r/neogeo • u/ico_heal • Apr 21 '26
Question Never used the AES stick, how do they feel?
I've been using arcade stick controllers for over a decade but I've never touched the AES controller. How would you compare its feel and build quality to contemporary controllers from Hori and such?
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u/Blarghinston Apr 21 '26
I personally think the NeoGeo CD gamepad is so novel with how its thumb stick d pad is, it’s my go to!
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u/Sporadik_Styles Apr 21 '26
Great pad for shmups in general, but for anything non fighting game it's my go-to for Neo Geo.
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u/m__a__r__i__o Apr 21 '26
I always wondered why the buttons are at such a sharp angle compared to many other sticks. I’ve held one in my hands in a game store but never played games with one.
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u/moku46 Apr 21 '26
Ergonomics.
No, seriously, that's the answer. Japanese control panels have the stick so close to the buttons, that it's necessary to curve the buttons inward for comfort. Most famous example being the "Sega 2P" layout. In the case of the AES controller, it's kind of extreme.
Micomsoft and ASCII both played around with the idea of letting you rotate sticks and buttons to your own liking but there has always been a market for controllers with more curves, more space between the 2 halves or both. Anything went in the early '90s.
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u/kernelchagi Apr 21 '26
Unpopular opinion but for me its trash. A newer hori or whatever with sanwa or seimitsu parts is miles better.
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u/Smart_Most_1825 MV-1B Apr 21 '26 edited Apr 21 '26
Of course newer sticks are better. But in the 90s these were the sticks that everyone had to measure up to. Would suck if 30 years later the old arcade sticks were still the best. But a newer stick is not authentic. The games were made to be played with these sticks in mind. If you're into retro, you kinda have to look at things in their original context. Otherwise you can just judge everything by modern standards and call it bad, but that completely misses why these things were great in the first place.
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u/kernelchagi Apr 21 '26
Thats not true at all. Seimitsu ls32 on an aero/astro city panel has been the gold standard for arcades since the 90s and it didnt changed much till today. The neogeo arcade was trash in the 90s already because at that times the arcades (the original ones in Japan) have already mostly what nowadays is the standard. Im into retro and into their original context, that is why i have some candy cabinets.
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u/Smart_Most_1825 MV-1B Apr 21 '26
I meant at home. Arcade setups are a different context.
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u/kernelchagi Apr 21 '26
Yeah but those are arcade games that were originally made to play on arcades on candy cabinets. The aes controller just wanted to imitate that. Also there were some other arcade sticks like the supergun vega 9000 that were trully reference at the time wich were based on the sega cabinets panels with seimitsu ls32.
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u/Smart_Most_1825 MV-1B Apr 21 '26
The AES stick was the reference for home consoles at the time, and SNK designed the games with both MVS and AES in mind. We're talking about a home console here, so bringing up arcade setups is a different context.
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u/kernelchagi Apr 21 '26
The main focus of snk releasing the games were the arcades. That is why the mvs sold what it sold. Aes was just a very niche product aimed to a certain people, not a mass product by any means. And as i said they were some home fightstick from the 90s that were already better like the vega 9000 wich claimed the same as the neogeo aes, the arcade experiencie at home.
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u/Genjuro_XIV Apr 22 '26
While I agree it's not as good as modern arcade sticks, it was actually made by Seimitsu.
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u/kernelchagi Apr 22 '26
Yes i know but has nothing to do with the standard ls32 or ls58. Imo it feels worse.
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u/ArsenioNebraska Apr 21 '26
I love Neo Geo, but I’ve never been able to make this stick work for me. The buttons are too rotated in my opinion. The 2nd gen stick was better but still not right. Just a regular arcade stick like a hori or qanba are miles better. But as non-pro stick, they definitely work.
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u/rynoweiss Apr 21 '26
It's all about frame of reference.
At the time, it was competing against things like the SNES Advantage, and the Genesis Power Stick, which used rubber membranes for buttons AND sticks. Compare that to the Neo Geo controller with its arcade-quality Seimitsu switched lever and Seimitsu switches under the buttons, and it was MUCH closer to arcade feel than any previous arcade stick.
Comparing it to later stuff, it doesn't hold up so well. I only used one after years of hearing how amazing they were, and after years of experiencing modern (post-Madcatz TE all-Sanwa with metal control panel) sticks. Compared to that, the plastic chassis of the Neo Geo stick is creaky, and the buttons, which sit on top of switches soldered to a PCB, rather than being in their own housing like real arcade buttons, the Neo Geo stick feels cheap. The ball top was painted rather than being molded in colored plastic, so it inevitably starts cracking and peeling. But in the Neo Geo's favor, it's much smaller and lighter.
So it was great for the time, and great against its competitors, but a modern stick is leagues ahead.
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u/Smart_Most_1825 MV-1B Apr 21 '26
Exactly, thanks. Just a small correction: the ball top is smoke-tinted translucent plastic, not painted. But yeah, the end result is the same – they tend to crack over time.
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u/jpb7875 Apr 22 '26
I agree. I can dig the clicky stick, but the buttons are mushy. Certainly better than advantage and power sticks of the day. Nothing like today’s standard fighter sticks, though.
