What comes after the first batch of NEO GEO AES games?

A lot of people are asking the same question: will there be a second batch of NEO GEO AES games? You don’t have to look far to see the interest. The subject keeps coming up in forum discussions, especially among players who want to know whether the first releases are part of a one-off run or the start of something much bigger. We now have a clearer picture. A second wave is planned for 2027, with a third batch expected to follow in 2028. If that schedule stays on track, the full classic line-up will eventually reach 30 games. That’s the main answer. Yes, more games are planned. Plaion is also considering something more ambitious. Alongside the classic reissues, it wants to distribute completely new games for the original NEO GEO AES hardware. That will depend on which projects are available, who owns the rights and whether the games are ready for commercial production. So the first batch isn’t meant to stand alone. This is planned as a multi-year release programme, although the final details can still change.

Wave 2 is planned for 2027

The second batch of NEO GEO AES games is currently planned for 2027. We don’t yet have a complete list of titles, but the timing tells us plenty. Plaion clearly sees the first wave as the opening part of a longer schedule rather than a single set of releases.

The gap between the first and second waves also makes sense. It gives Plaion time to see how well the initial cartridges sell, work through licensing discussions and decide how many units it should manufacture next. That last point matters.

Producing an AES cartridge isn’t as simple as uploading an old game to a digital shop. The cartridge shell, circuit board, case, insert and manual all need to be produced in the correct format. The finished product also has to work reliably on original hardware. Then there’s the legal side.

Each game needs approval before it can return to sale. Some titles may have a clear owner and a straightforward licensing process. Others could involve several companies, former developers or outside rights holders. That will probably shape the Wave 2 line-up more than anything else.

The first batch will also act as a test. If sales are strong, Plaion has a better reason to move ahead with a larger or more confident second wave. If demand is lower than expected, the company may adjust the number of games, production quantities or pricing.

Wave 3 could complete the 30-game line-up

A third batch is planned for 2028. Together, the three waves are expected to bring the classic NEO GEO AES range to 30 titles. That would turn the project into a proper catalogue rather than a small collection of anniversary-style releases. Thirty games would also give Plaion room to cover more genres.

The NEO GEO is best known for fighting games, but the system also has shooters, sports games, action titles and arcade conversions. A larger catalogue could offer a better mix instead of focusing only on the most obvious names.

Spreading the releases across several years is a practical move too. AES cartridges are specialist products. They cost more to manufacture than a typical modern physical game, and the market for them is smaller. Releasing too many at once could hurt sales across the entire range. Annual waves reduce that risk.

They also give Plaion time to learn from each launch. The company can adjust packaging, production numbers, distribution and the game selection before the next batch arrives. Still, 2028 isn’t a guaranteed date. Production costs can rise. Components can become harder to source. Licensing talks can take longer than expected. Any of those issues could affect the third wave before it reaches manufacturing.

New NEO GEO AES games are being considered

The most interesting part of the plan may come after the classic releases. Plaion has indicated that it wants to distribute completely new games for NEO GEO AES hardware when suitable projects become available. These wouldn’t simply be old games in fresh packaging. They could be modern titles built to run on original or compatible NEO GEO systems.

That opens up a different kind of opportunity. Small developers have already shown that new games can be made for older hardware, but producing physical cartridges is difficult. Developers need access to specialist manufacturing, packaging, testing and international distribution.

That’s where Plaion could make a difference. A larger distributor can handle production and retail logistics on a scale that most independent teams can’t. It could also make new AES releases easier to find outside specialist shops. But the process won’t be simple.

Any new game must work correctly on the hardware. The developer must also hold the necessary rights, and the project must be ready for commercial cartridge production. Existing publishing deals could create extra limits. A game may already have a distributor in one region, or the rights may not cover a new AES release. So new games are part of the wider plan, but they don’t yet have the same clear schedule as Waves 2 and 3.

Rights will decide which games appear

There’s no shortage of possible NEO GEO games to choose from. The real issue is whether they can be licensed. Some titles use third-party characters, brands or publishing agreements. Others may have changed ownership several times since their original release. That can make a new physical edition difficult.

Plaion also needs usable production materials. That includes the game data, box artwork, instruction manuals and technical information. If those materials are missing or incomplete, a title may require extra work before it can be released. Because of that, the planned 30-game line-up will probably remain flexible. Some titles may already be locked in. Others could change depending on licensing talks, available assets and production costs.

So, will there be a second batch?

Yes. That’s the current plan. Wave 2 is expected in 2027, with Wave 3 planned for 2028. If both batches go ahead, the classic NEO GEO AES range will grow to 30 titles. The first wave still has an important job to do. It needs to prove that enough people are willing to buy newly manufactured AES cartridges at the expected price.

If it succeeds, the road to Waves 2 and 3 becomes much clearer. The exact games, quantities and release dates could still change, but this isn’t being presented as a one-batch project. Plaion’s plans extend across several years, and they may eventually include brand-new games for the hardware as well.

For anyone wondering whether more NEO GEO AES releases are coming, the answer is straightforward. They’re planned. Now the first batch has to show that the market is ready for them.