Furrtek will participate in related chip design.
This news has raised the expectations of many players who pay attention to retro hardware, because both of them have long-term experience in related fields. Furrtek, in particular, is well-known in the Neo Geo reverse engineering and modification circles and has developed tools such as Neo CD SD Loader and Fusion Converter.
Furrtek sees opportunity to move beyond emulators
Furrtek once stated on the social platform that from its own perspective, Neo Geo AES+ has the opportunity to become one of the best-performing hardware since SNK discontinued the original console.
He pointed out that although it may not be completely perfect, the goal of this console is not just to restore it, but to be better than the emulator in some aspects, while taking into account the brand spirit and player needs.
Another group of developers questioned
However, not all techies agree with this design direction.
FPGA developer Pramod Somashekar believes that Neo Geo AES+’s approach is essentially close to splitting the existing FPGA design into multiple ASIC chips for implementation, and questions that this is inconsistent with the concept presented in the propaganda.
He also pointed out that unlike FPGAs, ASICs are fixed hardware designs that cannot be reconfigured once completed. If errors are discovered or adjustments are needed in the future, it will be difficult to correct them through updates.
The technical direction still needs further official explanation.
At present, the complete hardware details of Neo Geo AES+ have not been fully disclosed, and the outside world is still waiting to see its actual performance and accuracy.
However, what is certain is that this console is not a pure simulation solution, but an attempt to recreate the classic platform at the hardware level, which also differentiates it from other products in the replica console market.