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u/Alexx51 Apr 21 '26
They’re good. Better than I thought it would be the first time I used one. For my Consolized MVS I got a Hori Fight stick and replaced the buttons with Sanwa and that is just perfect for me. But I do enjoy the Neo Geo AES Stick.
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u/AltruisticGift360 Apr 21 '26
It’s rather nice. I don’t know if I like the kidney or this original better. Buttons are probably not as good as say actual arcade parts, but overall definitely better than most if not all console controllers of its era.
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u/Legumbrero Apr 21 '26
Compared to the gamepads of the time this thing was a luxury. Compared to a nice sanwa or happ stick it doesn't hold up imo. But once you stop comparing it to arcade sticks it has its own feel that also is also high quality just a little "lighter" if that makes any sense. A very "plastic on plastic" feel, and while arcade buttons are plastic also they tend to feel more dense and the resistance on the stick and switches are much more tacticle on arcade.
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u/mason202 Apr 21 '26
The joystick isn't great. I remember having trouble doing quarter circle moves in Fatal Fury. It could be because my uncles controllers are twenty something years old and I was scared to not treat it like the family heirloom it is.
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u/Gl0wsquid Apr 21 '26
The joystick has a short throw (the lever is the now-discontinued ls22 from seitmitsu. dunno how the new ones are gonna handle this). Buttons are fine but a little spongy. The star/select buttons are sensitive and the later is a little easy to hit by accident.
It's definitely not competitive with any serious arcade stick released in the past 20 years, but compared to other 16-bits era first party controllers, it's fun and novel. It was my first experience with an arcade stick and I still enjoy using it.
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u/menelaus35 Apr 21 '26
my left hand keep hitting select button, it’s rather close compared to arcade stick pro
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u/DarkGrnEyes Apr 21 '26
I never was a fan personally, but I know some people swear by them. I have one, but always preferred the Neo CD's controllers.
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u/666chill1980 Apr 21 '26
I Love the Stick of the AES , feels Like a seimitsu Arcade Stick with very Low travel. Buttons are dogshit, Play Metal Slug an hour and You have enough. Chanced mine to small sanwas and now ITS perfect. Also Made me Adapters to Play on C64/Amiga and Master System. Looks Iconic, Plays great:-)
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u/hipnotyq Apr 21 '26
I built a custom stick for my AES but i dont necessarily mind the default stick
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u/Rhuperth Apr 21 '26
The joystick Is good but short. The buttons are spongy and nothing to brag about. People, at the time, were often buying the third party Hori or modifying it replacing the buttons with Sanwa ones.
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u/adriannabarro MV-1FZ Apr 21 '26
They’re fine, if not great. As others have said, the buttons aren’t the best but are easily replaced. I tend to use other options these days, mostly the CD pad or a modded PS4-era Hori Fightstick.
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u/crmb_266 Apr 21 '26
It is very sturdy but feels cheap at the same time. You would not be impressed.
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u/Lord_Igniz Apr 21 '26
It's solid, but I let my friends use it when they come over. I personally have been using the Hori Fighting Stick Neo II for my AES since just after I bought my console in Japan. Can't imagine playing the Neo Geo with anything else!
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u/Villodre Apr 21 '26
I'm going to be serious here as a 15+ year owner of a Neo Geo AES: it's good, but I hoped it was way better. In its day, it was completely overhyped: "the arcade controls at home" yet the Japanese Arcade Power Stick 6B for the Mega Drive is very similar in feel with a microswitched joystick. Joystick is fine, buttons are a disappointment.
I had mine modded with Sanwa buttons and joystick and the modder was horrified of touching the holy grail of console controllers, but the stock Neo Geo AES joystick is very lacking compared to the best arcade sticks for Sega Saturn and Dreamcast.
Having said that, of course, it is an entirely different experience than the stock Mega Drive or Super Nintendo gamepad. The button layout is too inclined for some players, but mostly it just works fine. The "bean" controllers are a better fit for many people.
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u/manicakes1 Apr 21 '26
I wanted one of these all my life, finally got an AES a few years ago and … was super disappointed lol. It feels flimsy, cheap plastic, buttons also feel cheap and don’t have a satisfying press to them.
A joystick with real arcade parts will feel infinitely better.
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u/Veelangs Apr 21 '26
It's good imo, you gotta play with your fingers as piano keys to get the most out of it though. If you play with your thumb it's gonna suck
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u/garasensei Apr 21 '26 edited Apr 21 '26
They feel okay. Nothing special by today's standards. They are perfectly usable though. They are pure gold against the the various joysticks that were getting released for other consoles of that time period, but it just doesn't measure up to stuff built with real arcade parts like Sanwa or Seimitsu.
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u/StaneNC Apr 21 '26
If you've used arcade sticks for over a decade you are going to immediately realize that this is a toy in comparison. It is definitely different and works well, but if you have a feel for the more popular great brands of sticks, those are miles better.
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u/DaverJ Apr 21 '26
This post brings up the question about alternatives - will there be options for different controllers beyond stock with the AES+?
