Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Made with Restream. Livestream on 30+ platforms at once via restream.io
If by "Neo Geo AES+ with a Mega Drive 2 SCART connector" you're referring to the connector choice of the new AES+, I understand why some are crying foul, but technically it's more nuanced.
The original AES used a specific 8-pin DIN connector for the Neo Geo. The RGB cables for the Mega Drive 1 and Neo Geo AES aren't actually identical despite a visual resemblance; several retro hardware specialists advise against interchanging them due to mechanical and electrical differences.
What's causing a stir today is that the AES+ seems to use a video output in the Mega Drive 2 format (mini-DIN 9-pin), which allows for the reuse of a large number of RGB cables already available on the market instead of forcing players to buy specific AES cables. According to discussions surrounding the project, the designers chose this connector primarily because it facilitates stereo sound management, whereas the original AES only output mono on its AV connector.
Therefore, depending on your perspective:
Collector/purist: yes, it breaks the hardware fidelity of the original AES.
Modern gamer: it's quite practical, as Mega Drive 2 RGB cables are plentiful, reliable, and cheaper than some specialized AES cables.
SNK marketing: selling an "AES" that doesn't exactly replicate the historical connectors could be perceived as misleading.
So I'd say it's not necessarily a technical scam, but it's clearly a choice that risks dividing Neo Geo enthusiasts. The hashtag #drama isn't entirely unjustified given the community's sensitivity regarding hardware authenticity. 😄
Made with Restream. Livestream on 30+ platforms at once via restream.io
If by "Neo Geo AES+ with a Mega Drive 2 SCART connector" you're referring to the connector choice of the new AES+, I understand why some are crying foul, but technically it's more nuanced.
The original AES used a specific 8-pin DIN connector for the Neo Geo. The RGB cables for the Mega Drive 1 and Neo Geo AES aren't actually identical despite a visual resemblance; several retro hardware specialists advise against interchanging them due to mechanical and electrical differences.
What's causing a stir today is that the AES+ seems to use a video output in the Mega Drive 2 format (mini-DIN 9-pin), which allows for the reuse of a large number of RGB cables already available on the market instead of forcing players to buy specific AES cables. According to discussions surrounding the project, the designers chose this connector primarily because it facilitates stereo sound management, whereas the original AES only output mono on its AV connector.
Therefore, depending on your perspective:
Collector/purist: yes, it breaks the hardware fidelity of the original AES.
Modern gamer: it's quite practical, as Mega Drive 2 RGB cables are plentiful, reliable, and cheaper than some specialized AES cables.
SNK marketing: selling an "AES" that doesn't exactly replicate the historical connectors could be perceived as misleading.
So I'd say it's not necessarily a technical scam, but it's clearly a choice that risks dividing Neo Geo enthusiasts. The hashtag #drama isn't entirely unjustified given the community's sensitivity regarding hardware authenticity. 😄