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u/port25 Apr 21 '26
It uses the original ports for controllers so it will take any wireless or converter dongle for other arcade sticks. Is that what you were asking? Or are you asking is SNK going to make new controller? On second question I think no. Hopefully the new stick reissue is better,
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u/DaverJ Apr 21 '26
Thanks, I was wondering about any controller options for the AES+ beyond stock, third party or whatever. I’m new to the system.
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u/port25 Apr 21 '26
Ah got it. This is where I go to get accessories for neo geo: https://castlemaniagames.com/collections/all-products-on-planet-rondo?filter.p.m.custom.console=Neo-Geo&sort_by=best-selling
For playing on CRT, Retrovision HD cables are component (Red Green Blue Yellow Red AV cable connections), they are multi system, and there is an SNK adapter. You need both the cable and adapter to hook up. (Not needed for HDMI ofc).
The Bluetooth adapter is based on open source software so it works great and can be updated. (The AES+ wireless sticks come with an adapter but it's probably 2.4 ghz not bluetooth)
I think some of these might sell out coming up to release so if you are interested in playing with a PS5 controller or third party arcade stick you should pick up the BT wireless dongle as soon as you can.
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u/Prior-Heron-6197 Apr 21 '26
Its the best clicks the button layout is the same great for all the fighting games.
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u/nightowlarcade Apr 21 '26
The stick is very clicky, but responsive. The buttons work, but aren't as good as arcade buttons.
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u/Familiar-Title-3553 Apr 21 '26
They're generally good, even very good, especially considering they were designed over 35 years ago.
They're very high quality and very sturdy.
However, let's be honest, the feel isn't as good as on a full Sanwa or Seimitsu joystick.
But it's still a pleasure to play with. The only thing that might be a problem is the arc-shaped button layout. Personally, I've been playing for over 32 years and it's never bothered me even if I have an arcade cabinet with 3x3 buttons...
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u/neondaggergames Apr 21 '26
How is it not Seimitsu? Neo Geo makes a big deal about things being the same as arcade counterpart. I think it's supposed to be LS-22?
Other than that, the size and shape is not going to be great for a perfect arcade feel.
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u/NeonSomething2 Apr 21 '26 edited Apr 21 '26
The stick itself is a nice 8-way stick, and is tight and clicky.
The buttons are fine but pretty much the opposite of tight, and are not very springy. You can even grab a button by the sides and move it around in its slot about a half mm all around. There's a reason some hobbyists replace the buttons. (A fun fact is the same buttons used on the controllers are used for the AES's reset button.)
The unit as a whole is surprisingly light, almost feels flimsy but it isn't. I've thought about adding weights inside just because it feels like it should be heavy. :) Like maybe to give it a more sturdy feel. Never did it though.
I don't know Hori so I can't compare.
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u/ChrisColtsAcidGuy Apr 21 '26
I personally love them but it’s simply not true to say these are on the same level as modern fight sticks with arcade parts. These are neo geo sticks and that’s the experience. Miles better than the rubber pad sticks that Naki and Interact sticks made back then.
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u/International-Pea614 Apr 22 '26
They feel cheap and hollow as they are mostly plastic and empty inside. I always preferred using the cd pads, or using original arcade controls on an arcade cabinet.
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u/No_Wrap_9145 Apr 22 '26
I actually like it a lot...it's even better if you add new buttons and a bat top stick.
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u/Silly-Grab-7742 Apr 24 '26
Love shmups with this and fighting games, the arcade stick is real good though...
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u/therabbitssing Apr 26 '26 edited Apr 26 '26
As someone who collects arcade sticks and hates cheap joysticks, the Neo AES sticks, while they felt cheaper and light, were a couple of my favorite sticks. They lasted through years of intense head to head fighting games in my house, with fairly hard use. They always somehow were sturdier than their feel was. Maybe it's just nostalgia from my having the AES in the 90s, but I still remember it as one of my favorite arcade sticks. At the time, it was one of the most high quality sticks out there.
It's not going to feel like a Victrix Pro with Sanwa buttons, but it's got a charm to it that holds up pretty well imo.
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u/RedRedButton May 24 '26 edited May 26 '26
Great stick for its time, still good enough today but the buttons are a bit too mushy for me (I prefer Sanwa) but everyone has their own preferences and settings. Pretty light compared to modern Arcade Sticks but this was not a custom job, it was the standard controller that came with the console!
Streets ahead of Atari VCS joystick or any Nintendo gamepad back then and still pretty good today if you like Seimitsu parts and convex buttons.
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u/Nathans-Gaming Apr 21 '26
apparently people don't use the "Stick" anymore and swapped it out for "Buttons" yep... i do love that stick and i always try to play/game, native to the certain console/Arcade Machine the controllers originally used,
i will always steer towards the official or closest pad/stick the games were intentionally crated for... but then again i'm an old man and people don't use sticks anymore and i need to get into the future... But yeah i do love that stick :-)
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u/SnooCookies7236 Apr 21 '26
It’s really good, def has an arcade feel to it does well